Monday 30 June 2014

New KGH unit helps 10,000 patients

New KGH unit helps 10,000 patients

The team behind an award-winning care unit at Kettering General Hospital are celebrating a successful first year in which they have seen almost 10,000 patients. Evening Telegraph

Northamptonshire health body to involve the public in future decision-making

Northamptonshire health body to involve the public in future decision-making

A public health body has called on the public to play a more active role in shaping local health services. Chronicle & Echo

DH issues guidance on 'safe havens'

DH issues guidance on 'safe havens'

The Department of Health has issued guidance on the creation of patient data 'safe havens' that will govern access confidential data held by Health and Social Care Information Centre. EHI News

Protecting personal health and care data

Protecting personal health and care data

The government proposes allowing access under strong controls to information from peoples’ personal care records which could be used to identify an individual. These access procedures known as safe havens will need to be accredited by the secretary of state for health. NHS Networks

Six million people went to A&E because they failed to get an appointment with their GP

Six million people went to A&E because they failed to get an appointment with their GP

Millions of people are turning up at accident and emergency departments asking for medical help because they face long delays to get an appointment with their family doctor, a study published today warns. The Guardian

Expert view: how should we fund the NHS of the future?

Expert view: how should we fund the NHS of the future?


A mega funding crisis is beginning to engulf the NHS that will change the service out of all recognition. It could spin the service into a residual poor law-type institution. A £2bn deficit is forecast to rise to an annual £30bn deficit within seven years a cool one-third of the current budget. The Guardian

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GPs who miss cancer could be named

GPs who miss cancer could be named

GPs with a poor record in spotting signs of cancer could be named under government plans to boost NHS transparency. BBC News

Diabetes complications preventable

Diabetes complications preventable

The findings were published in the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit (NaDIA), carried out by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, in collaboration with Diabetes UK. NHS Networks

Lack of anatomy training could lead to shortage of surgeons

Lack of anatomy training could lead to shortage of surgeons

Medical students are leaving university with a "worrying" lack of anatomical knowledge, top surgeons have warned, with many never having dissected a body and some qualifying as doctors without even seeing a cadaver. The Independent

National report sheds new light on the health and care of older people

National report sheds new light on the health and care of older people

The new report, Focus on the Health and Care of Older People, June 2014, aims to provide a wider picture of older people's health and lifestyle and pulls together data on hospital activity, mental health, social care, prescribing, NHS workforce, census data and life expectancy. NHS Networks

'Supercooling' keeps organs fresh

'Supercooling' keeps organs fresh

A new technique known as "supercooling" can preserve organs for days before they are transplanted, US researchers claim. BBC News

Refer more diabetes patients to structured education, GPs told

Refer more diabetes patients to structured education, GPs told

GPs should refer more diabetes patients to structured education so they can better self-manage their condition, experts have advised. GP Online

Hospitals told to stop profiteering from parking

Hospitals told to stop profiteering from parking

Norman Lamb, the health minister, said he was prepared to insert a clause in the standard NHS contract to stop executives repeatedly hitting patients with high parking fees. Daily Telegraph

Patients with learning disabilities still in long-stay hospitals

Patients with learning disabilities still in long-stay hospitals

Some 88% still awaiting transfer date, new data shows. Onmedica

Whistleblowing framework: call for evidence - government response

Whistleblowing framework: call for evidence - government response


Following a consultation on support for whistleblowers, this document outlines the government's response. Employees who blow the whistle on wrongdoing in the workplace will receive more information and support under new measures to strengthen whistleblowing legislation.  Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
Government response
BIS news

News story: Antibiotics wins the Longitude Prize

News story: Antibiotics wins the Longitude Prize


One of the problems contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the lack of a simple test to tell doctors when an infection is caused by bacteria and should be treated by antibiotics. Incorrect use of antibiotics to treat viral infections gives bacteria the chance to develop resistance (without providing any benefit to the individual) and so later down the line, when you really do need an antibiotic, there might not be one that works. 5,000 people die each year in the UK from antibiotic resistant infections.

Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies worked with the Longitude Committee to develop the antibiotic challenge which will help conserve our antibiotics and fight antimicrobial resistance.

Over the summer, the Longitude Committee will develop the challenge criteria that will set out what people need to do to win the multi-million pound prize. Ideas can then be submitted from the autumn and competitors will have up to 5 years to put their solution forward for assessment by the Committee.

Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies said:

I am delighted that Antibiotics has been voted to receive the Longitude prize funds. I feel extremely passionate about the work that will be able to take place now, and I thank everyone that has taken the time to vote.

Thanks to the Longitude Prize, we will be able to start the development of a rapid diagnostic test, which will help to conserve the antibiotics we have and thus ensure they remain effective for as long as possible. Antimicrobial Resistance is one of the most important issues facing modern medicine in the world today and development of a rapid diagnostic has the potential to improve patient care on a global scale.

Department of Health