Men dominate the top jobs in Northamptonshire - Chron investigation reveals - with one NHS body paying women £14k less on average

Men dominate the top jobs in Northamptonshire -  Chron investigation reveals - with one NHS body paying women £14k less on average An investigation by the Chronicle & Echo has revealed that the average pay for women on a number of local authorities in Northamptonshire is up to £14,800 less than for men.

The figures was compiled using a number of Freedom of Information requests.

Our investigation looked at the differences in average pay of male and female employees – it was not the case that women were paid less than men for doing the same job. What it did show, however, was that the top roles, and therefore the highest paid, were largely dominated by men. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

New £12 million unit to ease pressure on Northampton A&E set to open by summer 2018

New £12 million unit to ease pressure on Northampton A&E set to open by summer 2018 Construction work on a new £12 million emergency assessment centre at Northampton General Hospital is due to start in the summer. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

General Election 2017: What lies ahead for health and social care?

General Election 2017: What lies ahead for health and social care? A review of the election and how the NHS might feature from the The Health Foundation

Integrating health and social care

Integrating health and social care This report investigates the Better Care Fund and concludes that it has missed targets for reducing emergency admissions and delayed transfers of care. Public Accounts Select Committee

NHS ambulance services

NHS ambulance services This report finds that funding increases for the urgent and emergency services provided by ambulance trusts have not kept up with increasing demand; ambulance trusts increasingly struggle to meet response-time targets; and significant variations between trusts persist or have got worse as insufficient work has been done to understand and reduce variation. Public Accounts Select Committee

State of child health - short report series: the paediatric workforce

State of child health - short report series: the paediatric workforce This report sets out key findings from the biennial paediatric workforce census. It reveals that in the year to September 2015, shortages of nurses and/or doctors led to periods of closure to new admissions by 31 per cent of paediatric inpatient units and 41 per cent of neonatal units across the UK. It also highlights vacancies at both consultant and trainee levels, the low number of academic consultants and the fact that GPs and Practice Nurses have limited training in child health. It makes recommendations for immediate action on a number of fronts to address workforce pressures. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Cancer Drugs Fund 'huge waste of money'

Cancer Drugs Fund 'huge waste of money' The fund ran from 2010 to 2016, costing £1.27bn, following an election promise made by the Conservatives to pay for cancer drugs the NHS was not funding.


The researchers found only one in five of the treatments was of benefit.

But the Tories said the fund gave patients "precious extra time".

Nearly 100,000 patients received drugs under the scheme. It was run separately to the normal NHS process for assessing the effectiveness and affordability of new drugs, which is administered by a body called NICE. BBC News

See also:

• Do patient access schemes for high-cost cancer drugs deliver value to society?—lessons from the NHS Cancer Drugs Fund (open access) Annals of Oncology
• Are NHS patients getting the best medicines? BBC News
• £1.3bn NHS cancer drug fund 'doesn't help patient' The Daily Mail
• £1.27 billion Cancer Drugs Fund a political 'quick-fix' that harmed some patients, review finds The Daily Telegraph
• Cancer Drugs Fund condemned as expensive and ineffective The Guardian

Underfunding threatens to reverse progress on sexual health, GPs warn

Underfunding threatens to reverse progress on sexual health, GPs warn Years of progress in sexual and reproductive health that has seen teenage pregnancy rates halve over the last decade could be undone by bureaucratic and financial barriers, GPs have warned. GPonline

Fear of talking about dying 'leading to thousands of traumatic hospital deaths'

Fear of talking about dying 'leading to thousands of traumatic hospital deaths' Thousands of cancer patients would prefer to die at home but are forced to suffer “traumatic” deaths in hospital, according to Macmillan.

Taboos around talking about death are fuelling a “crisis of communication” in the UK that prevents people from planning their final days, warned the organisation in a new report.

Research by the charity found that while 38 per cent of people who die from cancer die in hospital, just one per cent would choose to do so, with 64 per cent saying they wanted to die at home. The Independent

Fallen at home? Firefighter service eases pressure on ambulances

Fallen at home? Firefighter service eases pressure on ambulances Telecare scheme in Wolverhampton sees the fire brigade respond to calls from older people who have fallen at home

It’s 9.30am on a sunny spring day in Wolverhampton. Three firefighters are in the mess at one of the city’s fire stations when a screeching alarm pierces the air. The team jumps up and leaps into a kitted-out 4x4. Instead of speeding down roads with blaring sirens and lights, however, they travel to their destination without breaking the speed limit. And when they arrive at the house, there’s no fire to put out.

Inside, they find a woman in her 90s who has fallen out of bed and can’t get up. She is scared and distraught. She pleads with them not to take her to hospital. One of them reassures her while the others assess her surroundings and whether they need to call an ambulance. They help her up, make sure she’s OK and leave. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS needs £25bn in emergency cash, Theresa May told

NHS needs £25bn in emergency cash, Theresa May told Group representing NHS trusts demands end to austerity funding, warning quality of care will suffer without extra funding

NHS leaders are urging Theresa May to give the health service an emergency cash injection of £25bn before 2020 or risk a decline in the quality of care for patients and lengthening delays for treatment.

An influential group representing NHS trusts says that the care provided by hospitals and GP surgeries will suffer over the next few years unless the prime minister provides an £5bn a year for the next three years – and a further £10bn of capital for modernising equipment and buildings. Continue reading... The Guardian

Drug 100 times stronger than heroin arrives in Britain and causes six deaths

Drug 100 times stronger than heroin arrives in Britain and causes six deaths A synthetic opioid that is 100 times more powerful than heroin is being added to batches of the street drug and is thought to have claimed the lives of at least six addicts in recent weeks.

Fentanyl - which was blamed for the death of the pop star Prince year - and carfentanyl has been detected in heroin that is being sold in the north of England. The Daily Telegraph

Accepting the unacceptable? A physician’s perspective on frontline care

Accepting the unacceptable? A physician’s perspective on frontline care Elin Roddy is a respiratory and general physician at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Here she shares the challenges and pressures of delivering care in a busy hospital, ahead of of the publication of a report by The King's Fund on organising care at the NHS front line.

Concerns persist over patients' access to GPs and staffing levels

Concerns persist over patients' access to GPs and staffing levels The Public Accounts Committee report says Government pushing ahead with extended hours plan without real understanding of issues.

See also:

• Millions failed by NHS GPs who shut in the afternoon The Daily Mail
• Almost half of GP surgeries close during work hours, MP committee finds The Daily Telegraph
• Patients struggling to get GP appointments, watchdog finds The Guardian

'Exciting' blood test spots cancer a year early

'Exciting' blood test spots cancer a year early Doctors have spotted cancer coming back up to a year before normal scans in an "exciting" discovery.

The UK team was able to scour the blood for signs of cancer while it was just a tiny cluster of cells invisible to X-ray or CT scans.

It should allow doctors to hit the tumour earlier and increase the chances of a cure.

They also have new ideas for drugs after finding how unstable DNA fuels rampant cancer development.

The research project was on lung cancer, but the processes studied are so fundamental that they should apply across all cancer types. BBC News

Plain cigarette packs may be helping to drive down smoking prevalence

Plain cigarette packs may be helping to drive down smoking prevalence Plain standardised cigarette packs may already be helping to drive down smoking prevalence, suggests a review of the published evidence to date by the Cochrane Library.

The findings come as plain packs become the norm in the UK next month under the terms of the revised Tobacco Products Directive after retailers were given a year from May 2016 to sell off their old stock.

From May 21, all packs sold in the UK must be of a uniform colour, and in some cases, shape, with no logos apart from health warnings and other government information, while the brand name will have to appear in a prescribed font, colour, and size. Graphic health warnings will increase in size and will have to appear on the front as well as the back of packs. OnMedica

Tranexamic acid: Low-cost drug could save 30,000 women a year from bleeding to death in childbirth

Tranexamic acid: Low-cost drug could save 30,000 women a year from bleeding to death in childbirth A low-cost, widely-available drug could save the lives of tens of thousands of women a year if given quickly to new mothers who suffer deadly bleeding, researchers have found.

Severe bleeding after childbirth, or post-partum haemorrhage, is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Around 100,000 women die each year from the complication.

A new global study published in The Lancet found deaths caused by bleeding reduced by a third when women were giving tranexamic acid within three hours of the onset of the haemorrhage. The Independent

Children's hospital units forced to close to new patients due to staff shortages

Children's hospital units forced to close to new patients due to staff shortages Lack of paediatric doctors and nurses across the UK also means care children receive is at risk, says the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Hospital units that treat children and very sick babies are having to shut their doors temporarily to new patients because they are “dangerously” short of specialist staff, a new report reveals.

Widespread shortages of paediatric doctors and nurses also means that the care children receive is being put at risk, according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Continue reading The Guardian

To be human to another human – this is why we nurse

To be human to another human – this is why we nurse Four nurses explain the moments that brought home why they went into the profession

A patient of mine had come into A&E because he wasn’t feeling well. The trouble with aneurysms is they aren’t always obvious, sometimes you might just feel a bit of back pain. He was sent for a scan, but went into cardiac arrest before he went in.

Those kind of situations affirm to you that you can do this. It’s not just a job – it’s a vocation. Continue reading... The Guardian

Andy Burnham demands NHS contaminated blood inquiry

Andy Burnham demands NHS contaminated blood inquiry Outgoing Labour MP says there was an industrial-scale cover-up over infection of haemophiliacs with HIV and hepatitis

Andy Burnham used his last speech as an MP to demand an inquiry into a “criminal cover-up on an industrial scale” in the NHS over the historic use of contaminated blood.

Burnham, who is resigning as an MP to stand as Labour’s candidate to be the mayor of Manchester, threatened to pass evidence to the police if the government failed to act. He said that MPs including himself had failed thousands of patients involved. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS trust investigate 51 other 'serious incidents'

NHS trust investigate 51 other 'serious incidents' Rhiannon Stanton-Davies' daughter passed away at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust in 2009 and she claims it has not learned from its failures. New data shows the true scale of the crisis. The Daily Mail

NHS managers have helped fuel bed blocking crisis

NHS managers have helped fuel bed blocking crisis The Better Care Fund was set up in 2013 to help reduce the number of elderly people having to stay needlessly in hospital, but the costs have actually risen. The Daily Mail

NHS funding squeeze could see drugs firms leave Britain, pharmaceutical industry warns

NHS funding squeeze could see drugs firms leave Britain, pharmaceutical industry warns The world's biggest drugs firms could abandon Britain and delay launching medicines unless an extra £20 billion is pumped into the NHS, according to a leading pharmaceutical association.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is demanding an increase in health spending from 9.9 per cent to 11 per cent of GDP in "detailed" election campaign requests, which has prompted criticism of "special pleading" from Tory MPs.

Lisa Anson, the new president of the ABPI, suggested that a funding squeeze on the health service could lead to an exodus of drugs firms from Britain, The Times reports.

Ms Anson, who is also the head of drugs firm AstraZeneca, also said the future of the £30 billion life sciences sector could be in jeopardy. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Drug giants threaten to abandon the UK The Daily Mail

Confessions Of A Junior Doctor shows impact of A&E crisis

Confessions Of A Junior Doctor shows impact of A&E crisis Junior doctors have been filmed making potentially life-threatening errors during patient assessments - which they made while ‘under pressure’ to free up hospital beds.

A revealing TV documentary will this week expose the impact that the A+E crisis is having on Britain’s youngest doctors, as they make a series of errors when their hospital in Northampton reaches full capacity and becomes ‘completely stretched’. The Daily Mail

Proposal for KGH extension moves one step closer

Proposal for KGH extension moves one step closer A bid to build an extension to KGH has taken a step forward. Northamptonshire Telegraph

What does improving population health really mean?

What does improving population health really mean? Everybody in NHS policy seems to be talking about population health. New care models are being developed to improve population health.

Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) – the local plans for redesigning NHS and social care services – will, we are told, develop into partnerships to improve population health. And health care leaders in other countries, such as the United States, are also using the language of population health to define the aims of their health systems. But what does improving population health really mean? And what does it mean for the NHS? The King's Fund

DH publishes response to 'safe space'

DH publishes response to 'safe space' The Department of Health (DH) has published a response to the providing a 'safe space' in healthcare safety investigations consultation. NHS Employers

The impact of housing problems on mental health

The impact of housing problems on mental health This report, conducted with ComRes, reveals that over the last five years one in five adults suffer mental health problems due to housing pressures. The research also surveyed the experiences of 20 GPs who highlighted the number of patients diagnosed with anxiety or depression directly due to housing issues and that GPs required greater help to support patients with housing problems. Shelter

Updated confidentiality guidance comes into force for doctors

Updated confidentiality guidance comes into force for doctors All doctors practising medicine in the UK are now expected to follow revised, expanded and restructured General Medical Council (GMC) ethical guidance on confidentiality.

Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information has been updated following an extensive consultation exercise, and is now more explicit than previously published guidance* about working with patients. General Medical Council

General election 2017: Labour promises pay rises for NHS staff

General election 2017: Labour promises pay rises for NHS staff NHS staff will get higher pay and there will be no tuition fees for student nurses and midwives under a Labour government, the party is promising.

Labour said the policies would help address staffing shortages in England that had become a "threat to patients".

The promises mark the first of what are expected to be a series of policy announcements on the NHS by Labour.

But the Conservatives said Labour's nonsensical economic policies would put the health service at risk. BBC News

See also:

• Theresa May hints at social care manifesto pledge as she says 'we can't duck the issue' The Daily Telegraph

Scientists create 'artificial womb' that could save premature babies' lives

Scientists create 'artificial womb' that could save premature babies' lives Extremely premature babies could be kept alive in future using an “artificial womb” that scientists plan to test in humans after a successful study involving unborn lambs.

A plastic bag filled with artificial amniotic fluid – the nutrient-rich liquid that sustains a foetus in the womb – allowed foetal lambs to develop at an age equivalent to 23 weeks in humans.

Human infants born at 23 weeks have just a 15 per cent chance of survival, according to pregnancy research charity Tommy’s. This rises to 55 per cent at 24 weeks, while babies born at 25 weeks have an 80 per cent chance of survival. The Independent

Burnout, depression and anxiety – why the NHS has a problem with staff health

Burnout, depression and anxiety – why the NHS has a problem with staff health Despite efforts from NHS England to improve the wellbeing of its staff, progress has been inconsistent and employee ill-health remains widespread

When Laura-Jane Smith took time out of her clinical training for a PhD, she found she was constantly unhappy, and suffered from palpitations, nausea, severe headaches, and breathlessness among other physical symptoms.

The hospital doctor’s days were dominated by negative thoughts. She recalls: “I once walked for 30 minutes with ‘I hate my life. I hate my life’ on a loop of internal monologue that I feared had no end.” Eventually, Smith was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and ended up leaving the PhD. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Has the public sector lost the human touch? The Guardian

How a digital NHS saves time and money – and transforms care | Afzal Chaudhry

How a digital NHS saves time and money – and transforms care Our hospital trust has introduced systems that released appointments and allow staff to spend more quality time with patients

Imagine this scenario: a patient arrives at hospital for an appointment or an emergency, or is admitted for treatment and the clinical team can see their medical record in its entirety, wherever and whenever they need to.

At Cambridge University hospitals NHS foundation trust, that is what we set out to achieve when, seven years ago, we decided to invest in a sustainable digital future for our hospitals. Rather than relying on paper-based processes and simply replacing outdated technology as it became obsolete, we wanted to transform the way we care for our patients.

The EPR has 3,200 concurrent users and every single one looks at the most up-to-date version of patient records Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• How apps can help patients take care of themselves The Guardian

Complexity of health system is 'holding back progress' in HIV care

Complexity of health system is 'holding back progress' in HIV care The complexity of the health system in England is holding back progress in meeting the needs of people with HIV, according to a new report from The King’s Fund.

The report highlights how improvements in treatment mean that, 30 years on from being seen as a death sentence, people with HIV are able to live longer, healthier lives. This means that for the first time we are seeing significant numbers of older people with the condition; already, 30 per cent of people with HIV are aged 50 or over and this is projected to rise to 54 per cent by 2028.

Because of this, health services need to focus on quality of life rather than just on suppressing the virus, and also need to co-ordinate care with that for other long-term conditions common in older people.

The risks of Valproate medicines in female patients

The risks of Valproate medicines in female patients There is a 30% to 40% risk of developmental disorders in children born to mothers who take Valproate medicines during pregnancy. GPs should identify female patients on Valproate medicines and arrange discussions with healthcare professionals about the benefits and risks. NHS England

Focus on: emergency hospital care for children and young people: what has changed in the past 10 years?

Focus on: emergency hospital care for children and young people: what has changed in the past 10 years? This report draws on emergency hospital admissions data and finds that the number of babies and young children admitted to hospital in an emergency has grown by almost a third over the past decade. The analysis reveals that many children are being admitted to hospital for conditions like asthma and tonsillitis – admissions that could potentially have been avoided with better care and support out of hospital. The report raises questions about where children and young people can access high quality treatment outside of the hospital emergency care setting. Quality Watch

Health care costs in the English NHS

Health care costs in the English NHS This paper describes how to calculate average health care costs broken down by age, sex and neighbourhood deprivation quintile group using the distribution of health care spending by the English NHS in the financial year 2011/12. Centre for Health Economics

Inside a neonatal intensive care unit

Inside a neonatal intensive care unit What does it take to care for the sickest premature babies? 5 live takes a look inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Burnley General hospital. BBC News

Mental health funding cut by millions in five regions despite NHS England call for £1 billion to be spent by 2021

Mental health funding cut by millions in five regions despite NHS England call for £1 billion to be spent by 2021 Spending on mental health services is being cut in five regions of England, new figures have revealed – despite Government pledges to “transform” the way mental health problems are dealt with.

Theresa May has promised to tackle the “stigma” around mental health and NHS England said in February last year an extra £1 billion a year should be invested in mental health services by 2021.

But clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Sefton, Scarborough, the Isle of Wight, St Helens and Walsall are set to reduce spending on mental health by £4.5m, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by Pulse magazine. The Independent

It's a deadly fallacy that eating disorders are a teenage illness

It's a deadly fallacy that eating disorders are a teenage illness Most patients with an eating disorder are adults. The lack of specialist services could prove fatal

Sophie* developed an eating disorder when she was 11 years old. With the help of child eating disorder services, she got better and by the age of 16 had achieved a stable weight. But her A-levels proved tough and she relapsed. This time, she had to face the challenge of navigating adult eating disorder services as a vulnerable teenager. When she was finally referred to me nearly eight months after her relapse, she was 19 years old with a BMI of nine.

I worked as a consultant psychiatrist in child eating disorders before moving to adult services in Oxford. When the government announced in the Five Year Forward View a £30m investment for eating disorders in child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) each year until 2021, I was delighted. We know early intervention offers the best chance of recovery and it’s great to see that 66 new specialist services have been set up across the country. Continue reading... The Guardian

GPs can inform DVLA if patients are unfit to drive

GPs can inform DVLA if patients are unfit to drive Family doctors can now report patients they believe are unfit to drive – without telling them first.

Tough new guidance, which comes into force today, says GPs have a duty to inform the authorities if a patient is driving against medical advice.

They no longer need a patient’s consent to alert the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The Daily Mail

Cancer patients diagnosed in A&E after being repeatedly rejected by their GPs, research warns

Cancer patients diagnosed in A&E after being repeatedly rejected by their GPs, research warns Thousands of people are being diagnosed with late-stage cancer in A&E due to GPs repeatedly misreading their symptoms, new research warns.

Experts have described as “extremely concerning” new data revealing that among those who were diagnosed with the disease in an emergency setting, almost a quarter had visited their family doctor three or more times.

They included 31 per cent of breast cancer patients who had attended three or more appointments, and 41 per cent of those diagnosed with bowel cancer. The daily Telegraph

New strategy to boost health and fitness in East Northants

New strategy to boost health and fitness in East Northants A new strategy has been drawn up to improve healthy and active lifestyles in East Northants.

It is aimed at building a healthier and more active community through increased participation in sport, physical activity and active recreation.

Aims include getting ‘more people, more active, more often in East Northamptonshire’ as well as improved leisure facilities, developing sustainable plans for future leisure provision, an increase in the proportion of adults and children with a healthy weight and working with other groups to ensure greater access to activities. Northamptonshire Telegraph

News story: A&E departments to get more funding

News story: A&E departments to get more funding The Department of Health has announced the allocation of £55.98 million of the £100 million A&E capital funding, outlined in the spring Budget by the Chancellor, to ease pressure on emergency departments in time for next winter. The funding awarded at this stage is being allocated to 70 NHS hospitals.

The funding will be used by hospitals to meet the 95% standard of admitting, transferring, or discharging patients within 4 hours by ensuring patients are treated in the most appropriate setting.

The plans outlined by trusts include primary care streaming and co-locating GP practices within A&E departments to ensure patients are treated in the most appropriate setting.

This investment is one part of the A&E plan being implemented across the NHS this year to get performance to 95% during 2018.

Consultant job planning: a best practice guide

Consultant job planning: a best practice guide This guidance provides advice for trusts to ensure that their approach to consultant job planning is consistent with best practice. It recommends that annual job planning meetings for all consultants are used to review consultants' time and that there are adequate electronic data systems in place to record consultant job plans. NHS Improvement

Almost 3% of GP practices have closed or merged in past 15 months

Almost 3% of GP practices have closed or merged in past 15 months Nearly 3% of GP practices in England have closed or merged in the past 15 months, official NHS data suggest. GPonline

Almost untreatable superbug CPE poses serious threat to patients, doctors warn

Almost untreatable superbug CPE poses serious threat to patients, doctors warn Immune to some of the last-line antibiotics available to hospitals, cases of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are on the rise, NHS data reveals

• Read the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s report on the rise of CPE

Doctors are warning that the rise of an almost untreatable superbug, immune to some of the last-line antibiotics available to hospitals, poses a serious threat to patients. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Will 2017 be the year we take drug-resistant superbugs seriously? The Guardian
• Resistance isn’t futile – how to tackle drug-resistant superbugs The Guardian

Rise in hospital admissions for infants triggers call for NHS overhaul

Rise in hospital admissions for infants triggers call for NHS overhaul Report by thinktanks raises concerns about number of weaknesses in NHS care of children and young people

The number of infants admitted to hospital for emergency care for conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and jaundice has risen sharply in the past decade.

More young children are also ending up spending time in hospital being treated for tonsillitis, breathing problems, drug poisonings and infections, new NHS figures show. Continue reading... The Guardian

Are we ready for a grown-up election debate on the NHS and social care? | Niall Dickson

Are we ready for a grown-up election debate on the NHS and social care? | Niall Dickson Reform, funding, management – these are the issues NHS leaders want to see discussed in election campaigns

In an age when experts are no longer de rigeur, it may be asking too much for the political debate about the future of health and social care to be nuanced, balanced and informed. Were it to be so, it would surely be the first time we had achieved such dizzy heights in the bare knuckled fight of an election campaign.

So what would be good to hear? First, an acknowledgement that all the main parties are culpable for severe underfunding of social care – arguably both at national and local level. The additional sums announced in the budget are welcome but not sufficient. The government has promised fundamental reform but again all parties, including the Conservatives, have made such promises before and then failed to deliver. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS obesity operations up 500% in a decade

NHS obesity operations up 500% in a decade There were 6,438 gastric band procedures last year, up 520 per cent in a decade. Telford and Wrekin in the West Midlands perform the most gastric bypass procedures in England. The Daily Mail

Surrey hospital ignored warnings about a rogue consultant

Surrey hospital ignored warnings about a rogue consultant Bosses at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill took five years to act, only suspending the consultant in late 2013, by which time at least 27 men had suffered ‘serious significant harm’. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Shrewsbury trust warned over baby heart monitoring in 2007 BBC News
• 'Hopeless': how senior doctor described NHS maternity unit's testing regime The Guardian

NHS tried to dodge vaginal mesh implant backlash

NHS tried to dodge vaginal mesh implant backlash A meeting between the MHRA and NHS England officials show an agreement to 'take the press element out of' a campaign for women reporting complications from the devices. The Daily Mail

See also:

• NHS and medical devices regulator tried to limit scandal over vaginal mesh implants The Guardian

Medical marijuana prescribed to 11-year-old boy on the NHS in first case of its kind

Medical marijuana prescribed to 11-year-old boy on the NHS in first case of its kind Medicinal marijuana has been prescribed on the NHS to an 11-year-old boy in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.

Billy Caldwell had been travelling to the USA to get the medication for help to treat his epilepsy which at its worst saw him suffer up to 100 life-threatening fits a day.

But when his supply of cannabis oil was about to run out and he was unable to make the return trip to Los Angeles, his mother Charlotte took him to see his local GP in desperation.

Dr Brendan O’Hare, realising the “unique and unusual” situation, opted to prescribe him the CBD oil - a derivative of cannabis containing the component cannabidiol which under MHRA guidelines doctors are allowed to prescribe. The Daily Telegraph

Hundreds of lives lost after delays in hip operations, study finds

Hundreds of lives lost after delays in hip operations, study finds Almost 700 people may have died after their hip surgery was wrongly delayed, a study has found.

Researchers in Bristol found the lives of hundreds of patients with hipfractures could be saved if they were operated on in under 24 hours.

The number of patients who died after 30 days was eight per cent higher for those who received surgery between 24 and 36 hours after admission to hospital, the study found.

The delay is thought to have caused more than 670 deaths in four years. If patients were operated on more than 48 hours after admission, the risk of death increases to 20 per cent, according to the research. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Early hip fracture surgery will save hundreds of lives BBC News

Northampton General Hospital 'overwhelmed' by messages of support following warts-and-all junior doctors documentary

Northampton General Hospital 'overwhelmed' by messages of support following warts-and-all junior doctors documentary Following a plucky Channel 4 documentary that saw film crews gain unparalleled access to Northampton General Hospital bosses have said they have been inundated with messages of support on social media. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health minister visits KGH after trust placed into special measures

Health minister visits KGH after trust placed into special measures The Minister of State at the Department of Health, MP Philip Dunne, visited KGH on Thursday after its recent CQC report.

Mr Dunne took time to speak to staff and directors as well as meeting with local MPs and Conservative colleagues Philip Hollobone, Peter Bone and Tom Pursglove.

The visit comes after the hospital was placed into special measures when it was rated as inadequate by the health regulators. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Childhood mortality in England and Wales: 2015

Childhood mortality in England and Wales: 2015 2015 saw the first increase in the infant mortality rate in England and Wales since 2006. The rate rose to 3.7 deaths per 1,000 births from the record low of 3.6 in 2014, but it remains low in historical terms. There are many risk factors contributing to infant mortality such as birthweight, mother’s age at birth of child, and the parents’ socio-economic status. Office for National Statistics

See also:

• Infant deaths rise for first time since 2003 says ONS The Daily Mail

Shops agree to limit sugary drinks sales in hospitals

Shops agree to limit sugary drinks sales in hospitals The NHS in England wants to reduce sugar intake by patients and staff to reduce health problems.

WHSmith, Marks & Spencer, Subway and Greggs have all agreed to cut the proportion of sugary drinks they sell in their hospital shops in England.

NHS England has asked all retailers with hospital outlets to limit the drinks to no more than 10% of the total beverages they sell by next April.

Companies that do not comply will face a total ban on selling sugary drinks in hospital shops.

Campaigners welcomed the move to limit sugar intake in hospitals. BBC News

Contract crackdown on hospitals wasting millions of GP appointments

Contract crackdown on hospitals wasting millions of GP appointments GP leaders have welcomed an update to the standard NHS contract that aims to crack down on hospitals dumping work on practices and save millions of appointments a year. GPonline

Police cannot continue to fill gaps left by mental health cuts, report says

Police cannot continue to fill gaps left by mental health cuts, report says Chief inspector of constabulary says forces increasingly used as service of first resort and face ‘unacceptable drain’ on resources

Police cannot continue to pick up the slack for cuts in other public services, especially the shortage in mental health provision, Her Majesty’s chief inspector of constabulary has warned.

In an annual state of policing report, Sir Tom Winsor highlights a “modern tsunami of online fraud” and increased police awareness of crimes against the elderly and child sexual exploitation as among the increasing daily pressures facing officers. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• State of Policing: The Annual Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2016 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary
• Police used as 'first resort' for mental health care, watchdog warns BBC News
• Mental health provision now so bad patients are locked up with criminals, a damning report finds The Daily Telegraph

Crackdown on migrants forces NHS doctors to 'act as border guards'

Crackdown on migrants forces NHS doctors to 'act as border guards' Charity condemns government guidance allowing Home Office to access details of undocumented migrants seeking care

A medical charity has launched a campaign against government guidance that “makes border guards of doctors” by allowing the Home Office to access details of undocumented migrants who seek NHS treatment.

Doctors of the World runs clinics for undocumented migrants, victims of trafficking and asylum seekers. It has assisted numerous patients, some pregnant and some with cancer, who are afraid of accessing NHS healthcare due to concerns that a visit to the doctor could lead to deportation. Continue reading... The Guardian

The harrowing hospital night shift nothing could have prepared me for

The harrowing hospital night shift nothing could have prepared me for Years of medical training can never prepare you for your role in someone else’s tragedy and its emotional impact

The most important part of every night shift is matching your scrub top to your bottoms. Odd shades, bad luck. Match for the best chance of success.

I’m full of superstition because fate doesn’t follow conventional rules. I sit, cross-legged comparing until I’m satisfied with my choice. I pull my clothes off and my blue scrubs on. Stethoscope, badge and water bottle. Downstairs, grab phone and rush to handover, hoping I’ve remembered my pen. Continue reading... The Guardian

Breast cancer patients 'are abandoned by the NHS'

Breast cancer patients 'are abandoned by the NHS' Around 36,000 women in England have incurable or secondary breast cancer. Just 21 per cent of 155 hospitals and health trusts have a specialist cancer nurse for patients with incurable breast cancer. The Daily Mail

Anonymous STI text messaging service launches in the UK

Anonymous STI text messaging service launches in the UK Under a new scheme being tried in Teesside patients who test positive for an STI will be offered the chance to have their previous sexual partners notified that they are at risk. The Daily Mail

Number of patients forced to endure mixed sex wards trebles in two years

Number of patients forced to endure mixed sex wards trebles in two years THE number of patients who had to endure mixed-sex hospital ward has trebled in two years, new figures show.

Almost 8,000 patients were treated in shared accommodation in the 12 months to March, the statistics show - a rise from 2,655 in 2014/15.

NHS rules that say men and women should be treated on different wards. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Almost 8,000 NHS patients endure mixed sex wards The Daily Mail

No-holds-barred documentary filmed in Northampton General Hospital to shine light on 'immense pressure' faced by junior doctors

No-holds-barred documentary filmed in Northampton General Hospital to shine light on 'immense pressure' faced by junior doctors A gritty new documentary that saw film crews gain unparalleled access to Northampton General Hospital is set to give warts-and-all account of life as a junior doctor in the NHS. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Confessions of a Junior Doctor Channel 4
• Why hospital doctors never seem to have time for you  The Daily Mail
• Confessions of a Junior Doctor review: a must-watch for anyone who cares about the NHS The Daily Telegraph
• Confessions of a Junior Doctor: Channel 4 series shows challenges of NHS graduates at Northampton hospital Evening Standard
• Nasal tampons, black alerts and Peppa Pig: junior doctors confess all The Guardian

NHS workforce race equality standard: 2016 data analysis report for NHS trusts

NHS workforce race equality standard: 2016 data analysis report for NHS trusts This report publishes data from providers of NHS-funded care, including the voluntary and private sector, to demonstrate how they are addressing equality issues. It includes data covering nine indicators including four relating to the workplace covering recruitment, promotion, career progression and staff development alongside BME board representation. The remaining four indicators are based on data from the NHS staff survey 2016, covering harassment, bullying or abuse from patients, relatives or the public. It shows a positive change in a range of areas including the number of nurses and midwives who have progressed from lower grades into senior positions; in BME representation at very senior management and executive board level; and a slight reduction in the reported experience of discrimination of BME staff from colleagues and managers. NHS England

New pensions infographic

New pensions infographic A new infographic shows there are many stages during an employee's career when it can be a good time to talk about the benefits of the NHS Pension Scheme NHS Employers

Productivity of the English NHS: 2014/15 update

Productivity of the English NHS: 2014/15 update This report updates the Centre for Health Economics’ time-series of NHS productivity growth. It finds that the rate of NHS productivity growth since 2004/5 compares favourably with that achieved by the economy as a whole. It suggests that increased NHS output has come about in response to pronounced increases in NHS expenditure which has funded both higher wages and more staff and resources.

Experts excited by brain 'wonder-drug'

Experts excited by brain 'wonder-drug' Scientists hope they have found a drug to stop all neurodegenerative brain diseases, including dementia.

In 2013, a UK Medical Research Council team stopped brain cells dying in an animal for the first time, creating headline news around the world.

But the compound used was unsuitable for people, as it caused organ damage.

Now two drugs have been found that should have the same protective effect on the brain and are already safely used in people.

"It's really exciting," said Prof Giovanna Mallucci, from the MRC Toxicology Unit in Leicester. BBC News

Cycling to work ‘could halve risk of cancer and heart disease’

Cycling to work ‘could halve risk of cancer and heart disease’ Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests – but campaigners have warned there is still an “urgent need” to improve road conditions for cyclists.

Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people.

Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. The Independent

See also:

• Association between active commuting and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality: prospective cohort study BMJ

'I don't think anything can prepare you for seeing a patient die'

'I don't think anything can prepare you for seeing a patient die' Student nurses share their experience of dealing with death for the first time

I saw my first patient death a few months ago, during my first placement on a medical ward. It was a woman with dementia. I was there when the doctor made the decision to remove her oxygen mask. We drew the curtains and I rubbed her leg, just to let her know that someone was with her. I was glad to be there as she took her final breaths. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Talk about death, be kind and trust your instincts: tips for new nurses The Guardian
• Nursing degree applications slump after NHS bursaries abolished The Guardian
• Why are there so few male nurses? The Guardian

Jobcentre Plus NHS week of action

Jobcentre Plus NHS week of action Find out about the Jobcentre Plus NHS week of action and how your trust can benefit from a partnership with your local centre. NHS Employers

How cultural alignment and the use of incentives can promote a culture of health

How cultural alignment and the use of incentives can promote a culture of health This report discusses how concepts of cultural identity (e.g. ethnicity, religion or sexuality) and organisational culture can be harnessed to create a culture of health and how incentives can be used to promote wellbeing. Rand Corporation

Housing problems causing mental illness, says charity

Housing problems causing mental illness, says charity Housing problems in England are causing people to suffer anxiety, depression and panic attacks, says Shelter.

Of people who had experienced housing worries within the past five years, 69% said their mental health was affected, suggests research for the charity.

The researchers interviewed 1,050 people from across England who reported poor housing, rent problems or being threatened with eviction. BBC News

More NHS mental health patients treated privately

More NHS mental health patients treated privately Mental health trusts across the UK are becoming increasingly reliant on private hospitals to deliver care, a BBC Breakfast investigation suggests.

NHS spending on private mental health inpatient beds went up 42% over five years across 40 mental health authorities that responded to freedom of information requests.

Experts say there is a chronic shortage of NHS beds.

It means some patients are placed in private units far from home. BBC News

NHS crisis must not be marginalised in general election, warns BMA

NHS crisis must not be marginalised in general election, warns BMA The NHS crisis must not be marginalised by Brexit in the June general election called by prime minister Theresa May, BMA leaders have warned. GPonline

Thousands of asylum seekers and migrants wrongly denied NHS healthcare

Thousands of asylum seekers and migrants wrongly denied NHS healthcare Thousands of asylum seekers and migrants have been wrongly denied NHS healthcare, in some cases being refused treatment despite suffering from life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease, doctors have warned.

Undocumented migrants with urgent care needs have been refused treatment by hospitals, despite NHS guidelines that state no one should be refused urgent or immediately necessary treatment because they cannot pay, The Independent has learned.

NHS cancer referrals: More than 100,000 wait at least two weeks to be seen by specialist

NHS cancer referrals: More than 100,000 wait at least two weeks to be seen by specialist More than 100,000 patients waited longer than two weeks to see a cancer specialist after being urgently referred by their GP last year, new figures show.

Two weeks is the maximum waiting time allowed by the NHS in England for cancer referrals, with hospitals and surgeries required to investigate and offer a list of alternative clinics if the target is exceeded.

Waiting longer than 14 days for tests leaves patients in an “appalling state of limbo”, Macmillan Cancer Support has said, while experts have warned failing to act quickly could risk lives if tumours are not spotted soon enough. The Independent

See also:

• Revealed: 100,000 wait more than two weeks to see cancer specialist The Guardian

Pharmaceutical giant 'plotted to destroy cancer drugs to drive prices up 4,000%'

Pharmaceutical giant 'plotted to destroy cancer drugs to drive prices up 4,000%' Leaked internal emails appear to show employees at one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies calling for “celebration” over price hikes of cancer drugs, an investigation has revealed.

Staff at Aspen Pharmacare reportedly plotted to destroy stocks of life-saving medicines during a price dispute with the Spanish health service in 2014. The Independent

Could shared medical appointments help the NHS and patients?

Could shared medical appointments help the NHS and patients? They have been used for years in the US, where patients appreciate them, and there are also gains for GPs and hospitals

In medicine, the private one-to-one consultation is sacrosanct.

Yet shared medical appointments have been used successfully for years at the Cleveland Clinic in the US. Patients appreciate them. They compare experiences with other patients, learn from their questions, gain more advice than they might otherwise, and improve their understanding of their symptoms. Continue reading... The Guardian

Poppy Jaman: ‘I think there’s a wave of change coming in mental health’

Poppy Jaman: ‘I think there’s a wave of change coming in mental health’ The chief executive of Mental Health First Aid England says going into every secondary school is just the beginning of a new approach to mental illness

Poppy Jaman, chief executive of the not-for-profit Mental Health First Aid England (MHFAE), believes Theresa May meant business when she pledged in January to make mental health a priority. Despite ministers being accused of breaking their promises after £800m in cash earmarked for mental health was last month redirected to offsetting wider NHS budget problems, Jaman argues that the government will come good.

The jobcentre service needs staff who understand mental health so people get the right support Continue reading... The Guardian

Dying children should receive 24-hour care at home

Dying children should receive 24-hour care at home Terminally ill children should be allowed to receive round-the-clock care at home, the health watchdog states.

It is hoped the draft decision by NICE will allow devastated families get to spend the most of their precious time together.

Ensuring youngsters are given support in the comfort of their own homes during their final few weeks will maximise their quality of life.

Experts argue that, despite the care, a hospital ward isn't always the best place for a child to spend their final few weeks. The Daily Mail

See also:

• End of life care for infants, children and young people: Quality standard consultation National Institute of Health and Care Excellence

NHS England warns of bogus text message scam

NHS England warns of bogus text message scam Members of the public are being warned not to fall for a text scam, where messages are claimed to be from the NHS. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Data shows NHS performance continuing to struggle

Data shows NHS performance continuing to struggle Responding to the latest performance data published by NHS England, Richard Murray, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund, said: ‘These performance statistics for February offer the latest evidence of NHS performance continuing to struggle. Although February saw some improvements as winter pressures began to ease, the NHS is still failing to meet key targets such as A&E and cancer waiting times.

‘NHS England’s recent delivery plan promises a renewed focus on addressing these delays in A&E and cancer treatment, but getting back on track will be a momentous challenge. Hospitals are clearly under severe pressure and improving key services within the current budget is a highly ambitious goal. The King's Fund

Thousands left to cope alone after leaving mental health hospital

Thousands left to cope alone after leaving mental health hospital Figures released by Mind show that one in ten people discharged from mental health hospital after being admitted in crisis are not getting follow-up within a week of leaving – which is at least 11,000 people every year.

Mind sent Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 56 mental health trusts in England (54 trusts responded) asking for information about how quickly people are followed up after being discharged from hospital.

Hundreds sue NHS over 'barbaric' vaginal mesh implants

Hundreds sue NHS over 'barbaric' vaginal mesh implants More than 800 UK women are taking legal action against the NHS and the makers of vaginal mesh implants, the Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned.

The implants are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth, but some can cut into the vagina - causing severe discomfort.

Some women have been left in permanent pain, unable to walk, work or have sex. One called the implants "barbaric".

The UK regulatory body MHRA said it "sympathises" with the women affected. BBC News

'Politics is destroying British heart surgery'

'Politics is destroying British heart surgery' In this Viewsnight, surgeon Stephen Westaby condemns what he calls a culture of blame in the NHS. BBC News

Why can't we admit to ourselves that the NHS is one of the most overrated, inefficient systems in the world?

Why can't we admit to ourselves that the NHS is one of the most overrated, inefficient systems in the world? What exactly is exceptional about the NHS? All healthcare systems in the developed world provide universal healthcare except the US. Plenty are free at the point of use. And compared to them, we’re hardly innovative, compassionate or groundbreaking. The Independent

Electroconvulsive therapy on the rise again in England

Electroconvulsive therapy on the rise again in England ECT stages comeback after years of decline, with thousands treated on NHS despite lack of scientific explanation for effects

The use of electroconvulsive therapy to treat serious mental health problems, a procedure long thought to be in steep decline, is on the rise again in England, a Guardian analysis indicates.

Exclusive data covering four-fifths of NHS mental health trusts in England shows that more than 22,600 individual ECT treatments were carried out in 2015-16, a rise of 11% from four years ago, when about 20,400 were carried out. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• 'Electric shock' therapy is on the rise in England The Daily Mail
• What is ECT and how does it work? The Guardian
• 'It can't be much worse than licking a battery.' What it's like to have ECT The Guardian
• Tea, biscuits and classical music: inside an ECT clinic The Guardian

Number of NHS managers still growing as GP posts fall again

Number of NHS managers still growing as GP posts fall again Doctors say ministers’ ‘bureaucracy busting’ shakeup has failed to switch resources and manpower to the front line

The number of NHS managers has grown by almost 18% in the four years since the government introduced a “bureaucracy-busting” shakeup of the health service, according to the latest official data.

The rise of about 4,650 in total management posts since April 2013, when the controversial Health and Social Care Act came into force, contrasts with an alarming fall in the number of GPs over recent months at a time of unprecedented demand for health care. The figures have drawn criticism from the British Medical Association (BMA), who say ministers are failing in their central objective of shifting more resources and manpower from back-office posts to the front line. Continue reading... The Guardian

'Night cover is almost always short-staffed. It’s terrifying': doctors on rota gaps

'Night cover is almost always short-staffed. It’s terrifying': doctors on rota gaps NHS staff reveal the impact of the struggle to recruit doctors to cover shifts, which is putting patients at risk

The Guardian has discovered that dozens of hospitals are struggling to recruit doctors to fill gaps in their rota. They are sending out urgent emails and text messages, often hours before a shift needs covering, asking for medics to come in. They are also offering increased hourly rates – of up to £95 an hour – in an attempt to encourage staff to cover.

It’s terrifying: you’re the most junior doctor in the hospital and you’re responsible for so many people

You become desensitised to gaps in the rota, which is a scary thing to say

On several occasions some of the wards have no juniors at all, which then requires senior staff to act down. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Desperate hospitals beg doctors to take on extra shifts – at £95 an hour The Guardian

Hospital recruits refugees to combat doctor shortage

Hospital recruits refugees to combat doctor shortage A hospital trust in Middlesbrough which is struggling to recruit British doctors has turned to refugees from Iraq and Syria to help combat staff shortages. The Daily Mail

Elderly's free drug delivers face the axe

Elderly's free drug delivers face the axe Britons on long-term medication and unable to collect prescriptions could be charged hundreds of pounds a year for preparing drugs and home delivery as funding cuts begin to bite. The Daily Mail

Revealed: the areas where NHS cuts could hit hardest

Revealed: the areas where NHS cuts could hit hardest The areas of the country where NHS cuts are likely to hit hardest because services are nearing their “overdraft” limits have been revealed, in a new analysis.

Following the worst financial crisis in the history of the NHS, every part of the service has been set stringent “control totals” which limit the amount of deficit that can be authorised.

Research by Health Service Journal shows Staffordshire, Bristol, North Somerset and Gloucestershire are the areas likely to fall furthest short of their targets, with warnings that services will now have to “confront difficult choices”.

NHS authorities are already drawing up plans for dramatic changes to services, with the closure of Accident & Emergency departments and maternity units under discussion across swathes of the country. The Daily Telegraph

Police squad deployed to protect NHS staff from attacks

Police squad deployed to protect NHS staff from attacks A dedicated police squad has been set up to protect hospital staff from violent patients amid rising Accident & Emergency chaos.

The new three officer team will cover workers at four major hospitals in London, with police saying staff would no longer have to put up with attacks and threats.

Police will protect nurses from assault, remove patients that refuse to be discharged, while attending community events as part of “neighbourhood policing” officers said. The Daily Telegraph

Prince Harry: I sought counselling after death of mother led to two years of 'total chaos' in my twenties - exclusive Telegraph interview

Prince Harry: I sought counselling after death of mother led to two years of 'total chaos' in my twenties - exclusive Telegraph interview Prince Harry has disclosed that he sought counselling after enduring two years of “total chaos” while still struggling in his late twenties to come to terms with the death of his mother.

The Prince says in an interview with The Telegraph that he “shut down all his emotions” for almost two decades after losing his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, despite his brother, Prince William, trying to persuade him to seek help. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Prince William says keeping a stiff upper lip can damage health BBC News
• Prince William: Mental health attitudes are changing thanks to high-profile people speaking out The Daily Telegraph
• 'Bold and brave': Celebrities and well-wishers around the world praise Prince Harry for opening up about his mental health The Daily Telegraph
• Prince Harry grief revelations draw praise from mental health experts The Guardian
• Why Prince Harry's mental health message to men is so important, according to experts The Independent

REVEALED: Corby has the highest smoking rate in the UK

REVEALED: Corby has the highest smoking rate in the UK Corby has the country’s highest smoking rate, with one in three adults living there enjoying a regular cigarette, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The power of digital health: what can we learn from one million posts?

The power of digital health: what can we learn from one million posts? Digital health is sexy. Last year our take on the eight technologies that will change health and care was the most popular piece on our website and we continue to support the NHS to engage through our Digital Health and Care Congress and other means.

But there is far more to digital health than how it is used in the NHS. For example, early last year Public Health England’s ‘Sugar Smart’ app was leading app download charts and had been downloaded more than one million times. The King's Fund

Stroke patients in England set to receive revolutionary new treatment

Stroke patients in England set to receive revolutionary new treatment An estimated 8,000 stroke patients a year are set to benefit from an advanced emergency treatment which can significantly decrease the risk of long-term disability and also save millions of pounds in long term health and social care costs. NHS England

2017 local government elections: dos and don'ts for the NHS

2017 local government elections: dos and don'ts for the NHS Find out what the local government elections mean for your communications activities over the pre-election period. NHS Employers

Nurses consider whether to strike over low pay

Nurses consider whether to strike over low pay The Royal College of Nursing is assessing the mood for strike action in protest over pay.

The largest nursing union is asking 270,000 members across the UK whether they want to strike before deciding whether to issue a formal ballot.

It says a combination of pay freezes and caps on pay rises since 2010 have effectively led to a 14% pay cut due to the rising cost of living.

The Department of Health said "affordable" pay was protecting jobs.

There was a campaign of strike action over NHS pay in 2014. But while some nurses took part, the Royal College of Nursing did not.

Now the union says unprecedented pressure in the NHS means nurses have never worked harder, and for so little.

The latest review of public sector pay announced a 1% rise. BBC News

Jeremy Hunt orders investigation into baby death cluster

Jeremy Hunt orders investigation into baby death cluster A cluster of baby deaths at the same NHS trust will be investigated, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.

BBC News has learned of at least seven deaths later deemed as avoidable in less than two years at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

A failure to properly monitor the baby's heart rate was a contributory factor in five of the deaths.

The trust said improvements have been made - and that their mortality rates were in line with the national average.

Mr Hunt has asked NHS England and NHS Improvement to review a series of deaths and other incidents at the trust, to ensure they were properly investigated.

He has also asked the trust to contact each family affected. BBC News

See also:

• Investigation launched into NHS trust after seven babies die in two years The Daily Telegraph
• Jeremy Hunt orders investigation into baby deaths at NHS trust The Guardian
• Series of 'avoidable' baby deaths at NHS trust being investigated ITV News

6m more patients to have access to clinical pharmacists in GP practices

6m more patients to have access to clinical pharmacists in GP practices Over 700 more practices, covering up to 6m patients, are to have access to a clinical pharmacist through an NHS England initiative to expand the role in general practice. GPonline

See also:

• Pharmacists playing increasingly vital role within GP-led practice teams Royal College of General Practitioners

Seven trusts to drive digital mental health services with £35m investment

Seven trusts to drive digital mental health services with £35m investment Seven trusts will become Global Digital Exemplars for Mental Health and receive a share of £35m to develop and roll-out innovtive technology for patient treatment, NHS England have confirmed

The investment will also be matched by the trusts in the scheme to go towards digital schemes for self-care and other treatments for those suffering from mental health problems.

The money will go towards a variety of schemes, including for the first time creating a real-time system that will allow all healthcare professionals involved in treatment to access their patient’s record from triage and initial assessment to transfer between services and follow up care. National Health Executive

Lack of post-hospital care 'leaving mental health patients at risk'

Lack of post-hospital care 'leaving mental health patients at risk' NHS teams not checking up on thousands of patients after discharge, increasing suicide risks, Mind survey finds

Thousands of vulnerable people are being left at increased risk of suicide because NHS mental health teams in England and Wales are not checking up on them within a week of their discharge from hospital.

At least 11,000 people a year who have recently been in mental health inpatient care are not followed up within a week of coming home, despite guidelines requiring the NHS to contact them. Continue reading... The Guardian

Soaring numbers spending 12 hours in A&E, with 100,000 cases in three months

Soaring numbers spending 12 hours in A&E, with 100,000 cases in three months MORE than 100,000 patients have been left in Accident & Emergency departments for more than 12 hours in recent months, amid a five-fold increase in delays, NHS data reveals.

The disclosures triggered warnings of a “serious degradation in patient safety” as the NHS is braced for a surge in A&E pressures over the long Easter weekend.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said waiting times were “going through the roof” with warnings that “the elastic is close to snapping” in some parts of the health service. The Daily Telegraph

As medical decisions grow ever more complex, hope and trust must remain central to every doctor's toolkit

As medical decisions grow ever more complex, hope and trust must remain central to every doctor's toolkit Whether it’s resuscitation after a cardiac arrest in a railway station or chemotherapy for a patient with widespread cancer, knowing when to stop is the most difficult decision a doctor has to make. The terribly sad case of baby Charlie Gard highlights how modern technology brings new ethical and moral problems. But the High Court brings victory to no one.

My experience as a cancer specialist has taught me that managing expectations from the very beginning is an imperative component of care. The Daily Telegraph

Terminally ill man given permission to challenge law on assisted dying after Court of Appeal win

Terminally ill man given permission to challenge law on assisted dying after Court of Appeal win A man who is terminally ill with motor neurone disease has been given permission to challenge the law on assisted dying.

Retired college lecturer Noel Conway took his case to the Court of Appeal after he was refused permission to bring a judicial review over the blanket ban on providing a person with assistance to die.

Last month a panel of High Court judges rejected his bid to change the law, saying it would be "institutionally inappropriate" for the court to challenge the decision of Parliament. The Daily Telegraph

KGH placed into special measures

KGH placed into special measures Kettering General Hospital has been placed into special measures after being rated as ‘inadequate’ by health regulators.

The hospital has come under heavy criticism from the Care Quality Commission in a new report.

Two out of five areas rated – safe and well-led – were given the lowest score possible following the inspection in October last year, meaning the hospital is rated overall as ‘inadequate’. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Kettering General Hospital Care Quality Commission

(Elective) hips don’t lie: data reveals pressures on hip replacement services

(Elective) hips don’t lie: data reveals pressures on hip replacement services Our recent report illustrated how financial pressures in the health system are having a very different impact in four different service areas. Whereas genito-urinary medicine and district nursing services have seen an impact on access to, and quality of, their services, neonatal and elective hip replacement services were not affected to the same extent by the same pressures. However, for elective hip replacement services, despite having much to celebrate it appears the impact of financial pressures is beginning to show.

National data shows that the number of elective hip replacements increased by 90 per cent between 2000/1 and 2015/16. While some of this growth can be attributed to population increase, the growth in the rate of elective hip procedures is far higher than the rate of population growth in the elderly, who are the main recipients of such surgery. There have also been dramatic improvements in elective waiting times (for all patients), with average waits reducing by about nine weeks since 2007. All of which suggests an expanding service treating more patients. The King's Fund

Referral-to-treatment waiting times and forecasts

Referral-to-treatment waiting times and forecasts This report estimates that the number of people waiting longer than 18 weeks for planned operations could exceed 800,000 by 2020. The analysis finds that demand for elective operations is rising, with the number of people waiting for treatment forecast to hit 5 million in 2020. The report recommends that patients be made aware of their right to choose where they receive NHS treatment in order to help patients access care as quickly as possible. NHS Confederation

Quality Principles for NHS Apprenticeships

Quality Principles for NHS Apprenticeships A set of principles to help employers in health care organisations deliver quality apprenticeships have been developed by National Skills Academy for Health and Health Education England.

NHS complaints procedures in England

NHS complaints procedures in England This briefing paper provides information on the standard NHS complaints procedures and also the other options available to patients. House of Commons Library

Charlie Gard case: Doctors can withdraw baby's life support

Charlie Gard case: Doctors can withdraw baby's life support Doctors can withdraw life support from a sick baby with a rare genetic condition against his parents' wishes, a High Court judge has ruled.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital said eight-month-old Charlie Gard has irreversible brain damage and should be moved to palliative care.

His parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard, from London, had wanted to take him to the US for a treatment trial.

They said they were "devastated" by the decision but intended to appeal. BBC News