Woman discharged herself despite seizure after, she claims, NGH ‘could not offer appropriate drugs’

Woman discharged herself despite seizure after, she claims, NGH ‘could not offer appropriate drugs’ A Northampton woman claims she was forced to leave hospital despite having had an epileptic seizure hours earlier because of a lack of proper medication. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Patient calls Burton Latimer GP surgery more than 200 times before getting through

Patient calls Burton Latimer GP surgery more than 200 times before getting through Some people trying to book an appointment at Burton Latimer Medical Centre have been forced to call more than 200 times before getting through. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New care models and prevention: an integral partnership

New care models and prevention: an integral partnership This report, jointly published by NHS Confederation, NHS Clinical Commissioners, NHS Providers and the Local Government Association, presents five case studies to highlight how vanguards have sought to address the health and wellbeing gap and the impacts seen so far. It finds that a reduction in emergency admissions for the over-65s, fewer delayed transfers of care, and GPs able to dedicate more time to frail older patients are among some of the early achievements of pioneering prevention initiatives taking root across the country.

Lightning review: access to child and adolescent mental health services, May 2016

Lightning review: access to child and adolescent mental health services, May 2016 This review of access to mental health services highlights the long waiting lists and restricted access for those with life-threatening conditions. From a request of data from public bodies, the review found that 28 per cent of children who were referred for specialist mental health treatment in 2015 did not receive a service. A significant proportion of children with life-threatening mental health conditions - 14 per cent of the 3,000 about whom information was obtained - were denied specialist support. These included children who had attempted suicide or serious self-harm and those with psychosis and anorexia nervosa. Children's Commissioner

Infant mortality and stillbirth in the UK

Infant mortality and stillbirth in the UK This briefing reviews recent data on stillbirth and infant mortality rates in the UK and examines the factors contributing to increased risk. It then looks at the policy options that may help to improve health outcomes for infants and their families. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

GP vacancy rates at highest recorded with one in eight positions unfilled

GP vacancy rates at highest recorded with one in eight positions unfilled Around 12% of all GP posts in the UK are vacant, the highest proportion recorded, a Pulse survey has revealed.

The Pulse survey of 690 GPs has found that 11.7% of posts are currently vacant, up from 9.1% last year and 6.4% in 2014.

It also reveals that almost half of practices have had to recruit a partner within the past 12 months, taking longer than six months on average.

GP leaders told Pulse this is a major reason why practices are closing, while other GPs said they have had to recruit advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) as they are unable to recruit. Pulse

See also:

• Vacant NHS GP posts doubles to 12% as growing numbers of family doctors take early retirement The Daily Mail

'Delays' in motor neurone disease care

'Delays' in motor neurone disease care One in five people with motor neurone disease waits more than a year to see a brain specialist for help with diagnosis, a snapshot survey by the MND Association suggests. BBC News

See also:

• RCGP response to MND Association report on referral times Royal College of General Practitioners

Cigarette plain packs to 'go global'

Cigarette plain packs to 'go global' Plain packaging for cigarettes is about to "go global" in a move that will have a "huge impact" on health, the World Health Organization says. BBC News

Backtrack on plans for full GP surgery weekend opening

Backtrack on plans for full GP surgery weekend opening Government plans to have all GP practices provide a full surgery service at weekends appear to be changing, with a less insistent approach emerging.

In a Q&A interview with Pulse magazine published today, health secretary Jeremy Hunt said full GP surgeries were not likely to be necessary on Sundays. OnMedica

See also:

• Jeremy Hunt softens stance on Sunday GP surgeries due to lack of demand Pulse

The NHS is moving backwards on race equality

The NHS is moving backwards on race equality We have work to do to reverse the most negative diversity trends in NHS senior leadership and accelerate the pace of change around inclusion

It’s a sad indictment that in 2016, there’s such a paucity of inclusive talent management across the public sector. Skin colour and ethnic background still impact on whether you get your foot through the door, can progress upwards, and the extent to which your skills and talents are valued.

The Snowy White Peaks survey (pdf) highlighted the lack of progress on inclusion of black, Asian and minority ethnic people (BAME) in the NHS. In some respects the health service has moved backwards in relation to race equality. This was particularly stark across London’s trusts, within a city that is so diversity-rich. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• How can mental health services deliver better care for black patients? The Guardian

NHS refusal to fund HIV prevention treatment is shameful, say charities

NHS refusal to fund HIV prevention treatment is shameful, say charities PrEP, which can reduce risk of HIV infection by up to 86%, falls outside health service remit, says NHS England.

The UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charities have attacked as “shameful” a decision by NHS England not fund a treatment method that can drastically reduce transmission risks.

If followed regularly, the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevention method, usually with a prescribed daily pill, can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 86%, according to a recent study. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Further update on commissioning and provision of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP) for HIV prevention NHS England
• NHS will not fund anti-HIV drug plan BBC News

Obese patients have injured 1,000 NHS staff in the past 5 years - including physio who got £25k payout caring for 20st man

Obese patients have injured 1,000 NHS staff in the past 5 years - including physio who got £25k payout caring for 20st man Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed 923 NHS staff were injured caring for obese patients between 2011 and 2015 but the figure is likely to be far higher. The Daily Mail

South East Coast Ambulance chief resisgns over NHS 111 scheme that deliberately delayed call-outs for 20,000 patients

South East Coast Ambulance chief resisgns over NHS 111 scheme that deliberately delayed call-outs for 20,000 patients The chief at the centre of the NHS 111 scandal exposed by Telegraph has been forced to quit.

Paul Sutton, chief executive of South East Coast Ambulance trust, has been under mounting pressure to resign since he was revealed to have personally ordered a scheme which saw deliberate delays for up to 20,000 patients. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Ambulance chief resigns amid criticism over failed 999 'experiment' The Guardian