GPs doing well on data protection - ICO

GPs doing well on data protection - ICO Most GP surgeries have good patient data protection schemes in place, a report by the Information Commissioner's Office has concluded. E-Health Insider

See also:

• Outcomes from visits to general practitioners and primary healthcare providers Information Commissioner's Office

Over-90s ambulance trips 'up 81%'

Over-90s ambulance trips 'up 81%' The number of over-90s brought to A&E by ambulance in England has risen 81% over the past three years, figures highlighted by Labour show. BBC News

See also:

• Attendance rates at major A&E departments highest in London Health & Social Care Information Centre
• Use of ambulances by over-90s to go to A&E rises by 81% The Guardian
• Scandal of elderly forced into A&E as faith lost in care outside hospitals The Daily Telegraph
• A&E needs reform, says senior doctor The Daily Telegraph
• A&E figures: Young patients without a GP add to growing pressure on casualty units The Independent

New Resource: 10 Top Tips for Reporting Concerns

New Resource: 10 Top Tips for Reporting Concerns The new 10 Top Tips for Reporting Concerns is the perfect size to use as a payslip insert, as a handout to give to staff or can be shared electronically on your local intranet. NHS Employers

New strains of the Black Death could emerge

New strains of the Black Death could emerge "Plague that killed millions is able to rise from the dead,” warns The Independent after a new study looked at the genetic history of the Yersinia pestis bacteria.

Plague is a devastating disease which causes rapid death if left untreated. There have been three plague pandemics in recorded history. The most famous was the second – the “Black Death” of the 14th to 17th centuries in Europe.

DDT pesticide exposure may up Alzheimer's risk

DDT pesticide exposure may up Alzheimer's risk "DDT: Pesticide linked to Alzheimer's," BBC News reports. A US study found that levels of the now banned pesticide DDT were almost four times higher in people with a confirmed diagnosis ofAlzheimer's disease.

DDT was widely used as a pesticide during much of the 20th century, but is now banned in most countries because of concerns that it contaminates the environment and the food chain. The UK was relatively late in banning the pesticide, which did not come into force until 1984.

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2012/13

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2012/13 This annual report into the use of the Mental Health Act provides an insight into the experiences of patients who received care under the act throughout 2012/13. It highlights five key areas which CQC will examine following the results of this report: community care; reporting on death; emergency and mental health crisis; involving people who use services; and investigating complaints relating to the use of the Mental Health Act. Care Quality Commission

• Report
• Infographic

See also:

• Concern over record numbers detained for mental health treatment The Guardian
• Mental Health Act detentions up 12% BBC News

NHS failing in its duty to look after the health of its staff, doctors say

NHS failing in its duty to look after the health of its staff, doctors say
The NHS in England is not doing enough to look after the health of its staff, doctors have warned, as a report found that nearly half of NHS trusts do not have a mental wellbeing policy in place for their employees. The Independent

See also:

• 300,000 additional NHS staff are benefiting from health and wellbeing programmes NHS Employers

MPs outraged at £1m redundancy payments for three NHS managers

MPs outraged at £1m redundancy payments for three NHS managers

Three NHS managers reportedly received redundancy payments totalling nearly £1m - even though they continued to work for the health service. The Independent

See also:

• NHS under fire over redundancy payment to health chiefs The Daily Telegraph