Vandals made to pay for Northants medical centre damage

Vandals made to pay for Northants medical centre damage Six vandals who caused hundreds of pounds of damage to a medical centre have been made to cough up £600 and write letters of apology. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Analysis of UKIP’s health pledges in the manifesto

Analysis of UKIP’s health pledges in the manifesto Over the course of this week, we’ve been writing blogs on the political parties’ manifestos. A common theme across the major parties has been the fact that they have been relatively sedate with few surprises. The UKIP manifesto offers a slightly more eclectic mix of proposals – including a few that you might also spot in the other parties’ manifestos. The Health Foundation

Bad backs cost the UK 31 million days of work

Bad backs cost the UK 31 million days of work Our back pack outlines the measures that need to be taken to reduce the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). NHS Employers

Joint review of investment in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in health and care sector

Joint review of investment in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in health and care sector The Department of Health, Public Health England, NHS England and representatives of the voluntary sector are working together to review how government invests in the voluntary sector in health and care. This interim report outlines the findings of the review so far and highlights the challenges that the voluntary sector has experienced, as well as the potential benefits and value that collaboration could bring to the health and care sector. Voluntary Sector Health and Care

Disaster doctor sent into hospital

Disaster doctor sent into hospital A doctor usually deployed for major disasters is sent into Worcestershire Royal Hospital's A and E department. BBC News

Paper cuts

Paper cuts For an idea that has been promoted by major figures in UK healthcare policy for more than two years, there is still a large degree of uncertainty about what is meant by a 'paperless' NHS. E-Health Insider

NHS dementia diagnosis targets missed despite 'harmful' DES

NHS dementia diagnosis targets missed despite 'harmful' DES Efforts to boost dementia diagnosis rates have fallen short of NHS England's aims despite a controversial incentive scheme for GPs, official figures show. GP Online

Many teens try e-cigarettes but few become regular users

Many teens try e-cigarettes but few become regular users Frequent use is highest amongst existing smokers. OnMedica

Weekend opening hours for GPs would save TWO MILLION unnecessary A&E visits - and the NHS £194 million, experts say

Weekend opening hours for GPs would save TWO MILLION unnecessary A&E visits - and the NHS £194 million, experts say A pilot of seven-day opening at four London surgeries resulted in an eight per cent drop in A&E visits, which experts say would translate into two million fewer visits nationally. The Daily Mail

Former NHS boss pours cold water on party leaders' election pledges

Former NHS boss pours cold water on party leaders' election pledges Former NHS in England boss David Nicholson says none of the parties’ pledges on the NHS will alter the grim reality of the service’s fast-crumbling finances.

A year after stepping down as boss of the NHS in England, David Nicholson has spoken truth unto power with a series of statements about the service that politicians will find uncomfortable.

He is saying that despite the parties’ bidding war over extra money for the NHS, none of their pledges will alter the grim reality of the service’s fast-crumbling finances. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Summary of party political manifestos NHS Employers
• NHS finance problem 'being ignored' BBC News
• Labour must commit to spending £8billion on hospitals, says former NHS chief The Daily Telegraph
• Manifestos verdict: pragmatic hope meets pie-in-the-sky spin | Salma Yaqoob, Harry Leslie Smith, Saleyha Ahsan, Kirstie Allsopp The Guardian
• GPs will leave in droves while the parties play politics with the NHS The Guardian
• Will the general election decide whether the NHS is a right or privilege? The Guardian
• Former NHS boss warns health service faces ‘financial hole’ OnMedica

Austerity is having a 'profoundly disturbing' effect on Britain's mental health, say experts

Austerity is having a 'profoundly disturbing' effect on Britain's mental health, say experts Austerity and cuts to benefits designed to drive people to work is having a “profoundly disturbing” effect on the people’s mental health, according to a letter signed by hundreds of psychotherapists, councillors and other experts in the field. The Independent

Lariam: Hundreds of British soldiers suffering from mental illness after being given anti-malarial drug

Lariam: Hundreds of British soldiers suffering from mental illness after being given anti-malarial drug The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of knowingly risking the mental health of its own soldiers after new figures showed that nearly 1,000 British servicemen and women have required psychiatric treatment after taking a discredited anti-malarial drug. The Independent

See also:

• Labour vows review after 994 troops 'stricken by Lariam' Channel 4 News
• 1000 Armed Forces members require psychiatric treatment after being given anti-Malaria drug linked to mental health problems The Daily Mail
• Lariam timeline: From approval to psychosis warnings The Independent
• Lariam case study: 'He is now in a secure unit' The Independent
• Hundreds of British soldiers sent to Afghanistan given anti-malaria drug known to be dangerous for mental health The Independent