Monday 26 November 2012

£120,000 windfall for NHS day centre

£120,000 windfall for NHS day centre: An NHS day centre in Northampton for people with nervous system disorders is set to be extended after £120,000 was donated to the project. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Mental health care delay concerns

Mental health care delay concerns: A mental health charity calls for improvement in treatment and attitudes to patients after a survey showed many were not getting the right treatment quickly enough. BBC News

Secret NHS death reports released

Secret NHS death reports released: The BBC publishes hundreds of previously secret NHS reports into serious incidents, which included 105 deaths. BBC News

Employment checking requirements for the NHS - Savile allegations relating to abuse

Employment checking requirements for the NHS - Savile allegations relating to abuse: On 12 November 2012, Sir David Nicholson wrote to all chairs and chief executives of trusts across England in light of the investigations into the Jimmy Savile allegations of abuse. NHS Employers

Bridging the gap: why some people are not offered the medicines that NICE recommends

Bridging the gap: why some people are not offered the medicines that NICE recommends:
This study investigated the reasons for variation in the uptake of  medicines recommended by NICE. It found that barriers to access were influenced by several factors including: under- or misdiagnosis; varying access to specialist medical expertise; insufficient capacity to deliver services required; variation in policies; and eficiencies in commissioning.
Please note: this report requires free registration in order to access it.

David Cameron's former NHS privatisation adviser becomes lobbyist

David Cameron's former NHS privatisation adviser becomes lobbyist:  Sean Worth's appointment raises concern over Conservative party links to healthcare companies
David Cameron's former adviser on NHS privatisation is working for a lobbying firm with clients in the private health sector, a development which will provoke further concern about the revolving door from Whitehall to the lobbying industry.

There are two worlds in the NHS: policy and practicality

There are two worlds in the NHS: policy and practicality:  Half of the NHS is shiny and full of well-meaning planners. The other bumbles on with changes dreamt up 10 years ago
I find I lead a double life. On one side, I am lucky enough to attend upbeat seminars and conferences about the future of the NHS. I learn about how the regulatory bodies like the Care Quality Commission and Monitor are getting their act together, to stop anything like Mid Staffs or Winterbourne View ever happening again. I hear how the close integration of the NHS and local government's social care is going to provide a seamless care pathway for me when I become senile and incontinent.

Health watchdog forced to take action against Cambridgeshire hospital which performed operation on WRONG patient

Health watchdog forced to take action against Cambridgeshire hospital which performed operation on WRONG patient:
The health watchdog has been forced to take action against a hospital trust which performed a surgery on the wrong patient. The Independent