Independent report: Survey of public perceptions of the NHS and social care

Independent report: Survey of public perceptions of the NHS and social care This report provides the results from a survey of public attitudes towards, and perceptions of, the NHS and social care services. The survey is the latest in a series of surveys that tracks public perceptions and attitudes over time.

Included in the findings is that 70% of the public remain satisfied with the running of the NHS, and 75% of people who have experienced social care services are satisfied with them.

Commissioned by the department, and carried out by Ipsos MORI, the surveys have run regularly since spring 2000. Fieldwork for this survey took place in November and December 2012. Department of Health

VIDEO: NHS chief Nicholson on managers' pay

VIDEO: NHS chief Nicholson on managers' pay Chief Executive of NHS England, Sir David Nicholson, tells HARDtalk that pay restraint can only work as a temporary measure. BBC News

'Get flu vaccine this winter' plea

'Get flu vaccine this winter' plea People at most risk from flu this winter should make sure they get vaccinated against the virus, says Public Health England. BBC News

'Historic breakthrough' in Alzheimer's research

'Historic breakthrough' in Alzheimer's research "Scientists have hailed an historic 'turning point' in the search for a medicine that could beatAlzheimer's disease," is the exciting news in The Independent. This headline comes from an early study of the effects of a new drug on mice with a type of neurodegenerative brain disease.

Closing the NHS funding gap: how to get better value health care for patients

Closing the NHS funding gap: how to get better value health care for patients This report outlines the opportunities which are available to deliver better care and close the financial gap.

• Report
• Monitor - publications
• Monitor - press release

Is the quality of care in England getting better? QualityWatch Annual Statement 2013

Is the quality of care in England getting better? QualityWatch Annual Statement 2013 This report, in partnership with the Health Foundation, provides an overview of initial research into the quality of health and social care services in England. The assessment draws on analysis of nearly 150 quality indicators spanning primary care and community services, hospital care, mental health services and social care. These have been evaluated in relation to six domains of care quality: access; safety; effectiveness; person-centred care and experience; capacity; and equity. A longer version of this report will be published later this autumn.

• Summary report
• Nuffield Trust - publications

Government response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee report into urgent and emergency services (second report of session 2013...

Government response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee report into urgent and emergency services (second report of session 2013... The government agrees with many of the Committee’s recommendations. The response outlines how the health system is responding to the pressures on urgent and emergency care by such measures as an additional £500 million for this winter and the next, the forthcoming vulnerable older people’s plan work and NHS England’s review of urgent and emergency care.

• Report
• Department of Health - publications

How one website is helping mental health service users lead active lives

How one website is helping mental health service users lead active lives Connect and Do, delivered in Lambeth, brings people together through shared interests and a desire to meet new people.

Numbers readmitted to hospital after being sent home soars, new figures show

Numbers readmitted to hospital after being sent home soars, new figures show Thousands of elderly people are being discharged from hospital too early and left to fend for themselves, experts have warned, as new figures disclose a 70 per cent rise in readmissions after major surgery in the past decade.The Daily Telegraph

Ministers order independent inquiry into limits on doctors hours

Ministers order independent inquiry into limits on doctors hours Ministers have ordered an independent inquiry into the impact of the European Working Time Directive on the NHS, after fears that restrictions on doctors hours are putting patients at risk.The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Doctors' hours: Jeremy Hunt orders inquiry into 48-hour 'straitjacket' The Guardian

'Serious failures' in death of baby

'Serious failures' in death of baby A four-week-old baby who died was failed by professionals who should have been protecting her, a serious case review finds. BBC News

See also

• Four-week-old Northamptonshire girl who died was neglected report says Northampton Chronilce and Echo

New unit opening for young people with mental health problems

New unit opening for young people with mental health problems A new national unit for young people with mental health problems is to be opened in Northamptonshire. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• NHFT chosen to provide new mental health unit for young people NHFT News

Fighting the stigma of mental illness

Fighting the stigma of mental illness I never felt there was anywhere to go, I did not think doctors could help me. I went on honeymoon with my new wife, we went to the Maldives and it was on the plane that I had my first massive panic attack. I thought I was going to die.” Northamptonshire Telegraph

Doctor apologises to family of man who died after hernia surgery at Northampton hospital

Doctor apologises to family of man who died after hernia surgery at Northampton hospital A doctor has apologised to the family of a 67-year-old man who died after his bowel was accidentally damaged during routine hernia surgery. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Why aren’t care homes higher on the agenda in the health debate?

Why aren’t care homes higher on the agenda in the health debate? Much has been said in recent weeks about the role of the GP. The political mantra seems to be that GPs are not accessible and are not providing continuity of care, and that this causes unnecessary and unscheduled hospital admissions for some of the most vulnerable adults in our society – the elderly.

But why has there been little mention of the quality of services in care homes?

Quality, affordability and scale in healthcare: learning from Narayana

Quality, affordability and scale in healthcare: learning from Narayana Jo Bibby describes what she learnt at a visit to the Narayana Health system in India, one of the world's most economical healthcare providers with a reputation for its ability to reconcile quality, affordability and scale. The Health Foundation

Madagascar bubonic plague warning

Madagascar bubonic plague warning Madagascar faces a bubonic plague epidemic unless it slows the spread of the disease, aid groups warn. BBC News

Statistics on smoking, England - 2013

Statistics on smoking, England - 2013 The report aims to present a broad picture of health issues relating to smoking in England and covers topics such as smoking prevalence, habits, behaviours and attitudes among adults and school children, smoking-related ill health and mortality and smoking-related costs. Health & Social Care Information Centre

NHS England rules out one-size-fits-all GP model

NHS England rules out one-size-fits-all GP model NHS England will not impose a one-size-fits-all model on general practice in response to a wide-ranging consultation on the future of primary care, a senior health service executive has said. GP Online

Peer support networks and dementia advisers: evaluation

Peer support networks and dementia advisers: evaluation This report, commissioned by the Department of Health, provides evidence on the importance of post diagnostic support for people with dementia and their carers, and the role that dementia advisers and peer support networks can provide in this.

• Report
• Summary report
• Department of Health - publications