Chairman of Corby health group quits

Chairman of Corby health group quits The chairman of the Corby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the GP-led group that plans and buys health care services for the people of Corby, has stepped down. Northamptonshire Telegraph

GPs plan to create ‘super-practice’ in Corby, Kettering, Rothwell, Desborough and Wellingborough

GPs plan to create ‘super-practice’ in Corby, Kettering, Rothwell, Desborough and Wellingborough Plans to create a ‘super-practice’ by merging four large GP surgeries have been announced. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Compassion, dignity and respect are fundamental aspects of care, not add-ons

Compassion, dignity and respect are fundamental aspects of care, not add-ons We know that there are many ways to measure patient experience, but do we really hear about the nature and quality of each interaction as perceived by the patient or carer, or does that remain hidden? asks Jane Jones. The Health Foundation

Policy paper: NHS Mandate 2015 to 2016

Policy paper: NHS Mandate 2015 to 2016 The NHS mandate for 2015 to 2016 carries forward all existing objectives from the mandate for 2014 to 2015. There are 2 important updates to existing objectives where we expect NHS England to make further progress:

• to join up health and social care services through the Better Care Fund
• to introduce access and waiting time standards in important areas of mental health services by March 2016, as part of its wider objective to work towards parity of esteem between mental and physical health.

Guidance: Public health commissioning in the NHS 2015 to 2016

Guidance: Public health commissioning in the NHS 2015 to 2016 The ‘NHS public health functions agreement’ sets out the arrangements under which the Secretary of State delegates responsibility to NHS England for certain public health services (known as Section 7A services). It aims to:

• improve public health outcomes and reduce health inequalities
• contribute to a more sustainable public health, health and care system

The service specifications provide details of the public health evidence and advice needed to support effective commissioning. Public Health England

Boys' self-harm A&E visits 'rising'

Boys' self-harm A&E visits 'rising' The number of young boys admitted into accident and emergency units in England for self-harm is at a five-year high, new figures show. BBC News

Hospitals ‘face mounting pressures’

Hospitals ‘face mounting pressures’ Hospitals across the UK are facing mounting pressures as winter hits, health leaders are warning, as demand rises due to seasonal illnesses. BBC News

See also:

• NHS Winter Project (weekly A&E tracker) BBC News

Ebola vaccine trial 'interrupted'

Ebola vaccine trial 'interrupted' The clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine in Switzerland has been interrupted after some patients complained of joint pains in their hands and feet. BBC News

Advertising can change public behaviour towards the NHS

Advertising can change public behaviour towards the NHS Advertising public health messages could save billions. Health Service Journal

Almost half of all adults take prescription drugs

Almost half of all adults take prescription drugs “Half of women and 43% of men in England are now regularly taking prescription drugs,” BBC News reports. The figures have come to light as part of a new survey into drug prescribing patterns.

According to the survey (The Health Survey for England 2013), commonly prescribed medications included:

• cholesterol-lowering statins
• medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors
• painkillers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such asdiclofenac (non-prescription NSAIDs such as ibuprofen were not included in the survey)

There was also media controversy over the number of antidepressants being prescribed – particularly for women on a low income. Nearly one in five women from economically deprived areas were taking antidepressants.

The Health Survey for England 2013 also monitored other trends in the nation’s health, including people’s weight, smoking habits, fruit and vegetable consumption, and shift work.

Devon drops plan to ban smokers and the obese from routine operations

Devon drops plan to ban smokers and the obese from routine operations Health bosses previously said that due to cuts patients would need body mass index below 35, while smokers would have to quit

Health bosses in Devon have abandoned plans to ban smokers or the morbidly obese from undergoing routine operations until they quit the habit or lose weight.

The Northern, Eastern and Western Devon clinical commissioning group had previously said that due to temporary cost-cutting measures, patients would be expected to have a body mass index below 35, while smokers would have to quit eight weeks before surgery. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• U-turn over obese surgery bar plan BBC News

What impact do regulators have on the NHS?

What impact do regulators have on the NHS? Regulation has its place, but a narrow focus on organisations is the wrong approach.

There are two narratives in the NHS inspired by the central bodies; one is a story of opportunities and possibilities, the other is finding someone to blame. While the regulatory beatings are continuing, there are signs the positive approach is gaining ground.

In recent days the Care Quality Commission has been choking on its own bile. First it had to admit that it had wrongly categorised 60 GP practices as high risk in ratings it had published for surgeries across England, after a BBC investigation uncovered flaws in its methodology and a failure to test the data properly. Continue reading...  The Guardian

The science of why magazines are always out of date in GPs waiting rooms

The science of why magazines are always out of date in GPs waiting rooms Doctors surgeries are not supplying old magazines in waiting rooms, they just can't keep hold of new ones, research suggests. The Daily Telegraph