Monday 5 November 2018

New study shows the seven elements improve vaccination uptake

New study shows the seven elements improve vaccination uptake A recent study by Stead et al (2018) has found that trusts who incorporated the seven elements for a successful flu campaign resource, developed by NHS Employers, in their local flu campaign achieved a higher flu vaccination uptake compared to trusts who did not.

A Fair, Supportive Society: a social determinants of health approach to improving the lives and health of people with learning disabilities.

A Fair, Supportive Society:  a social determinants of health approach to improving the lives and health of people with learning disabilities A Fair, Supportive Society highlights that some of the most vulnerable people in society – those with learning disabilities – will die 15-20 years sooner on average than the general population – that’s 1,200 people every year.

The report commissioned by NHSE reports on key facts, stats, and interventions. Much of the government action needed to improve life expectancy for people with disabilities is likely to reduce health inequalities for everyone. Action should focus on the ‘social determinants of health’, particularly addressing poverty, poor housing, discrimination and bullying. Institute of Health Equity

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Review ordered into 'barbaric' treatment of patients with autism and learning disabilities

Review ordered into 'barbaric' treatment of patients with autism and learning disabilities Health secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a review of the long-term treatment of people with learning disabilities or autism.

Mr Hancock has asked hospital inspectorate the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to open an urgent investigation into practices including the use of seclusion and segregation of patients within secure hospitals.

The health secretary's intervention comes after coverage of the treatment of more than 2,300 people with autism or a learning disability currently detained in secure hospitals, known as Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs), since 2015. Sky News

NHS prevention plan aims to boost life expectancy

NHS prevention plan aims to boost life expectancy People in England are being told to cut back on alcohol, sugar, salt and fat in a bid to boost the nation's life expectancy by five years.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will set out his long-term vision for the NHS on Monday - and it will focus on preventing illness.

He is expected to say 10 times more money is spent on treating disease than prevention - which "doesn't stack up".

The plan also recommends that bosses should do more to keep staff healthy. BBC News

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Somali refugees are too often left out of mental health discussions – here’s why I want that to change

Somali refugees are too often left out of mental health discussions – here’s why I want that to change Prayer is often presented as the answer to all mental health questions in the Somali diaspora, leaving a large section of its most vulnerable feeling marginalised and excluded. The Independent

White NHS doctors 'more likely to be promoted than minorities'

White NHS doctors 'more likely to be promoted than minorities' Royal College of Physicians finds black or minority ethnic doctors find it harder to get consultant posts

The NHS has been embroiled in a new racism controversy after it emerged that white doctors were much more likely than black or minority ethnic medics to be promoted to consultant level.

Research led by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) found that although white British doctors apply for fewer posts when seeking to become consultants, they were both more likely to be shortlisted than BME colleagues and also more likely to be offered a job. The Guardian

Gender identity clinic accused of fast-tracking young adults

Gender identity clinic accused of fast-tracking young adults Tavistock Centre launches review amid parents’ fears over pace of transitioning decisions

Britain’s only NHS gender identity service for children is reviewing its operations amid claims made by a senior member of staff that it is failing to examine fully the psychological and social reasons behind young people’s desire to change gender.

The views are shared by a group of parents of transgender children, who have raised their own concerns that the Tavistock Centre’s gender identity development service (GIDS) in London is “fast-tracking” young people into life-altering decisions without fully assessing their personal histories. The Guardian

NHS forced to pay compensation to 1,200 staff worried they have been infected after needle prick

NHS forced to pay compensation to 1,200 staff worried they have been infected after needle prick More than 1,200 NHS staff have won compensation after being injured by needles potentially infected with HIV or hepatitis over the past six years.

Official figures reveal an “unacceptable” picture of widespread failures to dispose of needles safely, resulting in pay-outs of at least £4,077,441 since 2012.

Hospitals are under a strict legal obligation to dispose of syringes safely, usually by means of a solid, brightly marked “sharps” bin, which doctors and nurses should ensure are close at hand before administering injections. The Daily Telegraph

Workers 'should be forced to have pay docked to pay for care in old age' 

Workers 'should be forced to have pay docked to pay for care in old age' Workers should be forced to have their pay docked, and equity from pensioners’ homes taken to cover the cost of care in later life, the former head of the country's health watchdog has said.

Sir David Behan, who recently stood down from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), urged ministers to be brave in their forthcoming green paper on social care. The Daily Telegraph

Watchdogs to sweep social media for adverts that promote gambling, junk food or alcohol to children

Watchdogs to sweep social media for adverts that promote gambling, junk food or alcohol to children Watchdogs are promising a crackdown on social media adverts that promote alcohol, gambling and junk food to children.

The Advertising Standards Agency has unveiled a new plan to stop age-restricted ads making their way to phones and tablets of British children.

The regulator is looking to several new technologies, including AI, to tackle a new era of persuasive and personalised online adverts. The Daily Mail