Health minister refuses to be drawn on Northampton General Hospital expansion talks

Health minister refuses to be drawn on Northampton General Hospital expansion talks Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has accused Labour of making false promises after his opposite number agreed to hold talks on expanding Northampton General Hospital if elected. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Good progress? The coalition’s track record on inequalities in health

Good progress? The coalition’s track record on inequalities in health One of the early mantras of the coalition government was the intention to ‘improve the health of the poorest, fastest’. So where have we got to with this ambition, and more broadly, with inequalities in health?

Back in 2010 and 2011 there was optimism about the role of outcomes frameworks in tracking and holding the NHS, public health and social care systems to account. With strong frameworks driving transparent progress, and with a commitment to inequalities at their heart, there was hope that reducing inequalities in health would be central to policy, practice and public debate about the NHS and health. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduced new legislation beyond the public sector equality duty, legally binding the NHS and wider system to have due regard to inequalities in health. In our mid-term assessment of its health policy we gave the coalition the benefit of the doubt.

Taken with total health – a focus on prevention and proactive management

Taken with total health – a focus on prevention and proactive management Jo Bibby reflects on her visit to the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health and the concept of ‘total health’ – care characterised by a focus on prevention and proactive management. The Health Foundation

Modelling of maternity services in England

Modelling of maternity services in England This paper sets out how we used a modelling technique called ‘discrete event simulation’ to investigate a local maternity service. National Audit Office

NHS and sustainability

NHS and sustainability This briefing on the NHS and sustainability in England has been prepared for the Environmental Audit Committee. It focuses on identifying potential good practice, opportunities and challenges and draws on the NAO’s good practice criteria. National Audit Office

See also:

• NHS could save £180m a year by reducing carbon emissions, National Audit Office claims The Independent

The changing face of death

The changing face of death The burden of disease has changed remarkably over the past century, challenging how the health service is run. But what will the coming decades bring? BBC News

UK pollution forecast prompts warning

UK pollution forecast prompts warning Parts of the UK face soaring levels of air pollution on Friday, prompting heath warnings for vulnerable people. BBC News

See also:

• Air pollution forecast NHS England

NHS to switch ESR to IBM in June

NHS to switch ESR to IBM in June The Department of Health has confirmed that the transition to a new electronic staff record system for the NHS in England and Wales will begin in June this year as part of a phased rollout to conclude in November. E-Health Insider

Care.data stuck in last chance saloon

Care.data stuck in last chance saloon Of all the major health IT initiatives to be launched during the coalition government's term in power, the care.data programme has been notable by its absence from electioneering. E-Health Insider

Short people may have an increased risk of heart disease

Short people may have an increased risk of heart disease "Shorter people at greater risk of heart disease, new research finds," reports The Guardian.

It reports that a study of nearly 200,000 people has found that for every 2.5 inches (6.35cm) less in height, there is a 13.5% increased risk of coronary heart disease or CHD (also known as coronary artery disease).

This means that someone who is 5ft (1.52m) would have a 32% increased risk of CHD compared to someone who is 5ft 6 (1.71m).

Previous research identified the link between shorter adult height and increased risk of CHD but why this might be was not known. It is thought that environmental factors could be involved. For example a person fed a poor diet in childhood could grow up both shorter than average and unhealthy.

This current study attempted to create a clearer picture by looking for genetic variations linked to short stature that were also linked to CHD.

Doctors’ leaders consult on ethical use of data

Doctors’ leaders consult on ethical use of data Global consultation to protect patients’ data. OnMedica

NHS managers are more than just 'bureaucrats with clipboards'

NHS managers are more than just 'bureaucrats with clipboards' David Cameron’s portrayal of health service management shows how little is understood about the role of managers.

David Cameron’s insulting portrayal of NHS management in last week’s leaders’ election debate as “a bureaucrat with a clipboard” shows how little is understood about the vital role of managers in running the health service. As the next parliament looms, managers’ skills will be tested as never before. Will they pass?

The skills which got many managers to the top in the past will no longer be sufficient as the health service landscape becomes ever more complex and demanding. The ebbing of central prescription to make way for a greater variety of commissioning and care models, coupled with the huge financial stresses, means managers are having to think and work in new ways. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS England misses waiting times target for routine operations for second time in a year

NHS England misses waiting times target for routine operations for second time in a year The NHS in England has missed its waiting times target for routine operations for the second time this year, as official figures reveal 40,000 people had to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment starting in February. The Independent

See also:

• NHS hospital waiting time figures worst in seven years The Guardian