Pensioner killer released early from secure unit

Pensioner killer released early from secure unit A man killed a pensioner after being released ‘prematurely’ from a secure psychiatric unit. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Troubled Northampton nursing homes to defer closure plan

Troubled Northampton nursing homes to defer closure plan  Almost 70 nursing home residents could be allowed to remain at two at-risk care homes in Northampton for the time being, if a last -minute
 intervention by council officers is successful. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Care needs to 'outstrip' family help

Care needs to 'outstrip' family help The number of older people in England needing care will "outstrip" the number of family members able to provide it by 2017, a think tank warns. BBC News

Anatomy of the cost of a new drug

Anatomy of the cost of a new drug Why do new treatments costs so much? BBC News

A&E performance: England 2013/14

A&E performance: England 2013/14 It looks at the number of people who have attended A&E, the pattern of A&E attendance over the year and how different NHS trusts compare on waiting times. House of Commons Briefing Paper

Kidney injuries 'killing thousands,' study claims

Kidney injuries 'killing thousands,' study claims “Failures in basic hospital care are resulting in more than 1,000 deaths a month from … acute kidney injury,” The Independent reports. A study commissioned by the NHS estimates that up to 40,000 people may be dying from this preventable condition.

The study aimed to discover the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI – previously called acute kidney failure) among adult inpatients in NHS hospitals.

AKI is characterised by a rapid decline in kidney function, which can have many underlying causes. The condition can have a high risk of multiple organ failure and death.

The management of waste from health, social and personal care

The management of waste from health, social and personal care The guide was developed with RCN members and waste management experts from across the UK. It was co-authored by WSP, the professional consultancy which also helped produce the Department of Health’s revised guidance on the safe management of health care waste. It aims to supporting health care workers to classify waste appropriately in order to bring benefits to health organisations as well as the environment. Royal College of Nursing

Sexual and reproductive health evidence summaries

Sexual and reproductive health evidence summaries This package of new resources providing the latest evidence on the impact and economics of opportunistic chlamydia screening, and HIV screening and testing. The topics were selected given their priority as key sexual health indicators within the ‘Public Health Outcomes Framework’, which local areas are now delivering against. For both of these topics, PHE have produced evidence summaries and leaders' briefings which aim to inform the planning and commissioning of these services. Public Health England

• HIV testing resources
• Chlamydia testing resources
• PHE news

First reports from new-style inspections of mental health services and community health services

First reports from new-style inspections of mental health services and community health services These are the first reports from the new CQC programme of mental health and community health services inspections. Reports have been published on Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust; Devon Partnership NHS Trust; Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust; and Central Essex Community Services. Care Quality Commission

The dos and don'ts of NHS reconfiguration

The dos and don'ts of NHS reconfiguration Many of the proposed changes to health services are hugely controversial. How can NHS bodies ensure a legal challenge doesn't stop a reorganisation in its tracks?

Across the country, commissioners and providers face escalating demand for services, increasing scrutiny of quality and flatlining funding. From root-and-branch reviews of acute, community and mental health services to proposals to relocate or close a single service, clinical commissioning groups, trusts and foundation trusts are making daily decisions that will shape the services available to their communities.

Many of these changes can be hugely controversial. It takes only one determined individual or a small number forming a campaign group to bring a legal challenge. Whatever the outcome of that challenge, it can stop a reconfiguration in its tracks, leading to months of delay and significant legal costs.Continue reading... The Guardian

Hospital chiefs 'ignoring midwives shortage rather than paying to fill gaps'

Hospital chiefs 'ignoring midwives shortage rather than paying to fill gaps' Royal College of Midwives claims senior staff avoiding assessment of workforce because they know they could not afford to plug any gaps it would expose. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Four out of five hospitals short on midwives, NHS figures reveal The Guardian

Warning over 'unacceptable' lottery in care of the dying

Warning over 'unacceptable' lottery in care of the dying Review of end-of-life care as NHS inspector warns of 'huge inequalities' in treatment of the dying. The Daily Telegraph