Why we shouldn't panic about nursing students... yet We’ve known for some time that there is a shortage of nurses in England. There’s nothing particularly new in that statement. It’s been said by us at the Fund, the Public Accounts Committee, Health Education England, and the Migration Advisory Committee.
That’s one reason why the decision to scrap the NHS bursary scheme and require trainee nurses and other health care students to take out loans has polarised debate. On the one hand, the government argues that this will create an additional 10,000 university places by making it more financially rewarding for universities to provide places on nursing courses, ultimately significantly increasing the pool of qualified staff. On the other, critics say it will deter people – particularly mature students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds – from applying for nursing courses and will saddle nurses with debt. And this takes place within the context of a wider debate about student finance and calls for it to be reformed.
So what effect has this had on the number of people training to be a nurse? Well, the number of applications for undergraduate nursing places in the UK has dropped dramatically this year: down 19 per cent from 2016. The King's Fund
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Behind closed doors: can we expect NHS staff to be the shock absorbers of a system under pressure?
Behind closed doors: can we expect NHS staff to be the shock absorbers of a system under pressure? This briefing highlights concerns that the pressures within the NHS are placing staff under stress and at risk of burnout and the impact that this could have on patient safety. It makes recommendations that focus on support for bottom-up initiatives that acknowledge the intrinsic motivations that staff feel to care for patients, and for actions at every level of the NHS to enable staff to be at their best with patients. Point of Care Foundation
Vaginal implants: Report recommends recording complications
Vaginal implants: Report recommends recording complications An NHS England report on vaginal mesh implants has recommended better support and communication between patients and doctors over the devices.
The Mesh Oversight Group report also said complications caused by the implants should be recorded so that experts fully understood the risks.
Vaginal mesh implants are used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
But some women said they left them in permanent pain and unable to walk.
The research - seen exclusively by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme - aims to address concerns over the use of mesh devices. BBC News
The Mesh Oversight Group report also said complications caused by the implants should be recorded so that experts fully understood the risks.
Vaginal mesh implants are used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
But some women said they left them in permanent pain and unable to walk.
The research - seen exclusively by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme - aims to address concerns over the use of mesh devices. BBC News
More than 80,000 NHS posts vacant, says report
More than 80,000 NHS posts vacant, says report More than 86,000 NHS posts were vacant between January 2017 and March 2017, figures for England suggest.
Statistics from NHS Digital, which collates data, shows the number of vacancies climbed by almost 8,000 compared to the same period in 2016.
Nurses and midwives accounted for the highest proportion of shortages, with 11,400 vacant posts in March 2017.
The Department of Health said staffing was a priority and that more money was being invested in frontline staff.
The data includes job adverts published on the NHS Jobs website between February 2015 and March 2017. BBC News
See also:
Statistics from NHS Digital, which collates data, shows the number of vacancies climbed by almost 8,000 compared to the same period in 2016.
Nurses and midwives accounted for the highest proportion of shortages, with 11,400 vacant posts in March 2017.
The Department of Health said staffing was a priority and that more money was being invested in frontline staff.
The data includes job adverts published on the NHS Jobs website between February 2015 and March 2017. BBC News
See also:
- NHS job vacancies have rocketed by 30% in 2 years The Daily Mail
- Soaring NHS vacancies prompt warnings of 'desperate' understaffing The Guardian
Anti-depressants linked to 28 murders in three decades, BBC investigation finds
Anti-depressants linked to 28 murders in three decades, BBC investigation finds Anti-depressants have been associated with 28 reports of murder referred to the UK medicines regulator in the last three decades, according to a new BBC investigation.
Murderous thoughts were also believed to be linked to the medication on 32 occasions, according to Panorama, although the possible connection does not necessarily mean the drugs caused the events.
In 2016, over 40 million prescriptions were made for SSRIs, a type of anti-depressant that boosts levels of the chemical seratonin in the brain. The Independent
Murderous thoughts were also believed to be linked to the medication on 32 occasions, according to Panorama, although the possible connection does not necessarily mean the drugs caused the events.
In 2016, over 40 million prescriptions were made for SSRIs, a type of anti-depressant that boosts levels of the chemical seratonin in the brain. The Independent
Dementia nurses provide a lifeline for carers that is all too rare
Dementia nurses provide a lifeline for carers that is all too rare Although specialist Admiral nurses can prevent hospital admissions and save money, there are only 200 in the UK and many counties have none at all.
Kate and Jon Henderson have devoted the past decade to looking after their 67-year-old mother, Sally, who has dementia. At first the siblings, who, until this February shared their bungalow in Rottingdean, near Brighton with her, were able to cope. But as Sally’s condition worsened, she began to lose her balance and had to use a wheelchair. Her speech deteriorated so much that Jon and Kate had to anticipate her needs by reading her body language. They installed a wet room, a disabled access door and a hospital bed with rails.
Last year, constant urinary tract infections made Sally more confused and a bad cold led to acute illness because she could not clear her throat. Kate was so worried she began sleeping on an air bed in her mum’s room.
You have to be emotionally tough. When a carer is drained from looking after someone you refill his or her jug Continue reading... The Guardian
Kate and Jon Henderson have devoted the past decade to looking after their 67-year-old mother, Sally, who has dementia. At first the siblings, who, until this February shared their bungalow in Rottingdean, near Brighton with her, were able to cope. But as Sally’s condition worsened, she began to lose her balance and had to use a wheelchair. Her speech deteriorated so much that Jon and Kate had to anticipate her needs by reading her body language. They installed a wet room, a disabled access door and a hospital bed with rails.
Last year, constant urinary tract infections made Sally more confused and a bad cold led to acute illness because she could not clear her throat. Kate was so worried she began sleeping on an air bed in her mum’s room.
You have to be emotionally tough. When a carer is drained from looking after someone you refill his or her jug Continue reading... The Guardian
Lack of mental health support leaving children stuck in hospital – thinktank
Lack of mental health support leaving children stuck in hospital – thinktank Figures show rise in number of ‘wasted days’ spent in hospital by young patients who have been declared fit for discharge
Children with serious mental health problems are becoming trapped in NHS psychiatric units, unable to leave because care is unavailable outside hospitals, a thinktank has said.
NHS figures show that between October 2015 and September 2016 children and young people in England spent almost 9,000 days in hospital after being declared fit to be discharged. Some end up stuck in units for several months. Continue reading... The Guardian
Children with serious mental health problems are becoming trapped in NHS psychiatric units, unable to leave because care is unavailable outside hospitals, a thinktank has said.
NHS figures show that between October 2015 and September 2016 children and young people in England spent almost 9,000 days in hospital after being declared fit to be discharged. Some end up stuck in units for several months. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS needs more money but must improve how it spends it, says watchdog
NHS needs more money but must improve how it spends it, says watchdog Outgoing chief inspector of hospitals calls for more investment, but says ‘things can be done better without more money’
More money should be spent on the NHS, though funding alone is not the answer to all its problems, according to England’s outgoing chief inspector of hospitals.
Prof Sir Mike Richards said the health service was in a perilous situation and needed investment to cope, including a pay rise for overworked nurses to convince them to stay. But he insisted that other improvements could be made without spending more cash. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
More money should be spent on the NHS, though funding alone is not the answer to all its problems, according to England’s outgoing chief inspector of hospitals.
Prof Sir Mike Richards said the health service was in a perilous situation and needed investment to cope, including a pay rise for overworked nurses to convince them to stay. But he insisted that other improvements could be made without spending more cash. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Continuing Healthcare NHS fund can help with care costs
Continuing Healthcare NHS fund can help with care costs Frail elderly people are being forced to sell their homes because the NHS is taking years to pay them vital cash to fund their care bills.
A Money Mail investigation found officials are taking up to five years to process claims for funding.
In some cases, families are having to wait two years even after the NHS has agreed to pay up.
Currently, you have to finance your own care bills if you have assets of more than £23,250. This includes your home. The Daily Mail
A Money Mail investigation found officials are taking up to five years to process claims for funding.
In some cases, families are having to wait two years even after the NHS has agreed to pay up.
Currently, you have to finance your own care bills if you have assets of more than £23,250. This includes your home. The Daily Mail
Pressure mounts to curtail surgery on intersex children
Pressure mounts to curtail surgery on intersex children The American Medical Association is considering a proposal to ban genital surgery on intersex children.
For years, children whose sexual characteristics don't align with either male or female have been eligible for surgery during infancy to rearrange their anatomy.
This practice is now under attack as never before, with many criticizing that these children were operated on before they were old enough to have a say in the matter.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch and InterACT, which is a group advocating for intersex youth, released a detailed report assailing the practice and urging Congress to ban it. The Daily Mail
For years, children whose sexual characteristics don't align with either male or female have been eligible for surgery during infancy to rearrange their anatomy.
This practice is now under attack as never before, with many criticizing that these children were operated on before they were old enough to have a say in the matter.
On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch and InterACT, which is a group advocating for intersex youth, released a detailed report assailing the practice and urging Congress to ban it. The Daily Mail
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