Friday 5 April 2019

Having your fudge and eating it

Having your fudge and eating it Sally Gainsbury takes a closer look at NHS sustainability funds and control totals, and what they might actually mean for the providers who have played their part over the past three years. Nuffield Trust

Specialist mental health support for new mums available in every part of England

Specialist mental health support for new mums available in every part of England New and expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live, NHS England announced.

The landmark rollout of specialist perinatal community services across the whole of England, means that mums and mums-to-be who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other forms of mental ill health should be able to access high quality care much closer to home.

Five years ago two in five parts of the country had no access to specialist community perinatal mental health treatment, but there is now full geographical coverage for the first time, with services in every one of the 44 local NHS areas, and plans to develop them further.

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Charter to strengthen relations between the Helpforce programme and staff in the National Health Service

Charter to strengthen relations between the Helpforce programme and staff in the National Health Service This charter shows how volunteers can make a valuable contribution to the NHS in England, without undermining paid staff or affecting patient safety. The aim is to ensure that the tens of thousands of people who give up their time to provide comfort and help to patients are given guidance about their roles. It’s also intended to safeguard against their use as cheap substitutes for trained health staff. Helpforce

Fourteen hospitals to pilot new A&E targets

Fourteen hospitals to pilot new A&E targets Fourteen hospitals have been chosen to pilot a new way to measure performance, which could pave the way for the end of the four-hour A&E target in England.

NHS England said last month that it was time to review the "outdated target".

But the move is controversial, with some seeing it as an attempt to move the goalposts because the target has been missed for more than three years. BBC News

Parents being misled over kids' snacks, says child health expert

Parents being misled over kids' snacks, says child health expert Parents are at risk of being misled by "manipulative marketing campaigns" and "crafty messaging" on children's snacks, a child health expert has said.

Dr Max Davie said that given levels of obesity, it was crucial for parents to know what their children were eating.

It comes as University of Glasgow researchers examined seemingly healthy children's snacks sold in UK shops.

They found some snacks labelled as containing one portion of fruit or veg did not live up to the claim. BBC News

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Even one drink a day increases stroke risk, study finds

Even one drink a day increases stroke risk, study finds Even light-to-moderate drinking increases blood pressure and the chances of having a stroke, according to a large genetic study in The Lancet, countering previous claims that one or two drinks a day could be protective.

The UK and Chinese researchers followed 500,000 Chinese people for 10 years.

They say the findings are relevant to all populations and the best evidence yet on the direct effects of alcohol. BBC News

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How is the NHS preparing for a no-deal Brexit?

How is the NHS preparing for a no-deal Brexit? Vital medical supply lines are at risk, it’s been suggested, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Brexiteers have dismissed such concerns as “Project Fear”. In Wales, the NHS has secured extra warehouse space to stock-pile essentials and one major UK hospital food supplier says it has spent five million pounds on Brexit preparations. Channel 4 News

Breast implants banned in France for cancer risk still on sale in UK

Breast implants banned in France for cancer risk still on sale in UK Breast implants banned in France because of their cancer risk will continue to be on sale in the UK, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed.

The macro-textured and polyurethane breast implants for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, France's National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) ruled.

It said they came with a slight risk of developing a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Independent

Matt Hancock called in to settle Oxford hospital scanners row

Matt Hancock called in to settle Oxford hospital scanners row Health secretary to review private healthcare plan local MP calls ‘murky and opaque’

The health secretary has been called in to settle a row over a “murky and opaque” plan to privatise a key element of cancer treatment currently handled by one of England’s most highly respected hospitals.

The proposal to let the company InHealth take charge of the Thames Valley regional PET-CT scanning service, which is run by Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, has been set aside until the Department of Health completes a review of the procurement process. The Guardian

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King's College hospital trust makes biggest overspend in NHS history

King's College hospital trust makes biggest overspend in NHS history London trust to record annual deficit of between £180m and £191m after series of setbacks

A leading London hospital trust is set to record an annual deficit of between £180m and £191m – the biggest overspend in NHS history, the Guardian can reveal.

King’s College hospital trust believes it overshot its projected £146m deficit for 2018-19 by a further £34m-£45m after it experienced a series of setbacks, documents seen by the Guardian show.

NHS could save 100 stillborn babies with better treatment of women pregnant with twins and triplets

NHS could save 100 stillborn babies with better treatment of women pregnant with twins and triplets Poor care for women pregnant with twins and triplets is resulting in 100 stillbirths a year, research suggests.

NHS hospitals' failure to follow official guidelines on multiple births is also responsible for 630 unnecessary C-sections and 1,300 infant admissions to intensive care each year, experts found.

Their research project, funded by the Department of Health, focused on ensuring 30 British maternity units followed official guidelines to the letter over a year. Experts found this vastly improved outcomes for twins, triplets and their mothers. The Daily Mail