'Super-gonorrhoea' outbreak across north of England sparks national alert
Public Health England 'concerned' about drug-resistant strain first reported in Leeds but which has spread to Macclesfield, Oldham and Scunthorpe. Telegraph
Friday, 18 September 2015
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Guidance: Flu vaccination: easy read invitation letter template
Guidance: Flu vaccination: easy read invitation letter template
This letter is for health professionals to give to people with learning difficulties and their parents and carers/guardians, either by hand or by post, preferably with an accompanying information leaflet.
Staff can adapt the template format for GP surgeries and health professionals for patients to have their annual flu vaccination.
Download the file to add the name of the practice and other details as appropriate, or print as-is, add notes by hand and then photocopy to share. Public Health England
This letter is for health professionals to give to people with learning difficulties and their parents and carers/guardians, either by hand or by post, preferably with an accompanying information leaflet.
Staff can adapt the template format for GP surgeries and health professionals for patients to have their annual flu vaccination.
Download the file to add the name of the practice and other details as appropriate, or print as-is, add notes by hand and then photocopy to share. Public Health England
Outpatient appointment referrals survey
Outpatient appointment referrals survey
This survey indicates that too few NHS patients say that they are being offered a choice about where they receive care, indicating that more work needs to be done to promote patient choice across the NHS. 40 per cent of respondents to NHS England and Monitor’s annual survey into patient choice said they were offered a choice of hospital or clinic for their first outpatient appointment by their GPs. The survey indicated that, where patients are offered a choice, they are much more likely to be able to go to the hospital or clinic they want. Monitor - NHS Evidence
Survey results
Summary
Press release
This survey indicates that too few NHS patients say that they are being offered a choice about where they receive care, indicating that more work needs to be done to promote patient choice across the NHS. 40 per cent of respondents to NHS England and Monitor’s annual survey into patient choice said they were offered a choice of hospital or clinic for their first outpatient appointment by their GPs. The survey indicated that, where patients are offered a choice, they are much more likely to be able to go to the hospital or clinic they want. Monitor - NHS Evidence
Survey results
Summary
Press release
Investigation into the Cancer Drugs Fund
Investigation into the Cancer Drugs Fund
The National Audit Office has published the findings from its investigation into the Cancer Drugs Fund. The government set up the Fund in 2010 to improve access to cancer drugs that would not otherwise be routinely available on the NHS.
The Fund is unique in that no other condition has a dedicated fund to provide access to drugs not routinely available on the NHS. It was initially intended to run until March 2014, with a budget of £650 million, while a long-term pricing mechanism was worked out that would allow patients access to the drugs and treatments that their doctors thought would help them. In 2013, the government extended the Fund until March 2016. The Fund now has a total lifetime budget of £1.27 billion.
The National Audit Office has published the findings from its investigation into the Cancer Drugs Fund. The government set up the Fund in 2010 to improve access to cancer drugs that would not otherwise be routinely available on the NHS.
The Fund is unique in that no other condition has a dedicated fund to provide access to drugs not routinely available on the NHS. It was initially intended to run until March 2014, with a budget of £650 million, while a long-term pricing mechanism was worked out that would allow patients access to the drugs and treatments that their doctors thought would help them. In 2013, the government extended the Fund until March 2016. The Fund now has a total lifetime budget of £1.27 billion.
NHS maximum waiting times and patient choice policies
NHS maximum waiting times and patient choice policies
This briefing sets out policy on maximum waiting time standards and patient choice in the English NHS.
House of Commons Library
Briefing
Commons Library publications
This briefing sets out policy on maximum waiting time standards and patient choice in the English NHS.
House of Commons Library
Briefing
Commons Library publications
'Urgent' changes needed at Broadmoor
'Urgent' changes needed at Broadmoor
Broadmoor Hospital is told to make urgent changes after being rated inadequate in an inspection which highlighted the overuse of physical restraint on patients. BBC News
Broadmoor Hospital is told to make urgent changes after being rated inadequate in an inspection which highlighted the overuse of physical restraint on patients. BBC News
Anti-depressant was given to millions of young people 'after trials showed it was dangerous'
Anti-depressant was given to millions of young people 'after trials showed it was dangerous'
Millions of young people were prescribed a common anti-depressant on the basis of a notorious medical trial that actually showed the drug was neither safe nor effective in children and adolescents, a major review has confirmed. Independent
Millions of young people were prescribed a common anti-depressant on the basis of a notorious medical trial that actually showed the drug was neither safe nor effective in children and adolescents, a major review has confirmed. Independent
Improving communication about gender identity services – Will Huxter
Improving communication about gender identity services – Will Huxter
Welcome to the first of what I hope will be a regular series of on-line postings about NHS England’s work to improve gender identity services.
I have heard directly from individuals and organisations across the trans and non-binary community regarding concerns they have about limited communication from NHS England in relation to this service area. I want to use this blog to start to change that, by talking about the work both underway, and planned, in relation to gender identity services. I hope you find it useful.
Welcome to the first of what I hope will be a regular series of on-line postings about NHS England’s work to improve gender identity services.
I have heard directly from individuals and organisations across the trans and non-binary community regarding concerns they have about limited communication from NHS England in relation to this service area. I want to use this blog to start to change that, by talking about the work both underway, and planned, in relation to gender identity services. I hope you find it useful.
Health matters: a new resource to aid local public health professionals
Health matters: a new resource to aid local public health professionals
Health matters is a new resource for public health professionals. It is designed to support commissioning and delivering services across local areas. NHS Networks
Health matters is a new resource for public health professionals. It is designed to support commissioning and delivering services across local areas. NHS Networks
Nearly 200 children are treated for infection after a major outbreak of tuberculosis at a British school
Nearly 200 children are treated for infection after a major outbreak of tuberculosis at a British school
Health bosses revealed the results of a major TB screening programme when all pupils were tested at Teign School near Newton Abbot after two caught the infectious disease. Daily Mail
Health bosses revealed the results of a major TB screening programme when all pupils were tested at Teign School near Newton Abbot after two caught the infectious disease. Daily Mail
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Press release: E-cigarettes: an emerging public health consensus
Press release: E-cigarettes: an emerging public health consensus
We all agree that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking. One in 2 lifelong smokers dies from their addiction. All of the evidence suggests that the health risks posed by e-cigarettes are relatively small by comparison but we must continue to study the long term effects.
And yet, millions of smokers have the impression that e-cigarettes are at least as harmful as tobacco and we have a responsibility to provide clear information on the facts as we know them to be. It is our duty to provide reassurance for the 1.1 million e-cigarette users who have completely stopped smoking to prevent their relapse.
To be clear, the public health opportunity is in helping smokers to quit, so we may encourage smokers to try vaping but we certainly encourage vapers to stop smoking tobacco completely.
We know that e-cigarettes are the most popular quitting tool in the country with more than 10 times as many people using them than using local stop smoking services. But, we also know that using local stop smoking services is by far the most effective way to quit.
What we need to do is combine the most popular method with the most effective and that is why we are encouraging those who want to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking to seek the help of their local stop smoking service.
We all agree that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking. One in 2 lifelong smokers dies from their addiction. All of the evidence suggests that the health risks posed by e-cigarettes are relatively small by comparison but we must continue to study the long term effects.
And yet, millions of smokers have the impression that e-cigarettes are at least as harmful as tobacco and we have a responsibility to provide clear information on the facts as we know them to be. It is our duty to provide reassurance for the 1.1 million e-cigarette users who have completely stopped smoking to prevent their relapse.
To be clear, the public health opportunity is in helping smokers to quit, so we may encourage smokers to try vaping but we certainly encourage vapers to stop smoking tobacco completely.
We know that e-cigarettes are the most popular quitting tool in the country with more than 10 times as many people using them than using local stop smoking services. But, we also know that using local stop smoking services is by far the most effective way to quit.
What we need to do is combine the most popular method with the most effective and that is why we are encouraging those who want to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking to seek the help of their local stop smoking service.
Scientists and health officials at war over safety of e-cigarettes
Scientists and health officials at war over safety of e-cigarettes
A report by Public Health England which advised smokers to begin vaping was flawed and not based on reliable evidence, health experts have warned. Telegraph
A report by Public Health England which advised smokers to begin vaping was flawed and not based on reliable evidence, health experts have warned. Telegraph
NHS is suffering its 'hardest decade ever', warn think-tanks
NHS is suffering its 'hardest decade ever', warn think-tanks
The NHS is suffering its hardest decade since its creation, three leading think-tanks have said, warning that current government spending pledges amount to the lowest 10-year growth rate the health service has ever seen. Nine in 10 hospitals in England are expected to overspend their budgets this year, potentially tipping the sector £2bn into the red. Independent
The NHS is suffering its hardest decade since its creation, three leading think-tanks have said, warning that current government spending pledges amount to the lowest 10-year growth rate the health service has ever seen. Nine in 10 hospitals in England are expected to overspend their budgets this year, potentially tipping the sector £2bn into the red. Independent
Rising number of employees reporting mental health issues - The Guardian
Rising number of employees reporting mental health issues - The Guardian
The number of employees speaking up about mental health problems is on the rise. More than two fifths of employers say they have seen an increase in cases reported by staff of conditions such as depression and anxiety, according to research from the ...
The number of employees speaking up about mental health problems is on the rise. More than two fifths of employers say they have seen an increase in cases reported by staff of conditions such as depression and anxiety, according to research from the ...
Health matters: smoking and quitting in England
Health matters: smoking and quitting in England
This is the first in a series of resources which aims to bring together a range of resources in an easily accessible package that aim to address public health priorities. This document provides information on the prevalence of smoking and evidence for what has been proven to work to promote cessation at local and national level. Public Health England (PHE)
Resource pack
Press release
This is the first in a series of resources which aims to bring together a range of resources in an easily accessible package that aim to address public health priorities. This document provides information on the prevalence of smoking and evidence for what has been proven to work to promote cessation at local and national level. Public Health England (PHE)
Resource pack
Press release
Changes in health in England, with analysis by English regions and areas of deprivation, 1990 to 2013: a systematic analysis for the Global...
Changes in health in England, with analysis by English regions and areas of deprivation, 1990 to 2013: a systematic analysis for the Global...
This paper estimates of the main causes of death and disability, attributable risk factors and the effect of deprivation, modelled for England and its regions. It finds that sickness and chronic disability are causing a much greater proportion of the burden of disease as people are living longer with several illnesses. The accompanying online tool allows users to see how the disease burden falls over time by English region and deprivation and the relative impact of different diseases and risk factors. Public Health England (PHE)
Report
Online tool
PHE blog
This paper estimates of the main causes of death and disability, attributable risk factors and the effect of deprivation, modelled for England and its regions. It finds that sickness and chronic disability are causing a much greater proportion of the burden of disease as people are living longer with several illnesses. The accompanying online tool allows users to see how the disease burden falls over time by English region and deprivation and the relative impact of different diseases and risk factors. Public Health England (PHE)
Report
Online tool
PHE blog
Accessing and sharing health records and patient confidentiality
Accessing and sharing health records and patient confidentiality
This briefing sets out current arrangements for accessing patient records and sharing confidential patient information. NHS Networks
This briefing sets out current arrangements for accessing patient records and sharing confidential patient information. NHS Networks
Briefing on legislation and mental health
Briefing on legislation and mental health
Mental health care and services are delivered within a complex legislative framework. There have been changes to this framework in the last 12 months with more revisions proposed. NHS Networks
Mental health care and services are delivered within a complex legislative framework. There have been changes to this framework in the last 12 months with more revisions proposed. NHS Networks
Banning trans fats could prevent 7,000 deaths from heart disease over next five years, claim experts
Banning trans fats could prevent 7,000 deaths from heart disease over next five years, claim experts
Banning trans fats from food could prevent 7,000 deaths from heart disease over the next five years, experts have claimed. Independent
Banning trans fats from food could prevent 7,000 deaths from heart disease over the next five years, experts have claimed. Independent
Biometric wristbands predict outbursts in people with autism
Biometric wristbands predict outbursts in people with autism
Wristbands that measure surface skin temperature and heart rate could transform the lives of people with autism by predicting big behavioural shifts. Telegraph
Wristbands that measure surface skin temperature and heart rate could transform the lives of people with autism by predicting big behavioural shifts. Telegraph
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