Thursday 31 March 2016

NHS workforce: new analysis shows NHS workforce figures over time

NHS workforce: new analysis shows NHS workforce figures over time


New methodology and analysis reflects the way health and care now delivered.
IC QOF

'Major gaps' in end-of-life care

'Major gaps' in end-of-life care

A national review of end-of-life care has found many hospitals are failing to provide face-to-face palliative care specialists around the clock.
BBC News


The price of health: the cost of developing new medicines

The price of health: the cost of developing new medicines


Drug development is highly resource-intensive and expensive with only one in 5,000 medicines making it to the market – this is how it works

Drug development is highly resource-intensive and expensive with only one in 5,000 medicines making it to the market – this is how it works

When it comes to pharmaceutical companies, two accusations crop up time and again. One is thatthey charge too much for drugs and the other is that they focus research on diseases they can profit from. That means they concentrate on chronic diseases, rather than less profitable infectious ones.
GuardianContinue reading...

200,000 people trained to seek medical advice online

200,000 people trained to seek medical advice online


200,000 homeless, older and vulnerable people have had lessons to get online and contact their doctor reducing GP visits and costs to the NHS.
NHS Networks

Electronic health records (EHR): guidance for community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

Electronic health records (EHR): guidance for community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians


This guidance which aims to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who have access to patient EHRs has been updated. As well as covering general principles about how EHRs should be kept, maintained and accessed, the guidance provides specific support to the national NHS electronic record services used in the devolved administrations, tailored to the initiatives in those countries.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)
Guidance
Press release

Wednesday 30 March 2016

Woman from Northampton called NHS crisis line...and had to wait two days to see a doctor

Woman from Northampton called NHS crisis line...and had to wait two days to see a doctor


A woman from Northamptonshire claims she was unable to find help on a mental health crisis line for two days.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Strictly Northampton smashes event record to raise £45,000 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice

Strictly Northampton smashes event record to raise £45,000 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice


A record-breaking cheque for more than £45,000 was handed over to Cynthia Spencer Hospice at a special event hosted the event’s sponsor, Aspers Casino last week.
Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Concern over 'all-out' doctors' strike

Concern over 'all-out' doctors' strike


Medical leaders say the planned all-out strike by junior doctors in England at the end of April could be damaging to patients and should be suspended.
BBC News

WHO downgrades Ebola health risk

WHO downgrades Ebola health risk


Ebola is no longer an "extraordinary health event" and the risk of the virus spreading is low, the World Health Organization says.
BBC News

Guidance: Prostate cancer risk management programme: PSA test benefits and risks

Guidance: Prostate cancer risk management programme: PSA test benefits and risks


The Prostate cancer risk management programme (PCRMP) aims to help primary care give clear and balanced information to asymptomatic men who ask about testing for prostate cancer.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is available free to any man aged 50 or over who requests it, after careful consideration of the implications.

Men concerned about the risk of prostate cancer should receive clear and balanced information about the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test, biopsy and treatments for prostate cancer. This means men can make informed decisions about whether or not to have a PSA test.
Public Health England

Anorexia: Stimulating brain with magnetic fields reduces symptoms of eating disorder

Anorexia: Stimulating brain with magnetic fields reduces symptoms of eating disorder


Anorexia is characterised by an intense fear of being overweight.
Independent

Can concussion be tested for with a 'simple' blood test?

Can concussion be tested for with a 'simple' blood test?

"A new blood test can detect a concussion up to a week after a head injury," the Daily Mail reports. The test involved checking for biomarkers, which are substances created by a specific biological condition or state.

In this case researchers looked at two biomarkers – proteins called glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1).

These proteins are known to be associated with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. These types of injury can result in concussion, which is short-lived loss of mental function.

The study included more than 500 people with suspected brain injury. Researchers found both proteins were sometimes present in the blood.

There were higher levels of UCH-L1 in the early stages after injury, while GFAP was found to be a relatively good indicator for up to a week after injury.

However, the two biomarkers were not always detectable in people with a brain injury. One in five people assessed by researchers did not have GFAP and 1 in 10 did not have UCH-L1.

As the tests were not able to correctly identify all people with and without a brain injury, these two biomarkers would not meet the requirements for a stand-alone diagnostic test.

Concussion ideally needs to be diagnosed by a health professional trained in assessing patients with head injury. You should visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if you or someone in your care has a head injury.

Tuesday 29 March 2016

Blood test to detect concussion could prevent use of radiation-exposing scans

Blood test to detect concussion could prevent use of radiation-exposing scans


The test will minimise the need for computerised tomography (CT) scans, which emit radiation.
Independent

Retention of nurses on the shortage occupation list

Retention of nurses on the shortage occupation list


The government has accepted a recommendation made by the Migration Advisory Committee to retain nurses on the shortage occupation list.
Latest NHS Employers News

Britain hit by worst spring flu outbreak in five years

Britain hit by worst spring flu outbreak in five years


In the last two weeks, reports of flu have been four times the normal figure.
Independent

New online test predicts skin cancer risk

New online test predicts skin cancer risk


Experts have created a simple quiz to identify a person's chance of developing the disease.
Independent

Campaign credited with fall in antibiotic prescribing

Campaign credited with fall in antibiotic prescribing


The number of prescriptions for antibiotics made by GPs and others in primary care fell by nearly 8% last year, following a national campaign to reduce avoidable prescribing.
NHS Networks

Cash for faster mental health training

Cash for faster mental health training


The Department of Health is giving £10m to a fast-track scheme training graduates to become social workers in community mental health teams.
BBC News

Countdown to lift-off begins for Britain’s first space doctors

Countdown to lift-off begins for Britain’s first space doctors


The first generation of UK doctors specially-trained to work as part of the space programme has moved a step closer, with the General Medical Council (GMC) set to approve the curriculum later this year.
General Medical Council

Ministers and NHS bosses criticised over use of overseas nurses

Ministers and NHS bosses criticised over use of overseas nurses


Chief of government’s migration advisory committee says there is ‘no good reason’ why nurses cannot be found in UK

Health ministers and NHS bosses have been criticised for using overseas nurses as a “get out of jailfree” card to ease hospitals’ recruitment crisis.

The government’s migration advisory committee (MAC) says it has “reluctantly” recommended to the home secretary that up to 5,000 overseas nurses from outside of the European economic area (EEA) be given visas each year for the next three years.
Guardian

Continue reading...

Acupuncture for low back pain no longer recommended for NHS patients

Acupuncture for low back pain no longer recommended for NHS patients

New advice represents a u-turn in treatment for back pain, which affects one in 10 people, after evidence review showed acupuncture no better than a placebo

Acupuncture is no longer recommended as a treatment for low back pain on the NHS, according to new draft guidelines released today by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

The u-turn comes after a review of scientific evidence found that the practice was no better than a placebo in treating those living with low back pain and sciatica.

Thursday 24 March 2016

Northamptonshire families speak of anguish after drastic disability benefit cuts

Northamptonshire families speak of anguish after drastic disability benefit cuts Families in the north of the county have spoken of their anguish after their disability benefits suffered drastic cutbacks following medical assessments. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Medics admit causing death of Northampton man after missing blocked artery

Medics admit causing death of Northampton man after missing blocked artery A Northampton woman whose partner died after medics at Kettering General Hospital failed to diagnose a blocked artery has been awarded a six-figure settlement. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northampton school failed to report signs of neglect in siblings, inquiry into death of baby boy finds

Northampton school failed to report signs of neglect in siblings, inquiry into death of baby boy finds A damning report into the death of a nine-week-old baby from co-sleeping with his Northampton mother has criticised professionals for not spotting signs of neglect in the family. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

What has the impact been of recent caps on NHS agency staff spend?

What has the impact been of recent caps on NHS agency staff spend? Almost four months to the day since the first caps on agency spending were introduced by Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority – and with new framework agreements due to come into force next week – what do we know about the impact of these measures so far? The King's Fund

Junior doctors to stage A&E walkout

Junior doctors to stage A&E walkout Junior doctors in England are escalating strike action next month to include a walkout of emergency care.

It will be the first time doctors have refused to provide cover in areas such as A&E and intensive care - the strikes so far have hit routine care.

The British Medical Association said it had been left with "no choice" in its fight against the government's plan to impose a new contract.

The all-out stoppages will take place from 08:00 to 17:00 on 26 and 27 April. BBC News

See also:

New figures released on hospital admissions for eating disorders

New figures released on hospital admissions for eating disorders  Latest analysis of hospital admissions for eating disorders is released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre

Zika: World Health Organisation waiting for $4m from members to tackle virus

Zika: World Health Organisation waiting for $4m from members to tackle virus Zika has been linked to microcephaly, which can cause babys to be born with smaller than normal heads. The Independent

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The shocking 'postcode lottery' of cancer care: Patients in some areas up to 12% less likely to survive the disease

The shocking 'postcode lottery' of cancer care: Patients in some areas up to 12% less likely to survive the disease Survival rates for cancer have improved - 70 per cent of people now live for one year after being diagnosed. However, wide variations exist the country, Office for National Statistics figures show. The Daily Mail

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Investing in social care is essential to balance the NHS books

Investing in social care is essential to balance the NHS books Mental health and social care are the poor relations to the health service.

News that Simon Stevens originally asked the Treasury for £16bn goes some way to explaining why the NHS is under such strain. After the longest period of financial constraint in its history, with three quarters of NHS providers reporting deficits amounting to £2.3bn by the end of quarter three, balancing the books is looking tricky to say the least.

So the NHS is faced over the next 12 months with balancing the books while simultaneously transforming the way it does business. Yet, fundamental to that transformation are two things: mental health and social care.

It is easy to fall into the trap of seeing social care as just an adjunct to the NHS Continue reading... The Guardian

Sexual health and cancer support: libraries in Coventry "reach people that the NHS won't"

Sexual health and cancer support: libraries in Coventry "reach people that the NHS won't" Coventry’s Central Library runs health-related events and a mental health drop-in service, reaching people that the NHS can’t.

You expect to see books in a library. You might not expect free sperm keyrings – available in classic white or translucent with red sparkles – along with the offer of sexual health advice and 60-second HIV tests.

That is why staff from the Coventry and Warwickshire partnership NHS trust’s integrated sexual health service set up a stand in Coventry’s Central Library every Thursday. “Being here, we get to the people who can’t get to us,” says Steven Clay, a senior sexual health nurse.

Libraries are about the general health and wellbeing of the population Continue reading... The Guardian

GPs should prescribe a walk in a national park for obese patients, say ministers

GPs should prescribe a walk in a national park for obese patients, say ministersThe Government is backing a scheme being trialled in Dartmoor and Exmoor under which GPs are encouraged to hand out prescriptions for more exercise, rather than more drugs, to combat ailments. The Daily Telegraph

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Equal pay claim for women working at six Northamptonshire care homes

Equal pay claim for women working at six Northamptonshire care homes A number of female care staff in Northamptonshire could be granted thousands of pounds in back pay if a High Court battle against their company succeeds. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Medical spending and hospital inpatient care in England: an analysis over time

Medical spending and hospital inpatient care in England: an analysis over time This paper presents a summary of the trends in medical expenditure in England and then using detailed administrative data presents analysis of the growth over 15 years of expenditure and activity in hospital inpatient health care, which represents around 20-25 per cent of all NHS expenditure. Centre for Health Economics

Report highlights variation in maternity care across England

Report highlights variation in maternity care across England Differences in the care received by women giving birth in hospitals across England are highlighted in a state of the nation report published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The report, carried out in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, gives a national perspective on patterns of care during labour and delivery, enabling NHS trusts to examine their own practice in context and ensure their services meet the needs of women and their families.

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NHS England announces new action to cut stillbirths

NHS England announces new action to cut stillbirths There are currently around 665,000 babies born in England each year, but there are over 3,000 stillbirths. Despite falling to its lowest rate in 20 years, one in every 200 babies is stillborn in the UK, more than double the rate of nations with the lowest rates.

The new guidance – called Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle – is part of a drive to halve the rate of stillbirths from 4.7 per thousand to 2.3 per thousand by 2030, potentially avoiding the tragedy of stillbirth for more than 1500 families every year. While the majority of women receive high quality care, there is around a 25 per cent variation in stillbirth rates across England. NHS England

Healthy weight, healthy futures: local government action to tackle childhood obesity

Healthy weight, healthy futures: local government action to tackle childhood obesity This report uses a series of case studies to outline how the transfer of responsibility for public health in 2013 to councils has sparked a surge in innovative programmes for tackling childhood obesity. From working with children who are obese and overweight to encouraging children to cut their consumption of sugary drinks, local authorities are showing how child obesity can be tackled. Local Government Association

Putting Doctors and Patients on the Same Page

Putting Doctors and Patients on the Same Page More than 6 million Americans have unrestricted online access to their medical records, thanks to "OpenNotes," an initiative launched in 2010. Early research suggests that letting patients read their doctors' clinical notes holds promise for engaging patients in their care, strengthening patient-provider relationships, and even improving adherence to care regimens. The Commonwealth Fund

Junior doctors will realise contract imposition was right, says Jeremy Hunt

Junior doctors will realise contract imposition was right, says Jeremy Hunt Junior doctors will realise the government 'was right' to impose a new contract after the collapse of negotiations with the BMA, health secretary Jeremy Hunt has told MPs. GP Online

Multi-million pound GP compensation claims rising

Multi-million pound GP compensation claims rising 12 compensation claims worth more than £1m paid last year. OnMedica

Liverpool Community Heath NHS trust 'had oppressive culture'

Liverpool Community Heath NHS trust 'had oppressive culture' An "oppressive" culture at an NHS trust led to poor services, bullying of staff and may even have contributed to some deaths, a report has found.

The review highlighted "failures at multiple levels" at Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust since 2011. BBC News

Tens of thousands of care workers still paid below minimum wage despite new regulations

Tens of thousands of care workers still paid below minimum wage despite new regulations; Tens of thousands of care workers are still being paid below the national minimum wage despite new regulation designed to ensure they are paid fairly, a new study says.

Despite a change in the law and a major HMRC investigation, care firms are still failing to pay staff for travel between clients according to the research from Unison, based on Freedom of Information responses from more than 150 councils in England and Wales. The Independent

Dementia sufferers test-drive revolutionary rehabilitation system which puts patients at the helm of interactive games and activities

Dementia sufferers test-drive revolutionary rehabilitation system which puts patients at the helm of interactive games and activities First developed to rehabilitate wounded Israeli soldiers, the virtual reality CAREN machine has also helped hundreds of injured Chinese earthquake victims to take their first steps to recovery.

Now those with dementia in northern England have begun test-driving the same revolutionary rehabilitation system to help with their condition – throwing them into a futuristic world where they can fight sharks, drive high-speed cars and try downhill skiing. The Independent

Meningitis B vaccine cost analysis 'underestimates' impact on families

Meningitis B vaccine cost analysis 'underestimates' impact on families Campaigners and experts calling for older children to receive MenB vaccine say current cost-benefit analysis does not take into account the true impacts of the illness. The Daily Telegraph

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Tuesday 22 March 2016

Gynaecologist who worked at Northamptonshire hospital demonstrated sex act to female colleague

Gynaecologist who worked at Northamptonshire hospital demonstrated sex act to female colleague A doctor has been suspended for 12 months after working at Kettering General Hospital without telling them he was suspected of sexual misconduct. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health matters promotes midlife approaches to reduce dementia risk

Health matters promotes midlife approaches to reduce dementia risk Following the recent launch of Public Health England’s One You, a ground-breaking campaign to help adults across the country make simple changes to improve their health today and in the future, PHE has launched the fourth edition of Health matters: midlife approaches to reduce dementia risk. Public Health England

Diabetes at-risk offered lifestyle help

Diabetes at-risk offered lifestyle help People in England at risk of type-2 diabetes are to be offered healthy-lifestyle support by the NHS to help them prevent the condition developing. BBC News

See also:

U-turn over prostate cancer drug

U-turn over prostate cancer drug Patients with prostate cancer in England will now have early access to a drug that can delay the need for chemotherapy. BBC News

See also:

World Down Syndrome Day: 'How Do You See Me?' video highlights prejudice surrounding condition

World Down Syndrome Day: 'How Do You See Me?' video highlights prejudice surrounding condition "I see myself as an ordinary person with an important, meaningful, and beautiful life. How do you see me?" The Independent

The NHS is in the midst of a financial hurricane

The NHS is in the midst of a financial hurricane The forecast from the budget shows no let-up in the weather for the struggling health service, but a plan for the future must be put in place this year

A hurricane is characterised by severe storms, surrounding an area of relative calm known as the eye of the storm. The NHS is in the midst of a financial hurricane. Costs are rising faster than funding, creating a perfect storm for NHS providers. Next year will be one of relative calm, similar to the eye of a hurricane, with the largest planned funding increase for 2016-17. This is followed by flat or falling real-terms funding per head until 2020-21.

The forecast from the budget shows no let-up in the weather; in fact the forecast looks worse for three reasons. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS England stalls plans for HIV prevention drug

NHS England stalls plans for HIV prevention drug Consultation on Truvada will now be shelved, in move sexual health charities have described as ‘shameful’ and ‘failing those at risk’ of HIV.

Charities and campaigners have reacted with anger and disbelief that plans to roll out a widely anticipated HIV prevention drug have been stalled by NHS England.

The sector had been waiting for the announcement of the first ever public consultation on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the UK, now overdue by a month. Instead today NHS England announced it was not their responsibility to commission the drug. Continue reading... The Guardian

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Zika outbreak: Where is the virus spreading?

Zika outbreak: Where is the virus spreading? The World Health Organisation has declared a global emergency in response to the spread of Zika - but which countries are currently affected by the virus? The Daily Telegraph

See also:

George Osborne must U-turn on his ludicrous sugar tax

George Osborne must U-turn on his ludicrous sugar tax After climbing down on so much, like disability cuts, the Chancellor must do it again over his buzzkilling fizzy drinks tax. The Daily Telegraph

Monday 21 March 2016

Northants children’s centre consultation begins as Corby charity says cuts will have ‘devastating impact’

Northants children’s centre consultation begins as Corby charity says cuts will have ‘devastating impact’ Northamptonshire County Council has launched a consultation into proposed changes to children’s centre services in the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Ambulance service for Northamptonshire had to take out a loan to pay staff wages

Ambulance service for Northamptonshire had to take out a loan to pay staff wages A cash-strapped ambulance service has had to borrow money from the Government to pay basic monthly expenses. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Corby child dies from swine flu and three other youngsters are infected

Corby child dies from swine flu and three other youngsters are infected The youngster, from Corby, Northamptonshire, died last week and is thought to have attended a private nursery. Health officials are now giving advice to concerned parents. The Daily Mail

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The Budget: sugaring a bitter pill for public health?

The Budget: sugaring a bitter pill for public health? The stand-out headline of the Budget was the slimline rabbit the Chancellor pulled out of the hat in the form of a future sugar levy. This is a victory for many public health campaigners, for Public Health England and the Health Select Committee who all championed a tax on sugary drinks. The King's Fund

Open consultation: Carers strategy: call for evidence

Open consultation: Carers strategy: call for evidence We think that we need a new strategy for carers that sets out how more can be done to support them. It needs to reflect their lives now, their health and financial concerns, and give them the support they need to live well while caring for a family member or friend.

To help us develop the strategy, we want to hear from carers, those who have someone who care for them, business, social workers, NHS staff and other professionals that support carers. Department of Health

Board briefing on apprenticeship policy changes

Board briefing on apprenticeship policy changes NHS Employers have produced a briefing for board members which highlights the financial implications of the policy changes being introduced surrounding apprenticeships.

NHS study shows 9 in 10 hospitals now deemed unsafe over lack of beds

NHS study shows 9 in 10 hospitals now deemed unsafe over lack of beds Shocking figures show that 143 out of 154 hospital trusts in England are currently more than 85 per cent occupied – the maximum level considered to be safe. The Daily Mail

Jenny Foote: Report on care worker's murder to be withheld, health bosses say

Jenny Foote: Report on care worker's murder to be withheld, health bosses say A controversial report into how a violent, mentally disturbed patient was released from NHS care to a charity-run housing project where he battered a care worker to death with a fire extinguisher should be kept secret, health service bosses have said. The Independent

Scarlet fever: Once-feared Victorian disease infecting hundreds of children a week

Scarlet fever: Once-feared Victorian disease infecting hundreds of children a week Illness associated with the Victorian era now infects hundreds of children a week, with no apparent reason for its return. The Independent

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Junior doctors' strike: BMA announces planned 'escalation' of action

Junior doctors' strike: BMA announces planned 'escalation' of action Doctors’ union the British Medical Association (BMA) announced plans for an “escalation” of strike action last night over the Government’s decision to impose a new contract on junior doctors. The Independent

Doctors accuse Tories of deception over 'extra £10bn for NHS' claim

Doctors accuse Tories of deception over 'extra £10bn for NHS' claim Government used accounting tricks to give impression of support but budget will only be up by £4.5bn by 2020-21, BMA claims.

Doctors’ leaders have accused the Conservatives of deceiving the public by giving the NHS less than half the extra £10bn ministers regularly cite as proof of their support for the service.

The government has used a series of accounting tricks to wrongly give the impression of generous backing when in reality it is leaving patient care underfunded and refusing to face up to the NHS’s deepening financial crisis, a report from the British Medical Association claims. Continue reading... The Guardian

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George Osborne cut NHS repairs fund by £1.1bn, claims Labour

George Osborne cut NHS repairs fund by £1.1bn, claims Labour Rising backlog of repairs and non-replacement of out-of-date scanners is endangering patients, says shadow health secretary.

Hospitals are facing a rising backlog of repairs and out-of-date equipment because NHS funds are being used to shore up frontline services.

The cost of outstanding maintenance work that hospitals in England need to do has reached £4.3bn, including £458m of “high-risk” repairs, which if left unaddressed could threaten patient safety. They include leaking roofs and out-of-date scanners. Continue reading... The Guardian

'NHS spent £81,000 treating just one illegal immigrant'

'NHS spent £181,000 treating just one illegal immigrant' A hospital spent £181,000 treating a single illegal immigrant, it was reported on Sunday night.

Details of the patient’s bill emerged amid claims that the NHS was failing to collect millions of pounds from foreign nationals using its services.

And a leading cancer specialist said no healthcare system could cope with the strain the NHS was put under by treating migrants, saying it was "absolutely unsustainable". The Daily Telegraph

Friday 18 March 2016

REVEALED: Northamptonshire’s best and worst GP’s surgeries as rated by you

REVEALED: Northamptonshire’s best and worst GP’s surgeries as rated by you Today we can reveal the north of the county’s best and worst GP surgeries, as rated by their own patients. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Investigations underway after death of young child who had suspected swine flu in Northamptonshire

Investigations underway after death of young child who had suspected swine flu in Northamptonshire A public health investigation has been launched after the death of a young child who had suspected swine flu in Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Bonus payments for nurses who join Northampton General Hospital’s bank staff

Bonus payments for nurses who join Northampton General Hospital’s bank staff New incentives are being offered to nurses who agree to join Northampton General Hospital’s pool of bank staff. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Personal tragedies, public crisis The urgent need for a national response to early death in autism

Personal tragedies, public crisis The urgent need for a national response to early death in autism (download) A report into the high levels of early mortality in people with autism. Based on a large Swedish study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, it shows a 16 year difference in life expectancy, compared to the general population. The report calls for an immediate national mortality review by the NHS and an increase in research funding. Autistica 

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Helping drive multispecialty community provider (MCP) vanguards forward

Helping drive multispecialty community provider (MCP) vanguards forward As the New Care Models Programme marks its first anniversary, National Care Model Lead, Louise Watson, reflects on how their work is already paying dividends. NHS England

Get well soon: reimagining place-based health

Get well soon: reimagining place-based health This report argues that the NHS must construct a 15 year plan to shift money out of hospitals and into investment in communities. It demonstrates that the health service in its current form is not sustainable, and sets out a new plan for shifting the system to focus on preventing illness, shorten stays in hospitals and help people live independently for longer. Place-Based Health Commission.

Public sector pensions change in Budget criticised

Public sector pensions change in Budget criticised Health and education will be squeezed by more than £1bn because of changes to the way public sector pensions are funded, figures seen by the BBC show.

It comes after George Osborne announced in the Budget that employers would have to contribute more to pensions for NHS staff, teachers and the police. BBC News

Inside Bethlem Royal Hospital

Inside Bethlem Royal Hospital Convicted criminals receiving treatment at Bethlem Royal Hospital are being reintroduced into the community, under supervision.

The men, who have committed violent crimes when suffering from a mental illness, are considered for release if they get better.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Tim McInerny explains how doctors judge whether someone is safe to re-engage with society. BBC News

Physios 'can take pressure off GPs'

Physios 'can take pressure off GPs' GPs could spend longer with their patients if physiotherapists worked alongside them at their surgery, says the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. BBC News

Austerity measures linked to increased pensioner death rates

Austerity measures linked to increased pensioner death rates Cuts to pension credits were followed by rising mortality rates of pensioners aged 85 plus. OnMedica

Sugar tax on its own will fail to combat childhood obesity, says Government's own health department

Sugar tax on its own will fail to combat childhood obesity, says Government's own health department Introducing a sugar tax on its own will fail to combat childhood obesity, according to the Government’s own department responsible for the nation’s health. The Independent

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Six months trapped in a secure mental health unit – how the system failed one autistic 15-year-old | Frances Ryan

Six months trapped in a secure mental health unit – how the system failed one autistic 15-year-old | Frances Ryan Matthew Garnett was sent to a secure unit for six weeks. He stayed there for half a year as mental health services struggled to cope.

“Matthew’s bed at home’s been empty for six months,” Isabelle Garnett says from the family house in south London as she tells me about her son. “I can’t walk by his bedroom.”

Since September 2015, 15-year-old Matthew Garnett – who has autism, ADHD and anxiety – has been held two hours’ drive away from his home in a secure mental health treatment unit in Woking, Surrey. Or as his mum puts it to me, “the equivalent of being left on an A&E trolley for six months”.

Held long-term in the unit, Matthew is regressing Continue reading... The Guardian

Thursday 17 March 2016

New plans for extra wards at Northampton General Hospital to ease pressure on staff

New plans for extra wards at Northampton General Hospital to ease pressure on staff Two new wards look set to be built in a Northampton General Hospital car park in order to relieve overrun staff. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

EXCLUSIVE: Dying cancer patient from Northampton told she cannot claim benefits

EXCLUSIVE: Dying cancer patient from Northampton told she cannot claim benefits A terminal cancer patient from Northampton with tumours in her lungs and pelvis has been told she needs to find a job after the Government removed her disability benefits. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Time for Change – the Challenge Ahead

Time for Change – the Challenge Ahead May 2016 will mark the 5th anniversary of the Panorama programme which exposed abuse and neglect at Winterbourne View Hospital, a private assessment and treatment unit (ATU) for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. This report looks at the actions taken so far and calling on partners, including CQC, to demonstrate how they are helping to reduce the reliance on hospital-based settings for people with learning disabilities. ACEVO Health

One size doesn't fit all - GPs and physicians innovate to improve patient care

One size doesn't fit all - GPs and physicians innovate to improve patient care The report Patient care: A unified approach, highlights nine case studies where GPs and physicians have worked closely together to produce new and integrated services. The case studies span a wide range of services in England and Wales, covering different specialties, different population groups and different ways of addressing complex issues. Examples include:

A clinic for patients with respiratory problems at North Bristol Lung Centre, Southmead Hospital, enables GPs and community matrons to refer patients the same day. A dedicated mobile phone also put GPs in easy contact with consultants. The scheme reduced referrals to hospital and enabled patients to be treated closer to home

In Northamptonshire, GPs from 10 practices now have a GP trained to undertake cardiology care within the practice. The project resulted in fewer hospital referrals, greater patient satisfaction with the service and improved patient understanding of their medical condition

A GP with a special interest in dermatology and a consultant dermatologist work together with specialist nurses and other staff at Sunderland Dermatology Centre to provide routine care to patients suffering from non-urgent conditions. The project resulted in lower waiting times, and 100% of patients would recommend the service to others. Royal College of General Practitioners

Inquiry Report into NHS England’s Five Year Forward View: Behaviour Change, Information and Signposting

Inquiry Report into NHS England’s Five Year Forward View: Behaviour Change, Information and Signposting  A cross party group of MPs and peers has called for a National Strategy for Self Care, led by a Minister, to combat the rise in the number of people using scarce and expensive A&E and GP resources to for self-treatable conditions like muscle strain and the common cold. All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Primary Care and Public Health

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NHS England reveals leaders for change

NHS England reveals leaders for change CCG, Trust and council leads will plan locally for NHS sustainability and transformation. OnMedica

Depression kills, so why aren't people getting better NHS care?

Depression kills, so why aren't people getting better NHS care? Depression is the most common mental health problem associated with suicidal ideas, but care services adopt a uniform approach that doesn't always work.

Jen is desperate. She is starting to think about taking her own life. Her GP referred her to the Improving access to psychological therapies (Iapt) programme, which started with guided self-help – an approach to supporting people with mild to moderate anxiety, depression or stress. It went on for a few weeks, but didn't help at all. She wanted to be able to talk to the therapist but in the 20-minute sessions, she felt she never got a chance to get to know her.

Then she saw a cognitive behaviour therapist for four sessions. She liked her, but it didn’t make a difference and she didn't see the point of going away and reading books and filling out forms like she was told. She stopped going and was consequently sent a letter saying that she had been discharged. Continue reading... The Guardian

Government's rehashed dementia plans sum up why Jeremy Hunt has lost clinicians' trust

Government's rehashed dementia plans sum up why Jeremy Hunt has lost clinicians' trust The health secretary ignored the damage cuts have done to dementia care and prevention, instead crowbarring in his seven-day NHS and contracts agenda

As a specialist in the healthcare of older people, I read Jeremy Hunt’s announcement on dementia care with interest. Despite only being health secretary for England, he promised that “by 2020, the UK should be the most dementia friendly country in the world”. It’s a great soundbite, even if it is unlikely that such an ambition could be achieved, and the timing is clearly designed to coincide with the next election.

But this announcement is nothing new. The National Dementia Strategy and the appointment of the first national clinical director for dementia services were driven by Labour in 2009. And in a reduced form, this commitment was supported by the coalition government. This strategy included earlier diagnosis, better research funding to reflect the huge societal cost of dementia, enhanced support for people in care homes, improved care for people with dementia in acute hospitals and a commitment to reduce the prescription of unnecessary antipsychotic drugs. Some of these efforts have been effective and they all started well before this Tory government. Continue reading... The Guardian

George Osborne brings in sugar tax to mixed response

George Osborne brings in sugar tax to mixed response Chancellor announces two-tier levy on soft drinks welcomed by health campaigners but condemned by drinks industry.

George Osborne has responded to the growing clamour for tough action on obesity byannouncing plans for a sugary soft drinks tax intended to make children healthier and cut the disease’s £5bn a year cost to the NHS.

The levy, which will start in April 2018, will put up the price of drinks such as Red Bull, Capri Sun, Sprite and several versions of cola. The Treasury has not decided exactly how much extra they will force producers to charge for heavily sweetened drinks, but health campaigners want it to be 20%. Continue reading... The Guardian

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Wednesday 16 March 2016

Behind the headlines: are older people and families really to blame when their hospital discharges are delayed?

Behind the headlines: are older people and families really to blame when their hospital discharges are delayed? Almost three million (2,998,273) hospital bed days have been lost between June 2010 and January 2016 due to a lack of social care provision at a cost of £910 million, according to a new report by Age UK

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Health and care bodies reveal the map that will transform healthcare in England

Health and care bodies reveal the map that will transform healthcare in England National health and care bodies in England have published details of the 44 ‘footprint’ areas that will bring local health and care leaders, organisations and communities together to develop local blueprints for improved health, care and finances over the next five years, delivering the NHS Five Year Forward View. NHS England

Research for all: building a research-active medical workforce

Research for all: building a research-active medical workforce This report argues that that the greatest barrier doctors face in engaging in research is a lack of time, even though they are eager to do so. Drawn from the findings of a survey of almost 2,000 doctors, the report shows that respondents cited the lack of time as having a ‘significant impact’ on their ability to engage in research. Royal College of Physicians

Eye risk from 'overstretched NHS'

Eye risk from 'overstretched NHS' Hundreds of patients are suffering irreversible sight loss every year in England because services are overstretched and under-resourced says the president of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Prof Carrie MacEwen. BBC News

Apprenticeships open the door to fulfilling and rewarding healthcare careers

Apprenticeships open the door to fulfilling and rewarding healthcare careers Apprenticeships and other training programmes offer alternative routes into many roles in the healthcare sector – and are gaining popularity among both school leavers and employers

When James Lowell finished school at 16 in the early 90s, he walked away with just three GCSEs. The south Londoner was left disillusioned by formal education and wanted to pursue a more vocational form of training where he could also earn some money at the same time. So he got a job as porter at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital in London.

“I was working from 3.30pm to 11pm so it wasn't the most desirable hours, but it allowed me to get into a hospital environment and see what careers were available,” he says. And it wasn't long before opportunity knocked. Continue reading... The Guardian

Antibiotics becoming ineffective at treating some child infections

Antibiotics becoming ineffective at treating some child infections Study finds overuse is to blame for bacteria becoming resistant to drugs in urinary tract infections caused by E coli.

Children are becoming powerless to fight off common infections because antibiotics they take are unable to kill the bacteria involved, experts warn.

New research shows that overuse of antibiotics by children is to blame for bugs becoming drug-resistant for up to six months at a time in cases of urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by E coli. 'Continue reading... The Guardian

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The care homes at the vanguard of better health

The care homes at the vanguard of better health Homes in Hertfordshire have successfully reduced hospital admissions and improved residents’ wellbeing through a specialist NHS training programme.

In England, one in six people aged over 85 live in a care home. The NHS’s 2014 five-year vision for the future of health and care wants care homes to offer older people better, joined-up healthcare and rehabilitation services.

For more than 3,000 people in east and north Hertfordshire, “home” is one of the 92 care homes clustered in and around the county’s towns. Most residents are elderly, many have complex health conditions. On average, each takes seven prescribed medicines a day and they’re more than three times as likely to be admitted to hospital as other over 65-year-olds in the county. For the residents, particularly those living with dementia, every hospital visit has the potential to be confusing and disorientating – particularly as around a quarter of hospital admissions are for less than 24 hours. Continue reading... The Guardian

New running blades for 500 amputee children after £1.5million NHS boost in 2016 Budget

New running blades for 500 amputee children after £1.5million NHS boost in 2016 Budget Revealed: The Chancellor will say today that he has found £500,000 to be spent on new "child sports prosthetics" to allow 500 amputee children to run or swim. The Daily Telegraph

'Doctors are too afraid to mention meningitis' parents warn

'Doctors are too afraid to mention meningitis' parents warn Families call for better awareness of meningitis B symptoms and call for quicker precautionary action to be taken by medics. The Daily Telegraph

Tuesday 15 March 2016

“Significant improvements” in ambulance handovers at KGH after introduction of new system

“Significant improvements” in ambulance handovers at KGH after introduction of new system Kettering General Hospital says it has seen a “significant improvement” in ambulance handovers since it introduced a new system to tackle increasing time pressures. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Former KGH nurse struck off after falsely claiming she held qualifications to gain promotion

Former KGH nurse struck off after falsely claiming she held qualifications to gain promotion A nurse who falsely claimed she held specialist heart qualifications to gain a promotion at Kettering General Hospital has been struck off. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The role of the NHS in reducing health inequalities: moving beyond fair access to care

The role of the NHS in reducing health inequalities: moving beyond fair access to care All the evidence shows that the NHS is one of the fairest health systems in the world, but it is not perfect. The much-maligned Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduced a new duty on the Secretary of State, NHS England and clinical commissioning groups to ‘have regard to the need to reduce inequalities’ in access to care and outcomes of care. However, given the wider furore over the Act and what followed, you would be forgiven for not having noticed that. The King's Fund

Key facts and trends in mental health: 2016 update

Key facts and trends in mental health: 2016 update The Mental Health Network (MHN) has published the fourth edition of its factsheet on key statistics and trends in mental health. NHS Confederation

Best care will come from collaboration not competition – Jeff Johnston

Best care will come from collaboration not competition – Jeff Johnston As the New Care Models Programme marks its first anniversary, the Associate Director of Operations at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust and one of the partnership’s programme directors, discusses the progress they’ve made so far. NHS England

'Not enough doctors' for 7-day NHS

'Not enough doctors' for 7-day NHS There are not enough doctors to run a seven-day NHS in England, according to a leading doctor. BBC News

Doctors raise £70,000 for legal challenge over imposed junior doctor contract

Doctors raise £70,000 for legal challenge over imposed junior doctor contract Doctors and NHS staff who launched a bid to raise £25,000 through crowd funding to kick start a legal challenge over government plans to impose a new contract on junior doctors have raised almost three times as much as their original target. GP Online

Doctors call for better training in end-of-life care

Doctors call for better training in end-of-life care A major report by the British Medical Association reveals that while there are examples of excellent end-of-life care across the UK, there is too much variation between geographic areas and between medical conditions. OnMedica

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£20m boost for GP pay and services

£20m boost for GP pay and services Cash package will also provide IT upgrades and improve locum cover. OnMedica

Anorexia charities criticise Joan Bakewell for unhelpful comments'

Anorexia charities criticise Joan Bakewell for 'unhelpful comments' Baroness Bakewell sparked controversy by claiming eating disorders arise from society becoming more narcissistic. The Independent

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GP Clare Gerada calls the NHS a 'toxic' place to work amid Junior doctor strikes

GP Clare Gerada calls the NHS a 'toxic' place to work amid Junior doctor strikes Former chair of the Council of the Royal College of GPs, Dr Clare Gerada, claims junior doctors work an atmosphere of fear - and the strikes are vital to protect their mental health. The Daily Mail

NHS struggling to plug a £22bn funding 'black hole', says report

NHS struggling to plug a £22bn funding 'black hole', says report In 2014-15, NHS trusts in England had a net deficit of £843m, down from £91m recorded in 2013-14 and a £592m surplus in 2012-13.

The NHS in England lacks a convincing plan to plug a £22bn “black hole” in funding within five years, according to parliament’s spending watchdog.

A significant number of acute hospital trusts are in “serious and persistent financial distress”, there is a “spiralling” trend of increased deficits and the current payment system is “not fit for purpose”, the public accounts committee said.  Continue reading... The Guardian

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Hospital staffing crisis as 40% of consultant posts remain vacant

Hospital staffing crisis as 40% of consultant posts remain vacant Royal College of Physicians says ‘gathering storm’ of problems puts health secretary’s seven-day NHS plan at risk.

Hospitals are facing such chronic shortages of medical personnel that 40% of senior doctors’ posts remained vacant, new figures reveal.

Vacancies are so widespread that the government’s push to create a seven-day NHS is at risk, according to the head of the Royal College of Physicians. Continue reading... The Guardian

The NHS mental health hospital closed with just five days' warning

The NHS mental health hospital closed with just five days' warning Critics say lives have been put at risk by the closure of Bootham Park in York, with 30 patients having to be discharged or moved

The closure of York’s only public adult mental health hospital with just five days’ warning could put lives at risk and should be subject to both an independent inquiry and a judicial review, according to a local MP and lawyers representing patients.

Bootham Park hospital was closed suddenly in October last year after a critical report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the hospital regulator, forcing 30 inpatients to be discharged or relocated and affecting 400 outpatients. Continue reading... The Guardian

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Monday 14 March 2016

Dental charges in England set to increase by 5%

Dental charges in England set to increase by 5% Price hike is in response to the £22 billion cuts needed across the NHS. The Independent

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New pay circular for Agenda for Change 1/2016

New pay circular for Agenda for Change 1/2016 New pay circular issued for staff covered by Agenda for Change. NHS Employers

Making a whistleblowing policy work: progress update

Making a whistleblowing policy work: progress update This report assesses the progress on whistleblowing policies and argues that more must be done to encourage and support whistleblowers to come forward. It highlights concerns that the government's approach has been too focused on policy rather than leading by practice and that there has been a lack of urgency in dealing with this issue. House of Commons Public Accounts Committee

Disabled people face benefits change

Disabled people face benefits change More than half a million disabled people could lose out as a result of further changes over the next four years to welfare payments. BBC News

George Osborne accused of presiding over largest funding squeeze in NHS history

George Osborne accused of presiding over largest funding squeeze in NHS history Given economic forecasts and present spending, it is estimated £20bn less a year will be being spent on health by 2020. The Independent

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Jeremy Hunt urged to act against avoidable deaths from epilepsy

Jeremy Hunt urged to act against avoidable deaths from  Charity warns almost four in 10 of deaths from the condition are preventable as they call for better care and services. The Independent

That’s enough, junior doctors – the NHS has bigger problems

That’s enough, junior doctors – the NHS has bigger problems The NHS faces far more serious problems than the working conditions of one section of its workers. Now it’s up to the BMA to move towards a strike settlement

‘It’s everyone’s fight,” said the stickers that striking junior doctors handed out at picket lines and protest stalls last week. But is it really? The chief medical officer has warned that strikes will lead to patient suffering: tens of thousands of operations and appointments will have been cancelled as a result of strikes so far. The health select committee chair – a doctor herself – called them“extreme” and “appalling”.

Doctors’ union the BMA insists that the government – and the new junior doctor contract it is proposing – are an even bigger threat to patient safety. Its claims merit at least the scrutiny we’d apply to teaching or train driver unions whose strikes lead to school and tube closures.

Let’s call a spade a spade. This is a workplace dispute about terms and conditions, not a campaign to save the NHS Continue reading... The Guardian

Junior doctors' contract to be challenged in courts

Junior doctors' contract to be challenged in courts Group of doctors and patients have asked solicitors to review the potential impact of Jeremy Hunt’s “seven-day NHS” contract on patient safety

The government’s new contract for junior doctors is to be challenged in the courts by a group of doctors and patients on the grounds of patient safety.

The group have instructed Bindman’s LLP solicitors to investigate judicial review proceedings, which will centre on the detrimental impact of the proposed new contract on the safety patients as well as the stability of the NHS as a whole. Continue reading... The Guardian

Scarlet fever cases reach 50 year high: Experts warn parents to look out for red rash, nausea and high temperature

Scarlet fever cases reach 50 year high: Experts warn parents to look out for red rash, nausea and high  Last year there were 17,559 cases of the disease in England. The disease is most common in children under 10 and causes a sore throat, fever a rash and occasionally leads to pneumonia. The Daily Mail

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Friday 11 March 2016

NHS England launches national programme to combat antibiotic overusage

NHS England launches national programme to combat antibiotic overusage NHS England has today launched the world’s largest healthcare incentive scheme for hospitals, family doctors and other health service providers to prevent the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Launched against the backdrop of the International Patient Safety Conference taking place at Lancaster House in London today, funding will be made available to hospitals and other providers that reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Press release: Major programme launched to help NHS providers boost their finances

Press release: Major programme launched to help NHS providers boost their finances NHS providers will be able to access additional help with improving their finances, under a new financial improvement programme created by two national healthcare bodies.

Developed by Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority, the ‘Financial improvement programme’ will enable NHS providers to take advantage of additional improvement advice and expertise.

Providers will bring in external financial and operational support to help them make the required savings, so that patients can receive high quality care which is financially sustainable. Monitor

The one-way mirror: public attitudes to commercial access to health data

The one-way mirror: public attitudes to commercial access to health data This report has revealed that just over 50 per cent of the public are in favour of patient records being used by commercial organisations as long as there is a clear public benefit and appropriate safeguards in place. It also emphasises how unaware many people are about how patient data is already used within in the NHS, let alone by others such as academic researchers, charities and commercial organisations. Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Wellcome Trust

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Ministers 'seek 7-day consultants deal'

Ministers 'seek 7-day consultants deal' Consultants in England could be offered new NHS contracts within weeks, the BBC understands, after what ministers describe as "constructive" negotiations. BBC News

Care home offers a step between hospital and home for patients

Care home offers a step between hospital and home for patients New initiative sees independent care homes working with hospitals to provide a place for people to recuperate and alleviate pressures on acute care

A stroll up to the door of Harrogate Lodge care home in the Leeds suburb Chapel Allerton is leaf-lined and heralded with birdsong. It’s a far cry from the hospital corridor 90-year-old temporary resident Mavis found herself sleeping in a couple of weeks ago, after she had a fall at home.

Mavis has been in Harrogate Lodge for a week while she recovers from a urine infection and is well enough to go back to her home on the other side of the city. “It’s certainly quieter here,” she laughs, “and the food is lovely.” Continue reading... The Guardian

How do you radicalise a calm, dedicated doctor? Ask Jeremy Hunt

How do you radicalise a calm, dedicated doctor? Ask Jeremy Hunt The obduracy of the health secretary is putting untold pressure on the NHS and making enemies of its future leaders. The junior doctors’ strike must be resolved.

On the second day of the third strike, the junior doctors are standing as solid as ever, just over half are on strike, with most of those not striking staying in to cover emergency work. Thousands more non-urgent operations are cancelled, adding to the backlog already growing due to the extreme pressure the NHS was under long before this.

It’s an impasse. The new contract has been imposed and the government has withdrawn from all further talks while these young-ish doctors have been radicalised by the way they have been treated: they look unlikely to buckle any time soon – on the picket lines, they are garnering waves of public support in beeps, claps and whistles. Continue reading... The Guardian

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