Friday 30 May 2014

E-cigarettes: a burning issue for future public health policy?

E-cigarettes: a burning issue for future public health policy? Although some of the Labour party’s early thinking on public health policy has recently been leaked, in the run-up to the general election all political parties will need to develop their ideas for improving the public’s health, from policies on alcohol and food, to the role of industry and taxes. With plain (or rather standardised) cigarette packaging now close – in no small measure thanks to the compelling Chantler Review – the next political issue on tobacco must surely be a clearer view on e-cigarettes.

Enabling integrated care in the NHS

Enabling integrated care in the NHS Guidance on how healthcare providers and commissioners can enable better integration of care so services are less fragmented and easier for patients to access. Monitor

New NHS boss backs smaller hospitals

New NHS boss backs smaller hospitals Smaller community hospitals should play a bigger role especially in the care of older patients, the new head of the NHS in England says. BBC News

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Drugs to treat alcohol top £3m

Drugs to treat alcohol top £3m There were a million hospital admissions related to alcohol in England last year and £3.13m was spent on drugs to treat alcohol dependency. BBC News

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Developing a sustainable podiatry workforce for the UK towards 2030

Developing a sustainable podiatry workforce for the UK towards 2030 This report was commissioned by the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists as evidence to inform and influence organisations responsible for health workforce strategy, funding of under and post graduate education and service provision for Podiatry. The College of Podiatry

Environmental sustainability in hospitals: the value of efficiency

Environmental sustainability in hospitals: the value of efficiency This guide aims to help hospital and care system leaders navigate the world of sustainability and build upon their organizations’ existing efforts. Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence

How can the NHS find its way out of the funding crisis?

How can the NHS find its way out of the funding crisis? Two possible solutions have been offered but are they viable and will they prove successful?

This week two visions are being offered for how the NHS can find its way out of the funding and quality crises. One is a myth, the other might make a difference.

The myth is, of course, being peddled by a politician. This week it's the turn of health secretary Jeremy Hunt (again). In an HSJ interview he claimed that safety and technology are all that are needed to get the NHS through more years of deficit reduction. Eradicating mistakes while installing new kit appears to be the way forward. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS providers face mounting financial and staffing pressures

NHS providers face mounting financial and staffing pressures NHS providers are worrying how to keep the quality of patient care high as resources are squeezed.

NHS foundation trusts (FT) and NHS trusts are facing the broadest range of challenges for more than a generation including dealing with an ever tighter budget and rapidly rising demand. With NHS England warning of an "even more challenging" financial year than 2013-14, how did NHS providers end last year and what shape are they in to deliver the changes needed to make the NHS clinically and financially sustainable?

The last fortnight has seen the publication of year end reports from Monitor for NHS Foundation Trusts and the Trust Development Authority for NHS Trusts. They identify four trends: "very significant financial pressure", a rapid, largely unfunded, growth in staff numbers, good operational performance with some growing concerns, and a pessimistic outlook. Continue reading... The Guardian

Deaths from high blood pressure in decline

Deaths from high blood pressure in decline Hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved because of improvements to the treatment of high blood pressure, according to a new study. The Independent

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