Antibiotics crisis 'will mean routine infections are fatal'

Antibiotics crisis 'will mean routine infections are fatal': The world faces a future without cures for infection, in which even a minor injury or a routine operation could prove fatal, the Chief Medical Officer has warned. The Independent

See also:

• Patients should not be given antibiotics for coughs and colds due to rise in superbugs: experts The Daily Telegraph
• Antibiotics resistance growing at 'alarming' rate The Guardian
• VIDEO: Patients warned over antibiotics use BBC News
• Antibiotic resistance poses alarming threat Department of Health

UK GPs lead for 'online services'

UK GPs lead for 'online services': Commonwealth survey places United Kingdom at top for ICT usage Public Service

Telehealth expansion to be headed by CCGs

Telehealth expansion to be headed by CCGs:

GPs to secure better use of technology for people with long-term conditions Related items from OnMedica UK’s GPs rank first for using technology Texts can help patients take their meds Has telemedicine reached its tipping point? Patients who google health information can have better consultations with their GP New digital “single trusted source” of health and social care info to be set up

Future trends overview

Future trends overview: This overview summarises some of the most significant trends and drivers that will potentially affect health and social care services over the next 20 years. It also discusses the implications of these in order to provide an evidence base for future debate and thinking. It is aimed at policy-makers and health and social care leaders engaging in long-term, strategic thinking about how services need to change.

• Report
• The King's Fund - publications

Delegating record keeping and countersigning records: guidance for nursing staff

Delegating record keeping and countersigning records: guidance for nursing staff: This guidance draws on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code to clarify issues of delegating record keeping and countersigning
records for nursing staff and employers.

• Guidance
• RCN - publications

Hospital food sourced from poor conditions

Hospital food sourced from poor conditions:
Concerns have been raised over the sources of hospital food in England.
Findings from a study by the RSPCA and the Campaign for Better Hospital Food say that meat and eggs used in hospital meals does not meet the animal welfare standards generally expected by consumers.
The survey by the two organisations found that most chicken, eggs and pork served came from animals reared in basic welfare conditions ... Healthcare Today

Big fall in NHS waits

Big fall in NHS waits:
Latest Department of Health figures show a significant fall in the number of people in England who have been waiting more than a year for NHS hospital treatment.
Data shows the number fell from 20,000 in September 2011 to just over 1,600 patients this September.
While the government says the fall is because of NHS performance, analysts say it is down to information being recorded better.
It co... Healthcare Today

Survey shows use of antimicrobial stewardship toolkit leads to reduction in inappropriate prescribing in hospitals

Survey shows use of antimicrobial stewardship toolkit leads to reduction in inappropriate prescribing in hospitals: A recent survey has shown that the Start Smart Then Focus (SSTF) antimicrobial stewardship resource has helped improve prescribing practice in hospitals. Having effective leadership from hospital pharmacist and microbiologist to champion an antimicrobial stewardship programme are two of the main elements that ensure its success. Health Protection Agency