£180,000 children’s assessment centre opened by Saints stars at Northampton General Hospital
A £180,000 new children’s assessment centre at Northampton General Hospital which has treated more than 400 youngsters in its first six weeks - was officially opened by a handful of Saints players yesterday. Northampton Chronicle
Friday, 28 November 2014
Care home in Northampton closed
Care home in Northampton closed
A care home in Northampton is closed to new residents for the second time in a month after an outbreak of norovirus. Northampton Chronicle
A care home in Northampton is closed to new residents for the second time in a month after an outbreak of norovirus. Northampton Chronicle
News story: New laws for more open and safe NHS care come into force
News story: New laws for more open and safe NHS care come into force
The 2 new laws come into force today. The Duty of Candour places a legal duty on hospital, community and mental health trusts to inform and apologise to patients if there have been mistakes in their care that have led to significant harm.
The introduction of the Duty of Candour is an important step in ensuring a more honest and open culture in the NHS, particularly when things go wrong. It is a major milestone in the government’s response to the Francis report into Mid Staffordshire, which called for a more open culture in the NHS. It forms part of a wider package of measures designed to support this.
The Fit and Proper Person’s Test will help to ensure strong and safe leadership in healthcare organisations. Under the new regulations, all NHS board members will be required to undergo the Test before they are appointed. This will include an assessment of their character and a robust consideration of whether the person has the right qualifications, skills and experience for the role. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will check during their inspections that providers have strong systems in place to carry out these checks before an appointment is made.
The Fit and Proper Person requirement comes into force for NHS healthcare bodies from today. It is intended to be extended to all other registered providers, such as care homes, in April 2015. Department of Health
The CQC has published guidance for NHS organisations to help them meet the requirements of these new regulations.
The 2 new laws come into force today. The Duty of Candour places a legal duty on hospital, community and mental health trusts to inform and apologise to patients if there have been mistakes in their care that have led to significant harm.
The introduction of the Duty of Candour is an important step in ensuring a more honest and open culture in the NHS, particularly when things go wrong. It is a major milestone in the government’s response to the Francis report into Mid Staffordshire, which called for a more open culture in the NHS. It forms part of a wider package of measures designed to support this.
The Fit and Proper Person’s Test will help to ensure strong and safe leadership in healthcare organisations. Under the new regulations, all NHS board members will be required to undergo the Test before they are appointed. This will include an assessment of their character and a robust consideration of whether the person has the right qualifications, skills and experience for the role. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will check during their inspections that providers have strong systems in place to carry out these checks before an appointment is made.
The Fit and Proper Person requirement comes into force for NHS healthcare bodies from today. It is intended to be extended to all other registered providers, such as care homes, in April 2015. Department of Health
The CQC has published guidance for NHS organisations to help them meet the requirements of these new regulations.
New hospital alert system to help prevent child abuse goes live
New hospital alert system to help prevent child abuse goes live
A new system to help doctors and nurses spot children suffering from abuse and neglect has successfully gone live. Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust are the first hospitals in the country to use the new Child Protection - Information Sharing (CP-IS) system which is designed to help avoid tragic cases such as Baby P being repeated.
The system will now be rolled out across the country, connecting emergency departments, out of hours GPs, walk in centres and local authorities through a national system that will alert clinical staff to those at risk of abuse or neglect.
A new system to help doctors and nurses spot children suffering from abuse and neglect has successfully gone live. Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust are the first hospitals in the country to use the new Child Protection - Information Sharing (CP-IS) system which is designed to help avoid tragic cases such as Baby P being repeated.
The system will now be rolled out across the country, connecting emergency departments, out of hours GPs, walk in centres and local authorities through a national system that will alert clinical staff to those at risk of abuse or neglect.
IC QOF
Independent report demands action on care of people with learning disabilities
Independent report demands action on care of people with learning disabilities
The report makes a series of recommendations for the NHS, local government, regulators and the government, that include a robust NHS commissioning framework to support people with learning disabilities and autism move out of hospitals and into the community. NHS Networks
The report makes a series of recommendations for the NHS, local government, regulators and the government, that include a robust NHS commissioning framework to support people with learning disabilities and autism move out of hospitals and into the community. NHS Networks
Guide on care contact time
Guide on care contact time
The guide complements existing NQB guidance, NICE guidelines and NICE endorsed safe staffing toolkits.
The guide helps providers to make decisions about safe staffing care for their patients and service users and recommends that organisations review the contact time staff spend with their patients. NHS Networks
The guide complements existing NQB guidance, NICE guidelines and NICE endorsed safe staffing toolkits.
The guide helps providers to make decisions about safe staffing care for their patients and service users and recommends that organisations review the contact time staff spend with their patients. NHS Networks
Patients deserve better out-of-hours care
Patients deserve better out-of-hours care
This undervalued service needs improvement if the NHS is to deliver 24-hour healthcare in the community
Community services are the future of the NHS
The annual headlines on A&E pressures are becoming almost a winter tradition. Solving this deep-rooted problem extends far beyond the front door of local emergency departments.
A&E and ambulance services are the 24-hour frontline part of this system – and get this scrutiny as the most recognisable “brand”, but we ignore at our peril the role that community nurses, pharmacists, walk-in centres and GPs can play in delivering a sustainable and consistent urgent care service. Guardian
Continue reading...
This undervalued service needs improvement if the NHS is to deliver 24-hour healthcare in the community
Community services are the future of the NHS
The annual headlines on A&E pressures are becoming almost a winter tradition. Solving this deep-rooted problem extends far beyond the front door of local emergency departments.
A&E and ambulance services are the 24-hour frontline part of this system – and get this scrutiny as the most recognisable “brand”, but we ignore at our peril the role that community nurses, pharmacists, walk-in centres and GPs can play in delivering a sustainable and consistent urgent care service. Guardian
Continue reading...
NHS England, Monitor and the TDA come together to issue joint guidance to the NHS
NHS England, Monitor and the TDA come together to issue joint guidance to the NHS
A collaborative approach to planning across the NHS in England is being taken forward, for the first time, by the three main organisations responsible for the system.
NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority will work together to co-produce one set of guidance for NHS commissioners, NHS trusts and foundation trusts. All three will work to collectively build on the recently published Five Year Forward View; galvanising the need for a joined up approach to secure sustainable high quality care across the health and care system.
The 2015/16 planning round provides an important opportunity to establish a foundation for longer term transformation based on the Five Year Forward View and to refresh, and to ensure sustained progress on, the two-year operational plans developed last year.
The jointly coordinated guidance will be issued in December. Further details including the planning timeline are available here. NHS Commissioning
A collaborative approach to planning across the NHS in England is being taken forward, for the first time, by the three main organisations responsible for the system.
NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority will work together to co-produce one set of guidance for NHS commissioners, NHS trusts and foundation trusts. All three will work to collectively build on the recently published Five Year Forward View; galvanising the need for a joined up approach to secure sustainable high quality care across the health and care system.
The 2015/16 planning round provides an important opportunity to establish a foundation for longer term transformation based on the Five Year Forward View and to refresh, and to ensure sustained progress on, the two-year operational plans developed last year.
The jointly coordinated guidance will be issued in December. Further details including the planning timeline are available here. NHS Commissioning
Mental health deaths as beds cut
Mental health deaths as beds cut
Seven mental health patients have killed themselves in England since 2012 after being told there were no hospital beds for them, the BBC learns. BBC News
Seven mental health patients have killed themselves in England since 2012 after being told there were no hospital beds for them, the BBC learns. BBC News
Ebola vaccine shows promise in human trials
Ebola vaccine shows promise in human trials
“Ebola vaccine trial results promising, says manufacturer,” The Guardian reports. Initial results from a trial involving 20 healthy adults found that the vaccine seems to be safe.
The trial was what is known as a phase one trial, which is designed to test if a drug or intervention is safe, rather than whether it is effective against Ebola.
There were some minor side effects – such as mild pain, fever and generally feeling under the weather – but all symptoms resolved after a few days.
Although the purpose of the study was to assess safety, the researchers also measured the antibody levels that had been produced following the vaccine, which gives an indication that it might be effective in granting immunity against infection. NHS Choices
Links To The Headlines
Ebola vaccine trial results promising, says manufacturer. The Guardian, November 26 2014
'Positive signs' from Ebola vaccine trial. BBC News, November 26 2014
Ebola vaccine promising in first human trials. Mail Online, November 26 2014
Ebola Vaccine Trial Shows Signs Of Success. Sky News, November 27 2014
Links To Science
Ledgerwood JE, DeZure AD, Stanley DA, et al. Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector Ebola Vaccine — Preliminary Report. The New England Journal of Medicine. Published online November 26 2014
“Ebola vaccine trial results promising, says manufacturer,” The Guardian reports. Initial results from a trial involving 20 healthy adults found that the vaccine seems to be safe.
The trial was what is known as a phase one trial, which is designed to test if a drug or intervention is safe, rather than whether it is effective against Ebola.
There were some minor side effects – such as mild pain, fever and generally feeling under the weather – but all symptoms resolved after a few days.
Although the purpose of the study was to assess safety, the researchers also measured the antibody levels that had been produced following the vaccine, which gives an indication that it might be effective in granting immunity against infection. NHS Choices
Links To The Headlines
Ebola vaccine trial results promising, says manufacturer. The Guardian, November 26 2014
'Positive signs' from Ebola vaccine trial. BBC News, November 26 2014
Ebola vaccine promising in first human trials. Mail Online, November 26 2014
Ebola Vaccine Trial Shows Signs Of Success. Sky News, November 27 2014
Links To Science
Ledgerwood JE, DeZure AD, Stanley DA, et al. Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector Ebola Vaccine — Preliminary Report. The New England Journal of Medicine. Published online November 26 2014
Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: a critique by Laws, Langford and Huda
Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia: a critique by Laws, Langford and Huda
Keith Laws, Alex Langford and Samei Huda provide a critique of the British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology report published today. The Mental Elf
Keith Laws, Alex Langford and Samei Huda provide a critique of the British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology report published today. The Mental Elf
AUDIO: Schizophrenia assumptions challenged
AUDIO: Schizophrenia assumptions challenged
A report published on Thursday challenges received wisdom about the nature of schizophrenia. BBC News
A report published on Thursday challenges received wisdom about the nature of schizophrenia. BBC News
Blood test could pick up risk of cancer five years in advance, say Harvard scientists
Blood test could pick up risk of cancer five years in advance, say Harvard scientists
Harvard University has found that mutations in blood indicate that a person is at higher risk of developing cancer. Independent
Harvard University has found that mutations in blood indicate that a person is at higher risk of developing cancer. Independent
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Criticised hospital 'almost safe'
Criticised hospital 'almost safe' A hospital rated as "potentially high risk" has improved, but further work is still needed, inspectors find. BBC Northamptonshire
Wheelchair-bound patient from Northampton has free transport to hospital withdrawn
Wheelchair-bound patient from Northampton has free transport to hospital withdrawn A Northampton man with multiple disabilities has said he was “left in limbo” after the NHS told him he was no longer eligible for ambulance transportation to hospital appointments because he received a disability allowance. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
More than 13,000 diabetes patients in Northamptonshire did not get ‘essential health checks’
More than 13,000 diabetes patients in Northamptonshire did not get ‘essential health checks’ More than six out of 10 people with diabetes in Northamptonshire are not receiving essential health checks to help them avoid serious complications, a charity has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Winterbourne view - time for change: transforming the commissioning of services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism
Winterbourne view - time for change: transforming the commissioning of services for people with learning disabilities and/or autism Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of charity leaders body ACEVO, was asked by NHS England to work with stakeholders and make recommendations for the development of a national commissioning framework to address the shortcomings in the provision of support for people with learning disabilities. The report makes a series of recommendations for the NHS, local government, regulators and the government, that include a robust NHS commissioning framework to support people with learning disabilities and autism move out of hospitals and into the community. NHS England
See also:
See also:
- Learning disability care 'failing' BBC News
- Drive to end Winterbourne View-style care going backwards, official report shows The Daily Telegraph
- Report shows unacceptable care of those with learning disabilities in assessment and treatment units Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- ‘We must stop learning disabled people being dumped in waste bins of life’ The Guardian
- Bubb Report: Winterbourne View-style homes must be closed down The Independent
- Bubb suggests radical changes to learning disabilities care OnMedica
Payment system will encourage better NHS efficiency and improved care
Payment system will encourage better NHS efficiency and improved care NHS England and Monitor have today launched a consultation on changes to the NHS payment system.
The proposed changes for 2015/16 aim to incentivise the efficient provision of high quality care, while also encouraging the better management of an increasing demand for services.
The package of proposals is an early opportunity to put into practice the commitment in the Five Year Forward View to encourage the NHS to innovate and change local patterns of care in response to the needs of patients.
The proposed changes for 2015/16 aim to incentivise the efficient provision of high quality care, while also encouraging the better management of an increasing demand for services.
The package of proposals is an early opportunity to put into practice the commitment in the Five Year Forward View to encourage the NHS to innovate and change local patterns of care in response to the needs of patients.
FGM e-learning launched today
FGM e-learning launched today Health Education England (HEE) today launches an e-learning programme to help support and recognise the victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, and supported by the Department of Health’s FGM Prevention team, the material deals with the issues posed by FGM at all stages of a girl or woman’s life, including the impact on physical and emotional health, legal status and referral pathways.
The introductory content is available to all today, on HEE’s e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) website. The full suite of learning will be available shortly, and will provide free training for all NHS staff, including school nurses, practice nurses, health visitors and GPs.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are an estimated 130 million women and girls living with FGM worldwide. Most of these women are located in 29 African countries. In the UK, FGM is increasingly identified amongst migrants from FGM-practising countries. There are an estimated 137,000 women in the UK affected by FGM.
Professor Wendy Reid, Director of Education and Quality, Health Education England, said:
“All health professionals have a responsibility to provide support for survivors of FGM and in the protection of girls and women at risk of FGM.
I am proud to say that Health Education England is committed to training frontline healthcare professionals to recognise those at risk and support women and girls who may have undergone FGM.”
Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, and supported by the Department of Health’s FGM Prevention team, the material deals with the issues posed by FGM at all stages of a girl or woman’s life, including the impact on physical and emotional health, legal status and referral pathways.
The introductory content is available to all today, on HEE’s e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) website. The full suite of learning will be available shortly, and will provide free training for all NHS staff, including school nurses, practice nurses, health visitors and GPs.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are an estimated 130 million women and girls living with FGM worldwide. Most of these women are located in 29 African countries. In the UK, FGM is increasingly identified amongst migrants from FGM-practising countries. There are an estimated 137,000 women in the UK affected by FGM.
Professor Wendy Reid, Director of Education and Quality, Health Education England, said:
“All health professionals have a responsibility to provide support for survivors of FGM and in the protection of girls and women at risk of FGM.
I am proud to say that Health Education England is committed to training frontline healthcare professionals to recognise those at risk and support women and girls who may have undergone FGM.”
Urgent and important : the future for urgent care in a 24/7 NHS
Urgent and important : the future for urgent care in a 24/7 NHS This report makes eight recommendations to improve standards and ensure the most efficient use of resources. It surveyed 1,000 GPs, whose feedback helped to guide the report’s recommendations. The recommendations aim to give the out of hours sector a stronger position through a more tailored and informed approach to workforce development, communication, commissioning and delivery. Care UK
GPs 'failing' to find liver disease
GPs 'failing' to find liver disease Early detection of liver disease by GPs in the UK is "virtually non-existent", leading medical experts warn. BBC News
Ebola vaccine trial 'promising'
Ebola vaccine trial 'promising' The first human trial of an experimental vaccine against Ebola suggests that it is safe and may help the immune system to combat the virus. BBC News
See also:
See also:
Hunt 'contradicted NHS advice'
Hunt 'contradicted NHS advice' Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has been accused of contradicting NHS advice after admitting that he took his children to A&E at the weekend rather than wait to see a GP. BBC News
NHS England silent on tech fund delay
NHS England silent on tech fund delay NHS England has been unable to answer repeated questions about when it will announce the list of trusts that made successful bids to the second round of its technology fund, as rumours swirl that the money on offer has been slashed. E-Health Insider
NHS to carry on selling patient records to insurers
NHS to carry on selling patient records to insurers Study finds details of more than 50,000 people were passed to the academics working in universities without the necessary legal safeguards. The Daily Telegraph
'Cash for diagnoses' dementia scheme is dropped
'Cash for diagnoses' dementia scheme is dropped Following outrage from doctors and patients groups, the head of the NHS has signalled that a scheme which pays GPs £55 for each person diagnosed with dementia will be dropped in April. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
Minister: Children with mental health problems should 'never' be kept in cells
Minister: Children with mental health problems should 'never' be kept in cells Holding children with mental health problems in police cells should be a “never event”, the care minster Norman Lamb has said. The Independent
Up to 2m could get NHS weight-loss surgery to save ‘billions of pounds’
Up to 2m could get NHS weight-loss surgery to save ‘billions of pounds’ The NHS should triple the number of weight-loss surgeries it carries out every year to help tackle the “immense problem” of obesity and reduce the £10bn cost of caring for patients with diabetes, the health watchdog has said. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Guidelines favour weight loss ops BBC News
- Fifth of millennium babies 'obese' BBC News
- Two million eligible for gastric bands The Daily Mail
- Half of children are overweight before they even reach 11 The Daily Mail
- Offer weightloss surgery to young people, NHS advised The Daily Telegraph
- Tripling weight loss surgeries would cut type 2 diabetes treatment bill The Guardian
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Reforms to Private Finance Initiative likely to increase costs to the NHS, new report warns
Reforms to Private Finance Initiative likely to increase costs to the NHS, new report warns The Government’s Private Finance 2 initiative is likely to divert more resources away from the NHS in England than the original Private Finance Initiative, according to a new report from the Centre for Health and the Public Interest.
See also:
See also:
The reconfiguration of clinical services: what is the evidence?
The reconfiguration of clinical services: what is the evidence? This paper aims to help those planning and implementing major clinical service reconfigurations ensure that change is as evidence-based as possible. It investigates the five key drivers – quality, workforce, cost, access and technology – across 13 clinical service areas, and summarises the research evidence and professional guidance available in each. It builds on a major forthcoming analysis of reviews of service reconfigurations commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research and conducted by the National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT). The King's Fund
Mental health taskforce announced
Mental health taskforce announced The new taskforce will include cabinet ministers from across the coalition government.
The deputy prime minister has been campaigning on mental health issues for many years, focusing on bringing treatment for mental health problems in line with physical health, and ending years of discrimination.
The government’s mental health strategy has also built a firm foundation for improving services across the country with an investment of £400m to expand talking therapies. Department of Health
See also:
The deputy prime minister has been campaigning on mental health issues for many years, focusing on bringing treatment for mental health problems in line with physical health, and ending years of discrimination.
The government’s mental health strategy has also built a firm foundation for improving services across the country with an investment of £400m to expand talking therapies. Department of Health
See also:
- Speech: The moral and economic case for improving mental health care Department of Health
New to the NHS? Your guide to using social media
New to the NHS? Your guide to using social media If you are new to the NHS, it’s important to understand how social media is having an impact on the way healthcare is planned, delivered and discussed. This quick guide tells you what you need to know about social media now that you work for the NHS and what you should do with your personal profiles. NHS Employers
Call for £2bn more for NHS in England
Call for £2bn more for NHS in England Calls for extra money for the NHS in England are intensifying after latest figures show the deficit is growing as performance deteriorates. BBC News
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Cervical screening coverage: lowest levels amongst women under 30
Cervical screening coverage: lowest levels amongst women under 30 Latest figures show that cervical screening coverage is considerably lower for women aged 25 to 29 than for those in older age groups. The highest levels are amongst women aged 50 to 54. Health and Social Care Information Centre
E-cigarettes are not attracting new smokers
E-cigarettes are not attracting new smokers ONS figures show a fall in smoking to 19%. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
- E-cigarette 'lure' might be baseless BBC News
Pulling together to extend lives of people with serious mental illness
Pulling together to extend lives of people with serious mental illness A pioneering scheme in Derbyshire has had some success in tackling the lifestyle factors that cause early deaths among mentally ill people
Each year, 12,000 people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, die prematurely from heart disease – on average 20 years earlier than the general population, which gives them a similar life expectancy to the 1950s. In addition, 18,000 people with common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression will also die early. This connection between physical health and mental health was noted in the British Medical Journal as long as 60 years ago. Yet only last year the Mental Health Foundation reported that NHS physical health and mental health care were largely disconnected, and that, though integration was supported in principle, it was not delivered in practice.
Michael Knapton, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, says: “It is a failure of the specialisation of medicine where doctors look after an organ, rather than a person. But it is people who walk into a clinic.” Continue reading... The Guardian
Each year, 12,000 people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, die prematurely from heart disease – on average 20 years earlier than the general population, which gives them a similar life expectancy to the 1950s. In addition, 18,000 people with common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression will also die early. This connection between physical health and mental health was noted in the British Medical Journal as long as 60 years ago. Yet only last year the Mental Health Foundation reported that NHS physical health and mental health care were largely disconnected, and that, though integration was supported in principle, it was not delivered in practice.
Michael Knapton, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, says: “It is a failure of the specialisation of medicine where doctors look after an organ, rather than a person. But it is people who walk into a clinic.” Continue reading... The Guardian
Government accused of failing to provide emergency care for British ebola volunteers
Government accused of failing to provide emergency care for British ebola volunteers NHS workers in Sierra Leone told they will not be guaranteed repatriation if they fall sick - despite lack of life-saving equipment in Freetown. The Daily Telegraph
Report: GPs on call at A&E could reduce pressure on services
Report: GPs on call at A&E could reduce pressure on services A&E departments should relieve pressure on emergency staff by having GPs on hand to see patients with less serious health problems, leading doctors have said. The Independent
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See also:
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Kettering General Hospital CQC inspection report
Kettering General Hospital CQC inspection report The latest inspection report from the Care Quality Commission
See also:
See also:
- Inspectors praise caring staff but say Kettering General Hospital as a whole must improve Northamptonshire Telegraph
- Inspectors praise caring staff but say Kettering General Hospital as a whole must improve Northampton Chronicle and Echo
- ‘I’ve never worked somewhere so dire for staffing levels’, Northamptonshire nurse tells inspectors Northampton Chronicle and Echo
NHS workers in Northampton will continue to strike until Government “listens”
NHS workers in Northampton will continue to strike until Government “listens” Nurses, midwives and radiologists in Northampton have said they will continue to take periods industrial action until the Government starts to listen and negotiate with them. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The reconfiguration of clinical services is an important but insufficient approach
The reconfiguration of clinical services is an important but insufficient approach In a recent editorial for the BMJ, Nigel Edwards argues that ‘the quality of debate about the role of hospitals has improved’. He cites the work of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Future Hospital Commission and the NHS five year forward view. Both have moved away from an all-or-nothing approach to the future of acute hospital care and envisage hospitals that are more integrated with primary and tertiary care.
Today The King’s Fund hopes to enhance the quality of that debate even further with the publication of a major report laying out the evidence available to help guide the reconfiguration of hospital services. The evidence supports the direction of travel suggested by NHS England and the RCP, in particular that there are increasing opportunities to sustain services in smaller hospitals. We need to grasp these opportunities if we are to provide a model of hospital care that recognises the huge demographic shift currently under way.
Today The King’s Fund hopes to enhance the quality of that debate even further with the publication of a major report laying out the evidence available to help guide the reconfiguration of hospital services. The evidence supports the direction of travel suggested by NHS England and the RCP, in particular that there are increasing opportunities to sustain services in smaller hospitals. We need to grasp these opportunities if we are to provide a model of hospital care that recognises the huge demographic shift currently under way.
Measurement for improvement: what we can learn from reductions in pressure ulcers
Measurement for improvement: what we can learn from reductions in pressure ulcers It can be really tricky to get better at something. Sometimes it’s even trickier to know when (and if) you’re actually getting better. But there are some things you can do to make improvement easier, and right at the top of the list is measurement. The Health Foundation
News story: Hospital cleaning: revised specification published
News story: Hospital cleaning: revised specification published This revision offers an example that shows the level of risk that poor cleaning standards can pose for patients, staff and visitors. It covers various locations in hospitals and a range of equipment and fittings.
Trusts that adopt it can use it to show how they will comply with Care Quality Commission requirements on cleanliness.
This updated cleaning specification is free to download for all NHS staff and organisations.
Recent assessments show standards of hospital cleanliness are high. Keeping them that way supports all the successful efforts to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infections such as MRSA.
The standard was first published in 2011 to help acute, community and mental health hospitals prove they have systems in place to ensure they are clean and safe for patients. Its development is sponsored by the Department of Health.
Trusts that adopt it can use it to show how they will comply with Care Quality Commission requirements on cleanliness.
This updated cleaning specification is free to download for all NHS staff and organisations.
Recent assessments show standards of hospital cleanliness are high. Keeping them that way supports all the successful efforts to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infections such as MRSA.
The standard was first published in 2011 to help acute, community and mental health hospitals prove they have systems in place to ensure they are clean and safe for patients. Its development is sponsored by the Department of Health.
New alliance aims to improve lot of people with long-term conditions
New alliance aims to improve lot of people with long-term conditions The Coalition for Collaborative Care (C4CC) brings together ADASS, National Voices, Diabetes UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and others. NHS England
VIDEO: 'End of life care needs more effort'
VIDEO: 'End of life care needs more effort' Professor Atul Gawande of Harvard University on why more effort needs to be made to improve the last stage in people's lives. BBC News
VIDEO: NHS pay: Staff morale is 'dreadful'
VIDEO: NHS pay: Staff morale is 'dreadful' Thousands of NHS workers in England and Northern Ireland, including nurses, midwives and ambulance staff, have been staging four hour strikes. BBC News
NHSBT log-in via social media
NHSBT log-in via social media NHS Blood and Transplant has enabled users to log-on to its website using their social media credentials as part of a bid to encourage more people to donate blood. E-Health Insider
Therapy reduces risk of suicide or self-harm
Therapy reduces risk of suicide or self-harm“Talk therapy sessions can help reduce the risk of suicide among high-risk groups,” BBC News reports.
The headline is prompted by a large Danish study that took place over a 20-year period.
Researchers matched those who had received different psychosocial (“talking therapy”) interventions after a self-harm attempt with those who had not received a psychosocial intervention, and then compared relevant outcomes.
People who received psychological interventions had reduced risk of further self-harm, but not suicide, within the first year. Looking at longer-term follow-up, psychological interventions were associated with reduced risk of both self-harm and suicide.
However, it may be difficult to isolate the direct effect of the psychological intervention. People who had received psychological interventions were recruited from treatment clinics that required them not to be in need of psychiatric admission.
The headline is prompted by a large Danish study that took place over a 20-year period.
Researchers matched those who had received different psychosocial (“talking therapy”) interventions after a self-harm attempt with those who had not received a psychosocial intervention, and then compared relevant outcomes.
People who received psychological interventions had reduced risk of further self-harm, but not suicide, within the first year. Looking at longer-term follow-up, psychological interventions were associated with reduced risk of both self-harm and suicide.
However, it may be difficult to isolate the direct effect of the psychological intervention. People who had received psychological interventions were recruited from treatment clinics that required them not to be in need of psychiatric admission.
Scarlet fever rates higher than normal
Scarlet fever rates higher than normal Around 100 cases are being reported across England every week. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
- Scarlet fever, the beginning of a new season Public Health England
NHS: Scandal of the sight saving drug doctors are not allowed to prescribe
NHS: Scandal of the sight saving drug doctors are not allowed to prescribe Bill Organ’s sight was saved by injections of the drugs Avastin and Lucentis. Both drugs stop the loss of central vision caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Daily Mail
In charts and graphs: A&E performance
In charts and graphs: A&E performance As ministers warn that hospitals are coming under 'precedented pressures,' figures from one NHS trust in Kent, Medway NHS Foundation trust, shows patients repeatedly waiting more than 24 hours in A&E. Here, the statistics in depth. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Every year winter comes as a surprise to the NHS The Daily Telegraph
- Patients endure waits of up to 35 hours in A&E The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 24 November 2014
Five Northampton GP surgeries to be inspected after ‘high-risk’ issues found
Five Northampton GP surgeries to be inspected after ‘high-risk’ issues found Five GP surgeries in Northampton are set to be visited by inspectors after data suggested patients risked having sub-standard care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
RCN warns of “turning back the clock” in mental health care
RCN warns of “turning back the clock” in mental health care Mental health services across the UK are under unprecedented strain, with a steep fall in nurse numbers and available beds at a time of rising demand, according to a new report published by the Royal College of Nursing.
See also:
See also:
- Frontline First: Turning back the clock? RCN report on mental health services in the UK Royal College of Nursing
- Mental health nursing cuts warning BBC News
- Video: Mental health services 'under unprecedented strain' BBC News
- Thousands of mental health jobs axed in last 4 years despite surge in sectioned patients, report claims The Daily Mirror
- Call to reverse 'unacceptable' mental health cuts ITV News
And our survey says...
And our survey says... What impact has the Berwick report had on the NHS? In conjunction with Monitor and the Trust Development Authority, we sent a survey out to every NHS provider in England. John Illingworth discusses the findings in this blog. The Health Foundation
Evaluating health and wellbeing interventions for healthcare staff: key findings
Evaluating health and wellbeing interventions for healthcare staff: key findings This guidance encourages NHS organisations to improve the evaluation of their internal health and wellbeing programmes. Findings from the research show that financial pressure on the NHS will make it increasingly difficult for NHS boards to justify their own staff health and wellbeing programmes - unless more evidence and rigor is developed to assess their value. NHS Employers
NHS staff stage four-hour strike
NHS staff stage four-hour strike Nurses, midwives, ambulance staff and other NHS workers are staging a four-hour strike on Monday. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Northamptonshire public warned strike could cause ambulance delays in non-life threatening cases Northampton Chronicle and Echo
- Strike action by ambulance staff could affect Northants Northamptonshire Telegraph
- NHS workers to stage four-hour strike as pay dispute continues The Guardian
Air dryers 'blown away' by paper towels in germ tests
Air dryers 'blown away' by paper towels in germ tests "Hand dryers 'splatter' users with bacteria," The Daily Telegraph reports.
The headline is prompted by an experimental study that compared the potential transfer of germs to the surrounding environment, users and bystanders when using three methods of hand drying:
Testers wore gloves coated in a solution of bacteria. Air samples taken after drying with the hand dryers showed significantly higher bacterial counts than when drying with paper towels, and were highest for the jet air dryers.
They then assessed the potential for spread to users and bystanders, this time using the proxy of gloves coated in black paint and a white body suit.
They found there was no contamination of the body after towel drying, but paint spots were on the body after the use of air dryers, which again was higher with jet dryers than standard warm air dryers.
One important limitation of this study is it essentially replicates the scenario of someone going to the toilet and then proceeding straight to the hand dryer without washing their hands first.
A more suitable test may have been to coat the gloves with the marker, wash them with soap and water as recommended, and then proceed to the hand dryers.
But the overall message of this study is consistent with current hand washing recommendations, including the use of disposable paper towels in healthcare settings.
The headline is prompted by an experimental study that compared the potential transfer of germs to the surrounding environment, users and bystanders when using three methods of hand drying:
- paper towels
- warm air dryers – the sort you see in most public toilets
- modern "high-tech" jet air dryers, such as the Dyson Airblade model
Testers wore gloves coated in a solution of bacteria. Air samples taken after drying with the hand dryers showed significantly higher bacterial counts than when drying with paper towels, and were highest for the jet air dryers.
They then assessed the potential for spread to users and bystanders, this time using the proxy of gloves coated in black paint and a white body suit.
They found there was no contamination of the body after towel drying, but paint spots were on the body after the use of air dryers, which again was higher with jet dryers than standard warm air dryers.
One important limitation of this study is it essentially replicates the scenario of someone going to the toilet and then proceeding straight to the hand dryer without washing their hands first.
A more suitable test may have been to coat the gloves with the marker, wash them with soap and water as recommended, and then proceed to the hand dryers.
But the overall message of this study is consistent with current hand washing recommendations, including the use of disposable paper towels in healthcare settings.
Fears Government is concealing levels of A&E overcrowding
Fears Government is concealing levels of A&E overcrowding Fears have been raised that the true scale of the looming A&E crisis is being concealed after the Government delayed the publication of key annual figures revealing how busy casualty departments are. The Daily Mail
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How has the NHS improved patient safety?
How has the NHS improved patient safety? New research shows a positive response to the Berwick report and significant progress but further action is needed.
It has been just over a year since Professor Don Berwick produced his review of patient safety in England, offering a distinct shift in emphasis from the focus of the Francis inquiry. Most notably, it stated that “rules, standards, regulations and enforcement have a place in the pursuit of quality, but they pale in potential compared to the power of pervasive and constant learning”.
The review team was specifically asked how the NHS can “make zero harm a reality”. They came back and said sorry, this is just not possible (my paraphrasing), but instead filled the report with the broader ambition of a “continual reduction of harm”. Continue reading... The Guardian
It has been just over a year since Professor Don Berwick produced his review of patient safety in England, offering a distinct shift in emphasis from the focus of the Francis inquiry. Most notably, it stated that “rules, standards, regulations and enforcement have a place in the pursuit of quality, but they pale in potential compared to the power of pervasive and constant learning”.
The review team was specifically asked how the NHS can “make zero harm a reality”. They came back and said sorry, this is just not possible (my paraphrasing), but instead filled the report with the broader ambition of a “continual reduction of harm”. Continue reading... The Guardian
Number of GPs seeking to leave UK and work abroad doubles under coalition
Number of GPs seeking to leave UK and work abroad doubles under coalition Pressures of UK’s ageing population take heavy toll on NHS morale – and endanger patient safety, say doctors’ leaders
The number of GPs applying to leave the NHS annually to practise abroad has doubled under the coalition, raising fresh concerns over its handling of the health service.
The exodus risks exacerbating the current backlogs in GP practices and the pressures on A&E departments, according to the Royal College of GPs, which has warned that 600 practices may close in the next year due to poor recruitment and retention of staff. The most recent patient survey reports that one in four patients now wait a week or more to see their local doctor. Continue reading... The Guardian
The number of GPs applying to leave the NHS annually to practise abroad has doubled under the coalition, raising fresh concerns over its handling of the health service.
The exodus risks exacerbating the current backlogs in GP practices and the pressures on A&E departments, according to the Royal College of GPs, which has warned that 600 practices may close in the next year due to poor recruitment and retention of staff. The most recent patient survey reports that one in four patients now wait a week or more to see their local doctor. Continue reading... The Guardian
Non-emergency police and NHS helplines back up after disruption
Non-emergency police and NHS helplines back up after disruption Callers to 111 and 101 numbers had been unable to get through for several hours on Saturday due to technical difficulties
Disruption to the non-emergency helplines for the police and the NHS was resolved on Saturday after callers were unable to get through for several hours.
The NHS 24 helpline – accessed by dialling 111 – was hit by a “technical difficulty” for several hours, leaving the service unavailable for callers around the UK. Continue reading... The Guardian
Disruption to the non-emergency helplines for the police and the NHS was resolved on Saturday after callers were unable to get through for several hours.
The NHS 24 helpline – accessed by dialling 111 – was hit by a “technical difficulty” for several hours, leaving the service unavailable for callers around the UK. Continue reading... The Guardian
Police forced to take patients to hospital as ambulances fail to show
Police forced to take patients to hospital as ambulances fail to show A stroke patient died after an hour's wait for paramedics, The Telegraph can disclose, as a national inquiry is launched into how ambulance chiefs are using police officers to fill the gaps in their service. The Daily Telegraph
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- Police: Stop using us as ambulance drivers The Daily Telegraph
NHS chiefs will have to repay redundancy payoffs if rehired within a year
NHS chiefs will have to repay redundancy payoffs if rehired within a year NHS managers who receive large redundancy packages will have to repay it if they are rehired in a new NHS post within a year, under new changes to be introduced. The Daily Telegraph
Benefit changes mean a choice of 'eat or heat' for an increasing number of families
Benefit changes mean a choice of 'eat or heat' for an increasing number of families Soaring numbers of families with disabled children are being forced to go without food or heating because they can no longer afford the basics, a major study shows. The Independent
Patients leave end-of-life care choice to medics, survey finds
Patients leave end-of-life care choice to medics, survey finds Major decisions about how people are cared for at the end of their lives are being left to doctors – despite fewer than one in 10 patients wanting this to happen. The Independent
Friday, 21 November 2014
KGH boss: All key services will continue
KGH boss: All key services will continue The future of accident and emergency, maternity, paediatrics and general surgery are to continue at Kettering General Hospital in the long term. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Intelligent monitoring: trusts that provide mental health services
Intelligent monitoring: trusts that provide mental health services The Care Quality Commission has ranked Trusts providing mental health services into priority bands based on levels of concern which will help inform the inspection process.
See also:
See also:
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust intelligent monitoring report Care Quality Commission
- Watchdog ranks mental health trusts BBC News
Midlands CSUs merge
Midlands CSUs merge NHS Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit and NHS Arden CSU have announced plans for a merger. E-Health Insider
My expectations for raising concerns and complaints
My expectations for raising concerns and complaints This vision aims to align the health and social care sector on what good looks like from the user perspective when raising concerns and complaints about health and social care. It also allows measurement of progress so that organisations can determine the action they need to take to improve. Healthwatch, Local Government Ombudsman and Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
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Stories and numbers: there is room for both in understanding patients’ experience
Stories and numbers: there is room for both in understanding patients’ experience There is a widely held view that in understanding the quality of health care, quantitative data – the numbers – represent the facts and are held to be true, while qualitative accounts – stories and descriptions – are thought of as anecdotes with no wider application.
Statistics: Seasonal flu vaccine uptake in healthcare workers 1 September 2014 to 31 October 2014
Statistics: Seasonal flu vaccine uptake in healthcare workers 1 September 2014 to 31 October 2014 Provisional monthly seasonal flu vaccine uptake data for frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), covering cumulative flu vaccinations administered from 1 September 2014 to 31 October 2014. The data is shown at national, geographical area, area team (on behalf of primary care and independent sector healthcare providers) and individual trust level. Public Health England
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- Press release: More than 340,000 healthcare workers take up flu vaccine Department of Health
MPs to debate NHS 'privatisation'
MPs to debate NHS 'privatisation' MPs will debate are to debate a bill which its supporters say will roll back what they see as the creeping privatisation of the NHS in England BBC News
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- Labour NHS bill is 'misguided and disruptive' The Daily Telegraph
2020 vision
2020 vision A week after the National Information Board's long-awaited plan for NHS IT and information was released, it is attracting cautious support; but also raising almost as many questions as it has answered. E-Health Insider
Is growth in ADHD 'caused by marketing'?
Is growth in ADHD 'caused by marketing'? "The global surge in ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] diagnosis has more to do with marketing than medicine, according to experts," the Mail Online reports.
But these experts are sociologists, not clinicians, and they present no new peer-reviewed clinical evidence.
That said, they do highlight some interesting interconnected trends about ADHD that are worth attention.
The principal concern of the authors is that ADHD is being medicalised – that is, for a variety of reasons, children who may be simply "naughty" and high spirited are being misdiagnosed with ADHD, and are wrongly being treated with powerful medications such as methylphenidate, better known as Ritalin.
But these experts are sociologists, not clinicians, and they present no new peer-reviewed clinical evidence.
That said, they do highlight some interesting interconnected trends about ADHD that are worth attention.
The principal concern of the authors is that ADHD is being medicalised – that is, for a variety of reasons, children who may be simply "naughty" and high spirited are being misdiagnosed with ADHD, and are wrongly being treated with powerful medications such as methylphenidate, better known as Ritalin.
Exclusive: Half of GPs denied access to cancer scans
Exclusive: Half of GPs denied access to cancer scans CCG-imposed restrictions are preventing up to half of GPs from directly referring patients for cancer diagnostic tests, a GP investigation has revealed. GP Online
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- Editorial: CCGs must commission GP scan access GP Online
- Cancer guidelines may improve diagnosis rates NHS Choices (Behind the Headlines)
- Cancer death rate falls nationally over last decade Health & Social Care Information Centre
Hospitals still letting down many COPD patients
Hospitals still letting down many COPD patients Call for better access to specialist inpatient and rehabilitation services. OnMedica
Rising number of assaults against NHS staff
Rising number of assaults against NHS staff Figures from NHS Protect revealed that in 2013/14, a total of 68,683 physical assaults against NHS staff in England were reported, of which 1,731 were in primary care. OnMedica
New figures on hospital crowding prompt fears of winter crisis
New figures on hospital crowding prompt fears of winter crisis Experts warn hospitals are full to bursting as new figures show record levels of crowding before autumn began. The Daily Telegraph
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Royal Bournemouth Hospital threatens to evict elderly patients
Royal Bournemouth Hospital threatens to evict elderly patients A hospital is threatening to take legal action to evict mainly elderly patients whose relatives refuse to take them home when they are well enough to leave. An official at Royal Bournemouth Hospital said one family had asked staff to “keep hold” of a relative so they could go on holiday to Turkey for two weeks. The Independent
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Thursday, 20 November 2014
Greater support to help GPs spot the warning signs of cancer
Greater support to help GPs spot the warning signs of cancer NICE is updating its guideline on suspected cancer to help GPs spot the early signs and symptoms of cancer.
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- Statistics on Waiting Times for Suspected and Diagnosed Cancer Patients Q2 2014-15 Key Points – Provider Based NHS England
- Double cancer referrals, GPs urged BBC News
- NHS misses cancer treatment targets BBC News
- GPs told tired patients should be fast-tracked for cancer tests The Daily Telegraph
- Doctors to get more help to spot cancer early The Guardian
- GPs can't be expected to know every cancer symptom, Government says The Independent
How the world could better fight obesity
How the world could better fight obesity Obesity is a critical global issue that requires a comprehensive, international intervention strategy. Obesity is responsible for about 5 percent of all deaths a year worldwide, and its global economic impact amounts to roughly $2 trillion annually, or 2.8 percent of global GDP. This report offers an economic analysis of the issue and looks at a potential global strategy to tackle it. McKinsey
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- Obesity 'costing same as smoking' BBC News
- Cost of obesity 'greater than war, violence and terrorism' The Daily Telegraph
HIV in the United Kingdom
HIV in the United Kingdom The report includes a comparison with last year’s data. Department of Health
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Covert care camera guidance approved
Covert care camera guidance approved Guidance for people who install hidden cameras to check on standards of their own or a relative's care is approved by the Care Quality Commission. BBC News
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- Information to be published soon on the use of cameras in care settings Care Quality Commission
- Watchdog to advise on how to spy on care home staff The Daily Telegraph
App kitemarking welcomed; but needs work
App kitemarking welcomed; but needs work The National Information Board's plans to establish "kitemarking" for healthcare applications have been cautiously welcomed by the app development community, which says more details about the accreditation process are needed. E-Health Insider
Report links obesity to advanced prostate cancer
Report links obesity to advanced prostate cancer "Being overweight raises risk of men developing aggressive prostate cancer," The Guardian reports.
A major new report from the World Cancer Research Fund has found strong evidence obesity increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
This report, which considered the results from 104 studies involving more than nine million men, looked at diet, nutrition, physical activity, weight and the risk of prostate cancer.
It also found strong evidence that being tall – a marker of developmental factors in the womb, childhood and adolescence – increases the risk of prostate cancer.
The report found limited evidence for a link between diets high in dairy products or calcium and an increased risk of prostate cancer, and low blood levels of vitamin E or selenium and an increased risk of developing cancer.
A major new report from the World Cancer Research Fund has found strong evidence obesity increases the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
This report, which considered the results from 104 studies involving more than nine million men, looked at diet, nutrition, physical activity, weight and the risk of prostate cancer.
It also found strong evidence that being tall – a marker of developmental factors in the womb, childhood and adolescence – increases the risk of prostate cancer.
The report found limited evidence for a link between diets high in dairy products or calcium and an increased risk of prostate cancer, and low blood levels of vitamin E or selenium and an increased risk of developing cancer.
Private firms on course to net £9bn of NHS contracts
Private firms on course to net £9bn of NHS contracts Circle Healthcare, Bupa, Virgin Care and Care UK among big winners since enforced tendering of services introduced.
Private health firms are on course to win more than £9bn of NHS contracts to look after patients as a result of the coalition’s ramping up of competition in the health service, research shows.
Analysis by the NHS Support Federation, an independent campaign group, reveals that profit-driven companies such as Bupa, Virgin Care and Care UK have so far won a total of 131 contracts worth a combined £2.6bn to provide NHS services since the Health and Social Care Act came into force in April 2013. Continue reading... The Guardian
Private health firms are on course to win more than £9bn of NHS contracts to look after patients as a result of the coalition’s ramping up of competition in the health service, research shows.
Analysis by the NHS Support Federation, an independent campaign group, reveals that profit-driven companies such as Bupa, Virgin Care and Care UK have so far won a total of 131 contracts worth a combined £2.6bn to provide NHS services since the Health and Social Care Act came into force in April 2013. Continue reading... The Guardian
First NHS volunteers set to leave for Sierra Leone on Ebola mission
First NHS volunteers set to leave for Sierra Leone on Ebola mission The 50 volunteers have undergone extensive training designed to ensure none of them return to the UK with the virus.
The first batch of NHS staff who volunteered to treat Ebola patients in Sierra Leone are to leave the UK for west Africa after undergoing extensive training designed to ensure none return with the virus.
The 50 staff will depart nearly six weeks after they were shortlisted as suitable by UK-Med, the organisation funded by the Department for International Development to recruit NHS staff for secondment. Nearly 1,000 volunteered, but because of the need for careful selection and training, none have yet flown out. Continue reading... The Guardian
The first batch of NHS staff who volunteered to treat Ebola patients in Sierra Leone are to leave the UK for west Africa after undergoing extensive training designed to ensure none return with the virus.
The 50 staff will depart nearly six weeks after they were shortlisted as suitable by UK-Med, the organisation funded by the Department for International Development to recruit NHS staff for secondment. Nearly 1,000 volunteered, but because of the need for careful selection and training, none have yet flown out. Continue reading... The Guardian
Just three surgeons named as having high death rates
Just three surgeons named as having high death rates New data comparing death rates of 5,000 surgeons identifies just three with death rates higher than they should. The Daily Telegraph
International arms firm Lockheed Martin in the frame for £1bn NHS contract
International arms firm Lockheed Martin in the frame for £1bn NHS contract Doctors have expressed dismay at reports that an international arms firm is considering a bid for a £1bn NHS contract to run GP support services in England. The Independent
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Family sues Northampton General Hospital for negligence after grandmother died from rare infection three days after fall in snow
Family sues Northampton General Hospital for negligence after grandmother died from rare infection three days after fall in snow The widower of a devoted grandmother who died from a rare flesh-eating bug is suing Northampton General Hospital for negligence. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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Commission on Hospital Care for Frail Older People
Commission on Hospital Care for Frail Older People The Commission's report looks at the care of frail older people and the pressures this causes on NHS services. It also argues that the current plans to integrate health and social care will not be sufficient, stating:
"There is a myth that providing more and better care for frail older people in the community, increasing integration between health and social care services and pooling health and social care budgets will lead to significant, cashable financial savings in the acute hospital sector and across health economies. The commission found no evidence that these assumptions are true." Health Service Journal
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"There is a myth that providing more and better care for frail older people in the community, increasing integration between health and social care services and pooling health and social care budgets will lead to significant, cashable financial savings in the acute hospital sector and across health economies. The commission found no evidence that these assumptions are true." Health Service Journal
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Nearly one in ten doctors in training experience bullying
Nearly one in ten doctors in training experience bullying Bullying and undermining are too common in medical training, according to the General Medical Council.
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- National Training Survey 2014: Patient safety General Medical Council
- National Training Survey 2014: Bullying & undermining General Medical Council
- Report: Junior doctors still lack the confidence to whistle-blow The Independent
The TARGET antibiotics toolkit: trainer resource guide for clinicians and commissioning organisations
The TARGET antibiotics toolkit: trainer resource guide for clinicians and commissioning organisations
This guidance and the accompanying support material aims to support commissioners implement the TARGET toolkit. The toolkit aims to influence prescribers' and patients' attitudes towards the use of antibiotics with the aim of optimising antimicrobial usage. Royal College of General Practitioners
This guidance and the accompanying support material aims to support commissioners implement the TARGET toolkit. The toolkit aims to influence prescribers' and patients' attitudes towards the use of antibiotics with the aim of optimising antimicrobial usage. Royal College of General Practitioners
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Surgery outcomes data published on MyNHS
Surgery outcomes data published on MyNHS NHS England has published the latest surgery outcomes data for ten specialties and will release information on three more soon as part of a push for greater transparency around clinical performance. E-Health Insider
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- Consultant Outcomes Data My NHS
- NHS to publish surgeon outcomes data BBC News
- VIDEO: NHS to publish surgeon data BBC News
- NHS chief: surgeons have ‘moral responsibility’ to publish death rates The Guardian
Diabetics denied vital prescriptions
Diabetics denied vital prescriptions Patients with diabetes are missing out on vital prescriptions that let them keep tabs on their condition, despite repeated warnings, says a UK charity. BBC News
Better sex-and-dementia care call
Better sex-and-dementia care call Better training is needed for dementia carers to deal with issues around relationships, intimacy and sex, the Care Quality Commission says. BBC News
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See also:
- Let dementia sufferers find new love in care homes, Alzheimer's society says The Daily Telegraph
GP trainee recruitment hampered by lack of future workforce clarity
GP trainee recruitment hampered by lack of future workforce clarity Lack of consensus over the future size of the workforce is undermining efforts to train more GPs, Health Education England (HEE) has said. GP Online
Why I fear GPs are part of the NHS's problem, not the solution, by surgeon J. MEIRION THOMAS
Why I fear GPs are part of the NHS's problem, not the solution, by surgeon J. MEIRION THOMAS Despite the heroic efforts of individual doctors, too many GPs no longer try to provide an even remotely personal service, writes NHS surgeon J. MEIRION THOMAS. The Daily Mail
Community services are the future of the NHS
Community services are the future of the NHS The NHS Five Year Forward View focuses on hospitals and primary care – but care in the community is just as important.
The NHS is one of our greatest national achievements
Simon Steven’s NHS Five Year Forward view sets out a vision for the future of the health service.
But the NHS chief executive’s vision seems only to be seen by people as related to hospitals and primary care. Continue reading... The Guardian
The NHS is one of our greatest national achievements
Simon Steven’s NHS Five Year Forward view sets out a vision for the future of the health service.
But the NHS chief executive’s vision seems only to be seen by people as related to hospitals and primary care. Continue reading... The Guardian
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Need help managing your library books? We've got an app for that...
Need help managing your library books? We've got an app for that... We've just launched the BookMyne App to help our users search, find and manage their library books. NHFT Library Services
University of Northampton to open UK’s first Competence Test Centre for internationally educated nurses and midwives
University of Northampton to open UK’s first Competence Test Centre for internationally educated nurses and midwives The University of Northampton has today opened the UK's first practical assessment centre for nurses and midwives who completed their training outside of Europe. University of Northampton
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- Competence test centre opens at the University of Northampton Nursing & Midwifery Council
Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman: the 'people's' ombudsman - how it failed us
Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman: the 'people's' ombudsman - how it failed us This report highlights concerns about the way in which patient complaints are handled by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Using examples of patients' experiences, it outlines the failings in the efficacy and speed of the complaints handling process. Finally, it recommends that the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee and government reform complaints handling within the NHS and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The Patients Association
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- NHS ombudsman 'failing families' BBC News
Intelligent monitoring of GP practices
Intelligent monitoring of GP practices The intelligent monitoring system uses 38 readily available indicators to assess the quality of GP services and decide where and what to inspect. Care Quality Commission
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- GP Intelligent Monitoring infographic Care Quality Commission
- GP inspections based on best available data (press release) Care Quality Commission
- Intelligent Monitoring: NHS GP practices - Frequently asked questions Care Quality Commission
- 1,200 GP surgeries could be putting patients at risk, says watchdog The Daily Mail
- Patients in England can compare quality of GPs surgeries for first time ever The Daily Telegraph
- Hundreds of GPs face urgent Care Quality Commission checks The Daily Telegraph
- Early CQC inspections target 'high-risk' practices GP Online
- One in six GP surgeries in England ‘at risk of offering patients poor care’ The Guardian
- First two general practices inspected by regulator rated as ‘outstanding’ OnMedica
Exploring CQC’s well-led domain: how can boards ensure a positive organisational culture?
Exploring CQC’s well-led domain: how can boards ensure a positive organisational culture? Following the Francis Report into the failures of care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, and the government’s response to the report, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has introduced a more rigorous and wide-ranging approach to inspecting health care providers. The main purpose of inspections is to assess the quality of care delivered to patients. In making this assessment, CQC now also analyses the leadership and organisational culture of providers. The CQC’s inspections focus on five key lines of enquiry as part of its ‘well-led’ domain. These lines of enquiry derive from research undertaken by staff at The King’s Fund and the Center for Creative Leadership into leadership and culture and draw on a strong evidence base.
Care claim backlog to cost NHS £250m
Care claim backlog to cost NHS £250m The NHS has set aside £250m to pay out to families who have put in retrospective claims for the cost of caring for their loved ones at home or in a nursing home. BBC News
Fewer than half of leg amputees get good care, national audit reveals
Fewer than half of leg amputees get good care, national audit reveals Poorly coordinated services and a lack of multidisciplinary team working to blame. OnMedica
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The NHS needs a 10-year funding commitment
The NHS needs a 10-year funding commitment The NHS Confederation chief executive explains the benefits of giving the health service a longer financial settlement.
Its not all doom and gloom for the NHS
The debate about the future of the NHS is one that lurches between two significant challenges: quality and finance. Quality can be difficult to define and is often subjective. It spans a range of complex issues including safety, patient experience and ultimately the outcomes for patients and their families. No wonder most of us focus on debating cold, hard cash.
If we are to transform health and care what we really need to do is take the debate about money off the table and move back to the real issue that affects us how to define and deliver a high-quality health and care system in the 21st century. Continue reading... The Guardian
Its not all doom and gloom for the NHS
The debate about the future of the NHS is one that lurches between two significant challenges: quality and finance. Quality can be difficult to define and is often subjective. It spans a range of complex issues including safety, patient experience and ultimately the outcomes for patients and their families. No wonder most of us focus on debating cold, hard cash.
If we are to transform health and care what we really need to do is take the debate about money off the table and move back to the real issue that affects us how to define and deliver a high-quality health and care system in the 21st century. Continue reading... The Guardian
More hospitals face A&E crisis like Colchester
More hospitals face A&E crisis like Colchester Chronic underfunding endemic in emergency care, warns one of Englands most senior doctors, after major incident declared.
A number of other hospitals in England are likely to be facing severe problems of staff shortages and patient-demand of the scale that prompted the declaration of a major incident at Colchester hospital last week, one of the countrys most senior doctors has warned.
Dr Clifford Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine, says hospitals are feeling acute pressure over accident and emergency units, in part because these are often inadequately funded under the system through which the government finances healthcare. Continue reading... The Guardian
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A number of other hospitals in England are likely to be facing severe problems of staff shortages and patient-demand of the scale that prompted the declaration of a major incident at Colchester hospital last week, one of the countrys most senior doctors has warned.
Dr Clifford Mann, president of the College of Emergency Medicine, says hospitals are feeling acute pressure over accident and emergency units, in part because these are often inadequately funded under the system through which the government finances healthcare. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Emergency measures announced to contain bird flu in Britain and the Netherlands
Emergency measures announced to contain bird flu in Britain and the Netherlands The European Commission announces measures including culling and banning sales of poultry products from affected areas. The Daily Telegraph
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- News story: Avian influenza outbreak in Yorkshire: risk to public health extremely low Public Health England
- Bird flu: What threat to humans? BBC News
- UK veterinary officials play down Bird Flu risk The Daily Telegraph
Hidden toll of drinking among retired professional women
Hidden toll of drinking among retired professional women Rise of home shopping delivery services masking scale of drinking problem among elderly women warns Priory consultant. The Daily Telegraph
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Monday, 17 November 2014
Northampton mental health charity beats national targets for therapy waiting times
Northampton mental health charity beats national targets for therapy waiting times A Northampton based mental health charity has significantly out-performed the Government’s new targets for people with mental health problems. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust broke patient confidentiality 346 times
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust broke patient confidentiality 346 times Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Mental Health) broke patient confidentiality 346 times in the three year period from 2011-2014. Northampton Herald and Post
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- NHS trust in Northamptonshire suffered fourth-highest number of data breaches in the country Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Patients 'struggling to book with GP'
Patients 'struggling to book with GP' Too many patients in England are struggling to book appointments with GPs, according to the health watchdog. BBC News
Surgeons warned over death rates
Surgeons warned over death rates Surgeons who refuse to publish their mortality rates could face sanctions, NHS England's medical director says. BBC News
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- Publish data or else - Keogh warns docs E-Health Insider
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