Cuts to public health spending: the falsest of false economies

Cuts to public health spending: the falsest of false economies Back in June, with no prior warning, the Treasury announced that the 2015/16 public health grant to local authorities would be reduced by £200 million. Last week, the Department of Health finally released the consultation on these ‘in-year savings’ (for the rest of us that means cuts).

Given the delay in doing so following the announcement, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it is an extensive, highly technical document setting out complex options. But it’s not – it’s 20 pages, including annexes. So why the delay? Why is the consultation open for just four weeks? And why does it take place in August, when many people are likely to be on leave? Presumably because it is already desperately late to be cutting in-year budgets – suggesting the cut caught the Department of Health by surprise. Not so long ago, the Department was trying to give local authorities planning certainty by issuing multi-year budgets – the contrast between this and an in-year cut could hardly be more stark. The King's Fund

Consultants, a seven-day NHS and that petition

Consultants, a seven-day NHS and that petition Its August and the holiday season but even so talks between NHS employers and the British Medical Association have just got under way over the vexed issue of consultants' contracts. BBC News

Evaluation of complex health and care interventions using retrospective matched control methods

Evaluation of complex health and care interventions using retrospective matched control methods The NHS is undertaking a range of initiatives that are introducing new ways of delivering care services to patients. It is becoming increasingly important for policy-makers and decision-makers to understand what works, why it works, and what impact these changes are having on cost and patient outcomes. The Nuffield Trust

The digital doctor report 2015

The digital doctor report 2015 Health systems across Europe are facing challenges with an ageing population, enduring chronic health conditions and limited budgets. Digital health is often cited as the opportunity to help bridge the gap between optimum healthcare delivery and efficiency of service; however this cannot be achieved without healthcare professionals' input and support. In order to keep abreast of these developments and help our clients better tailor their offerings, Ipsos Healthcare has sought to uncover how doctors feel about digital health, and how they see its role developing in the future.

Drugs firms accused of overcharging

Drugs firms accused of overcharging Pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and Flynn Pharma are accused of charging "excessive and unfair" prices for an anti-epilepsy drug by the UK's competition watchdog. BBC News

See also:

• NHS may have been overcharged 'millions' for common drug by Pfizer and Flynn Pharma The Daily Mail

Health regulation system needs radical overhaul, claim

Health regulation system needs radical overhaul, claim The whole system for regulating health and social care in the UK needs to be radically rethought, according to the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), the body that oversees all health regulators. OnMedica

See also:

• Rethinking regulation Professional Standards Authority

Delay in NHS patients' access to cancer drug labelled a 'disgrace'

Delay in NHS patients' access to cancer drug labelled a 'disgrace' Chief executive of lung cancer charity bemoans likely nine-month wait for immunotherapy drug nivolumab to be approved for NHS use

A delay in access to a drug that has been shown to double the life expectancy of some patients with lung cancer has been described as a “disgrace”.

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said patients are unlikely to be able to take immunotherapy drug nivolumab until May 2016 at the earliest, which will be too late for some. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Cancer treatment is delayed for a year by NHS red tape The Daily Mail

Doctors sign letter expressing worry over criminalisation of surgeon

Doctors sign letter expressing worry over criminalisation of surgeon Letter signed by over 300 doctors says CPS is increasingly investigating doctors for alleged negligence over patient deaths, highlighting David Sellu case

More than 300 doctors and other medical staff have signed a letter voicing their disquiet at the criminalisation of a surgeon operating in a private hospital who was held responsible in the courts for the death of a patient.

David Sellu, a colorectal surgeon, was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter andsentenced to two and a half years in jail in November 2013.

It is vital that the focus is not just on the individual doctor but equally on the system they are working in Continue reading... The Guardian

Plan to put price tag on NHS medicines is a 'headline-grabbing gimmick', says journal

Plan to put price tag on NHS medicines is a 'headline-grabbing gimmick', says journal Jeremy Hunt’s plan to include the price tag on medicines issued by the NHS is a “headline-grabbing gimmick” with no evidence to suggest it will reduce waste, a leading pharmaceuticals journal has said. The Independent

See also:

• Price tags on NHS medicines 'may make patients fear they are burden on society' The Guardian

Recruiters urge doctors to switch to 'four-day working week' in New Zealand amid plans for seven-day access to GP surgeries

Recruiters urge doctors to switch to 'four-day working week' in New Zealand amid plans for seven-day access to GP surgeries Government plans for seven-day access to GP surgeries are being capitalised on by overseas recruiters urging doctors to switch to a “four-day working week” in New Zealand. The Independent