NSPCC says it received 60 child abuse calls from county last year

NSPCC says it received 60 child abuse calls from county last year: Sixty people contacted the NSPCC over concerns about child abuse in the county last year – and 21 of those came from parents or carers of the child. Evening Telegraph

Staff treated for TB at Northampton renal unit

Staff treated for TB at Northampton renal unit: A tuberculosis outbreak at a renal unit in Northampton affected 13 members of staff, one seriously, the Chronicle 
understands. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Fear at whooping cough increase across Northamptonshire

Fear at whooping cough increase across Northamptonshire: Confirmed cases of whooping cough in Northamptonshire are running at almost nine a month on average, latest figures for 2012 showed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

The Liverpool care pathway implementation model

The Liverpool care pathway implementation model:
Whenever possible, relatives should be involved in discussions and it is important to note the LCP does not require hydration or nutrition to be withdrawn. It is a framework for good practice and does not replace clinical judgement. Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute

Tougher end-of-life rules planned

Tougher end-of-life rules planned: Relatives of terminally-ill patients would have to be consulted before a decision to withdraw food or water is taken, under new government proposals. BBC News

Mental health app for young people

Mental health app for young people: A mobile phone app to help young people with mental illness is being tested by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The ‘my journey’ app has been created by the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, which gives treatment and support to young people with psychosis, and is designed to help service users monitor their mood and get advice on symptoms. It will also give medication and appointment r... Healthcare Today

NHS constitution reform to include new end-of-life care commitments

NHS constitution reform to include new end-of-life care commitments: Measures may include suing health trusts that fail to fully discuss issues and striking off doctors who ignore patients' wishes
New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS constitution under proposals unveiled on Monday.

Liverpool Care Pathway: minister orders report into cash rewards

Liverpool Care Pathway: minister orders report into cash rewards: A Minister has ordered an internal investigation into the use of payments to hospitals for getting terminally ill patients onto a controversial care "pathway" to death. The Daily Telegraph

Fewer pensioners and at-risk patients are receiving the flu jab than last year

Fewer pensioners and at-risk patients are receiving the flu jab than last year:
With winter fast approaching, many people who risk becoming seriously ill if they get the flu have not yet been vaccinated against it. The Independent

Heart disease deaths halve –but only if you live in the South

Heart disease deaths halve –but only if you live in the South:
In one of the most dramatic improvements in the nation's health, deaths from heart disease have halved since the 1980s – but the gains have not been shared equally and the "health gap" between the wealthiest and poorest communities has widened among older people, researchers say. The Independent

Case of anthrax confirmed in Oxford

Case of anthrax confirmed in Oxford: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware that a person who injected heroin has been diagnosed with anthrax infection in Oxford. The patient is recovering. Health Protection Agency

New social media guidance from RCGP

New social media guidance from RCGP: The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has drafted new guidance for GPs on how to use social media safely in a professional context.

The guidance will help doctors use social media such as Facebook and Twitter appropriately to help improve the way they communicate with their patients.
The guidance includes information on how to maintain an appropriate image online, and says doctors should avoid using an online pseudonym and be cautious when giving out personal advice to ensure patient confidentiality is not broken.
RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada, who was involved in drafting the guidance, said, “We shouldn’t underestimate the extent to which doctors and other healthcare professionals will use online tools like Twitter and Facebook in the future – social media will fundamentally change the way we interact with patients, for the better.” The Medical Protection Society

Employers urged to sign whistleblowing charter

Employers urged to sign whistleblowing charter: A charter has been introduced to support whistleblowing in the NHS.

The Speaking Up charter has been launched by NHS Employers to promote a collaborative approach for healthcare organisations to work together to support any staff who report concerns about colleagues or working practices.
So far, 28 organisations have signed the charter, pledging their support of its key commitments to:

• Place safety at the heart of all care. 
• Ensure all individuals are treated in a service which is open to feedback, and encourages as well as supports its staff to raise concerns. 
• Engage staff in the development and delivery of NHS services. 
• Encourage registered health and social care workers to follow their professional codes of conduct, and encourage organisations to develop their own statement of values for all staff. 
• Support any individuals who want to raise concerns through local processes.
• Develop whistleblowing policies and continuously promote them. 
• Avoid compromise agreements containing clauses seeking to prevent disclosures protected under the PIDA 1998. 
• Provide adequate training and support for managers so that they understand their role and responsibilities in handling concerns raised with them so they are able to respond appropriately.

The Medical Protection Society 

See more about the charter at NHS Employers