St Andrews boss blames critical inspection on lack of trained mental health nurses

St Andrews boss blames critical inspection on lack of trained mental health nurses The chief executive of a hospital in Northampton that was criticised by inspectors for low staffing levels, said the problem lies with a lack of trained mental health nurses. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Five nurses struck off over Parkside House neglect

Five nurses struck off over Parkside House neglect Five care home nurses who neglected pensioners at a scandal-hit care-home where five residents died in a fortnight were struck off. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Concerns norovirus hit care home didn’t have enough staff to cope

Concerns norovirus hit care home didn’t have enough staff to cope A care home where two people died after an outbreak of norovirus may not have had enough staff to cope with the issue,the county’s health watchdog has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health visitor plan quarterly reports: 2013 to 2014

Health visitor plan quarterly reports: 2013 to 2014 The report gives an update on the readiness of local authorities to take on public health commissioning for children under five years. Department of Health

Sharp increase in NHS racist attacks

Sharp increase in NHS racist attacks The number of verbal and physical racist attacks reported in the NHS has increased by 65% in the past five years, Freedom of Information data suggests. BBC News

'Seven-day week' for senior doctors

'Seven-day week' for senior doctors The medical director of NHS England says there is a "compelling" need for change, as he announces plans to improve care for hospital patients at weekends. BBC News

See also: 

• NHS England’s Sir Bruce Keogh sets out plan to drive seven-day services across the NHS NHS England
• Hunt welcomes 'seven-day NHS' plan BBC News
• Warning over NHS weekend care by consultant left disabled by failings The Daily Telegraph 
• NHS chief Sir Bruce Keogh wants senior doctors to work at weekends The Guardian 
• NHS plan to make hospital admissions at weekends safer for patients The Guardian 
• Senior NHS doctors who refuse to work weekends face the sack: Hospitals with poor records could also face fines of up to £12m The Daily Mail

Anastrozole may cut breast cancer risk

Anastrozole may cut breast cancer risk The Daily Telegraph reports on a "remarkable breast cancer drug that could save the lives of thousands of women".

This solid and believable headline, along with similar ones from The Times and The Guardian, was based on large-scale, high-quality research looking at whether the drug anastrozole could reduce the risk of cancer in postmenopausal women who were at high risk of breast cancer.

Ten questions for your council

Ten questions for your council These ten questions aim to help local authorities promote the wellbeing of their population and improve the recovery of people with mental health problems by providing information about the size, impact and cost of the unmet need to both treat mental health problems, to prevent them from arising and to promote wellbeing. Centre for Mental Health

One in five patients with learning disabilities live in hospitals 100km or more from their families

One in five patients with learning disabilities live in hospitals 100km or more from their families

Hundreds of people with learning disabilities are still living in hospitals more than 100km from their homes, despite a Government pledge to ensure vulnerable people are cared for in their communities. The Independent

See also:

• One in five inpatients with learning disabilities is being treated 100km or more away from home Health and Social Care Information Centre
• Winterbourne Review: transforming care one year on Department of Health
• Our response to the Learning Disabily Census Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
• Winterbourne View patients still at risk, warn families The Daily Telegraph

First missed targets of the winter heighten fears that casualty wards will struggle with seasonal workload

First missed targets of the winter heighten fears that casualty wards will struggle with seasonal workload

Casualty wards in England have missed their waiting times targets for the first time this winter, heightening fears that accident and emergency units may struggle to cope with the seasonal spike in hospital admissions. The Independent

See also:

• A&E units miss four-hour target BBC News
• A&E treatment times miss target as winter puts strain on hospitals The Guardian