NHS Direct cancels 111 contracts

NHS Direct cancels 111 contracts: NHS Direct has cancelled contracts to provide NHS 111 in North Essex and Cornwall and admits all of its 111 contracts are "financially unsustainable". E-Health Insider

Workforce planning guide

Workforce planning guide: This guidance sets out the milestones and timelines for the planning process to be operated in 2013/14 to produce 2014/15 workforce investment plans. It aims to secure the future supply of workforce, in a way that both maintains safe staffing levels for patients and supports the transformation of services necessary to drive quality improvement. Stakeholder support in identifying key issues, perspectives and evidence are also called for. Health Education England

• Guidance
• Call for evidence
• HEE - publications

UK government backs 'three-parent' IVF

UK government backs 'three-parent' IVF: The Department of Health has published draft regulations on so-called "three-parent IVF".

If the regulations are approved by Parliament, it would make the UK the first country in the world to provide patients with the option of mitochondria replacement techniques. These are innovative IVF-based techniques designed to prevent serious mitochondrial diseases (see below).

Why 2013 could turn out to be a watershed year for telehealth

Why 2013 could turn out to be a watershed year for telehealth: Providing health services remotely can reduce hospitalisations, save lives and help care for people in tough economic times
Telehealth has the potential to reduce hospitalisations and save lives. It also has an important role to play in caring for people against a challenging economic backdrop.

Patients facing eight-hour waits in ambulances outside A&E departments

Patients facing eight-hour waits in ambulances outside A&E departments: Sick patients have been forced to wait up to eight hours in ambulances queuing outside Accident & Emergency units amid a crisis in the system. The Daily Telegraph

Health watchdog put 20 gagging orders on staff

Health watchdog put 20 gagging orders on staff: The troubled health watchdog that is accused of covering up a report into the deaths of mothers and babies at a maternity unit issued at least 20 "gagging orders" to prevent former members of staff from speaking out. The Daily Telegraph

Surgeons' mortality rates are meaningless, say patient groups

Surgeons' mortality rates are meaningless, say patient groups: Surgeons have been criticised by patients' groups for the "meaningless" way in which they have released statistics about death rates following operations. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Medics' NHS league table mortality figures mired in confusion The Guardian

The NHS at 65: 'Health tourists' to be charged for care

The NHS at 65: 'Health tourists' to be charged for care:
Migrants will be charged to go to a GP under proposals being unveiled by the Government this week. The plans, to be announced by the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, are part of a crack-down on "health tourists" – those who live outside the EU but use the NHS to obtain free healthcare. The Independent

See also:

• GPs told to charge non-Britons for NHS services The Guardian

Hospital is an exceptional case and needs investment, says MP

Hospital is an exceptional case and needs investment, says MP: An MP has told Parliament Kettering hospital cannot cope with demand for its accident and emergency department. Northamptonshire Telegraph

What happened to the extra NHS billions?

What happened to the extra NHS billions?: Three years ago the coalition government’s first Spending Review promised to ‘ring fence’ the budget for the English NHS and to increase spending in real terms each year to 2014/15. So what has actually happened to NHS spending?

First batch of surgeon data revealed

First batch of surgeon data revealed: The first wave of new performance data for individual surgeons in England is being published in what is being hailed as a historic moment for the NHS. BBC News

See also:

• Major breakthrough in NHS Transparency as consultant mortality data goes online for first time NHS England
• Surgeons who don't publish performance data to be named by NHS The Independent
• NHS surgeons with the highest death rates named The Daily Telegraph
• NHS to name surgeons who don't publish performance data The Guardian
• The surgeons whose patients were up to 30 times likelier to die: NHS to publish death rates of doctors for the first time The Daily Mail

Why are doctors so angry?

Why are doctors so angry?: Why are doctors so angry at the moment? BBC News

Hospital boss resigns inside a week

Hospital boss resigns inside a week: An interim chairman appointed less than a week ago at a hospital trust, after the resignation of the previous chairman, himself resigns. BBC News

UK government backs three-person IVF

UK government backs three-person IVF: The UK is in line to become the first country to allow an IVF technique using DNA from three people, in a bid to eliminate serious genetic disorders. BBC News

See also:

• Press release: Innovative genetic treatment to prevent mitochondrial disease Department of Health
• Britain could create first 'three-parent baby' The Daily Telegraph
• Three-person IVF: UK government backs mitochondrial transfer The Guardian

Advice from NICE supports improved commissioning for people who self-harm

Advice from NICE supports improved commissioning for people who self-harm: NICE's support for commissioning for self-harm will help commissioners to drive up quality and ensure that the needs of people who self-harm are being addressed in the range of generic services they commonly use.

Integrated care's £3bn ''is not new money''

Integrated care's £3bn ''is not new money'': The cash announced by the Chancellor to integrate health and social care will have to be found from existing funds. Public Service

Revised fit note guidance

Revised fit note guidance: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published revised guidance to help GPs and healthcare professionals use the fit note. NHS Employers

Hospitals failing diabetic patients on massive scale

Hospitals failing diabetic patients on massive scale:

Report reveals ‘shocking’ errors that put patients at risk Related items from OnMedica GPs must prescribe sufficient glucose testing strips Diabetic patients - at higher risk of death Diabetes care “depressingly poor” Diabetes will soon cost NHS £16.9bn Hospitals are ‘letting down’ people with diabetes

Beware risks of using smartphones for clinical photos

Beware risks of using smartphones for clinical photos:

MDU warns doctors against sharing photos through apps or online Related items from OnMedica Doctors seek more advice on use of social media GPs to consult via social media and take on more roles GMC urges against covert recording of patients Use of confidential data should be rebalanced in patients’ favour Patient information and virtual servers

Health literacy: the solid facts

Health literacy: the solid facts: With evidence from the recent European Health Literacy Survey, this report identifies practical and effective ways public health and other sector authorities and advocates can strengthen health literacy in a variety of settings, including educational settings, workplaces, marketplaces, health systems, new and traditional media and political arenas. It can be used as a tool for spreading awareness, stimulating
debate and research and for informing policy development and action.

• Report
• WHO Europe - publications

SAFER communications guidelines

SAFER communications guidelines: These guidelines aim to improve the communication between health visitors and local authority children’s social care teams using the SAFER process. It covers what should be considered before referral, and provides support for efficient and appropriate telephone referrals of children who may be suffering, or are likely to suffer significant harm.

• Guidelines
• Department of Health - publications

NHS drug scandal has implications for central procurement plans

NHS drug scandal has implications for central procurement plans: Colin Cram explains what allegations of fraud in drug purchasing mean for government procurement strategies.

Doctors slam health regulator as 'not fit for purpose'

Doctors slam health regulator as 'not fit for purpose':
Embattled health regulator the Care Quality Commission is “not fit for purpose”, leading doctors have said. The Independent

See also:

• Labour MP demands explanation on why CQC 'slipped out' second damaging review into its investigations The Independent
• The health watchdog is not fit for purpose, doctors declare The Daily Telegraph
• Care Quality Commission 'not fit for purpose', says BMA The Guardian
• How will the Care Quality Commission emerge from crisis? Guardian Professional

Evaluating integrated and community-based care

Evaluating integrated and community-based care: "In this paper we outline the main community-based interventions we have evaluated and their impact, and identify nine points that may help those designing, implementing and evaluating such interventions in future." Nuffield Trust

Government spending review requires £100 million savings in Northamptonshire

Government spending review requires £100 million savings in Northamptonshire: Northamptonshire County Council says it will have to make savings of £100 million over the next four years following the government’s spending review. Northamptonshire Telegraph

NHS Confederation and NHS Employers comment on the Comprehensive Spending Review

NHS Confederation and NHS Employers comment on the Comprehensive Spending Review: Mike Farrar says with less money available for front line services the need to change services is more pressing than ever, while Dean Royles says we must maintain a focus on improving patient care and ensuring job security.

See also:

• Spending Review at a glance BBC News
• Public Sector to lose automatic pay rises BBC News
• RCN to seek clarity on cease of NHS pay progression Royal College of Nursing
• Our response to the announcement of the Spending Review The King's Fund
• Departmental spending review 2015/16 NHS Employers
• Osborne shifts £3 billion to social care E-Health Insider
• GP threat as NHS pools £3.8bn with social care GP Online

Doctors admit death pathway problems

Doctors admit death pathway problems: There are problems with a controversial regime that allows doctors to withdraw treatment in the last days of life, doctors have admitted. BBC News

Chaplains cut in 40% of hospitals

Chaplains cut in 40% of hospitals: Acute hospital trusts in England have significantly reduced the number of chaplains they employ and the hours they work, the BBC discovers.

Mental health staff on police patrol

Mental health staff on police patrol: Nurses are to patrol alongside police in four areas of England in a bid to improve responses to mental health emergencies. BBC News

The burden of disease due to chronic illnesses, especially mental health illnesses is rising in the UK

The burden of disease due to chronic illnesses, especially mental health illnesses is rising in the UK: The NHS is thought of as a model health care system. It has experienced several reforms over the last 20 years, including greatly increased amounts of spending. So how have these changes affected the burden of disease due to mental health problems over this period, and how does the UK’s record in this area stack [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

NICE guidance to eradicate the postcode lottery of treatment for a type of severe bowel disease

NICE guidance to eradicate the postcode lottery of treatment for a type of severe bowel disease: A postcode lottery of treatment should become a thing of the past for sufferers of an incurable and painful bowel condition after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published new guidance for the NHS. For the first time ever, doctors have a clear guideline from NICE to make it easier to treat people with ulcerative colitis.

Just a few extra pounds increases heart failure risk

Just a few extra pounds increases heart failure risk: The Daily Express has warned that a “few extra pounds ‘could be deadly’,” because of an increased risk of heart and circulation problems.

Most people’s weight fluctuates over time, and there is probably no need to panic if you’ve eaten a few extra biscuits this afternoon. However, this news, based on a large study of European adults, using a novel genetic technique, may be of concern for those who are a little overweight in the longer term.

Call for junk food ban in hospitals

Call for junk food ban in hospitals: Academy of Medical Royal Colleges condemn NHS for inadvertently fuelling obesity crisis.

NHS watchdog 'sending firemen and dentists' to inspect hospitals

NHS watchdog 'sending firemen and dentists' to inspect hospitals: The NHS watchdog which deployed former firefighters to run checks on scandal-hit hospitals still does not know how many of its inspectors have basic healthcare experience. The Daily Telegraph

One in three absences at work due to anxiety and stress, official Government survey finds

One in three absences at work due to anxiety and stress, official Government survey finds: Anxiety and stress are the most common reasons to be off work, accounting for a third of national absences, an official study finds. The Daily Telegraph

Exclusive: Second report into baby deaths scandal was buried

Exclusive: Second report into baby deaths scandal was buried:
The role played by NHS executives in the alleged Morecambe Bay baby deaths cover-up was exposed tonight, as a buried report revealed how regional officials resisted an investigation into the trust at the centre of the scandal. The Independent

Diabetic patients developing preventable life-threatening complications in hospital

Diabetic patients developing preventable life-threatening complications in hospital: June 27, 2013: In just one week more than 60 hospital inpatients with diabetes developed a life-threatening but preventable complication, according to a national audit report released today. Health & Social Care Information Centre

MP to raise concerns over hospital’s A&E

MP to raise concerns over hospital’s A&E: An MP will use a special debate in Parliament on Wednesday (June 26) to highlight problems with the accident and emergency department at Kettering hospital. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Calling for return of a 'vital' service to Danetre Hospital - Daventry Express

Daventry Express

Calling for return of a 'vital' service to Danetre Hospital Daventry Express “The service was transferred to Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust along with NHS Northamptonshire (the former primary care trust). When the ... “In its review of services the PCT noted that the service specification for cardiac ...

Bullying 'creates toxic NHS culture'

Bullying 'creates toxic NHS culture': A culture of bullying and secrecy has created a "toxic working environment" in the NHS, doctors say. BBC News

EU heart deaths 'halved since 1980s'

EU heart deaths 'halved since 1980s': Death rates from coronary heart disease have more than halved in almost all EU countries since the early 1980s, according to research. BBC News

National health and wellbeing report published

National health and wellbeing report published: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published a report on the health and wellbeing of people across the UK, based on the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) of 2010/11. NHS Employers

Massive fall in infections in intensive care units

Massive fall in infections in intensive care units:

Five key practices were responsible for a 60% fall in two years Related items from OnMedica Checklist could stop thousands of pneumonia deaths NHS Wales announces plans to shake up critical care Pregnancy raises risk of critical illness with swine flu MRSA linked to referrals between hospitals Hospital infections at all-time low in Scotland

Doubt cast on government claims for talking therapies programme

Doubt cast on government claims for talking therapies programme:

High drop-out rates for IAPT programme not taken into account, say researchers Related items from OnMedica Referral to talking therapies cuts health services use and sick leave Boost for talking therapies scheme Depressed patients stick with phone CBT Bid to boost talking therapies for kids and teens CBT effective treatment for depression

New mental health commissioning guides from JCPMH

New mental health commissioning guides from JCPMH: Those lovely people at the Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health (JCP-MH) have published four new guides to help those of you involved in commissioning community specialist services, older people’s services, inpatient and crisis home treatment and services for people with learning disabilities. These guides are short (around 20 pages), readable and nicely summarised with ten [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

Letter to trusts on respecting the privacy and dignity of women on postnatal wards

Letter to trusts on respecting the privacy and dignity of women on postnatal wards: Health Minister Dr Daniel Poulter’s letter to chief executives of NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts and heads of midwifery asks them to
review practices for allowing representatives from private companies on maternity wards to ensure that women’s dignity and respect shortly after the birth of a baby is maintained.

• Letter
• Department of Health - news

Palliative and end of life care for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in the UK

Palliative and end of life care for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in the UK: This Public Health England-commissioned report highlights the growing need to make end of life care more accessible and appropriate for minority ethnic groups. It highlights that the end of life care needs of BAME communities are varied, growing, and despite examples of good practice, overall not adequately met. It recommends that service
providers and commissioners recognise the growing need for improved end of life care for BAME communities and that they learn from examples of best practice, some of which are highlighted in the report.

• Report
• Marie Curie Cancer Care - publications

A&E crisis: 'emergency medicine has become the first port of call'

A&E crisis: 'emergency medicine has become the first port of call': A day at Bradford Royal Infirmary reveals a stretched service – and staff say too many patients are turning up unnecessarily.

Sir David Nicholson criticises public and press over portrayal of NHS care scandals

Sir David Nicholson criticises public and press over portrayal of NHS care scandals: The head of the NHS has criticised the public and press for showing a "lack of balance" in their portrayal of patient care scandals which have led to the deaths of hundreds of people. The Daily Telegraph

Sir Gerry Robinson: Tesco could really teach the NHS a thing or two

Sir Gerry Robinson: Tesco could really teach the NHS a thing or two: Gerry Robinson, who presented a BBC series on how to fix the health service, says doctors must face up to the future. The Daily Telegraph

NHS cash-for-access: Government calls for review of practices on maternity wards

NHS cash-for-access: Government calls for review of practices on maternity wards: The Government has called on all NHS trusts to review their practices of allowing commercial representatives on post-natal wards. The Daily Telegraph

New service for GP payments to launch

New service for GP payments to launch: 25 June, 2013: An improved service for calculating payments for GP practices across England will go live nationally this week after successful Early Adopter testing in four areas. Health & Social Care Information Centre

Guidance for health professionals on domestic violence

Guidance for health professionals on domestic violence: This guidance helps health professionals to recognise factors that may indicate domestic violence and abuse and describes steps to ensure appropriate support and referral where necessary. It highlights best practice, information and learning resources.

This guidance acknowledges that because of the role of midwives, health visitors and school nurses, they are often one of the first to become aware of domestic violence and abuse issues within families. They therefore have a significant part to play. Department of Health

Tesco-style NHS plan 'ridiculous'

Tesco-style NHS plan 'ridiculous': Calls to create a 24/7 "Tesco NHS" are ridiculous, according to the leader of the British Medical Association. BBC News

See also:

• Does the NHS really need 24/7 opening? BBC News
• BMA calls round-the-clock 'Tesco NHS' plan ridiculous The Independent
• 'The NHS is not Tesco', say doctors The Daily Telegraph

GP pressures 'affect cancer cases'

GP pressures 'affect cancer cases': Increasing work pressures on doctors' surgeries are preventing effective delivery of cancer prevention information, a report claims. BBC News

Recommendations for safe trainee changeover

Recommendations for safe trainee changeover: Recommendations for the safe changeover of doctors in training have been published jointly by NHS Employers and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC).

National VTE Prevention Programme helping to save lives

National VTE Prevention Programme helping to save lives:

Implementation has led to 20% fewer blood clots and a 40% fall in events related to inadequate preventative treatment Related items from OnMedica Clot risk greater with newer Pill New antipsychotics increase blood clot risk DVT risk doubles after four hours on a plane NICE VTE guidance – ‘best policy’ Air travel and venous thromboembolism

Confidentiality clauses and special severance payments

Confidentiality clauses and special severance payments: This report suggests that there is a lack of transparency, consistency and accountability in the use of compromise agreements in the public sector, and that little is being done to change this situation. It cites the whistleblowing over emergency care in the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and other NHS bodies as examples.

• Report
• Executive summary
• NAO - publications

Major shift in breast cancer care on horizon as NICE recommends preventative drugs for 'at-risk' women

Major shift in breast cancer care on horizon as NICE recommends preventative drugs for 'at-risk' women: Updated guidelines from NICE could mean hundreds of thousands of women across England and Wales could be spared the distress and uncertainty of a breast cancer diagnosis by taking a daily pill to help prevent the disease.

See also:

• Women offered NHS breast cancer drug BBC News
• VIDEO: NHS to offer breast cancer drug BBC News
• Tamoxifen and raloxifene: Women to be offered daily pill to prevent breast cancer The Independent
• Women at high breast cancer risk to be given preventive drugs The Daily Telegraph
• Women at risk of breast cancer should be given daily pill, say NHS guidelines The Guardian

Why patient surveys intended to prevent future Stafford Hospital fiascos could make hospital care WORSE

Why patient surveys intended to prevent future Stafford Hospital fiascos could make hospital care WORSE: You can't go anywhere, buy anything, get something fixed these days without someone wanting your 'feedback'. The Daily Mail

Don't blame a 'rotten NHS culture' for the CQC cover-up

Don't blame a 'rotten NHS culture' for the CQC cover-up: Market-led health reforms are leading to poor quality healthcare – and are giving managers incentives to hide failure.
We now know that England's healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission, tried to cover up an investigation into a hospital trust where babies were dying. This appalling tale has been spun to be about the "rotten culture" at the heart of the NHS. The true story of the Morecambe Bay cover-up, however – just like Mid Staffs, where hundreds of patients died – is one of market failure.

Duty of candour: supporting nursing students in practice

Duty of candour: supporting nursing students in practice: A support service at the University of Southampton has found students have an important role in improving the quality of care.

NHS watchdog failed to supply six years of emails about baby deaths to investigators

NHS watchdog failed to supply six years of emails about baby deaths to investigators: NHS watchdog embroiled in cover-up scandal failed to provide investigators with six years' worth of potentially crucial emails about the deaths of babies and women at maternity unit. The Daily Telegraph

Red tape and competition in NHS is 'hindering care', warn doctors

Red tape and competition in NHS is 'hindering care', warn doctors:
Doctors have been crippled by wasteful bureaucracy and private-sector style competition within the NHS, and feel increasingly powerless to improve the health service, the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned. The Independent

BMA passes vote of no confidence in Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt

BMA passes vote of no confidence in Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt:
The British Medical Association, which represents 152,000 doctors, has passed a vote of no confidence in the health secretary Jeremy Hunt. The Independent


See also:

• Doctors back no confidence vote in Jeremy Hunt GP Online
• Jeremy Hunt dismisses BMA no confidence vote - video The Guardian
• Doctors pass motion of no confidence in health secretary Jeremy Hunt The Guardian

New Corby centre for victims of domestic violence

New Corby centre for victims of domestic violence: A new hub is opening in Corby to offer help and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Integration key to CCG survival – but the axe hovers

Integration key to CCG survival – but the axe hovers: The NHS will face another major restructuring within a few years unless commissioning groups use health and wellbeing boards to deliver integrated services, a panel of healthcare leaders has warned. More ..... Primary Care Commissioning

Ex-CQC executive denies 'cover-up'

Ex-CQC executive denies 'cover-up': A former CQC deputy chief executive says she was not involved in any decision to delete an internal review which criticised its handling of the Cumbria baby deaths case. BBC News

See also:

• AUDIO: CQC 'did not delete report' BBC News
• Don't overhaul CQC - doctors' leader BBC News
• Andy Burnham and Andrew Lansley drawn into CQC row The Guardian
• The Care Quality Commission has been a disaster, but we still need regulators The Guardian
• How will the CQC survive its latest crisis? Guardian Professional
• Andy Burnham denies pressuring CQC to tone down Morecambe Bay criticism The Independent

New coronavirus continues to smoulder

New coronavirus continues to smoulder: Assessing the transmission potential of the Mers virus BBC News

Mutilation victim 'aged just seven'

Mutilation victim 'aged just seven': The youngest victim of female genital mutilation (FGM) treated by the NHS in the past two years was aged just seven, according to new data. BBC News

See also:

• New lifeline offered to girls at risk of FGM The Independent

What is it like to be sectioned?

What is it like to be sectioned?: How being sectioned helped Beth battle her mental health demons BBC News

The 2022 GP: a vision for general practice in the future NHS

The 2022 GP: a vision for general practice in the future NHS: This report argues that major investment is needed in general practice in order to keep the NHS sustainable and to ensure it provides value for money, whilst ensuring safe patient care. It examines the pivotal role of general practice in a world in which patients will rely more than ever on the skill and compassion of their GP. It looks forward to a future in which GPs work in new ways to meet growing need and complexity whilst improving patient care and access to GP services.

• Report
• RCGP - news

Can antibiotics cause eczema in children?

Can antibiotics cause eczema in children?: "Antibiotics linked to eczema risk in children," The Daily Telegraph reports, saying that giving babies the drugs increases their chance of developing the condition by 40%.

However, concerned parents should not be put off allowing their children antibiotics on the strength of this news. The research it is based on cannot prove that antibiotics directly cause eczema and when a child is prescribed antibiotics, it is usually for a very good reason and they can be life-saving.

Breastfeeding figures fall for first time in nine years

Breastfeeding figures fall for first time in nine years: The number of new mothers attempting to breastfeed has fallen in England for the first time in almost a decade. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Breastfeeding figures fall as NHS budget is cut The Guardian

'Rotten NHS culture' led to cover-ups

'Rotten NHS culture' led to cover-ups: Scandals and cover-ups over patient deaths at hospitals in Morecambe Bay and Mid Staffordshire are evidence of a "rotten culture" in the NHS, a health minister says. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Government has let a culture of poor health care flourish The Guardian

Patients should pay for health 'extras' themselves, say doctors

Patients should pay for health 'extras' themselves, say doctors: Senior doctors will today call for the NHS to impose top-up fees so that patients would pay for some services themselves. The Daily Telegraph

Social workers admit 'fiddling the system' to get care for frail elderly

Social workers admit 'fiddling the system' to get care for frail elderly: Social workers are now resorting to lying on official forms in an effort to help elderly people get the care they believe they need, a new study shows. The Daily Telegraph

NHS chief 'should quit' over Morecambe Bay baby deaths

NHS chief 'should quit' over Morecambe Bay baby deaths:
One of the most senior officials in the NHS is under pressure to resign today after it emerged he is under investigation over his role in the Morecambe Bay baby deaths scandal. The Independent

Red tape and competition in NHS 'hindering care', say doctors

Red tape and competition in NHS 'hindering care', say doctors:
Doctors have been crippled by wasteful bureaucracy and private-sector style competition within the NHS, and feel increasingly powerless to improve the health service, the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned. The Independent

Healthwatch Northamptonshire officially launched

Healthwatch Northamptonshire officially launched: The University of Northampton and Northampton Volunteering Centre are proud to introduce Healthwatch Northamptonshire, the new independent consumer champion for health and social care.

Launched on...

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Stop the Pressure! - Northamptonshire Pressure Ulcer Prevention Week 24-30 June 2013

Stop the Pressure! - Northamptonshire Pressure Ulcer Prevention Week 24-30 June 2013: A series of information stands are being held across Northamptonshire during the last week of June to promote our local Pressure Ulcer Prevention week.
Prevention of pressure ulcers is a top...

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NHS baby deaths scandal: Former watchdog chief Cynthia Bower and deputy implicated in suppressing CQC report

NHS baby deaths scandal: Former watchdog chief Cynthia Bower and deputy implicated in suppressing CQC report:
The two most senior members of the NHS regulator were at the centre of an alleged cover-up over a hospital where as many as 16 babies died, it was revealed. Independent

Flawed NHS care 'leads to 12,000 kidney deaths a year'

Flawed NHS care 'leads to 12,000 kidney deaths a year': "Unnecessary deaths" from kidney condition. BBC News

Hospitals will reveal the odds of a ‘harm-free’ stay, Health Secretary to announce

Hospitals will reveal the odds of a ‘harm-free’ stay, Health Secretary to announce:
Patients are to be told their chances of a “harm-free” stay in hospital and allocated a doctor and nurse directly responsible for their care in an effort to avoid a repeat of the “shocking lapses” in care at Morecambe Bay and Mid Staffordshire hospitals, the Health Secretary will                         announce today. Independent

NHS Direct plunges into red

NHS Direct plunges into red: The on-going crisis in the roll-out of the NHS 111 service has pushed NHS Direct into deficit just one month into the financial year. EHI News

Do you REALLY need antidepressants? Brain scan can tell whether medication or therapy is best option for depression

Do you REALLY need antidepressants? Brain scan can tell whether medication or therapy is best option for depression: Researchers at Emory University in Georgia, U.S., found that people's patterns of brain activity can indicate whether they will get better results with antidepressants or with cognitive behavioural therapy. Daily Mail

World Health Organisation calls emergency meeting to respond to SARS-like outbreak

World Health Organisation calls emergency meeting to respond to SARS-like outbreak: Virus described as biggest worldwide public health threat after claiming 38 lives, mostly in Saudi Arabia. Daily Telegraph

The NHS, the drug firms and the price racket

The NHS, the drug firms and the price racket: Drug companies face accusations of secretly colluding with pharmacists to overcharge the NHS millions of pounds, following an undercover investigation by The Daily Telegraph.

Joined-up working required for effective stroke rehab services

Joined-up working required for effective stroke rehab services:
Stroke is a major health problem in the UK. Each year an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke - equivalent to one person every five minutes.
In its first clinical guideline on stroke rehabilitation, NICE says that people with disability after stroke should receive rehabilitation in a dedicated stroke inpatient unit, and subsequently from a specialist stroke team within the community. NHS Networks

Cardiac service set to leave hospital

Cardiac service set to leave hospital: A heart disease support group said it is “horrified and saddened” after a Daventry hospital lost a rehab service and has been told it will not treat urgent cardiac patients in future. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

CQC 'may reveal NHS cover-up names'

CQC 'may reveal NHS cover-up names': England's NHS regulator is to review a decision not to name those behind a possible "cover-up" after a series of baby deaths at a Cumbria hospital. BBC News

See also:

• The Care Quality Commission re: Project Ambrose Grant Thornton
• Statement to Parliament: Oral statement on Morecambe Bay Department of Health
• CQC ''actively covered up its own failings'' Public Service
• Name and shame! Truth must come out vows Jeremy Hunt after report reveals baby deaths CQC cover-up The Independent
• NHS watchdog covered-up scandal at hospital where eight babies died of neglect The Independent
• Anger over promotions for bosses in charge of shamed maternity unit The Daily Telegraph
• CQC: too big a remit, too little funding? The Daily Telegraph
• NHS 'cover up': Watchdog was 'dysfunctional and unacceptable' admits chairman The Daily Telegraph
• Met asked to investigate NHS regulator after Morecambe Bay trust report The Guardian
• NHS regulator apologises after report accuses CQC of cover-up – video The Guardian
• Exposed, the bosses in hospital deaths cover-up: Two women hid baby-deaths evidence The Daily Mail
• Cover-up over 16 baby deaths: Health bosses ignored damning warnings on hospital neglect The Daily Mail

Police 'hold too many mentally ill'

Police 'hold too many mentally ill': Too many mentally ill people are being held in police cells, say four watchdog bodies. BBC News

See also:

• A Criminal use of police cells? The use of police custody as a place of safety for people with mental health needs HMIC 
• Police cells holding more than 9,000 mentally ill people a year The Guardian

NHS could suffer 'staff shortages' due to early retirements, report warns

NHS could suffer 'staff shortages' due to early retirements, report warns: More should be done to halt early retirements in the NHS to prevent staff shortages, a report on pensions has found. GP Online

Ways and means - inequality in end of life care

Ways and means: This report highlights factors which contribute to inequalities in end of life care. It reveals that the likelihood of what can be described as a ‘good death’ - one where the wishes of the patient and their family are met - can be significantly affected by where people live, their ethnicity and previous contact with social care. But the most critical factor is early diagnosis and timely initiation of support. It argues that tackling these inequalities requires placing an emphasis on training, communication and integration across health and social care. It recommends free social care at end of life be adopted as soon as possible, while ensuring that health and care professionals, who have a central role in providing well coordinated end of life care, are equipped and properly supported to talk about death. It concludes that a misplaced sense of delicacy must not prevent us from responding to people’s needs.

• Report
• Demos - news

Is road traffic pollution really a cause of autism?

Is road traffic pollution really a cause of autism?: “Severe air pollution ‘can double risk of having autistic child’,” reports The Times.

If you’re a parent-to-be you shouldn’t be unduly worried by this story, as the science it’s based on cannot and does not show a definite link. And other than moving house or changing jobs, avoiding environmental pollutants is likely to prove difficult.

From hospital to home: freeing up beds in the NHS

From hospital to home: freeing up beds in the NHS: An initiative to support old and vulnerable patients during and after hospital discharge is also reducing readmission rates.
In most cases patients look forward to being discharged from hospital, but for some old and vulnerable people, who lack the support network provided by close family and friends, it can be a daunting prospect.

Use of physical restraint on mental health patients at 'disturbing levels'

Use of physical restraint on mental health patients at 'disturbing levels': Mind says 39,883 incidents of physical restraint were recorded during 2011-12, with 3,000 in dangerous face-down position.
Nearly 40,000 incidents of physical restraint on mental health patients in England were recorded in one year, with more than 3,000 in the "dangerous" face-down position, according to figures released by a charity.
Mind said data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed 39,883 recorded incidents of physical restraint in mental health trusts during 2011-12, resulting in at least 949 injuries to people with mental health problems. The charity said there was huge variation between trusts in the use of physical restraint.

US companies criticise UK healthcare firms' charitable status and tax breaks

US companies criticise UK healthcare firms' charitable status and tax breaks: Tax breaks worth £50m to private hospitals operating as charities 'give unfair advantage and reduce competitiveness'.

Ambulance services: Rise in number of patients treated entirely at the scene

Ambulance services: Rise in number of patients treated entirely at the scene: June 19, 2013: New figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show in 2012-13(2) almost two million patients were treated at the scene(3) by ambulance services without needing onward transportation, a 10 per cent rise on last year's figure (1.81 million).

Measuring patient experience

Measuring patient experience: "This evidence scan describes approaches to measuring patient and carer experiences of healthcare." The Health Foundation