Monday 11 July 2016

First ever awards to recognise achievements of Kettering General Hospital’s junior doctors

First ever awards to recognise achievements of Kettering General Hospital’s junior doctors

Talented and dedicated doctors at Kettering General Hospital have had their contributions to the profession celebrated with a new kind of award. 
Evening Telegraph

Delayed discharges and hospital type: evidence from the English NHS

Delayed discharges and hospital type: evidence from the English NHS
This study investigated how delayed discharges vary by hospital type (acute, specialist, mental health, teaching), and the extent to which such differences can be explained by demography, case-mix, the availability of long-term care and hospital governance as reflected in whether the hospital has foundation trust status, which gives greater financial autonomy and flexibility in staffing and pay.

Centre for Health Economics

Report

Press release

NHS budget control 'will require staff cuts'

NHS budget control 'will require staff cuts'

Staffing levels within the NHS will have to be cut if the government wants to bring NHS finances in England under control, a think tank says. 
BBC News

FGM: 'More community funding needed' to maintain progress

FGM: 'More community funding needed' to maintain progress

Community groups tackling female genital mutilation in England and Wales say more local funding is needed to maintain progress against the illegal activity. 
BBC News

Survey finds patients increasingly positive about their GP surgery

Survey finds patients increasingly positive about their GP surgery

As the NHS treats more patients than ever before, new data shows most people are increasingly positive about their GP care –more than 85% rate their overall experience of their GP surgery as good. 
NHS Networks

Antibiotics and antiseptics for wounds: evidence and ignorance

Antibiotics and antiseptics for wounds: evidence and ignorance

The poor state of the evidence on antibiotics and antiseptics for wounds. 
Evidently Cochrane

What is the role of leadership in the NHS?

What is the role of leadership in the NHS?

Our expert panel discussed what makes a good leader and how to better equip the leaders of tomorrow
Read the discussion in full

Peter Beresford, academic and activist: We seem to live in an age dominated by the idea of managers. Leadership is a different kettle of fish and doesn’t mean it has to be hierarchical, by one person or a one-sided relationship. The best leadership is inclusive, addresses diversity and can engage us all.

Why have antidepressant prescriptions doubled in the last decade?

Why have antidepressant prescriptions doubled in the last decade?

Recent figures show that the number of prescriptions for antidepressants in England has soared in the last 10 years, up to 61m last year. But the reasons for this rise are complex. 
Guardian

Exploring the mental health charity sector evidence system

Exploring the mental health charity sector evidence system

A guest post from Caroline Fiennes, Director of Giving Evidence, who has today published a new report that explores in the ways in which UK mental health charities use evidence in the development of their services. 
The Mental Elf

How video consultations can benefit patients and the NHS

How video consultations can benefit patients and the NHS

Video consultations between a patient and healthcare professional are increasing. Marc Schmid highlights the benefits and looks at the challenges the NHS will have to overcome to make effective use of this technology.
GP Online

Providing end-of-life care in general practice: findings of a national GP questionnaire survey.

Providing end-of-life care in general practice: findings of a national GP questionnaire survey.

Br J Gen Pract. 2016 Jul 5;
Authors: Mitchell S, Loew J, Millington-Sanders C, Dale J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: With increasing numbers of people living with complex life-limiting multimorbidity in the community, consideration must be given to improving the organisation and delivery of high-quality palliative and end-of-life care (EOLC). AIM: To provide insight into the experience of GPs providing EOLC in the community, particularly the facilitators and barriers to good-quality care. DESIGN AND SETTING: A web-based national UK questionnaire survey circulated via the Royal College of General Practitioners, NHS, Marie Curie, and Macmillan networks to GPs.METHOD: Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and an inductive thematic analysis.RESULTS: Responses were received from 516 GPs, who were widely distributed in terms of practice location. Of these, 97% felt that general practice plays a key role in the delivery of care to people approaching the end of life and their families. Four interdependent themes emerged from the data: continuity of care - which can be difficult to achieve because of resource concerns including time, staff numbers, increasing primary care workload, and lack of funding; patient and family factors - with challenges including early identification of palliative care needs and recognition of the end of life, opportunity for care planning discussions, and provision of support for families; medical management - including effective symptom-control and access to specialist palliative care services; and expertise and training - the need for training and professional development was recognised to enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards EOLC.CONCLUSION: The findings reveal enduring priorities for policy, commissioning, practice development, and research in future primary palliative care.
PubMed

Statins linked to dramatic reduction in cancer death rates, research suggests

Statins linked to dramatic reduction in cancer death rates, research suggests

Statins may significantly cut the risk of dying from four of the most common cancers, research has suggested.



Scientists have found the number of deaths among cancer patients diagnosed with high cholesterol see “striking” reductions following treatment with the cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Independent