'Worst winter' postpones operations

'Worst winter' postpones operations Two hospitals in Northamptonshire are having to re-arrange routine operations and outpatient appointments because of the "busiest winter ever". BBC Northamptonshire

See also:

• Northampton General Hospital cancels operations and calls in community medics to cope with winter demands Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• People asked to avoid Kettering Hospital A&E after unprecedented demand for services Northamptonshire Telegraph

Integration: put people first

Integration: put people first Any push toward integration should begin with the experience of the person who needs support and the promotion of their wellbeing, says Patrick Hall. The Health Foundation

Mental health treatment requirement: a guide to integrated delivery

Mental health treatment requirement: a guide to integrated delivery This non-statutory guidance seeks to provide support to service commissioning and provider agencies so that appropriate mental health service provision and inter-agency partnerships enable mental health treatment requirements delivery locally. Department of Health

The first year: the Independent Information Governance Oversight Panel’s report to the Secretary of State for Health

The first year: the Independent Information Governance Oversight Panel’s report to the Secretary of State for Health This report looks at whether health and social care organisations are sharing information wisely and preventing improper disclosure of personal data. It shows evidence of pockets of exemplary practice but the overall picture is of a need for improvement. It concludes that a basic condition for building public trust is a commitment to more transparency about how data is collected, stored and used. It argues that individuals must also be able to opt out of data sharing arrangements and be confident that their wishes are being respected consistently across the system. Department of Health

• Report
• Annex

Making local health economies work better for patients

Making local health economies work better for patients This report summarises the findings of NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority’s joint project to support 11 local health economies to develop clinically and financially sustainable 5-year strategic plans. Monitor

A&E performance 'to hit new low'

A&E performance 'to hit new low' A&E waiting times in England have fallen to their worst level for a decade, figures out later are expected to show. BBC News

See also:

• VIDEO: A&E performance target figures due BBC News
• NHS set for a bumpy start to 2015 BBC News
• Scarborough hospital declares major incident over ‘unprecedented’ demand The Guardian
• Four more English hospitals declare major incidents over surge in demand The Independent

Are most cancers down to 'bad luck'?

Are most cancers down to 'bad luck'? "Most types of cancer can be put down to bad luck rather than risk factors such as smoking," BBC News reports. A US study estimates around two-thirds of cancer cases are caused by random genetic mutations.

The researchers who carried out the study wanted to see why cancer risk varies so much between different body tissues.

For example, the average lifetime risk of lung cancer is around 1 in 14, whereas brain cancer risk is significantly lower at around 1 in 166.

The study estimates around two-thirds (65%) of cancer risk is a result of chance, based on the number of times stem cells divide in the different tissues.

However, this figure could be anywhere between 39% and 81%. This is quite a large margin of error, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the 65% estimate.

Overall, this gives us a clearer idea of the possible relative effects of chance versus lifestyle, versus genetics on our risk of developing cancer over our lifetimes.

But none of this can predict whether individuals will or will not develop cancer.

Even if the majority of cancers are the result of a bad roll of the dice, there are still proven methods of reducing the risk: namely, eating a healthy balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle free of smoking and excess alcohol.

Pharmacists do not want to verify prescription exemptions

Pharmacists do not want to verify prescription exemptions The government wants pharmacists to check patients’ benefit status to cut prescription fraud. OnMedica

Secret scandal of faulty NHS equipment that kills hundreds of patients a year

Secret scandal of faulty NHS equipment that kills hundreds of patients a year In 2013, there were 13,600 reports of failed devices to the watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) — these were linked to 309 deaths and 5,000 serious injuries. The Daily Mail

A new year’s resolution for the NHS: let’s deliver a new leadership approach

A new year’s resolution for the NHS: let’s deliver a new leadership approach Sir Stuart Rose’s upcoming report on NHS leadership may be uncomfortable reading but it could be the impetus to affect change in the health service.

Sir Stuart Rose’s delayed report into leadership in the NHS is expected soon. The mirror he holds up to the NHS will feel uncomfortable in places. As we gaze into it, it is human nature that we will be drawn to any blemishes but must not lose sight of the finer points of NHS Leadership – the sheer guts, resilience, inspiration and ingenuity we see from home to hospital and board to ward every single day. It’s these points that will see us through but only if we redefine and embrace a new set of relationships between government, national bodies and local leaders.

Back in May, alongside national organisations representing patients, doctors, local government and NHS leaders, the NHS Confederation published the 2015 Challenge Declaration. The declaration, designed to kickstart a proper debate on the NHS, was an evidence based statement of the seven big challenges we face. At the heart of the seven were a triumvirate of defining a new leadership style; delivering an open and engaged culture; and creating a 21st century workforce. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS chief: New cities will have 'virtual' NHS where visiting GPs is an 'alien concept'

NHS chief: New cities will have 'virtual' NHS where visiting GPs is an 'alien concept' Simon Stevens, the head of the NHS, says new towns will build 'digital health services' with most contact with GPs done by Skype and iPhone. The Daily Telegraph

Cancer survivors can cause ‘unmanageable crisis’ for NHS

Cancer survivors can cause ‘unmanageable crisis’ for NHS A record 2.5 million people are now living with cancer or the after-effects of it, threatening “a crisis of unmanageable proportions” for the NHS, a leading charity has warned. The Independent

See also:

• 2.5 million people now living with cancer in UK Macmillan Cancer Support
• Cancer cases to reach 'record high' BBC News
• VIDEO: Record number 'living with cancer' BBC News
• Cancer 'becoming a crisis of unimaginable proportions' The Daily Telegraph