Tuesday 11 August 2015

Social campaign launch to check if Northamptonshire residents are prepared for an emergency

Social campaign launch to check if Northamptonshire residents are prepared for an emergency A new social media campaign is being launched by Northamptonshire County Council’s emergency planning team to encourage people to consider whether they are prepared for an emergency. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Gap in life expectancy between rich and poor shrinks, new report finds

Gap in life expectancy between rich and poor shrinks, new report finds The gap in life expectancy between the richest 10 per cent and the poorest 10 per cent shrank by 2.5 years between 1999 and 2010, finds a new report by The King’s Fund published today. The report, which builds on Professor Sir Michael Marmot’s ground-breaking research into health inequalities, is the first time that the relationship between life expectancy and income has been analysed over time at this level of detail.

Populations in poorer areas tend to have worse health than populations in richer ones, but our research suggests that the gap in life expectancy narrowed from 6.9 years in 1999–2003 to 4.4 years in 2006–10. Average life expectancy across the whole of England increased during this period, but the fastest improvement was in areas with the highest levels of income deprivation. The King's Fund

Statement from NHS England and the Health and Social Care Information Centre in response to the Daily Telegraph article, ‘Tesco can see your medical records’ (10 August, 2015)

Statement from NHS England and the Health and Social Care Information Centre in response to the Daily Telegraph article, ‘Tesco can see your medical records’ (10 August, 2015) We would like to make clear that the article published by the Daily Telegraph, ‘Tesco can see your medical records’ contains a number of inaccuracies.

The Summary Care Record (SCR) is used by healthcare professionals, on explicit consent of the patient, to support direct patient care.

While a regulated healthcare professional may have secure, controlled access to the SCR in a pharmacy within a supermarket as with any other pharmacy setting, this information is not accessible by other means and will never be available to supermarkets for other purposes, such as marketing.

The information can only be accessed through a secure, encrypted private network by authorised, regulated pharmacy professionals who have been carefully granted a pin-protected access card.

If a pharmacy professional shared confidential patient information for any purpose other than direct care, they can be held liable in law and held to account by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which has the legal authority to apply sanctions, up to and including withdrawal of their license to practice. NHS England

Mind the gap - exploring the needs of early career nurses and midwives

Mind the gap - exploring the needs of early career nurses and midwives A new report highlights generational differences in the health workforce, and how they can influence staff retention strategy. NHS Employers

What is happening to children and young people’s risk behaviours?

What is happening to children and young people’s risk behaviours? This publication explores the decrease in 'risky' behaviours in children and young people, possible causes and what new risks could emerge. The accompanying data pack sets out how a range of risk behaviours and negative outcomes have changed over time for children and young people. Department of Health

Fears over plans to cut GP trainee pay supplements

Fears over plans to cut GP trainee pay supplements RCGP warns that changes to trainee pay could worsen GP crisis and compromise patient care. OnMedica

See also:

Medical innovators share £18m

Medical innovators share £18m Twelve new projects include an infection-detecting wound dressing and a universal flu vaccine. OnMedica

Change in regulation for midwives brings the practice into the 21st century

Change in regulation for midwives brings the practice into the 21st century Midwifery supervision and regulation will be separated, reforming a creaky 113-year-old system into one that reflects modern healthcare practice

The government’s pledge to change the way midwives have been regulated for more than 100 years is momentous and will improve the safety of mothers and babies.

This landmark decision came as a result of families making complaints to the parliamentary and health service ombudsman after going through agonising ordeals with their loved ones during pregnancy and childbirth. We all owe them a debt of gratitude as their actions will help improve maternity services for mothers and babies in the future.Our casework found that the lives of mothers and babies could be put at risk because supervisors of midwives currently have two inherently conflicting roles.

When things go wrong, senior midwives are responsible for investigating incidents involving midwives on behalf of the regulator, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, while being responsible for the development and support of midwives, some of whom may be their peers. Continue reading... The Guardian

As a part-time female doctor, I'm considered a danger to the NHS

As a part-time female doctor, I'm considered a danger to the NHS I work with with enthusiasm and empathy and give each patient my all. I’m tired of being seen as a problem to the workforce crisis rather than a solution

“When are you going back to work?”

It’s a question you get used to on maternity leave, one with many permutations of delivery. There is casual interest; there is concern. On this occasion it was the one with the sardonic tone and the wry smile. The one that says “When are you going back to work?” but means Why aren't you back already?Continue reading... The Guardian

Jeremy Hunt warned 18 months ago about foreigners charging NHS for care in their countries

Jeremy Hunt warned 18 months ago about foreigners charging NHS for care in their countries A report on NHS health tourism was published in October 2013 and Labour claims the Health secretary 'ignored' the findings. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

NHS spending on private ambulances soars to meet demand

NHS spending on private ambulances soars to meet demand Paramedics group warns the NHS does not have enough ambulance staff as the use of the private and voluntary sectors increases to record levels. The Daily Telegraph