Friday 22 April 2016

NGH becomes first UK hospital on international standards programme

NGH becomes first UK hospital on international standards programme Northampton General Hospital has become the first NHS hospital in the UK to sign up to an internationally-recognised programme for nursing and midwifery standards. The Pathway to Excellence programme recognises hospitals for the quality of patient care and professional satisfaction of the nurses and midwives who work in them. The programme is delivered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Specialist nurse from Northamptonshire shortlisted for award to recognise work with multiple sclerosis

Specialist nurse from Northamptonshire shortlisted for award to recognise work with multiple sclerosis A specialist nurse from Northamptonshire has been selected as a finalist in the 2016 MS Society Awards for her commitment to excellence in providing and improving services for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Northampton Chronicle and Echo

University of Northampton wins £130,000 grant to study dementia in young people

University of Northampton wins £130,000 grant to study dementia in young people Research into diagnosing and supporting young people who develop dementia is being supported by the University of Northampton. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

No ‘weekend effect’ on mortality in psychiatric hospitals

No ‘weekend effect’ on mortality in psychiatric hospitals Interim findings from a NIHR HS&DR study, published in The Lancet, have found that there is no significant difference in risk of mortality for patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital at the weekend versus during the week.

Whilst previous studies have indicated that risk of mortality is higher for patients admitted to acute hospitals at the weekend less is known about variations in clinical outcomes among patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals. National Institute for Health Research

Primary care

Primary care This report analyses the challenges facing primary care and examines the long-term solutions which can improve access to services and patient care. It warns that primary care is under unprecedented strain and struggling to keep pace with relentlessly rising demand. House of Commons Health Select Committee 

Mental health and criminal justice: views from consultations across England & Wales

Mental health and criminal justice: views from consultations across England & Wales With extremely high rates of mental ill-health among the prison population, this report draws on experiences from across England and Wales to determine the way forward for improvement. It finds that few of the prisons represented at the events were able to offer psychological therapies, and that primary mental health care remains the weakest element of mental health support in prisons. Centre for Mental Health

Report shows revalidation is starting to have a positive impact but improvements can be made

Report shows revalidation is starting to have a positive impact but improvements can be made Independent research commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC) has found that four out of 10 doctors are changing their practice as a result of their last appraisal. General Medical Council

2.2 billion in 'at risk' Zika areas

2.2 billion in 'at risk' Zika areas More than two billion people live in parts of the world where the Zika virus can spread, detailed maps show. BBC News

Falling suicide rate linked to improving NHS mental health care

Falling suicide rate linked to improving NHS mental health care Changes to how mental health care is being provided in the NHS in England in recent years may be linked to a 20-30% decrease in the nation’s suicide rate, according to new research published today in The Lancet Psychiatry.

However, researchers also found that suicide rates were higher in mental health trusts with higher levels of staff turnover.. OnMedica

Prostate cancer awareness: Most people have no idea what the gland does and many don't know they have one

Prostate cancer awareness: Most people have no idea what the gland does and many don't know they have one Experts fear that people's lack of awareness of the gland will lead to people dying, and that the cancer is on track to become the most common in the UK. The Independent

See also:

UK junior doctors may follow April strikes with indefinite walkout

UK junior doctors may follow April strikes with indefinite walkout Open-ended walkout one option if next week’s strikes do not force health secretary to reopen talks over imposed contract, emails show

Junior doctors are considering an indefinite walkout in protest at the new contract Jeremy Hunt is forcing on them if next week’s all-out strikes do not force him to reopen talks, leaked emails reveal.

Emails sent last week by the chair of the British Medical Association’s junior doctors committee (JDC) show that an open-ended withdrawal of labour is among the options it will consider to further its campaign. That could start on 8 June. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

One in three NHS trusts restrict surgery for smokers and overweight patients

One in three NHS trusts restrict surgery for smokers and overweight patients Overweight people are being used as "soft targets" by NHS trusts who deny them treatment to save money, surgeons have claimed.

Although hip and knee replacements can help people stay mobile and keep active, more than one third clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) now refuse surgery until patients have lost weight or stopped smoking.

The Royal College of Surgeons is calling on ministers to make it clear to trusts that they are breaching health watchdog guidelines in discriminating on grounds of weight or smoking status. The Daily Telegraph

See also: