Tuesday 11 July 2017

Shared data paves the way for creating accountable care systems

Shared data paves the way for creating accountable care systems At this year’s NHS Confederation conference Simon Stevens confirmed the eight areas in England chosen to evolve their sustainability and transformation partnerships into accountable care systems (ACSs). This move to ACSs – first announced by NHS England in its Next stepsdocument – represents the next stage in integrating local health systems to deliver better, more co-ordinated care for their local populations.

To integrate effectively, it is not enough for organisations to speak to one another, their IT systems need to be able to communicate too. In the United States, where accountable care is further ahead in its development, good IT systems are seen as essential (though not sufficient on their own) to delivering on the promise of better health outcomes. The King's Fund

One in four unpaid carers “have not had a day off” in five years

One in four unpaid carers “have not had a day off” in five years Carers are reaching ‘breaking point’ as they struggle to take even a day away from care responsibilities for years at a time, research by Carers UK has found. 4 in 10 (40%) of unpaid carers have not had a break in over one year, whilst one in four (25%) had not received a single day away from caring in five years.

The charity’s report, State of Caring 2017, found that carers most frequently listed access to breaks as one of three factors which could make a difference in their lives (42%). Respondents explained their own personal reasons for needing a break, listing diverse benefits ranging from the opportunity to spend time with partners and children to being able to see a doctor for their own health conditions. Yet few are able to take regular breaks, with only 16% of carers currently buying or receiving a break from caring in the form of services such as respite or alternative care provisions. Carers UK

See also:

First vaccine shows gonorrhoea protection

First vaccine shows gonorrhoea protection A vaccine has for the first time been shown to protect against the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea, scientists in New Zealand say.

There are fears gonorrhoea is becoming untreatable as antibiotics fail.

The World Health Organization sees developing a vaccine as vital in stopping the global spread of "super-gonorrhoea".

The study of 15,000 young people, published in the Lancet, showed infections were cut by about a third.

About 78 million people pick up the sexually transmitted infection each year, and it can cause infertility.

But the body does not build up resistance no matter how many times someone is infected. BBC News

More than 50,000 alive due to organ transplants, NHS says

More than 50,000 alive due to organ transplants, NHS says More than 50,000 people in the UK are alive today because of organ transplantation, new data suggests.

NHS Blood and Transplant said that figure included 36,300 kidney patients, 9,800 given livers, 1,900 who received a pancreas, and 1,000 who were given an intestine transplant.

It marks the first time the 50,000 barrier has been broken, the NHS added.

The number of registered organ donors also reached a record of 23.6 million - up 4.9 million over five years. BBC News

Migrants will be forced to pay upfront for non-urgent NHS treatment 'by end of the year'

Migrants will be forced to pay upfront for non-urgent NHS treatment 'by end of the year' Plans are being finalised by Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, to force migrants to pay upfront for non-urgent NHS treatment by the end of the year.

Despite not being included in the Queen’s Speech, the Department of Health expects to be laying out the regulations, which include a legal requirement that hospitals charge patients who are not eligible for free NHS treatment upfront and in full for any non-urgent care. The Independent

How to manage mental health at work

How to manage mental health at work Speak openly with colleagues about your mental ill-health and try to build a workplace that’s mental health friendly, say the experts

In recent months, a number of high-profile figures have spoken frankly about their experiences of mental health. Prince Harry has disclosed the anxiety and panic attacks he experienced following the sudden death of his mother, while former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff and rapper Professor Green have also both opened up about their mental health.

Experts welcome such open discussions on mental health, which has been a taboo subject for far too long. “It’s great that more people feel able to talk about their mental health,” says Madeleine McGivern, head of workplace wellbeing programmes at the charity Mind. “There is still a long way to go – especially in many workplaces – but things are definitely moving in the right direction.” Continue reading... The Guardian

The charity that's been saving lives for 140 years – in pictures

The charity that's been saving lives for 140 years – in pictures Established long before the NHS, St John Ambulance has helped, and continues to help, save lives every day. Their presence has been felt at major events over the years, including football matches and royal garden parties, and they’ve worked alongside the emergency services in times of terror or political and social unrest Continue reading... The Guardian

GPs hold vote to stop taking on all new patients

GPs hold vote to stop taking on all new patients Up to 23,000 GPs in England are taking part in the ballot which could see them collectively suspending all registrations. The mass closure would be a form of industrial action. The Daily Mail

See also:

Big pharma sues NHS over medicines price cap

Big pharma sues NHS over medicines price cap British pharmaceutical companies are suing the NHS's drugs watchdog in an effort to prevent drug rationing.

The unprecedented legal action follows a new rule, in place since April, to consider delaying or restricting funding for medicines already judged good value for money by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) if they cost the health service more than £20 million a year.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is seeking judicial review of the changes, saying they “contravene the fundamental right to access to cost-effective medicines”. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

Relax English language test for foreign nurses, say hospital execs

Relax English language test for foreign nurses, say hospital execs Hospital bosses have called for the English language test for foreign nurses to be relaxed after just three of 118 Filipino applicants at one NHS trust passed.

Managers at Walsall Manor Hospital in the West Midlands said their chronic staffing shortfall could be solved “overnight” if watchdogs slackened standards, however patient safety campaigners have demanded the existing pass mark remain in place.

The complaint was made as it emerged executives from the trust made two trips to the Philippines last year in an attempt to recruit more staff. The Daily Telegraph

See also: