Thursday, 26 January 2017
SPECIAL REPORT: Council leader says Northamptonshire will not have Surrey-style 15 per cent council tax hike vote
SPECIAL REPORT: Council leader says Northamptonshire will not have Surrey-style 15 per cent council tax hike vote A shock referendum posed by an affluent county in the south of England may well set off a chain reaction of referenda across the country as authorities seek to plug their ailing adult social care budgets. But Northamptonshire won’t be following suit. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Lenehan review into care of children with learning disabilities
Lenehan review into care of children with learning disabilities Dame Christine Lenehan was asked by the Department of Health to take a strategic overview and recommend what practical action can be taken to co-ordinate care, support and treatment for children and young people with complex needs (and behaviour that challenges) involving mental health problems and learning disabilities and/or autism.
Dame Christine has spoken to many different organisations and individuals, including young people and their families. Her report makes 11 recommendations for government departments and partners at a national level on how to improve the system. Department of Health
Dame Christine has spoken to many different organisations and individuals, including young people and their families. Her report makes 11 recommendations for government departments and partners at a national level on how to improve the system. Department of Health
Mental health problems: statistics on prevalence and services
Mental health problems: statistics on prevalence and services This briefing addresses frequently asked questions about mental health, including: how common are mental health problems? How long do people wait to access talking therapies? How much is spent on mental health services? House of Commons Library
NHS Ambulance Services
NHS Ambulance Services Ambulance services are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with rising demand for urgent and emergency services, according to the National Audit Office.
Demand for ambulance services continues to grow rapidly. Contributing factors may include the increasing numbers of elderly patients with multiple conditions, an increasing number of alcohol- and mental health-driven issues, the availability of primary care services in the community and how patients seek help. Between 2009-10 and 2015-16, the number of ambulance calls and NHS 111 transfers increased from 7.9 million to 10.7 million. Increased funding for these services has not matched rising demand, and future settlements are likely to be tougher.
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Demand for ambulance services continues to grow rapidly. Contributing factors may include the increasing numbers of elderly patients with multiple conditions, an increasing number of alcohol- and mental health-driven issues, the availability of primary care services in the community and how patients seek help. Between 2009-10 and 2015-16, the number of ambulance calls and NHS 111 transfers increased from 7.9 million to 10.7 million. Increased funding for these services has not matched rising demand, and future settlements are likely to be tougher.
See also:
National Lung Cancer Audit annual report 2016 (for the audit period 2015)
National Lung Cancer Audit annual report 2016 (for the audit period 2015) This report shows a seven per cent increase in the number of people diagnosed with lung cancer surviving for longer than one year, compared with results from 2010. It also reveals that 60 per cent of lung cancer patients received anti-cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery, meeting the target set out in the 2015 annual audit report. Royal College of Physicians
NMC agrees to regulate new nursing associate role
NMC agrees to regulate new nursing associate role The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today formally agreed to a request from the Department of Health to be the regulator for the new nursing associate role.
Child health in UK 'lagging behind' due to poverty
Child health in UK 'lagging behind' due to poverty Child health in the UK is lagging behind that of most other European countries, a major report has said.
It raises particular concerns over rates of obesity, mental health issues and mortality among the young.
The in-depth report, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, emphasised that poverty was at the root of many child health problems.
UK health ministers said money was being invested in services to help tackle health inequalities. BBC News
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It raises particular concerns over rates of obesity, mental health issues and mortality among the young.
The in-depth report, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, emphasised that poverty was at the root of many child health problems.
UK health ministers said money was being invested in services to help tackle health inequalities. BBC News
See also:
- State of child health: The report in a glance Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- State of Child Health report 2017 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- RCPCH launches landmark State of Child Health report (press release) Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Prison suicides rise to record level
Prison suicides rise to record level A record number of people killed themselves in prisons in England and Wales in 2016, figures show.
The Ministry of Justice says there were 119 self-inflicted deaths - 29 more than the previous year and the highest number since records began in 1978. BBC News
The Ministry of Justice says there were 119 self-inflicted deaths - 29 more than the previous year and the highest number since records began in 1978. BBC News
Artificial intelligence 'as good as cancer doctors'
Artificial intelligence 'as good as cancer doctors' Artificial intelligence can identify skin cancer in photographs with the same accuracy as trained doctors, say scientists.
The Stanford University team said the findings were "incredibly exciting" and would now be tested in clinics.
Eventually, they believe using AI could revolutionise healthcare by turning anyone's smartphone into a cancer scanner.
Cancer Research UK said it could become a useful tool for doctors. BBC News
The Stanford University team said the findings were "incredibly exciting" and would now be tested in clinics.
Eventually, they believe using AI could revolutionise healthcare by turning anyone's smartphone into a cancer scanner.
Cancer Research UK said it could become a useful tool for doctors. BBC News
Half the public back a national NHS tax
Half the public back a national NHS tax Half the public would be willing to pay an additional ‘NHS tariff’ through national insurance to support the health service, with only a quarter opposing the idea, according to consultants PwC.
A poll of more than 2,000 UK adults found twice as many people supported a national tax as opposed it, while 31% of the public would be supportive of a local tax for their local services.
The survey also found a majority of the public (76%) think clinical quality should take precedence over balancing the books – an increase from 68% in April 2016 - challenging some fundamental policy commitments, including the Department of Health’s drive to wring £22bn in efficiency savings from the NHS. Pulse
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A poll of more than 2,000 UK adults found twice as many people supported a national tax as opposed it, while 31% of the public would be supportive of a local tax for their local services.
The survey also found a majority of the public (76%) think clinical quality should take precedence over balancing the books – an increase from 68% in April 2016 - challenging some fundamental policy commitments, including the Department of Health’s drive to wring £22bn in efficiency savings from the NHS. Pulse
See also:
- Chron readers debate whether we should be made to pay a special NHS tax Northampton Chronicle and Echo
GP full-time workforce numbers dropped last year
GP full-time workforce numbers dropped last year The number of full-time equivalent GPs working in England last year fell by almost 100, according to new statistics released today by NHS Digital.
The figures show the full-time equivalent number dropped by 96* (0.3%) from 34,592 in September 2015 to 34,495 in September 2016.
Over the same period, the headcount decreased by 12 from 41,877 to 41,865.
Although this represented a small decline, it is exactly the reverse trend that the government is keen on under its plans in the General Practice Forward View to have 5,000 more GPs in place by 2020. OnMedica
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The figures show the full-time equivalent number dropped by 96* (0.3%) from 34,592 in September 2015 to 34,495 in September 2016.
Over the same period, the headcount decreased by 12 from 41,877 to 41,865.
Although this represented a small decline, it is exactly the reverse trend that the government is keen on under its plans in the General Practice Forward View to have 5,000 more GPs in place by 2020. OnMedica
See also:
- Everything that can be done must be done to reverse GP workforce trends, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit could mean the end of free medical treatment for travellers to the EU
Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit could mean the end of free medical treatment for travellers to the EU British citizens may lose their right to free or subsidised medical treatment when they visit the EU after Brexit, the Health Secretary has admitted.
Jeremy Hunt told MPs he could give no guarantees that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will survive EU withdrawal.
Giving evidence to a Commons committee, Mr Hunt agreed that the card was “a very positive thing” but warned any decision on its future must await the final Brexit deal. The Independent
Jeremy Hunt told MPs he could give no guarantees that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will survive EU withdrawal.
Giving evidence to a Commons committee, Mr Hunt agreed that the card was “a very positive thing” but warned any decision on its future must await the final Brexit deal. The Independent
Mentally ill patients face 'double whammy' of poor hospital care
Mentally ill patients face 'double whammy' of poor hospital care Most people with mental health issues do not receive good treatment at A&E, leading to repeated visits, report finds
More than half of people with mental health problems receive a “double whammy” of poor care in general hospitals which increases patients’ risk of dying, according to a major new NHS inquiry.
Only 46% of patients with serious mental health conditions were well looked after when they attended hospital with a physical ailment such as heart trouble, a group of independent experts found. Continue reading... The Guardian
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More than half of people with mental health problems receive a “double whammy” of poor care in general hospitals which increases patients’ risk of dying, according to a major new NHS inquiry.
Only 46% of patients with serious mental health conditions were well looked after when they attended hospital with a physical ailment such as heart trouble, a group of independent experts found. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Mental Health in General Hospitals: Treat as One National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death
Jeremy Hunt's hospital food revolution has failed, campaigners say
Jeremy Hunt's hospital food revolution has failed, campaigners say Department of Health study shows almost half of hospitals in England have not implemented key improvements
Jeremy Hunt has been accused of failing to deliver his promised revolution in hospital food after the health secretary’s own department found that many hospitals have still not improved patient catering.
A Department of Health study shows that almost half of hospitals in England have failed to implement key improvements almost two and a half years after Hunt’s crackdown. Continue reading... The Guardian
Jeremy Hunt has been accused of failing to deliver his promised revolution in hospital food after the health secretary’s own department found that many hospitals have still not improved patient catering.
A Department of Health study shows that almost half of hospitals in England have failed to implement key improvements almost two and a half years after Hunt’s crackdown. Continue reading... The Guardian
Disabled people are to be ‘warehoused’. We should be livid
Disabled people are to be ‘warehoused’. We should be lividNew rules could see 13,000 people with disabilities and long-term health needs forced into care homes. This is treating people as objects to be stored
The inescapable logic of austerity is looking likely, once again, to reduce people with disabilities to objects – and in doing so to reduce their independence, options and enjoyment of life. According to the Health Service Journal, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from campaign group Disability United found that 37 NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England were introducing rules about ongoing care that could force up to 13,000 people with health conditions into care homes. The CCGs will essentially begin saying to people with disabilities and long-term health needs: if you haven’t got the cash for homecare, then it’s off to a care home for you.
As a country we have been brutalised into accepting that each year the porridge pot gets smaller and our belts tighter Continue reading... The Guardian
The inescapable logic of austerity is looking likely, once again, to reduce people with disabilities to objects – and in doing so to reduce their independence, options and enjoyment of life. According to the Health Service Journal, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from campaign group Disability United found that 37 NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England were introducing rules about ongoing care that could force up to 13,000 people with health conditions into care homes. The CCGs will essentially begin saying to people with disabilities and long-term health needs: if you haven’t got the cash for homecare, then it’s off to a care home for you.
As a country we have been brutalised into accepting that each year the porridge pot gets smaller and our belts tighter Continue reading... The Guardian
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