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

See also:

• Eight children's centres set to close BBC Northampton

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

See also:

• Parents warned after Corby child dies from possible swine flu Northamptonshire Telegraph

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

See also:

• Scarlet fever returns as doctors are warned about possible outbreak The Daily Mail

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

See also:

• The curious tale of £22bn NHS efficiency savings BBC News
• Conservatives' pledge to protect NHS 'entirely disingenuous' The Guardian
• There is little hope that the NHS can avoid a financial crash The Guardian
• NHS officials deny they were pressured to downgrade estimates of how extra much cash health service needed The Independent

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