Friday 21 October 2016

Northampton nursing home that did not give residents enough to eat and dressed people in the ‘wrong clothes’ is closing

Northampton nursing home that did not give residents enough to eat and dressed people in the ‘wrong clothes’ is closing A home for the elderly in Northampton has revealed it is to close down shortly after receiving a shocking report from Government inspectors, which found some residents were losing weight and becoming dehydrated through poor care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health matters: reducing the burden of tuberculosis

Health matters: reducing the burden of tuberculosis This resource provides information on the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in England and calls to action for health professionals and local authorities. It outlines the actions that can be taken to further reduce TB incidence and associated health inequalities. Public Health England

Nursing workforce heading for 'perfect storm'

Nursing workforce heading for 'perfect storm' Data analysed by the RCN for its Labour Market Review and evidence to the NHS Pay Review Body reveals that half of nurses are aged 45 or over and within 10 years of being eligible for early retirement. Ten years ago just a third of the nursing workforce in England was aged 45 or over.

This means the health service will be more reliant than ever on finding new staff.

The research also highlights an unprecedented number of risk factors which will affect the future supply of safe staffing levels.

These include the ageing workforce, rising demand, uncoordinated workforce planning, changes to student nurse funding, real terms cuts to nurse pay and the impact of Brexit on international recruitment. Royal College of Nursing

See also:

Major variations in community stroke rehab, FoI reveals

Major variations in community stroke rehab, FoI reveals Stroke patients in England face hugely inconsistent care once they leave hospital, an audit of services by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy reveals.

Reforms in recent years ensure patients receive intensive rehabilitation in the immediate aftermath of their stroke before being discharged from hospital.

But many patients then have to wait weeks to see a physiotherapist to continue their rehabilitation, which potentially stalls their progress and even risks a deterioration in their condition.

Freedom of Information responses by NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) showed that in areas where patients could access an early supported discharge (ESD) service - or they were categorised as urgent - 97 per cent saw a physiotherapist within three days.

But where no such service existed, or they were considered non-urgent, just 15 per cent of patients were able to access community-based physio in less than a week.

See also:

A breath of fresh air: addressing climate change and air pollution together for health

A breath of fresh air: addressing climate change and air pollution together for health This report makes the case for much more integrated strategies to address air pollution and climate change. It argues that approaches to addressing both challenges simultaneously will create much greater health benefits and cost-savings than strategies which address them separately. UK Health Alliance on Climate Change

The future of commissioning

The future of commissioning As the NHS looks to transform to meet the rising demand and financial challenges, all parts of the system need to respond to support the drive to change. ‘The future of commissioning’ which was informed by interviews with CCG leaders and other key players in the health and care sector, is clear that we will continue to see an evolution in the commissioning system but that it remains a vital part of the health system that is focused on delivering for patients and local populations. NHS Clinical Commissioning 

Report highlights increased risk of pregnancy complications for women with diabetes

Report highlights increased risk of pregnancy complications for women with diabetes Many women with diabetes who become pregnant are at increased risk of complications because of a lack of preparation for pregnancy, according to a new report.

The National Pregnancy in Diabetes Audit 2015, published by NHS Digital, Diabetes UK and the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) found that few women with diabetes who become pregnant are well prepared, despite agreed national guidelines - resulting in increased risk of congenital abnormalities, stillbirth and large babies.

In search of a cure

In search of a cure BBC Radio 5 live finds out how patients fare when they go abroad in search on pioneering cancer treatments. BBC News

NHS pharmacy cuts: Tory ministers accused of piling even more pressure on A&Es

NHS pharmacy cuts: Tory ministers accused of piling even more pressure on A&Es Ministers were accused of piling more pressure on overcrowded GP surgeries and A&E departments after announcing cuts to pharmacies.

Opposition parties attacked the announcement that more than seven per cent will be slashed from funding for community pharmacies over the next two years, after weeks of speculation.

They said the reductions could trigger the closure of hundreds, if not thousands, of badly-needed high street pharmacies and were a “false economy”. The Independent

See also:

GPs face 'scandalous' 76% hike in CQC fees from 2017

GPs face 'scandalous' 76% hike in CQC fees from 2017 CQC fees could rise by £2,000 for a GP practice of average size from 2017 under proposals from the watchdog to increase charges levied from GPs sharply for the second year running. GP Online

Jeremy Hunt promises better mental health services for young people

Jeremy Hunt promises better mental health services for young people Provision for children and teenagers is the NHS’s biggest weakness, says health secretary, and more schools should have counsellors on site

Jeremy Hunt has promised to tackle “big problems” and failings in NHS services for children and young people with mental health problems, which he says are causing “too many tragedies”.

The health secretary singled out children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) as “the biggest single area of weakness in NHS provision at the moment” in an interview with the Health Service Journal. Continue reading... The Guardian

The night shift in A&E: a hellish blur where my best is never enough

The night shift in A&E: a hellish blur where my best is never enough Working overnight in a hospital is lonely and stressful, with not enough staff or beds for the queues of patients

It’s the start of my night shift in the district general hospital as the medical registrar. I’m on my own and I know it.

Like every night shift, I have no idea how I’m going to function effectively and people’s lives are in my hands. These thoughts are not new – I expect them – but each time they feel painfully new and unwelcome. I push down feelings of panic and remind myself that I have experience and training. I have done this, I can do this. Continue reading... The Guardian