Junior doctor strikes back on

Junior doctor strikes back on The strikes by junior doctors over the contract dispute are back on after talks with the government broke down. BBC News

See also:

• Junior doctors to take industrial action British Medical Association
• Correspondence: Secretary of State for Health writes to Chair of the BMA Department of Health
• NHS Employers respond to BMA Junior Doctors’ Committee decision to strike NHS Employers
• Junior doctors strikes: BMA claims 'no choice' on industrial action (video) BBC News 
• Junior doctor strikes 'a disappointing outcome' - Jeremy Hunt BBC News
• Junior doctors' strike: what should patients do? The Daily Telegraph
• Junior doctors' strike: what do the experts think? The Daily Telegraph
• Junior doctor strikes to go ahead after talks collapse GP Online
• Junior doctors in England to strike next week after talks break down The Guardian
• Junior doctors announce they will strike next week The Independent
• Britain set for first mass strike by doctors in 40 years Reuters

The NHS must focus on better value in 2016 to deliver the £22 billion productivity challenge

The NHS must focus on better value in 2016 to deliver the £22 billion productivity challenge With the outcome of the Spending Review now known, the biggest challenge for the NHS in 2016 is to redouble efforts to deliver the £22 billion of productivity improvements it is expected to realise by 2020/21. The King's Fund

The digital revolution: eight technologies that will change health and care

The digital revolution: eight technologies that will change health and care The past decade has seen rapid development and adoption of technologies that change the way we live. But which technologies will have a similarly transformative impact on health and care? The King’s Fund has looked at some examples of innovative technology-enabled care that are already being deployed in the NHS and internationally to transform care. Now, we examine the technologies most likely to change health and care over the next few years.Some of the technologies we discuss are on the horizon – others are already in our pockets, our local surgeries and hospitals. But none are systematically deployed in our health and care system. Each could represent an opportunity to achieve better outcomes or more efficient care. The King's Fund

Research and analysis: Reducing missed hospital appointments using text messages

Research and analysis: Reducing missed hospital appointments using text messages This randomised controlled trial tested the effectiveness of the reminder message sent to outpatients. Results showed if the message included the specific cost to the NHS of not attending then the patient was more likely to attend or rearrange their appointment – rather than miss it. Department of Health

E-cigarette may become available on NHS

E-cigarette may become available on NHS The UK medicines regulator approves a brand of e-cigarette as an anti-smoking aid and it could be prescribed on the NHS. BBC News

See also:

• E-cigarettes win first approval as a 'medicine' opening way for prescription by the NHS The Daily Telegraph
• New vaping laws: Everything you need to know The Independent

GMC gets new powers to challenge tribunal decisions

GMC gets new powers to challenge tribunal decisions Amendments to the Medical Act will speed up hearings and revise how costs are awarded. OnMedica

See also:

• 'Unfair' powers for GMC to challenge tribunal decisions take effect GP Online

Researchers call for ‘urgent’ review of BP guidelines

Researchers call for ‘urgent’ review of BP guidelines Treatment below current targets significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and death. OnMedica

See also:

• Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis The Lancet

Britain's first humanist hospital chaplain takes up her post

Britain's first humanist hospital chaplain takes up her post Jane Flint has been appointed the non-religious pastoral carer for Leicester's Hospital Chaplaincy. The Independent

Happy New Year? The pressures on the NHS will only increase in 2016

Happy New Year? The pressures on the NHS will only increase in 2016 If the health service is to survive, it needs to be properly funded, adequately staffed, and with patients and clinicians in charge

As we look ahead to 2016 it is clear that the pressures on the NHS will, if anything, increase unless the government takes urgent action. Jeremy Hunt’s manifesto pledge of more GPs is a complete fantasy and the prime minister’s seven-day NHS project is a political gimmick. The government has made empty promise after empty promise about how it plans to recruit an additional 5,000 GPs by 2020, yet it doesn’t face up to the reality that there aren’t enough entering the profession. A BMA survey showing that a third of GPs plan to retire within five years suggests the problem is only going to get worse.

It is not just primary care that faces an uphill struggle in 2016. In England, there are NHS trusts facing a record deficit of £1.6bn, which will manifest itself in longer waits for patients, cancelled operations and more pressure on staff and resources. Continue reading... The Guardian

'Scandalous neglect' of elderly sees soaring numbers rushed from care homes to hospital

'Scandalous neglect' of elderly sees soaring numbers rushed from care homes to hospital New figures show the number of care home residents rushed to hospital has risen by 63 per cent in four years, with charities warning that cutbacks mean pensioners are being neglected until they become perilously ill. The Daily Telegraph

Children aged five eating own weight in sugar each year as parents urged to check products with free app

Children aged five eating own weight in sugar each year as parents urged to check products with free app Parents urged to take control of children's sugar intake with launch of health campaign as young consume three times recommended maximum. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Press release: 5 year olds eat and drink their body weight in sugar every year Public Health England
• Children aged five eat their bodyweight in sugar, experts warn The Independent
• Five-year-olds eat and drink their body weight in sugar every year OnMedica