Study into health and social care needs of Armed Forces veterans published by Northamptonshire Healthcare

Study into health and social care needs of Armed Forces veterans published by Northamptonshire Healthcare A Northamptonshire Healthcare survey into the care needs of Armed Forces veterans has highlighted several recommendations that could shape the future of their treatment in the county.

More than 450 people took part in the study between February and May 2018 and a report on the findings has been published today.

In particular, the report highlights the mental health needs of Armed Forces veterans and their families and some of the difficulties experienced when they leave the Forces and transition back to civilian life. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The NHS 10-year plan: transformation holds the key to sustainability

The NHS 10-year plan: transformation holds the key to sustainability A new analysis by NHS Providers argues that stabilising NHS finances, tackling pressures in mental health and community services, dealing with backlog maintenance, achieving key waiting time standards, and funding other pressing needs would take up much if not most of the additional spending announced by the Prime Minister. In the words of NHS Providers, the NHS 10-year plan ‘will therefore have to make some extremely uncomfortable choices, including over how quickly improvements can realistically be made given the current starting position’. The King's Fund

News story: Measles outbreaks across England

News story: Measles outbreaks across England Public Health England is advising the public to ensure they have had 2 doses of MMR vaccine after outbreaks of measles are confirmed across England.

Supporting line managers to foster engagement

Supporting line managers to foster engagement This briefing explores work that can be done to support and develop line managers to improve staff engagement across NHS organisations. It is based on the issues raised by line managers within the NHS and looks at challenges for staff engagement. It outlines suggestions on how organisations can support line managers to manage in way that supports engagement. NHS Employers

NHS still reliant on 'archaic' fax machines

NHS still reliant on 'archaic' fax machines Hospitals are still reliant on "archaic" fax machines with thousands still in use, a survey shows.

Senior doctors said the continued use of the outdated technology was "ludicrous", and modern forms of communication were urgently needed.

The poll, by the Royal College of Surgeons using freedom of information laws, revealed nearly 9,000 fax machines were in use across England. BBC News

Could artificial intelligence replace doctors?

Could artificial intelligence replace doctors? UK company Babylon Health is testing an artificially intelligent medical chatbot in Rwanda.

A patient's symptoms are entered into the chatbot and it then suggests what needs to be done.

But suggestions that the tech can beat GPs at a medical exam have caused controversy.

BBC Click finds out more.

Anti-NHS think-tank with links to new health secretary Matt Hancock under investigation by charity commission

Anti-NHS think-tank with links to new health secretary Matt Hancock under investigation by charity commission An anti-NHS think tank whose chair has donated thousands of pounds to the new health secretary is being investigated on whether it breached rules on political independence by the Charity Commission.
The Independent
Concerns were brought to the watchdog about the Institute of Economic Affairs which is registered as an educational charity but has ties to the Conservative Party and the Brexit movement.

Matt Hancock, who replaced Jeremy Hunt this week, has received £32,000 since 2010 from the chair of the IEA’s board, Neil Record who has also donated to the government. The Independent

See also:

• Don't be fooled, Matt Hancock will be no better for the NHS than Jeremy Hunt was The Independent

In A&E I see children's terror as they choke from polluted air this summer

In A&E I see children's terror as they choke from polluted air this summer The cocktail of pollution and pollen in London kills people. Politicians should spend a night on the wards to see the harm

Summer nights are supposed to be quiet on the children’s unit in A&E. Kids are normally healthy during the warmer months: the risk of colds and flu is low, and their bodies are invigorated by sunshine and exercise. They might suffer the odd scrape or broken bone from playing outside, but nothing that would land them in hospital in the middle of the night.

Not this summer. Something is different. I spent the first week of July working nights in the A&E of a major central London hospital, and it was full of children. Rushing between the emergency room and the ward, I barely had a moment to myself from 8pm when I started my shift to 10am when I handed over to the day team. It’s not normal. Children aren’t supposed to be this sick. Continue reading... The Guardian

Cases of the 'Victorian' scarlet fever soar to highest levels in 60 years

Cases of the 'Victorian' scarlet fever soar to highest levels in 60 years Public Health England figures show 26,745 have been struck down by scarlet fever already this year, after 27 just weeks. Cases of measles are twice as high as last year. The Daily Mail