Kettering hospital apologises to residents unhappy with aftermath of smoking ban

Kettering hospital apologises to residents unhappy with aftermath of smoking ban Hospital bosses have apologised to residents unhappy with the consequences of smoking being banned from anywhere on the site. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Staffing matters; funding counts

Staffing matters; funding counts Examines the profile and features of the NHS workforce in England, including; health labour market trends; relevant international data and comparisons from other countries; and a series of specific ‘pressure points’ (see below).

General practice and nursing workforces in particular are examined in detail – two key components that have been the subject of much recent policy analysis and media scrutiny – as areas that continue to need a strong policy focus. There is also a supplement giving more detailed information about the profile and recent trends of the workforce of the NHS in England. The Health Foundation

See also:

• NHS reform ambitions hampered by funding constraints Public Finance

Deficits in the NHS 2016

Deficits in the NHS 2016 Unaudited figures indicate that NHS commissioners (clinical commissioning groups and NHS England) and providers in aggregate ended 2015/16 in deficit for the second year running. This briefing draws on data from our quarterly monitoring reports, secondary research and interviews with health care leaders to consider commissioner and provider finances in the round and to provide an overview of the factors that have led to the NHS going into deficit. It goes on to outline some of the strategies being employed to restore financial balance, before drawing together our thoughts on the implications of these strategies for the NHS this year and in the longer term. The King's Fund

See also:

• Politicians must be honest with the public about the NHS The King's Fund
• NHS trusts are in the red and need emergency bailouts or patient care will get even worse The Daily Mail
• Fewer staff in NHS needed to get finances balanced OnMedica

Cornerstone of NHS reforms faces uncertain future

Cornerstone of NHS reforms faces uncertain future Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have secured better engagement from GPs than previous forms of commissioning but still face numerous barriers to putting power in doctors’ hands, according to a new report published by The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust.

Immigration Act 2016 - changes coming into effect

Immigration Act 2016 - changes coming into effect The first provisions within the Immigration Act 2016 are coming into force on 12 July. Find out what the changes mean for employers. NHS Employers

We need to talk about caring: dealing with difficult conversations

We need to talk about caring: dealing with difficult conversations This report summarises research looking at how and why families avoid talking about challenges they may face in older age. It draws on an online poll of 2,066 people conducted by ComRes and a series of focus groups and interviews. The research suggests that almost two thirds of those aged 65 and over have never had a conversation with their family about key issues including preferences for end of life care, where they would like to live if they can no longer live at home, and who will care for them. The report warns that by putting off difficult conversations about ageing, families risk making rushed decisions about care, health, housing and financial matters at times of crisis. Independent Age

Brexit FAQs

Brexit FAQs The NHS European Office has produced a set of frequently asked questions which relate to the potential implications of leaving the EU on the NHS. It covers the facts around issues such as compliance with EU laws and regulations, recruiting and retaining EU staff and accessing EU funding. NHS European Office

GPs need to improve services for children at risk

GPs need to improve services for children at risk GPs must improve how they deal with children at risk of harm and try to ensure they get better at identifying and listening to them, concludes a new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC has published a report Not seen, not heard looking at how effective health services are in providing early help to children in need, the health and wellbeing of looked-after children and how these services identify and protect children at risk of harm. OnMedica

See also:

• CQC demands greater GP role in child protection cases GP Online

GMC reassures EU doctors working in UK

GMC reassures EU doctors working in UK The doctors’ regulator the General Medical Council (GMC) has moved to reassure doctors originally from the European Union (EU) who are currently working in the UK about their registration.

There are currently around 19,000 doctors from the EEA (European Economic Area) working in the UK – around 8% of doctors licensed to practise here.

GMC chair Professor Terrance Stephenson has written a blog on the GMC’s website saying that the UK’s recent vote to leave the EU should not have any impact on the registration status of any doctor already on the medical register. OnMedica

Two people turn up to A&E every hour in mental health crisis

Two people turn up to A&E every hour in mental health crisis A Freedom of Information request was put into all 22 hospital trusts in the Midlands which have an A&E department asking - ‘How many people had turned up to their emergency department with a mental health problem between 2013 and 2016?’

Some said they did not record that kind of data, but 15 did get back to us with some interesting findings.

The results showed that, in the last three years, 63,782 people had turned up to an emergency department across the Midlands in a mental health crisis. On average, that works out at around two people every hour. ITV News

UK doctor prescribing cross-sex hormones to children as young as 12

UK doctor prescribing cross-sex hormones to children as young as 12 As charities call for NHS to lower age limit of 16 for hormones, parents are taking their children to private clinics for treatment

A doctor in Wales is prescribing cross-sex hormones to children as young as 12 who say they want to change sex, arguing that if they are confident of their gender identity they should not have to wait until 16 to get the treatment.

Helen Webberley, a GP in Wales, has set up a private gender clinic and recently started treating children, a “handful” of whom she has started on cross-sex hormones, including a 12-year-old. Continue reading... The Guardian

Sex education is 'unfit for the smartphone generation': Lack of information 'is causing a sexual health crisis among young people', charity warns

Sex education is 'unfit for the smartphone generation': Lack of information 'is causing a sexual health crisis among young people', charity warns Sex education is 'infrequent, poor quality, and almost never covers lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sex and relationships, or consent', a survey by the Terrence Higgins Trust revealed. The Daily Mail

Health tourists jump queue for cataract operations on NHS as British patients wait up to eight months

Health tourists jump queue for cataract operations on NHS as British patients wait up to eight months Health tourists are being given cataract surgery on the NHS ahead of British patients because their conditions are considered more of a priority, it has emerged.

Hundreds of people from countries including Zimbabwe and Nigeria have been offered the eye operationsbefore UK taxpayers, official figures show.

They have been fast-tracked by medics as their conditions are said to be "very complex and urgent", while some hospitals have waiting times of almost eight months. The Daily Telegraph