Tuesday 22 July 2014

Press release: More flexibility for NHS doctors under European Working Time Directive

More flexibility for NHS doctors under European Working Time Directive Significant changes will be considered so doctors can train and work more flexibly, the Government announced today. These changes will be explored in response to an independent review of the impact and implementation of the European Working Time Directive on the NHS and Health Professionals. Department of Health

Understanding the rise in Fitness to Practise complaints from members of the public

Understanding the rise in Fitness to Practise complaints from members of the public Enquiries made by the general public to the General Medical Council (GMC) about doctors’ fitness to practise rose from 5,168 in 2007 to 10,347 in 2012. The report found that an increase in complaints has been seen across the UK, which suggests wider social trends rather than localised issues; pointing towards problems with the wider complaint-handling system and culture. It highlights the increased profile of the GMC, press coverage of medical complaints and social media as potential factors in the rise in complaints. Plymouth University

FGM parents to face prosecution

FGM parents to face prosecution Parents will face prosecution if they fail to prevent their daughters undergoing female genital mutilation or forced marriage under new measures being announced. BBC News

See also:

MHRA ups its game on medical device safety

MHRA ups its game on medical device safety New independent committee with stronger links to relevant expertise to come on stream within the year. OnMedica

Survey reveals managers' concerns about integrating health and care

Survey reveals managers' concerns about integrating health and care  More than half of healthcare managers don't believe that integration will ease pressure on the NHS

Moves to integrate health and social care are regarded by many to be the turnkey solution to take the pressure off our healthcare system. The drive towards closer integration of services does makes sense with an ageing population and one in three older people living with a chronic condition, it is essential that we look at the architecture in place to deliver good quality, effective and compassionate care. Anything that can counter the ongoing fragmentation of services, reduce duplication and allocate resources in a more efficient way is to be welcomed, particularly as it should lead to improvements in patient care. The case has been made rather convincingly by the leaders in our healthcare system.

However, making integrated care a reality will fall to our health and social care managers. Ensuring that they feel comfortable, indeed positive, about the move towards closer integration is paramount. It was somewhat concerning that in spite of the case being made for integration, in our latest survey of Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) members, more than half said they didn't believe that integrated care would take the pressure off the NHS. If we are to make integrated care a reality it is important that we listen to managers' concerns. Digging beneath this statistic there lay many legitimate concerns about integrated care that must be addressed. Continue reading... The Guardian

First NHS efficiency tables expose 'profligate' waste

First NHS efficiency tables expose 'profligate' waste League tables reveal eight-fold difference in what NHS trusts pay for the same medical items. The Daily Telegraph

NHS patients to be allowed to give TripAdviser style feedback on GPs and dentists

NHS patients to be allowed to give TripAdviser style feedback on GPs and dentists Every patient in the NHS will be asked to provide TripAdviser style feedback on services and if they would recommend their care to friends and family by next year, it has been announced. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

Schizophrenia research breakthrough identifies over 100 genes involved

Schizophrenia research breakthrough identifies over 100 genes involved The largest study ever undertaken into the genetic basis of mental illnesses has found more than 100 genes that play some kind of role in the development of schizophrenia – one of the most common of the serious psychiatric disorders. The Independent

See also: