Dementia is 'the new normal' charity says

Dementia is 'the new normal' charity says Society needs to treat dementia as "the new normal" and involve Alzheimer's sufferers far more closely in local communities, charities have said. The Daily Telegraph

Staff car parking charges to rise 50pc at Northampton General Hospital

Staff car parking charges to rise 50pc at Northampton General Hospital Staff car parking charges at Northampton General Hospital are set to rise by 50 per cent from the start of next month, the NHS hospital trust has announced. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Diabetes no longer leading cause of blindness thanks to screening

Diabetes no longer leading cause of blindness thanks to screening A report on the causes of adult blindness found a widening gap between prevalence of diabetes and the number of people with related eye problems. It says that better screening is one of the main factors in the change. Public Health England

Whole-system solutions for urgent and emergency care

Whole-system solutions for urgent and emergency care “This follow-up report acts as a roadmap to the fundamental changes required to create a sustainable and high-quality urgent and emergency care system that can meet the needs of patients now and in the future.” NHS Confederation

Hospitals treat 4,000 FGM patients

Hospitals treat 4,000 FGM patients Nearly 4,000 women and girls have been treated for genital mutilation in London hospitals since 2009, new figures show. BBC News

Patient feedback posts open to abuse

Patient feedback posts open to abuse The NHS removes all but one of 653 patient reviews of a healthcare trust from its website, after Newsnight finds the system is open to abuse. BBC News

Telehealth and telecare

Telehealth and telecare The UK’s elderly population is growing and with it the number of people with long-term health problems. This is putting pressure on the health and social care systems. Increased use of technology such as telehealth and telecare may help to improve quality of care and reduce costs. This note describes current UK telehealth and telecare initiatives and the role they may play in delivering future care. House of Commons

Jr docs need IG training - ICO

Jr docs need IG training - ICO NHS organisations are confused about how to ensure junior doctors get data protection training, a report from the Information Commissioner's Office has found. E-Health Insider

Saturated fats and heart disease link 'unproven'

Saturated fats and heart disease link 'unproven' “No link found between saturated fat and heart disease,” The Daily Telegraph reports. Researchers have looked at large amounts of data and say they have found no significant link between saturated fat and heart disease.

Nutritional guidelines generally encourage low consumption of saturated fats, found in butter, cream, cheese and fatty cuts of meat, as these were thought to be linked to increased cholesterol in the blood and an increased risk of heart disease.

In contrast, unsaturated fats, found in fish and plant sources, have been encouraged (to a certain extent) as these are thought to have a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels.

This latest study finds that the evidence for these guidelines may not be definitive.

From structure to function: the impact of change

From structure to function: the impact of change “The original overarching aim of this five year project was to investigate how three hospitals redesigned their services to meet the changing health needs of the people they serve.”  Birmingham University

Half of public health doctors might leave profession

Half of public health doctors might leave profession Reforms have increased bureaucracy but not public health, reports the BMA. OnMedica

Diabetic people 'having unnecessary amputations'

Diabetic people 'having unnecessary amputations' Parliamentary group and charity Diabetes UK call attention to wide disparity in treatment of condition across UK

People with diabetes are having their legs and feet amputated unnecessarily, according to a group of MPs and peers who have highlighted stark differences in treatment of the condition across the NHS in England.

Little change in NHS culture, whistleblowers warn

Little change in NHS culture, whistleblowers warn There has been “very little change” to ensure NHS staff speak up about their concerns, despite pledges by ministers, the nurse who blew the whistle on the Mid Staffs scandal has told MPs. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Whistleblowers who raise concerns still at risk of losing their job The Guardian

Free support available – health visitor workforce retention

Free support available – health visitor workforce retention If you’re a provider of heath visiting services and would value some help and advice to support recruitment and retention within your health visiting teams, read on. NHS Employers

Contracting out public services to the private sector

Contracting out public services to the private sector This report brings together evidence from two hearings on contracting out government services, which were held on the basis of reports by the National Audit Office. The report states that it is vital for Parliament and the public to be able to follow the taxpayers’ pound to ensure value for money. It calls for three basic transparency measures to ensure this: the extension of Freedom of Information to public contracts with private providers; access rights for the National Audit Office; and a requirement for contractors to open their books up to scrutiny by officials. House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts

Baby organ donor rules 'deadly'

Baby organ donor rules 'deadly' UK doctors have attacked a "crazy double standard" in organ donation that they say leads to the deaths of babies. BBC News

Thousands of NHS staff rehired

Thousands of NHS staff rehired New figures indicate that almost 4,000 staff made redundant from the NHS in England, before last year's major restructuring, have since been re-employed. BBC News

See also:

• Nearly 4,000 NHS staff laid off then rehired over three and a half years The Guardian

Sick and disabled made to wait for more than six months to know if they will get benefit

Sick and disabled made to wait for more than six months to know if they will get benefit

People with disabilities and severe illnesses are being made to wait for more than six months to find out if they are eligible for financial support from the Government under a controversial new benefits system. The Independent

Thousands of hospital patients being moved at night

Thousands of hospital patients being moved at night Campaigners have branded the practice of moving patients in hospital beds at night "dehumanising" as it emerged the practice increased by almost 20 per cent in the last five years. The Daily Telegraph

Teenage model's cancer death prompts petition plea

Teenage model's cancer death prompts petition plea The family of an aspiring model who died of cervical cancer want MPs to consider lowering the age limit for smear tests to prevent further deaths. The Daily Telegraph