KGH midwife’s errors placed babies’ lives at risk

KGH midwife’s errors placed babies’ lives at risk A former Kettering Hospital midwife has been struck off and barred from future practice by a panel in London after she was found to have made a series of errors. Evening Telegraph

Health and social care staff must look out for signs of domestic violence says NICE in new draft guidance

Health and social care staff must look out for signs of domestic violence says NICE in new draft guidance NICE has today (2 August) published new draft guidance on identifying and preventing domestic violence and abuse between family members or between people who are (or who have been) intimate partners. It covers adults and young people who are experiencing (or have experienced) domestic violence, and children who are exposed to domestic violence.

Divided in dying

Divided in dying Compassion in Dying - 
This report highlights the need for better advance care planning at the end of life and the urgent need to put in place workable guidance to replace the Liverpool Care Pathway as soon as possible. The report found that almost half of those who have lost someone close to them through a short or long illness, feel their loved one died badly (45%). In cases where the dying person had recorded their end of life wishes, relatives and friends are more likely to report that they had a good death (58%). Kings Fund Blog

• Report
• Compassion in Dying - news

Clinical commissioning group outcomes indicator set

Clinical commissioning group outcomes indicator set National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) - 
These fifteen proposed indicators aim to to support better quality healthcare being commissioned by CCGs. They underpin health improvement such as enhancing quality of life for people with long-term conditions and preventing people from dying prematurely. This menu of indicators will now be considered by NHS England for inclusion in the indicator set for 2014/15.

• Proposed indicators
• NICE - press release

Painful wait: NHS helpline has 3,000-strong backlog of complaints about GPs and dentists

Painful wait: NHS helpline has 3,000-strong backlog of complaints about GPs and dentists A new "one-stop" NHS customer helpline has a backlog of more than 3,000 unresolved complaints about GPs and dentists dating back to April, it was revealed today, as officials admitted the new service had not been equipped to cope with the volume of complaints and inquiries it received. Independent

Meta analysis of antidepressants vs talking therapies: another example of ‘All Must Have Prizes’?

Meta analysis of antidepressants vs talking therapies: another example of ‘All Must Have Prizes’? Patients presenting to their GP with a mental health problem are likely to be offered medication, in the form of antidepressants, and/or a ‘talking therapy’, such as counselling or CBT. This is because we know that both those broad categories of treatments (drugs and psychological therapies) are effective in reducing symptoms. However, it’s less clear [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

Indicators to improve dementia care proposed for QOF 2014/15

Indicators to improve dementia care proposed for QOF 2014/15 Three new indicators to improve dementia care could be added to QOF, as NICE unveils potential indicators for 2014/15.

NICE publishes new measures to review the benefits to patients from services commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups

NICE publishes new measures to review the benefits to patients from services commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups NICE, the health and social care guidance body, has today (Thursday 1 August) published 15  proposed new indicators to support better quality healthcare being commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Get Going this Summer with Change4Life

Get Going this Summer with Change4Life Summer is here and Change4Life’s Get Going campaign will ensure there are lots of fun ways for families to get active during the holidays.

It can be easy to let children spend a bit too much time on the sofa over the summer holidays but, while it’s great to relax after a long school year, it’s important to make sure they stay active. The longer days are also the perfect time for adults to join in and try something new too.

Children aged 5 to 16 need to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day that gets their hearts beating faster than usual, and adults need at least 150 minutes a week.

Change4Life’s Get Going this Summer campaign will run throughout the school holidays and aims to inspire families and adults to get more physically active over the summer. To make it happen Change4Life is working with Local Authorities and leisure centre providers to offer thousands of events and taster sessions across the country – check out the handy events finder to find free local events and discounted sports club sessions near you and visit Change4Life to sign up for your free online activity plan.

If you’re interested in supporting the campaign in your area, you can also view all of the resources available here, including the key engagement tool – the Get Going this Summer consumer sign-up pack. You can then place your order via the Health and Social Care orderline website or by calling the telephone orderline on 0300 123 1002. DH Campaign Resource Centre