Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Really breaking through the innovation barrier in health care
Really breaking through the innovation barrier in health care When it comes to real innovation in health care, in the UK we are yet to see anything as systematic as the methods applied to innovation at the Kaiser Permanente’s Garfield Innovation Center in the US, says Jo Bibby. The Health Foundation
Evolution, revolution or confusion? Competition and privatisation in the NHS
Evolution, revolution or confusion? Competition and privatisation in the NHS The precise role of private sector organisations providing NHS-funded care is a dividing line for the political parties. This briefing considers key questions relating to the role of competition and the role of non-NHS providers within the NHS. The Health Foundation
The route to employment: the role of mental health recovery colleges
The route to employment: the role of mental health recovery colleges Moving from economic inactivity into work can be challenging for someone with a mental health problem. But recovery colleges can help people make this transition. This report examines the role of these unique institutions, and suggests ways that their effectiveness can be enhanced. It argues that recovery colleges should therefore increase their focus on these employment outcomes, supported by more rigorous and systematic evaluation of the overall impact of the model. CentreForum
More veterans seek mental health aid
More veterans seek mental health aid A mental health charity which treats military veterans says referrals have increased by 26% in the last year. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Veteran referrals rise sharply Combat Stress
- Veterans' PTSD cases up a quarter in a year charity warns The Daily Telegraph
Parents fail to spot that their kids are obese
Parents fail to spot that their kids are obese "Parents hardly ever spot obesity in their children, resulting in damaging consequences for health," BBC News reports after a new study found a third of UK parents underestimated the weight of their child.
The study asked parents for their views about whether their child was underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese, comparing this with objective measurements of the child's weight and height taken on the same day.
Researchers found most parents were only likely to think a child was overweight when they were at the top end of the very overweight category.
The study was large, with almost 3,000 participants, but may not be representative of all parents in the UK, as many of those asked did not participate.
The study also cannot tell us why parents are not recognising when their child is overweight, or the best and most effective way of improving this. But it does suggest that some help is likely to be needed to make sure parents know when their child is overweight.
The study asked parents for their views about whether their child was underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese, comparing this with objective measurements of the child's weight and height taken on the same day.
Researchers found most parents were only likely to think a child was overweight when they were at the top end of the very overweight category.
The study was large, with almost 3,000 participants, but may not be representative of all parents in the UK, as many of those asked did not participate.
The study also cannot tell us why parents are not recognising when their child is overweight, or the best and most effective way of improving this. But it does suggest that some help is likely to be needed to make sure parents know when their child is overweight.
How can social care and healthcare integrate together?
How can social care and healthcare integrate together? Expert views, good practice and interesting comments from our live discussion on integration. Continue reading... The Guardian
Nurse pleads guilty to A&E rapes of unconscious women
Nurse pleads guilty to A&E rapes of unconscious women Andrew Hutchinson pleads guilty to attacks at Oxford’s John Radcliffe hospital and series of other sexual and voyeurism offences
A staff nurse has admitted raping three women, one aged just 18, in a hospital’s emergency department, as well as a series of other sexual and voyeurism offences.
Andrew Hutchinson, of Garford, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty on Monday at Oxford crown court to the attacks at John Radcliffe hospital. The other victims were aged 35 and 22. Continue reading... The Guardian
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A staff nurse has admitted raping three women, one aged just 18, in a hospital’s emergency department, as well as a series of other sexual and voyeurism offences.
Andrew Hutchinson, of Garford, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty on Monday at Oxford crown court to the attacks at John Radcliffe hospital. The other victims were aged 35 and 22. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Four in 10 teenage e-cigarette users would not have smoked, warn health experts
Four in 10 teenage e-cigarette users would not have smoked, warn health experts Teenagers who would never have smoked are now putting themselves at long term risk by using e-cigarettes, a new study suggests. The Independent
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Monday, 30 March 2015
Elderly woman spent 20 hours on trolley waiting to be admitted to Northampton General Hospital
Elderly woman spent 20 hours on trolley waiting to be admitted to Northampton General Hospital Bosses at Northampton General Hospital have apologised to a 75-year-old woman who had to be cared for on hospital trolley for 20 hours because of a lack of beds. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Guidance: Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM
Guidance: Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM This document provides guidance to support an NHS organisation when they are developing or reviewing safeguarding policies and procedures around female genital mutilation (FGM).
It can be used by health professionals from all sectors, particularly designated and named safeguarding leads, and local safeguarding children board members. It is based on existing best practice within the NHS.
It has been developed in partnership with health and social care professionals, and professional bodies.
All organisations must ensure that their approach to safeguarding against FGM is multi-agency and multi-disciplinary. They should work with partners in social services and the police. Department of Health
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It can be used by health professionals from all sectors, particularly designated and named safeguarding leads, and local safeguarding children board members. It is based on existing best practice within the NHS.
It has been developed in partnership with health and social care professionals, and professional bodies.
All organisations must ensure that their approach to safeguarding against FGM is multi-agency and multi-disciplinary. They should work with partners in social services and the police. Department of Health
See also:
- Guidance: Services for women and girls with FGM Department of Health
Productivity of the English NHS: 2012/13/update
Productivity of the English NHS: 2012/13/update Productivity is one of the key measures against which NHS achievements can be judged and is the focus of this report. This report updates previous analysis of NHS productivity growth since 2004/05, focussing on the change in NHS productivity between 2011/12 and 2012/13, the latter financial year being the latest for which data have been made available. Centre for Health Economics
Celebrating good care, championing outstanding care
Celebrating good care, championing outstanding care This report examines what underpins high quality care. It includes a collection of short case studies illustrating some of the qualities shown by care providers that are rated good or outstanding overall. It also shares the views of some people responsible for care quality and what they do to drive improvement. Care Quality Commission
Labour to cap private profits in NHS
Labour to cap private profits in NHS A Labour government would cap the amount of profit private firms can make from the NHS, Ed Miliband will say as he launches the party's election campaign. BBC News
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Tories to pledge 'seven-day NHS'
Tories to pledge 'seven-day NHS' Hospital services will be available seven days a week by 2020 under a future Conservative government, David Cameron is to pledge. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- VIDEO: BMA warning on 'seven-day NHS' plan BBC News
- Hunt grilled: could the Tories really afford a 24/7 NHS? Channel 4 News
- David Cameron: Tories will create a 'truly seven-day' NHS The Daily Telegraph
- Cameron pledges seven-day NHS services under future Tory government The Guardian
- Jeremy Hunt defends NHS reforms as vital to seven-day care The Guardian
- Jeremy Hunt promises Tories will boost NHS spending by £8bn over next five years The Independent
- Cure by email as Tories make seven-day health service election pledge The Independent
Meningitis B vaccine deal agreed
Meningitis B vaccine deal agreed An agreement is reached with the drug manufacturer GSK to provide a vaccine for meningitis B for all babies in the UK, the health secretary says. BBC News
King's develops arthritis app
King's develops arthritis app The rheumatology department at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has adopted a smartphone app to support outpatients living with chronic arthritis. E-Health Insider
Over 1,000 GP practices awarded up to £5m under NHS infrastructure scheme
Over 1,000 GP practices awarded up to £5m under NHS infrastructure scheme More than 1,000 GP practices across England have been awarded up to £5m to improve premises in the first wave of schemes to win support from the £250m-a-year NHS infrastructure fund. GP Online
No booking in advance GPs tell one million patients: 150 practices introduce new rules as part of cost-cutting drive
No booking in advance GPs tell one million patients: 150 practices introduce new rules as part of cost-cutting drive Patients are being banned from booking advance GP appointments as part of a cost-cutting drive. Under the new system, which is already in place in 150 practices, patients must call up on the day. The Daily Mail
Let's get this straight: depression does not make people a danger to society
Let's get this straight: depression does not make people a danger to society In our rush to try to understand the actions of Andreas Lubitz, we must be careful not to stigmatise people with depression, says Matt Haig. The Daily Telegraph
Children with mental health problems can wait for more than three years to be assessed
Children with mental health problems can wait for more than three years to be assessed Children with mental health problems can wait for more than three years to be assessed and up to nearly two years to receive treatment, according to a report. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- 'Rise in child mental health issues' BBC News
NHS property sale could raise £7.5bn to help pay off its growing deficit and free up space for housing
NHS property sale could raise £7.5bn to help pay off its growing deficit and free up space for housing The NHS is set to sell off or redevelop land and property worth billions of pounds to help pay off its growing deficit and bring about a radical transformation of the way healthcare is delivered. The Independent
NHS 'health tourism' crackdown making destitute migrant mothers pay thousands for care
NHS 'health tourism' crackdown making destitute migrant mothers pay thousands for care The NHS crackdown on so-called “health tourism” is having a devastating impact on vulnerable, pregnant migrant women and their babies, The Independent can reveal. A new report compiled by doctors working at a charitable clinic in London has revealed disturbing details of often destitute women charged thousands of pounds by the NHS for essential care during pregnancy. The Independent
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Friday, 27 March 2015
Northamptonshire hospital is one of first to offer pioneering depression treatment
Northamptonshire hospital is one of first to offer pioneering depression treatment Berrywood Hospital has been selected as one of the first in the country to offer a new specialised treatment to people suffering with depression. Northamptonshire Telegraph
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See also:
- News: NHS Trust offer revolutionary new treatment to help those suffering with depression Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Northampton hospital to be one of the first to use magnets to treat depression Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Betting shops, tanning salons and takeaways make Northampton the fifth most ‘unhealthy’ town in the UK
Betting shops, tanning salons and takeaways make Northampton the fifth most ‘unhealthy’ town in the UK Northampton town centre has been branded the fifth most ‘unhealthy’ in the UK after a survey found a high proportion of betting shops, tanning salons and takeaways. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Plan to target most frail OAPs aims to cut Northampton A&E numbers by almost 300 people a day
Plan to target most frail OAPs aims to cut Northampton A&E numbers by almost 300 people a day Numbers of patients turning up at emergency departments in Northamptonshire will decrease by 15 per cent in the next four years, health bosses have promised. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
SPECIAL REPORT: Three wards worth of fit patients cannot leave Northampton General Hospital
SPECIAL REPORT: Three wards worth of fit patients cannot leave Northampton General Hospital The chief executive of Northampton General Hospital has issued a call for urgent action on bed blocking because 110 fit patients are unable to leave its wards. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
‘Q what?’ Building the profile of quality improvement in the NHS
‘Q what?’ Building the profile of quality improvement in the NHS What are the best approaches to speeding up improvement? Support for the clinical front line, better operational management and the right leadership would be the best places to start, says Jennifer Dixon. The Health Foundation
Care for people with learning disabilities report published
Care for people with learning disabilities report published Despite the agreed aim that people with learning disabilities should live and receive care in the community, there has been no closure programme for large mental health hospitals according to the Public Accounts Committee's report, Care services for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour
Investigating clinical incidents in the NHS report
Investigating clinical incidents in the NHS report The Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) publishes its Report following its inquiry into NHS complaints and clinical failure. Investigating clinical incidents in the NHS.
Statutory guidance: Adult autism strategy: statutory guidance
Statutory guidance: Adult autism strategy: statutory guidance This statutory guidance shows how local authorities and NHS organisations should carry out their responsibilities under the Autism Act 2009 to develop services that support and meet the needs of people with autism, and their families and carers. It also explains what support they can expect to receive from local authorities and NHS organisations.
The guidance was revised to take account of responses to a related consultation, and reflects changes to support the implementation of the strategy for adults with autism in England since 2010. Department of Health
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The guidance was revised to take account of responses to a related consultation, and reflects changes to support the implementation of the strategy for adults with autism in England since 2010. Department of Health
See also:
- News story: Adult autism strategy statutory guidance published Department of Health
Guidance: Mental Health Act 1983: reference guide
Guidance: Mental Health Act 1983: reference guide It is a reference source for people who want to understand the main provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the regulations under the Act, as amended at 1 April 2015, including by the Mental Health Act 2007, Health and Social Care Acts 2008 and 2012 and Care Act 2014.
The revised reference guide complements the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice, with the Code giving guidance on how the Act should be applied.
The guide is not a definitive statement of law, nor a substitute for consulting the Act itself or taking legal advice in relation to the Act. Department of Health
The revised reference guide complements the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice, with the Code giving guidance on how the Act should be applied.
The guide is not a definitive statement of law, nor a substitute for consulting the Act itself or taking legal advice in relation to the Act. Department of Health
The road to MCPs: experts assess the new model of care sketched by the Five Year Forward View
The road to MCPs: experts assess the new model of care sketched by the Five Year Forward View This briefing outlines the discussions from a debate on the likely evolution of multi-specialty community providers, one of the new models of care envisaged by the NHS Five Year Forward View. The group urged commissioners and providers to take a broad view of the subject, not to wait for a definitive model to emerge. Primary Care Comissioning
Two years on: age is still just a number
Two years on: age is still just a number By 2040, almost three-quarters of all women living with breast cancer in the UK will be aged over 65 but, according to this report, this patient population is not being adequately provided for. This follows on from a 2013 Inquiry into older people and breast cancer with an aim to better understand the variations and barriers preventing all patients diagnosed with the disease having access to the services, treatments and care that benefits them most, regardless of their age. The first report laid out a series of key recommendations with a view to improving services specifically for this patient population. Two years on, the APPGBC have reviewed the recommendations alongside the progress that’s been made and found that – whilst steps have been made in the right direction – a lot of work still needs to be done. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer
NHS to trial innovations in 'test beds'
NHS to trial innovations in 'test beds' NHS England is calling for healthcare innovators from across the world to trial new technologies and digital services at working NHS sites. E-Health Insider
GMC welcomes independent whistleblowers review by Sir Anthony Hooper
GMC welcomes independent whistleblowers review by Sir Anthony Hooper An independent review commissioned by the GMC has recommended that organisations referring concerns about a doctor’s fitness to practise to the GMC should declare whether the doctor has raised concerns about patient safety. General Medical Council
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Do antibiotics in pregnancy cause cerebral palsy and epilepsy?
Do antibiotics in pregnancy cause cerebral palsy and epilepsy? "Antibiotic used in pregnancy linked to risk of epilepsy and cerebral palsy," The Guardian reports.
The results of a new study suggest women who take macrolide antibiotics were slightly more likely to give birth to a child with one (or both) of these conditions, compared with women who take penicillin.
But no association was found between taking antibiotics in general during pregnancy and cerebral palsy (a condition that causes movement disorders) or epilepsy (a condition that causes seizures).
However, a direct comparison between these groups of women is not entirely reliable. There could be other confounding factors that could account for the difference seen, such as the type and severity of infection.
The study does not prove that macrolides cause either cerebral palsy or epilepsy. It is possible an underlying infection in pregnancy increased the risk of these conditions, rather than the treatment itself.
The results of a new study suggest women who take macrolide antibiotics were slightly more likely to give birth to a child with one (or both) of these conditions, compared with women who take penicillin.
But no association was found between taking antibiotics in general during pregnancy and cerebral palsy (a condition that causes movement disorders) or epilepsy (a condition that causes seizures).
However, a direct comparison between these groups of women is not entirely reliable. There could be other confounding factors that could account for the difference seen, such as the type and severity of infection.
The study does not prove that macrolides cause either cerebral palsy or epilepsy. It is possible an underlying infection in pregnancy increased the risk of these conditions, rather than the treatment itself.
Doctors demand end to A&E game-playing
Doctors demand end to A&E game-playing Crisis needs serious debate on long-term solutions, not sticking-plaster policies and bail-outs. OnMedica
Vanguard sites: new models of integration in health and social care
Vanguard sites: new models of integration in health and social care A fragmented system doesn’t give patients the best outcomes but it remains to be seen if the current trials can avoid previous mistakes
Hard on the heels of the announcement of the devolution of NHS powers in Greater Manchester comes news of the first wave of 29 “vanguard” sites for the new care models programme, heralded last October by Simon Stevens’ Five-Year Forward View for the NHS. These frontrunner sites are meant to lead the way for better integration of health and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian
Hard on the heels of the announcement of the devolution of NHS powers in Greater Manchester comes news of the first wave of 29 “vanguard” sites for the new care models programme, heralded last October by Simon Stevens’ Five-Year Forward View for the NHS. These frontrunner sites are meant to lead the way for better integration of health and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian
Cambridgeshire surgeons perform Europe's first non-beating heart transplant
Cambridgeshire surgeons perform Europe's first non-beating heart transplant Surgeons in Cambridgeshire have performed Europe’s first heart transplant using a non-beating heart. The Independent
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See also:
- First Europe non-beating heart swap BBC News
Thursday, 26 March 2015
The NHS under the coalition government Part two: NHS performance
The NHS under the coalition government Part two: NHS performance This report, the second part of 'The NHS under the coalition government', looks at how well the NHS has performed under the coalition government. The report acknowledges that assessing the performance of any health service is an inexact science for many reasons, but using routinely available data, the report creates a conventional ‘production path’ – describing the financial inputs to the NHS before detailing its outputs, such as hospital admissions, or A&E attendances. The King's Fund
See also:
See also:
- NHS problems worst 'since 1990s' BBC News
- VIDEO: NHS England 'deteriorating' BBC News
- News story: Improving health and care Department of Health
- Patient care will deteriorate as NHS heads for £2bn deficit, says thinktank The Guardian
- Think-tank warning on future of NHS Northamptonshire Telegraph
- RCGP response to King's Fund report on NHS performance Royal College of General Practitioners
Does the Lefroy Bill ring a bell?
Does the Lefroy Bill ring a bell? Avoidable harm is the scourge of any complex health care system. So legislation to try and eradicate it sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? We at the Health Foundation, with the support of members of the Berwick Advisory Group, disagree, says John Illingworth.
Major new taskforce launched to chart roadmap for mental health services and priorities over next five years
Major new taskforce launched to chart roadmap for mental health services and priorities over next five years Seize the moment for major improvements in mental health and wellbeing says Stevens
The tide of public opinion is shifting in favour of dramatically improved mental health services, Simon Stevens says as he launches a new taskforce to forge change.
As signalled in the NHS Five Year Forward View, a new Taskforce is being established to develop a new five year national strategy for mental health, for people of all ages across England.
It will explore the variation in the availability of mental health services across England, look at the outcomes for people who are using services, and identify key priorities for improvement. It will also consider ways of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, ways of improving the physical health of people with mental health problems, and whether we are spending money and time on the right things. It will report later this year.
Service users and experts by experience, alongside families and carers will be involved throughout in the shaping strategy, alongside other stakeholders.
The Taskforce will be chaired by Paul Farmer the CEO of mental health charity Mind and made up of health and community leaders and experts in the field of mental health including specialist doctors, charities, service users and their families. The Vice Chair will be Jacqui Dyer who has a background in adult mental health commissioning as well as community and family social work. NHS England
The tide of public opinion is shifting in favour of dramatically improved mental health services, Simon Stevens says as he launches a new taskforce to forge change.
As signalled in the NHS Five Year Forward View, a new Taskforce is being established to develop a new five year national strategy for mental health, for people of all ages across England.
It will explore the variation in the availability of mental health services across England, look at the outcomes for people who are using services, and identify key priorities for improvement. It will also consider ways of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, ways of improving the physical health of people with mental health problems, and whether we are spending money and time on the right things. It will report later this year.
Service users and experts by experience, alongside families and carers will be involved throughout in the shaping strategy, alongside other stakeholders.
The Taskforce will be chaired by Paul Farmer the CEO of mental health charity Mind and made up of health and community leaders and experts in the field of mental health including specialist doctors, charities, service users and their families. The Vice Chair will be Jacqui Dyer who has a background in adult mental health commissioning as well as community and family social work. NHS England
New whistleblowing code of practice for employers and guidance for prescribed persons
New whistleblowing code of practice for employers and guidance for prescribed persons This page updates employers on new guidance issued by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on whistleblowing. NHS Employers
All new healthcare assistants and social care support workers will need to get a Care Certificate in their first 12 weeks of employment.
All new healthcare assistants and social care support workers will need to get a Care Certificate in their first 12 weeks of employment. The Care Certificate assesses the fundamental skills, knowledge and behaviours that are required to provide safe, effective and compassionate care. It will be awarded to staff in health and care roles who can demonstrate that they meet each of the 15 Care Certificate standards, including:
The Care Certificate was a recommendation from the Cavendish review, which made suggestions on how to improve the quality of care provided by health and care support workers in the wake of the failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
More detailed information can be found here. Health Education England
- caring with privacy and dignity
- awareness of mental health (including dementia and learning difficulties)
- safeguarding
- communication
- infection control
The Care Certificate was a recommendation from the Cavendish review, which made suggestions on how to improve the quality of care provided by health and care support workers in the wake of the failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
More detailed information can be found here. Health Education England
Mental health aftercare in England and Wales
Mental health aftercare in England and Wales From 1 April 2015 the local authority responsible for mental health aftercare services, under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (the Act), will normally be the one where the person was ordinarily resident immediately before they were detained under the Act. This document has details about arrangements for referring disputes over ordinary residence in cases where one or more authority in dispute is in England and one or more is in Wales. These arrangements only apply where services are provided under section 117 of the Act. Department of Health
VIDEO: What makes a healthy high street?
VIDEO: What makes a healthy high street? A new study by the Royal Society for Public Health lists the healthiest and unhealthiest high streets in the UK, putting Shrewsbury at the top and Preston at the bottom. BBC News
Calling up a storm
Calling up a storm A "disaster". A "disgrace". "Extremely worrying". "Significantly problematic". A "total meltdown". "Chaos threatening patient care". A history of the NHS 111 service. E-Health Insider
Frequent antibiotic use linked to higher type 2 diabetes risk
Frequent antibiotic use linked to higher type 2 diabetes risk "Repeated antibiotic use linked to diabetes," BBC News reports.
New research has studied over 200,000 people from the UK who were diagnosed with diabetes between 1995 and 2013. Researchers counted the number of antibiotic prescriptions they had during an average five-year period before they were diagnosed. They compared the number of prescriptions given to an age- and gender-matched control group of over 800,000 people.
They found that people taking antibiotics were more likely to develop diabetes, and those taking more were at a higher risk. For example, people who took five or more antibiotic courses in the five-year period before diagnosis had around a third higher risk of developing type 2 diabetesthan those taking no antibiotics.
We should not assume that the results mean antibiotics definitely cause diabetes. It could be the other way round.
New research has studied over 200,000 people from the UK who were diagnosed with diabetes between 1995 and 2013. Researchers counted the number of antibiotic prescriptions they had during an average five-year period before they were diagnosed. They compared the number of prescriptions given to an age- and gender-matched control group of over 800,000 people.
They found that people taking antibiotics were more likely to develop diabetes, and those taking more were at a higher risk. For example, people who took five or more antibiotic courses in the five-year period before diagnosis had around a third higher risk of developing type 2 diabetesthan those taking no antibiotics.
We should not assume that the results mean antibiotics definitely cause diabetes. It could be the other way round.
Royal College outlines criteria for stopping treatment in very sick children
Royal College outlines criteria for stopping treatment in very sick children New practice framework aims to minimise suffering and guide doctors through legal and ethical issues. OnMedica
Don’t dismiss web savvy patients as cyberchondriacs, doctors told
Don’t dismiss web savvy patients as cyberchondriacs, doctors told The practice is going to become more common, so work with them, says medical defence body. OnMedica
Drug-resistant TB could kill 75 million people over the next 35 years, experts claim
Drug-resistant TB could kill 75 million people over the next 35 years, experts claim The warning, which is a global figure, came from Jim O'Neill, a former investment bank chief appointed last year by UK Government to head a review into antimicrobial resistance. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- The Price of Pandemic: Counting the cost of MDR-TB All Party Parliamentary Group on Global Tuberculosis
NHS reform: what next for the world’s best health system?
NHS reform: what next for the world’s best health system?Despite the pressures of an ageing population and scant resources, the NHS is the envy of many. Yet the three main parties agree it must adapt to survive. How do they see its future?
The National Health Service has been judged the best health system in the world. It’s certainly the issue which matters most to voters, the opinion polls tell us. But what will the NHS look like in the years to come? How will it cope in the face of an ageing population and unprecedented funding pressures?
With NHS England’s own estimates suggesting there will be a cash shortfall of up to £30bn a year by 2020, making the NHS fit for the future is an urgent priority. In advance of the general election, politicians from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour set out their competing visions for the health service at the Guardian’s health hustings debate. Continue reading... The Guardian
The National Health Service has been judged the best health system in the world. It’s certainly the issue which matters most to voters, the opinion polls tell us. But what will the NHS look like in the years to come? How will it cope in the face of an ageing population and unprecedented funding pressures?
With NHS England’s own estimates suggesting there will be a cash shortfall of up to £30bn a year by 2020, making the NHS fit for the future is an urgent priority. In advance of the general election, politicians from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour set out their competing visions for the health service at the Guardian’s health hustings debate. Continue reading... The Guardian
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
Measures to help staff speak out about patient safety
Measures to help staff speak out about patient safety
The Department of Health is seeking views on measures to carry out the recommendations, principles and actions from the Freedom to Speak Up review by Sir Robert Francis QC. The purpose of the review was to help staff to feel safe to speak out on patient safety. NHS Networks
The Department of Health is seeking views on measures to carry out the recommendations, principles and actions from the Freedom to Speak Up review by Sir Robert Francis QC. The purpose of the review was to help staff to feel safe to speak out on patient safety. NHS Networks
NHS culture and support for staff mental health is improving, say employers in response to BBC findings
NHS culture and support for staff mental health is improving, say employers in response to BBC findings
NHS Employers today responded to BBC reports that mental health issues and pressure are causing more NHS staff to take sick leave. NHS Employers
NHS Employers today responded to BBC reports that mental health issues and pressure are causing more NHS staff to take sick leave. NHS Employers
Staff Survey results 2014 podcast
Staff Survey results 2014 podcast
Steven Weeks, policy manager for NHS Employers has recorded a podcast summarising the 2014 Staff Survey results. NHS Employers
Steven Weeks, policy manager for NHS Employers has recorded a podcast summarising the 2014 Staff Survey results. NHS Employers
Healthcare - the next five years
Healthcare - the next five years
This report gathers together leading experts from the health world to set out their views on what needs to change to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NHS. With the challenges of austerity, an ageing society and more expensive treatment the authors add their thoughts to the on-going debate on prevention, integration and funding. The Smith Institute
This report gathers together leading experts from the health world to set out their views on what needs to change to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NHS. With the challenges of austerity, an ageing society and more expensive treatment the authors add their thoughts to the on-going debate on prevention, integration and funding. The Smith Institute
Antibiotic use linked to diabetes
Antibiotic use linked to diabetes
People who need treating with repeated courses of antibiotics may be at increased risk of developing diabetes, researchers have found. BBC News
People who need treating with repeated courses of antibiotics may be at increased risk of developing diabetes, researchers have found. BBC News
Approach to obesity 'inexplicable'
Approach to obesity 'inexplicable'
MPs say it's "inexplicable" the NHS in England spends more on bariatric surgery than well-established measures to prevent obesity. BBC News
MPs say it's "inexplicable" the NHS in England spends more on bariatric surgery than well-established measures to prevent obesity. BBC News
Ban fast-food outlets from hospitals, MPs demand
Ban fast-food outlets from hospitals, MPs demand
Committee says NHS should lead by example in tackling obesity and should invest more money in weight-management schemes
The NHS needs to play its part in the fight against obesity by banning fast-food outlets such as McDonald’s and Burger King from hospitals, MPs have said.
Parliament’s health select committee calls for the ban as part of a raft of measures to tackle the growing number of Britons who are becoming dangerously overweight. Guardian
Continue reading...
Committee says NHS should lead by example in tackling obesity and should invest more money in weight-management schemes
The NHS needs to play its part in the fight against obesity by banning fast-food outlets such as McDonald’s and Burger King from hospitals, MPs have said.
Parliament’s health select committee calls for the ban as part of a raft of measures to tackle the growing number of Britons who are becoming dangerously overweight. Guardian
Continue reading...
‘Small Changes, Big Differences’ campaign launches to use nurses’ knowledge to help the NHS make better purchases
‘Small Changes, Big Differences’ campaign launches to use nurses’ knowledge to help the NHS make better purchases
Nurses and procurement managers have launched the 'Small Changes, Big Differences' campaign, which could improve patient care and save the NHS millions through more efficient purchasing. RCN News
Nurses and procurement managers have launched the 'Small Changes, Big Differences' campaign, which could improve patient care and save the NHS millions through more efficient purchasing. RCN News
Air pollution 'link to stroke risk'
Air pollution 'link to stroke risk'
Air pollution is linked to an increased risk of stroke, a large global study in the British Medical Journal suggests. BBC News
Air pollution is linked to an increased risk of stroke, a large global study in the British Medical Journal suggests. BBC News
Babies at risk from breast milk bought over internet
Babies at risk from breast milk bought over internet
Some new parents are putting their babies at risk of infection buy buying breast milk over the internet as a “dangerous” new online market emerges, experts have said. Independent
Some new parents are putting their babies at risk of infection buy buying breast milk over the internet as a “dangerous” new online market emerges, experts have said. Independent
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Healthcare leaders call for action on hearing loss
Healthcare leaders call for action on hearing loss A new ‘Action Plan on Hearing Loss’ to support services for deaf people and those with diminishing hearing has been produced by NHS England and the Department of Health.
The plan has been developed with a number of organisations including Public Health England, hearing loss charities and those whose hearing is directly affected.
Aimed at commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, GPs and healthcare providers, the report identifies multiple health and social issues associated with hearing loss. It recommends ways that services for children, young people, working age and older adults living with hearing loss can be improved.
The plan has been developed with a number of organisations including Public Health England, hearing loss charities and those whose hearing is directly affected.
Aimed at commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, GPs and healthcare providers, the report identifies multiple health and social issues associated with hearing loss. It recommends ways that services for children, young people, working age and older adults living with hearing loss can be improved.
My life, my support, my choice: a vision for person centred coordinated care and support for children and young people with complex lives
My life, my support, my choice: a vision for person centred coordinated care and support for children and young people with complex lives This document sets out how good, coordinated – or integrated – support looks to children and young people. It offers a clear set of outcomes that commissioners and service providers should be working to. It covers children and young people up to the age of 25 and takes account of the transition into adulthood. National Voices
Letting go: how devolution could solve the NHS care and cash crisis
Letting go: how devolution could solve the NHS care and cash crisis This paper, authored by former Labour Health Minister Lord Warner and Jack O’Sullivan, explores the potential benefits of NHS devolution for the provision of health and care services. Reform
Tackling the myths about outcomes in health
Tackling the myths about outcomes in health Outcomes-based approaches to planning, organising and measuring the performance of healthcare offer new opportunities to tackle variation, improve cost-effectiveness and, most importantly, put patients first. Outcomes Based Healthcare
Hospital mental health absences rise
Hospital mental health absences rise Staff absences for mental health problems have doubled at hospital trusts across England in the last four years, new figures show. BBC News
ITV News poll finds more than half of Britons think NHS should be government's biggest priority
ITV News poll finds more than half of Britons think NHS should be government's biggest priority The NHS, immigration and the economy should be the three main priorities for the government ahead of the upcoming election, according to a new ITV News poll.
More than a half (53%) of the 2,011 people questioned in the ComRes/ITV News survey believed that managing the NHS should be the government's most important priority.
More than a half (53%) of the 2,011 people questioned in the ComRes/ITV News survey believed that managing the NHS should be the government's most important priority.
Climate change 'might bring rise in UK mosquito-borne diseases'
Climate change 'might bring rise in UK mosquito-borne diseases' "Mosquitoes heading for warmer UK," Sky News reports after a new review predicted climate change will make the UK a more hospitable environment for disease-carrying mosquitoes and ticks, leading to an outbreak of conditions normally seen in more tropical climates.
In the review, two authors searched the literature to identify evidence looking at the effect climate change in Europe could have on diseases carried by mosquitoes or other insects, such as ticks.
Mosquitoes thrive in warm and wet environments, so a rise in the average temperature could make the UK a more attractive destination. This could then lead to an increase in three diseases –malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya (a viral infection with symptoms similar to malaria) – in the UK by as early as 2030.
A review of this kind can only provide an estimate and cannot predict the future with 100% accuracy. However, it does show the potential public health dangers that could arise from climate change: a rise in the average temperature by just a few degrees centigrade could have a range of unpredictable effects on our environment.
In the review, two authors searched the literature to identify evidence looking at the effect climate change in Europe could have on diseases carried by mosquitoes or other insects, such as ticks.
Mosquitoes thrive in warm and wet environments, so a rise in the average temperature could make the UK a more attractive destination. This could then lead to an increase in three diseases –malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya (a viral infection with symptoms similar to malaria) – in the UK by as early as 2030.
A review of this kind can only provide an estimate and cannot predict the future with 100% accuracy. However, it does show the potential public health dangers that could arise from climate change: a rise in the average temperature by just a few degrees centigrade could have a range of unpredictable effects on our environment.
CQC's 9% fee hike is a 'financial blow' to GP practices
CQC's 9% fee hike is a 'financial blow' to GP practices Practices will be expected to pay a 9% increase in CQC fees from April as the regulator bumps up charges to help recover costs from implementing its divisive new inspection regime. GP Online
Cancer survival rates 10 years behind Europe: British figures still well below other countries despite billions being spent to improve...
Cancer survival rates 10 years behind Europe: British figures still well below other countries despite billions being spent to improve... Cancer survival rates in Britain lag more than ten years behind those in many other European countries including France, Sweden, and Italy despite billions being spent to improve survival. The Daily Mail
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- Cancer survival rates in UK are a 'shameful' decade behind Europe The Daily Telegraph
A&E doctors paid up to £3,200 a shift, in spiralling crisis
A&E doctors paid up to £3,200 a shift, in spiralling crisis Agency nurses have been paid rates of almost £1,900 a shift, while doctors cost up to £3,200 each, as hospitals suffered the worst Accident & Emergency performance on record. The Daily Telegraph
Manchester's plans for NHS devolution hailed as a blueprint to rescue the service from cash crisis
Manchester's plans for NHS devolution hailed as a blueprint to rescue the service from cash crisis Manchester’s plans for devolved health and social care have been hailed as a blueprint that could rescue the NHS from its cash crisis. The Independent
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Monday, 23 March 2015
Care homes shutting at rate of one a month in Northamptonshire due ‘as council payments too low’
Care homes shutting at rate of one a month in Northamptonshire due ‘as council payments too low’ Care homes have shut at a rate of more than one a month in the last two years, new figures suggest. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Your RPS Pilot sites for pharmacists in A&E scheme revealed
Your RPS Pilot sites for pharmacists in A&E scheme revealed Health Education England confirms NHS trusts where pharmacists will be drafted into A&E units as part of a national pilot, which includes Northampton General Hospital. Pharmaceutical Journal
Are we suffering from ‘information underload’ when it comes to quality of care?
Are we suffering from ‘information underload’ when it comes to quality of care? With only seven weeks to go until the general election, political parties are each going to need to attempt to answer the question of how the NHS is performing, and, critically, is it better or worse than five years ago? asks Natalie Berry. The Health Foundation
NHS England launch a new Workforce Race Equality Standard
NHS England launch a new Workforce Race Equality Standard Coming into effect on 1 April this year, the Workforce Race Equality Standard requires NHS organisations to demonstrate progress against a number of indicators of workforce equality. NHS Employers
Vital signs: taking the temperature of health and care services for people living with long term conditions
Vital signs: taking the temperature of health and care services for people living with long term conditions This report analyses the quality of health and care services from the users’ perspective. It shows that there are some worrying gaps in long term conditions care which lead to many preventable problems. Too often people are not supported to look after themselves, and their emotional and practical needs, and those of their carers, are frequently ignored. This not only leads to distress and complications for people living with long term conditions, but also means that avoidable pressures on the NHS are increasing. Richmond group of Charities
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- The vital signs of patient care The King's Fund
Hospital staff 'act above pay grade'
Hospital staff 'act above pay grade' A BBC investigation finds hospital healthcare assistants are working without proper training or supervision, putting patients at risk. BBC News
Mental health budgets 'cut by 8%'
Mental health budgets 'cut by 8%' Mental health trusts in England have had their budgets cut by more than 8% in real terms over the course of this parliament, research suggests. BBC News
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NHS finances – a likely headache
NHS finances – a likely headache As the post-Budget debate on the extent of future austerity rages on, there has been a sobering reminder of the financial needs of the NHS next year and beyond.
Whichever of the main parties is in power will be looking for more spending cuts across Whitehall. There will be a continued drive to squeeze budgets. But that task could become even more challenging because of the demands of the health service in England. BBC News
Whichever of the main parties is in power will be looking for more spending cuts across Whitehall. There will be a continued drive to squeeze budgets. But that task could become even more challenging because of the demands of the health service in England. BBC News
Most health leaders doubt NHS efficiencies possible
Most health leaders doubt NHS efficiencies possible Three quarters of health and social care leaders including GPs are not convinced that the NHS will be able to make the efficiency savings expected of it over the next five years OnMedica
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- Health Leaders Panel Survey Four: Looking forward Nuffield Trust
- Trusts predicted to end year with £800m deficit OnMedica
Hurry up with meningitis vaccine deal, government told
Hurry up with meningitis vaccine deal, government told Charity urges Department of Health to bring negotiation over price of Bexsero MenB vaccine, begun last August, to a conclusion.
A meningitis vaccine that is currently the subject of price negotiations should be introduced as soon as possible “to save lives”, a charity has warned.
It is now a year since the body that advises the Department of Health on immunisation recommended the Bexsero MenB vaccine should be made available to children. Continue reading... The Guardian
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A meningitis vaccine that is currently the subject of price negotiations should be introduced as soon as possible “to save lives”, a charity has warned.
It is now a year since the body that advises the Department of Health on immunisation recommended the Bexsero MenB vaccine should be made available to children. Continue reading... The Guardian
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- Campaigners make Men B vaccine plea BBC News
Virgin Care among firms with lucrative NHS deals and a tax haven status
Virgin Care among firms with lucrative NHS deals and a tax haven status Richard Branson’s group is one of 10 private health providers that have tax havens as part of their corporate structure
Virgin Care, which has been handed contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds to run more than 230 NHS and social care services, is one of at least 10 private health firms seeking state-funded contracts whose company structures include tax havens, it can be revealed.
An analysis by Richard Murphy, a chartered accountant at Tax Research UK, has found 13 holding companies, some of them offshore, between Virgin Care and its ultimate parent company, based in the British Virgin Islands. Continue reading... The Guardian
Virgin Care, which has been handed contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds to run more than 230 NHS and social care services, is one of at least 10 private health firms seeking state-funded contracts whose company structures include tax havens, it can be revealed.
An analysis by Richard Murphy, a chartered accountant at Tax Research UK, has found 13 holding companies, some of them offshore, between Virgin Care and its ultimate parent company, based in the British Virgin Islands. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS feels the strain as hospital bed-blocking by elderly patients hits record levels
NHS feels the strain as hospital bed-blocking by elderly patients hits record levels Bed-blocking is causing a huge strain on the NHS, with more than one million hospital bed days lost because of delayed discharges in the past year, new figures revealed last night. The Independent
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Ebola outbreak: The world has eased up too soon on the battle with the virus, says professor who helped discover it
Ebola outbreak: The world has eased up too soon on the battle with the virus, says professor who helped discover it The end of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa may still be some way off, and the world must prepare for future outbreaks, Professor Peter Piot, the co-discoverer of the virus, has said. The Independent
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- Early call for Ebola help 'ignored' BBC News
- How Ebola changed the world BBC News
- News story: Two Ebola vaccines are being tested in Liberia and Guinea Department of Health
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Integrated care: the end of the hospital as we know it?
Integrated care: the end of the hospital as we know it? Hospitals are often seen as an impediment to integrated care. The concern frequently voiced is that their dominant role in the health system makes it harder for commissioners to shift resources into the community and to develop more co-ordinated services that cross organisational boundaries.
It is certainly true that an over-reliance on hospital-based care, and the political reluctance to challenge this, has long been a barrier to necessary change in health systems across the world. Jean Rebert, one of the principal architects of the PRISMA integrated care system in Quebec, Canada, has made this case forcefully. Speaking at the World Congress on Integrated Care in Sydney last year, he said that in his experience the greatest obstacle to integrated care is the political attractiveness of prioritising investment in hospitals over other forms of care.
It is certainly true that an over-reliance on hospital-based care, and the political reluctance to challenge this, has long been a barrier to necessary change in health systems across the world. Jean Rebert, one of the principal architects of the PRISMA integrated care system in Quebec, Canada, has made this case forcefully. Speaking at the World Congress on Integrated Care in Sydney last year, he said that in his experience the greatest obstacle to integrated care is the political attractiveness of prioritising investment in hospitals over other forms of care.
Changes in CAMHS: parity or warm words?
Changes in CAMHS: parity or warm words? Following the budget announcement and a new report from a major government taskforce, is England now on the right track to achieve mental health services on a par with their physical health counterparts? The Health Foundation
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) This suite of 12 resources includes short films, reports, at a glance summaries and tools. Some of the resources aim to raise service users’ and mental health staffs’ awareness and understanding of the IMHA role, and address equality of access. Others help advocacy providers, commissioners and mental health trusts to improve access to IMHA, to understand what a good service looks like, and how outcomes can be measured. Social Care Institute of Excellence
Equal measures: equality information report for 2014
Equal measures: equality information report for 2014 This report summarises what the Care Quality Commission have learned about equality and diversity, both across health and social care and internally last year. It finds that while seeing some improvements, there is still too much variation in people’s access, experience and outcomes in many health and social care services. For example, the fact that more ethnic groups seem to use certain hospital services more than other groups suggests that access could be an issue. It also finds that people with dementia have poorer outcomes in hospitals than those without dementia going into hospital for the same health conditions; and, that the needs of people with visual impairment and hearing loss within care homes are sometimes overlooked.
Kelsey pushes for free NHS wi-fi
Kelsey pushes for free NHS wi-fi The NHS should install free wireless internet across its entire estate to act "as an instrument of social transformation", NHS England's Tim Kelsey says. E-Health Insider
GPs to lead on improving children’s access to mental health
GPs to lead on improving children’s access to mental health Call for greater GP and CCG involvement in commissioning young people’s mental health. OnMedica
The next parliament needs to stabilise and transform the NHS
The next parliament needs to stabilise and transform the NHS In the lead-up to the general election, cumulative stress is starting to show and health service leaders face tough decisions Continue reading... The Guardian
Benefit cuts for the obese could force people into weight-loss surgery
Benefit cuts for the obese could force people into weight-loss surgery The Prime Minister’s proposal to cut benefits for obese people who refuse treatment could force hundreds to choose between weight loss surgery or losing their welfare payments, leading doctors have said. The Independent
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FGM: New NHS rules mean women with genital piercings will be recorded as suffering female genital mutilation
FGM: New NHS rules mean women with genital piercings will be recorded as suffering female genital mutilation Women who have genital piercings will be recorded as having suffered female genital mutilation (FGM) under new NHS rules due to come into force next month. The Independent
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- Got a vaginal piercing? According to the NHS you're a victim of FGM The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Cancer patients in Northampton waiting too long for treatment went up 20 per cent in one year
Cancer patients in Northampton waiting too long for treatment went up 20 per cent in one year The number of cancer patients waiting more than 62 days for their first chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatment at NGH is on the rise, according to latest figures. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust announce out of hours health visitors advice line
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust announce out of hours health visitors advice line
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is excited to announce their out of hours health visitors advice line.
Following a successful bid to NHS England, NHFT were awarded additional funds to provide an advice line for a three month pilot to help alleviate winter pressures and attendance at A&E. Northamptonshire Herald and Post
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is excited to announce their out of hours health visitors advice line.
Following a successful bid to NHS England, NHFT were awarded additional funds to provide an advice line for a three month pilot to help alleviate winter pressures and attendance at A&E. Northamptonshire Herald and Post
Procurement and competition rules Can the NHS be exempted?
Procurement and competition rules Can the NHS be exempted? In this briefing, The King’s Fund seeks to clarify whether a new government could extract the NHS from European Union procurement and competition rules.
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- Tearing up the NHS competition rule book The King’s Fund
Future in mind: promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Future in mind: promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing This report of the work of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce makes a number of proposals the government wishes to see by 2020. These include tackling stigma and improving attitudes to mental illness; introducing more access and waiting time standards for services; establishing ‘one stop shop’ support services in the community; and improving access for children and young people who are particularly vulnerable. It sets out how much of this can be achieved through better working between the NHS, local authorities, voluntary and community services, schools and other local services. It also makes it clear that many of these changes can be achieved by working differently, rather than needing significant investment. Department of Health
Peer support workers in mental health: Is the NHS ready for this?
Peer support workers in mental health: Is the NHS ready for this? Liz Hughes asks: Is the NHS ready for peer support workers in mental health? A recent qualitative study highlights some of the challenges facing peer supporters and the NHS organisations in which they work. The Mental Elf
Privately-run hospital scheme 'poor'
Privately-run hospital scheme 'poor' Oversight of the contract to run the first privately-managed NHS hospital was "poor and inadequate", a House of Commons committee chairwoman says. BBC News
Could epilepsy drug help treat Alzheimer's disease?
Could epilepsy drug help treat Alzheimer's disease? A drug commonly used to treat epilepsy could help "slow down" the progress of Alzheimer's disease, reports The Daily Express. According to the news story, the drug levetiracetam was shown to "help restore brain function and memory".
The story is based on a study analysing the short-term effect of the drug in 54 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is where people have problems with their memory and are at an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Most types of dementia cannot be cured.
Researchers found people with the condition showed overactivity in one part of the brain during one memory test involving image recognition.
This overactivity and performance on the test was better when participants had been taking 125mg of levetiracetam twice a day for two weeks, compared with when they had taken inactive "dummy" capsules.
This study was small, short-term and showed improvement on a single memory test. It is not possible to say from this study whether continuing to take the drug would reduce a person's chances of developing dementia.
The story is based on a study analysing the short-term effect of the drug in 54 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is where people have problems with their memory and are at an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. Most types of dementia cannot be cured.
Researchers found people with the condition showed overactivity in one part of the brain during one memory test involving image recognition.
This overactivity and performance on the test was better when participants had been taking 125mg of levetiracetam twice a day for two weeks, compared with when they had taken inactive "dummy" capsules.
This study was small, short-term and showed improvement on a single memory test. It is not possible to say from this study whether continuing to take the drug would reduce a person's chances of developing dementia.
Exclusive: GPs need tenfold rise in dementia diagnosis to hit NHS target
Exclusive: GPs need tenfold rise in dementia diagnosis to hit NHS target GPs would need to increase dementia diagnosis tenfold in March to hit a controversial target set by NHS England, analysis by GPonline reveals. GP Online
Doctors warned to ensure patients are aware of risks of treatment after Court ruling
Doctors warned to ensure patients are aware of risks of treatment after Court ruling MDU recommends making a record of the information given after Supreme Court says Bolam test is not enough. OnMedica
Closure of small pharmacies threatens to overload GPs and A&E
Closure of small pharmacies threatens to overload GPs and A&E Chemists play a vital role in isolated communities, but their funding will be stopped at the end of the month.
In less than three weeks nearly 100 small yet essential pharmacies across the country will lose their viability top-up payment from NHS England. Yet the majority of owners, like me, are still stuck in negotiations with local area teams. We have no clarity on future funding. Our patients and staff are angry, anxious and confused. Continue reading... The Guardian
In less than three weeks nearly 100 small yet essential pharmacies across the country will lose their viability top-up payment from NHS England. Yet the majority of owners, like me, are still stuck in negotiations with local area teams. We have no clarity on future funding. Our patients and staff are angry, anxious and confused. Continue reading... The Guardian
Barts NHS Trust in special measures after deaths of newborn and mother
Barts NHS Trust in special measures after deaths of newborn and mother The country’s biggest NHS Trust has been placed in special measures, in the wake of a damning inspection report that catalogued unsafe care caused by staff shortages and a bullying culture at one of its main hospitals. The Independent
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- NHS trust put into special measures BBC News
- Barts in special measures E-Health Insider
- Largest NHS trust put in special measures after damning CQC report The Guardian
- RCN responds to Barts Health NHS Trust being placed in special measures Royal College of Nursing
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Nurse from Northamptonshire struck off after stealing elderly resident’s painkillers
Nurse from Northamptonshire struck off after stealing elderly resident’s painkillers A nurse has been struck off after taking money from two people she shared a house with and stealing medication from a Northamptonshire care home resident. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman - labyrinth of bureaucracy
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman - labyrinth of bureaucracy This report is a follow-up on the November 2014 Patients Association report on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's handling of NHS complaints. It highlights the improvements that are still needed in the complaints handling service. The Patients Association
Child mental health 'faces overhaul'
Child mental health 'faces overhaul' Mental health services for children and young people in England need a "complete overhaul", the government will admit later. BBC News
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- VIDEO: Child mental health 'needs overhaul' BBC News
- Putting public money into mental health is common sense The Daily Telegraph
All teens should be vaccinated against rare strain of meningitis
All teens should be vaccinated against rare strain of meningitis "A vaccination for meningitis is to be offered to all 14-18 year-olds in England and Wales, after a spike in a rare strain of the disease," The Guardian reports. The strain – meningitis W (MenW) – is described as rare, but life-threatening.
There has been a year-on-year increase in the number of meningitis cases caused by MenW since 2009, and infection has been associated with particularly severe disease and high fatality rates in teenagers and young adults. The increasing trend looks set to continue unless action is taken, so the government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the body that advises on vaccination for England and Wales, has advised that immunisation against MenW should be routinely offered to all 14 to 18 year-olds.
There has been a year-on-year increase in the number of meningitis cases caused by MenW since 2009, and infection has been associated with particularly severe disease and high fatality rates in teenagers and young adults. The increasing trend looks set to continue unless action is taken, so the government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the body that advises on vaccination for England and Wales, has advised that immunisation against MenW should be routinely offered to all 14 to 18 year-olds.
Care home residents struggle to get complaints heard
Care home residents struggle to get complaints heard Just one in five councils offer dedicated complaints service for social care and care home users. OnMedica
The biggest privatisation in NHS history: why we had to blow the whistle | Kate Godfrey
The biggest privatisation in NHS history: why we had to blow the whistle | Kate Godfrey Staffordshire was planning a £1.2bn sell-off of cancer and end-of-life care without proper patient consultation. But now a key leaked document reveals all.
I’m not a journalist, but as of this morning I know what it feels like to be part of the biggest leak in NHS history.
Published on openDemocracy, the memorandum of information for the £700m sell-off of Staffordshire cancer services is now available for the 800,000 directly affected and three million indirectly affected patients to read online.
Time and time again we have seen Staffordshire used as the proving ground for the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. Continue reading... The Guardian
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I’m not a journalist, but as of this morning I know what it feels like to be part of the biggest leak in NHS history.
Published on openDemocracy, the memorandum of information for the £700m sell-off of Staffordshire cancer services is now available for the 800,000 directly affected and three million indirectly affected patients to read online.
Time and time again we have seen Staffordshire used as the proving ground for the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. Continue reading... The Guardian
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'Hidden army' of pharmacists could solve lack of GPs crisis
'Hidden army' of pharmacists could solve lack of GPs crisis Patients visiting their GP surgery with long-term health problems such as asthma and high blood pressure could be given an appointment with an in-house pharmacist instead of a doctor, according to radical proposals to bring down waiting times. Under the new proposals, pharmacists would take on a greater role in running surgeries, and even treating patients. The Independent
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See also:
- Pharmacists set to work in GP surgeries in radical move to ease pressures on general practice and improve patient care Royal College of General Practitioners
- English Board campaign promotes joined up working between pharmacists and GPs Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Pharmacists and general practice: A practical and timely partof solving the primary care workload and workforce crisis (report) Royal Pharmaceutical Society and NHS Alliance
- 'Army of pharmacists' to help GPs BBC News
- VIDEO: Pharmacists 'should support GPs' BBC News
- GPs should employ army of pharmacists to ease pressure, says RCGP GP Online
Cuts to 'portage' services hit children with learning disabilities
Cuts to 'portage' services hit children with learning disabilities Vital services that help prepare children with learning disabilities for nursery and school have fallen victim to council austerity cuts. The Independent
Monday, 16 March 2015
Large number of youngsters say they are affected by depression, stress and anxiety in Northamptonshire
Large number of youngsters say they are affected by depression, stress and anxiety in Northamptonshire About 15 per cent of young people in Northamptonshire feel depressed ‘most of the time’, a study suggests. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Buck passing for failure to prosecute FGM must stop
Buck passing for failure to prosecute FGM must stop The Home Affairs Committee publishes its report, Female genital mutilation: follow-up, on 14 March 2015, following a revisit of the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
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Social care should be free at the end of life
Social care should be free at the end of life A report that looks at the state of end of life care since the independent Review of the Liverpool Care Pathway, chaired by Baroness Neuberger, and finds great variation in quality and practice across both acute and community settings. It makes a number of recommendations for improvement, and in particular recommends that social care should be free at the end of life. Health Select Committee
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- 'Improve end-of-life care for all' BBC News
- MPs' report calls for 'kinder, cheaper' state-funded end-of-life care The Independent
Press release: Scarlet fever: second year of high activity
Press release: Scarlet fever: second year of high activity Public Health England (PHE) has reported a continued substantial increase in scarlet fever notifications across England. This is the second year in a row of exceptional activity. A total of 754 new cases were reported in England last week (2 to 8 March) and 5746 since the season began in September (week 37 in 2014 to week 10 2015). This compares to 2833 cases for the same period last season. Public Health England
Work and wellbeing in the NHS: why staff health matters to patient care
Work and wellbeing in the NHS: why staff health matters to patient care This report shows that staff health and wellbeing in the NHS is often seen as an optional extra - as less than two thirds of trusts have a staff health and wellbeing plan in place. It says that high quality patient care relies on skilled staff who are not only physically and mentally well enough to do their jobs, but also feel valued, supported and engaged. It also states that good staff health, wellbeing and engagement can reap significant benefits for patient safety including reduced MRSA infection rates and lower patient mortality rates. The Royal College of Physicians
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Access to hospital care: is the NHS on target?
Access to hospital care: is the NHS on target? This briefing examines how hospital trusts in England are performing against six national targets. The paper argues against the notion that dips in performance can be attributed to a handful of poorly performing hospital trusts, and finds there has been deterioration across the board in some measures. The Nuffield Trust
Mental health 'to get funding boost'
Mental health 'to get funding boost' Mental health services in England will receive extra funding in next week's Budget, Liberal Democrat Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander says. BBC News
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- VIDEO: Mental health spending boost BBC News
- Nick Clegg: Extra £1.25bn to be spent on mental health services The Daily Telegraph
- Nick Clegg: budget to allocate extra £1.25bn for mental health The Guardian
- Mental health services to get £1.25bn extra funding to treat 110,000 children, Nick Clegg announces The Independent
A&E target missed whole of winter
A&E target missed whole of winter The NHS has missed its A&E waiting time target for every week of winter, figures show. BBC News
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RCN launches toolkit to help prevent suicide in LGBT youth
RCN launches toolkit to help prevent suicide in LGBT youth The RCN, in collaboration with Public Health England (PHE), has launched a toolkit to guide nurses and other health professionals in the prevention of suicide in lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender (LGBT) young people. Royal College of Nursing
Do people with depression perceive time differently?
Do people with depression perceive time differently?"How depression affects our sense of time: Hours drag on and even stand still," is the somewhat over-hyped headline from the Mail Online.
As the old saying goes – Time flies when you’re having fun. So does the reverse also ring true? Does feeling depressed slow down your perception of time? Two German researchers tried to find out.
They pooled the results of previous studies, which lead to 433 depressed people being compared with 485 non-depressed people. The results tentatively suggest that some people with depression may perceive time as going more slowly than those without.
No difference was found in their ability to estimate actual time durations in tests (for example, trying to judge when a minute had passed).
The study has a number of limitations, meaning we should be cautious in assuming that the findings are reliable. Their statistical methods, for example, made it more likely to find a statistically significant result by chance and they noted that using other methods would have wiped out any differences between the groups.
As the old saying goes – Time flies when you’re having fun. So does the reverse also ring true? Does feeling depressed slow down your perception of time? Two German researchers tried to find out.
They pooled the results of previous studies, which lead to 433 depressed people being compared with 485 non-depressed people. The results tentatively suggest that some people with depression may perceive time as going more slowly than those without.
No difference was found in their ability to estimate actual time durations in tests (for example, trying to judge when a minute had passed).
The study has a number of limitations, meaning we should be cautious in assuming that the findings are reliable. Their statistical methods, for example, made it more likely to find a statistically significant result by chance and they noted that using other methods would have wiped out any differences between the groups.
GPs could be asked to vaccinate 3.3m teenagers against meningitis strain
GPs could be asked to vaccinate 3.3m teenagers against meningitis strain GPs could be asked to vaccinate all 14- 18-year-olds in England against a strain of meningococcal disease, under a programme announced by Public Health England (PHE). GP Online
See also:
See also:
- Vaccine plan for meningitis rise BBC News
How patients can help we GPs make the NHS run better
How patients can help we GPs make the NHS run better If the health service is going to thrive, patients must use the system more efficiently by keeping their scheduled appointments. Continue reading... The Guardian
Over a quarter of board members on new bodies commissioning NHS care have links to the private health sector
Over a quarter of board members on new bodies commissioning NHS care have links to the private health sector More than a quarter of board members on the new bodies charged with commissioning care for the NHS have links to the private health sector, new analysis shows. The Independent
PM steps in after NHS whistleblower is pursued for £100,000 in costs after losing her case on legal technicality
PM steps in after NHS whistleblower is pursued for £100,000 in costs after losing her case on legal technicality David Cameron has asked Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health, to investigate why a whistleblower at one of the country’s largest mental health trusts is being pursued for almost £100,000 in costs after losing her case on a legal technicality. The Independent
Friday, 13 March 2015
More than 1,300 Northamptonshire women smoke while pregnant each year, latest statistics show
More than 1,300 Northamptonshire women smoke while pregnant each year, latest statistics show The proportion of women in Northamptonshire who still hadn't given up smoking when they gave birth is 16 per cent, according to latest figures. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The great health debate – is there more consensus between the left and right than we’d assume?
The great health debate – is there more consensus between the left and right than we’d assume? At a pre-election debate on health care featuring panellists from across the political spectrum, was the amount of consensus on some issues surprising, asks Emma Spencelayh. The Health Foundation
New Agenda for Change pay circulars published
New Agenda for Change pay circulars published Download the new Agenda for Change pay circulars following the trade unions' acceptance of the Government pay offer. NHS Employers
Raising the bar: The Shape of Care review report
Raising the bar: The Shape of Care review report This report makes 34 recommendations for the future education and training of registered nurses and care assistants. It covers themes such as enhancing co-production and the voice of the patient, assuring flexibility in nursing and funding and commissioning levers. Health Education England
See also:
See also:
- Shape of Caring Review Twitter Chat: 23 March 2015 Health Education England
- Interview with Lord Willis, chair of the review (video) Health Education England
- Shape of Caring report is an opportunity to bridge the gap between care assistants and nurses NHS Employers
- Shape of Caring review publishes final recommendations Nursing and Midwifery Council
- RCN responds to Shape of Caring Review Royal College of Nursing
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