Forty-six people have died in Northamptonshire while waiting for organ transplant, campaign reveals

Forty-six people have died in Northamptonshire while waiting for organ transplant, campaign reveals Seventy-one people in Northamptonshire are on the waiting list for an organ transplant, it has been revealed as the annual organ donor Christmas List campaign is launched. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

To FT or not to FT: that is the question. Or is it?

To FT or not to FT: that is the question. Or is it? What is the role of foundation trusts really an ever changing system? Emma Spencelayh takes a look at the issue, including the controversial decision to prohibit the proposed merger of Poole Hospital NHS and the Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts. The Health Foundation

Contracting for integrated care – what happens once the ink is dry?

Contracting for integrated care – what happens once the ink is dry? A few weeks ago, in our publication Commissioning and contracting for integrated care we described a number of alternative contracting models currently being implemented that encourage and allow providers to work together, within a single budget and/or to an agreed set of outcomes.

In the discussions I had producing this report and afterwards, there was a lot of interest in these contracting models among commissioners, providers and policy-makers. At a national level, theNHS five year forward view clearly describes several different provider models. New integrated provider models are being defined and rolled out, and contracting tools are seen as the vehicle to make these models happen. However, the contract is often seen as an end in itself rather than a tool for encouraging new ways of working.

Hospital referral to community pharmacy

Hospital referral to community pharmacy A toolkit, endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians, providing practical advice on how to set up an electronic referral system from hospitals to community pharmacies to improve patient safety at the point of discharge. Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Doubts over killer nurse conviction

Doubts over killer nurse conviction A nurse who was convicted of being a serial killer could be the victim of a miscarriage of justice. BBC News

Exclusive: GP practices forced to limit services to control workload

Exclusive: GP practices forced to limit services to control workload Two thirds of GP partners and practice managers say their surgery has opted out of part of the QOF or enhanced services because of workload pressure, a GP magazine poll reveals. GP Online

Poor diabetes foot checks increasing risk of amputation

Poor diabetes foot checks increasing risk of amputation Almost a third of patients not informed about their risk of foot problems at annual foot check. OnMedica

Training elderly in social media improves well-being and combats isolation

Training elderly in social media improves well-being and combats isolation Elderly particularly enjoy Skype contact with friends and family. OnMedica

Instead of writing policy and procedure, we in the NHS should learn to listen

Instead of writing policy and procedure, we in the NHS should learn to listen Many of today’s staff know their discipline well but few have been taught how to listen to patients and colleagues. Continue reading... The Guardian

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and a 'creative' use of statistics

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and a 'creative' use of statistics Jeremy Hunt says new information technology will save the NHS billions and that under the Coalition 17,000 more people are surviving cancer. Is he right? The Daily Telegraph