Kettering General Hospital 'fiddled' waiting time records

Kettering General Hospital 'fiddled' waiting time records Thousands of patients were removed from a hospital's waiting lists in a bid to "fiddle" the system, it is claimed.

A BBC investigation found thousands of Kettering General Hospital patients had waited a year or more for operations.

David Phelan, a hospital trust governor, claims patients were removed from lists because national targets were being missed.

The hospital admitted there had been "anomalies" and that a thorough review of data had been carried out. BBC News

Northampton GP surgery ranked 'good' by inspectors after making 'significant improvements'

Northampton GP surgery ranked 'good' by inspectors after making 'significant improvements' Inspectors have upgraded a Northampton GP practice from 'requires improvement' to 'good' for providing safe care.

A report published by the Care Quality Commission said the Mounts Medical Centre, in Campbell Street, had 'significantly improved' since its last inspection in 2015 and has now been given the second-highest rating possible. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

General election 2017: manifesto analysis

General election 2017: manifesto analysis These briefings aim to summarise the health and care aspects of political party manifestos in the build up to the 2017 General Election. National Voices

Supporting strategic commissioning: collaborative working between CCGs and AHSNs

Supporting strategic commissioning: collaborative working between CCGs and AHSNs This report aims to show how collaboration between CCGs and AHSNs can bring positive benefits to local patients and populations. It recommends that the most successful collaborations between CCGs and AHSNs will be ones that focus on a specific issue rather than on providing more general support. It also states that projects that focus on delivery at scale, will be the most impactful making AHSNs natural partners for commissioners working as a part of an STP. NHS Clinical Commissioners 

NHS entering 'year-round crisis', BMA warns

NHS entering 'year-round crisis', BMA warns Chronic underfunding and 'bad political choices' have left health and social care services unable to cope, with winter pressures now turning into a 'state of year-round crisis', the BMA has warned. GPonline

I worried about working in psychiatry but one patient taught me how to listen

I worried about working in psychiatry but one patient taught me how to listen It took ages to earn Sandra’s trust – she showed me how people’s lives can be consumed by the cruel fate of mental health problems

In medicine, psychiatry isn’t seen as glamorous. As a student and while training, you fight with your colleagues for the sexy jobs in cardiology, intensive care or on the frontline. When the crash call goes off, it’s dramatic; chest compressions, ventilation, trying to be the hero you see depicted on television. A job in psychiatry wasn’t my first choice, if there was a crisis, what would I do? Come running with my pen and notebook? Not exactly Oscar-winning stuff.

I had my reservations as I was about to embark on 91 days as a doctor in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit. Continue reading... The Guardian

Hospital trauma units across England on terror attack standby

Hospital trauma units across England on terror attack standby NHS England advises surgical teams to review staffing after Manchester bomb and be ready for ballistic and blast injuries

NHS hospital trauma units have been put on standby to deal with a potential fresh terrorist attack, possibly happening as soon as this weekend. The NHS has told every hospital in England, including the 27 that are specialist trauma centres, to “prepare for a further incident”. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• NHS issues warning for possible terror attack this weekend The Daily Mail
• A&E and trauma units told to prepare for possible terrorist attack The Daily Telegraph
• UK hospitals 'told to prepare for bank holiday terror attack' The Independent

Midwives reveal what they wished women knew

Midwives reveal what they wished women knew Bournemouth-based midwives, Samantha Pantlin and Alex Williams, run The Naked Midwives, putting together programmes to ensure women are as prepared for birth as possible. The Daily Mail

6000 per cent rise in number of patients stuck on trolleys for 12 hours

6000 per cent rise in number of patients stuck on trolleys for 12 hours The number of patients waiting 12 hours on trolleys has risen by more than 6,000 per cent as hospital overcrowding reaches a record high, NHS figures show.

The Royal College of Surgeons said the situation had become “exceptionally worrying,” urging the next Government to draw up immediate plans to deal with the crisis.

Occupancy levels are now the highest on record - with 91.4 per cent of beds filled, compared to recommended rates of 85 percent, the statistics show.

More than 20 trusts regularly reached occupancy of at least 99 per cent during the period, the figures show. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Average hospital bed occupancy rate for 2017 sits at 92% The Daily Mail
• NHS A&E units are 'stretched to their very limits' The Daily Mail

Charlie Gard: Doctors can stop providing life support for sick baby as parents lose Court of Appeal fight

Charlie Gard: Doctors can stop providing life support for sick baby as parents lose Court of Appeal fight A couple who want to take their sick baby son to the USA for treatment have lost a legal battle in the Court of Appeal.

Chris Gard and Connie Yates want nine-month-old Charlie Gard, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, to undergo a therapy trial.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where Charlie is being cared for, say therapy proposed by a doctor in America is experimental and will not help. They say life-support treatment should stop. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Charlie Gard's parents lose life support court appeal BBC News
• Charlie Gard's parents fight for Supreme Court hearing BBC News
• Charlie Gard doctors can stop providing life support, court rules The Guardian