Warning over 'struggling GP system'

Warning over 'struggling GP system': Patients in England do not feel safe relying on GP out-of-hours care and are struggling to get access to doctors during normal hours, a leading patient group is warning. BBC News

See also:

• More than half of patients are waiting two days to see GP, survey reveals The Guardian
• Primary Care: Access Denied The Patients Association

NHS remote monitoring 'costs more'

NHS remote monitoring 'costs more': Remotely monitoring patients with long-term conditions is not more cost effective than usual care, a large UK trial suggests. BBC News

Scrubbing Up: Has the NHS got its priorities wrong?

Scrubbing Up: Has the NHS got its priorities wrong?: Top doctor's prescription for fixing the health service BBC News

Most GPs have given patients placebos in UK

Most GPs have given patients placebos in UK:

GPs largely disagree with GMC code saying placebos are unethical Related items from OnMedica Giving placebo pills could help patients Homeopathy 'ineffective' so NHS should not fund it Doctors ignore patients’ views on treatment Self-help books and websites help in severe depression Placebo may not rely on deception

Safeguarding vulnerable people in the reformed NHS: accountability and assurance framework

Safeguarding vulnerable people in the reformed NHS: accountability and assurance framework: This document updates and replaces Arrangements to secure children’s and adult safeguarding in the future NHS issued by the NHS Commissioning Board in September 2012. It describes how safeguarding measures will work in the new NHS system from April 2013.

• Guidance 
• NHS Commissioning Board - publications

Budget 2013: what it means for carers

Budget 2013: what it means for carers: This briefing is a short summary of the major areas of the ways in
which the March 2013 Budget will affect carers and their families. In addition to downgrading forecasts for economic growth, the Chancellor announced a number of tax changes including some tax cuts, additional
cuts to public spending, support with childcare vouchers, and the bringing forward of significant policies including state pension reform and a cap on the costs of care.

• Briefing
• Carers UK - publications

Why are clinical commissioning groups dominated by men?

Why are clinical commissioning groups dominated by men?: Too few women are on CCG boards – meaning they don't properly represent the workforce or the local population
Soul singer James Brown sang It's a Man's Man's Man's World and 40 years later it's hard to argue that things have changed among the senior ranks of the NHS.

Simple Ofsted-style hospital ratings 'could obscure failings'

Simple Ofsted-style hospital ratings 'could obscure failings': A simplistic 'Ofsted-style' rating system for hospitals might obscure their failings, a leading think-tank is warning. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• NHS hospital Ofsted-style performance rating system not practical, Hunt told The Guardian

RCN launches UK position on district nursing

RCN launches UK position on district nursing: A new Royal College of Nursing position statement sets out the RCN’s vision for district nursing, highlighting the current challenges facing the sector and suggesting possible solutions.