Friday 21 December 2012

Services may go but no change for most KGH patients

Services may go but no change for most KGH patients:
Health chiefs predict that following a review of services at Kettering General Hospital, eight out of 10 patients now receiving acute treatment there would continue to do so. Evening Telegraph

Digital strategy: Leading the culture change in health and care published

Digital strategy: Leading the culture change in health and care published:
The department has published its digital strategy, setting out its ambition to become a Digital First department of state, with digital tools and techniques embedded throughout its work.
The strategy responds to the Government Digital Strategy published on 6 November, which set out 14 specific actions for government.
All government departments are publishing departmental digital strategies in December 2012.
The Department of Health strategy includes specific commitments to:
  1. improve the development and impact of its open policymaking
  2. increase the effectiveness of its communications to, and engagement with, audiences and stakeholders
  3. develop the digital skills it needs across the organisation
  4. improve its day-to-day efficiency
  5. steward the health and care system towards a health information revolution
Read the full strategy, including case studies and commitments on the department’s Digital health site
Download a printable version of the Digital strategy Leading the culture change in health and care
 Department of Health

Update on use of antivirals for flu prevention and treatment published

Update on use of antivirals for flu prevention and treatment published:
The Chief Medical Officer and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer have written to the NHS to advise that antiviral medicines may now be used for the prevention or treatment of flu in line with NICE guidelines.
This update sent to GPs and other health professionals advises for a final push this season to offer vaccination to those in the at risk groups, so that they are protected before the level of flu increases significantly.
This action is being taken because surveillance data from the Health Protection Agency indicates increased levels of the influenza virus is circulating.
Read the letter from the CMO and CPhO on flu antiviral use

Department of Health

Communications strategy agreed for potential flu pandemic

Communications strategy agreed for potential flu pandemic:
This is a companion document to the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy, published in November, and the Health and Social Care Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Guidance for the health and social care community, published in April.
This strategy covers health-related communication in the stages leading up to a UK pandemic, during a pandemic itself, and during the recovery phase.  It focuses on mainstream communications channels with targeted elements for specific audiences. NHS Networks

NHS Equality and Diversity Council

NHS Equality and Diversity Council:
In November 2012, the NHS Equality and Diversity Council (EDC) announced that it was to change its name to the Personal, Fair and Diverse Council in response to the Council’s new responsibilities for health inequalities and human rights as part of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Feedback is important to us and we understand that the name change has met with some concern and debate... and we look forward to inviting your views on this.
In light of these considerations, we have agreed to operate as the NHS Equality and Diversity Council whilst further engagement is carried out.
Find out more about the work of the EDC. NHS Commissioning

NHS CB supports Blackpool Hospitals’ flu video!

NHS CB supports Blackpool Hospitals’ flu video!:
Communications assistant at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Lee Rayner created a video to raise awareness about the importance of flu vaccinations and encourage all staff to get the inoculation to help protect patients and visitors and help to ensure services run smoothly and efficiently throughout the winter months.
But what he did was raise awareness worldwide!
His video, depicting porter Phil Smith becoming a hero for a day after getting the vaccine, became a massive YouTube hit, and now he is the face of the Flu Fighters campaign. When the video went viral it was seen by NHS Commissioning Board Chief Executive, Sir David Nicholson, who wanted to add his name to Phil’s growing list of fans. So Phil hopped on a train to the NHS Commissioning Board’s offices in Leeds where he was greeted with staff and national directors applauding his flu jab heroics.
Now the film has been re-launched by Blackpool Hospitals for the national Flu Fighters campaign advising all NHS staff to protect patients, family and themselves, and you can watch the film on Blackpool Hospital’s YouTube channel.
Follow @NHSFlufighter on Twitter for all the latest flu updates and developments across the service and join the conversation #flufighter. NHS Commissioning

DH to use Facebook to fight future flu pandemic

DH to use Facebook to fight future flu pandemic: The DH has published plans for clearer communication to the public and between health officials in a future flu pandemic, including greater use of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. GP Online News

Health Survey for England - 2011, Health, social care and lifestyles

Health Survey for England - 2011, Health, social care and lifestyles: Source: NHS Information Centre

The Health Survey for England (HSE) is part of a programme of surveys commissioned by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. The surveys were designed to monitor trends in the nation's health, to estimate the proportion of people in England who have specified health conditions, and to estimate the prevalence of certain risk factors and combinations of risk factors associated with these conditions. The survey is also used to monitor progress towards selected health targets.

Mental illness services pilot announced

Mental illness services pilot announced: The government has unveiled plans to improve access to psychological therapies for people with severe mental illnesses.
Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said six local projects are under way.
All sites are recognised as leaders in the mental health field and have been chosen to implement the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence’s recommended psychological therapies. Healthcare Today