Friday, 18 November 2016
Choice in the presence of experts: the role of general practitioners in patients' hospital care
Choice in the presence of experts: the role of general practitioners in patients' hospital care This paper presents an analysis of patients' hospital choice for elective medical procedures when their choice set is pre-selected by a GP. The study found that patients defer to GPs when assessing hospital quality and tangible attributes such as hospital amenities and that GPs, in turn, as patients' agents present choice options based on quality, but as agents of health authorities also consider their financial implications. Institute for Fiscal Studies
Best practice for perinatal mental health care: the economic case
Best practice for perinatal mental health care: the economic case This report examines the economic case for investing in early interventions that reflect best practice in England. Funded by the Nursing Division under the Nursing Directorate at NHS England, the study included a comparison of the potential costs and consequences associated with such interventions compared with one or more alternative course of action (operationally defined as current practice, and sometimes referred to in studies as the ‘do nothing’ option). Personal Social Services Research Unit
Patients 'will suffer unless NHS budget rises'
Patients 'will suffer unless NHS budget rises' Patients in England will see rising waiting times, rationing and cuts in the number of staff unless the NHS gets more money, health bosses say.
A five-year plan to increase the budget by £8bn a year by 2020 was only set out last year, but now hospital bosses have warned that is not enough.
Chris Hopson, of NHS Providers, said the settlement needed to be redrawn.
However, the Department of Health said "tough economic decisions" had allowed it "to invest in our NHS".
It comes ahead of the Autumn Statement next Wednesday when ministers will set out their spending plans. BBC News
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A five-year plan to increase the budget by £8bn a year by 2020 was only set out last year, but now hospital bosses have warned that is not enough.
Chris Hopson, of NHS Providers, said the settlement needed to be redrawn.
However, the Department of Health said "tough economic decisions" had allowed it "to invest in our NHS".
It comes ahead of the Autumn Statement next Wednesday when ministers will set out their spending plans. BBC News
See also:
- NHS is fighting a losing battle without extra funding for neglected areas NHS Providers
- Autumn Statement submission NHS Providers
- Promised £8bn extra for NHS is not enough, says hospitals boss The Guardian
Alcohol-related cancer to kill 135,000 in England by 2035 – study
Alcohol-related cancer to kill 135,000 in England by 2035 – study Cancer Research UK calls for 50p minimum unit price to help reduced alcohol-related deaths and cut healthcare costs by £1.3bn
Alcohol-related cancers will cause about 135,000 deaths and cost the NHS £2bn over the next 20 years in England, unless concerted action is taken to highlight the dangers of drinking, health campaigners have warned.
Cancer Research UK, which commissioned Sheffield University to come up with the figures, said the government urgently needed to counter public ignorance about the link between drinking and cancer and introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) to prevent the number of deaths reaching 7,100 a year by 2035. Continue reading... The Guardian
Alcohol-related cancers will cause about 135,000 deaths and cost the NHS £2bn over the next 20 years in England, unless concerted action is taken to highlight the dangers of drinking, health campaigners have warned.
Cancer Research UK, which commissioned Sheffield University to come up with the figures, said the government urgently needed to counter public ignorance about the link between drinking and cancer and introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) to prevent the number of deaths reaching 7,100 a year by 2035. Continue reading... The Guardian
My colleague's suicide showed how vulnerable medical professionals can be
My colleague's suicide showed how vulnerable medical professionals can be I knew afterwards that my days working as a nurse in the emergency department were numbered
I stood in front of the ambulance bay door. My badge clutched in my hand, knuckles white, jaw clenched. I questioned my attempt at returning to work on this day. I stood in front of the doors grappling with a burning feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew then, right there, that my career in the emergency department was over.
A quiet swollen presence of pain ran down every corridor. The night before, we lost a colleague to suicide. Some of us found the body. Some of us carried out the post mortem care. Some of us stood there as family filed in to the room. Some of us made the calls alerting fellow staff. Some of us, all of us, changed forever that night. Continue reading... The Guardian
I stood in front of the ambulance bay door. My badge clutched in my hand, knuckles white, jaw clenched. I questioned my attempt at returning to work on this day. I stood in front of the doors grappling with a burning feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew then, right there, that my career in the emergency department was over.
A quiet swollen presence of pain ran down every corridor. The night before, we lost a colleague to suicide. Some of us found the body. Some of us carried out the post mortem care. Some of us stood there as family filed in to the room. Some of us made the calls alerting fellow staff. Some of us, all of us, changed forever that night. Continue reading... The Guardian
Inadequate mental health provision is a 'stain on our country', former Health Secretaries warn
Inadequate mental health provision is a 'stain on our country', former Health Secretaries warn Inadequate mental health provision is a "stain on our country", every former Health Secretary from last 20 years has said in an open letter attacking Government's failure to support patients.
The letter has urged Ministers to honour a pledge made by the former Prime Minister David Cameron, to ensure the NHS treats mental and physical health equally.
The signatories said they were "encouraged" by earlier Government statements, but added that they were alarmed to see the same "enduring injustice" continue. The Daily Telegraph
The letter has urged Ministers to honour a pledge made by the former Prime Minister David Cameron, to ensure the NHS treats mental and physical health equally.
The signatories said they were "encouraged" by earlier Government statements, but added that they were alarmed to see the same "enduring injustice" continue. The Daily Telegraph
Inquest into death of acting couple's baby halted amid claims NHS tampered with evidence
Inquest into death of acting couple's baby halted amid claims NHS tampered with evidence A coroner has halted an inquest into the death of an actor's baby son amid claims the NHS tampered with evidence which could result in criminal charges.
Benjamin King, son of British TV star Jamie King, died from severe brain damage five days after being born by emergency caesarean section on May 5.
He was starved of oxygen for two hours before his birth at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, Somerset. The Daily Telegraph
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Benjamin King, son of British TV star Jamie King, died from severe brain damage five days after being born by emergency caesarean section on May 5.
He was starved of oxygen for two hours before his birth at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, Somerset. The Daily Telegraph
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Thursday, 17 November 2016
Cutting Down: The Reality of Budget Cuts To Local Tobacco Control
Cutting Down: The Reality of Budget Cuts To Local Tobacco Control This report presents the results of the third annual survey of tobacco control leads in local authorities in England, conducted in June 2016. There are 129 local authorities in the sample, 85% of all the local authorities in England with public health responsibilities. Cancer Research UK and Ash
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Could plans for NHS shake-up collapse?
Could plans for NHS shake-up collapse? As winter approaches, NHS managers in England will be even busier than usual.
Handling the increased volume of emergency admissions to hospitals and juggling demands for beds will be as tough as ever.
On top of that will be a raft of meetings discussing the potentially most radical shake-up of health services in decades.
The sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) being produced in 44 local areas of England are seen as vital ingredients in the redesign of care to cope with increasing patient demand.
The plans will focus on trying to moderate that demand and treat more patients away from hospitals.
But there has been no denying that some of the plans will see closures of accident and emergency units and hospital wards, concentrating services on fewer sites.
The STP process has got off to a difficult start. BBC News
Handling the increased volume of emergency admissions to hospitals and juggling demands for beds will be as tough as ever.
On top of that will be a raft of meetings discussing the potentially most radical shake-up of health services in decades.
The sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) being produced in 44 local areas of England are seen as vital ingredients in the redesign of care to cope with increasing patient demand.
The plans will focus on trying to moderate that demand and treat more patients away from hospitals.
But there has been no denying that some of the plans will see closures of accident and emergency units and hospital wards, concentrating services on fewer sites.
The STP process has got off to a difficult start. BBC News
Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system
Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system Frail old people in England are being left to fend for themselves because government-funded care is being scaled back, a review suggests. BBC News
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See also:
- 1.2m older people don’t get the social care they need Age UK
- Shocking reality of dementia homecare hidden behind closed doors Alzheimer's Society
- Fix Dementia Care: Homecare report Alzheimer's Society
- Alzheimer’s Society say that neglect of dementia patients is ‘happening behind closed doors’ The Daily Mail
- Dementia sufferers left to starve or live on biscuits, in harrowing cases The Daily Telegraph
'Grossly irresponsible' rush into contract led to catastrophic failure
'Grossly irresponsible' rush into contract led to catastrophic failure A new report warns that services for patients are likely to suffer following the collapse of an £800 million contract to provide older people's and adult community services.
The report describes the handling of the contract between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough clinical commissioning group (the CCG) and UnitingCare Partnership as a catalogue of failures.
It sets out urgent recommendations to address the lack of commercial skills in the NHS and calls on NHS England and NHS Improvement to improve the oversight and supervision of contracting arrangements to "avoid such catastrophic failures in future". Public Accounts Select Committee
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The report describes the handling of the contract between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough clinical commissioning group (the CCG) and UnitingCare Partnership as a catalogue of failures.
It sets out urgent recommendations to address the lack of commercial skills in the NHS and calls on NHS England and NHS Improvement to improve the oversight and supervision of contracting arrangements to "avoid such catastrophic failures in future". Public Accounts Select Committee
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STPs subject to 'full consultation' with patients, says Jeremy Hunt
STPs subject to 'full consultation' with patients, says Jeremy Hunt Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) will be subject to 'full consultation' with patient groups, the health secretary suggested yesterday, appearing to go further than commitments in NHS England guidance. GP Online
‘Ban cells as holding places for people in a mental health crisis’
‘Ban cells as holding places for people in a mental health crisis’ The use of police cells as places of safety for people in mental health crisis, should be banned.
This is a message from the mental health charity Mind. The charity is calling on parliament to ban the use of police cells for this purpose, as new data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Mental Health shows some forces are still putting people who are unwell in cells on a daily basis.
The Policing and Crime Bill, currently making its way through the House of Lords, will end the use of cells as “places of safety” for under 18s who are suicidal, self-harming or in psychosis, but Mind is calling for this to be extended to adults too.
Mind’s appeal comes hot on the heels of NHS England’s publication of the latest statistical information on patients’ experience of mental health services in the NHS — an update which includes results from the 2016 Community Mental Health Survey. OnMedica
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This is a message from the mental health charity Mind. The charity is calling on parliament to ban the use of police cells for this purpose, as new data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Mental Health shows some forces are still putting people who are unwell in cells on a daily basis.
The Policing and Crime Bill, currently making its way through the House of Lords, will end the use of cells as “places of safety” for under 18s who are suicidal, self-harming or in psychosis, but Mind is calling for this to be extended to adults too.
Mind’s appeal comes hot on the heels of NHS England’s publication of the latest statistical information on patients’ experience of mental health services in the NHS — an update which includes results from the 2016 Community Mental Health Survey. OnMedica
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Breast cancer drug approved for NHS use after price cut
Breast cancer drug approved for NHS use after price cut Perjeta can help shrink breast cancer tumours before patients undergo surgery to remove them.
A drug that can help shrink breast cancer tumours before patients undergo surgery to remove them has been approved for use in the NHS, after the manufacturer agreed a substantial discount on the list price.
Perjeta, the brand name of pertuzumab, could be helpful in the treatment of 1,400 women a year who develop a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, but it was initially turned down by Nice, the National Institute for Healthcare Excellence, because of the high price set by the manufacturer, Roche Continue reading... The Guardian
A drug that can help shrink breast cancer tumours before patients undergo surgery to remove them has been approved for use in the NHS, after the manufacturer agreed a substantial discount on the list price.
Perjeta, the brand name of pertuzumab, could be helpful in the treatment of 1,400 women a year who develop a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, but it was initially turned down by Nice, the National Institute for Healthcare Excellence, because of the high price set by the manufacturer, Roche Continue reading... The Guardian
Psychiatrists attack 'scandal' of child mental health spending
Psychiatrists attack 'scandal' of child mental health spending Royal college analysis says NHS bodies in some areas are spending little more than £2 per child despite surge in illness
NHS bodies are spending as little as £2.01 per child on mental health care for young people, despite the big spike in anxiety, depression and other serious problems among under-18s.
Psychiatrists claim the small sums being spent by GP-led clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England constitute a national scandal at a time when youth self-harm and suicide are rising Continue reading... The Guardian
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NHS bodies are spending as little as £2.01 per child on mental health care for young people, despite the big spike in anxiety, depression and other serious problems among under-18s.
Psychiatrists claim the small sums being spent by GP-led clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England constitute a national scandal at a time when youth self-harm and suicide are rising Continue reading... The Guardian
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Antibiotic-resistant infections have almost DOUBLED in US children in just 10 years, research reveals
Antibiotic-resistant infections have almost DOUBLED in US children in just 10 years, research reveals Highly drug-resistant infections are on the rise among children in the US, a new study warns.
Currently, antibiotics can target and kill Pseidomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that causes blood infections, pneumonia, and many post-surgery infections - all of them deadly.
But over the last decade, scientists have seen rates of drug resistance almost double in samples of this bacteria collected from children in pediatric wards.
Officials warn the findings should be a red flag that antibiotic resistance could be a not-so-distant reality. The Daily Mail
Currently, antibiotics can target and kill Pseidomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that causes blood infections, pneumonia, and many post-surgery infections - all of them deadly.
But over the last decade, scientists have seen rates of drug resistance almost double in samples of this bacteria collected from children in pediatric wards.
Officials warn the findings should be a red flag that antibiotic resistance could be a not-so-distant reality. The Daily Mail
'Cruel' drug rationing system that makes patients beg for drugs must be ripped up, experts warn
'Cruel' drug rationing system that makes patients beg for drugs must be ripped up, experts warn Professor David Taylor, of University College London, called for the rigid system by which drugs are assessed to be abandoned - and a more flexible approach to be adopted. The Daily Mail
NHS cannot afford to run seven day services for convenience, managers warn on eve of summit
NHS cannot afford to run seven day services for convenience, managers warn on eve of summit The NHS cannot afford to run seven day services simply for the convenience of patients, healthcare leaders have said.
The warning from the NHS Confederation comes as Jeremy Hunt faces medics for the first time since a bitter industrial dispute with junior doctors came to an end.
The symposium today by the British Medical Association (BMA), follows a climb-down from the union, after a long conflict over changes to doctors’ contracts which followed Government pledges to improve levels of medical cover at weekends. The Daily Telegraph
The warning from the NHS Confederation comes as Jeremy Hunt faces medics for the first time since a bitter industrial dispute with junior doctors came to an end.
The symposium today by the British Medical Association (BMA), follows a climb-down from the union, after a long conflict over changes to doctors’ contracts which followed Government pledges to improve levels of medical cover at weekends. The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 16 November 2016
“Use A&E at KGH and NGH wisely”: health leaders’ warning as hospitals experience high demand
“Use A&E at KGH and NGH wisely”: health leaders’ warning as hospitals experience high demand Health leaders are urging people to use services wisely as KGH and NGH are experiencing extremely high numbers of A&E attendees. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
900 people have had a reduction in care fees after Northamptonshire woman’s court case
900 people have had a reduction in care fees after Northamptonshire woman’s court case A court victory by a Northamptonshire woman has so far seen 900 cared-for adults being given full or partial refunds of their County Council fees. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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