Community marks World AIDS Day 2013

Community marks World AIDS Day 2013 Members of the local community came together at the Guildhall to mark World AIDS Day 2013 and lit candles to remember those who have died and to promote safe sex and HIV testing. NHFT News

See also:

• Showing solidarity with HIV sufferers Northamptonshire Telegraph

HK confirms first H7N9 bird flu case

HK confirms first H7N9 bird flu case Hong Kong confirms its first case of the new strain of the H7N9 bird flu in a domestic worker from Indonesia, who officials say is in critical condition. BBC News

Inquiry into donor blood vCJD risk

Inquiry into donor blood vCJD risk An inquiry is being launched to check the safety of donor blood amid concerns about an infection risk from the human form of "mad cow disease". BBC News

See also:

• Commons committee launch investigation into potential spread of vCJD brain disease in hospitals The Independent

Lessons from Europe: the value of tariff redesign

Lessons from Europe: the value of tariff redesign Payment mechanisms can be a powerful lever for strengthening healthcare delivery – driving quality and efficiency gains. NHS Confederation

Disease-specific pathways and hospital-based care are a redundant strategy for the multi-morbidity future, says Sir John Oldham

Disease-specific pathways and hospital-based care are a redundant strategy for the multi-morbidity future, says Sir John Oldham Over the next 40 years, most healthcare systems worldwide will face a tsunami of need from people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, chronic airways disease and circulatory diseases. There will be a rise of 252 per cent by 2050, and this is built into existing demography and prevalence. The mathematics are inescapable. In England… Continue reading » NHS Voices

Heart's strain rate may be raised by energy drinks

Heart's strain rate may be raised by energy drinks Caffeine energy drinks “intensify heart contractions,” BBC News reports.

The news is based on a small study of 18 healthy adults who had heart scans taken before and one hour after drinking an energy drink containing caffeine and taurine (a chemical said to have stimulant properties).

Towards whole person care

Towards whole person care This paper reviews the case for change in the English health and care system and considers how to move towards a ‘whole person care’ approach. It sets out broad themes on creating a health and care system that is fit for the future. It makes a case for a number of person-centred guarantees at the heart of the vision for whole person care, focused on people with long-term conditions and older people. Institute for Public Policy Research

Review recommends one ombudsman for public sector services

Review recommends one ombudsman for public sector services The new ombudsman would combine the functions of the Local Government and Health Service Ombudsmen. OnMedica

Leap in care home deaths linked to blood infections

Leap in care home deaths linked to blood infections The number of care home residents dying with blood infections has soared by almost 50 per cent over the past decade, official figures show. The Daily Telegraph

'Unacceptable' that only half of NHS staff took routine flu vaccination

'Unacceptable' that only half of NHS staff took routine flu vaccination NHS staff who do not take a routine flu vaccine this winter are putting frail patients' lives at risk, a leading doctor has warned. The Independent

See also:

• 75,000 more frontline NHS staff vaccinated against flu than in the same period last year NHS Employers