Great expectations: the changing nature of the public’s relationship with the NHS

Great expectations: the changing nature of the public’s relationship with the NHS Despite the NHS and the challenges it faces rarely being far from the headlines in recent years, there has been relatively little research done into whether – and how – the public’s priorities are changing and what people expect from the NHS in the 21st century. The King's Fund

Half of older patients’ families struggle to complain about poor hospital care

Half of older patients’ families struggle to complain about poor hospital care Older vulnerable people are often reliant on relatives to raise concerns when things go wrong in hospital, yet over half (51%) of family members with a concern say it is difficult to complain about the hospital care or treatment of an older relative, according to a new survey published by Gransnet and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

See also:

• Survey of Gransnet members on hospital care and treatment of an older relative Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
• Gransnet survey results are deeply concerning Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
• Elderly neglected by NHS because loved ones won't complain The Daily Mail
• Elderly patients forced to wear adult nappies because nurses too busy The Daily Telegraph

Progress through partnership: involvement of people with lived experience of mental illness in CCG commissioning

Progress through partnership: involvement of people with lived experience of mental illness in CCG commissioning This report finds that despite recommendations set out over a year ago in the Five year forward view for mental health, little is known about the extent to which CCGs are involving people with experience of mental illness in the commissioning of mental health services. The research also reveals that the majority of CCGs do not have clear plans for the co-production of mental health services and that the difficulty in prioritising this is due to pressure on resources and workload. Rethink Mental Illness

NHS Health Check 40-64 dementia pilot research findings

NHS Health Check 40-64 dementia pilot research findings This report summarises the findings from a pilot project into the effectiveness of dementia risk reduction messaging in NHS Health Checks. It found that the pilot project showed promise in shifting public awareness and understanding of dementia risk with 75 per cent of the 164 participants recalling the advice on dementia risk and 80 per cent reporting that the advice would impact on their behaviour. Alzheimer's Society

Information for nurses and midwives on responding to unexpected incidents or emergencies

Information for nurses and midwives on responding to unexpected incidents or emergencies Following recent terrorist incidents, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has provided information for nurses and midwives on responding to unexpected incidents or emergencies.

There may be occasions where you find yourself involved in an unexpected incident or emergency away from your normal place of work where people may require care.

As a healthcare professional, your first instinct is often to go to the aid of others in need. However, it is important that if you find yourself in an unclear situation you should follow official government guidance to run, hide and tell.

Medical school offers students places through clearing

Medical school offers students places through clearing A-grade students who missed out on a medical school place will be able to apply to a top medical school in London through clearing.

For the second year running, St George’s, University of London, will offer a small number of medical school places through clearing.

Tens of thousands of students use UCAS Clearing and Adjustment each year to find a university place, either because they got better or worse grades than expected, or because they changed their plans. OnMedica

The Guardian view on vaginal mesh implants: trust data and patients | Editorial

The Guardian view on vaginal mesh implants: trust data and patients | Editorial The devices have benefited a large number of women – but thousands have suffered serious adverse effects

The numbers tell their own tale. Thousands of women have undergone surgery to have vaginal mesh implants removed after suffering complications. Around one in 15 of those fitted with the most common type of mesh have required operations, according to NHS data obtained by the Guardian. In short, the problems are much more widespread than previously acknowledged. The removal rate was previously estimated at less than 1%.

But numbers are not enough. Each case is a woman with a disturbing story; and listening is as important as tallying them. Carolyn Churchill had to give up work after she was left in agony, with persistent bleeding. Yet she said she was made to feel like a baby for complaining. Others describe being left unable to walk or have sex – and of being assured that the implant was not responsible. So even this data under-represents the problem. Women may not be referred for removal, or may decide against it given the risks. Continue reading... The Guardian

'Very weak' passwords put NHS hospitals at hacking risk

'Very weak' passwords put NHS hospitals at hacking risk NHS hospitals are at risk of further devastating cyber attacks because staff are using “very weak” passwords, a new report reveals.

Health chiefs warned that one in four official user accounts granting access to sensitive patient data and vital systems are inadequately protected, while many organisations are failing to update their security software.

Around 10 per cent of administrator accounts, used by those who oversee IT systems, were also using weak passwords.

The private industry briefing by NHS Digital has emerged three months after the global WannaCry attack, which pitched the health service into chaos. The Daily Telegraph

Care home assault cases double

Care home assault cases double The number of reported assaults in care homes has more than doubled in three years, shocking figures reveal today.

Police forces from across England and Wales received almost 2,500 reports of assaults in care homes in the 12 months to April – up from the 1,100 reported three years previously.

In total, officers recorded a staggering 5,400 reports of crimes in care homes last year – including reports of neglect, ill-treatment, blackmail and even a case of 'administered poison'.

Worryingly, the true toll of crime is likely to be even higher as less than half of police forces responded to the Freedom of Information request.

The figures are the latest to illustrate the scale of the crisis in the social care sector, which has been beset by funding problems, care home closures, staff shortages and allegations of ill-treatment. The Daily Mail

Lack of nurses blamed for the spread of Japanese fungus

Lack of nurses blamed for the spread of Japanese fungus Nursing shortages have been blamed for the spread of a dangerous Japanese fungus through hospital wards.

More than 200 hospital patients have contracted the drug-resistant Candida auris fungus since it arrived in the UK four years ago.

A total of 20 NHS and private hospitals have reported cases of the potentially deadly fungus, including three large outbreaks, officials state.

King's College Hospital in South London was responsible for 31 of such cases during a year-long outbreak, figures show. The Daily Mail