Debt and health: a briefing
This briefing focuses on the relationship between debt and health, including the health related consequences of debt, the impact it can have on individual mental health and recommendations for implication prevention. Picker Institute Europe
Friday, 4 December 2015
Unhealthy lifestyles of men are written into their sperm, study finds
Unhealthy lifestyles of men are written into their sperm, study finds
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen at the sperm of obese and thin men and noticed significant differences in parts of the gene associated with appetite. Telegraph
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen at the sperm of obese and thin men and noticed significant differences in parts of the gene associated with appetite. Telegraph
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Assessing demand and supply in general practice
Assessing demand and supply in general practice It seems that hardly a week goes by without a new story in the press about general practice under pressure. Anecdotal evidence is that people are finding it increasingly difficult to get GP appointments. This is backed up, to an extent, by the most recent national patient survey, which suggests that general practice is becoming so pressured it cannot meet demand.
So what is causing this pressure on general practice? How many consultations are carried out each week? Do people have more complicated health issues? Or are people more demanding? The King's Fund
So what is causing this pressure on general practice? How many consultations are carried out each week? Do people have more complicated health issues? Or are people more demanding? The King's Fund
Care Act first-phase reforms and local government new burdens
Care Act first-phase reforms and local government new burdens The Department of Health has taken a collaborative approach to the first phase of the Care Act, working with local authorities to plan its implementation. However, this report raises concerns that carers and the people they care for may not get the services they need because of continuing reductions to local authority budgets and demand for care being so uncertain. House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts
Female Genital Mutilation: Quarterly statistics published
Female Genital Mutilation: Quarterly statistics published Experimental statistics showing the number of women and girls identified by the NHS in England as having Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), have been published. Health and Social Care Information Centre
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Patients set to book 10m GP appointments online this year
Patients set to book 10m GP appointments online this year Patients are set to arrange 10m appointments with their GPs and order 15m prescriptions online by the end of this financial year, NHS England has revealed. GP Online
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Stroke patients still not getting care they need
Stroke patients still not getting care they need Stroke care has improved steadily in some respects, and age discrimination has been vastly reduced, but patients are still missing out on important interventions and assessments on hospital admission so further improvements are needed, according to the latest official audit. OnMedica
OECD analyst says Britons 'aren't healthy enough to work into their late 60s'
OECD analyst says Britons 'aren't healthy enough to work into their late 60s' Mark Pearson, a senior analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), claimed that raising the UK state pension age to 68 may ‘not be viable’ unless public health is improved. The Daily Mail
Better solutions needed to support older people leaving hospital care
Better solutions needed to support older people leaving hospital care Many older adults do not have a strong family network to fall back on after they are discharged from hospital
In last week’s autumn statement, George Osborne announced that councils across Britain will be allowed to increase council tax by up to 2% to fund adult social care, as well as a top up of £1.5bn to the Better Care Fund. This funding for the struggling care sector is, of course, very welcome.
However, the obvious fact remains that vast numbers of older people with non-critical needs won’t qualify for formal care but will still need support after a hospital stay. The situation we face is there simply isn't sufficient provision of care to go around when older people leave hospital. Continue reading... The Guardian
In last week’s autumn statement, George Osborne announced that councils across Britain will be allowed to increase council tax by up to 2% to fund adult social care, as well as a top up of £1.5bn to the Better Care Fund. This funding for the struggling care sector is, of course, very welcome.
However, the obvious fact remains that vast numbers of older people with non-critical needs won’t qualify for formal care but will still need support after a hospital stay. The situation we face is there simply isn't sufficient provision of care to go around when older people leave hospital. Continue reading... The Guardian
Woman, 50, who won legal fight to refuse life-saving dialysis after losing her 'sparkle' dies
Woman, 50, who won legal fight to refuse life-saving dialysis after losing her 'sparkle' dies Mother of three who refused treatment as she did not want to grow old dies as daughter says she will 'raise a glass' to 'the life, soul and sparkle of any party'. The Daily Telegraph
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- Woman who lost 'sparkle' dies BBC News
- Socialite who lost her 'sparkle' has the right to die, court rules The Independent
Hospitals with more overseas nurses get worse rated
Hospitals with more overseas nurses get worse rated Hospitals with a high proportion of nurses who trained abroad fare far worse in patient ratings, a major study finds, with concerns raised about difficulties understanding staff. The Daily Telegraph
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Wednesday, 2 December 2015
Aborted doctor’s strike saw 350 cancelled operations at Northampton General Hospital
Aborted doctor’s strike saw 350 cancelled operations at Northampton General Hospital Despite calling off their strike action at NGH, junior doctors still caused 350 operations to be cancelled yesterday. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Allied health professionals are critical to new models of care
Allied health professionals are critical to new models of care Allied health professionals (AHPs) make up 6 per cent of the NHS workforce – the third largest professional group – and still more work in social care, housing, local government, and the voluntary and private sectors. They are highly trained and professionally autonomous practitioners, yet too often their vital contribution is marginalised in a public discourse that tends to refer only to ‘doctors and nurses’. This needs to change. The King's Fund
Filling the gap: Tax and fiscal options for a sustainable UK health and social care system
Filling the gap: Tax and fiscal options for a sustainable UK health and social care system The NHS and publicly funded adult social care will account for £157bn of public spending across the UK in 2015/16 – equivalent to 8.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) and accounting for around £1 in every £5 of government spending.
In this report, economists at the Health Foundation and the Institute for Public Policy Research have worked together to explore:
In this report, economists at the Health Foundation and the Institute for Public Policy Research have worked together to explore:
- how spending pressures on health and social care might increase
- the scope for public funding to match these pressures within current fiscal policy to quantify whether there is a potential funding gap for health and social care
- the potential revenue that might be raised by different taxes to fill a health and social care funding gap
- the distributional impact of the different tax options and how they compare to the profile of the ‘beneficiaries’ of additional health and social care spending.
Safer way to do gene editing
Safer way to do gene editing Scientists say they have fine tuned a gene editing method to make it safer and more accurate - vital if it is to be used in humans to cure inherited diseases or inborn errors. BBC News
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- VIDEO: How gene editing works BBC News
Junior doctor strikes could still go ahead in January, BMA warns
Junior doctor strikes could still go ahead in January, BMA warns Junior doctors' leaders have said they remain prepared to take strike action if negotiations with the government and NHS Employers do not work out, after action was suspended last night. GP Online
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Late-night cafe can keep people with mental health problems out of A&E | Nicola Slawson
Late-night cafe can keep people with mental health problems out of A&E | Nicola Slawson Safe Haven project that offers out of hours coffee and support is helping to prevent emergency psychiatric admissions.
It’s nearly 10pm at Aldershot’s Safe Haven cafe and there is a knock at the door. It’s quickly opened and a young man rushes in. He takes a seat in the corner of the bright room and a friendly member of staff joins him. Nearby a young woman is playing cards. She’s laughing softly with her companions, aware that the man is clearly upset.
She knows what it’s like. At age 25, Kimberley Russell (not her real name), who has borderline personality disorder as well as an eating disorder and depression, has had her share of crises. The cafe, which is open every evening to anyone who needs mental health support out-of-hours, has become a lifeline.
In the first six months after its launch, psychiatric admissions from the cafe’s catchment area fell by 33%. Continue reading... The Guardian
It’s nearly 10pm at Aldershot’s Safe Haven cafe and there is a knock at the door. It’s quickly opened and a young man rushes in. He takes a seat in the corner of the bright room and a friendly member of staff joins him. Nearby a young woman is playing cards. She’s laughing softly with her companions, aware that the man is clearly upset.
She knows what it’s like. At age 25, Kimberley Russell (not her real name), who has borderline personality disorder as well as an eating disorder and depression, has had her share of crises. The cafe, which is open every evening to anyone who needs mental health support out-of-hours, has become a lifeline.
In the first six months after its launch, psychiatric admissions from the cafe’s catchment area fell by 33%. Continue reading... The Guardian
How much healthcare policy is based on evidence?
How much healthcare policy is based on evidence? New medicines prescribed by the NHS must pass clinical trials and cost-benefit tests, but not all health policies go through such a rigorous process
The NHS relies on scientific evidence to assess new medicines: drugs are only authorised if they pass clinical trials, and offered only if they pass a cost-benefit test. But similar research into healthcare policy is often used to fuel arguments rather than guide decisions.
The dispute between the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and the British Medical Association over junior doctors’ contracts is tied to the government’s plan to introduce seven-day working in the English NHS. Hunt justified this with a BMJ paper [registration] that found around 11,000 more people die within 30 days of being admitted to hospital on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, compared with admissions on other days of the week. (Friday and Monday were included as many hospital services close on Friday afternoon and do not reopen until Monday morning.) Continue reading... The Guardian
The NHS relies on scientific evidence to assess new medicines: drugs are only authorised if they pass clinical trials, and offered only if they pass a cost-benefit test. But similar research into healthcare policy is often used to fuel arguments rather than guide decisions.
The dispute between the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and the British Medical Association over junior doctors’ contracts is tied to the government’s plan to introduce seven-day working in the English NHS. Hunt justified this with a BMJ paper [registration] that found around 11,000 more people die within 30 days of being admitted to hospital on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, compared with admissions on other days of the week. (Friday and Monday were included as many hospital services close on Friday afternoon and do not reopen until Monday morning.) Continue reading... The Guardian
Woman, 50, wins right to refuse life-saving treatment because her 'sparkle' has gone
Woman, 50, wins right to refuse life-saving treatment because her 'sparkle' has gone Mr Justice MacDonald said although many would be horrified by the woman's decision, she had the mental capacity to refuse treatment. The Daily Telegraph
Organ donation: Groundbreaking law change in Wales means all adults become donors
Organ donation: Groundbreaking law change in Wales means all adults become donors Revolutionary new system will 'save hundreds of lives' in dramatic departure from current 'opt-in' process and will be closely watched by rest of UK. The Daily Telegraph
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Tuesday, 1 December 2015
Campaign calls for more people in Northamptonshire to test themselves for HIV
Campaign calls for more people in Northamptonshire to test themselves for HIV A fifth of people living with HIV are unaware of their infection, according to figures published by health authorities in Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Guidance: Disability and domestic abuse: risk, impacts and response
Guidance: Disability and domestic abuse: risk, impacts and response This document improves understanding of the complexities of disabled people’s experiences of domestic abuse and promotes consideration of these complexities within the public health system. It also supports local and national action, and provides guidance to improve response across local authorities; health and social care services; clinical commissioners; domestic abuse services; disability services; police and crime commissioners; and the wider public health system. Public Health England
Collaboration in general practice: surveys of GPs and CCGs
Collaboration in general practice: surveys of GPs and CCGs Primary care is facing unprecedented demand to find new ways to deliver care – with an increased emphasis on managing population out-of-hospital through a focus on improved prevention, access and quality of care. All the while, spending on general practice has fallen or flat-lined for the past five years. Collaborative working – including the formation of federations and networks within general practice – is at the heart of overcoming these challenges.
The Royal College of General Practitioners and the Nuffield Trust were commissioned by NHS England to examine the landscape of scaled-up general practice and to develop an online network to support new and emerging collaborations.
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The Royal College of General Practitioners and the Nuffield Trust were commissioned by NHS England to examine the landscape of scaled-up general practice and to develop an online network to support new and emerging collaborations.
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Child obesity - brave and bold action
Child obesity - brave and bold action This report argues that the scale and consequences of childhood obesity demand bold and urgent action from government and it highlights areas for improvement including greater regulation of the marketing of unhealthy snacks; implementing a sugar tax; and greater powers awarded to local authorities to tackle the environment leading to childhood obesity. House of Commons Health Select Committee
Disruption expected as junior doctors' strike called off
Disruption expected as junior doctors' strike called off Hospitals across England are facing major disruption with the cancellation of thousands of operations, despite a 24-hour strike by junior doctors being called off. BBC News
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- Contract negotiations British Medical Association
- Statement to Parliament: Statement on junior doctors' contract Department of Health
- BMA industrial action suspended NHS Employers
- The junior doctors' contract dispute: lessons from history Nuffield Trust
- RCGP response to suspension of industrial action Royal College of General Practitioners
- VIDEO: Junior doctors' row in 70 seconds BBC News
- My operation was cancelled due to strike plans BBC News
- Hundreds of operations cancelled despite doctors' strike being called off The Guardian
- Junior doctors' strike called off but disruption still widespread The Guardian
- Doctors' strike: Jeremy Hunt announces 'potential agreement' with BMA The Guardian
- Junior doctors strike called off after last-minute deal The Independent
NHS choir aims for Christmas Number 1
NHS choir aims for Christmas Number 1 NHS staff have released a charity single that they hope will be this year's Christmas Number 1. BBC News
The UN says dating apps increase HIV
The UN says dating apps increase HIV More than 220,000 adolescents are thought to have HIV in Asia and the Pacific, but fewer than half is receiving treatment. The Independent
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- 'Explosion' of dating apps like Grindr is responsible for a 'hidden HIV epidemic in young people', UN warns The Daily Mail
- Dating apps driving 'hidden epidemic' of HIV infections among young Asian males, says UN The Daily Telegraph
- Mobile dating apps spur HIV epidemic among Asia’s teenagers, says UN The Guardian
- ‘Hidden epidemic’ of HIV hitting adolescents in Asia-Pacific region, UN agencies warn United Nations
'I challenge Jeremy Hunt to keep this medical equipment going for an hour': Nurse's angry post blasting lack of pay rise goes is shared more than 50,000 times
'I challenge Jeremy Hunt to keep this medical equipment going for an hour': Nurse's angry post blasting lack of pay rise goes is shared more than 50,000 times Critical care nurse Nicola Kitchin, 37, of Worcester, has been 'overwhelmed' after her angry post went viral and has now racked up almost 75,000 likes and 52,000 shares on Facebook. The Daily Mail
How can the health and social care workforce meet the challenge of integrating services?
How can the health and social care workforce meet the challenge of integrating services? Meeting the integration commitments laid out by the NHS Five Year Forward View won’t be easy. Here are three of the main challenges
What are the ingredients for a truly clear integrated health and social care service model? To help drive this agenda, Skills for Health and Skills for Care gathered experts from both sectors to discuss how integrated services can be realised and what barriers need to be broken down to achieve this. The outcomes of the discussions will surprise you.
Among the many improvements stipulated in NHS England’s Five Year Forward View – particularly when considered alongside the Care Act 2014 – is a new model enabling health and social care services to work cohesively together. The concept of integration will mean something different depending on the type of service provider you are. One of the issues discussed was how organisations can seamlessly integrate their workforces to meet the demands of long-term integration and ultimately deliver better outcomes for citizens. Continue reading... The Guardian
What are the ingredients for a truly clear integrated health and social care service model? To help drive this agenda, Skills for Health and Skills for Care gathered experts from both sectors to discuss how integrated services can be realised and what barriers need to be broken down to achieve this. The outcomes of the discussions will surprise you.
Among the many improvements stipulated in NHS England’s Five Year Forward View – particularly when considered alongside the Care Act 2014 – is a new model enabling health and social care services to work cohesively together. The concept of integration will mean something different depending on the type of service provider you are. One of the issues discussed was how organisations can seamlessly integrate their workforces to meet the demands of long-term integration and ultimately deliver better outcomes for citizens. Continue reading... The Guardian
Nurse and midwife revalidation: five key questions
Nurse and midwife revalidation: five key questions New process is fast approaching, but some areas still require clarity.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) new revalidation process begins in April 2016. Its aim is for all nurses and midwifes to regularly demonstrate that they “practise safely and effectively”.
Since our first article on revalidation for nurses in July 2015, the process has moved on, but questions about it remain. Continue reading... The Guardian
The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) new revalidation process begins in April 2016. Its aim is for all nurses and midwifes to regularly demonstrate that they “practise safely and effectively”.
Since our first article on revalidation for nurses in July 2015, the process has moved on, but questions about it remain. Continue reading... The Guardian
Rapid response: a fear of litigation means I often treat patients I shouldn't
Rapid response: a fear of litigation means I often treat patients I shouldn't Inappropriate referrals are the symptom of a culture of risk aversion in the NHS. Consequently everyone receives a diluted service
Ken is lying on the sofa. He’s only just got up and is still a little tousled in his PJs, but despite all that, he’s as bright and poised as any of the paintings or ceramics that surround him. “Thank you so much for coming,” he says. “I’m sorry to be a pain.”
Ken is 62, still in full-time work, goes to yoga classes and on trips abroad. He is perfectly independent. This has been a bad week, though. His sciatica has flared up and put him out of commission again. His doctor has referred him to us, the rapid response team. Continue reading... The Guardian
Ken is lying on the sofa. He’s only just got up and is still a little tousled in his PJs, but despite all that, he’s as bright and poised as any of the paintings or ceramics that surround him. “Thank you so much for coming,” he says. “I’m sorry to be a pain.”
Ken is 62, still in full-time work, goes to yoga classes and on trips abroad. He is perfectly independent. This has been a bad week, though. His sciatica has flared up and put him out of commission again. His doctor has referred him to us, the rapid response team. Continue reading... The Guardian
Why don't doctors ever see you on time?
Why don't doctors ever see you on time? Surely by now, doctors and nurses at the clinics must have a rough idea how long appointments will take and so offer only a fair number of slots. The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 30 November 2015
Junior Doctors Strike In Northants
Junior Doctors Strike In Northants NHS Nene and NHS Corby Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are urging residents in Northamptonshire to help reduce pressure on local NHS services following an announcement that junior doctors will take part in strike action during December. About My Area
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See also:
- Junior Doctors' industrial action: information for patients Northampton General Hospital
- NHFT response and preparedness for junior doctors strike activity Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- KGH: Don't use A&E unless necessary during doctors's strike Northamptonshire Telegraph
Kettering General Hospital staff win national award for use of new technology
Kettering General Hospital staff win national award for use of new technology A new system introduced to free-up time taken form filling by nursing staff at Kettering General Hospital has won a top, national prize. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Collection: Femal genital mutilation (FGM): guidance for healthcare staff
Collection: Femal genital mutilation (FGM): guidance for healthcare staff Guidance and resources about FGM for healthcare professionals. Department of Health
Jimmy Savile NHS investigations: update on the themes and lessons learnt from NHS investigations into matters relating to Jimmy Savile
Jimmy Savile NHS investigations: update on the themes and lessons learnt from NHS investigations into matters relating to Jimmy Savile In February 2015, the government accepted in principle 13 of the 14 recommendations in Kate Lampard’s lessons learnt report following the investigations into the activities of Jimmy Savile relating to the NHS. This report provides a summary of actions taken in response to the 13 recommendations for the NHS, Department of Health and wider government. Department of Health
Parents 'avoid mental health talks'
Parents 'avoid mental health talks' More than half of parents in England have never spoken to their children about stress, anxiety and depression, a survey suggests. BBC News
Tax on sugary drinks backed by MPs
Tax on sugary drinks backed by MPs A tax on sugary drinks should be introduced as part of a "bold and urgent" set of measures to tackle child obesity in England, MPs say. BBC News
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NHS patients sent for treatment at smaller private hospitals put at risk due to unsafe staffing and facilities
NHS patients sent for treatment at smaller private hospitals put at risk due to unsafe staffing and facilities Serious problems found even in private hospitals rated 'good' by the regulator. The Independent
Most people told to go to hospital after calling NHS 111 did not need emergency treatment
Most people told to go to hospital after calling NHS 111 did not need emergency treatment NHS 111 uses call handlers who are not medically trained and they rely on a computer to offer advice. The helpline that it replaced, NHS Direct, used nurses. The Independent
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Urgent talks set to resume to head off junior doctors' strikes
Urgent talks set to resume to head off junior doctors' strikes Two-thirds of maternity doctors would emigrate or quit if government’s contract is implemented, report warns
Government officials and the British Medical Association are due to resume urgent talks to avert a series of strikes by junior doctors starting on Tuesday, as a report warned that many maternity doctors were expected to quit or work abroad if a new government contract at the heart of the dispute comes into force.
Behind-the-scenes discussions were held on Sunday between the parties and an official from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Government officials and the British Medical Association are due to resume urgent talks to avert a series of strikes by junior doctors starting on Tuesday, as a report warned that many maternity doctors were expected to quit or work abroad if a new government contract at the heart of the dispute comes into force.
Behind-the-scenes discussions were held on Sunday between the parties and an official from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Doctors must talk (editorial) The Daily Telegraph
- As leaders of the future NHS, junior doctors must come back from the brink The Daily Telegraph
- Junior doctors’ leader Johann Malawana on NHS strikes: ‘No doctor wants to do what we are being pushed into’ The Guardian
What does it take to become a junior doctor?
What does it take to become a junior doctor? As the junior doctors' strike comes nearer, The Telegraph examines what it takes to become a junior doctor. The Daily Telegraph
Friday, 27 November 2015
Good care needs to be a co-production
Good care needs to be a co-production The National Clinical Director for Long Term Conditions looks at what co-production means to the Long Term Conditions Unit and how it is essential to supporting person-centred care, addressing such difficult issues as personalised care and support planning, information-sharing and workforce skills. NHS England
Stocktake of access to general practice in England
Stocktake of access to general practice in England People’s experience of accessing general practice remains positive, with almost 9 in 10 patients reporting in 2014-15 that they could get an appointment. Patient satisfaction with access is, however, gradually and consistently declining, and a fifth of patients report opening hours are not convenient, according to today’s report from the National Audit Office.
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Multiple-birth care 'postcode lottery'
Multiple-birth care 'postcode lottery' Women expecting twins or triplets are experiencing poor antenatal care in some areas of England, a report suggests. BBC News
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- Postcode lottery of NHS maternity care for twins, triplets and higher multiples puts babies’ lives at risk across the country Twins and Multiple Births Association
- Tamba and NCT Maternity Services Report: Multiple births Twins and Multiple Births Association & NCT
A&E waiting times 'getting worse'
A&E waiting times 'getting worse' Waiting times in A&E departments across the UK are worsening as pressures grow in hospitals, figures suggest. BBC News
One in five children obese in Year 6
One in five children obese in Year 6 One in 10 children were obese when they started primary school in England last year and one in five were obese when they left, according to new figures. BBC News
HIV infections hit record level across Europe
HIV infections hit record level across Europe This increase is primarily attributed to heterosexual transmission in Eastern Europe. The Independent
Cautious optimism after nine hours of talks to resolve junior doctors dispute
Cautious optimism after nine hours of talks to resolve junior doctors dispute Both sides set to continue talks on Friday in an effort to avoid strike action over government’s threat to impose new working contracts
Both sides in the junior doctors dispute held nine hours of conciliatory talks on Thursday and will resume face to face discussions on Friday in a bid to prevent a planned a series of walkouts over the government’s threat to impose new working contracts.
Representatives of the British Medical Association, NHS Employers and the Department of Health met under the auspices of the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) at un undisclosed London venue in an attempt to end the increasingly bitter dispute before the first strike due next Tuesday, 1 December. Continue reading... The Guardian
Both sides in the junior doctors dispute held nine hours of conciliatory talks on Thursday and will resume face to face discussions on Friday in a bid to prevent a planned a series of walkouts over the government’s threat to impose new working contracts.
Representatives of the British Medical Association, NHS Employers and the Department of Health met under the auspices of the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) at un undisclosed London venue in an attempt to end the increasingly bitter dispute before the first strike due next Tuesday, 1 December. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS trusts told to ensure criminal record checks on staff up to date
NHS trusts told to ensure criminal record checks on staff up to date Many trusts are not carrying out regular reviews of personnel despite key recommendation in wake of Savile scandal
NHS trusts in England have been told to ensure that criminal records checks are up to date on their staff and, where necessary, on volunteers, after a survey of trusts revealed that many did not undertake three-yearly reviews.
The measure was a key recommendation of former barrister Kate Lampard’s report on improvements needed to protect patients in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. She raised concerns in February about lack of management and oversight over an estimated 78,000 volunteers, highlighting 14 areas where improvements were needed. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS trusts in England have been told to ensure that criminal records checks are up to date on their staff and, where necessary, on volunteers, after a survey of trusts revealed that many did not undertake three-yearly reviews.
The measure was a key recommendation of former barrister Kate Lampard’s report on improvements needed to protect patients in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. She raised concerns in February about lack of management and oversight over an estimated 78,000 volunteers, highlighting 14 areas where improvements were needed. Continue reading... The Guardian
Rules banning gay and bisexual men from giving blood to be reviewed
Rules banning gay and bisexual men from giving blood to be reviewed Government will ‘look again’ at year-long prohibition imposed on men who have sex with men, says public health minister
The government will conduct a review of the rules prohibiting gay and bisexual men from donating blood, the public health minister Jane Ellison has announced.
Under current legislation, men who have sex with men (MSM) are banned from giving blood for 12 months after having sexual intercourse. Continue reading... The Guardian
The government will conduct a review of the rules prohibiting gay and bisexual men from donating blood, the public health minister Jane Ellison has announced.
Under current legislation, men who have sex with men (MSM) are banned from giving blood for 12 months after having sexual intercourse. Continue reading... The Guardian
Hedge funder who pledged to cut cost of Aids pill sold with 5,000pc mark-up reneges on promise
Hedge funder who pledged to cut cost of Aids pill sold with 5,000pc mark-up reneges on promise Martin Shkreli, who once wrote that he grieves "every time a drug goes generic", has not cut the cost of the pills, as promised. The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Junior doctors' strike forces Northampton General Hospital to cancel appointments
Junior doctors' strike forces Northampton General Hospital to cancel appointments Northampton General Hospital is preparing for a staff walk-out after almost 100 per cent of junior doctors voted in favour of striking. Northampton Herald and Post
Hospital inpatient care: over 10,000 more admissions a day than 10 years ago
Hospital inpatient care: over 10,000 more admissions a day than 10 years ago Latest figures show that there were 15.9 million admissions to NHS hospitals in England in 2014-15 - the equivalent of 43,500 per day. This is 1,200 more per day on average than in 2013-145 and 10,400 more per day on average than 10 years ago in 2004-05. Health and Social Care Information Centre
Babies born on the weekend have slightly higher death risk
Babies born on the weekend have slightly higher death risk "Babies delivered at the weekend are significantly more likely to die or suffer serious injury," the Daily Mail reports.
However, while the increase in risk is both significant and an obvious cause for concern, it should be noted that it is a very small increase.
Researchers looked at the outcomes of 1,349,599 births in the two years from April 1 2010, and found that an estimated 770 extra deaths occurred each year above what would occur if all babies were born on weekdays.
Obviously, 770 extra deaths is 770 too many, but it is important to put the figure into a larger context. When we look at the actual numbers, 0.73% of babies born at the weekend died, compared to 0.64% of babies born on weekdays.
While it may be tempting to assume that the extra deaths are all down to staffing issues (e.g. consultants not working at weekends) other factors may be involved. For example, most women giving birth by planned caesarean section did so during the week. Babies born this way may be lower risk, which could make the weekday births appear safer. NHS Choices
However, while the increase in risk is both significant and an obvious cause for concern, it should be noted that it is a very small increase.
Researchers looked at the outcomes of 1,349,599 births in the two years from April 1 2010, and found that an estimated 770 extra deaths occurred each year above what would occur if all babies were born on weekdays.
Obviously, 770 extra deaths is 770 too many, but it is important to put the figure into a larger context. When we look at the actual numbers, 0.73% of babies born at the weekend died, compared to 0.64% of babies born on weekdays.
While it may be tempting to assume that the extra deaths are all down to staffing issues (e.g. consultants not working at weekends) other factors may be involved. For example, most women giving birth by planned caesarean section did so during the week. Babies born this way may be lower risk, which could make the weekday births appear safer. NHS Choices
Junior doctor dispute 'to go to Acas'
Junior doctor dispute 'to go to Acas' The government has agreed to talks at Acas in the dispute with junior doctors - and is now urging the British Medical Association to call off the three days of strikes planned for December. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Imposition threat must be removed to defer juniors' action British Medical Association
- Correspondence: Health Secretary writes to Dr Mark Porter, Chair of the BMA Department of Health
- NHS Employers begins talks with ACAS NHS Employers
- Junior doctors row: A nightmare for the NHS and patients? BBC News
- Jeremy Hunt agrees to talks with junior doctors in bid to halt strikes The Daily Mail
- Junior doctors' strike: Government agrees to talks at Acas in bid to avoid walkout The Daily Telegraph
- Doctors 'naive' to think no harm will come to patients during strikes, says Harvard The Daily Telegraph
- Junior doctors' strike: what should patients do? The Daily Telegraph
- Junior doctor strikes will go ahead unless government drops imposition threat, warns BMA GP Online
- Doctors strike: Analysis finds that NHS patients will not be more likely to die during action period The Independent
- Junior doctor dispute to go to talks at Acas OnMedica
Doctors should exercise caution in prescribing Ritalin for ADHD
Doctors should exercise caution in prescribing Ritalin for ADHD Cochrane researchers criticise quality of evidence supporting use of methylphenidate. OnMedica
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Chancellor's 3.8bn cash injection for the NHS comes at a price
Chancellor's 3.8bn cash injection for the NHS comes at a price NHS’s burden could ultimately worsen as budget for recruitment, training health professionals and health bodies is cut by 25% under spending review
The chancellor has done a lot to burnish the Conservative party’s standing on the NHS. He has given the health service an extra £3.8bn for 2016-17 – which is most of the additional cash that its boss had been seeking – and earmarked £600m of the money to fund overdue improvements in mental health care, such as for new mothers and those in crisis.
“As [NHS England chief executive] Simon Stevens said, ‘The NHS has been heard and actively supported,’” George Osborne said after the announcement. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The chancellor has done a lot to burnish the Conservative party’s standing on the NHS. He has given the health service an extra £3.8bn for 2016-17 – which is most of the additional cash that its boss had been seeking – and earmarked £600m of the money to fund overdue improvements in mental health care, such as for new mothers and those in crisis.
“As [NHS England chief executive] Simon Stevens said, ‘The NHS has been heard and actively supported,’” George Osborne said after the announcement. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Press release: Department of Health's settlement at the Spending Review 2015 Department of Health
- Professor Ian Cumming statement on Spending Review Health Education England
- The King's Fund's response to the Spending Review The King's Fund
- Autumn Budget and Spending Review NHS Employers
- The spending review Nuffield Trust
- NHS England spending review uplift at expense of other health services, economists warn GP Online
- Spending review 'falls short' for general practice, warns top London GP GP Online
- NHS settlement may not be enough for seven-day service, experts warn The Guardian
- 'We need more hospital beds, not more A&E staff' The Guardian
- George Osborne's lack of ideas means care homes face meltdown, warn industry chiefs The Guardian
- Autumn Statement: Plans to force nurses to pay tuition fees will saddle future generations with even more debt The Independent
Expect more teenage pregnancies and STIs as public health cuts kick in
Expect more teenage pregnancies and STIs as public health cuts kick in Slicing money out of local prevention services is ‘economically nonsensical’, completely undermining the pledge to pump billions into the NHS
The term “false economy” is bandied about a lot in discussions about government cuts, but when it comes to slashing public health budgets it is entirely appropriate. Think for one moment about the point of preventative public health services, such as sexual health clinics, suicide prevention schemes and smoking cessation programmes – to avert serious problems and crises later on – and it really isn’t difficult to join the dots.
Reducing or cutting initiatives that help keep people out of doctors’ surgeries and hospitals stores up future problems for an already stretched NHS, yet this is exactly what is happening.
Every £1 spent on contraception saves £11 in healthcare costs. Cuts to sexual health sector are economically nonsensical. Continue reading... The Guardian
The term “false economy” is bandied about a lot in discussions about government cuts, but when it comes to slashing public health budgets it is entirely appropriate. Think for one moment about the point of preventative public health services, such as sexual health clinics, suicide prevention schemes and smoking cessation programmes – to avert serious problems and crises later on – and it really isn’t difficult to join the dots.
Reducing or cutting initiatives that help keep people out of doctors’ surgeries and hospitals stores up future problems for an already stretched NHS, yet this is exactly what is happening.
Every £1 spent on contraception saves £11 in healthcare costs. Cuts to sexual health sector are economically nonsensical. Continue reading... The Guardian
Winter deaths hit 15-year high, shocking official figures show
Winter deaths hit 15-year high, shocking official figures show Last winter saw the highest number of winter deaths since the turn of the millennium as respiratory diseases claimed thousands of lives. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Excess Winter Mortality in England and Wales 2014/15 (Provisional) and 2013/14 (Final) Office for National Statistics
- Winter deaths 'highest since 1999' BBC News
- Ineffective flu vaccine causes the number of excess winter deaths to TRIPLE in a year The Daily Mail
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Award for Northamptonshire’s lifesaving vehicles
Award for Northamptonshire’s lifesaving vehicles An award has been given to East Midlands Ambulance Service for the the way it looks after its fleet of vehicles. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Exploring how available NHS data can be used to show the inequality gap in mental healthcare
Exploring how available NHS data can be used to show the inequality gap in mental healthcare This report collated publicly available data and banded CCGs based on the experiences of mental health service users in their area. The data found specifies in greater detail the differing quality as and outcome of life for those with poor mental health. The report also found across the country that those with mental illnesses are more likely to die earlier and more like to get treated differently by health care professionals. Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Supplying the demand for nurses: the need to end the rationing of nurse training places
Supplying the demand for nurses: the need to end the rationing of nurse training places This paper proposes reforming the present financing of nurse education, under which tuition fees and living bursaries are paid up front, and replacing it with a system whereby nursing undergraduates would take out student loans as with any other course. The NHS would then pay back the loan for nursing graduates if they work for the organisation after qualification. The paper argues that this reform would remove the need for a limit on nurse numbers. Nurses who work in the private sector are likely to similarly have their student debt repaid as companies compete with the NHS to recruit nurses. Civitas
Psychological therapy: big differences in recovery rates across England
Psychological therapy: big differences in recovery rates across England Recovery rates for patients treated for mental health disorders are published today, highlighting markedly different outcomes across the country. Health and Social Care Information Centre
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Loneliness 'may affect the immune system'
Loneliness 'may affect the immune system'"Being lonely won't just make you miserable; it could also suppress your immune system and knock years of your life," the Daily Mail reports.
This headline was prompted by a laboratory study in humans and rhesus macaque monkeys, which aimed to investigate if there were biological mechanisms associated with isolation that could also be associated with the risk of chronic disease or early death.
The findings suggest increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system – responsible for the "fight or flight" response – may overstimulate development of inflammatory white blood cells in the bone marrow. At the same time it may decrease the production of antiviral proteins, reducing the body's ability to fight infections.
However, at this stage this is still just a hypothesis. The study has not directly demonstrated that people who are socially isolated are more likely to become ill or die earlier and the immune system played a key role. NHS Choices
This headline was prompted by a laboratory study in humans and rhesus macaque monkeys, which aimed to investigate if there were biological mechanisms associated with isolation that could also be associated with the risk of chronic disease or early death.
The findings suggest increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system – responsible for the "fight or flight" response – may overstimulate development of inflammatory white blood cells in the bone marrow. At the same time it may decrease the production of antiviral proteins, reducing the body's ability to fight infections.
However, at this stage this is still just a hypothesis. The study has not directly demonstrated that people who are socially isolated are more likely to become ill or die earlier and the immune system played a key role. NHS Choices
Weekend births 'pose higher death risk'
Weekend births 'pose higher death risk' Babies born in hospitals in England at the weekends have a "significantly" greater chance of dying than those born on weekdays, researchers say. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Association between day of delivery and obstetric outcomes: observational study The BMJ
- Babies delivered at the weekend suffer greater threat of stillbirth or death The Daily Mail
- Babies more likely to die if born in NHS hospitals at weekend The Daily Telegraph
- Weekend-born babies slightly more likely to die in their first week The Guardian
- Babies born at weekends more likely to be stillborn or die in first week of life The Independent
GPs urged to report unfit drivers
GPs urged to report unfit drivers Family doctors must tell the DVLA about any patients who continue to drive when they are medically unfit to do so, says the General Medical Council. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- RCGP response to GMC announcement on GPs reporting patients to the DVLA or DVA Royal College of General Practitioners
- Doctors should not become agents of the DVLA The Daily Telegraph
Has Alaska found holy grail of cutting costs and improving healthcare?
Has Alaska found holy grail of cutting costs and improving healthcare? Not-for-profit organisation delivering health services for Alaska Native people has tackled waiting times and improved outcomes. What can the NHS learn?
Truly innovative leaders and organisations look far and wide for inspiration – and often find it in unexpected places; think of Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin. The NHS urgently needs a eureka moment, with primary care and hospital services close to breaking point and waiting times spiralling out of control.
An unexpected inspiration for the NHS might be Southcentral Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation delivering primary, community and mental health services for Alaska Native people in Southcentral Alaska. In the mid-1990s, Southcentral faced many of the challenges crippling NHS services today: four-week waits for routine primary care appointments and GPs coping with 40 or more appointments every day. Continue reading... The Guardian
Truly innovative leaders and organisations look far and wide for inspiration – and often find it in unexpected places; think of Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin. The NHS urgently needs a eureka moment, with primary care and hospital services close to breaking point and waiting times spiralling out of control.
An unexpected inspiration for the NHS might be Southcentral Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation delivering primary, community and mental health services for Alaska Native people in Southcentral Alaska. In the mid-1990s, Southcentral faced many of the challenges crippling NHS services today: four-week waits for routine primary care appointments and GPs coping with 40 or more appointments every day. Continue reading... The Guardian
Simon Stevens won his extra NHS cash. Now for the hard bit
Simon Stevens won his extra NHS cash. Now for the hard bit The NHS boss used all his powers of persuasion to get George Osborne to hand over £3.8bn upfront next year. But can he deliver on transforming care?
So, well played, Simon Stevens. Spectacularly well played, in fact. To have somehow got George Osborne to stump up £3.8bn extra for the NHS next year, at a time when the cash-strapped chancellor had to fix his tax credits problem, as well as finding extra money for security and counter-terrorism, demonstrates that NHS England’s chief executive has persuasive skills of a very high order. To have won the argument, that a sizeable chunk of the extra £8bn ministers had pledged to deliver by 2020 had to come next year, is a real coup. Until as recently as Monday, most NHS leaders were pessimistically saying that the Treasury was being inflexible and remained very unpersuaded of the need for a significant upfront downpayment of the £8bn. Stevens’s refusal to accept Osborne’s preference, to phase in the £8bn over time in equal amounts, shows real backbone and an admirable certainty of purpose. Continue reading... The Guardian
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So, well played, Simon Stevens. Spectacularly well played, in fact. To have somehow got George Osborne to stump up £3.8bn extra for the NHS next year, at a time when the cash-strapped chancellor had to fix his tax credits problem, as well as finding extra money for security and counter-terrorism, demonstrates that NHS England’s chief executive has persuasive skills of a very high order. To have won the argument, that a sizeable chunk of the extra £8bn ministers had pledged to deliver by 2020 had to come next year, is a real coup. Until as recently as Monday, most NHS leaders were pessimistically saying that the Treasury was being inflexible and remained very unpersuaded of the need for a significant upfront downpayment of the £8bn. Stevens’s refusal to accept Osborne’s preference, to phase in the £8bn over time in equal amounts, shows real backbone and an admirable certainty of purpose. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- News story: Unprecedented investment in the NHS Department of Health
- RCGP response to Chancellor's announcement on NHS investment Royal College of General Practitioners
- A shot in the arm for an ailing NHS Royal College of Nursing
- An NHS funding plan at last – but what’s the catch? BBC News
- Don't waste 3.8bn NHS funding uplift on seven-day services, warns GPC GP Online
- Osborne to hike NHS budget £3.8bn in 2016/17 GP online
- George Osborne: 'strong, well-funded NHS is absolutely crucial' - video The Guardian
- The Guardian view on the NHS settlement: a good compromise, but not a generous one | Editorial The Guardian
- 'Risks remain' despite George Osborne's £3.8bn cash boost for NHS Northamptonshire Telegraph
- NHS spending boost of £3.8bn next year, £10bn by 2020 OnMedica
Devolution bill poses a serious threat to the NHS
Devolution bill poses a serious threat to the NHS The little discussed and barely comprehended bill has reached committee stage in the Commons, and has significant implications for the health service.
The penny is beginning to drop within the NHS world at last. The seemingly marginal cities and local government devolution bill, now in its Commons committee stage, has major implications for the NHS that have been little discussed and barely comprehended. It all began with Greater Manchester combined authority securing control of its £6bn NHS budget earlier this year, and now several other devolution bids to the Treasury are seeking some NHS remit.
The problem here is not so much that the idea is necessarily wrong in principle, but rather that it hasn’t been thought through. Regions seeking such powers need to meet the Treasury’s requirement of securing “a financially sustainable health and social care system” by 2020. Typically they will claim to be able to do so by developing community-based models of care that focus on preventing expensive hospital treatment. In reality there is little evidence to suggest this model will work.
... ones which achieve or exceed their initial goals in such a way that they become embedded; able to survive a change of government; represent a starting point for subsequent policy development or remove the issue from the immediate policy agenda. Continue reading... The Guardian
The penny is beginning to drop within the NHS world at last. The seemingly marginal cities and local government devolution bill, now in its Commons committee stage, has major implications for the NHS that have been little discussed and barely comprehended. It all began with Greater Manchester combined authority securing control of its £6bn NHS budget earlier this year, and now several other devolution bids to the Treasury are seeking some NHS remit.
The problem here is not so much that the idea is necessarily wrong in principle, but rather that it hasn’t been thought through. Regions seeking such powers need to meet the Treasury’s requirement of securing “a financially sustainable health and social care system” by 2020. Typically they will claim to be able to do so by developing community-based models of care that focus on preventing expensive hospital treatment. In reality there is little evidence to suggest this model will work.
... ones which achieve or exceed their initial goals in such a way that they become embedded; able to survive a change of government; represent a starting point for subsequent policy development or remove the issue from the immediate policy agenda. Continue reading... The Guardian
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
Number of rough sleepers in Northampton is double what borough council pledged, report reveals
Number of rough sleepers in Northampton is double what borough council pledged, report reveals The number of rough sleepers in Northampton this year was double the figure the council had aimed for. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
System leaders and patient leaders: learning from a new relationship
System leaders and patient leaders: learning from a new relationship The idea that citizens should be leaders in the services they use is far from new, yet it is still at odds with many aspects of NHS culture. A recently launched programme by The King’s Fund is offering the chance to foster a new type of relationship between citizens and care systems – and to learn from how it evolves.
NHS to get above-inflation cash boost
NHS to get above-inflation cash boost Front-line NHS services in England will get a £3.8bn, above-inflation cash injection next year, amid mounting fears about the pressures they face. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- George Osborne's £6billion a year increase for the NHS The Daily Mail
- George Osborne will use Autumn Statement to increase NHS funding by £6billion The Daily Telegraph
- General practice needs an extra £3.8bn a year by 2020 warns RCGP GP Online
- Osborne injects £3.8bn to help reduce NHS financial pressure The Guardian
- George Osborne to fast-track £4bn NHS investment in bid to head off crisis The Independent
- NHS England to get spending boost sooner than expected ITV News
Rise in prosecutions following assaults on NHS staff
Rise in prosecutions following assaults on NHS staff The number of criminal actions following reported assaults on NHS hospital workers increased slightly last year. Figures from NHS Protect show that there were 1,679 criminal proceedings instigated last year - up by 30 from 2013-4. There were 67,864 reported physical assaults against NHS staff in England last year - a small reduction of 819 from 68,683 in 2013-14. OnMedica
Scandal of patients denied 5p pill that shrinks cancer
Scandal of patients denied 5p pill that shrinks cancer Within seven weeks of starting on a new treatment, the tumour in Mary Nike's left breast had shrunk from 1½ in to ½ in. Mary, 58, from Brewood, Staffordshire, was being treated with a 5p pill. The Daily Mail
First UK case of a mother using bleach to 'cure' son's autism reported to Thames Valley Police
First UK case of a mother using bleach to 'cure' son's autism reported to Thames Valley Police Thames Valley Police have confirmed they have received a complaint about the alleged use of MMS, which is similar to bleach. The Daily Mail
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Let's tackle mental health stigma and attract trainees to psychiatry
Let's tackle mental health stigma and attract trainees to psychiatry Demand for psychiatrists is growing but the healthcare community needs to get its own house in order if we are to fill the gaps in recruitment
“I’ve got my life back … thanks.”
Through the clinic window, autumn’s blaze of colour is muted with drizzle and dark skies, but inside I am cast in light. I am privy to a private miracle. A corrosive mental illness that was throttling a life is no longer wreaking havoc. Hope, agency and opportunity has emerged. Career and relationships are reinvigorated and joy has been restored. The grace with which I am shown gratitude moves me profoundly and I reconnect with my sense of mission and purpose as a psychiatrist. Not a bad way to start a Monday. Continue reading... The Guardian
“I’ve got my life back … thanks.”
Through the clinic window, autumn’s blaze of colour is muted with drizzle and dark skies, but inside I am cast in light. I am privy to a private miracle. A corrosive mental illness that was throttling a life is no longer wreaking havoc. Hope, agency and opportunity has emerged. Career and relationships are reinvigorated and joy has been restored. The grace with which I am shown gratitude moves me profoundly and I reconnect with my sense of mission and purpose as a psychiatrist. Not a bad way to start a Monday. Continue reading... The Guardian
Health data from wearable devices could be restricted under new EU regulation
Health data from wearable devices could be restricted under new EU regulation Law firm Osborne Clarke has called on regulators to rethink the implication of the future European General Data Protection Regulation on health information. The Daily Telegraph
Attributes Common to Programs That Successfully Treat High-Need, High-Cost Individuals
Attributes Common to Programs That Successfully Treat High-Need, High-Cost Individuals Care delivery models designed to improve health outcomes and reduce spending for patients with complex health needs vary in their effectiveness. The Commonwealth Fund
Monday, 23 November 2015
Flu jabs at your pharmacy for ‘at risk’ patients
Flu jabs at your pharmacy for ‘at risk’ patients For the first time ever patients who are considered to be in an ‘at risk’ group can get their free flu jab at a local pharmacy. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Detailed guide: Rules for all agency staff working in the NHS
Detailed guide: Rules for all agency staff working in the NHS Published new guidance on price caps for agency staff working in the NHS and consolidated a separate guidance on nursing agency spend. Monitor
See also:
See also:
- Agency price cap guidance published NHS Employers
- NHS agency staff costs cap brought in BBC News
Overspending by NHS trusts hits £1.6bn
Overspending by NHS trusts hits £1.6bn Overspending by NHS trusts in England has risen to £1.6bn this year, as concerns about the financial problems facing the health service grow. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- What not to do to stay in budget The King's Fund
- The King's Fund responds to today's NHS financial performance figures The King's Fund
- Press release: Challenging environment for NHS providers Monitor
- NHS in 'unprecedented financial meltdown': Agency staff and bed-blocking blamed as deficit hits 1.6 billion in just six months The Daily Mail
- NHS faces worst financial crisis in its history The Daily Telegraph
- NHS deficit soars to £1.6bn The Guardian
- NHS and Treasury deadlocked over budget increase before spending review The Guardian
- NHS deficit hits £1.6 billion OnMedica
'Thousands' in England malnourished
'Thousands' in England malnourished Hospitals in England are seeing thousands of patients suffering from the symptoms of malnutrition. BBC News
NHS mandate consultation expires in two days but critics argue Department of Health kept it quiet
NHS mandate consultation expires in two days but critics argue Department of Health kept it quiet Department of Health's inbox has been overloaded by replies to the consultation in the last couple of days. The Independent
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See also:
Junior doctors call for talks with Jeremy Hunt to avert strike
Junior doctors call for talks with Jeremy Hunt to avert strike Medics say they are desperate to avoid industrial action, as health secretary says patients could die if walkout goes ahead
Hundreds of junior doctors have called on Jeremy Hunt to avert industrial action after the health secretary said patients could die if next month’s planned strikes went ahead.
More than 600 junior doctors signed a letter to Hunt imploring him to enter into talks at the mediation service Acas to solve the dispute over changes to their pay and working hours. They said they had voted for strike action “with a very heavy heart”. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Hundreds of junior doctors have called on Jeremy Hunt to avert industrial action after the health secretary said patients could die if next month’s planned strikes went ahead.
More than 600 junior doctors signed a letter to Hunt imploring him to enter into talks at the mediation service Acas to solve the dispute over changes to their pay and working hours. They said they had voted for strike action “with a very heavy heart”. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Junior doctors row: A nightmare for the NHS and patients? BBC News
- MPs clash over junior doctor strikes in urgent Commons debate GP Online
- Junior doctors' strike 'puts 60,000 operations a day at risk' The Guardian
- Patients could die if junior doctors' strike goes ahead, says Jeremy Hunt The Guardian
- Junior doctors accuse NHS chief of exploiting Paris attacks to stoke public fears over strike The Independent
George Osborne considers axing student nurse bursaries
George Osborne considers axing student nurse bursaries Stopping public funding for students of nursing would save £800m a year but could worsen NHS recruitment problems
Student nurses may stop receiving bursaries and instead have to take out loans to pay their tuition fees under plans the Treasury is considering.
Officials are examining the viability of the cost-cutting measure which the chancellor, George Osborne, could announce in his spending review next Wednesday. Continue reading... The Guardian
Student nurses may stop receiving bursaries and instead have to take out loans to pay their tuition fees under plans the Treasury is considering.
Officials are examining the viability of the cost-cutting measure which the chancellor, George Osborne, could announce in his spending review next Wednesday. Continue reading... The Guardian
Ebola crisis 'claimed needless lives' because World Health Organisation failed to act quickly
Ebola crisis 'claimed needless lives' because World Health Organisation failed to act quickly Internal memos showed the WHO was reluctant to declare a public health emergency after it had its fingers burned with the Swine Flu pandmeic. The Daily Telegraph
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See also:
Friday, 20 November 2015
Northamptonshire hospitals target capital city nurses in a bid to plug recruitment gap
Northamptonshire hospitals target capital city nurses in a bid to plug recruitment gap
A recruitment day in London is being organised by hospitals in Northamptonshire in a bid to recruit more qualified nurses. Evening Telegraph
A recruitment day in London is being organised by hospitals in Northamptonshire in a bid to recruit more qualified nurses. Evening Telegraph
Six people currently needing organ transplant in Northamptonshire are ‘likely to die on waiting list’, according to NHS
Six people currently needing organ transplant in Northamptonshire are ‘likely to die on waiting list’, according to NHS
New figures from the NHS show there are 64 people in Northamptonshire waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Evening Telegraph
New figures from the NHS show there are 64 people in Northamptonshire waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Evening Telegraph
NHS bosses pressure Hunt to agree to arbitration with junior doctors
NHS bosses pressure Hunt to agree to arbitration with junior doctors
Health secretary is insisting BMA begins talks before he will consider bringing in conciliation service
Jeremy Hunt is under growing pressure to let independent arbitrators try to settle the junior doctors dispute before their series of strikes starts next month.
Senior NHS figures and leading members of the medical establishment want the health secretary to drop his insistence that the British Medical Association reopen talks with him before asking the Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service (Acas) to mediate between the two sides. Guardian
Continue reading...
Health secretary is insisting BMA begins talks before he will consider bringing in conciliation service
Jeremy Hunt is under growing pressure to let independent arbitrators try to settle the junior doctors dispute before their series of strikes starts next month.
Senior NHS figures and leading members of the medical establishment want the health secretary to drop his insistence that the British Medical Association reopen talks with him before asking the Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service (Acas) to mediate between the two sides. Guardian
Continue reading...
NHS on course for worst financial crisis in its history
NHS on course for worst financial crisis in its history
Exclusive: The NHS is expected to declare the largest deficit in its history, amid warnings that hospitals could run out of cash to pay staff within a year. Telegraph
Exclusive: The NHS is expected to declare the largest deficit in its history, amid warnings that hospitals could run out of cash to pay staff within a year. Telegraph
News story: Healthcare worker flu vaccination figures published
News story: Healthcare worker flu vaccination figures published
Latest vaccination figures show 32.4% of frontline healthcare workers had influenza vaccinations in September and October 2015.
Figures published today (19 November 2015) by Public Health England (PHE), show that more than 312,000 frontline healthcare workers in England had a flu vaccination in September and October this year.
This compares to 36.8% of workers who were vaccinated in the same period in 2014 to 2015, and 35% of workers in 2013 to 2014.
Flu experts warn that more workers need to take up the vaccine to help protect themselves and vulnerable patients this winter and help save lives, while keeping NHS services running as normal.
Hospital surveillance in 2014 to 2015 reported a total of 1,187 admissions to intensive care and high dependency units due to lab confirmed flu across England, and 8.4% of these resulted in death.
The annual campaign to drive up NHS staff vaccination rates is called flu fighter (@NHSflufighter, #flufighter). Run by NHS Employers and supported by the Department of Health and PHE, flu fighter is once again providing employers with all the resources they need to help their staff run lively local campaigns which promote vaccinations, answer questions and improve access to them. Flu fighter is now in its fifth year and has helped the NHS to increase frontline staff flu vaccinations from 359,080 (34.7%) in 2010 to 2011 to 541,757 (54.9%) by the end of last winter.
This year, for the first time, NHS Employers is also working with the residential care sector to identify how flu vaccination can become routine for care workers, identifying both challenges and examples of good practice. A tailored set of campaign materials has been made available. Public Health England
Latest vaccination figures show 32.4% of frontline healthcare workers had influenza vaccinations in September and October 2015.
Figures published today (19 November 2015) by Public Health England (PHE), show that more than 312,000 frontline healthcare workers in England had a flu vaccination in September and October this year.
This compares to 36.8% of workers who were vaccinated in the same period in 2014 to 2015, and 35% of workers in 2013 to 2014.
Flu experts warn that more workers need to take up the vaccine to help protect themselves and vulnerable patients this winter and help save lives, while keeping NHS services running as normal.
Hospital surveillance in 2014 to 2015 reported a total of 1,187 admissions to intensive care and high dependency units due to lab confirmed flu across England, and 8.4% of these resulted in death.
The annual campaign to drive up NHS staff vaccination rates is called flu fighter (@NHSflufighter, #flufighter). Run by NHS Employers and supported by the Department of Health and PHE, flu fighter is once again providing employers with all the resources they need to help their staff run lively local campaigns which promote vaccinations, answer questions and improve access to them. Flu fighter is now in its fifth year and has helped the NHS to increase frontline staff flu vaccinations from 359,080 (34.7%) in 2010 to 2011 to 541,757 (54.9%) by the end of last winter.
This year, for the first time, NHS Employers is also working with the residential care sector to identify how flu vaccination can become routine for care workers, identifying both challenges and examples of good practice. A tailored set of campaign materials has been made available. Public Health England
NHS Employers responds to consultation on agency price caps
NHS Employers responds to consultation on agency price caps
Read our response to the Monitor and NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) consultation on the proposed introduction of price caps for agency staff. NHS Employers
Read our response to the Monitor and NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) consultation on the proposed introduction of price caps for agency staff. NHS Employers
The state of medical education and practice in the UK report: 2015
The state of medical education and practice in the UK report: 2015
This report sets out what is happening in the education and practice of doctors, and considers some of the current challenges facing the profession and the systems in which it works. An online resource containing the GMC’s registration, education and fitness to practise data is published alongside the report.
General Medical Council
This report sets out what is happening in the education and practice of doctors, and considers some of the current challenges facing the profession and the systems in which it works. An online resource containing the GMC’s registration, education and fitness to practise data is published alongside the report.
General Medical Council
Assaults on NHS staff a “barometer” for health care under strain - RCN
Assaults on NHS staff a “barometer” for health care under strain - RCN
RCN comments on new figures showing that attacks on NHS staff in the acute sector have risen in the past year.
RCN comments on new figures showing that attacks on NHS staff in the acute sector have risen in the past year.
Work needed to end discrimination for NHS staff
Work needed to end discrimination for NHS staff
Study shows wide variation in discrimination across country. OnMedica News
Study shows wide variation in discrimination across country. OnMedica News
Plans to speed up cancer drugs access
Plans to speed up cancer drugs access
A new Cancer Drugs Fund is to be set up to improve access to cancer drugs, says a consultation document from NHS England. BBC News
A new Cancer Drugs Fund is to be set up to improve access to cancer drugs, says a consultation document from NHS England. BBC News
Last line in antibiotic resistance under threat
Last line in antibiotic resistance under threat
"The last line of antibiotic defence against some serious infections is under threat," The Guardian reports, after researchers found that E.coli bacteria from food products in China has developed resistance to colistin – a polymixin antibiotic.
This antibiotic is, in a sense, a weapon of last resort in the antibiotics armoury, and is sometimes used to serious treat infections that have become resistant to other strong antibiotics.
The researchers found that colistin resistance was caused by a gene called MCR-1. This gene was found on a piece of bacterial DNA that can be transferred between bacteria.
They took a number of samples from animals in abattoirs, and raw meat from open markets and supermarkets in China to identify how frequently the MCR-1 gene is found in bacteria.
The study found the MCR-1 gene in E. coli collected from 15% of raw meat samples and 21% of animals tested from 2011-14. The gene was also found in E. coli from 1% of hospital inpatients in China.
As this study was conducted in China, we do not know whether the situation is the same in the UK. However, antibiotic resistance is a global concern that could potentially advance more quickly than new antibiotics can be developed.
An editorial accompanying the study recommends that the use of polymixin should be restricted in agriculture, as we could end up with a situation where doctors are forced to say, "Sorry, there is nothing I can do to cure your infection".
"The last line of antibiotic defence against some serious infections is under threat," The Guardian reports, after researchers found that E.coli bacteria from food products in China has developed resistance to colistin – a polymixin antibiotic.
This antibiotic is, in a sense, a weapon of last resort in the antibiotics armoury, and is sometimes used to serious treat infections that have become resistant to other strong antibiotics.
The researchers found that colistin resistance was caused by a gene called MCR-1. This gene was found on a piece of bacterial DNA that can be transferred between bacteria.
They took a number of samples from animals in abattoirs, and raw meat from open markets and supermarkets in China to identify how frequently the MCR-1 gene is found in bacteria.
The study found the MCR-1 gene in E. coli collected from 15% of raw meat samples and 21% of animals tested from 2011-14. The gene was also found in E. coli from 1% of hospital inpatients in China.
As this study was conducted in China, we do not know whether the situation is the same in the UK. However, antibiotic resistance is a global concern that could potentially advance more quickly than new antibiotics can be developed.
An editorial accompanying the study recommends that the use of polymixin should be restricted in agriculture, as we could end up with a situation where doctors are forced to say, "Sorry, there is nothing I can do to cure your infection".
'More money needed' to beat TB
'More money needed' to beat TB
More investment is needed to beat tuberculosis (TB), which has become one of the most deadly infectious diseases in the world, a coalition of health agencies warn. BBC News
More investment is needed to beat tuberculosis (TB), which has become one of the most deadly infectious diseases in the world, a coalition of health agencies warn. BBC News
Liver deaths 'likely to increase' after relaxation of alcohol tax policies
Liver deaths 'likely to increase' after relaxation of alcohol tax policies
Deaths from liver disease in UK quadrupled between 1980 and 2013 as alcohol became cheaper due to policy encouraged by lobbying from drinks industry, report says
Deaths from liver disease are likely to increase as a result of the government’s relaxation of alcohol taxation policies, say liver experts, who voice concern about a shortage of specialists to treat patients across the UK.
Only a third of district general hospitals have a liver specialist on the staff, according to a new report. It warns that obesity and alcohol are fuelling a rise in liver disease, which can cause cirrhosis, cancer and death if not caught early enough to be treatable.
Guardian
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Deaths from liver disease in UK quadrupled between 1980 and 2013 as alcohol became cheaper due to policy encouraged by lobbying from drinks industry, report says
Deaths from liver disease are likely to increase as a result of the government’s relaxation of alcohol taxation policies, say liver experts, who voice concern about a shortage of specialists to treat patients across the UK.
Only a third of district general hospitals have a liver specialist on the staff, according to a new report. It warns that obesity and alcohol are fuelling a rise in liver disease, which can cause cirrhosis, cancer and death if not caught early enough to be treatable.
Guardian
Continue reading...
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