Monday 3 October 2016

Top bosses at charity hospital in Northampton paid £1.9m

Top bosses at charity hospital in Northampton paid £1.9m Seven executives at a charitable hospital in Northampton were each paid more than £200,000 last year, latest accounts show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health experts launch campaign to get people in Northamptonshire to get the flu jab

Health experts launch campaign to get people in Northamptonshire to get the flu jab Thousands of people in Northampton whose lives could be at risk from flu are being urged by health leaders at NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to protect themselves as early as possible with a free flu jab. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

No easy solutions for workforce development

No easy solutions for workforce development Our latest quarterly monitoring report underlined how much pressure the NHS is under. Responses to this pressure are developing at extraordinary pace. Earlier this year, the ‘footprints’ for sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) were agreed in a matter of weeks, the draft plans just a few weeks later, and we expect plans to be finalised in October. The mechanism by which Sustainability and Transformation Fund money can be ‘switched off’ if trusts miss their quarterly financial targets maintains a sense of urgent pace. The King's Fund

Guidance: OAPs in mental health services for adults in acute inpatient care

Guidance: OAPs in mental health services for adults in acute inpatient care The government has set a national ambition to eliminate inappropriate out of area placements (OAPs) in mental health services for adults in acute inpatient care by 2020 to 2021.

This definition of OAPs has been developed following significant stakeholder engagement to enable progress against the ambition to be monitored. It is aimed at providers, commissioners and users of local adult inpatient acute mental health services in England.

It is intended to support providers and commissioners in accurately monitoring and reducing their use of OAPs and to help providers submit accurate information on OAPs to national data collections. It will also be of interest to individuals using mental health services and who may be placed out of area for their care. Department of Health

Knowing you’re not alone: understanding peer support for stroke survivors

Knowing you’re not alone: understanding peer support for stroke survivors Stroke Association Voluntary Groups (SAVGs) are volunteer-led, peer support groups based in local communities across the UK. Through the support they offer, SAVGs aim to improve outcomes for stroke survivors and the people who care for them. The Nuffield Trust was commissioned by the Stroke Association to independently evaluate the impact of the groups.

Inequalities in mental health, cognitive impairement and dementia among older people

Inequalities in mental health, cognitive impairement and dementia among older people This report focuses on inequalities in the experience and prevalence of poor mental health, cognitive impairment and dementia and the impact of social isolation, lack of mental stimulation and physical activity, before and after retirement, and in later old age. If finds that these issues can exacerbate the risks of poor mental health, cognitive impairment and dementia in later life and are experienced disproportionately by people in lower socio economic groups. It also provides a brief summary of life course social determinants that increase the risk of poor mental health, early onset of cognitive decline and the symptoms of dementia. UCL Institute of Health Equity

Mental health campaign Time To Change gets £20m boost

Mental health campaign Time To Change gets £20m boost A campaign that aims to tackle the stigma around mental health is given £20m in funding from the Department of Health, Comic Relief and Big Lottery Fund. BBC News

Employment and Support Allowance: Re-tests axed for chronically ill claimants

Employment and Support Allowance: Re-tests axed for chronically ill claimants Tens of thousands of people claiming the main benefit for long-term sickness will no longer face repeated medical assessments to keep their payments. BBC News

Animal TB threatens human health say vets and doctors

Animal TB threatens human health say vets and doctors Animal tuberculosis, which is spread through contaminated food, is a greater threat to human health than previously realised, leading doctors and vets warn. BBC News

Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey Paints A Bleak Picture Of The Mental Health Of The Nation - Huffington Post UK

Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey Paints A Bleak Picture Of The Mental Health Of The Nation NHS Digital released the findings for the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, which paints a picture of the mental health of people living in England.


This survey is of the utmost importance. It gives the most comprehensive picture possible of the state of the country’s mental health.

The seven years since the last Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey has seen the start of a major change in the way our society views mental health. A notable shift in public attitudes towards mental health is underway, and mental health issues are now widely recognised. Huffington Post UK

Quarter of a million children receiving mental health care in England

Quarter of a million children receiving mental health care in England Data covering 60% of mental health trusts shows 11,849 boys and girls aged five and under among those getting help

Almost a quarter of a million children and young people are receiving help from NHS mental health services for problems such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders, figures show.

The scale of the growing crisis in young people’s mental wellbeing is laid bare with the disclosure that 235,189 people aged 18 and under get specialist care, according to data covering 60% of mental health trusts in England. Continue reading... The Guardian

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The doctor will see you now… on your smartphone

The doctor will see you now… on your smartphone Apps can give you a GP consultation in minutes, but at what cost to the health service?

One Friday afternoon, I decided to check out a pea-sized lump on my neck that was causing me consternation. I started by calling my GP’s surgery in south London. A recorded message informed me there were no appointments that day; after a few minutes, a receptionist came on the line and said that I could have an appointment on Monday. Not too bad, I thought, until I realised she was not talking about the Monday three days hence, but the one 10 days away. Not so good. I could also try for a walk-in slot or a phone consultation from 8am to 10am on weekday mornings.

At this point, I downloaded the app from Babylon Health, one of the leaders in online doctor consultations, on to my smartphone. The homepage was purple and teal, the writing welcomingly blobby. I tapped on “check a symptom” and after half-a-dozen questions, it suggested that I “book a consultation”. I was offered a choice between a GP, a specialist or a therapist. The appointment could be on the phone or a video call.

We are going to put an affordable health service into the hands of every person on Earth Continue reading... The Guardian

Scientists searching for HIV cure are close to breakthrough

Scientists searching for HIV cure are close to breakthrough Scientists from five of Britain's top universities have collaborated with the NHS to launch the pioneering treatment described as 'one of the first serious attempts at a full cure for HIV'. The Daily Mail

Investigation finds online pharmacies 'freely' prescribing antibiotics

Investigation finds online pharmacies 'freely' prescribing antibiotics An investigation has been launched after online pharmacies were accused of over prescribing antibiotics to undercover reporters.

The General Medical Council (GMC) launched the probe based on evidence collected by BBC Radio 5 live, and said that "the overprescribing of antibiotics risks the health of us all".

The investigation looked at 17 UK-based pharmacies selling antibiotics online and in one case a reporter posing as a patient was issued with three prescriptions in the space of just 24 hours. The Daily Telegraph

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Zika outbreak: Where is the virus spreading?

Zika outbreak: Where is the virus spreading? Zika has shocked the world with its rapid growth, as well as its suspected link with microcephaly, a disease that can cause brain damage in babies.

The mosquito-borne virus, that arrived in Brazil last May, has found its way into 40 other countries in the Americas - now including Florida in the USA.

The World Health Organisation has now issued a warning that it could spread to Europe in the summer months. The Daily Telegraph

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