Interim guidance: implementing patients’ right to choose any clinically appropriate provider of mental health services

Interim guidance: implementing patients’ right to choose any clinically appropriate provider of mental health services This guidance covers issues such as how to support patients in the choices they are able to make; how to respond to any significant changes in where patients are referred to when patients make their choices; and clarity on pricing and paying for mental health services. There are exemptions to the new right to choice, which are also set out in the guidance. NHS England

Most patients 'right to go to A&E'

Most patients 'right to go to A&E' Efforts to redirect patients away from busy A&E departments will not work, say doctors, as a new study shows most need to be seen there. BBC News

Invest in nurse leaders to improve dementia care

Invest in nurse leaders to improve dementia care The RCN has published a report into a major year-long programme which has highlighted the importance of investing in nurse leaders and dementia nurse specialists to improving dementia care. Royal College of Nursing

E-cigs 'better than patches and gum' as quitting aid

E-cigs 'better than patches and gum' as quitting aid “E-cigarettes more effective than patches to help quit smoking, says study,” The Guardian reports. A UK study has found that people who use the aids are 60% more likely to quit than those who try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches or gum, or willpower alone.

This was a “real world” study that surveyed a representative sample of the English population about their smoking habits.

The results of this study, whilst interesting, should be viewed with caution, as there are numerous limitations. This includes the fact it was not a randomised controlled trial (RCT), which is the best way to assess the effectiveness of treatments.

Turbo charging volunteering: co-production and public service reform

Turbo charging volunteering: co-production and public service reform This report sets out ways that ‘co-production’ of services can be applied more widely in health, housing, social care and other contexts and finds that there are clear social benefits from producing services in this way. It argues that service users, their friends and families, are able to build a much broader range of activities and gain the respect that goes with being “equal partners”. In addition, the report finds that there are significant savings to be realised through co-production. For example, research has identified that it could cut NHS costs by at least 7% (£4.4 billion) a year and potentially up to a fifth. Centre Forum

Public health experts call for action on dementia

Public health experts call for action on dementia Tackling known risk factors could prevent up to a fifth of new dementia cases. OnMedica

See also:

• Call for new policy focus on brain health to reduce the risk of dementia NHS Networks

Politicians alienating GPs with 'relentless' attacks, senior doctor claims

Politicians alienating GPs with 'relentless' attacks, senior doctor claims Dr Chaand Nagpaul accuses MPs of belittling family doctors, causing some young doctors to shun becoming GPs

Politicians are alienating GPs with "relentless attacks" and use of "political gimmickry" to tackle the unsustainable pressures facing family doctors, a key leader of the profession warns on Thursday.

In a critique of the coalition and Labour opposition, Dr Chaand Nagpaul will accuse them of belittling GPs by bemoaning the difficulty patients have getting appointments and the lack of extended opening times. Continue reading... The Guardian

Hospitals criticised for discharging vulnerable patients at night

Hospitals criticised for discharging vulnerable patients at night Growing pressure on NHS hospitals has led to hundreds of thousands of patients being discharged in the middle of the night, despite efforts to cut back on the controversial practice, it has been revealed. The Independent

See also:

• Rising numbers of hospital patients sent home in the midst of night The Daily Telegraph
• Hospitals break NHS pledge to protect frail and elderly Daily Mail

NHS in the red: Hospitals forced to beg Government for equipment loans and electricity bills

NHS in the red: Hospitals forced to beg Government for equipment loans and electricity bills
The intense financial pressure faced by NHS hospitals has been laid bare in a series of letters, which range from pleas for bailout loans to replace defunct equipment, attempts to fend off legal threats from suppliers and even requests to pay off electricity bills. The Independent

See also:

• Hospitals forced to ask Government for emergency bail-out loans The Daily Telegraph