Monday, 20 February 2017
MP to raise NHS funding with Northants health bosses
MP to raise NHS funding with Northants health bosses A Northamptonshire MP says he will be talking to health bosses about the concerns raised by our series of NHS reports. Northamptonshire Telegraph
NHS IN CRISIS: Health service must not rely on ‘nursing on the cheap’
NHS IN CRISIS: Health service must not rely on ‘nursing on the cheap’ The NHS must not be forced to rely on ‘nursing on the cheap’ as vacancies of fully-qualified staff mount and trainees on cheaper and quicker courses are brought in, the Royal College of Nursing has warned. Northamptonshire Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Great NHS Gamble: Northampton trial scheme cannot become excuse for ‘nursing on the cheap’ Northamptonshire Telegraph
NHS finances on the brink
NHS finances on the brink Is the spectre of an NHS – and Department of Health – overspend once again haunting the corridors of power?
It was not supposed to. Back in December 2015, NHS Planning Guidance established two firewalls to prevent this. The first was the £1.8 billion Sustainability and Transformation Fund (STF), which aimed to reduce the net NHS provider deficit to zero. The second was a 1 per cent topslice of NHS commissioner budgets, which created an £800 million contingency to be used to mop up any remaining overspends. Concern back then was less about 2016/17 and more about the years to follow when the growth in NHS spending was (and still is) expected to flatline.
However, both firewalls are looking shaky. On the provider side, the target net deficit has drifted up over the year, from £250 million at the time of the NHS financial reset to £580 million. We will find out the position at the end of Quarter 3 when NHS Improvement publishes its latest update next week, but their chief executive, Jim Mackey, has already confirmed that the £580 million target will not be met. The King's Fund
It was not supposed to. Back in December 2015, NHS Planning Guidance established two firewalls to prevent this. The first was the £1.8 billion Sustainability and Transformation Fund (STF), which aimed to reduce the net NHS provider deficit to zero. The second was a 1 per cent topslice of NHS commissioner budgets, which created an £800 million contingency to be used to mop up any remaining overspends. Concern back then was less about 2016/17 and more about the years to follow when the growth in NHS spending was (and still is) expected to flatline.
However, both firewalls are looking shaky. On the provider side, the target net deficit has drifted up over the year, from £250 million at the time of the NHS financial reset to £580 million. We will find out the position at the end of Quarter 3 when NHS Improvement publishes its latest update next week, but their chief executive, Jim Mackey, has already confirmed that the £580 million target will not be met. The King's Fund
Reducing hospital admissions by improving continuity of care in general practice
Reducing hospital admissions by improving continuity of care in general practice Continuity of care is an aspect of general practice valued by patients and GPs alike. However, it seems to be in decline in England.
Our analysis, published in The BMJ and summarised in this briefing, looks at the link between continuity of care and hospital admissions for older patients in England. We looked specifically at admissions for conditions that could potentially be prevented through effective treatment in primary care.
We found there to be fewer hospital admissions – both elective and emergency – for these conditions for patients who experience higher continuity of care (ie those who see the same GP a greater proportion of the time). Controlling for patient characteristics, we estimate that if patients saw their most frequently seen GP two more times out of every 10 consultations, this would be associated with a 6% decrease in admissions. The Health Foundation
Our analysis, published in The BMJ and summarised in this briefing, looks at the link between continuity of care and hospital admissions for older patients in England. We looked specifically at admissions for conditions that could potentially be prevented through effective treatment in primary care.
We found there to be fewer hospital admissions – both elective and emergency – for these conditions for patients who experience higher continuity of care (ie those who see the same GP a greater proportion of the time). Controlling for patient characteristics, we estimate that if patients saw their most frequently seen GP two more times out of every 10 consultations, this would be associated with a 6% decrease in admissions. The Health Foundation
Trade Union Act 2016 becomes law
Trade Union Act 2016 becomes law Regulations setting out the details of the types of occupations and services deemed 'important' for strike balloting. NHS Employers
Council tax to rise while services cut, says LGA
Council tax to rise while services cut, says LGA Council leaders are warning of deep cuts to services despite nearly every local authority in England planning to raise council tax in 2017.
Increases of up to 4.99% are expected across the country, but libraries, bin collections and other services will still face funding gaps.
The Local Government Association says the cost of care for increasing numbers of elderly people is forcing up bills. BBC News
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Increases of up to 4.99% are expected across the country, but libraries, bin collections and other services will still face funding gaps.
The Local Government Association says the cost of care for increasing numbers of elderly people is forcing up bills. BBC News
See also:
- Nearly every council in the country to hike council tax to fund social care The Daily Telegraph
Should you pay to see a GP to ease financial pressure?
Should you pay to see a GP to ease financial pressure? Brits in one place do just that - but critics say it can deter people from seeking help. BBC News
More than 10m GP appointments lost to DNAs each year, warns GPC
More than 10m GP appointments lost to DNAs each year, warns GPC GP leaders estimate that over 10m appointments are lost each year across England because patients do not attend (DNA). GP Online
NHS royal commission should assess long-term future, says Lord Saatchi
NHS royal commission should assess long-term future, says Lord Saatchi Tory peer says inquiry could ‘detoxify reforms that otherwise may be too politically dangerous to pursue’
A royal commission should be set up to examine the long-term future of the National Health Service, a senior Tory peer has said.
Former Conservative chairman Lord Saatchi said a commission could take the issue out of politics and “detoxify” any changes that needed to be made. Continue reading... The Guardian
A royal commission should be set up to examine the long-term future of the National Health Service, a senior Tory peer has said.
Former Conservative chairman Lord Saatchi said a commission could take the issue out of politics and “detoxify” any changes that needed to be made. Continue reading... The Guardian
Charities call for NHS to stop rationing critical care
Charities call for NHS to stop rationing critical care PM urged to find more money in budget for patients with rare and complex conditions
Theresa May has been urged by charity chiefs to stop the NHS rationing treatment for seriously ill patients and to find more money for their care in the budget next month.
About 30 health charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, National AIDS Trust and Motor Neurone Disease Association, have raised the alarm about NHS England “restricting and rationing treatment” because of underfunding, especially for patients with rare and complex conditions. The groups from the Specialised Healthcare Alliance said this rationing is taking place without sufficient public scrutiny. Continue reading... The Guardian
Theresa May has been urged by charity chiefs to stop the NHS rationing treatment for seriously ill patients and to find more money for their care in the budget next month.
About 30 health charities, including the Teenage Cancer Trust, National AIDS Trust and Motor Neurone Disease Association, have raised the alarm about NHS England “restricting and rationing treatment” because of underfunding, especially for patients with rare and complex conditions. The groups from the Specialised Healthcare Alliance said this rationing is taking place without sufficient public scrutiny. Continue reading... The Guardian
The £2billion epidemic of waste in the NHS
The £2billion epidemic of waste in the NHS The Royal Berkshire in Reading almost paid £855 for a simple blackout blind. Some hospitals have been paying twice as much for loo roll as others. Several had to ditch pricey drugs because of faulty fridges. The Daily Mail
NHS pays bonus for staff standing up
NHS pays bonus for staff standing up Managers at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust are urging workers to stand up after an hour has passed to promote healthier lifestyles. The trust will be paid an extra £900k a year for promoting wellbeing. BBC News
NHS Breaking point now 'the norm', says BMA, as bed reductions revealed
NHS Breaking point now 'the norm', says BMA, as bed reductions revealed Breaking point is becoming “the norm” for the NHS, with 15,000 beds cut from hospitals in the space of six years.
The fall amounts to one in ten beds being lost, and has prompted warnings about patient safety amid rising pressure on the health service.
The British Medical Association yesterday said that the decrease in beds was directly contributing to long waits in crowded A&E departments.
The warning comes after three quarters of hospitals last month reported dangerously high occupancy rates of 95 per cent, even though managers are told to aim for a rate of 85 per cent to leave a safe margin of beds to cope with surges of patient demand. The Daily Telegraph
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The fall amounts to one in ten beds being lost, and has prompted warnings about patient safety amid rising pressure on the health service.
The British Medical Association yesterday said that the decrease in beds was directly contributing to long waits in crowded A&E departments.
The warning comes after three quarters of hospitals last month reported dangerously high occupancy rates of 95 per cent, even though managers are told to aim for a rate of 85 per cent to leave a safe margin of beds to cope with surges of patient demand. The Daily Telegraph
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