Thursday 10 November 2016

New resources help nursing staff identify victims of domestic abuse

New resources help nursing staff identify victims of domestic abuse The RCN has developed new support to help nurses and midwives identify and care for patients who have experienced domestic abuse.

The resources are designed to assist nurses and midwives in supporting their patients and clients, but also recognise that nurses and midwives may themselves be victims of domestic abuse, with information about ways to seek help and tips for staying safe online.

The resources have been compiled by a panel of experts, including RCN members, and have information for nursing staff who may be the perpetrators of domestic abuse.

They also include the key indicators for identifying cases of domestic abuse, using NICE standards and links to UK-wide guidance and publications. Royal College of Nursing

WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience

WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience WHO has issued a new series of recommendations to improve quality of antenatal care in order to reduce the risk of stillbirths and pregnancy complications and give women a positive pregnancy experience.

Last year, an estimated 303 000 women died from pregnancy-related causes, 2.7 million babies died during the first 28 days of life and 2.6 million babies were stillborn. Quality health care during pregnancy and childbirth can prevent many of these deaths, yet globally only 64% of women receive antenatal (prenatal) care four or more times throughout their pregnancy.

Antenatal care is a critical opportunity for health providers to deliver care, support and information to pregnant women. This includes promoting a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition; detecting and preventing diseases; providing family planning counselling and supporting women who may be experiencing intimate partner violence.  World Health Organization

Hospital admissions hit record high as population ages

Hospital admissions hit record high as population ages Hospital admissions in England rose to record levels last year, with 16.2 million admissions during 2015-16 - up from 12.7 million ten years ago.

Patients aged 65 to 69 - so called "baby boomers" - made up the single largest group of patientsa, with some 1.3 million admissions in 2015-16, according to figures released by NHS Digital.

See also:

STPs 'vital' for future of NHS, Jeremy Hunt tells health leaders

STPs 'vital' for future of NHS, Jeremy Hunt tells health leaders It is ‘vital’, said the health secretary, that ‘we stick with’ the plans to implement the NHS’ Five Year Forward View to move the service ‘towards accountable care organisations’ and a more preventative approach.

Mr Hunt’s comments to health leaders at the annual conference of the King’s Fund thinktank on Wednesday came amid mounting criticism of the STP process. GP Online

Plan launched to standardise mortality review in hospitals

Plan launched to standardise mortality review in hospitals A new programme has been launched to standardised the way hospitals review adult deaths.

The Royal College of Physicians’ National Mortality Case Record Review Programme will focus on investigating adult deaths in hospitals to understand where the weaknesses might be in particular systems, and to identify areas for quality improvement.

Most people who die in hospital have had good care, but research shows that between 10% and 15% have some sort of problem in their care, and around 3% of deaths might have been avoided.

The aim will be to replace the current varied systems with a single, standardised, national, evidence-based method, for mortality review in every acute hospital. OnMedica

NHS trusts on course to overshoot budgets by £850m, figures suggest

NHS trusts on course to overshoot budgets by £850m, figures suggest Overspend is projected to be more than three times the sum health bosses have deemed acceptable, according to the Health Service Journal

NHS hospital trusts are on course to overshoot their budgets by £850m this year, more than three times the deficit health service bosses said was acceptable, research has shown.

Such an overspend would be a setback for NHS England’s chief executive, Simon Stevens, and Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, as they have pledged to ensure that trusts end the year no more than £250m in the red. 'Continue reading... The Guardian

How apps can help patients take care of themselves

How apps can help patients take care of themselves Digital tech allowing patients to manage long-term health conditions is saving the NHS cash and transforming lives

In a shed next to his Portsmouth home, former soldier Paul Quinn plugs into state-of-the-art technology, costing only £20 and operated through his iPad, to manage his chronic, life-threatening respiratory disease. He exercises there with his wife Elizabeth, guided by printouts of routines he has pasted to the walls.

Since the 64-year-old started using the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management app he has lost weight, his depression has lifted, he sees his GP once a year (compared with twice-monthly visits previously) and he has not needed hospital treatment for 18 months. Quinn says he has his life back. This is not what he expected three years ago after developing acute breathing problems and being diagnosed with COPD. At that time he was handed an end-of-life pamphlet. Continue reading... The Guardian

One in ten NHS doctors in London turn to alcohol and drugs in bid to battle burnout

One in ten NHS doctors in London turn to alcohol and drugs in bid to battle burnout Thousands of doctors have turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with burnout and bullying at work, one of Britain’s leading GPs has revealed.

A unit set up to help medics with job-related mental health problems found more than a quarter were relying on drinking and prescription medication in order to deal with stress.

Dr Clare Gerada, head of the Practitioner Health Programme and former Chair of the Royal College of GPs, warned that working in the NHS is currently “an occupational hazard”, and that without action there “won’t be the staff to work in it”. The Daily Telegraph