Handling and resolving complaints post-Francis

Handling and resolving complaints post-Francis: The Francis report reminded us that we have a long history of trying to improve the way complaints about health services are handled. Yet we still have a long way to go to make sure patients and family members are heard and their complaints are effectively addressed, says Sondra Roberto. The Health Foundation

Almost 700 cases in measles epidemic

Almost 700 cases in measles epidemic: The number of measles cases in Swansea shows a big jump over the past two days and is now close to 700, says Public Health Wales. BBC News

Heart expert queries Leeds reopening

Heart expert queries Leeds reopening: The director of the National Institute of Clinical Outcomes Research, tells the BBC that heart surgery at Leeds should not have been restarted. BBC News

What GPs really think about CCGs

What GPs really think about CCGs: As CCGs finally take the reins of the NHS in England, do GPs think they will improve the NHS? Graham Clews reports on an exclusive GP survey. GP Online

Ministers ''water down'' Francis proposals

Ministers ''water down'' Francis proposals: The new NHS constitution now states only that the NHS will ''aspire'' to put patients first Public Service

''The health service is bust... promises will be broken''

''The health service is bust... promises will be broken'': Governments have ''over-promised'' on what the health service is capable of delivering Public Service

Clinical audit: statutory and mandatory requirements

Clinical audit: statutory and mandatory requirements: This table provides a summary of the current statutory and mandatory requirements imposed on healthcare providers working in the NHS in England. It includes the 2013/2014 NHS Standard Contract, the introduction of the NHS provider Licence by Monitor, changes to the
Foundation Trust Annual Report, and the review of the NHSLA Clinical Negligence Schemes.

• Table
• HQIP - publications

Paying the price: prescription charges and people with long-term conditions

Paying the price: prescription charges and people with long-term conditions: This report examines the impact of prescription charges on people with long-term conditions in England. It found that people with conditions such as asthma, heart disease, arthritis and HIV are having to choose between food, clothing, bills or prescription costs.  It argues that prescription charging is short-sighted as it makes it more difficult for people to manage their conditions effectively, leading to more severe health problems and extra costs to the NHS and society overall.

• Report
• Prescription Charges Coalition - publications

Safety alert for 20,000 diabetes sufferers

Safety alert for 20,000 diabetes sufferers: More than 20,000 diabetes sufferers have been warned that they may have been issued with faulty medical devices which will not alert them if blood sugar levels are dangerously high. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Warning over faulty diabetes meters BBC News

Children at risk until NHS units close, warns Royal College of Paediatrics

Children at risk until NHS units close, warns Royal College of Paediatrics: Almost a quarter of NHS children’s units should close to concentrate expertise in the remainder, the Royal College of Paediatrics says. The Independent

See also:

• Back to Facing the Future The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
• Hospital paediatric services spread too thinly, says royal college The Guardian
• Children's lives are being put at risk by a 'chronic shortage' of hospital doctors at weekends The Daily Mail

First criminal probe into patient death at scandal-hit Mid-Staffs hospital

First criminal probe into patient death at scandal-hit Mid-Staffs hospital:
A criminal investigation has been launched into the death of a woman at scandal-hit Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust following a public inquiry, which concluded patients had suffered “appalling” care. The Independent

See also:

• Mid Staffs hospital death prompts criminal investigation The Guardian
• Criminal probe into hospital death BBC News