Wednesday 20 March 2019

Learning from deaths: a review of the first year of NHS trusts implementing the national guidance

Learning from deaths: a review of the first year of NHS trusts implementing the national guidance Since September 2017, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been assessing NHS trusts’ implementation of national guidance on learning from deaths as part of CQC's well-led inspections. This report provides a very first look at observations from CQC inspection teams, as well as an indication of the types of enablers and barriers that trusts have faced in implementing the guidance, and is not necessarily representative of all trusts’ experiences.

Official Statistics: Children living with parents in emotional distress: 2019 update

Official Statistics: Children living with parents in emotional distress: 2019 update The proportion of children living with at least one parent reporting symptoms of emotional distress, by family type and work status. Public Health England.

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Potent cannabis increases risk of serious mental illness, says study

Potent cannabis increases risk of serious mental illness, says study  Smoking potent 'skunk-like' cannabis increases your risk of serious mental illness, say researchers.

They estimate around one in 10 new cases of psychosis may be associated with strong cannabis, based on their study of European cities and towns. BBC News

Austerity measures may have undermined cuts in child mortality rates

Austerity measures may have undermined cuts in child mortality rates Years of austerity may have undermined progress in reducing infant deaths made under previous Labour governments, according to a study.

A focus on social policies such as increased family support and access to healthcare in deprived parts of England under New Labour coincided with a drop in mortalities for babies across the country. The Independent

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No-deal ferry plans to protect NHS supplies to be triggered

No-deal ferry plans to protect NHS supplies to be triggered Action to safeguard imports of medicines to begin this week despite likely Brexit delay

No-deal contingency plans to safeguard medicine imports are set to be triggered on Wednesday, despite the potential delay to Brexit, with approved suppliers told to book space on the government’s emergency ferry service.

Although the prime minister is to request an extension to article 50 which would postpone Britain’s departure from the EU, Whitehall will enact plans to ensure the flow of critical supplies should Dover be gridlocked after 29 March. The Guardian

NHS chiefs attack plans to scrap four hour A&E targets, warning against attempts to 'keep ministers happy'

NHS chiefs attack plans to scrap four hour A&E targets, warning against attempts to 'keep ministers happy'  Hospital chief executives have attacked plans to scrap four-hour A&E targets, suggesting the moves are being politically driven because deadlines are not being met.

Last week NHS England said it would test a new system, which officials said would mean speedier care for the most urgent cases.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine expressed alarm that the plans could mean most patients have no deadline for treatment, leaving millions to wait longer. The Daily Telegraph

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Medicinal cannabis has opened a 'Pandora's box', Chief Medical Officer says

Medicinal cannabis has opened a 'Pandora's box', Chief Medical Officer says The introduction of medicinal cannabis has “opened a Pandora’s box”, with patients believing the drug can cure multiple conditions, the Chief Medical Officer has said.

Dame Sally Davies told MPs that despite being recently legalised for medical use, there is currently insufficient evidence to prove the products are both effective and safe. The Daily Telegraph

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Thousands of cataracts patients are missing out on vital surgery because of NHS rationing

Thousands of cataracts patients are missing out on vital surgery because of NHS rationing More than half of local NHS boards in England are rationing access to cataract surgery, a report has revealed.

A total of 104 out of 195 commissioning groups have the surgery on their list of 'procedures of limited clinical value', meaning they limit who can have them.

Cataract surgery is the most common operation done by the NHS, with more than 300,000 of the procedures performed each year.

Dozens of NHS groups are also rationing hip and knee replacements, hernia repair operations, and certain diabetic glucose monitors in a bid to save money. The Daily Mail

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One in 20 women injured in the vaginal mesh scandal have attempted suicide

One in 20 women injured in the vaginal mesh scandal have attempted suicide One in 20 women caught up in the vaginal mesh scandal have attempted suicide, research suggests.

Campaigners surveyed around 650 women who have the controversial implant, once widely used to treat prolapse or urinary incontinence.

They found five per cent of women with vaginal mesh are in such severe pain they have tried to take their own life or self-harm regularly. The Daily Mail