WHO: Ebola 'running ahead of us'

WHO: Ebola 'running ahead of us'

The Ebola virus that has killed thousands in West Africa is still “running ahead” of efforts to contain it, says the World Health Organization head. BBC News

Locum doctors prop up A&E services

Locum doctors prop up A&E services

Almost one in four A&E departments in hospitals in England fill more than 25% of their senior staff vacancies with agency doctors or locums. BBC News

21% of patients in England can now access their medical record online

21% of patients in England can now access their medical record online


The number of patients able to book their appointments and request repeat prescriptions has also jumped to 91% and 88% respectively.

NHS England’s Patient Online programme team has been working closely with practices across England to ensure they have the support they need to confidently offer these online services.

As well as a national network of implementation and clinical support services, practices continue to use the recently published the Patient Online Support and Resources Guide. This guide includes guidance and practice tools developed by the Royal College of GPs, as well as materials for patients, frequently asked questions, regional and local support arrangements and much more.   NHS Networks

Smokefree January 2015

Smokefree January 2015


Smokers will be able to pick up the new and improved NHS “quit cards” from their local pharmacy to help them find the right support tool for them.

Pharmacies across England are once more invited to work in partnership with PHE to distribute the quit cards to smokers. More .....

NHS Networks

Meeting the dementia challenge of an ageing population – Dr Richard Sweeney

Meeting the dementia challenge of an ageing population – Dr Richard Sweeney

Harrogate and Rural District CCG is small, with a population of just under 160,000, but it is challenged by a relatively elderly population and has twice the national average of Elderly Care Home beds.

The result is an estimated prevalence of dementia of 1.7 per cent of the population compared with a national average of 1.3 per cent. Our estimated dementia diagnosis rate in September 2014 was 63.6 per cent and steadily increasing, though this figure has been reduced to 57.5 per cent after a reweighting of estimated prevalence based on our Care Home beds.

Projects have been completed over the last three years to improve the detection, diagnosis and aftercare of people with dementia through a Dementia Collaborative between the CCG, our mental health provider Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, our local hospital Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust and North Yorkshire County Council, working with the third Sector, patients and carers and using lean management Rapid Improvement Process Workshops focussed on different parts of the pathway.

Simple blood test could detect breast cancer long before symptoms appear - and spell the end of the mammogram

Simple blood test could detect breast cancer long before symptoms appear - and spell the end of the mammogram 

Oxford University scientists have developed a test which detects high levels of 'heavy' zinc in the blood. This is a marker for cancer as this type of metal is expelled by cancerous cells in the breast. Daily Mail

'Significant' reduction in maternal death rates

'Significant' reduction in maternal death rates

“Nearly one in ten pregnant deaths caused by flu,” The Daily Telegraph reports. A review into maternal deaths, which thankfully remain rare, found that conditions such as the flu and sepsis account for many of the deaths. Maternal deaths are deaths in women that occur during their pregnancy or within six weeks after the end of their pregnancy.

Other headlines prompted by the review included the Mail Online’s “Half of deaths in pregnancy are 'avoidable'”, pointing out that mental health and heart problems take a “heavy toll”.

BBC News took a more positive approach, pointing out that “Maternal death rates 'are falling'”. Maternal death rates dropped from 11 per every 100,000 women giving birth during the 2006-08 period to 10 per every 100,000 women during the 2010-12 period.

Bed-block hospital funds private care

Bed-block hospital funds private care A hospital funds beds in private residential care homes to relieve pressure on its surgical wards. BBC Northamptonshire

Care home boss sentenced for neglect

Care home boss sentenced for neglect A care home manager who neglected an 87-year-old who was virtually confined to bed for months by staff shortages is given a suspended sentence. BBC Northamptonshire

Watchdog finds low staffing levels at St Andrew’s in Northampton ‘putting patient safety at risk’

Watchdog finds low staffing levels at St Andrew’s in Northampton ‘putting patient safety at risk’ Patients at a mental health care facility in Northampton have told representatives from Healthwatch Northamptonshire that low staffing levels are putting their safety at risk. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• St Andrews Healthcare Northampton Full Report Healthwatch Northamptonshire

Health Bus comes to Northampton to give advice on winter illnesses

Health Bus comes to Northampton to give advice on winter illnesses An NHS ‘Health Bus’ will be coming to Northampton to help people tackle winter ailments as the weather turns colder and wetter. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

On the brink of SoMething special?

On the brink of SoMething special? This report is the result of a nine-month analysis which examined a range of NHS organisations, including foundation trusts, trusts, community healthcare trusts, ambulance trusts and clinical commissioning groups to understand the patterns of social media use by different levels in the organisations. NHS Providers

Maternal death rates 'are falling'

Maternal death rates 'are falling' The proportion of women who die during pregnancy, and in the weeks afterwards, has fallen in the UK, figures show. BBC News

Interesting NHS data no-one is looking at

Interesting NHS data no-one is looking at Chris Cooks reflects on the NHS data no-one appears to be viewing. BBC News

GPs in UK Ebola team hail 'first-class training'

GPs in UK Ebola team hail 'first-class training' Two GPs treating Ebola victims in west Africa have backed the high quality of training they received and spoken of their determination to help bring the epidemic under control. GP Online

Scheme to get people with mental health problems into work extended across East Midlands

Scheme to get people with mental health problems into work extended across East Midlands A scheme to get people with mental health problems into paid employment is being extended across the whole of the East Midlands. ITV News

Let’s leave NHS-speak in the boardroom

Let’s leave NHS-speak in the boardroom If we seek more patient and public engagement, we need a conversation free from jargon and opaque abbreviations . Continue reading... The Guardian

Nearly one in ten pregnant deaths caused by flu

Nearly one in ten pregnant deaths caused by flu Less than half of pregnant women eligible for a free flu vaccine have taken it up so far this year, according to new figures. The Daily Telegraph

See also

• Half of deaths in pregnancy are 'avoidable' The Daily Mail

Northampton family sue hospitals for £500,000 after surgery death

Northampton family sue hospitals for £500,000 after surgery death The family of a Northampton mum who died when a 
surgeon drilled into her brain are suing two hospitals for £500,000 in damages. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Complaints matter

Complaints matter Complaints matter in health and social care. For too long they have not been taken seriously enough. And too often complaints are met with a defensive culture instead of a willingness to listen and learn. This report describes how complaints and concerns fit into our new regulatory model and presents early findings on the state of complaints handling. Care Quality Comission

See also:

• 'Take care complaints seriously' BBC News