Monday 3 December 2018

Northamptonshire Council: Government takes over children's services

Northamptonshire Council: Government takes over children's services The government has taken over a cash-strapped council's children's services department after a report found people in its care were at "potential risk".

Earlier this month, a letter from Ofsted to the chief executive of Northamptonshire County Council said its social workers were "overwhelmed".

The government says the council's children's services is failing to perform "to an adequate standard".

The authority has twice banned itself from spending in 2018 amid cash issues. BBC Northampton

Tackling HIV stigma in the health service

Tackling HIV stigma in the health service The past 30 years have seen huge advances in the medical treatment of HIV, with life expectancyin those diagnosed in the UK today similar to that in the general population. Despite the fact that we have surpassed the UNAIDS targets on diagnosis and treatment, stigmatising attitudestowards people living with HIV have persisted and are experienced even within the health service. Last year, a report from The King's Fund recommended that the Department of Health and NHS England should work together to make the NHS 'an exemplar of zero stigma'. So how big an issue is stigma within the health service today and what can be done to tackle it? The King's Fund

Understanding the new commissioning system in England: contexts, mechanisms and outcomes

Understanding the new commissioning system in England: contexts, mechanisms and outcomes This study explores how the new commissioning system is functioning after reorganisation of the NHS in England in 2012. This research aimed to assess the impact of the reforms on the operation and outcomes of the commissioning system. Policy Research Unit in Commissioning and the Healthcare System

'The NHS turned its back on mum - and it cost us £250,000'

'The NHS turned its back on mum - and it cost us £250,000' Spending on vital care services for the elderly has been cut by a quarter per head since 2010, a BBC analysis shows. It has left growing numbers of families struggling to get the help they need. One family caught in this trap told the BBC about their struggles. BBC News

Excess winter deaths highest since 1970s, says ONS

Excess winter deaths highest since 1970s, says ONS There were around 50,100 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2017-18 - the highest since the winter of 1975-76, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

The increase is thought to be down to the flu, the ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine in older people and spells of very cold weather last winter.

Most excess deaths occurred in women and the over-85s. BBC News

NHS hospitals treat soaring number of older people for drug misuse

NHS hospitals treat soaring number of older people for drug misuse Number of over-45s in England admitted with drug-related mental problems rose 85% over decade

Growing numbers of middle-aged and older people are ending up in hospital suffering serious mental health problems after taking drugs, new NHS statistics reveal.

The number of people in England aged 45 and above admitted with a drug-related mental and behavioural disorder has soared 85% over the last decade. The Guardian

NHS chiefs look to scrap four-hour A&E maximum wait

NHS chiefs look to scrap four-hour A&E maximum wait Patients with minor ailments would miss out in change to targets

NHS bosses are considering a shake-up of A&E care that could lead to patients with only minor ailments no longer being guaranteed that they will be treated within four hours.

Under the plans being examined, people with non-urgent medical needs would be advised to seek help at a GP surgery, walk-in centre or pharmacy instead – or face a long wait in A&E. The Guardian

Matt Hancock accused of breaching code over GP app endorsement

Matt Hancock accused of breaching code over GP app endorsement Labour calls for inquiry after health secretary praised firm in paid-for newspaper articles

Labour is demanding an inquiry after Matt Hancock, the health secretary, was accused of breaking the ministerial code by endorsing a private healthcare company in a sponsored newspaper supplement.

An interview with Hancock appeared in the Evening Standard’s Future London Health supplement, which was paid for by Babylon. In the feature, Hancock praised the company’s GP at Hand app, which allows users to have video consultations with doctors via their smartphone. Hancock is an ally of George Osborne, the editor of the Evening Standard. The Guardian

GP surgery closures 'will see 3 million patients lose out in the next year' 

GP surgery closures 'will see 3 million patients lose out in the next year'  GP surgery closures will see 3 million patients lose out in the next year, according to a survey by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

A total of five per cent of GPs reported their practice was likely to close within the next year - equating to over 350 practices in the UK.

It comes amid widespread concern over the ability to fill roles in the sector as more and more GPs retire early or move to work in the private sector. The Daily Telegraph

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'Fake' paramedic treats more than 100 patients in London before being discovered

'Fake' paramedic treats more than 100 patients in London before being discovered A  “fake” paramedic is believed to have treated more than 100 patients in London this summer, it has emerged.

The trainee member of staff with the London Ambulance Service flunked his paramedic exams but carried out “unauthorised” responses to 999 calls for several weeks.

It is understood he was able to pose as a qualified paramedic by infiltrating an internal computer system used by emergency crews while they are on duty. The Daily Telegraph

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NHS whistleblower forced to withdraw claims after being threatened with 'life changing' costs

NHS whistleblower forced to withdraw claims after being threatened with 'life changing' costs A junior doctor has been forced to withdraw whistleblowing allegations against the NHS claiming he was threatened with ‘life-changing’ legal costs if he lost the case.

Dr Chris Day, 32, flagged concerns about understaffing at an intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich in 2013 but was stripped of his Health Education England (HEE) training number, and forced out of his job. The Daily Telegraph