Health bosses insist hospices won’t close

Health bosses insist hospices won’t close Health bosses have insisted two Northamptonshire hospices won’t close following reports of cuts, but they confirmed plans to increase charitable donations with a view to reducing NHS funding. Evening Telegraph

Care Connect going live

Care Connect going live A multi-channel patient feedback service developed by NHS England is going live in 18 trusts in London and the North within a week. EHI News

NHS consultants enter talks over working weekends

NHS consultants enter talks over working weekends Hospital consultants are to enter talks over a new contract which could see more senior doctors working evenings and weekends.Telegraph

Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust 'should be dissolved'

Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust 'should be dissolved' The hospital trust at the heart of one of the biggest scandals in the NHS' history should be dissolved, it was recommended today. Independent

Map launched to help treat stroke patients

Map launched to help treat stroke patients The UK Stroke contacts map brings together the contact details of over 150 hospitals and community based stroke professionals across the country. It provides detailed information on local stroke specific support services, enabling healthcare professionals to easily signpost patients to the local support they need when they are transferred home.

The map is aimed at professionals treating stroke survivors from outside their catchment area so that they can get in touch with the patient’s local stroke team to coordinate on-going care and referrals. NHS Networks

New research explores association between nurse staffing levels and quality of care

New research explores association between nurse staffing levels and quality of care The study has prompted the researchers to suggest that hospitals could use episodes of missed care as an early warning sign that nurse staffing levels are too low to provide safe, high quality care.

The nurses were asked about missed care - care that they deemed necessary, but which they were unable to do or complete because of insufficient time. Thirteen different areas of nursing care were covered, ranging from adequate documentation of care and patient monitoring, through to pain management. NHS Networks

Press release: Government commits £250 million for innovative cancer treatment to save lives and reduce side effects

Press release: Government commits £250 million for innovative cancer treatment to save lives and reduce side effectsA major new cutting edge radiotherapy treatment will be available in the UK thanks to £250 million of government funding to build two new facilities in Manchester and London, Public Health Minister Anna Soubry confirmed today.

The therapy – Proton Beam Therapy – is a particularly important form of cancer treatment as it targets tumours more precisely with less damage to surrounding tissues. This can improve the quality of life following cancer treatment, reduces side effects, especially for children and, because the NHS will be able to treat more people, it will save lives.

New guidance for medical schools to support students with mental health conditions

New guidance for medical schools to support students with mental health conditions Universities are being offered more help to support medical students with mental health problems. General Medical Council

Doctors prescribe 1 billion items a year

Doctors prescribe 1 billion items a year Prescriptions have risen 62% in past decade, says HSCIC OnMedica

How to get ahead in ... NHS interim management

How to get ahead in ... NHS interim management Opportunities are opening up in the 'buoyant' market for those with a private sector background

The Francis and Keogh reports, which highlighted the need to put quality of care in the NHS back centre stage, are creating new opportunities for interim managers, it has emerged. Trusts are beginning to look for interims with both clinical expertise and experience of transformation to help identify how to create high-quality patient care.

The current NHS interim recruitment market, described as "buoyant" and "busy" by some specialist recruiters, still has vacancies for experienced senior managers with financial acumen. But they say the tradition of the NHS preferring to take on interims with exclusive NHS experience may start to disappear – opening up the door for those with a background in the private sector.

Landmark ruling says hospital closure plans unlawful

Landmark ruling says hospital closure plans unlawful A decision by the Health Secretary to close maternity and Accident & Emergency services at a major hospital has been quashed and declared "unlawful" by the High Court.Telegraph

Threat to diabetes sufferers as NHS rations testing strips to save money

Threat to diabetes sufferers as NHS rations testing strips to save money People with diabetes have been left unable to monitor their blood glucose levels, putting them at risk from serious complications, because the test strips required are being rationed by the NHS to save money, Diabetes UK has claimed. Independent

Cancer treatment breakthrough? Scientists reveal hope for protecting patients from radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Cancer treatment breakthrough? Scientists reveal hope for protecting patients from radiotherapy and chemotherapy Scientists may have found a way of protecting cancer patients from the lethal effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy using drugs that shield the sensitive gastrointestinal tract from the toxic effects of the treatment. Independent