NHS reveals 50 newly recorded cases of female genital mutilation in Northampton

NHS reveals 50 newly recorded cases of female genital mutilation in Northampton New NHS Digital statistics show that there have been 50 newly recorded cases of FGM to NHS Nene CCG between 2016 and 2017, 45 of these girls, at the time, were under 18.
“Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse. Despite being illegal for over 30 years, too many people are still being subjected to it and it is right that health services have started to properly record evidence of this horrendous practice," a spokesman for the NSPCC said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Council leader 'deeply concerned' by Corby Urgent Care Centre funding proposal

Council leader 'deeply concerned' by Corby Urgent Care Centre funding proposal A spokesman for Corby CCG said the new contract would be on a 'caretaker' arrangement, with the view to a long-term contract bidding process next year. The spokesman said: “NHS Corby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is now undertaking a process to secure a provider to ensure that there is no disruption of the Urgent Care Centre service when the current service expires at the end of September. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Video provides tips for reward in the NHS

Video provides tips for reward in the NHS NHS Employers have launched a new video which explores how to communicate reward effectively, as well as how reward can support your organisational priorities. NHS Employers

Rebooting health and social care integration: an agenda for more person centred care

Rebooting health and social care integration: an agenda for more person centred care  This report from Localis finds that the health and social care integration agenda has a future but it is dependent on moving away from notions of structural integration and reliance on central policy direction. It concludes that the issue of funding and financial sustainability is critical but can only be influenced locally. The authors also believe that health and social care integration can create new value locally, but it must build on its most important point of consensus; greater person centred care. The report makes four strategic recommendations and six policy recommendations to support integration.
Report
King's Fund

NHS financial temperature check: finance directors’ views on financial challenges facing the NHS in England

NHS financial temperature check: finance directors’ views on financial challenges facing the NHS in England This is the seventh in the HFMA’s series of briefings setting out finance directors’ views on the financial issues facing the NHS in England. The briefing draws on the responses of 73 finance directors of trusts and foundation trusts and chief finance officers of 100 CCGs. The NHS financial temperature check provides a national picture of finance directors’ views of the financial outlook and the challenges NHS finance staff are facing.
Briefing
Infographic
King's Fund

Patient confidence in GPs remains high despite difficulties getting appointments

Patient confidence in GPs remains high despite difficulties getting appointments More than 90% of patients say they have trust and confidence in their GP, according to the latest annual GP patient survey, despite growing numbers saying that they struggle to get appointments. GP Online

More patients waiting longer than a week for GP appointments

More patients waiting longer than a week for GP appointments Annual survey shows that in England 20% must wait at least seven days and many are unable to get an appointment at all. Growing numbers of patient are waiting a week or more to see their GP or are unable to get an appointment at all, according to a major annual report.
A survey of more than 800,000 patients in England reveals that the proportion of patients waiting longer than seven days to see a doctor has risen 56% in five years – with 20% waiting this period compared to 12.8% in 2012. Guardian

Use of WhatsApp in NHS 'widespread', say doctors

Use of WhatsApp in NHS 'widespread', say doctors Internet-based messaging apps are a key way for doctors to send patient information, the BBC has learned. Doctors and nurses are using WhatsApp and Snapchat to share information about patients "across the NHS", health professionals have told the BBC.
GP Alisdair MacNair said he was aware of a number of medical groups using WhatsApp to discuss patients. Use of internet-based messaging apps to send patient information is banned under current NHS guidelines. BBC News

Mental health services 'at risk of deteriorating' despite Government promises, NHS managers say

Mental health services 'at risk of deteriorating' despite Government promises, NHS managers say. More than half of senior managers working in NHS mental health trusts have said they do not believe access to mental health services in their area will improve, despite Government promises to increase investment, a new report has found. Independent

Government urged to prioritise mental health in the public sector

Government urged to prioritise mental health in the public sector The mental health charity Mind has urged the Government to make mental health in the public sector “a top priority”, after it revealed much higher levels of mental health problems among public-sector workers, as well as less support being available ... Personnel Today

Nine ways to save the NHS – by healthcare professionals

Nine ways to save the NHS – by healthcare professionals Charge for missed appointments, divert funds to social care and fine drunk people – readers weigh in on how to solve problems facing the health service.
Drink- or drug-related problems should always be dealt with in regional drunk tanks which are already being used in many areas, and patients charged to make the service profitable. Alternatively, this could be paid for by a sharp rise in alcohol tax. In the A&E I often work in, it’s not just the weekend evenings we have drunk patients, it’s 24/7; you can walk in at any time of day and there will always be a few drunk people or drug users causing a nuisance. Guardian

NHS bosses warn of mental health crisis with long waits for treatment

NHS bosses warn of mental health crisis with long waits for treatment Report finds 80% fear they cannot provide timely, high-quality care to the growing numbers seeking help. Mental health services are so overwhelmed by soaring demand that patients are facing long delays to access care, a powerful group of NHS mental health trust bosses have warned.
Widespread shortages of specialist nurses and psychiatrists mean Theresa May’s pledge to tackle the “burning injustice of mental illness” is at risk according to chief executives and chairs from 37 of England’s 53 specialist mental health trusts. Guardian

Sick notes and medical letters cost the NHS £700m a year

Sick notes and medical letters cost the NHS £700m a year Sick notes for employers cost £425m and medical letters £319m annually, estimates a London-based digital doctor service. It calls for changes to ease pressure on GPs. Daily Mail