NHS: Reports of Northampton General Hospital administration threat are untrue

NHS: Reports of Northampton General Hospital administration threat are untrue The NHS has moved to quash reports that it has considered whether Northampton General Hospital could be put into administration because of financial concerns. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

A&E performance: a winter’s tale

A&E performance: a winter’s tale With many of us just having enjoyed the warmest weekend in 2014, this may be a good point to take stock on how A&E performed over the winter and what, if anything, it tells us about the state of the NHS and its prospects. The King's Fund

Research and analysis: Unit costs of health and social care

Research and analysis: Unit costs of health and social care This report brings together information about the costs of health and social care staff and services in as transparent and consistent a way as possible. The report is based in economic theory (long run marginal opportunity cost) and includes detailed references, relevant short articles and commentaries. Department of Health

Public sector pay decisions due

Public sector pay decisions due The government is due to announce later whether NHS staff, civil servants and forces personnel will get a pay rise in the next financial year. BBC News

See also:

• Jeremy Hunt to veto 1 per cent pay rise for NHS workers The Daily Telegraph

Patients 'imprisoned' in care homes

Patients 'imprisoned' in care homes Vulnerable adults are being kept virtual prisoners in care homes because of misuse of mental health laws, a House of Lords committee says. BBC News

See also:

• The great mental health betrayal: Inquiry slams ‘appalling’ unlawful detention of tens of thousands of vulnerable people The Independent

Mental health cuts 'risk lives'

Mental health cuts 'risk lives' Cuts to mental health services in England will put lives at risk, as funds are reduced for schemes aimed at reducing suicides, ministers are warned. BBC News

See also:

• Cuts to mental health funding will put lives at risk, charities say OnMedica
• Thousands of people with mental health needs denied social care amid cuts Community Care
• Mental health funding changes in NHS will put lives at risk, say charities The Guardian
• Mentally ill young people's lives at risk because of Coalition cuts, says charity The Independent

Adult social care 'under pressure'

Adult social care 'under pressure' Adult social care in England is under increasing pressure and the government has "no idea" how long the system can cope, an inquiry finds. BBC News

See also: 

• Adult social care in England: overview The National Audit Office
• NAO raises social care alarm E-Health Insider

Challenges and improvements in diagnostic services across seven days

Challenges and improvements in diagnostic services across seven days NHS IQ has published a report on the potential improvements in diagnostics and scientific services.

Obese 11-year-old girls 'get lower school grades'

Obese 11-year-old girls 'get lower school grades' "Study links obesity in teenage girls with lower academic results," BBC News reports. Previous studies have reported that child and adolescent obesity has a wide variety of adverse consequences in both the short and long term.

A large study of UK secondary school pupils has now looked at whether being overweight or obese at the age of 11 influences educational attainment on SAT tests at 11 and 13 years of age and GCSE grades achieved at 16 years of age.

The researchers found an association between obesity at 11 years of age and poorer academic achievement in GCSE exams five years later in girls, even after adjustment for a wide range of factors that could have influenced the results (confounders).

GP concerns ignored in 'disappointing' NHS England plan

GP concerns ignored in 'disappointing' NHS England plan GP concerns over funding and workload have not been listened to, GP leaders have said, after NHS England published a major general practice strategy document. GP Online

GPs to be given more notice of CQC inspections

GPs to be given more notice of CQC inspections Practices will now have two weeks rather than two days’ notice. OnMedica

NHS faces ‘managed decline’ unless it is properly funded, says health chief

NHS faces ‘managed decline’ unless it is properly funded, says health chief
The NHS cannot survive in its current form and problems could escalate to the point where anyone who can afford it will choose to go private, the chief executive of NHS England has warned. The Independent

See also:

• NHS told to spend billions on reform or face oblivion The Guardian
• NHS chief David Nicholson offers tough medicine as he stands down The Guardian

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt gains powers to shut good hospitals without consultation

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt gains powers to shut good hospitals without consultation
Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, is to acquire sweeping powers to shut down local hospitals at short notice even if they are performing strongly. The Independent

See also:

• MPs grant powers to close local hospitals BBC News
• Concessions on hospital closures stave off Commons rebellion The Guardian
• Clauses 118 and 119 of Care Bill will allow an "aerial view" response to provider failure NHS Confederation

Fury over deal for NHS HR chief

Fury over deal for NHS HR chief Outrage from patients' groups over deal paid to NHS human resources chief. The Daily Telegraph