Northamptonshire's NHS shows 'notable examples of outstanding practice' finds glowing watchdog report

Northamptonshire's NHS shows 'notable examples of outstanding practice' finds glowing watchdog report A Northamptonshire health trust has improved its Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating after inspectors found outstanding practice in all areas during a visit earlier this summer.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, headed by Angela Hillery, provides a range of services across the county to 733,000 people including mental health, learning disability, community health and prison health services.

The trust was rated as good following an inspection in January 2017 but on CQC’s return inspectors found a number of improvements had been made resulting in it receiving the top 'outstanding' rating. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Through the eyes of GP trainees: workforce of the future

Through the eyes of GP trainees: workforce of the future There is a workforce crisis in general practice with the GP workforce declining while workload increases. The NHS’s struggle to retain GPs is highlighted by a 2.2 per cent decline in the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) GPs to 33,062 in September 2017 compared to September 2016. A recent GP survey found that 39 per cent of respondents (and 62 per cent of respondents aged 50+) planned to leave ‘direct patient care’ by 2022. The King's Fund

See also:

• Average GP works just three-and-a-half days a week despite six-figure salaries The Daily Mail

Government missing opportunity with e-cigarettes

Government missing opportunity with e-cigarettes The Science and Technology Committee publishes its Report, E-cigarettes. The Report reviews the current evidence base on the harmfulness of e-cigarettes compared to conventional cigarettes and looks at the current policies on e-cigarettes, including in NHS mental health units and in prisons. The Committee concludes that e-cigarettes should not be treated in the same way as conventional cigarettes.

• Read the report summary
• Read the report conclusions and recommendations
• Read the full report:: E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes, estimated as 95% less harmful than conventional cigarettes, are too often being overlooked as a stop smoking tool by the NHS. Regulations should be relaxed relating to e-cigarettes’ licensing, prescribing and advertising of their health benefits. Their level of taxation and use in public places must be reconsidered.

See also:

• E-cigarettes can be key weapon against smoking, say MPs BBC News
• Relaxing vaping laws would cut smoking deaths, say MPs The Guardian
• Smoking ban should not apply to e-cigarettes and vaping should be allowed at work, in pubs and on trains, MPs say The Independent

Ordinary residence guide: determining local authority responsibilities under the Care Act and the Mental Health Act

Ordinary residence guide: determining local authority responsibilities under the Care Act and the Mental Health Act This guide has been created to support the ambitions of the Transforming Care programme to improve services and support for children, young people and adults with a learning disability, autism or both a learning disability and autism who may display behaviour that challenges, and significantly reduce the number of people in inpatient settings. Local Government Association

The 'So what, what next?' project: supporting people with a learning disability, autism or both to use their skills and interests to play a part in the community

The 'So what, what next?' project: supporting people with a learning disability, autism or both to use their skills and interests to play a part in the community The So what, what next? project was designed by the Transforming Care empowerment steering group to look at ways of supporting people with a learning disability or autism who have recently been discharged from hospital to explore their skills and passions and to find ways to contribute these to their local communities. This report outlines how the findings and learning from the project. Local Government Association

A 'whole council' approach to gambling

A 'whole council' approach to gambling Gambling is often described as a “hidden addiction” and it is now recognised as a complex public health issue that impacts individuals, families, and communities. This guidance outlines the areas in which public health can add value and support local gambling policies. London Councils

During “Senior Week,” 144,000 Elderly Swedish Adults Received Free Medication Review

During “Senior Week,” 144,000 Elderly Swedish Adults Received Free Medication Review The Swedish Pharmaceutical Association's annual "Senior Week" (Seniorveckan) in April aimed to raise awareness of safe medication use among elderly patients taking multiple medications. This year, Electronic Expert Support (EES) checks were offered free to all patients age 75 and older, with more than 144,000 patients at 1,400 pharmacies across the country receiving them. The Commonwealth Fund

I managed to become a doctor, despite my devastating A-level results

I managed to become a doctor, despite my devastating A-level results After missing the grades I needed for medical school, I found another way to realise my dream

It was August 2007; I stood in the classroom, surrounded by my school friends, clutching the large brown envelope that contained my A-level results. I wanted to become a doctor and had the next five years of my life all planned out. I opened the envelope to find three As and two Bs staring back at me. My heart sank. Continue reading... The Guardian

Patients are discussing their conditions online instead of seeking professional help, experts warn

Patients are discussing their conditions online instead of seeking professional help, experts warn Experts say web giants such as Facebook and Instagram had a 'moral duty' to help the 'cash strapped' NHS reach troubled young people in the UK. The Daily Mail

NHS misses its two-week cancer referral target for first time ever

NHS misses its two-week cancer referral target for first time ever NHS figures also reveal the number of suspected cancer patients who start treatment within 62 days of GP referral dropped from 82.3 per cent at the beginning of the year to 80.8 per cent. The Daily Mail