Wednesday 27 November 2019

Patients waiting to have NHS operations could lose promise of being seen in 18 weeks, documents reveal

Patients waiting to have NHS operations could lose promise of being seen in 18 weeks, documents reveal Patients waiting to have an operation on the NHS could lose the promise of being seen within 18 weeks as health bosses consider replacing the target with an average instead, it has emerged.

According to hospital documents, seen by the Health Service Journal, the new waiting-time target for NHS patients is expected to be changed from the current 18 weeks to an average wait of 8.5 weeks.

The NHS is field-testing new targets at 12 hospitals, including Northampton General Hospital Trust, where board papers said: “The target average wait is expected to be 8.5 weeks from referral although this has not yet been set. The current average at NGH is 11 weeks.” The Independent

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Why are we still waiting for solutions to the problems of social care?

Why are we still waiting for solutions to the problems of social care? Forget Brexit, there is a longer-running political failing: about how we treat the most vulnerable in our society. In 2014 I was proud to work with The King’s Fund on an independent Commission looking at the ambitious topic of a new settlement for health and social care. The Commission’s core conclusion, which still stands, was that, while health entitlements are generous, entitlements for social care fall well short of what is needed to enable older and disabled people to secure a decent standard of care. The King's Fund

Community mental health survey 2019

Community mental health survey 2019 Results from the 2019 community mental health survey show many of those areas identified as in need of improvement in 2018 have declined further, continuing the negative trend of results consistently declining over the 2014 – 2019 period. These include:
  • seeing NHS mental health services often enough
  • being given sufficient time to discuss needs and treatment
  • agreeing care to be received and being involved in the process
  • being given help and advice with finding support with physical health needs, financial advice or benefits
Positive experiences of NHS mental health services can be found in the organising care theme.

Some groups of people consistently reported poorer experiences of using mental health services. Care Quality Commission

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NHS staff 'uncomfortable with tech giants handling patient data'

NHS staff 'uncomfortable with tech giants handling patient data' NHS staff feel uncomfortable with the prospect of multinational big tech companies analysing patient data, according to a new survey.

A YouGov poll of 1,027 healthcare professionals, commissioned by Sensyne Health, found that 81% supported the analysis of anonymised data to enable quicker diagnosis and more effective treatment for patients.

More than eight in 10 (85%) said they felt the NHS should receive a fair share of any financial gains made from subsequent medical discoveries, with 87% agreeing that the government should ensure that the NHS and UK taxpayers benefited from gains resulting from any analysis. Digital Health

Autism: 'Unprecedented' demand creates long appointment waits

Autism: 'Unprecedented' demand creates long appointment waits New data suggests some patients thought to have autism waited over 19 weeks for their first mental health appointments.

Patients at 10 out of 25 English health trusts waited an average of 137 days or more following referral, against a target of 91 days, in spring 2018.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) said the limited NHS statistics were "disappointing" as they only cover about a quarter of people referred. BBC News

Ketamine may reduce heavy drinkers' craving

Ketamine may reduce heavy drinkers' craving A one-off dose of ketamine may help heavy drinkers cut back on alcohol, an experimental trial by University College London suggests.

When the sedative was used to disrupt people's memories of why they wanted to drink, they drank less and their urge to drink lowered over nine months.

The researchers say ketamine could be a helpful treatment for alcohol and other addictions. BBC News

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Shrewsbury maternity scandal: Hundreds of families come forward

Shrewsbury maternity scandal: Hundreds of families come forward Hundreds of families whose babies died or were left disabled at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust have come forward during the past week, it has emerged.

Following revelations by The Independent of widespread poor maternity care over four decades, more than 200 families are understood to have complained about maternity care at the trust.

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Patients less likely to get physio after hip surgery if they are male and old

Patients less likely to get physio after hip surgery if they are male and old Older men who have had hip and knee operations are missing out on crucial physiotherapy, amid warnings too many are being left to fend for themselves.

The study - the first major research into provision of such treatment in the UK - shows significant inequalities in the likelihood of receiving treatment to restore mobility. The Daily Telegraph

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All parents will be sent reminders urging them to get their children vaccinated 

All parents will be sent reminders urging them to get their children vaccinated Every family will receive reminders from their GPs when it is time for their children’s jabs, under a Tory pledge to reverse a decline in rates of vaccinations.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said the new system, which will primarily operate through text messages, would save lives, ensuring the nation’s children are healthy and protected. The Daily Telegraph

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Europe and UK are spiralling towards a drugs overdose epidemic, study warns

Europe and UK are spiralling towards a drugs overdose epidemic, study warns Europe could be spiralling towards an opioid epidemic as an unprecedented surge of cheap, super-strength heroin hits the streets of EU nations, a major report warns.

Experts say the influx of the opiate, as well as a surge in the number of copycat drugs like fentanyl, could trigger an explosion in the number of overdoses.

A major EU report about the drugs market in the continent today revealed record amounts of heroin are being shipped into Western nations, and that man-made versions of the drug represent a 'growing health danger'. The Daily Mail

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