KGH nurse suspended after man’s death

KGH nurse suspended after man’s death: A former Kettering General Hospital nurse who failed to summon a doctor when a 97-year-old man’s breathing raised concerns has been given a six-month suspension order. Evening Telegraph

Watchdog reprimands hospital for failure to meet performance targets

Watchdog reprimands hospital for failure to meet performance targets: Kettering General Hospital has been reprimanded by the watchdog for NHS trusts because of its failure to meet performance targets in accident and emergency waiting times and the hospital’s dealing of its finances. Evening Telegraph

Stand-in boss to leave Northampton General Hospital

Stand-in boss to leave Northampton General Hospital: The interim chief executive at NGH will leave the hospital in June. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Special measures after MRSA detected at Northampton General Hospital - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Special measures after MRSA detected at Northampton General Hospital - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Special measures after MRSA detected at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle & Echo A ward at Northampton General Hospital was put on special measures after MRSA was detected twice in one month. Board papers reveal action was taken on Creaton ward during March after the superbug was found on the skin of one patient in February and ... and more »

Heart surgery review 'cost over £8m'

Heart surgery review 'cost over £8m': A review of specialist heart surgery units for children has cost more than £8m, a Leeds MP has been told. BBC News

Doctors challenge A&E criticisms

Doctors challenge A&E criticisms: Doctors' leaders have said the government is promoting an "overly simplistic and inaccurate" picture of the current pressures facing hospital A&E departments. BBC News

See also:

• AUDIO: Hunt: A&E departments under pressure BBC News
• Trust 'worst for A&E 12-hour waits': BBC News
• A&E pressures are biggest challenge facing NHS, says Hunt The Guardian
• Crisis in A&E as soaring numbers of patients wait on trolleys The Daily Telegraph

Closed windows 'increase infection'

Closed windows 'increase infection': Keeping the windows open on traditional NHS wards can dramatically reduce the risk of infection, say researchers. BBC News

Commissioning: Can other laws protect GPs against section 75?

Commissioning: Can other laws protect GPs against section 75?: GPs fear the impact of competition rules, but might find lower-profile legislation can provide a counterbalance. Neil Roberts investigates GP Online

Privacy watchdogs back biting NHS

Privacy watchdogs back biting NHS: Well-known privacy campaigners have launched a new initiative to try and stop NHS England's GP Extraction Service in its tracks. E-Health Insider

Lords refuse to annul ‘competition’ clause in Health and Social Care Act

Lords refuse to annul ‘competition’ clause in Health and Social Care Act:

Fears of Monitor chasing CCGs over tendering are a ‘paranoid fantasy’ Related items from OnMedica GPs still left unsure over competition rules BMA demands withdrawal of competition rules Keep politics out of competition debate says Farrar DH stresses importance of localism in commissioning Act will force CCGs into expensive tendering See also: Bid to scrap NHS competition rules defeated in Lords vote GP Online

The measurement and monitoring of safety

The measurement and monitoring of safety: This framework highlights the following five dimensions, which the authors believe should be included in any safety and monitoring approach in order to give a comprehensive and rounded picture of an organisation’s safety: past harm; reliability; sensitivity to operations; anticipation and preparedness; integration and learning. The Health Foundation is seeking the thoughts and insights of a wide range of stakeholders – from those with a specialist role in patient safety, those involved in direct care delivery, patients and carers and the public in general. Deadline for responses is 1 July 2013.

• Report
• Summary
• The Health Foundation - publications

Rights, risks and responsibilities in service redesign for vulnerable groups

Rights, risks and responsibilities in service redesign for vulnerable groups: This publication from the RCN looks at the implications of service redesign – the potential loss and fragmentation of specialist knowledge, expertise and staff, and the consequent effect on delivery of high quality services for vulnerable groups such as children, older people and those with learning disabilities or mental health conditions. While aimed primarily at nurses working with vulnerable groups, the core principles identified may be helpful for any member going through a process of service redesign.

• Guidance
• RCN - publications

MMR catch-up campaign targets a million children

MMR catch-up campaign targets a million children: The MMR vaccine should be given to all unvaccinated schoolchildren aged from 10 to 16 as part of a national catch-up campaign, the government has announced.

This MMR vaccination catch-up campaign aims to prevent further measles outbreaks, following recent outbreaks in Wales.

Private data fears 'hindering progress' in NHS

Private data fears 'hindering progress' in NHS: Fears about whether the NHS can keep patients' records safe are preventing doctors and nurses from providing better care, a former health minister has claimed. The Daily Telegraph

Swansea measles case expected to hit 1,000 at weekend as 50 new cases emerge in last two days

Swansea measles case expected to hit 1,000 at weekend as 50 new cases emerge in last two days:
More than 50 new cases of measles have been identified in the last two days in the Swansea area with the total expected to reach 1,000 by the weekend. The Independent

See also:

• Graphic: everything you need to know about the measles outbreak The Daily Telegraph