Thursday, 16 July 2015
Viewpoint: reconsidering accountability in an age of integrated care
Viewpoint: reconsidering accountability in an age of integrated care This paper examines the future of governance and accountability in the NHS and social care amid the rise of new provider models, a growing focus on integration and deep cuts in council funding. The Nuffield Trust
Should we worry about the 'flesh-eating killer bug'?
Should we worry about the 'flesh-eating killer bug'? A "terrifying" and "flesh-eating" bug that "kills one in four it infects invasively" is spreading around the world, warns The Daily Telegraph in news that surprisingly didn't make its front page.
So why is everyone in the country not wearing biohazard onesies? Probably because the threat from this kind of infection is extremely low.
The key fact is that while the emm89 strain of group A streptococcus bacteria was reported to kill one in four people it infects invasively, just over a hundred were infected in this way by this strain in 2013.
The case fatality rate reported in this study of 21% (actually closer to one in five than one in four) makes these invasive infections very serious. For comparison, in the latest outbreak of Ebola the case fatality rate was around 50%. Fortunately, it is not common.
In fact, "strep A" bacteria are generally very common and usually harmless or only slightly problematic. They live on our skin and give us sore throats, earache, and the usually self-limiting but very contagious scarlet fever.
The research behind this news brought together data on the increasing prevalence of the emm89 bacteria and genetic changes in the strain over time, and their effects on the bacteria. Researchers were surprised to find its structure was different from other types of invasive bacteria.
So why is everyone in the country not wearing biohazard onesies? Probably because the threat from this kind of infection is extremely low.
The key fact is that while the emm89 strain of group A streptococcus bacteria was reported to kill one in four people it infects invasively, just over a hundred were infected in this way by this strain in 2013.
The case fatality rate reported in this study of 21% (actually closer to one in five than one in four) makes these invasive infections very serious. For comparison, in the latest outbreak of Ebola the case fatality rate was around 50%. Fortunately, it is not common.
In fact, "strep A" bacteria are generally very common and usually harmless or only slightly problematic. They live on our skin and give us sore throats, earache, and the usually self-limiting but very contagious scarlet fever.
The research behind this news brought together data on the increasing prevalence of the emm89 bacteria and genetic changes in the strain over time, and their effects on the bacteria. Researchers were surprised to find its structure was different from other types of invasive bacteria.
GMC backs plan to set up support service for vulnerable doctors
GMC backs plan to set up support service for vulnerable doctors The GMC and healthcare leaders have agreed that a national support service for doctors with mental health or addiction problems should be established, and that this should be separate from the GMC to encourage doctors to seek confidential support. GP Online
See also:
See also:
- Key principles for supporting vulnerable doctors agreed General Medical Council
Cultural awareness improves dementia care for South Asian minorities
Cultural awareness improves dementia care for South Asian minorities Reduced awareness and stigma around mental health can prevent people from the south Asian community accessing dementia care
Different cultures have different perceptions of mental illnesses – including dementia. In fact, in the UK, people from the south Asian community are more likely to approach their GPs for physical than mental health symptoms. With south Asian ethnic minority groups one of the largest minority groups in western countries, improving dementia care for south Asians is becoming increasingly more important (pdf).
Almost every day there’s an article on dementia in the news, be that how chocolate consumption can boost your memory or a negative care home report. Sometimes, there is direct insight frompeople with dementia, such attendeees of last year’s 24th Alzheimer Europe conference in Glasgow. The topic of the conference was dignity and autonomy in dementia and delegates signed the Glasgow Declaration: a commitment to promote the rights and needs of people with dementia. So, how can we ensure we respect the needs of south Asian minorities? Continue reading... The Guardian
Different cultures have different perceptions of mental illnesses – including dementia. In fact, in the UK, people from the south Asian community are more likely to approach their GPs for physical than mental health symptoms. With south Asian ethnic minority groups one of the largest minority groups in western countries, improving dementia care for south Asians is becoming increasingly more important (pdf).
Almost every day there’s an article on dementia in the news, be that how chocolate consumption can boost your memory or a negative care home report. Sometimes, there is direct insight frompeople with dementia, such attendeees of last year’s 24th Alzheimer Europe conference in Glasgow. The topic of the conference was dignity and autonomy in dementia and delegates signed the Glasgow Declaration: a commitment to promote the rights and needs of people with dementia. So, how can we ensure we respect the needs of south Asian minorities? Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS finances: how will we plug the £22bn gap?
NHS finances: how will we plug the £22bn gap? Research into the financial challenges facing the NHS reveals two-thirds of finance directors predict a deficit for the end of this financial year
It is a turbulent time in the sector and NHS financial performance across the board continues to nose dive at an alarming rate.
This was evident in the latest findings from our Temperature Check report, which surveyed 196 NHS finance directors across England. This investigation into the financial challenges facing the NHS is the first research of its kind since the new government took office. Continue reading...
See also:
It is a turbulent time in the sector and NHS financial performance across the board continues to nose dive at an alarming rate.
This was evident in the latest findings from our Temperature Check report, which surveyed 196 NHS finance directors across England. This investigation into the financial challenges facing the NHS is the first research of its kind since the new government took office. Continue reading...
See also:
- NHS Financial Temperature Check NHS Confederation
New doctors will be forced to work weekends in seven-day NHS plan
New doctors will be forced to work weekends in seven-day NHS plan All new hospital consultants will be forced to work at weekends to deliver the Government’s plan for a seven-day NHS by the end of the decade, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will announce. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Doctors 'must back seven-day working' BBC News
- Consultants must work weekends to save lives, Jeremy Hunt says The Daily Telegraph
- NHS cannot afford seven-day services, public believes GP Online
- NHS consultants given ultimatum on weekend working The Guardian
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