Friday, 7 March 2014
Are people really reaping the rewards of recovery-oriented services, asks Prof Geoff Shepherd
Are people really reaping the rewards of recovery-oriented services, asks Prof Geoff Shepherd The Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change (ImROC) programme has been running in mental health services in this country since 2010.The programme has been delivered by a partnership between the Centre for Mental Health and the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network. It was initially set up with funding from the Department of Health as part of … Continue reading → NHS Voices
Guidance: Healthcare education and training placement tariffs
Guidance: Healthcare education and training placement tariffs This document sets out:
Guidance on the tariffs will be published once a year, to cover the tariffs for the following financial year. Any further information that arises during the year will be published on Health Education England’s website. Department of Health
- the national tariffs for healthcare education and training placements in the financial year 2014 to 2015
- how the tariffs will be implemented
- in what circumstances the national tariffs may be varied and how to do this
Guidance on the tariffs will be published once a year, to cover the tariffs for the following financial year. Any further information that arises during the year will be published on Health Education England’s website. Department of Health
US and UK take forward health IT MoU
US and UK take forward health IT MoU The US and UK are working together on harmonising quality indicators, releasing and using health data, the Blue Button initiative and the interoperability of electronic patient record systems. E-Health Insider
Warning over hospital superbug rise
Warning over hospital superbug rise Sixteen patients have died in Manchester over the past four years while infected with a highly resistant superbug, figures show. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Patient safety alert on addressing rising trends and outbreaks in carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae NHS England
- Antibiotics: 'national threat' from steep rise in patients who are resistant to drugs The Daily Telegraph
- Fears that cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria could get 'out of control' The Independent
- Cases of Antibiotic resistance increase by 12,000% in seven years The Daily Mail
Widow wins frozen sperm legal fight
Widow wins frozen sperm legal fight A woman has won a High Court battle to stop her dead husband's frozen sperm being destroyed. BBC News
Obesity and disability: children and young people
Obesity and disability: children and young people The paper looks at a range of impairments or health conditions associated with disability and explores the main obesity-related chronic health conditions that can develop during childhood and adolescence. Public Health England
WHO says halving sugar target has extra benefit
WHO says halving sugar target has extra benefit “Halve sugar intake, say health experts,” The Daily Telegraph reports, while The Guardian tells us that “a can of coke a day is too much sugar”.
The widespread media reports follow new draft international guidelines looking at the healthy maximum recommended levels of sugars in the diet.
Currently, people are advised to have less than 10% of their total energy intake from sugars. However, the new draft guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), state that a reduction to below 5% of total energy intake would have “additional benefits”.
The widespread media reports follow new draft international guidelines looking at the healthy maximum recommended levels of sugars in the diet.
Currently, people are advised to have less than 10% of their total energy intake from sugars. However, the new draft guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), state that a reduction to below 5% of total energy intake would have “additional benefits”.
HSCIC agrees improvements to how information is shared
HSCIC agrees improvements to how information is shared The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) Board agreed four important steps to improve the transparency of its decision-making and build public trust in its actions.
See also:
See also:
- HSCIC to audit data releases by 2 April E-Health Insider
Patients should be told when mistakes are made, senior doctors say
Patients should be told when mistakes are made, senior doctors say Royal College of Surgeons and NHS trust chief executive report to put pressure on Jeremy Hunt over full duty of candour.
Review to probe sale of NHS medical data
Review to probe sale of NHS medical data National audit of NHS medical data following concerns over sale of records for insurance purposes. The Daily Telegraph
'Unacceptable' failings and overcrowding found in NHS hospitals
'Unacceptable' failings and overcrowding found in NHS hospitals Unacceptable failings, overcrowding and delays for patients found in major NHS report on the state of healthcare. The Daily Telegraph
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See also:
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Corby man picked to be the face of national charity
Corby man picked to be the face of national charity
Corby-born Stephen Mitchell has been selected by Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity, to show the modern face of mental health. Evening Telegraph
Corby-born Stephen Mitchell has been selected by Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity, to show the modern face of mental health. Evening Telegraph
Invitation to join e-marketplace
Invitation to join e-marketplace
Businesses working in the county’s £400m social care and health sector are being invited to sign up to a new e-marketplace. Evening Telegraph
Businesses working in the county’s £400m social care and health sector are being invited to sign up to a new e-marketplace. Evening Telegraph
Saturated fat is not bad for health, says heart expert
Saturated fat is not bad for health, says heart expert
Diets that are low in saturated fat do not lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease or help people live longer, a cardiac scientist claims. Telegraph
Diets that are low in saturated fat do not lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease or help people live longer, a cardiac scientist claims. Telegraph
Course revamp to retain medics
Course revamp to retain medics
Medical students will spend more time with patients under a course aimed at getting them to stay in Wales as junior doctors. BBC News
Medical students will spend more time with patients under a course aimed at getting them to stay in Wales as junior doctors. BBC News
Elderly care faces 'catastrophe'
Elderly care faces 'catastrophe'
A "catastrophic" situation is developing in England with many vulnerable elderly people being denied care, campaigners say. BBC News
A "catastrophic" situation is developing in England with many vulnerable elderly people being denied care, campaigners say. BBC News
Ageing society demands a 'fundamental shift' in how health and care are delivered
Ageing society demands a 'fundamental shift' in how health and care are delivered
A fundamental shift is urgently needed in the delivery of health and care to meet the challenges of a rapidly ageing society, say the authors of a new report from The King's Fund.
The report, Making our health and care systems fit for an ageing population, argues that health and care services have failed to keep up with dramatic demographic changes, which will see one in five people in England over the age of 65 by 2030. It finds that transforming services for older people will require a fundamental shift towards care co-ordinated around individual needs rather than single diseases, and that prioritises prevention and support for maintaining independence.
A fundamental shift is urgently needed in the delivery of health and care to meet the challenges of a rapidly ageing society, say the authors of a new report from The King's Fund.
The report, Making our health and care systems fit for an ageing population, argues that health and care services have failed to keep up with dramatic demographic changes, which will see one in five people in England over the age of 65 by 2030. It finds that transforming services for older people will require a fundamental shift towards care co-ordinated around individual needs rather than single diseases, and that prioritises prevention and support for maintaining independence.
NHS England using technology to beat cost of missed appointments
NHS England using technology to beat cost of missed appointments
Public urged to help NHS England cut no-show appointments
Technology is being used to cut the numbers of missed GP and outpatient appointments, NHS England will announced Monday.
Figures have suggested that more than twelve million GP appointments are missed each year in the UK, costing in excess of £162 million per year. A further 6.9 million outpatient hospital appointments are missed each year in the UK, costing an average of £108 per appointment in 2012/13.
By making the appointment system fit into patient’s lives more easily, the NHS hopes to cut the numbers of missed appointments, saving precious NHS resources.
Public urged to help NHS England cut no-show appointments
Technology is being used to cut the numbers of missed GP and outpatient appointments, NHS England will announced Monday.
Figures have suggested that more than twelve million GP appointments are missed each year in the UK, costing in excess of £162 million per year. A further 6.9 million outpatient hospital appointments are missed each year in the UK, costing an average of £108 per appointment in 2012/13.
By making the appointment system fit into patient’s lives more easily, the NHS hopes to cut the numbers of missed appointments, saving precious NHS resources.
Zero-hours employment contracts
Zero-hours employment contracts
NHS Employers has responded to the Government's open consultation on zero-hours employment contracts. NHS Employers News
NHS Employers has responded to the Government's open consultation on zero-hours employment contracts. NHS Employers News
GP IT funding split evenly nationwide
GP IT funding split evenly nationwide
GP IT funding will be paid to clinical commissioning groups on a per-head-of-population basis under new plans revealed by NHS England. EHI News
GP IT funding will be paid to clinical commissioning groups on a per-head-of-population basis under new plans revealed by NHS England. EHI News
RCGP to develop unique online info hub to help GPs support carers
RCGP to develop unique online info hub to help GPs support carers
The hub will collate all the information GPs, primary healthcare staff, practice teams, commissioners and Health & Wellbeing Board representatives might need to identify and support carers, bringing together RCGP resources as well as signposting to external resources. Health professionals will be able to use it free of charge.
The hub will have information about the needs of carers, right from the initial diagnosis through to the end of the condition or even end of life, with a focus on depression. It will also offer guidance about what questions to ask carers, what rights they have and what support is available. The aim is to link a range of supplementary resources on disease specific conditions including dementia, end of life care, cancer and mental health.
The hub will collate all the information GPs, primary healthcare staff, practice teams, commissioners and Health & Wellbeing Board representatives might need to identify and support carers, bringing together RCGP resources as well as signposting to external resources. Health professionals will be able to use it free of charge.
The hub will have information about the needs of carers, right from the initial diagnosis through to the end of the condition or even end of life, with a focus on depression. It will also offer guidance about what questions to ask carers, what rights they have and what support is available. The aim is to link a range of supplementary resources on disease specific conditions including dementia, end of life care, cancer and mental health.
Could the NHS give you a COMPUTER virus? Outdated software is putting official sites at risk of attack
Could the NHS give you a COMPUTER virus? Outdated software is putting official sites at risk of attack
The flaws were found by Oxford-based independent security researcher Terence Eden. More than 2,000 vulnerabilities were found across 5,000 NHS domains. Daily Mail
The flaws were found by Oxford-based independent security researcher Terence Eden. More than 2,000 vulnerabilities were found across 5,000 NHS domains. Daily Mail
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Non-urgent operations at Northampton General Hospital cancelled again
Non-urgent operations at Northampton General Hospital cancelled again Northampton General Hospital has been forced to cancel non-urgent surgery for the second day running because of high numbers of emergency department patients. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
See also:
See also:
- All non-emergency operations at Northampton General Hospital cancelled for second day running Northampton Herald and Post
How can we create a ripple effect of quality improvement in the NHS?
How can we create a ripple effect of quality improvement in the NHS? Why do we need a common language for quality improvement in healthcare? Because we need to have a way of working together to make improvement in a way everyone understands and understand collectively that improvement work is directly informed by how it affects the patient, says Dr Alan Willson. The Health Foundation
Patient safety alert on risk of associating ECG records with wrong patients
Patient safety alert on risk of associating ECG records with wrong patients An NHS England patient safety alert has been issued today (4 March 2014) to all NHS services in England that use ECG machines to diagnose cardiac problems. The alert highlights the risk of printing the wrong patient’s ECG records in error, which could lead to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.
The alert has been issued following a recently reported patient safety incident where the ‘copy’ button had been pressed on the ECG machine in error instead of the ‘auto/start’ button. This resulted in a copy of the previous patients’ ECG results being re-printed; staff did not immediately realise the error and labelled the ECG record incorrectly with the new patient’s identifiers. As a result, the patient underwent an unnecessary procedure and had a further complication.
The NHS England Patient Safety Domain identified 17 previous incidents reported from across the country since January 2008, describing occasions where the ECG of a previous patient was re-printed; none of these additional incidents resulted in harm to the patient.
Dr Mike Durkin, NHS England Director of Patient Safety, said: “Patient safety alerts are a crucial part of our work to rapidly alert the healthcare system to risks and to provide guidance on preventing potential incidents that may lead to harm or death.
“We use data on patient safety incidents reported by healthcare providers to identify themes and patterns of similar incidents across the country. Even if these incidents are extremely rare, if there is a risk to the safety of patients, we will alert all relevant providers to ensure appropriate action is taken to eliminate the possibility of a similar incident occurring. This signals my intention to move from the current approach of risk management and mitigation to a system that recognises a determination to not only evaluate all patient safety risks but to work with intent to eradicate all causes of such risk.”
You can view the full Patient safety alert on risk of associating ECG records with wrong patients here.
The alert has been issued following a recently reported patient safety incident where the ‘copy’ button had been pressed on the ECG machine in error instead of the ‘auto/start’ button. This resulted in a copy of the previous patients’ ECG results being re-printed; staff did not immediately realise the error and labelled the ECG record incorrectly with the new patient’s identifiers. As a result, the patient underwent an unnecessary procedure and had a further complication.
The NHS England Patient Safety Domain identified 17 previous incidents reported from across the country since January 2008, describing occasions where the ECG of a previous patient was re-printed; none of these additional incidents resulted in harm to the patient.
Dr Mike Durkin, NHS England Director of Patient Safety, said: “Patient safety alerts are a crucial part of our work to rapidly alert the healthcare system to risks and to provide guidance on preventing potential incidents that may lead to harm or death.
“We use data on patient safety incidents reported by healthcare providers to identify themes and patterns of similar incidents across the country. Even if these incidents are extremely rare, if there is a risk to the safety of patients, we will alert all relevant providers to ensure appropriate action is taken to eliminate the possibility of a similar incident occurring. This signals my intention to move from the current approach of risk management and mitigation to a system that recognises a determination to not only evaluate all patient safety risks but to work with intent to eradicate all causes of such risk.”
You can view the full Patient safety alert on risk of associating ECG records with wrong patients here.
A third of hospital trusts in breach of sharps safety regulations
A third of hospital trusts in breach of sharps safety regulations A recent report from the Health Service Journal (HSJ) highlights a third of trusts are non-compliant when it comes to sharps safety regulation, putting nurses and other frontline staff at risk of injury. NHS Employers
Nurse tech fund winners announced
Nurse tech fund winners announced Seven NHS trusts have received £1m or more from the Nursing Technology Fund for mobile working, vital signs, and nursing observation projects. E-Health Insider
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Violence affects 'third of EU women'
Violence affects 'third of EU women' About a third of all women in the European Union have experienced either physical or sexual violence since the age of 15, a survey suggests. BBC News
A Sliding Doors moment for the NHS?
A Sliding Doors moment for the NHS? Is the NHS having its Sliding Doors moment? BBC News
New coalition launched to make person-centred, coordinated care a reality for people living with long-term conditions
New coalition launched to make person-centred, coordinated care a reality for people living with long-term conditions The Coalition for Collaborative Care is a group of individuals and organisations across the health, social care and voluntary sectors who want to make person-centred, coordinated care a reality for people living with long-term conditions. That means improving the relationship that people have in their day-to-day interaction with the NHS and social care so their care and support is organised around what matters to them.
We are doing this through the House of Care. The House of Care was developed and tested by the Year of Care programme and People Powered Health. It is a flexible blueprint that uses collaborative care and support planning and at the same time recognises the importance of non-medical, community-based activities and resources. This ‘more than medicine’ approach helps each person develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their condition/s within a supportive community.
We are doing this through the House of Care. The House of Care was developed and tested by the Year of Care programme and People Powered Health. It is a flexible blueprint that uses collaborative care and support planning and at the same time recognises the importance of non-medical, community-based activities and resources. This ‘more than medicine’ approach helps each person develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their condition/s within a supportive community.
Public health services non mandatory contract
Public health services non mandatory contract The guidance for the Public Health Services Contract has been updated. This contract is adaptable for use for a broad range of public health services and delivery models. It provides a framework to hold providers to account for the delivery of these services to achieve improved health outcomes. Department of Health
Emergency admissions to hospital
Emergency admissions to hospital This report examines the increasing levels of demand on A&E services when budgets are coming under increasing pressure. It identifies the lack of specialist A&E consultants; the slow progress in introducing out of hours consultant cover; and a lack of performance quality data as key factors in hampering the development and improvement of A&E services. House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts
How collaborating with patients improves hospital care | Anna Bawden
How collaborating with patients improves hospital care | Anna Bawden A new project where patients and NHS staff work together to improve services shows that even small changes can have a big impact on the quality of care. The Guardian
Slash hospital funding, says departing NHS chief executive
Slash hospital funding, says departing NHS chief executive Outgoing NHS boss Sir David Nicholson has combined a belated public admission of his mistakes over the Mid Staffs scandal with a warning that the service must undergo painful changes if it is to remain viable. The Guardian
See also:
See also:
- Sir David’s regret over Mid-Staffs hospital failures NHS England
- NHS boss's Stafford Hospital regret BBC News
- NHS boss Sir David Nicholson speaks on Mid Stafford scandal The Daily Mail
Tax ‘addictive’ sugar to combat growing levels of obesity, says chief medical officer
Tax ‘addictive’ sugar to combat growing levels of obesity, says chief medical officer
The Government could be forced to bring in a tax on sugar to help combat growing levels of obesity, the Chief Medical Officer for England has warned. The Independent
See also:
The Government could be forced to bring in a tax on sugar to help combat growing levels of obesity, the Chief Medical Officer for England has warned. The Independent
See also:
- Sugar tax may be needed, MPs told BBC News
Health service is 'unsustainable', NHS director warns
Health service is 'unsustainable', NHS director warns Fundamental change is needed within the NHS to improve healthcare and ease pressure on hospitals which are "already at capacity," Professor Keith Willett has warned. The Daily Telegraph
Labour wants NHS patients to treat themselves
Labour wants NHS patients to treat themselves Patients should be helped to treat their own conditions as part of a shake-up of health and social care, the Labour Party is arguing. The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Ambulance firm tried to pull out of Northamptonshire patient deal
Ambulance firm tried to pull out of Northamptonshire patient deal A non-emergency ambulance firm which won a Northamptonshire contract over the NHS, had told health bosses they could no longer continue collecting patients. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
All non-emergency surgery at Northampton General Hospital cancelled due to busy A&E
All non-emergency surgery at Northampton General Hospital cancelled due to busy A&E All non-urgent operations at Northampton General Hospital have been cancelled on Monday because of high volumes of A&E patients. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Social media toolkit for the NHS launched
Social media toolkit for the NHS launched Today we've launched our free social media toolkit for the NHS, which contains all you need as a communications lead, team or organisation for your first six months using social media. NHS England
Ade Memoire on developing apps
Ade Memoire on developing apps A question. Why is it, four years after the release of the iPad, that we are not seeing clinicians routinely carrying out their work on one of these lightweight, touch screen wonders? E-Health Insider
One in five 'admits misusing A&E '
One in five 'admits misusing A&E ' Nearly one in five patients in England admits they have misused A&E at some point, a survey suggests. BBC News
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Mental health assessments pay row
Mental health assessments pay row NHS England has apologised for delays in paying psychiatrists who carry out assessments to detain people forcibly under the Mental Health Act. BBC News
Childhood nightmares link to psychotic experiences
Childhood nightmares link to psychotic experiences “Regular nightmares in childhood may be an early warning sign of psychotic disorders,” BBC News reports. While many children have the occasional nightmare, a history of regular nightmares could be the sign of something more serious, the news reports.
The study in question followed more than 6,000 UK children and found that those whose mothers reported them as having regular nightmares over at least one period up to age nine were significantly more likely to report having had a “psychotic experience" at age 12.
While the news reports may be understandably worrying for parents, it is worth bearing in mind that the findings need to be confirmed in further studies.
The study in question followed more than 6,000 UK children and found that those whose mothers reported them as having regular nightmares over at least one period up to age nine were significantly more likely to report having had a “psychotic experience" at age 12.
While the news reports may be understandably worrying for parents, it is worth bearing in mind that the findings need to be confirmed in further studies.
Hospital records used to 'target ads on Twitter and Facebook' say privacy campaigners, in latest NHS data concerns
Hospital records used to 'target ads on Twitter and Facebook' say privacy campaigners, in latest NHS data concerns
The security of NHS data was thrown into further doubt yesterday after it emerged anonymous patient information has been used by a marketing consultancy to advise clients on targeting their social media campaigns. The Independent
The security of NHS data was thrown into further doubt yesterday after it emerged anonymous patient information has been used by a marketing consultancy to advise clients on targeting their social media campaigns. The Independent
See also:
- NHS hospital records used by private marketing firms The Daily Telegraph
- NHS England patient data 'uploaded to Google servers', Tory MP says The Guardian
- Fears of patient data leak prompt inquiry into mapping website The Guardian
- New legal promise to protect patient data privacy OnMedica
- NHS patient data made publicly available online Wired
- A bad week in the bunker for care.data E-Health Insider
- HES data handled in Google cloud E-Health Insider
Failure to tackle A&E jobs crisis slammed
Failure to tackle A&E jobs crisis slammed MPs criticise "amazing" lack of strategy to tackle shortage of A&E doctors. The Daily Telegraph
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Whistleblower threatened with sack over hospital death rate concerns
Whistleblower threatened with sack over hospital death rate concerns NHS whistleblower who raised concerns about high death rates told she could be dismissed from post as hospital claims she behaved "recklessly or negligently" in speaking out. The Daily Telegraph
Is your GP surgery equipped for the digital future?
Is your GP surgery equipped for the digital future? Doctors' practices are becoming hi-tech to make a streamlined NHS more convenient, says Frances Glover. The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 3 March 2014
KGH pays out thousands of pounds
KGH pays out thousands of pounds Kettering General Hospital has revealed it had to pay out hundreds of thousands of pounds in one-off ‘unexpected’ payments last year. Northamptonshire Telegraph
NHS England publishes revisions to Staff Friends and Family Test
NHS England publishes revisions to Staff Friends and Family Test NHS England has published revised plans for the NHS Staff Friends and Family Test (SFFT). NHS Employers
VIDEO: 'Millions lost' to missed appointments
VIDEO: 'Millions lost' to missed appointments The NHS says it has lost millions of pounds in the last year because of the number of patients failing to turn up for appointments. BBC News
Thousands pledge to 'change NHS'
Thousands pledge to 'change NHS' Thousands of people working across the NHS are doing something different to improve care as part of NHS Change Day. BBC News
Stethoscopes could spread hospital infections
Stethoscopes could spread hospital infections "Stethoscopes 'more contaminated' than doctors hands," BBC News reports after new Swiss research has suggested that the much-used instrument may spread bacteria inside hospitals, including MRSA.
The BBC reports on an observational study involving 71 patients carried out at a Swiss university teaching hospital. Doctors were asked to perform a routine physical examination of these patients. None of the patients had an active skin infection, but around half were known to be colonised with MRSA before the examination took place.
The BBC reports on an observational study involving 71 patients carried out at a Swiss university teaching hospital. Doctors were asked to perform a routine physical examination of these patients. None of the patients had an active skin infection, but around half were known to be colonised with MRSA before the examination took place.
Integrating behavioral health across the continuum of care
Integrating behavioral health across the continuum of care This guide explains the value of integrating physical and behavioural health services and the importance of measuring integration efforts. It offers several frameworks and models to use for behavioural health integration and provides a list of strategic questions for hospital and care system leaders to begin integrating behavioural health or to enhance current efforts. Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence
Preventing loneliness and social isolation in older people
Preventing loneliness and social isolation in older people This briefing looks specifically at the prevention of isolation and loneliness amongst older people, with a particular focus on what practitioners in the fields of health and social care should bear in mind when working to tackle this important and growing issue. The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
Act now to improve eye care services
Act now to improve eye care services The report includes case examples from a series of four workshops held across England to develop an action plan for eye care. It contains recommended actions for commissioners, NHS England, ophthalmologists, optometrists and general practitioners. Medical Management Services
Mental health units 'are heading for a Mid Staffs scandal', warns senior psychiatrist
Mental health units 'are heading for a Mid Staffs scandal', warns senior psychiatrist Sue Bailey, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says funding cuts are to blame.
Britain's senior psychiatrist has warned that the mental health sector is heading towards its own Mid Staffs scandal, as it emerged that NHS patients are being treated in a hospital where staff were recently accused of using injections and seclusion as threats.
Professor Sue Bailey, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said she was increasingly concerned that mental services were approaching a "tipping point" with funding being cut despite a record 50,000 uses of the Mental Health Act to detain patients in hospital for assessment or treatment in 2012-13.
Britain's senior psychiatrist has warned that the mental health sector is heading towards its own Mid Staffs scandal, as it emerged that NHS patients are being treated in a hospital where staff were recently accused of using injections and seclusion as threats.
Professor Sue Bailey, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said she was increasingly concerned that mental services were approaching a "tipping point" with funding being cut despite a record 50,000 uses of the Mental Health Act to detain patients in hospital for assessment or treatment in 2012-13.
NHS data will not be sold to insurance companies, Jeremy Hunt says
NHS data will not be sold to insurance companies, Jeremy Hunt says Insurance companies will not be able to buy patient medical records through the NHS data scheme, the health secretary has announced. The Guardian
See also:
See also:
- NHS data row shows rising public unease, information chief warns The Guardian
- Care.data is in chaos. It breaks my heart | Ben Goldacre The Guardian
- Patients need to have control over their own information if care.data is to work The Guardian
- RCGP statement on care.data Royal College of General Practitioners
Twitter could help NHS safety, says campaigner
Twitter could help NHS safety, says campaigner
Hospital bosses and senior doctors should be encouraged to join Twitter to talk openly to patients who have been let down by NHS hospitals, a leading safety campaigner has said. The Independent
Hospital bosses and senior doctors should be encouraged to join Twitter to talk openly to patients who have been let down by NHS hospitals, a leading safety campaigner has said. The Independent
Cancer patients denied radiotherapy in 'cruel' failure of Cameron's cancer pledge
Cancer patients denied radiotherapy in 'cruel' failure of Cameron's cancer pledge A pledge by David Cameron to ensure all cancer patients have access to advanced radiotherapy treatment has been broken, according to a government report. The Daily Telegraph
Friday, 28 February 2014
University of Northampton paramedic students to star in BBC3 documentary
University of Northampton paramedic students to star in BBC3 documentary Nine paramedic students at the University of Northampton are due to star in a series of the BBC3 show, Junior Paramedics: Your life in their hands. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Two Northampton care homes banned from admitting new elderly patients
Two Northampton care homes banned from admitting new elderly patients Two care homes in Northampton have been banned from admitting new elderly people after multiple concerns were raised by inspectors, it has emerged. Northampton Chronicle
Hospital chains: a recipe for success?
Hospital chains: a recipe for success? Jeremy Hunt has asked Sir David Dalton to advise him how to ‘make it easy for NHS super-heads to take over struggling organisations’. Sir David was an obvious choice of an NHS super-head. His trust’s most recent annual report needs a whole page for the awards it received in the last year, including Best Acute Trust nationally in the NHS Staff Survey (2012). The tireless pursuit of error-free care leaps from the page. How easy then will it be for Sir David to find ways for him and other ‘super-heads’ to inculcate a culture of success into ‘struggling’ organisations?
Minding that gap: the NHS funding challenge
Minding that gap: the NHS funding challenge We thought Monitor’s analysis in 'Closing the Funding Gap' deserved more attention, so last month invited a group of notables to mull over the findings, says Jennifer Dixon, with four main messages coming from the event. The Health Foundation
Violence and health and wellbeing boards: a practical guide for health and wellbeing boards
Violence and health and wellbeing boards: a practical guide for health and wellbeing boards As well as the personal cost, violent incidents, including gang and youth violence, violence against women and children, domestic violence, sexual violence and elder abuse, impose a considerable financial burden on local healthcare systems. NHS Confederation
Baby-boomer drug and alcohol warning
Baby-boomer drug and alcohol warning There is a growing problem of drug and alcohol misuse among older people, campaigners are warning. BBC News
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Three-person baby details announced
Three-person baby details announced How the creation of babies using sperm and eggs from three people will be regulated in the UK has been announced. BBC News
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Caesareans linked to obesity in offspring
Caesareans linked to obesity in offspring Babies born by caesarean section are more likely to be obese adults, the Daily Mail reports, after an analysis found a link between caesarean section and obesity in later life. However, a direct link between the two remains unproven.
Breast cancer: fall in proportion of women screened in England
Breast cancer: fall in proportion of women screened in England The proportion of women screened for breast cancer in England has fallen slightly, latest figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show.
Commissioning the conditions for safer surgery
Commissioning the conditions for safer surgery This report makes a series of recommendations for new standards and systems to further improve the safety of surgery in English hospitals. The main recommendations of the report cover three themes: standardise, educate and harmonise. In response, NHS England has committed to identifying practical ways to take forward the report’s recommendations to eradicate never events from surgical procedures. NHS England
Public Health England is failing as a champion of public health, MPs say
Public Health England is failing as a champion of public health, MPs say The organisation ‘has yet to strike the right tone’ on tackling alcohol misuse, smoking and obesity. OnMedica
Physical health monitoring in serious mental illness is a priority in psychiatry, but where is the evidence that it works?
Physical health monitoring in serious mental illness is a priority in psychiatry, but where is the evidence that it works? It is widely acknowledged that individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression have increased rates of mortality, due to poor physical health. As well as reducing quality of life and function and decreasing life expectancy, physical illness can worsen these mental illnesses. The reasons for this include lifestyle [read the full story...] The Mental Elf
Proposed wilful neglect law may see up to 240 health prosecutions a year
Proposed wilful neglect law may see up to 240 health prosecutions a year Government wants criminal offence to be introduced in England following Mid Staffs hospital scandal.
How NHS Change Day became the biggest movement in the health service's history
How NHS Change Day became the biggest movement in the health service's history Thousands of staff and patients will take part in the second NHS Change Day, pledging to do something to improve the service.
Pledges ordinary, pledges extraordinary,
Pledges about care, whether coronary or pulmonary.Pledges by children, pledges by medics,Pledges about talking, pledges about ethics.People are pledging because they care,We love the NHS and need it there.
Pledges ordinary, pledges extraordinary,
Pledges about care, whether coronary or pulmonary.Pledges by children, pledges by medics,Pledges about talking, pledges about ethics.People are pledging because they care,We love the NHS and need it there.
Children taken into care for being too fat
Children taken into care for being too fat
Up to 74 morbidly obese children are estimated to have been taken into care over the last five years, according to figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws. The Independent
Up to 74 morbidly obese children are estimated to have been taken into care over the last five years, according to figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws. The Independent
Jeremy Hunt visits Alzheimer's centre in Paris
Jeremy Hunt visits Alzheimer's centre in Paris Health secretary unveils plans for a revolution in dementia care in the UK during international summit in Paris where he hailed scientific advances which could bring about predictive tests for such conditions within five years. The Daily Telegraph
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Thursday, 27 February 2014
Death of 19-month-old girl ‘could have been prevented’ if Army doctors had shared information on her dad, says report
Death of 19-month-old girl ‘could have been prevented’ if Army doctors had shared information on her dad, says report The death of Khloe Abrams from Northampton may have been averted if an Army psychologist and doctor had told civilian authorities of her father’s thoughts about harming a child, a Serious Case Review has concluded today. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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- Health professionals ‘failed to look into Culverhouse’s background’ Northampton Chronicle and Echo
- Ex-soldier warned 'I may harm child' BBC News
Broadening the Foundation Programme report
Broadening the Foundation Programme report Health Education England has published its Broadening the Foundation Programme report, which recommends doctors in training undertake a minimum of one community or integrated placement during their two year Foundation Programme. This is to ensure they receive a wider experience of working in community settings, such as general practice, community psychiatry or community paediatrics, palliative care and public health and obtain a broader understanding of community care and the whole patient journey.Personal Independence Payment: early progress
Personal Independence Payment: early progress The Department for Work and Pensions introduced Personal Independence Payment as planned in a small number of areas from April 2013. Since then backlogs have developed in the assessment process, leading to delays and uncertainty for claimants, according to today’s National Audit Office report.
Patients 'are safer with better-educated nurses'
Patients 'are safer with better-educated nurses' “Fewer nurses educated to degree level putting patients' lives at risk, study finds,” The Independent reports. A Europe-wide study suggests that nurse education and patient to nursing staff ratios may impact on patient outcomes.
As many European countries tighten their budgets, one obvious opportunity to save costs is to trim nursing staffing levels. But could this have a negative impact on patient safety?
As many European countries tighten their budgets, one obvious opportunity to save costs is to trim nursing staffing levels. But could this have a negative impact on patient safety?
Tough EU smoking rules approved
Tough EU smoking rules approved Flavoured cigarettes will be banned and larger health warnings will be required as part of tough new EU legislation. BBC News
Is excessive paperwork in care homes undermining care for older people?
Is excessive paperwork in care homes undermining care for older people? Are older people in care homes missing out on quality time with staff because workers are preoccupied with paperwork?
Care homes have to regularly complete more than 100 separate items of paperwork, often duplicating the same information, this study found. Researchers visited care homes and spoke to staff who felt they were judged more on their ability to produce paperwork than deliver care. Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Care homes have to regularly complete more than 100 separate items of paperwork, often duplicating the same information, this study found. Researchers visited care homes and spoke to staff who felt they were judged more on their ability to produce paperwork than deliver care. Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Almost 11,000 admissions to hospital for obesity recorded in 2012-13
Almost 11,000 admissions to hospital for obesity recorded in 2012-13 Although number of admissions is slightly down on previous 12 months it is still alarmingly high, obesity expert says.
13,000 GPs receive automatic bonuses for time served
13,000 GPs receive automatic bonuses for time served Thousands of GPs receive automatic bonuses for time served. The Daily Telegraph
Mid Staffordshire hospital trust to be dissolved
Mid Staffordshire hospital trust to be dissolved Jeremy Hunt, the Heath Secretary, announces Mid Staffordshire Hospitals Trusts should be dissolved after it was at the centre of one of the biggest medical scandals where hundreds more patients died than expected. The Daily Telegraph
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- Statement to Parliament: Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Special Administration Department of Health
- Hunt to scrap Stafford health trust BBC News
- Mid Staffs NHS trust to be dissolved, Jeremy Hunt announces The Guardian
- Scandal-hit Mid-Staffs NHS Trust to be broken up after hundreds died as a result of appalling care The Daily Mail
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Stafford Hospital trust decision due
Stafford Hospital trust decision due Managers at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital wait to hear whether Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will dissolve the trust that runs it. BBC News
'Wake-up call' on domestic violence
'Wake-up call' on domestic violence Doctors and nurses should receive special training to recognise the signs of domestic violence and ask questions, says the health watchdog. BBC News
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Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and should be dealt with as safeguarding issue, says GPs
Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and should be dealt with as safeguarding issue, says GPs GPs who suspect that a child has been subjected to Female Genital Mutilation should refer the parent or guardian to social services, says the Royal College of General Practitioners.
2013 NHS staff survey in England
2013 NHS staff survey in England This briefing note provides an overview of results from the eleventh annual national survey of NHS staff. The results are primarily intended for use by NHS organisations to help them review and improve staff experience so that staff can provide better patient care. The 2013 survey was structured around four of the pledges in the staff NHS Constitution, with the additional themes “equality and diversity” and “raising concerns”. Picker Institute
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- NHS staff say care 'good enough' BBC News
- NHS Staff Feel more Enthusiastic and Engaged at Work NHS England
Public health authority formed to 'speak truth unto power' may be too close to the Government, MPs warn
Public health authority formed to 'speak truth unto power' may be too close to the Government, MPs warn England’s public health authority may be too close to the Government, preventing it from speaking out about the health impact of political policies, MPs have warned. The Independent
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- Government health agency is not up to job, say MPs The Guardian
Atos awarded contract for NHS records
Atos awarded contract for NHS records Atos has been given the contract to extract patient records, MPs are told. The Daily Telegraph
Ageing population could lead to 718,000 carer shortfall in decade
Ageing population could lead to 718,000 carer shortfall in decade Report singles out urgent need to overcome 'feminine' image of care work to recruit more men and older workers. The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Guidance on restoring the balance of mental health commissioning
Guidance on restoring the balance of mental health commissioning Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients 2014/15 to 2018/19, published in December 2013, describes NHS England’s ambition for the years ahead and its ongoing commitment to focus on better outcomes for patients. As part of the suite of tools that accompany the planning guidance that assist commissioners with their planning considerations to maximise the best possible outcomes for their local communities Parity of Esteem: transformative ideas for commissioners, outlines how CCGs can achieve parity of esteem between physical and mental health by allocating their resources differently through the provision of an evidence base, case studies and a guide to managing, securing and evaluating services. NHS England
GPs 'complacent' over HIV risk
GPs 'complacent' over HIV risk Complacency by doctors is leading to late diagnosis of HIV, a health group worker alleges. BBC Inside Out East
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NHS death rates 'should be ignored'
NHS death rates 'should be ignored' A key measure of hospital death rates should be ignored, according to the expert who is leading the NHS review into them. BBC News
NHS medical records rules 'broken'
NHS medical records rules 'broken' Medical records appear to have been wrongly given to the insurance industry by the health service, the NHS admits. BBC News
Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) clinical audit, July - September 2013 public report
Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) clinical audit, July - September 2013 public report This report finds that huge improvements have been made in the quality of stroke care and services over the past years as measured by previous national stroke audits and it is anticipated that similar improvements will be demonstrated through future SSNAP quarterly reports. Royal College of Physicians
Gum disease may be linked to arthritis
Gum disease may be linked to arthritis "Brushing your teeth well could help prevent arthritis," the Mail Online advises after scientists found that the bacteria that causes gum disease – P. gingivalis – may also damage joints. But the Mail's advice – though well meaning – is premature. This study involved mice and did not assess whether tooth brushing reduced the risk of arthritis.
That said, this was interesting research that provided a plausible and coherent mechanism whereby the common gum bacteria P. gingivalis caused the worsening of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.
That said, this was interesting research that provided a plausible and coherent mechanism whereby the common gum bacteria P. gingivalis caused the worsening of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.
We can't leave mentally ill people at the mercy of unregulated therapists | Patrick Strudwick
We can't leave mentally ill people at the mercy of unregulated therapists | Patrick Strudwick MPs must vote on Friday to remedy the fact that patients are exposed to untrained, unethical mental health professionals.
NHS medical records database could help prevent disease, senior doctors say
NHS medical records database could help prevent disease, senior doctors say Lord Darzi and Lord Crisp have joined a group of health professionals to defend the NHS medical records database, days after it was put on hold following concerns about data sharing. The Daily Telegraph
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