Monday 2 November 2015

Guidance for commissioners of mental health services

Guidance for commissioners of mental health services This guide supports commissioners, local health authorities and providers to think broadly, but practically, about building sustainable, resilient communities that have the potential, over time, to reduce mental ill health. Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health

How do we develop a person-centred, community-centred workforce, to support people with long-term conditions?

How do we develop a person-centred, community-centred workforce, to support people with long-term conditions? This discussion paper from the Coalition for Collaborative Care looks at a key element: the people who are part of the health and social care workforce. Planning, developing and supporting an integrated workforce that routinely works in a person-centred, community-centred way is a complex and multi-faceted challenge. To make it easier to understand and respond to, we've broken it down into four areas:

  • Mind-set challenges for person and community-centred care
  • The specific knowledge and skills that are needed
  • The importance of supportive working environments
  • Capacity and roles: workforce planning.

How sharp are we on safety? An assessment of safer sharps adoption in UK hospitals

How sharp are we on safety? An assessment of safer sharps adoption in UK hospitals This report finds that not all NHS trusts are not complying with ‘safer sharps’ rules and, as a result, are continuing to put NHS employees at risk of needle stick injuries and possible blood-borne infections such as hepatitis and HIV. MindMetre

Top names support mental health equality

Top names support mental health equality A campaign calling for the government to increase investment in mental health services has been launched.

Over 200 celebrities have backed the push for mental health to be treated as seriously as other illnesses. It was launched by former mental health minister Norman Lamb, Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.BBC News

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How safe are private hospitals?

How safe are private hospitals? Are private hospitals treating NHS patients equipped to deal with emergencies? BBC News

FGM reporting law comes into force

FGM reporting law comes into force Doctors, nurses, midwives and teachers are now legally required to report cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) to the police. BBC News

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GP-led scheme cut hospital admissions 75% among elderly

GP-led scheme cut hospital admissions 75% among elderly A GP-led pilot to tackle dehydration in care homes reduced hospital admissions among residents by 75% and improved patients' physical and psychological health, according to the GP behind the programme. GP Online

Unique NHS service launched to combat long-term fatigue

Unique NHS service launched to combat long-term fatigue The first NHS service for patients who complain of being tired all the time has been launched in Newcastle as new research shows that one Briton in eight is affected by long-term fatigue. The Daily Mail

200,000 cancer patients live in most deprived areas of England – study

200,000 cancer patients live in most deprived areas of England – study Macmillan Cancer Support says too many people left vulnerable to financial burden of disease, with figures highlighting folly of government’s welfare plans

About 200,000 people with cancer are living in the most deprived areas of England, leaving them vulnerable to the financial burden of the disease, a study has found.

Macmillan Cancer Support, which carried out the analysis jointly with Public Health England’s Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN), says that with four in five patients facing an average cost of £570 a month as a result of their disease, the findings are extremely worrying. Continue reading... The Guardian

Foreigners may be charged for A&E treatment under new proposals

Foreigners may be charged for A&E treatment under new proposals Jeremy Hunt considering move to withhold non-urgent NHS treatment for those from outside European Economic Area until payment is made

Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, is considering whether to charge foreigners for using ambulances and visiting A&E in a move that could further escalate tensions with the medical profession. In a bid to raise money, Hunt is expected to announce a consultation within the next month on whether the NHS should charge patients from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for emergency treatment.

While no one would be denied urgent care, hospitals would be allowed to withhold treatment for non-urgent medical problems until a payment was made. Patients from inside the EEA would have to present their European Health Insurance card to receive treatment, and their government would be sent a bill. Under the proposals, there would be certain exemptions on charging up front, such as for women in labour, while asylum seekers would be excluded from the system altogether. Continue reading... The Guardian

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A&E faces worst winter ever, top doctor warns

A&E faces worst winter ever, top doctor warns Bed shortages and cancelled operations loom in NHS emergency

Record numbers of patients will be stuck on trolleys in corridors or the back of ambulances this winter as hospitals run out of beds because of soaring demand and limited funding, the country’s leading A&E doctor has warned.

Hospitals will have to put more patients on trolleys, cancel more operations than ever before and turn away new admissions as they fail to meet the four-hour maximum patient waiting A&E target, amid unprecedented bed-blocking caused by fast growing demand, Dr Cliff Mann told The ObserverContinue reading...

How trust made secret 111 plan to hit all-important NHS targets

How trust made secret 111 plan to hit all-important NHS targets The deaths of up to 25 patients have come under investigation, after whistleblower reveals extent of policy that delayed help for seriously ill patients. The Daily Telegraph

Middle-aged male suicide rate rises by 40 per cent since 2008

Middle-aged male suicide rate rises by 40 per cent since 2008 A new report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggests that unemployment, financial problems and unattainable masculine ideals may be responsible for the increase. The Daily Telegraph

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RIP IVF? NHS cuts to fertility treatment ‘will deny thousands parenthood’

RIP IVF? NHS cuts to fertility treatment ‘will deny thousands parenthood’ Exclusive: Some areas that once offered couples three cycles of IVF may soon provide none. The Independent

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NHS: Stress affecting one in three junior doctors, according to British Medical Association

NHS: Stress affecting one in three junior doctors, according to British Medical Association The BMA say the job of a junior doctor is becoming 'un-doable'. The Independent