Clegg attacks NHS mental health care

Clegg attacks NHS mental health care Nick Clegg has launched a strong attack on how the NHS treats mental health patients. BBC News

See also:

• Mental therapy waiting times spark concern The Independent
• Closing the Gap: Priorities for essential change in mental health Department of Health

Policy paper: Suicide prevention report

Policy paper: Suicide prevention report The annual report summarises the developments on the suicide prevention strategy for England at national level. It identifies key research studies and their findings, and is accompanied by a report of statistical information on suicides. The report sets out the key actions that local areas can take to prevent suicides. It also highlights the importance of responsive and high quality care for people who self-harm.

The annual report has been prepared with the input of leading experts in the field of suicide prevention, including the members of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group.

There is also a joint statement on sharing information appropriately, within the legal framework, to help prevent suicide. This was prepared with the Royal Colleges and professional organisations. Department of Health

New TUPE guidance published

New TUPE guidance published A new guide to the amended TUPE Regulations, which are due to come into effect on 31 January 2014, has been published by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). NHS Employers

Claims of a universal cure for cancer 'misleading'

Claims of a universal cure for cancer 'misleading' "A cure for all cancers is on the way" was the frankly bizarre claim on the front page of the Daily Express, not least because the study it was "reporting" on involved blind mole rats, not humans.

Productivity of the English National Health Service from 2004/5: updated to 2011/12

Productivity of the English National Health Service from 2004/5: updated to 2011/12 This report finds that productivity growth in 2010/11 – 2011/12 was around 2.13% to 2.38% depending on the choice of mixed or indirect input index used. Over the whole time series we find that quality adjusted output has increased by 40%. Inputs have increased by 28% using the mixed input measure and by 26% using the indirect measure, leading to a total factor productivity growth over the entire period of 10% and 11% respectively. Centre for Health Economics

NHS patient data to be made available for sale to drug and insurance firms

NHS patient data to be made available for sale to drug and insurance firms Privacy experts warn there will be no way for public to work out who has their medical records or how they are using it.

Hospitals with fewer nurses on wards than Mid Staffs

Hospitals with fewer nurses on wards than Mid Staffs Some hospitals have fewer nurses to care for patients than Stafford Hospital at the height of its crisis, according to research by the Royal College of Nursing. The Daily Telegraph

Mental health risk to children trapped in ‘toxic climate’ of dieting, pornography and school stress

Mental health risk to children trapped in ‘toxic climate’ of dieting, pornography and school stress Children are living in an “unprecedented toxic climate” in which they skip meals to stay thin, are bombarded by pornographic images and fear they will be failures amid a “continuous onslaught of stress at school”, according to research published today. The Independent

Multinational Comparisons of Health Systems Data, 2013

Multinational Comparisons of Health Systems Data, 2013 In this chartbook, we use data collected by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to compare health care systems and performance on a range of topics, including spending, hospitals, physicians, pharmaceuticals, prevention, mortality, quality and safety, and prices. The Commonwealth Fund

Meeting to guide Northampton General Hospital inspectors hears good and bad stories

Meeting to guide Northampton General Hospital inspectors hears good and bad stories More than 70 people turned out to a meeting to give their impressions of Northampton General Hospital to inspectors ahead of an audit inspection that starts today. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Two million 'may need weight op'

Two million 'may need weight op' Up to two million people in England could be eligible for weight loss surgery, such as the fitting of gastric bands, experts believe. BBC News

CCGs - saving lives or forcing cuts?

CCGs - saving lives or forcing cuts? Are new NHS groups saving lives or forcing cuts? BBC News

VIDEO: What do we think of the NHS?

VIDEO: What do we think of the NHS? The NHS is almost a national religion to some and the government has committed to ring fencing health spending in England. BBC News

Gene therapy offers hope for sight loss

Gene therapy offers hope for sight loss Gene therapy "could be used to treat blindness," BBC News reports. This is just one of the many headlines reporting on the exciting application of gene therapy in visual impairment.

The news come from a small study involving just six male patients with a rare genetic condition called choroideremia. This condition causes progressive damage to the retina (the light-sensitive film of tissue at the back of the eye). There is currently no effective treatment for choroideremia and most people affected are legally blind by the time they are 50.

Tackling health inequalities: Reformers must check evidence

Tackling health inequalities: Reformers must check evidence Practitioners and policymakers have a moral obligation to do their research and ensure policy changes don't waste society's precious resources.
"The poor are always with us", and in recent decades the gap between the haves and the have-nots in Britain has widened.
Some argue that more equal societies have higher levels of wellbeing. Others see the unexploited talent of the disadvantaged as a morally repugnant waste.
Whatever your perspective, the principal challenge is how to identify interventions that are effective in improving the lot of the poor and reducing inequality at least cost.

Jeremy Hunt trying to undermine trust in us, say four in five GPs

Jeremy Hunt trying to undermine trust in us, say four in five GPs Poll of family doctors finds 94% agree that profession is being unfairly criticised for political purposes.
GPs have responded to Jeremy Hunt's criticisms of how they care for patients by accusing the health secretary of trying to damage the public's trust in them.
In a poll for the Guardian, four in five family doctors say they believe Hunt is deliberately seeking to undermine trust through a series of sometimes trenchant attacks on them, and some complain that they are being used as "political scapegoats".
The poll found that 83% of respondents agreed with the statement that "Jeremy Hunt is seeking to undermine public trust in GPs", and 3% disagreed.

Thousands of doctors accused of malpractice never fully checked

Thousands of doctors accused of malpractice never fully checked One in five allegations about rogue doctors are never properly investigated. The Daily Telegraph

Thousands more elderly care home residents subject to restraints

Thousands more elderly care home residents subject to restraints Steep rise in attempts by care homes to restrain and lock up the elderly, figures show. The Daily Telegraph

Chief Medical Officer highlights 'worrying' trend of delayed pregnancies

Chief Medical Officer highlights 'worrying' trend of delayed pregnancies The trend for many women to choose delaying motherhood is 'worrying', warns England's Chief Medical Officer. The Independent

VIDEO: Meeting to demand healthcare funding very positive, say MPs

VIDEO: Meeting to demand healthcare funding very positive, say MPs The area’s MPs say a health minister is on board with their campaign for £20 million of investment in healthcare in the north of the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Press told to leave public meeting run by Care Quality Commission ahead of inspection at Northampton General Hospital

Press told to leave public meeting run by Care Quality Commission ahead of inspection at Northampton General Hospital The listening event was set up for the public for them to express their views on Northampton General Hospital ahead of an inspection tomorrow and Friday by the CQC. Northampton Herald and Post

Independent report: Health Working Group Report on Child Sexual Exploitation

Independent report: Health Working Group Report on Child Sexual Exploitation This report makes recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of children who have experienced sexual exploitation. It is designed to help health services improve prevention techniques and to achieve the best possible results for affected children and young people.

The independent health working group was chaired by the Department of Health. By implementing the recommendations, health practitioners can help protect children, identify and intervene in cases of child sexual exploitation and help with recovery.

20% of NHS work 'does no good'

20% of NHS work 'does no good' Up to a fifth of the NHS's work does not benefit patients and could cause them harm, says the health minister before announcing plans for "prudent" health care changes. BBC News

Women over 50 warned not to skip smear tests

Women over 50 warned not to skip smear tests "Women aged 50 and older are being warned of the dangers of skipping smear tests," BBC News reports, as a UK study into the impact of cervical cancer screening found that our current screening practices seem to work.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to be routine in CQC checks

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to be routine in CQC checks Plan should protect vulnerable in care homes and hospitals. OnMedica

Report criticises 'any qualified provider' policy

Report criticises 'any qualified provider' policy A recent report, carried out by the University of Chester’s Centre for Psychological Therapies in Primary care, suggests the government’s any qualified provider (AQP) approach to service delivery is detrimental to the quality and consistency of mental healthcare. The report is based on qualitative interviews with providers and commissioners in the first trial areas implementing the AQP policy.The AQP... Healthcare Today

See also:

• Access to psychological therapies: first annual report published Health & Social Care Information Centre

Empowered and engaged NHS staff will provide better care

Empowered and engaged NHS staff will provide better care A study shows a mismatch between the positive outlook of NHS managers and staff who feel overworked and disempowered.

It should not be news to anyone working in healthcare that the way staff feel about their workplace has an impact on the quality of patient care, as well as on the efficiency and financial performance of an organisation.

This has been driven home by the Boorman review on the importance of health and wellbeing in the NHS. Research also demonstrates the link between staff satisfaction and mortality rates, that higher staff satisfaction is linked to higher patient satisfaction, and that staff experience shapes patients' experience, rather than the other way around.

Gout cases explode as doctors warn that the condition affects one in 40 Britons

Gout cases explode as doctors warn that the condition affects one in 40 Britons

Cases of gout in the UK have “soared” since the beginning of the 21st century, doctors have said, amid warnings that a condition traditionally labelled “the disease of kings” now afflict one in every 40 people – with the most incidences among the poor. The Independent

See also:

• VIDEO: Sharp rise in UK gout rates BBC News

More than 300 cancer patients in Northamptonshire given financial support

More than 300 cancer patients in Northamptonshire given financial support More than 310 cancer patients in Northamptonshire were given a Macmillan grant last year to help them with costs relating to their cancer treatment. Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo

The Self Care NHS Trust – the future for NHS Choices?

The Self Care NHS Trust – the future for NHS Choices? Making a real shift in the prevalence of self care and self management requires healthcare professionals to encourage and support these behaviours - virtual care needs to be incorporated into an NHS that is too often defined by bricks and mortar, says Jo Bibby. The Health Foundation

VIDEO: More NHS contracts won by private firms

VIDEO: More NHS contracts won by private firms Over two thirds of all contracts for NHS services in England have been awarded to external suppliers since April 2013, according to a report by the NHS Support Federation. BBC News

See also:

• Private firms 'win 70% of NHS bids' BBC News

Mental health cases 'rise in young'

Mental health cases 'rise in young' Young people are struggling to cope with lack of money, jobs and opportunities, according to The Royal College of GPs. BBC News

Delivering integrated care and support

Delivering integrated care and support This paper presents a review of the evidence base on the factors that underpin best health and social care integrated practice. The original document, An evidence base for the delivery of adult services, published in 2011, presented the evidence for considering factors beyond those of structural change when planning to improve integrated outcomes for individuals. This paper further adds to the knowledge base by focusing on the key dimensions for effective implementation of change. Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services

• Report
• An evidence base for the delivery of adult services

Multi-disciplinary teams in public health

Multi-disciplinary teams in public health This joint statement from Public Health England, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), the Association of Directors of Public Health and the Local Government Association sets out how good practice guidance will be developed on the skill mix which councils may want to consider in a local public health team. Faculty of Public Health

NHS staff have little influence over NHS, says public

NHS staff have little influence over NHS, says public Survey findings released in run-up to NHS Change Day. OnMedica

NHS care at home for elderly and disabled quietly slashed by a third

NHS care at home for elderly and disabled quietly slashed by a third Analysis of NHS figures exposes scale of rationing of care at home for elderly and disabled as MPs scrutinise Coalition overhaul. The Daily Telegraph

Third of a million get cancer every year

Third of a million get cancer every year

Almost a third of a million people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year, figures have revealed. The Independent

VIDEO: Health watchdog inspection at hospital

VIDEO: Health watchdog inspection at hospital Northampton General Hospital is preparing for an inspection after the Care Quality Commission raised concerns. BBC Northamptonshire

NHS fails to spend £110,000 earmarked to help Northamptonshire smokers quit

NHS fails to spend £110,000 earmarked to help Northamptonshire smokers quit The NHS has failed to spend more than £110,000 of the money earmarked to help smokers quit, despite the fact the habit costs Northamptonshire £38 million a year. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Sharp rise in A&E locum doctor spend

Sharp rise in A&E locum doctor spend Spending on locum doctors to plug the gaps in A&E units in England has risen by 60% in three years, figures obtained by Labour show. BBC News

Child shock guidelines 'are deadly'

Child shock guidelines 'are deadly' Thousands of children could be dying each year because the World Health Organization has not updated guidelines for treating children entering shock, warn UK researchers. BBC News

Staff 'bullied' at largest NHS trust

Staff 'bullied' at largest NHS trust Staff members at all levels and across all sites in England's largest hospital trust have expressed concerns about being bullied, a report reveals. BBC News

'Not enough' done on mental health

'Not enough' done on mental health Charities warn lives are being put at risk as not enough is being done to spot the early signs of mental health problems in young people. BBC News

Final national tariff for 2014/15

Final national tariff for 2014/15 Monitor has published the final tariff documents and supporting guidance. 

State of the nation's waistline - obesity in the UK: analysis and expectations

State of the nation's waistline - obesity in the UK: analysis and expectations his report aims to audit the situation in the UK, to identify what initiatives and policy exists, and to assess their effectiveness in tackling obesity and weight management issues. It highlights a lack of support and guidance for those who are obese or morbidly obese as well as a deficiency in GP knowledge of support services. National Obesity Forum

NHS reforms: the challenges for leaders and how to deal with them

NHS reforms: the challenges for leaders and how to deal with them Our survey shows just 30% of managers think the restructure will help them deliver savings – here are some tips for success.

Plain cigarette packaging is 'the right policy' for the UK, says public health authority

Plain cigarette packaging is 'the right policy' for the UK, says public health authority

Plain packaging for cigarettes is “the right policy for the country” and will be of particular benefit in protecting children from the dangers of smoking, England’s public health authority has said. The Independent

MPs seek investment in Northamptonshire healthcare

MPs seek investment in Northamptonshire healthcare North Northamptonshire’s three MPs are set for talks with a minister next week as they seek millions of pounds of investment in health services in the area. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Fluoride programme for elderly is a success

Fluoride programme for elderly is a success A pilot programme to improve dental care for the elderly has been deemed a success in its first year, with more than 100 care homes signing up to the scheme. Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS... NHFT News

See also:

• Care homes sign up to fluoride scheme Northamptonshire Telegraph

Obesity projections 'underestimated'

Obesity projections 'underestimated' Estimates that half the UK population will be obese by 2050 "underestimate" the problem, a report by health campaigners claims. BBC News

Ex-psychiatric patient speaks of repeated abuse

Ex-psychiatric patient speaks of repeated abuse A woman who says she was raped more than 50 times while at an NHS psychiatric hospital has told BBC Radio 5 live such institutions are a "playground for predators". BBC News

NHS England vision for tackling diabetes in 2014

NHS England vision for tackling diabetes in 2014 NHS England has set out a vision for how it wants the growing problem of diabetes to be tackled in 2014.

The new plan, Action for Diabetes, outlines how it would like to see better prevention of Type 2 diabetes, earlier diagnosis of all diabetes, and support for people to manage their diabetes better and improve their quality of life.

It shows how NHS England is rising to the challenge of an increasing population with long-term conditions – in particular the growing issue of diabetes, which is linked to an excess 22,000 deaths a year and sees 100 people a week lose a limb.

Will elderly patients miss out on new drugs?

Will elderly patients miss out on new drugs? Plans for NICE to take into account the benefit to wider society of new drugs licensed for use on the NHS could result in elderly patients missing out on new treatments, The Daily Telegraph has reported.

The paper reports that changes to NICE's existing appraisal system will see the Institute evolve its current methods to also take account of the wider societal benefits alongside the cost and clinical benefits of a medication.

The Telegraph then wrongly speculates that this will result in older patients missing out on treatments because they do not contribute as much to society as younger people.

Here we take a closer look at the story. NICE

Drugs for flu could be withheld under new Nice guidelines

Drugs for flu could be withheld under new Nice guidelines Drugs which do not have a profound impact on society, such as flu medication, may not be approved by Nice, its Chief Executive has suggested. The Daily Telegraph

Mental health crisis looms for gay teenagers

Mental health crisis looms for gay teenagers

More than half of young gay people have suffered mental health issues, and 40 per cent have considered suicide, according to a major report published today. The Independent

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt under pressure on meningitis vaccine

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt under pressure on meningitis vaccine

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is facing demands to ditch a medical funding formula that has prevented a life-saving vaccine from reaching children. The Independent

NHS cancer surgery U-turn boy dies

NHS cancer surgery U-turn boy dies A boy who had to go to Germany for life-saving surgery and later had his operation paid for by the NHS has passed away. BBC Northamptonshire

Nurse to get compensation after attack at Northampton mental health hospital

Nurse to get compensation after attack at Northampton mental health hospital A patient at Berrywood Hospital has been ordered to pay compensation after a nurse she attacked suffered a broken arm. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northamptonshire Police to review Parkside tribunal evidence

Northamptonshire Police to review Parkside tribunal evidence The police are looking into evidence heard at a tribunal to see if anyone should be arrested over the deaths of five residents at a Northampton nursing home. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS in England 'misses A&E target'

NHS in England 'misses A&E target' The NHS in England narrowly missed its four-hour A&E waiting time target last week, official figures show. BBC News

Myhealthapps international site launched

Myhealthapps international site launched An international health apps website has been launched, with apps recommended by patient groups and consumers. E-Health Insider

Risks of infertility treatments 'overhyped'

Risks of infertility treatments 'overhyped' “IVF births carry five times risk of complications,” the Daily Mail reports.

While this headline is essentially true, it is a classic example of a “relative risk” which sounds frightening out of context. In this case, the headline ignores the fact that the number of serious complications found, such as stillbirth and neonatal death was very small.

Life after death: six steps to improve support in bereavement

Life after death: six steps to improve support in bereavement This report outlines steps which the authors believe would bring benefits to individuals and to society as a whole: reducing the use of acute health and social care services, lessening the number of days lost to the economy, and improving the wellbeing of those facing such a significant change in their lives. It includes a call for clarity about who is responsible locally for commissioning and providing bereavement support, with better coordination and information about services. Dying Matters

Variations in outcome and costs among NHS providers for common surgical procedures

Variations in outcome and costs among NHS providers for common surgical procedures "We identify variation in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) across hospitals, assess the relationship between the cost and outcomes among NHS hospitals for these procedures, and determine the extent to which variations in outcomes and costs are due to differences in hospital performance." National Institute of Health Research

Patient involvement is still a minority sport in the NHS

Patient involvement is still a minority sport in the NHS It gives people a voice and saves money – so including patients in treatment decisions should not be an optional extra, says Richard Vize.

With increasing numbers of NHS trusts destined to slide into the financial mire this year and next, there is one resource of which hard pushed hospitals enjoy a plentiful but underused supply – patients. They are the best hope for cutting demand and transforming services.

Sugar not as bad as tobacco say nutrition experts

Sugar not as bad as tobacco say nutrition experts Claims that eating sugar is as dangerous as smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol are dismissed by nutrition experts. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Sugar health risk cannot be compared to smoking, says Andrew Lansley The Guardian
• AUDIO: Is sugar 'worse' than tobacco? BBC News

Majority of doctors think some colleagues unfit for job

Majority of doctors think some colleagues unfit for job More than 80 per cent of hospital doctors would not want colleagues to treat their friends and family, a poll released ahead of the 10th anniversary of the death of Harold Shipman reveals. The Independent

New NHS drugs policy could see elderly denied treatment

New NHS drugs policy could see elderly denied treatment

New drugs will only be made available on the NHS if they help people deemed to be a benefit to society under proposals that prompted fears elderly people could be denied treatment. The Independent

See also:

• Fears for the elderly under new NHS drugs policy The Daily Telegraph

Cancer carers 'overlooked' by NHS

Cancer carers 'overlooked' by NHS The NHS is failing to support people who are caring for loved ones with cancer, a charity has warned. Macmillan Cancer Support said that so-called "cancer carers" are being "overlooked" by the health service. Northamptonshire Telegraph

GPs' new contract 'cuts bureaucracy'

GPs' new contract 'cuts bureaucracy' Changes to the way GPs are paid will allow them to spend more time with patients, says the health minister. BBC News

Campaigners vow to cut sugar in food

Campaigners vow to cut sugar in food A campaign group has been formed to reduce the amount of sugar added to food and soft drinks in an effort to tackle obesity and diabetes in the UK. BBC News

See also:

• Sugar is as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco, warn health experts The Daily Telegraph
• 'Sugar is the new tobacco': Cuts to amounts hidden in food could halt obesity epidemic, doctors claim The Independent

First H5N1 death in North America

First H5N1 death in North America Canadian health officials confirm the first known fatal case of the H5N1 avian flu strain in North America - a patient in Alberta. BBC News

'Piggy-backing proteins' could kill cancer cells

'Piggy-backing proteins' could kill cancer cells “Cancer-killing "sticky balls" can destroy tumour cells in the blood and may prevent cancers spreading,” BBC News reports.

The headlines follow a laboratory study which found that “piggy-backing” two proteins to white blood cells caused cancer cells to die.

High-impact leadership: improve care, improve the health of populations, and reduce costs

High-impact leadership: improve care, improve the health of populations, and reduce costs This white paper presents three interdependent dimensions of leadership that together define high-impact leadership in health care: new mental models; high-impact leadership behaviours; and IHI high-impact leadership framework. The white paper also includes examples from a variety of health care leaders, to help illustrate high-impact leadership behaviours in real-world practice. Institute for Healthcare Improvement

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Britain is reaching 'a tipping point in its use of antibiotics', says Wellcome Trust director

Britain is reaching 'a tipping point in its use of antibiotics', says Wellcome Trust director Professor Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, said Britain is reaching a tipping point in its use of antibiotics beyond which people will start dying of everyday infections. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• 'Golden age' of antibiotics 'set to end' BBC News

Minister signals new help for elderly deemed 'not sick enough' for care

Minister signals new help for elderly deemed 'not sick enough' for care The Coalition's sweeping reforms of the elderly care system are not the 'final word' says Norman Lamb, the care minister, as he hints at further changes to help those told they are 'not sick enough' The Daily Telegraph

Reasons why inspectors will visit Northampton General Hospital revealed

Reasons why inspectors will visit Northampton General Hospital revealed Inspectors will ask for improvements at Northampton General Hospital after they visit later this month, the NGH chief has predicted. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• EDITOR'S LETTER: Northampton General Hospital prepares us for bad news Northampton Herald and Post

New chief executive appointed at Kettering General Hospital

New chief executive appointed at Kettering General Hospital The boss of the NHS in Wales has been appointed as the new chief executive of Kettering General Hospital. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• NHS Wales boss leaves for new post BBC Northamptonshire

Smokers edge close to one billion

Smokers edge close to one billion Although smoking is becoming less popular in many parts of the world, the total number of people who smoke is growing and has reached close to a billion, global figures reveal. BBC News

See also:

• War on tobacco far from won The Guardian

Report cites 'weak' hospital bosses

Report cites 'weak' hospital bosses Bedford Hospital leadership is described as "weak" in a report into paediatric training issues which condemns management for its "high tolerance of unsafe practice". BBC News

Does a high-fibre diet help relieve asthma?

Does a high-fibre diet help relieve asthma? "Eating more fibre could help treat symptoms of asthma, scientists say," The Independent reports. This headline is based on a mouse study that looked at the role that different types of dietary fibre play in the gut and its effect on allergic airway inflammation.

New evidence on management and leadership

New evidence on management and leadership This paper presents a digest of recent research and evidence on healthcare management and leadership. The studies discussed aim to help organisations and individuals to understand better the ways in which effective managers improve services for patients. National Institute for Health Research

Public health grants to local authorities 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015

Public health grants to local authorities 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015 This local authority circular outlines the public health grants to local authorities. The ring fenced grants for 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015 provide local authorities with £2.66 billion and £2.79 billion to spend on public health services for their local populations.The grant conditions and reporting arrangements that will apply to the grant from April 2013 have also been published. Department of Health

• Local authority circular
• Table of local authority grants
• Grant conditions and report arrangements
• Further information and supporting documents

Government 'buried' release of key evidence on minimum alcohol price before policy U-turn

Government 'buried' release of key evidence on minimum alcohol price before policy U-turn

The Government “buried” key evidence in the run-up to a major U-turn on minimum pricing for alcohol, it has emerged, amid accusations from doctors that pressure from the alcohol industry was “instrumental” in blocking the policy. The Independent

See also:

• Were ministers under the influence of drinks industry? The Daily Telegraph

A&Es see some people 50 times a year

A&Es see some people 50 times a year Some patients are going to A&E units in the UK more than 50 times a year, a BBC investigation into the issue of repeat visits shows. BBC News

AUDIO: Oesophageal cancer deaths up by 50%

AUDIO: Oesophageal cancer deaths up by 50% Death rates from oesophageal cancer rise by almost 50% over the last 40 years, according to Cancer Research UK. BBC News

Experts say sadness is wrongly being medicalised

Experts say sadness is wrongly being medicalised  Two experts have warned that antidepressants are being “doled out as cure for simple sadness,” reports The Daily Telegraph.

The news is based on an opinion piece written by two professors in the British Medical Journal. It is one of an ongoing series of articles looking at the potential harms of overdiagnosing different conditions.

The authors argue the current criteria for diagnosing depression includes wide groups of people with mixed severities of the condition, and are therefore too broad.

There's a new climate of diktat and fear sweeping through the NHS | Polly Toynbee

There's a new climate of diktat and fear sweeping through the NHS | Polly Toynbee An occupational therapist who won awards for her work has been sacked for querying cuts to a stroke unit.

Nurses face three-year competency checks

Nurses face three-year competency checks Nurses and midwives will be forced to reflect on the comments of their patients and retrain if necessary to keep their registration. The Daily Telegraph

Your life in their hands: is the care.data NHS database a healthy step or a gross invasion of patient privacy?

Your life in their hands: is the care.data NHS database a healthy step or a gross invasion of patient privacy?

Within the next few weeks, everyone living in England will see a little white and blue leaflet from the NHS land on their welcome mat. The Independent

Collection: NHS pensions

Collection: NHS pensions The current NHS Pension Scheme will be replaced in 2015 by a new scheme. Department of Health

Mental health staff to help police

Mental health staff to help police Mental health nurses are to be based in police stations and courts in 10 areas of England as part of a pilot scheme aimed at cutting reoffending. BBC News

Better Information Means Better Care: NHS contacts all English households from today

Better Information Means Better Care: NHS contacts all English households from today Leaflets explaining how the NHS uses patient information will begin landing on the doormats of England’s 26.5 million households from today.

MPs criticise Tamiflu secrecy and stockpiling

MPs criticise Tamiflu secrecy and stockpiling "Drug companies accused of holding back complete information on clinical trials," The Guardian reports.

MPs have just published a report expressing concern that drug companies are withholding evidence about how effective drugs such as Tamiflu actually are.

Getting behind the curve? Is the new NHS ready for pandemic flu?

Getting behind the curve? Is the new NHS ready for pandemic flu? This report finds that reforms made to the NHS following the Health and Social Care Act of 2012 have impacted upon its ability to deal effectively with a possible flu pandemic. It highlights potential problems which the new NHS now faces in dealing with a possible Centre for Health and Public Interest

Social care cuts stranded 18,500 patients in hospital over Christmas

Social care cuts stranded 18,500 patients in hospital over Christmas NHS hit by £4.8m bill after lack of provision means more patients cannot be discharged – and more face long waits on trolleys

Almost 18,500 patients spent the holidays in hospital even though they were well enough to be discharged, because a lack of social care meant they could not be allowed home.

NHS figures show there were more than 18,490 "delayed transfers of care" – people still in hospital despite being fit to leave – between 19 December and New Year's Day, at a cost of just over £4.8m.

Patients 'were locked up' at criticised NHS hospital

Patients 'were locked up' at criticised NHS hospital The Department of Health has ordered an investigation into claims that vulnerable patients have been detained against their will. The Daily Telegraph

NHS hospitals suffer staffing crisis on top of scandals

NHS hospitals suffer staffing crisis on top of scandals Telegraph survey shows significant shortages of senior doctors and nurses in the NHS. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Midwives and patients warn of ‘devastating’ staff shortages The Independent

Exclusive: NHS care is ‘outstanding’, says hospitals tsar Sir Mike Richards

Exclusive: NHS care is ‘outstanding’, says hospitals tsar Sir Mike Richards

Compassion in the NHS is “alive and well”, according  to England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, in a robust defence of the service’s values and effectiveness. The Independent

Health commissioning groups preparing to put certain medical services out to tender

Health commissioning groups preparing to put certain medical services out to tender

Some GP surgeries could lose up 15 per cent of their income from April, as health commissioning groups prepare put minor surgery and other services out to private tender. The Independent