Monday 20 October 2014

Radiographers at Kettering Hospital to take strike action

Radiographers at Kettering Hospital to take strike action Radiographers at Kettering Hospital will be taking part in a national strike on Monday, October 20, between 9am and 1pm. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The cost of protecting the NHS budget: how do the parties' pledges fare?

The cost of protecting the NHS budget: how do the parties' pledges fare? The Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems have all made promises to increase the NHS budget should they win in the 2015 election. But how do the promises of the parties compare to the amount of money the English NHS will need? The Health Foundation

Suffering in silence: listening to consumer experiences of the health and social care complaints system

Suffering in silence: listening to consumer experiences of the health and social care complaints system This report details the findings of an investigation into the failings of the complaints system in health and social care. It raises concerns about the NHS and local authority red tape making it difficult for people to complain and that there is not enough independent advice and support out there to help those in need and, above all, the public is given little incentive to come forward about their experiences. It highlights simple changes which could be made to the system in order to improve patients' experiences in complaints handling within health and care systems. Healthwatch

Nigeria to be declared Ebola-free

Nigeria to be declared Ebola-free The World Health Organisation is expected to declare Nigeria officially free of Ebola on Monday, after six weeks with no new cases. BBC News

More than half of local health contracts 'go outside NHS

More than half of local health contracts 'go outside NHS' The value of clinical contracts awarded by local health commissioning groups has risen to just over £2bn between April and September this year, data shows. Of the total contracts awarded since April 2013, more than half have gone to non-NHSproviders. BBC News

Doctors 'stop seven-day service talks'

Doctors 'stop seven-day service talks' A spat between doctors and NHS officials about seven-day working has led to the stalling of longstanding negotiations. BBC News

See also:

Gaps in mental health care for new mothers cost UK £8bn a year study

Gaps in mental health care for new mothers cost UK £8bn a year study Maternal Mental Health Alliance says NHS would need to spend £337m a year to bring care up to recommended levels

Substandard mental health care for pregnant women and new mothers is creating long-term costs of more than £8bn every year, according to a pioneering study of the effects of maternal depression, anxiety and other illnesses.

The report, produced by the London School of Economics and the Centre for Mental Healthcharity, represents the first time academics have sought to quantify not just the direct economic impact on affected mothers, but the effect over decades on their childrens prospects, both in terms of development in the womb and during the crucial early years. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS chief urges hospital staff to join gyms in anti-obesity fight

NHS chief urges hospital staff to join gyms in anti-obesity fight Simon Stevens says repeated warnings have been ignored and we must lead national effort to tackle crisis.

The National Health Service is to put its own 1.35 million staff at the head of a new fight against obesity by encouraging them to join weight-watching groups and take out gym memberships, its new head will announce this week.

The move by Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, comes amid mounting frustration within the medical profession and NHS over the failure of successive governments to invest sufficiently in public health campaigns. Continue reading... The Guardian

Ministers hail dignity victory in war on mixed sex wards

Ministers hail dignity victory in war on mixed sex wards Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, says new figures showing a dramatic fall in the number of men and women forced to share hospital wards are a major step forward for compassion. The Daily Telegraph

NHS watchdog to probe complaints about needless deaths as it warns of 'appalling' failures to investigate

NHS watchdog to probe complaints about needless deaths as it warns of 'appalling' failures to investigate Investigation launched into the handling of complaints into 250 deaths which may have been avoidable. The Daily Telegraph

Health tourism clampdown 'puts public at risk,' claims think-tank

Health tourism clampdown 'puts public at risk,' claims think-tank The British public is at increased risk from infectious diseases – including Ebola – because NHS charges and anti-immigration rhetoric are discouraging vulnerable migrants from seeking healthcare, a think-tank has warned. The Independent