Delivering high quality end of life care for people who have a learning disability

Delivering high quality end of life care for people who have a learning disability This guidance document provide resources and tips for commissioners, service providers and health and social care staff providing, or delivering care to people with a learning disability at the end of their lives. NHS England

Position statement on children and young peoples' mental health

Position statement on children and young peoples' mental health This intercollegiate statement, produced in conjunction with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, outlines five principles to improve the care and support of children and young people (CYP) with mental health problems. The guidance highlights the need for a shared vision for CYP mental health across all professions and agencies. Royal College of General Practitioners

Hunt vs. Hawking: who's right about the NHS?

Hunt vs. Hawking: who's right about the NHS? The health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, clashed with Professor Stephen Hawking over the weekend about the NHS.

The exchange saw claims and counter-claims scattered across the pages of the weekend papers, with each accusing the other of ignoring evidence.

So, who’s right? FactCheck looks at the four biggest points of contention between the pair. Channel 4 News

BMA chair will support GPs' decision in industrial action ballot

BMA chair will support GPs' decision in industrial action ballot BMA chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul has said he would support the democratic decision of practices if they vote in favour industrial action. GPonline

Jamie is psychotic and won't go outside. Mental health services are failing him

Jamie is psychotic and won't go outside. Mental health services are failing him As a psychiatrist, I work hard to support his wish to remain in the community but there are many barriers

We’re standing in front of Jamie’s door for the second time today. It’s been 10 minutes but at least it’s stopped raining. This could be any one of the hundreds of crumbling red brick terraced houses in Leeds.

It’s not a surprise that there’s no sign of Jamie, beyond the sounds of his dogs barking and the bass music reverberating inside. The door still hasn’t been fixed since it was forced by the police prior to his last admission three months ago. Just as we’re about to leave, Jamie opens the door. Continue reading... The Guardian

Connor Sparrowhawk: no risk assessments before teenager's death, tribunal finds

Connor Sparrowhawk: no risk assessments before teenager's death, tribunal finds Dr Valerie Murphy faces sanction after tribunal finds further failings over death of 18-year-old who drowned at NHS unit

A senior psychiatrist failed to carry out any risk assessments on an epileptic teenager before he had a seizure and drowned in a bath, a medical tribunal has found.

Dr Valerie Murphy was the lead clinician responsible for treating Connor Sparrowhawk, 18, who died in an NHS care unit in Oxford on 4 July 2013. Continue reading... The Guardian

Up to 12,000 patients may have been put at risk by check-up failure

Up to 12,000 patients may have been put at risk by check-up failure Thousands of patients may have been put at risk after failing to be given crucial hospital appointments, an independent review claims.

The investigation, ordered by Portsmouth Hospital trust, found almost 12,000 patients may have been put at “significant clinical risk” because they did not have planned check-ups, after undergoing procedures.

Worst affected treatment areas were gastroenterology, ophthalmology and cardiology, the report, seen by the Health Service Journal, found. The Daily Telegraph

Families could get supermarket discounts if they hit NHS exercise targets

milies could get supermarket discounts if they hit NHS exercise targets Families could get discounts on their supermarket shopping if they hit weekly exercise “step targets” under radical NHS proposals.

Free bikes, sprinting tracks on pavements and outdoor public gyms are also proposed as part of efforts to drive out couch potato lifestyles and reward those who try to shape up.

The head of the health service said the schemes, which will be piloted in new towns, aimed to create a “design for life” which would persuade young and old out of sedentary habits.

Under the proposals, those who meet weekly activity targets, tracked on apps, could be offered discounts on weekly supermarket shopping and sports gear, free cinema tickets, or cut-price gym membership. The Daily Telegraph