Dementia best practice now online

Dementia best practice now online  NHS England has developed a “best practice repository” as part of its online Learning Environment for examples of good dementia care. The examples cover the five domains of the “well” pathway for dementia (preventing, diagnosing, supporting, living and dying well). NHS Networks

NMC make changes to OSCE test sittings

NMC make changes to OSCE test sittings The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has made a change to the number of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) test attempts an overseas trained (non-EU/EEA) nurse or midwife can take as part of their application for registration.
From 6 April 2017, an applicant who fails their first attempt at OSCE can re-sit it after ten days. If they fail it a second time, they will have the opportunity to sit for a third time, waiting three months to allow for further preparation. NHS Employers

NHS England funding and resource 2017-19: supporting Next Steps for the NHS Five Year Forward View

NHS England funding and resource 2017-19: supporting Next Steps for the NHS Five Year Forward View  This document forms an annex to Next Steps on the NHS Five Year Forward View and contains important information about NHS England’s funding in 2017/18. It sets out how NHS England will, through the distribution of funding and its people, support Next Steps on the NHS Five Year Forward View to transform local health and care systems.
Guidance
NHS England publications

King's Fund

Hundreds of 'restraint injuries' at special schools

Hundreds of 'restraint injuries' at special schools Hundreds of children have been injured while being physically restrained in special schools, according to figures obtained by 5 live Investigates. Some youngsters were pinned face-down on the floor, while others were strapped into chairs. The figures revealed at least 731 injuries in the past three years.
The Department of Education says it plans to publish draft guidelines on reducing the need for restraint in special schools shortly. BBC News

Patients with learning disabilities missing out on health checks

Patients with learning disabilities missing out on health checks Patients in England with learning disabilities are missing out on vital health checks, NHS data shows. These include cancer screening, blood pressure checks and mental health assessments. Only about half of women with learning disabilities in England received breast cancer screening last year, compared with about 70% of eligible women overall.
NHS England said the number having an annual health check was on the rise. Fewer than half of patients received the recommended annual health check. This meant they were not accessing support including checks for epilepsy and chronic conditions such as asthma. The NHS recommends that people with learning disabilities and other complex health needs receive a general physical examination and review of any medicines they have been prescribed every year. BBC Health News

Passport checks for patients is an abandonment of NHS principles | Zoe Stewart

Passport checks for patients is an abandonment of NHS principles | Zoe Stewart It is a founding tenet of the NHS that everybody has a right to healthcare. It’s simply not true that ‘health tourists’ are to blame for the cash crisis. Rather than use World Health Day to draw attention to global health priorities, this year, healthcare providers are being asked to implement racist government policies and compromise our professional values. Earlier this year, health minister Jeremy Hunt announced that, from April 2017, NHS trusts would be legally obliged to check patients’ eligibility for NHS services upfront, and to demand payment before providing care.
These checks lead to racial profiling and will prevent those most in need of care from getting the treatment they need. This is already evident with pregnant women delaying or avoiding seeking necessary medical advice or treatment because of fears they will be unable to pay or will be reported to the Home Office. The amount of money [lost to 'health tourism'] is a drop in the ocean for the NHS. The Guardian

Number waiting more than 18 weeks for NHS surgery 'set to double'

Number waiting more than 18 weeks for NHS surgery 'set to double' The number of patients waiting longer than 18 weeks for surgery is set to double in the next three years, the health service has been warned. The new analysis, based on official NHS figures suggests the total number waiting for operations will reach almost 5 million in 2020 - an increase of almost 2 million since 2015.
On current trends, that will include more than 800,000 patients waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment - a rise from 360,000 today, the research shows. The analysis was carried out by the NHS Partners Network - which represents independent providers of NHS care, which urged patients to be more “sharp elbowed” about getting the treatment needed. Telegraph

Locum doctors could be struck off for trying to hold NHS to ransom

Locum doctors could be struck off for trying to hold NHS to ransom Locum doctors have been warned that they could be struck off if they cancel shifts in an attempt to extort more money from the NHS.
The General Medical Council (GMC) has issued guidance after agency medics were accused of an “organised campaign” to hold the NHS to ransom as pressures mount. The crisis stems from new rules - introduced last week - which attempt to clamp down on tax avoidance.
NHS trusts are now supposed to subtract tax and national insurance from pay packets at source from workers supplied to them via agencies or personal service companies. Some doctors say the changes will mean a drop in income of up to 30 per cent. But others say earnings will only be reduced if workers were paying too little tax in the first place. Telegraph