Death of 19-month-old girl ‘could have been prevented’ if Army doctors had shared information on her dad, says report

Death of 19-month-old girl ‘could have been prevented’ if Army doctors had shared information on her dad, says report The death of Khloe Abrams from Northampton may have been averted if an Army psychologist and doctor had told civilian authorities of her father’s thoughts about harming a child, a Serious Case Review has concluded today. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Health professionals ‘failed to look into Culverhouse’s background’ Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Ex-soldier warned 'I may harm child' BBC News

Broadening the Foundation Programme report

Broadening the Foundation Programme report  Health Education England has published its Broadening the Foundation Programme report, which recommends doctors in training undertake a minimum of one community or integrated placement during their two year Foundation Programme. This is to ensure they receive a wider experience of working in community settings, such as general practice, community psychiatry or community paediatrics, palliative care and public health and obtain a broader understanding of community care and the whole patient journey.

Personal Independence Payment: early progress

Personal Independence Payment: early progress The Department for Work and Pensions introduced Personal Independence Payment as planned in a small number of areas from April 2013. Since then backlogs have developed in the assessment process, leading to delays and uncertainty for claimants, according to today’s National Audit Office report.

Patients 'are safer with better-educated nurses'

Patients 'are safer with better-educated nurses' “Fewer nurses educated to degree level putting patients' lives at risk, study finds,” The Independent reports. A Europe-wide study suggests that nurse education and patient to nursing staff ratios may impact on patient outcomes.

As many European countries tighten their budgets, one obvious opportunity to save costs is to trim nursing staffing levels. But could this have a negative impact on patient safety?

Tough EU smoking rules approved

Tough EU smoking rules approved Flavoured cigarettes will be banned and larger health warnings will be required as part of tough new EU legislation. BBC News

Is excessive paperwork in care homes undermining care for older people?

Is excessive paperwork in care homes undermining care for older people? Are older people in care homes missing out on quality time with staff because workers are preoccupied with paperwork?

Care homes have to regularly complete more than 100 separate items of paperwork, often duplicating the same information, this study found. Researchers visited care homes and spoke to staff who felt they were judged more on their ability to produce paperwork than deliver care. Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Almost 11,000 admissions to hospital for obesity recorded in 2012-13

Almost 11,000 admissions to hospital for obesity recorded in 2012-13 Although number of admissions is slightly down on previous 12 months it is still alarmingly high, obesity expert says.

13,000 GPs receive automatic bonuses for time served

13,000 GPs receive automatic bonuses for time served Thousands of GPs receive automatic bonuses for time served. The Daily Telegraph

Mid Staffordshire hospital trust to be dissolved

Mid Staffordshire hospital trust to be dissolved Jeremy Hunt, the Heath Secretary, announces Mid Staffordshire Hospitals Trusts should be dissolved after it was at the centre of one of the biggest medical scandals where hundreds more patients died than expected. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Statement to Parliament: Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Special Administration Department of Health
• Hunt to scrap Stafford health trust BBC News
• Mid Staffs NHS trust to be dissolved, Jeremy Hunt announces The Guardian
• Scandal-hit Mid-Staffs NHS Trust to be broken up after hundreds died as a result of appalling care The Daily Mail