Measuring the performance of local health systems

Measuring the performance of local health systems In June 2015, The King’s Fund was commissioned by the Department of Health to review how the performance of local health systems could be assessed.

The review looks at how to measure the performance of health services within clinical commissioning group (CCG) areas, including how well these services work with social care and public health services and recommends that there is a radical simplification and alignment of existing NHS performance frameworks. The King's Fund

See also:

• How can the performance of local health systems be assessed? (blog) The King's Fund

An alternative guide to mental health care in England

An alternative guide to mental health care in England An animation that explores mental health services and how they work alongside other health and public services. The King's Fund

Research and analysis: NHS foundation trusts: quarterly performance report (quarter 1, 2015/16)

Research and analysis: NHS foundation trusts: quarterly performance report (quarter 1, 2015/16) This report summarises Foundation Trust’s performance for the 3 months ending on 30 June 2015, showing increasing waiting times and a large increase in trusts in financial deficit. Monitor

See also:

• Radical change needed from foundation trusts to tackle intense pressures Monitor
• NHS Trusts – Financial Position for Q1 of 2015/16 Trust Development Authority
• NHS providers heading towards unprecedented deficit The King's Fund
• RCN comment on Monitor’s analysis of NHS deficit Royal College of Nursing
• NHS deficits hit 'massive' 930m BBC News
• NHS is in 'worst financial situation in a generation' with 1bn deficit The Daily Mail
• NHS faces biggest financial crisis 'in a generation' The Daily Telegraph
• Alarming NHS deficit figures ignore £2bn-plus GP cash shortfall, warns GPC GP Online
• Trusts amass 1bn deficit in three months as NHS faces 'financial meltdown' GP Online
• NHS facing 2bn deficit and 'worst financial crisis in a generation' The Guardian
• NHS hospitals' 930m overspend prompts calls for urgent funding The Guardian
• The Guardian view on the NHS: to cut the health deficit, start by spending more | Editorial The Guardian
• NHS in financial crisis after posting £1 billion losses in just three months The Independent
• NHS Trusts in England rack up deficit approaching £1bn Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Maternity services overworked, understaffed and struggling to cope shows senior midwives survey

Maternity services overworked, understaffed and struggling to cope shows senior midwives survey Maternity unit closures, budget and training cuts and reduced services are among the issues highlighted by a survey of UK senior midwives. Royal College of Midwives

See also:

• Midwives warning over staff shortages BBC News
• NHS funding to pay for a private midwife could take pressure off hospitals The Daily Mail
• Mothers and babies 'at risk' as midwife crisis grows The Daily Telegraph

1 in 5 children are rejected mental health treatment

1 in 5 children are rejected mental health treatment A ‘time bomb’ of serious mental health conditions is being created if vulnerable children don’t get early help.

One fifth of all children referred to local specialist NHS mental health services are rejected for treatment, according to new research. This includes children whose problems stem from abuse. NSPCC

England's hospice ratings 'encouraging'

England's hospice ratings 'encouraging' More than 90% of England's hospices inspected so far have been rated as "good" or "outstanding", the care watchdog says. BBC News

UK Digital Health Report shows how we use mobile apps to monitor sleep, stress and blood pressure

UK Digital Health Report shows how we use mobile apps to monitor sleep, stress and blood pressure  According to the UK Digital Health Report, women are leading the way when it comes to using ‘health-tech’, with many now able to check their fertility and ovulation levels. The Daily Mail

New NHS regulator has impossible task in face of spiralling funding crisis

New NHS regulator has impossible task in face of spiralling funding crisis Jim Mackey, named as first chief executive of NHS Improvement, has an impressive record – but how can he eliminate the deficit without compromising in other areas?

Jim Mackey is an outstanding choice as first chief executive of the new provider regulator, NHS Improvement. The problem is that, in the face of a deficit of £930m in just three months this financial year, he has been given an impossible task.

Mackey’s work as chief executive of Northumbria healthcare foundation trust embodies key areas where the NHS needs to succeed. The trust is demonstrably patient focused, it has an impressive level of integration with social services, it is making good progress on working more closely with primary care, and it found a novel solution to its PFI problems – getting help from Northumberland county council, which could access low interest rates. Mackey has also been working on a provider-led “accountable care organisation” to manage population health and is an enthusiast for hospital chains. Continue reading... The Guardian

Junior doctors demand more concessions from Jeremy Hunt

Junior doctors demand more concessions from Jeremy Hunt More than 2,000 medics and students tell health secretary days after he tried to defuse anger that proposed contracts are unfair and risk patient safety.

Rank-and-file junior doctors have warned Jeremy Hunt he must make further concessions on proposed new contracts to prevent them striking or taking other industrial action over pay and weekend working.

More than 2,000 medics and students have written to the health secretary saying his attempts to impose new terms and conditions on 53,000 NHS staff “remain unfair to doctors and unsafe to patients”. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• NHS leaders urge junior doctors back to negotiating table The Daily Telegraph
• Letter from junior doctors to Jeremy Hunt The Guardian

Exclusive: Jeremy Hunt accused of sugar tax 'cover-up'

Exclusive: Jeremy Hunt accused of sugar tax 'cover-up' Health Secretary 'harming battle against child obesity by failing to publish report'. The Daily Telegraph

Bedblocking: Delayed discharge from hospital costs NHS more than £300m

Bedblocking: Delayed discharge from hospital costs NHS more than £300m Opposition denounces ‘appalling’ new official statistics that show problems have escalated in the past six month. The Independent