Winter vomiting bug warning from Northampton hospital after outbreak in neighbouring county

Winter vomiting bug warning from Northampton hospital after outbreak in neighbouring county Health chiefs at Northampton General Hospital have issued a warning about the winter vomiting bug after reports of an outbreak in a nearby town. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New report highlights gaps in healthcare for increasing number of patients living with multiple conditions

New report highlights gaps in healthcare for increasing number of patients living with multiple conditions This report reviews how effectively the current health system serves patients living with multiple long-term conditions and explores the experiences of these patients. It highlights the barriers that prevent the quality of their care improving such as lack of time and resources for GPs and provides recommendations to overcome these barriers. The report also recommends improving communication between primary and secondary care; increasing exposure of delivering care for those with multimorbidity in GP training; and developing improved decision making tools. Royal College of General Practitioners

The missing million: a practical guide to identifying and talking about loneliness

The missing million: a practical guide to identifying and talking about loneliness There are an estimated 1,100,000 people who are 65 and over who are chronically lonely and difficult to reach. This guide aims to support commissioners, service providers, front line staff and volunteers in identifying people who experience or are at risk of experience loneliness. It also provides recommendations on how best to engage in a dialogue about loneliness and offers examples of effective approaches to supporting older people. Campaign to End Loneliness

In the red: student nurse debt

In the red: student nurse debt This report finds that two thirds of NHS students have had to take on work on top of their studies in order to supplement their income. The proportion of medical and health students taking on extra jobs has risen from 61 per cent to 68 per cent in the last decade and 64 per cent of those surveyed say that working these extra hours is affecting their ability to study. Unison

'War on superbugs' like E.coli announced by government

'War on superbugs' like E.coli announced by government The government has announced a new war against superbugs like E.coli, which are increasing in number. BBC News

Thousands of NHS staff may have paid too much tax

Thousands of NHS staff may have paid too much tax Thousands of NHS workers could have overpaid thousands in income tax and National Insurance, the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme understands.

The error, which dates back to 1999, applies to certain NHS employees who did Widening Access Training (WAT).

Some workers have received rebates of up to £24,000, but others complain they have struggled to get any response from tax authority HMRC or their NHS trust.

HMRC said it was working closely with NHS trusts to get refunds paid. BBC News

NHS seeks to reduce winter deaths as sub-zero weather looms across UK

NHS seeks to reduce winter deaths as sub-zero weather looms across UK Campaign urges people with long-term health conditions and over-65s to take preventive steps as protection against freezing temperatures

Sub-zero temperatures are expected to sweep across Britain this week after the first cold snap of the year, prompting warnings that vulnerable people should prepare for a freezing winter.

The chilly weather coincides with the launch of a major NHS campaign urging people with long-term health conditions and the over-65s to take action in an effort to reduce the 25,000 extra deaths that occur each winter. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Over-65s advised to eat hot meals to cope with winter BBC News
• Self-care could cut need for millions of GP visits BBC News
• NHS is ridiculed for its 'patronising' advice as it aims to avoid a winter crisis The Daily Mail
• Millions of patients putting strain on NHS with minor ailments The Guardian
• Millions seek treatment for ‘minor conditions’ putting strain on NHS The Independent

Will the cultural chasm between NHS and local government threaten plans?

Will the cultural chasm between NHS and local government threaten plans? Tensions and conflicts are emerging between health bosses and their town hall counterparts over STPs

Serious tensions are emerging between the health service and local government.

There are three sources of conflict – centrally-imposed secrecy over the sustainability and transformation plan (STP) process, whether the aim of STPs is to fix the NHS or develop an integrated health and care system, and disputes over whether the financial plans being sent to NHS England are fact or fantasy. Continue reading... The Guardian

Health secretary says problems with NHS are 'not just about money'

Health secretary says problems with NHS are 'not just about money' Jeremy Hunt plays down row over government’s disputed claim that health service will get £10bn extra funding

Jeremy Hunt has sought to play down a row about the amount of new funding available for the NHS, saying the health service’s challenges are not just about money.

The health secretary was challenged by the BBC’s Andrew Marr over the gulf between the government’s claim that the NHS had been awarded an additional £10bn of funding, and estimates by independent organisations that have put the “true” figure at about £4.5bn. Continue reading... The Guardian

Dangerous truth about nursing on the cheap

Dangerous truth about nursing on the cheap Handing out a pill is easy, writes Dr Max Pemberton. The tricky part is realising when the dose is wrong or understanding when it’s vital that drugs are given at a certain time. The Daily Mail

A&E units left in the hands of junior doctors with a year's experience, investigation finds

A&E units left in the hands of junior doctors with a year's experience, investigation finds NHS Accident & Emergency departments are being run with no consultants present for more than 40 per cent of the time, an audit has found.

At some units, the most senior person on duty is a junior doctor who finished medical school the previous year, the figures show.

Others have relied on GPs to stand in for hospital consultants, the Daily Telegraph investigation reveals.