Wednesday 12 September 2018

Press release: New flu vaccine available this winter for those aged 65 and over

Press release: New flu vaccine available this winter for those aged 65 and over A more effective flu vaccine is available this winter for those aged 65 and over, which could prevent deaths and reduce the burden on the NHS. Gov.UK - Public Health England
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NHS vacancies a 'national emergency'

NHS vacancies a 'national emergency' The shortage of NHS staff in England has started worsening again, official figures show.  One in 11 posts is vacant with the situation particularly bad among the nursing workforce.
Experts described the situation as at risk of becoming a "national emergency" given the rising demands on the NHS.
It comes after sustained efforts by ministers and NHS bosses to tackle the shortages, including a new pay deal and recruitment and retention campaigns.  BBC News - Health
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Medicine isn’t a quick fix for society’s ills. Overdiagnosis can cause more harm | Zara Aziz

Medicine isn’t a quick fix for society’s ills. Overdiagnosis can cause more harm | Zara Aziz  When health problems are triggered by economic issues, they are medicalised as anxiety and depression instead of poverty

There are many patients who live on in doctors’ memories. Lily was one such patient – a widow in her 80s with a spring in her step and a ready smile. An infrequent visitor to the consulting room, she was mostly found in her garden, tending to her flowers and vegetables. An accidental fall led to a head injury. A subsequent CT scan excluded a bleed on her brain, but showed a small tumour in the temporal lobe, a part of the brain processing sensory input. “It is slow growingand unlikely to cause any foreseeable problems,” her neurosurgeon said. The Guardian

£450k announced to help patients have their say on health services

£450k announced to help patients have their say on health services A windfall of £450,000 to support practical and innovative ways to help patients improve health services has been announced. The Building Health Partnerships programme has been awarded the money from NHS England and the National Lottery – through the Big Lottery Fund.
The funding will provide tailored support for co-production to 10 areas, helping to more easily

involve patients and carers in designing the services they use. For example, previous support helped launch a new programme in Essex to get early diagnosis for people with lung diseases.

The funding will also support leadership training and develop a ‘champions’ network’ where community representatives and commissioners can share the best ways to ensure communities and patients are at the heart of Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships’ (STP) and Integrated Care Systems’ (ICS) plans. NHS England

Current and future state of nation’s health revealed

Current and future state of nation’s health revealed Public Health England has published a report giving the most comprehensive picture of the health of England today and into the future. NHS Networks

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National conversation with health and care staff begins

National conversation with health and care staff begins The secretary of state for health and social care has launched a new digital platform called TalkHealthandCare, which staff can use to post ideas, questions and challenges for government. NHS Networks