Monday, 1 September 2014
East Midlands Ambulance Service loses 42,000 records
East Midlands Ambulance Service loses 42,000 records The ambulance service that covers Northamptonshire has lost thousands of patients’ records. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Former Northampton MP says NHS payments to people with long-term illnesses are at a ‘standstill’
Former Northampton MP says NHS payments to people with long-term illnesses are at a ‘standstill’ NHS payments to help people with long-term illnesses are at a virtual standstill in Northamptonshire, a former MP has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Patient safety alert on risks arising from breakdown and failure to act on communication during handover at the time of discharge from secondary care
Patient safety alert on risks arising from breakdown and failure to act on communication during handover at the time of discharge from secondary care A patient safety alert has been issued by NHS England as part of its work to improve the quality and timeliness of communication with primary and social care when patients are discharged from hospital.
NHS England is asking organisations for information about their current local practices and challenges that will help form a national picture around handover at discharge. They are also being asked to provide examples of successful local initiatives designed to improve their discharge handover processes. In addition, other groups including GPs, community nurses, social care, voluntary sector and medicines reconciliation are being asked to share their views on how the process can be improved.
This information will be used by NHS England to develop a range of resources and recommendations to help healthcare providers to improve patient safety around handover at a local level.
You can read the full risks arising from breakdown and failure to act on communication during handover at the time of discharge from secondary care patient safety alert.
You can also read a review of National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) incident data relating to discharge from acute and mental health trusts between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.
NHS England is asking organisations for information about their current local practices and challenges that will help form a national picture around handover at discharge. They are also being asked to provide examples of successful local initiatives designed to improve their discharge handover processes. In addition, other groups including GPs, community nurses, social care, voluntary sector and medicines reconciliation are being asked to share their views on how the process can be improved.
This information will be used by NHS England to develop a range of resources and recommendations to help healthcare providers to improve patient safety around handover at a local level.
You can read the full risks arising from breakdown and failure to act on communication during handover at the time of discharge from secondary care patient safety alert.
You can also read a review of National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) incident data relating to discharge from acute and mental health trusts between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013.
No assumptions: a narrative for personalised, coordinated care and support in mental health
No assumptions: a narrative for personalised, coordinated care and support in mental health This resource describes the critical outcomes and success factors in the care, support and treatment of people who use mental health services, from their perspective. It is aimed at NHS and council commissioners and providers of services to organise person-centred care and recovery-oriented support for mental and physical health and to know when they are achieving it. National Voices
See also:
See also:
Good surgical practice
Good surgical practice This guidance outlines the standards of practice that are expected of all surgeons as well as the skills, values and attitudes that underpin the profession and has been developed with surgeons and patient groups. It highlights surgical leadership and teamwork as crucial for achieving high-quality patient care and provides surgeons with a model that they should aspire to in day to day practice. Royal College of Surgeons
Third of women discharged too early after giving birth says new RCM report
Third of women discharged too early after giving birth says new RCM report Over a third (40%) of women were discharged from hospital before they were ready after having a baby according to a report published today by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
The report also says that women are not getting the level of postnatal care recommended by NICE and that continuity of care is suffering, leading to poorer care for women and their babies.
The report makes a number of recommendations to help improve postnatal care. These include having enough midwives to ensure all women receive the number of postnatal visits they need. It also recommends that the appropriate number of visits should be decided by the midwife in discussion with the woman.
See also:
The report also says that women are not getting the level of postnatal care recommended by NICE and that continuity of care is suffering, leading to poorer care for women and their babies.
The report makes a number of recommendations to help improve postnatal care. These include having enough midwives to ensure all women receive the number of postnatal visits they need. It also recommends that the appropriate number of visits should be decided by the midwife in discussion with the woman.
See also:
- Pressure Points (report) Royal College of Midwives
- Post-natal care lacking, say midwives BBC News
- Shortage of midwives is forcing mothers to leave hospital early The Independent
- Women pressured into leaving hospital too soon after birth, warn midwives The Daily Telegraph
- 40% of new mothers discharged from hospital too early, survey finds The Guardian
- Hospitals sent us home too early, say 40% of new mums Daily Mail
VIDEO: Are e-cigarettes safe?
VIDEO: Are e-cigarettes safe? Inside Out goes to the lab to investigate what is in e-cigarettes while we unwrap the arguments surrounding them. BBC News
'Urgent' call for obesity taskforce
'Urgent' call for obesity taskforce Doctors' leaders are calling for an emergency taskforce to be set up to tackle childhood obesity in England. BBC News
Test Ebola drug '100% effective'
Test Ebola drug '100% effective' The only trial data on the experimental Ebola drug ZMapp shows it is 100% effective in monkey studies, even in later stages of the infection. BBC News
3 per cent of patients have EPR access
3 per cent of patients have EPR access Fewer than 3% of patients have access to their GP medical records online, according to figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre's indicator portal. E-Health Insider
Study finds plain cigarette pack fears 'unfounded'
Study finds plain cigarette pack fears 'unfounded' "Cigarette plain packaging fear campaign unfounded," reports The Guardian.
After Australia introduced plain packaging laws in 2012, opponents of the legislation argued it would lead to a number of unintended consequences, including:
But a new study conducted in Victoria, Australia, suggests these fears are unfounded.
Researchers compared the responses smokers gave in a telephone survey one year before the introduction of standardised packaging, with responses given one year after its introduction.
The study found no evidence the introduction of standardised packaging had changed the proportion of people purchasing from small mixed-business retailers, purchasing cheap brands imported from Asia, or using illicit tobacco.
But this study did not investigate whether there had been an increase in the use of counterfeit branded tobacco products. The researchers noted that smokers may be unaware they are smoking counterfeit products.
In conclusion, the study suggests there is no evidence for many of the "fears" proposed by opponents of standardised packaging.
After Australia introduced plain packaging laws in 2012, opponents of the legislation argued it would lead to a number of unintended consequences, including:
- the market would become flooded by cheap Asian brands
- smokers would be more likely to buy illegal unbranded tobacco (including raw unbranded loose tobacco known locally in Australia as "chop-chop")
- smokers would be less likely to buy their cigarettes from smaller mixed businesses such as convenience stores and petrol stations, meaning that small businesses would suffer
But a new study conducted in Victoria, Australia, suggests these fears are unfounded.
Researchers compared the responses smokers gave in a telephone survey one year before the introduction of standardised packaging, with responses given one year after its introduction.
The study found no evidence the introduction of standardised packaging had changed the proportion of people purchasing from small mixed-business retailers, purchasing cheap brands imported from Asia, or using illicit tobacco.
But this study did not investigate whether there had been an increase in the use of counterfeit branded tobacco products. The researchers noted that smokers may be unaware they are smoking counterfeit products.
In conclusion, the study suggests there is no evidence for many of the "fears" proposed by opponents of standardised packaging.
Calls for greater disclosure on NHS chiefs' meetings with private US health insurer
Calls for greater disclosure on NHS chiefs' meetings with private US health insurer Critics warn of more privatisation as UnitedHealth leads firms seeking £1bn worth of contracts/
A handful of consultancy firms and a health insurance giant bidding for NHS contracts have been operating a discreet forum at which they receive regular briefings from senior health service managers charged with ushering in the new era of competition among its providers. The revelation has raised fears that the NHS is falling victim to a land grab by a few powerful business interests.
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the campaign group Spinwatch shine a light on the workings of an obscure group whose existence and limited membership has alarmed campaigners who want the NHS to remain public. Continue reading... The Guardian
A handful of consultancy firms and a health insurance giant bidding for NHS contracts have been operating a discreet forum at which they receive regular briefings from senior health service managers charged with ushering in the new era of competition among its providers. The revelation has raised fears that the NHS is falling victim to a land grab by a few powerful business interests.
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the campaign group Spinwatch shine a light on the workings of an obscure group whose existence and limited membership has alarmed campaigners who want the NHS to remain public. Continue reading... The Guardian
Deaths from childhood cancer fall by up to 74 per cent in a decade
Deaths from childhood cancer fall by up to 74 per cent in a decade Doctors are winning the battle against childhood cancer, with deaths plummeting over the last decade. But health experts say there is more work to do. The Daily Telegraph
Treating mental illness is a global task, say experts
Treating mental illness is a global task, say experts The world's leading psychiatrists have launched a historic bid to include mental health in the UN's post-2015 development goals. The Independent
Cuts blamed as NHS cancer waiting time targets missed for second quarter in a row
Cuts blamed as NHS cancer waiting time targets missed for second quarter in a row The NHS in England is experiencing its worst ever long-term slump in performance against key cancer waiting times, leaving thousands of patients waiting weeks for treatment for suspected cancers, according to new figures. The Independent
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