Disabled woman wins care costs case

Disabled woman wins care costs case A disabled woman may have paid more than her fair share to a council because the way it works out charges is legally flawed. BBC Northamptonshire

Every moment counts: a narrative for person centred coordinated care for people near at the end of life

Every moment counts: a narrative for person centred coordinated care for people near at the end of life This report, produced by National Voices and the National Council for Palliative Care in partnership with the national clinical director for end of life care at NHS England, Dr Bee Wee, sets out how good, coordinated – or integrated – care looks to people near the end of life and is written from their point of view.

Patient access to general practice: ideas and challenges from the front line

Patient access to general practice: ideas and challenges from the front line Patients must not be forced to choose between easier access and continuity of care.

RCGP says that reducing waiting times for a GP appointment must be a priority for politicians and the incoming government

Continuity of care for patients must not be compromised in order to improve GP access, according to a new report published by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Female genital mutilation statistics, January 2015

Female genital mutilation statistics, January 2015 Most of 157 eligible acute trusts in England contributed data to the latest figures. Collecting data on FGM has been mandatory since September 2014. Health and Social Care Information Centre

2015 NHS Pension Scheme regulations published

2015 NHS Pension Scheme regulations published The regulations for the 2015 NHS Pension Scheme are now published. NHS Employers

Military March - new resources for employers

Military March - new resources for employers March sees the launch of our pages for employers of reservists. We have made our information easier to navigate plus have a range of new content. NHS Employers

Another view: mind the gap

Another view: mind the gap Neil Paul wonders why an “implementation gap” so often opens up between a simple idea and actually doing it; whether that’s handing out tablet computers, or providing remote access to records and systems. E-Health Insider

Immune changes found in people with CFS/ME

Immune changes found in people with CFS/ME "Distinct stages to chronic fatigue syndrome identified," reports BBC News online.

People with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sometimes called myalgic encephalopathy (ME), can have debilitating exhaustion affecting their everyday life that does not go away with sleep or rest.

The authors of this study say there are no laboratory tests to diagnose or manage the condition, despite efforts to find biological markers of the disease.

They aimed to address this by looking for differences in immune system signalling chemicals (cytokines) between people with CFS/ME and healthy controls.

Councils gain new powers over NHS - the key questions

Councils gain new powers over NHS - the key questions Councils in Greater Manchester are to be given a key role in how the NHS budget is spent in the region as English devolution gathers pace. Why is this happening and what will it mean? Channel 4 News

See also:

• GPs not consulted on Manchester health and social care deal, says LMC GP Online
• What Devo Manc could mean for health, social care and wellbeing in Greater Manchester The King's Fund

Dementia leading cause of death in women over 80

Dementia leading cause of death in women over 80 Dementia second leading cause for elderly men. OnMedica

Paramedics spent more than 42,000 HOURS queuing outside A&E departments in just four weeks amid winter NHS crisis

Paramedics spent more than 42,000 HOURS queuing outside A&E departments in just four weeks amid winter NHS crisis NHS ambulance services spent £5 million hiring private ambulance firms and charities to help them cope with winter delays in the last two weeks of December and first fortnight of January. The Daily Mail

Michael Sheen defends NHS against 'bland' politicians

Michael Sheen defends NHS against 'bland' politicians Actor who played Tony Blair on screen delivers passionate St David’s Day speech condemning politicians for damaging the NHS

The actor Michael Sheen, best known for playing Tony Blair in a series of TV dramas and award-winning film, The Queen, has delivered a passionate defence of the NHS against “bland” politicians in thrall to the market from both Conservative and Labour parties.

Speaking at a St David’s Day march to celebrate the NHS and its founder, Aneurin Bevan, on Sunday, Sheen approvingly noted Bevan’s “burning hatred for the Tory party” and attacked Margaret Thatcher’s infamous claim there is no such thing as society. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Full text of Michael Sheen's speech The Guardian

Pharmaceutical marketing to doctors harms our profession and our patients

Pharmaceutical marketing to doctors harms our profession and our patients In a time of phone hacking, expenses scandals and bankers bonuses, doctors have an opportunity to justify their position as the most trusted profession.

There aren’t that many perks to being a doctor. Yes, the pay is good and it can be genuinely rewarding. But we’re made to work long and hard, while overstretched services and reams of paperwork have left us with sagging morale. Even our once beloved pensions are on their way out, replaced by a much less favourable package.

But for all its grievances, the medical profession can always seek solace in that most medical of benefits – the free drug lunch. Continue reading... The Guardian