Friday, 24 April 2015
Email claiming changes to Isebrook Hospital, Wellingborough and Rushden police, fire cover is false, say Conservatives
Email claiming changes to Isebrook Hospital, Wellingborough and Rushden police, fire cover is false, say Conservatives An email claiming Rushden Fire Station is closing and services from Isebrook Hospital are being relocated is false. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Manifesto pledges: more money for the NHS... problem solved?
Manifesto pledges: more money for the NHS... problem solved? As Ipsos MORI has been reporting for some months now, the NHS is a big issue for the public, and now nearly half of all Britons surveyed (47 per cent) say the NHS and health care is their top concern when deciding how they’ll vote in the general election. The public’s concerns have been reflected in the political parties’ manifesto promises – a combination of more money and a long shopping list for how the extra cash will be spent (more doctors, more nurses…24/7 motherhood, and a free prescription for apple pie). But what do the promises add up to, and is the NHS safe in anyone’s hands? (And why is the politician’s favourite number 8,000,000,000?) The King's Fund
How is the NHS performing? April 2015
How is the NHS performing? April 2015 As the NHS begins a new financial year and we move from one parliament to another, it is clear from the performance on key headline targets and standards and from our latest survey of finance directors that the NHS will face huge challenges this year.
It now seems certain that hospitals and other NHS providers in England overspent their budgets in 2014/15 by more than £800 million. This is despite nearly £900 million being provided by the Treasury or switched from capital budgets to plug the growing black hole in NHS finances. According to the regular survey undertaken for the report, almost 60 per cent of trust finance directors said that they were dependent on additional financial support or had drawn down their reserves in 2014/15.
The financial outlook for 2015/16 is even gloomier, with two-thirds of hospitals concerned about staying within budget over the next year. Although commissioners are more optimistic, 40 per cent of finance leads from clinical commissioning groups are also concerned about whether they will be able to balance the books in 2015/16. The King's Fund
It now seems certain that hospitals and other NHS providers in England overspent their budgets in 2014/15 by more than £800 million. This is despite nearly £900 million being provided by the Treasury or switched from capital budgets to plug the growing black hole in NHS finances. According to the regular survey undertaken for the report, almost 60 per cent of trust finance directors said that they were dependent on additional financial support or had drawn down their reserves in 2014/15.
The financial outlook for 2015/16 is even gloomier, with two-thirds of hospitals concerned about staying within budget over the next year. Although commissioners are more optimistic, 40 per cent of finance leads from clinical commissioning groups are also concerned about whether they will be able to balance the books in 2015/16. The King's Fund
What can improvement contribute to solving the NHS productivity puzzle?
What can improvement contribute to solving the NHS productivity puzzle? While we may not yet have the full answers to meeting the productivity challenge, the good news is that we know quality improvement is possible, and that we have gone some way to understanding what it takes to make successful change happen, says Will Warburton. The Health Foundation
Stonewall release the Healthcare Equality Index 2015
Stonewall release the Healthcare Equality Index 2015 The 2015 healthcare equality index has been announced. Is your organisation in the top 10? NHS Employers
Spot the difference
Spot the difference Are there more similarities than differences in the parties' plans for the NHS. BBC News
NHS Choices aims to aggregate
NHS Choices aims to aggregate NHS Choices plans to become an aggregator platform for a more integrated system of NHS services, its head of business development has said. E-Health Insider
Asthma cure 'within five years,' researchers hope
Asthma cure 'within five years,' researchers hope "Asthma cure could be in reach," The Independent reports. Researchers have discovered that protein molecules called calcium-sensing receptors play a pivotal role in asthma. Drugs known to block these proteins already exist.
In asthma, the immune system mistakes harmless substances, such as pollen, as a threat. White blood cells and inflammatory proteins then collect in the airways. The inflammation causes the airways to constrict, leading to the breathing difficulties associated with asthma. This study found these proteins stimulate calcium-sensing receptors, which leads to further inflammation of the airways.
The research used mouse models of asthma and human airway tissue taken from asthmatic and non-asthmatic people. The researchers found increased numbers of these calcium-sensing receptors compared with healthy lung tissue. They concluded that this is one of the reasons for the exaggerated inflammatory response that occurs in asthma.
The drug calcityrol, which is used to treat osteoporosis, is known to block the actions of the receptors. It reduced inflammation of the airways when used in mice.
However, it is not clear that calcityrol could be a "cure" for asthma, as the initial inflammatory response by the immune system would still occur.
Though calcityrol pills are safe as a treatment for osteoporosis, it is not known whether the dose required to be effective in reducing the inflammation found in asthma would be safe.
The researchers plan to develop a version of the drug that can be inhaled to maximise its effectiveness and minimise side effects. They expect human trials to commence in a couple of years.
In asthma, the immune system mistakes harmless substances, such as pollen, as a threat. White blood cells and inflammatory proteins then collect in the airways. The inflammation causes the airways to constrict, leading to the breathing difficulties associated with asthma. This study found these proteins stimulate calcium-sensing receptors, which leads to further inflammation of the airways.
The research used mouse models of asthma and human airway tissue taken from asthmatic and non-asthmatic people. The researchers found increased numbers of these calcium-sensing receptors compared with healthy lung tissue. They concluded that this is one of the reasons for the exaggerated inflammatory response that occurs in asthma.
The drug calcityrol, which is used to treat osteoporosis, is known to block the actions of the receptors. It reduced inflammation of the airways when used in mice.
However, it is not clear that calcityrol could be a "cure" for asthma, as the initial inflammatory response by the immune system would still occur.
Though calcityrol pills are safe as a treatment for osteoporosis, it is not known whether the dose required to be effective in reducing the inflammation found in asthma would be safe.
The researchers plan to develop a version of the drug that can be inhaled to maximise its effectiveness and minimise side effects. They expect human trials to commence in a couple of years.
Two in five GPs work in federations, but most oppose hospital-led integration
Two in five GPs work in federations, but most oppose hospital-led integration Around 40% of GPs say their practice has joined a network or federation to deliver new models of provision, according to the latest data released from the BMA's largest ever poll of the profession. GP Online
Man wins thousands from NHS after wife made to look like 'Michelin man'
Man wins thousands from NHS after wife made to look like 'Michelin man' Man wins thousands of pounds in compensation for experiencing a nervous shock the moment he saw his wife "looking like the Michelin man" following a botched operation, in landmark NHS test case. The Daily Telegraph
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Private sector providers of GP services being outperformed by traditional practices
Private sector providers of GP services being outperformed by traditional practices Private sector and other alternative providers of GP services in the NHS do not do as well as traditional GP practices, an expert analysis has found. The Independent
World's first viable malaria vaccine could prevent millions of cases - and be available within months
World's first viable malaria vaccine could prevent millions of cases - and be available within months The world’s first viable malaria vaccine could be available by as early as October, after final trial results confirmed its potential to prevent millions of cases of the deadly disease every year. The Independent
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