Wednesday 22 April 2015

Uses and abuses of performance data in healthcare

Uses and abuses of performance data in healthcare Measurement of performance in the healthcare sector is essential for transparency and accountability, and to support improvement. However, these improvements are undermined by weaknesses in the generation of data and metrics. This report outlines five steps that are not currently being addressed by policy but could significantly reduce data abuse and increase the benefit that can be gained through the use of performance data. Dr Foster

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Exploring the role of communications in quality improvement

Exploring the role of communications in quality improvement Too often we see communications being done as an afterthought by those expert in other fields or it is the preserve of specialists who are isolated from clinical work, but it's a key component of improvement work, says Dr Alan Willson. The Health Foundation

Why isn’t care planning happening in the NHS?

Why isn’t care planning happening in the NHS? In 2006, a government White Paper promised that they would be given the opportunity to shape their own care plans and successive governments have reconfirmed their commitment to this policy. Why has there been so little progress since? asks Angela Coulter. The Health Foundation

An inspector calls: An insider’s guide to preparing for a CQC inspection

An inspector calls: An insider’s guide to preparing for a CQC inspection This briefing provides an account of what mental health providers can expect during an inspection, how to prepare, and some top tips from those who have taken part in an inspection so far.

It draws on the learning of the pilot process, which saw 14 mental health organisations inspected, many of which attended the Mental Health Network learning event in October 2014. NHS Confederation

Bowel cancers 'spotted too late'

Bowel cancers 'spotted too late' Thousands of people in England are dying from bowel cancer because their disease is not being spotted early enough, warns a charity. BBC News

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Mindfulness 'as good as drugs for preventing depression relapse'

Mindfulness 'as good as drugs for preventing depression relapse' "Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy may be as good as pills at stopping people relapsing after recovering from major bouts of depression," The Guardian reports.

Researchers wanted to see if a type of therapy known as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) could be an effective alternative treatment to antidepressants for people with majordepression at high risk of relapse.

MBCT combines the problem-solving approach of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques. These are designed to fix your awareness on the "here and now" instead of having unhelpful thoughts about the past and the future.

In a two-year clinical trial, people already taking antidepressants were assigned to a MBCT programme with a view to reducing or stopping their medication, or were asked to continue antidepressants alone. With support from their GP and therapist, around 70% of the mindfulness group were able to stop taking antidepressants.

The trial suggests MBCT might help some people with major recurrent depression reduce or cut out their medication. However, between four and five people out of every 10 in the trial relapsed within two years, regardless of their treatment. Depending on your perspective, the treatments were equally good or equally bad.

NHS private hospital stitched up as it had huge improvements in standards

NHS private hospital stitched up as it had huge improvements in standards The health watchdog that damned the NHS's first privately run hospital ignored a spot check by its own inspectors that found huge improvements in standards at the Cambridgeshire site. The Daily Mail

NHS to 'extend rationing' of healthcare in bid to balance books

NHS to 'extend rationing' of healthcare in bid to balance books Survey of clinical commissioning group bosses reveals that smokers and obese people will be among those denied surgery and other treatment.

The NHS plans to dramatically increase rationing of patients’ access to care and treatment in an effort to balance its books, a new survey of health bosses reveals.

Almost two in five of England’s 211 clinical commissioning groups are considering imposing new limits this year on eligibility for services such as IVF, footcare and hip and knee replacements.  Continue reading... The Guardian

Election 2015: what do party pledges mean for NHS staff?

Election 2015: what do party pledges mean for NHS staff? The NHS is centre stage in the parties’ manifestos; there are subtle yet significant differences between their commitments.

With the NHS as one of the general election’s highest-profile topics, it is remarkable how little the political parties disagree. All are offering billions more in funding, greater support for mental health and dementia, faster access to GPs and more integration between health and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian

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Surgeon who punched patient up to 10 times in face to 'fix broken cheekbone' is struck off

Surgeon who punched patient up to 10 times in face to 'fix broken cheekbone' is struck off Professor Ninian Peckitt erased from medical register after hearing told he curled hand into fist, pulled it back six inches and repeatedly struck patient under anaesthetic. The Daily Telegraph