New look at uniform cigarette packs

New look at uniform cigarette packs The government is to announce an independent review of cigarette packaging amid continuing calls for action to discourage young smokers. BBC News

See also:

• Plain cigarette packaging expected to be given go ahead The Daily Telegraph
• U-turn could result in plain packaging on cigarettes by 2015 The Guardian

Patients 'wait too long' for therapy

Patients 'wait too long' for therapy Mental health experts say there are still problems accessing talking therapies such as counselling, despite wide recognition of their benefits. BBC News

New patients' champion for the NHS

New patients' champion for the NHS The man who led the public inquiry into the Stafford Hospital scandal is to become president of the Patients Association, promising to do all he can to rid the NHS of bad care. BBC News

Why cancer costs as much as a mortgage

Why cancer costs as much as a mortgage The financial hit can be as much as a mortgage. BBC News

RCN and Carers Trust develop ‘Triangle of Care’ to improve dementia care

RCN and Carers Trust develop ‘Triangle of Care’ to improve dementia care The RCN and Carers Trust have today published a new guide to improve the care of people with dementia by ensuring the support and involvement of their carers. The RCN

High salt levels in soluble drugs may raise heart risk

High salt levels in soluble drugs may raise heart risk “High sodium levels in drugs 'putting patients at risk',” The Guardian reports. A study in the BMJ highlights the often overlooked fact that 'everyday' soluble drugs such as painkillers, contain high levels of salt (sodium) which may cause health problems if taken on a long-term basis.

Failing to care: NHS continuing care in England

Failing to care: NHS continuing care in England This report follows an inquiry into NHS continuing care and finds that people with Parkinson's are often left to cover the cost of care themselves. It also found that 59% of NHS continuing care assessments don't involve a professional with specialist expertise or knowledge in the applicant's condition, leading to inaccurate and incorrect decisions on funding. Parkinson's UK

• Report
• Parkinson's UK - news

The NHS atlas of variation in diagnostic services

The NHS atlas of variation in diagnostic services This publication features 69 different maps of England and identifies local variations for a wide range of diagnostic services covering imaging, endoscopy, physiological diagnostics, pathology, and genetics. It shows that patients in certain areas are hundreds of times less likely to be offered some tests than in other parts of the country.

• Atlas
• NHS Right Care - diagnostics
• NHS Right Care - news

Improving patient flow across organisations and pathways

Improving patient flow across organisations and pathways "This scan compiled research about the methods used to improve patient flow across organisations or pathways." The Health Foundation

NHS to launch Tripadvisor-style website

NHS to launch Tripadvisor-style website Following a three month trial involving 20 hospital trusts, the scheme is to be rolled out nationally next year.

Charities attack treatment delays for mental health patients

Charities attack treatment delays for mental health patients Ministers urged to act quickly as survey finds 12% of people are forced to wait more than a year to be seen.

Revealed: the financial impact of cancer

Revealed: the financial impact of cancer Cancer is costing sufferers an average of £7,000 a year - the equivalent of an extra mortgage - in travel and lost income, a think tank report has disclosed. The Daily Telegraph

NHS told to ban smoking near hospitals

NHS told to ban smoking near hospitals

NHS hospitals have been advised to ban smoking on their premises and prohibit staff from facilitating patients who want to smoke, according to new guidance. The Independent

See also:

• Ban smoking on all your grounds, hospitals urged The Daily Mail
• VIDEO: Can a hospital stub out smoking? BBC News
• Impose total smoking ban in hospitals, NHS told OnMedica
• Smoking outside the hospital is a break for patients and staff. Why ban it? The Guardian
• This hospital smoking ban may be bad for your health The Daily Telegraph