Friday, 31 August 2012

Active pensioners 'add six years'

Active pensioners 'add six years': Being active and living a healthy lifestyle even after the age of 75 can make a huge difference to your life expectancy, a Swedish study suggests. BBC News

NHS reform targets slipped, DH report reveals

NHS reform targets slipped, DH report reveals: A series of DH targets for implementing NHS reforms have slipped, and the NHS Commissioning Board is struggling to recruit enough staff, official reports reveal. GP Online

TB drug resistance is growing around the world

Interim measures for patient experience at the interfaces between NHS services

Interim measures for patient experience at the interfaces between NHS services: This publication highlights the data sources available to help NHS
organisations assess patient experience of integrated care locally, as
no single bespoke measure is currently available. This comes in response
to the NHS Future Forum's recommendations that new patient experience
measures should be developed to evaluate patients’ experiences across
whole journeys of care.

Delays warning over flu jabs

Delays warning over flu jabs: Patients may face a delay in getting their seasonal flu jab this winter as manufacturers struggle to meet deadlines. The Daily Telegraph

One in five patients 'harmed' in some hospitals: data

One in five patients 'harmed' in some hospitals: data: One in five patients in some NHS hospitals suffer harm due to avoidable accidents, complications and mistakes, it has emerged.The Daily Telegraph

Multiple abortions 'link' to premature births

Multiple abortions 'link' to premature births:

“Repeat abortions linked to premature birth,” BBC News has reported, with the Daily Mail website adding that multiple abortions could cause “life-threatening problems in later pregnancy”.
The story is based on Finnish research that looked at the effect of induced abortions on a subsequent first birth.

Thursday, 30 August 2012

Rise in hate crimes towards people with disabilities

Rise in hate crimes towards people with disabilities: The number of hate crimes towards people with disabilities in Northamptonshire increased by more than 50 per cent in the last year, figures have revealed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Right data, right payment

Right data, right payment: The findings of the Commission's annual audit of data used to underpin Payment by Results (PbR) payments. Audit Commission

UK life 'healthier for longer'

UK life 'healthier for longer': Healthy life expectancy increased by more than two years in the period 2008-10 compared with 2005-07, Office for National Statistics figures show. BBC News

Hundreds of GP practices yet to start CQC registration as deadline looms

Hundreds of GP practices yet to start CQC registration as deadline looms: Up to 500 GP practices in England have failed to contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to begin registration, with less than a week to go until the regulator starts assessing applications. GP Online

HPA urges back to school vaccination as measles cases continue to increase

HPA urges back to school vaccination as measles cases continue to increase: Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency(HPA) show that almost twice as many confirmed cases of measles in England and Wales have been reported in the first six months of 2012 (964) compared to the same period in 2011 (497). Overall 1,086 cases were reported in 2011, up from 380 in 2010.

The press release from the HPA states that rubella has also shown an increase with 57 cases reported between January and June this year - exceeding the annual totals for each of the previous nine years. These cases have mainly been associated with travel to other European countries. Health Protection Agency

Formal complaints about National Health Service rise by 8%

Formal complaints about National Health Service rise by 8%: The NHS Information Centre said there were 162,129 written complaints from patients or their families in year to March 2012
Written complaints to the NHS rose by more than 8% last year, with the health service receiving more than 3,000 a week, new data reveals. The NHS Information Centre said that there were 162,129 written complaints from patients or their families in the year ending March 2012, an increase of 12,364 from 2010-11.
More than 12,000 of the complaints related to the "attitude of the staff", while almost 50,000 in England were about "all aspects of clinical treatment". About 10,000 concerned "communication to patients".
Andrew Gwynne, the shadow health minister, said: "This is yet another worrying sign of an NHS heading in the wrong direction. It will not come as a surprise that more and more patients are writing formal complaints. This government is throwing the NHS into chaos with an unnecessary reorganisation of the back office, costing over £3bn, that has taken eyes off patient care."
However, the government said that the increase was because "for the first time, all NHS organisations have submitted information about their complaints". The minister of state for care services, Paul Burstow, admitted that "this has led to a small rise in the overall number of complaints recorded". The Guardian

Methadone-related deaths soar

Methadone-related deaths soar:
The number of methadone-related deaths of men in England and Wales rose by more than a third last year to its highest rate since 1997, figures showed today. The Independent

Flu may spread before symptoms show

Flu may spread before symptoms show: If you are reaching for your handkerchief it might be too late to stop the spread of flu, research suggests.The Independent

More than 3,000 written complaints a week against the NHS

More than 3,000 written complaints a week against the NHS: - New report shows rise in written complaints on previous year About 3,100 written complaints a week were made against the NHS in 2011-12 – just over ... NHS Information Centre

Mental Capacity and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 - A literature review

This MH Foundation literature review was carried out to collate academic literature relating to mental capacity issues and to the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.  The aims were to identify mental capacity issues, problem areas and successes in the practical application of mental capacity legislation as well as identify gaps in the research. The Mental Health Foundation

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Firms fined after workers exposed to asbestos at Kettering hospital ward

Firms fined after workers exposed to asbestos at Kettering hospital ward:
Two Lincoln companies have been fined after workers were exposed to asbestos during the refurbishment of a hospital ward. Evening Telegraph

NHS hospitals using innovative solutions to prevent missed appointments

NHS hospitals using innovative solutions to prevent missed appointments:
NHS hospital trusts have been using innovative, yet simple, ideas to reduce the number of missed appointments, contributing to an overall drop in missed outpatient appointments of over 250,000 last year.

Hospitals 'scored' on drug access

Hospitals 'scored' on drug access: Patients in England will soon be able to see if their local health authority is offering the latest approved drugs and treatments as scorecards rating hospitals become public. BBC News

One in three taking no exercise

One in three taking no exercise: Ministers are urged to do more to encourage people "off the sofa" as it emerges the amount of exercise we take has not changed over the last 10 years. BBC News

Quality profiles

Quality profiles: The practice profiles aim to enable commissioners to compare the
relative quality of their providers, to enable providers to benchmark
their performance against the national average, and to share with
patients and the public information on the quality of the services being
provided. Quality profiles have also been published for CCGs. They fit
into the new commissioning architecture of the NHS, and aim to support
the patient information revolution by putting this information freely
and transparently into the public domain.

One in 10 hospital appointments missed

One in 10 hospital appointments missed:

The Department of Health has revealed that one in 10 scheduled hospital appointments in England were missed last year.The DH said that although the total number of missed appointments had dropped by 250,000 since the previous year, it still cost them millions of pounds and caused delays in care for other patients.The government has encouraged hospitals to find ways of reducing the number of missed appointments.... Healthcare Today

Does smoking 'dope' turn you into one?

Does smoking 'dope' turn you into one?:

“Adolescents who are regular users of cannabis are at risk of permanent damage to their intelligence, attention span and memory,” reported the Guardian.
The news was based on an impressive and wide-ranging study of 1,037 New Zealand individuals who were followed from birth up to the age of 38.

NHS patient records to revolutionise medical research in Britain

NHS patient records to revolutionise medical research in Britain:
Scientists to hunt for lifesaving information buried in cradle-to-grave data collected by GPs and hospitals

A revolution in medical research in Britain is to give academics and the life sciences industry unparalleled access to the cradle-to-grave health records of about 52 million people in England.

NHS Commissioning Board 'struggling to recruit'

NHS Commissioning Board 'struggling to recruit': The health quango that will be tasked with spending a third of the NHS budget is struggling to recruit staff, it has admitted. The Daily Telegraph

Do some trusts deliver a consistently better experience for patients? An analysis of patient experience across acute care surveys in English NHS trusts.

Do some trusts deliver a consistently better experience for patients? An analysis of patient experience across acute care surveys in English NHS trusts.:
Related Articles
Do some trusts deliver a consistently better experience for patients? An analysis of patient experience across acute care surveys in English NHS trusts.
BMJ Qual Saf. 2012 May;21(5):381-90
Authors: Raleigh VS, Frosini F, Sizmur S, Graham C
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Data were used from inpatient, outpatient and accident and emergency surveys in acute trusts in England to examine consistency in patient-reported experience across services, and factors associated with systematic variations in performance.

METHODS: Standardised mean scores for six domains of patient experience were constructed for each survey for 145 non-specialist acute trusts. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to investigate whether and how trust performance clusters. Multilevel regression analysis was used to determine trust characteristics associated with performance.

RESULTS: Cluster analysis identified three groups: trusts that performed consistently above (30 trusts) or below (six trusts) average, and those with mixed performance. All the poor performing trusts were in London, none were foundation trusts or teaching hospitals, and they had the highest mean deprivation score and the lowest proportion of white inpatients and response rates. Foundation and teaching status, and the proportion of white inpatients, were positively associated with performance; deprivation and response rates showed less consistent positive associations. No regional effects were apparent after adjusting for independent variables.

CONCLUSION: The results have significant implications for quality improvement in the NHS. The finding that some NHS providers consistently perform better than others suggests that there are system-wide determinants of patient experience and the potential for learning from innovators. However, there is room for improvement overall. Given the large samples of these surveys, the messages could also have relevance for healthcare systems elsewhere.


Available online but requires an NHS Athens password.

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

NHS pilot scheme to help patients in care homes

NHS pilot scheme to help patients in care homes:
A new care home nurse scheme to help people living in residential and nursing care has been launched by the NHS in East Northamptonshire. Evening Telegraph

Rise in booze admissions at Northampton General Hospital

Rise in booze admissions at Northampton General Hospital:
CONCERNS have been raised after a rise in the number of people being admitted to hospital in Northampton because of alcohol-related illnesses. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Row growing over care home expansion plans

Row growing over care home expansion plans:
The company behind a proposed 84-bed care home extension for mental health patients says it has “nothing to hide” over the plans. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

AUDIO: Heavy cannabis users 'fall behind'

AUDIO: Heavy cannabis users 'fall behind': Using cannabis as a teenager can cause a permanent and irreversible drop in IQ according to a study of 1,000 people in the New Zealand town of Dunedin. Professor Terrie Moffitt, from the Institute of Psychiatry at Kings College London, gives his analysis of the findings. BBC News

Peer support in mental health and learning disability

Peer support in mental health and learning disability: This briefing highlights the benefits of peer support for services,
individuals receiving support, and the person giving it. It showcases
some of the Mental Health Foundation’s work within the area and looks at
how peer support can help people to recover, to gain control over their
condition, and live fulfilling lives in their communities.

Good support for people with complex needs: what does it look like and where is the evidence?

Good support for people with complex needs: what does it look like and where is the evidence?: This study scopes the evidence on good practice in social care for
disabled and older people with severe and complex needs, and to find out
what this group consider to be key features of good support. It also
identifies examples of potential good practice and makes recommendations
for future evaluation.

Top surgeon criticises 'chronic' lack of cash for stroke victims' physiotherapy

Top surgeon criticises 'chronic' lack of cash for stroke victims' physiotherapy:
Underfunding of post-surgical care is 'endemic issue' affecting recovery times and quality of life, says NHS neurosurgeon
One of Britain's leading surgeons has spoken out against the "chronic underfunding" of post-surgical care services in the NHS, which is leaving stroke victims and head injury patients at serious risk of failing to recover.

A fifth of women in labour left without a midwife: survey

A fifth of women in labour left without a midwife: survey: A fifth of women were left without a midwife during labour, contrary to official guidance, due to a shortage of staff, a survey has found. The Daily Telegraph

'Hit squads' to take over seven NHS trusts

'Hit squads' to take over seven NHS trusts: Senior government lawyers and auditors are to be sent into raphseven NHS hospital trusts on the brink of bankruptcy. The Daily Telegraph

Tax-avoidance crackdown for NHS

Tax-avoidance crackdown for NHS:
Senior NHS executives have been told to stop paying interim senior staff off payroll to tackle possible tax avoidance. The Independent

NHS paying huge price for missed appointments

NHS paying huge price for missed appointments:
One in 10 health appointments were missed last year, costing the NHS millions of pounds and delaying treatment for others, figures suggest. The Independent

Hospitals to pay price for failure to innovate

Hospitals to pay price for failure to innovate:
Patients across the country will soon be able to see whether their local hospital or health authority is rationing care as part of government plans to eradicate "postcode prescribing" in the NHS. The Independent

Friday, 24 August 2012

Special report into hospital ward assaults - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Special report into hospital ward assaults - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Special report into hospital ward assaults
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
One recent Chron story revealed that of the 149 assaults which took place at Northampton General Hospital in 2011-2012, a third of these happened in Creaton Ward, a 28-patient medical ward which deals with a high number of elderly patients, some of ...

New NHS Evidence QIPP case study: Musculoskeletal physiotherapy: patient self-referral

New NHS Evidence QIPP case study: Musculoskeletal physiotherapy: patient self-referral:
The self-referral pilots have shown that people who self-refer to physiotherapy take fewer days off work, and are half as likely to be off work for longer than a month compared with people who have been referred using more conventional routes.
The initiative means that people can refer themselves directly to their local NHS physiotherapy practice - as long as they are over 16 and do not have neurological, breathing or gynaecological problems. NHS Networks

Assertive outreach no better than standard care at preventing further suicide attempts in young people

Assertive outreach no better than standard care at preventing further suicide attempts in young people: Regular close contact with specially trained staff is generally regarded as the best course of treatment for someone who has recently attempted to kill themselves, in order to prevent a repeat suicide attempt. Of course it can be difficult to engage with this group of patients after-treatment, but recent research suggests that assertive and motivational [read the full story...]The Mental Elf

Clustering of unhealthy behaviours over time: implications for policy and practice

Clustering of unhealthy behaviours over time: implications for policy and practice: This report reviews the current evidence on the distribution of multiple lifestyle risks in the adult population, and how this is changing over time. It finds that the overall proportion of the Englishpopulation that engages in three or four unhealthy behaviours has
declined significantly, from around 33 per cent of the population in2003, to 25 per cent in 2008, but these reductions have mainly been seen among those in higher socio-economic and educational groups. It concludes that more effective ways must be found to help people in lower socio-economic groups and those with the least education to improve their health behaviours, including a more holistic approach to policy and practice and the closer linking of behaviour change to inequalities policy.

Reducing the cost of assessments and reviews: an adult social care briefing for councils

Reducing the cost of assessments and reviews: an adult social care briefing for councils: This briefing focuses on social care assessments and reviews. It
considers changes in councils' expenditure on assessments and reviews
over time, and examines how some councils have managed to keep their
costs low while continuing to meet vulnerable people's needs.

Implant for heart failure is trialled

Implant for heart failure is trialled:

A nerve-stimulating implant for patients with heart failure is being trialled for the first time in the UK.
It has already been trialled in 32 European patients, but the work now being varied out at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester is the first time the pioneering operation to fit the device has been performed in this country.
The device is similar to a pacemaker and fitted to the vagus nerve running bet... Healthcare Today

Franchise plan is key to future of the health service

Franchise plan is key to future of the health service:
Working internationally will encourage the best hospitals to stay at the forefront of modern practice and benefit patients
The government's announcement of a renewed push to market the NHS abroad could help improve patient care in the UK – but there are risks.

Private firms ask to bid to run struggling hospital trust

Private firms ask to bid to run struggling hospital trust: Private firms are being asked to bid to run a large London hospital trust, taken over by a Government-appointed administrator earlier this summer for being on the brink of bankruptcy. The Daily Telegraph

HS managers must be paid through normal channels: Sir David Nicholson

NHS managers must be paid through normal channels: Sir David Nicholson: NHS hospitals have been ordered to stop paying temporary managers off the books in a bid to stamp out tax avoidance, it has emerged. The Daily Telegraph

Thursday, 23 August 2012

Poorest left behind in fight against unhealthy lifestyles, new report finds

Poorest left behind in fight against unhealthy lifestyles, new report finds: The proportion of people engaging in multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviours has fallen significantly according to a new report on the clustering of unhealthy behaviours over time.  However, almost all the improvement has been among higher socio-economic and better educated groups, exacerbating health inequalities. King’s Fund.

Scheme for NHS hospital trusts abroad "a real opportunity"

Scheme for NHS hospital trusts abroad "a real opportunity":
Launching this autumn, the joint scheme from the Department of Health and UK Trade and Investment will aim to link NHS hospitals with foreign governments which want access to British health services. NHS Networks

£300m social care savings urged

£300m social care savings urged: Councils in England could save £312m annually on adult social care if they carried out client assessments more effectively, a watchdog says. BBC News

GPs not backed for revalidation may face fitness-to-practise hearing

GPs not backed for revalidation may face fitness-to-practise hearing: Responsible officers (ROs) who identify concerns about a GP's fitness to practise during revalidation should refer them straight to GMC fitness-to-practise procedures or consider other local measures, a GMC guidance document says. GP Online

Monitor warns on FT finances

Monitor warns on FT finances: NHS foundation trusts are falling behind with their cost improvement plans and will find their finances under even greater strain as clinical commissioners start work this year, the sector's regulator has said. E-Health Insider

Are competition warnings to NHS trusts a sign of things to come?

Are competition warnings to NHS trusts a sign of things to come?: Competition authorities are increasingly interested in healthcare and we are likely to see more activity in this sector
This month eight NHS trusts were warned by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) about anti-competitive behaviour over the way they run their private patient units (PPUs).

NHS waiting times may increase at one in three flagship hospitals: report

NHS waiting times may increase at one in three flagship hospitals: report: Patient waiting times are due to increase as a growing number of NHS flagship foundation hospitals face financial difficulties, a report has warned. The Daily Telegraph

NHS reforms will lead to 'tsunami of bureaucracy': NHS leader

NHS reforms will lead to 'tsunami of bureaucracy': NHS leader: The NHS reforms will lead to 'a myriad of conflicting polices' and 'a tsunami of bureaucracy', one of the most senior figures in the health service has warned. The Daily Telegraph

NHS South West pay plans condemned by union

NHS South West pay plans condemned by union:
A group of NHS Trusts was today accused of undermining staff morale and patient care after details emerged of plans to introduce regional pay and conditions. The Independent

Fewer deaths due to hospital bugs

Fewer deaths due to hospital bugs:
The number of deaths from the hospital bugs MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) have fallen for a fourth successive year, figures suggest.The Independent

RCN launches two new publications

RCN launches two new publications: The Royal College of Nursing has today launched new guidance addressing the issues in health and social care introduced by the use of mobile phones, and new guidance on commissioning for equality.

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Cot death rates at all-time low

Cot death rates at all-time low: The number of unexplained infant deaths continues to fall, reaching the lowest level since records began, Office for National Statistics figures show. BBC News

VIDEO: Webcams speed up stroke response

VIDEO: Webcams speed up stroke response: Webcams are being used to diagnose stroke patients out-of-hours at a Nottingham hospital. BBC News

Heart attack spouses 'suffer too'

Heart attack spouses 'suffer too': Spouses of heart attack victims have an increased risk of depression and anxiety, even if their partner survives, Danish research suggests. BBC News

Disabled slip through child protection net

Disabled slip through child protection net: Too many children have child protection needs that remain unidentified, says Ofsted. Public Service

You can find the full report on the Ofsted web site.

Binge drinkers in Cardiff to be filmed

Binge drinkers in Cardiff to be filmed:

People who binge drink and need medical help in Cardiff will be filmed and have the footage shown to them when they are sober.The three month pilot project will also see drinkers who have 'minor' injuries taken to a triage centre instead of Cardiff's hospital.Cardiff and Vale University Health Board says 60% of the hospital's beds and ambulances are filled with alcohol cases on weekends.The £85,000 pilo... Healthcare Today

NHS figures reveal 5,000 fewer nurses since 2010

NHS figures reveal 5,000 fewer nurses since 2010:
Trade unions and Labour blame drop on coalition's cuts, but figures may also reflect nursing moving to private firms or charities
Almost 5,000 nurses have left the NHS since May 2010 while the number of doctors has risen by 3,700, according to official figures released on Tuesday.

Touting 'Brand NHS' abroad is a 'win-win-win' situation, says health minister

Touting 'Brand NHS' abroad is a 'win-win-win' situation, says health minister: Health minister Anne Milton says selling NHS expertise abroad will improve patient care, save taxpayers' money and boost the economy. The Daily Telegraph

12,000 NHS jobs left unfilled

12,000 NHS jobs left unfilled:
More than 12,000 NHS job posts have not been filled after people have retired, quit or moved on to other organisations, figures suggest. The Independent

Update on new swine flu in the US

Update on new swine flu in the US: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware there have been nearly 250 human cases of swine-origin influenza A(H3N2)v virus in the recent USA outbreak since it was first identified in August 2011.

Monitor publishes review of annual plans for NHS Foundation Trust Sector

Monitor publishes review of annual plans for NHS Foundation Trust Sector: Monitor has set out the main challenges facing foundation trusts in its review of the sector’s annual plans, published today. The Review of NHS foundation trust plans (2012/13) shows that the sector still faces challenges in meeting greater demand and more stretching health care targets while delivering significant savings each year.

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Hospital staff praised for withstanding £19.1m budget cuts - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Hospital staff praised for withstanding £19.1m budget cuts - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:

Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Hospital staff praised for withstanding £19.1m budget cuts
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Staff at Northampton General Hospital have received high praise for managing to withstand £19.1million of budget cuts in the past year, with demand for similar savings next year. The hospital's chief executive Dr Gerry McSorley and chairman Paul ...

Plans for acute doctors on CCGs are unworkable

Plans for acute doctors on CCGs are unworkable:
BMA warns CCG membership rules must be changed OnMedica

GPs tell researchers austerity is hitting health of their patients

GPs tell researchers austerity is hitting health of their patients:
The survey report highlights the impact of the recession on family planning, alcohol abuse, wellbeing and mental health. It also reports on the impact on GPs themselves. NHS Networks

Smoking-related hospital admissions top 1250 a day, new figures show

Smoking-related hospital admissions top 1250 a day, new figures show:
This is the equivalent of 1,260 admissions a day; representing one in 20 of all admissions to hospital in 2010/11.

Statistics on Smoking: England 2012 presents a broad range of information on health issues related to smoking and includes new statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre’s Hospital Episodes Statistics. NHS Networks

End of life care toolkit launched

End of life care toolkit launched:
What about end of life care? is a practical toolkit designed to help the public and professionals understand the new health and care structures and develop the relationships required to secure high quality end of life care. It includes a series of action sheets aimed at decision-makers such as clinical commissioning groups and other stakeholders such as local HealthWatch bodies and individual end of life care champions. Action sheets for other key players, including health and wellbeing boards and education and training providers, will be released later this year. NHS Networks

Echinacea warning for children

Echinacea warning for children: The herbal remedy echinacea should not be given to children under 12, the drugs watchdog has warned parents. BBC News

Over-65s with cancer 'set to triple by 2040'

Over-65s with cancer 'set to triple by 2040':

The Daily Mail reports that one in four over-65s 'will have had cancer by 2040'.
The news is based on a study that estimated the number of people expected to be living with cancer in the UK by the year 2040.

Winterbourne View: The problem with all care homes - Telegraph.co.uk

Winterbourne View: The problem with all care homes - Telegraph.co.uk:

Telegraph.co.uk
Winterbourne View: The problem with all care homes
Telegraph.co.uk
While some were able to live independently with NHS mental health service input, some were too disabled and required 24-hour care. These people fell awkwardly between the criteria for NHS care and for personal care, and ultimately their welfare was ...

Runnings profit NHS hospitals abroad 'will help the economy'

Runnings profit NHS hospitals abroad 'will help the economy': The NHS can help rescue the UK economy by setting up profit-making hospitals abroad, medical chiefs said today.The Daily Telegraph

Cancer pensioner number 'to treble'

Cancer pensioner number 'to treble':
The number of pensioners with cancer will treble by 2040, researchers suggest. The Independent

Global network of NHS hospitals to exploit brand

Global network of NHS hospitals to exploit brand:
Some of Britain's best-known hospitals are being lined up by the Government to export the "NHS brand" around the world and set up profit-making branches overseas to boost their incomes. The Independent

Monday, 20 August 2012

Flu fighter 2012/13: Campaign update

Flu fighter 2012/13: Campaign update: Read the latest update about the 2012/2013 NHS staff seasonal flu campaign. NHS Employers

Cancer diagnosis for one in four older people by 2040

Cancer diagnosis for one in four older people by 2040:

The charity Macmillan Cancer Support has warned that almost a quarter of older people will have had a cancer diagnosis by 2040. And it forecasts that the number of people aged 65 and over who will be cancer survivors is set to triple from 1.3 million in 2010 to 4.1 million.
The charity funded research by King’s College London which was published on the British Journal of Cancer’s website and revealed...Healthcare Today

NHS waiting times rise for first time in a year: official figures

NHS waiting times rise for first time in a year: official figures: Number of patients waiting more than 18 weeks to be seen increases for first time in a year amid cuts concerns. Health News

Legionnaires' outbreak 'over', says Health Protection Agency

Legionnaires' outbreak 'over', says Health Protection Agency:
An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in which two people died has been declared over. Independent

Template occupational health services SLA launched

Template occupational health services SLA launched: NHS Health at Work has launched a template service level agreement, which can be adapted locally for occupational health units to use with their providers. NHS Employers

HPA press release: Confirmed case of Anthrax in injecting drug user in England

HPA press release: Confirmed case of Anthrax in injecting drug user in England:
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a press release to confirm that it is aware that a person who injected drugs (PWID) has died in hospital in Blackpool with confirmed anthrax infection. The HPA is also aware of an ongoing outbreak of anthrax amongst PWID affecting a number of countries in Europe. Seven cases have been identified since early June: one in Scotland, three in Germany, two in Denmark, and one in France. The source is presumed to be contaminated heroin.
 
It is unclear as yet whether the current case and a case in Scotland at the end of July are linked to the outbreak in Europe but the HPA will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and weeks.
 Health Protection Agency (HPA)

RPS publishes online pharmacist prescriber resource

RPS publishes online pharmacist prescriber resource: Source: RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has developed a new area of their website covering pharmacist prescribers which provides information to users about pharmacist prescribers and prescribing, how to qualify as a prescriber, details of training courses and signpost existing prescribers to key documents that will be relevant to their daily practice. NeLM News
 

Can general practitioner commissioning deliver equity and excellence? Evidence from two studies of service improvement in the English NHS.

Can general practitioner commissioning deliver equity and excellence? Evidence from two studies of service improvement in the English NHS.:
Related Articles
Can general practitioner commissioning deliver equity and excellence? Evidence from two studies of service improvement in the English NHS.
J Health Serv Res Policy. 2012 Apr;17(2):87-93
Authors: Gridley K, Spiers G, Aspinal F, Bernard S, Atkin K, Parker G
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore some of the key assumptions underpinning the continued development of general practitioner-led commissioning in health services.

METHODS: Qualitative data from two studies of service improvement in the English NHS were considered against England's plans for GP-led commissioning. These data were collected through in-depth interviews with a total of 187 professionals and 99 people affected by services in 10 different primary care trust areas across England between 2008 and 2009.

RESULTS: Internationally, GPs are seen to have a central position in health systems. In keeping with this, the English policy places emphasis on the 'pivotal role' of general practitioners, considered to be ideally placed to commission in the best interests of their patients. However, our evidence suggests that general practitioners do not always have a pivotal role for all patients. Moreover, it is planned that the new commissioning groups in England will not be subject to top-down performance management and this raises the question of how agreed quality standards will be met under the proposed new system.

CONCLUSIONS: This paper questions the assumption that GPs are best placed to commission health services in a way that meets quality standards and leads to equitable outcomes. There is little evidence to suggest that GPs will succeed where others have failed and a risk that, without top-down performance management, service improvement will be patchy, leading to greater, not reduced, inequity.

PMID: 22315464 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Not tackling infections in homeless could spark epidemics

Not tackling infections in homeless could spark epidemics:
Tuberculosis 34 times higher in homeless people
Onmedica Online

Friday, 17 August 2012

About 1,260 hospital admissions a day due to smoking, new figures show

About 1,260 hospital admissions a day due to smoking, new figures show: An estimated 460,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11 among people aged 35 and over were due to smoking, according to new figures. This is the equivalent...NHS Information Centre

General needs to improve A&E waits in Northampton - Northampton Chronicle & Echo


 
General needs to improve A&E waits in Northampton
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Christine Allen, Northampton General Hospital's chief operating officer, said: “We've done all we can in terms of creating capacity, but what we now need to do is work with our commissioners to improve the urgent care pathway from primary care right ...

Majority of organisations ready for revalidation

Majority of organisations ready for revalidation:
The Organisational Readiness Self-Assessment Report 2011-12, which shows the state of organisational readiness for medical revalidation in England at 31 March 2012, reveals that 82% of doctors covered by the survey are linked to organisations that are ready to support them with revalidation. 
NHS Networks

Review of local formulary processes to support Innovation Health and Wealth

Review of local formulary processes to support Innovation Health and Wealth:
The NICE Medicines and Prescribing Centre has been commissioned to develop supporting good practice guidance on local medicines formularies. This is likely to be published by the end of 2012.  In advance of the publication of that guidance Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, has written a letter to NHS acute, mental health and primary care chief pharmacists, England and strategic health authority pharmacy and prescribing leads, encouraging action to review local formulary processes to begin implementation of the Innovation Health and Wealth (IHW) action.  This work should be undertaken in collaboration with emerging clinical commissioning groups and in a way that not only supports the IHW action, but considers:
  • local clinical and patient needs
  • how best to reduce inappropriate variation
  • how best to optimise medicines use
  • whether there is scope to reduce any administrative burdens of formulary maintenance.
Local medicines formularies have an important role in underpinning safe and effective use of medicines. It is also important that they support the introduction into practice of NICE technology appraisal recommendations.
The NHS Chief Executive’s report Innovation Health and Wealth sets out a broad range of actions, under a programme of work being led by Sir Ian Carruthers. The whole programme is being implemented in partnership with the life sciences industry, and include a commitment to:
‘require that all NICE technology appraisal recommendations are incorporated automatically into relevant local NHS formularies in a planned way that supports safe and appropriate clinical practice.’
David Nicholson wrote to NHS CEOs on the 9 August, on the work, and alerted colleagues to a requirement to publish local NHS formularies by 1 April 2013.
Department of Health

Maintaining and improving quality in the new health system – National Quality Board report published

Maintaining and improving quality in the new health system – National Quality Board report published:
The National Quality Board have published a report setting out how quality will be maintained and improved in the new health system.
The NQB brings together the national organisations across the health system responsible for quality including the NHS Commissioning Board Authority, the Care Quality Commission, Monitor, the NHS Trust Development Authority, NICE, the General Medial Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council  and the Department of Health.
This report, focuses predominantly on how the new system should prevent, identify and respond to serious failures in quality and provides a collective statement from NQB members as to:
  • the nature and place of quality in the new health system;
  • the distinct roles and responsibilities for quality of the different parts of the system;
  • how the different parts of the system should work together to share information and intelligence on quality and to ensure an aligned and coordinated system wide response in the event of a quality failure; and
  • the values and behaviours that all parts of the system will need to display in order to put the interests of patients and the public first and ahead of organisational interests.
Read Quality in the new health system – Maintaining and improving quality from April 2013
The report is in draft form, and the NQB would welcome views on the approach it describes from those working in or with an interest in the health system.  Please send any views to nationalqualityboard@dh.gsi.gov.uk by 30 September 2012.
The NQB will publish a final version, once it has been able to consider any relevant conclusions, findings and recommendations from the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Inquiry.
Read letter on the report from NQB Chair Sir David Nicholson
NHS Commissioning

Monitor launches consultation on proposed Commissioner Requested Services Guidance

Monitor launches consultation on proposed Commissioner Requested Services Guidance:
Monitor has today launched the draft Commissioner Requested Services and Protected Services Guidance for consultation.
The guidance sets out a process for commissioners to follow to ensure that key NHS services remain available for patients if a provider gets into serious financial difficulty.
Commissioner Requested Services are services that will be considered by the commissioner for protection should a provider fail. The system will form part of Monitor’s Continuity of Service framework which aims to make sure patients continue to have access to the services they need in their local area.
As part of the Continuity of Service framework, commissioners will decide which services should be designated Commissioner Requested Services and the guidance helps them to do this. Providers of Commissioner Requested Services will be subject to additional licence conditions in the proposed NHS provider licence, which was released for consultation on 31 July.
The Consultation on the Commissioner Requested Services guidance: The consultation will start on 16th August 2012 and run for 12 weeks until 8th November. The Commissioner Requested Services guidance will act as a guide for clinical commissioning groups as they work to ensure the availability of good quality NHS services for patients if a provider has serious financial problems. Further information and the consultation document can be found on the Monitor website.
Monitor is launching a number of other consultations and documents over the next six months.
NHS Commissioning

Whooping cough outbreak warning

Whooping cough outbreak warning: Scotland is experiencing the worst outbreak of whooping cough since the 1980s, according to health chiefs. BBC Health News

NHS trusts 'competition warning'

NHS trusts 'competition warning': Eight NHS trusts are warned about anti-competitive behaviour over the way they ran their private patient units. BBC Health News

Statistics on smoking and NHS Stop Smoking services in England now available

Statistics on smoking and NHS Stop Smoking services in England now available:

The NHS Information Centre (NHS IC) has published the following statistics on its website:
 
. Smoking in England - 2012
 
This report presents a range of information on smoking which is drawn together from a variety of sources. 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.
 
The report's main findings include (direct from source):
 
. An estimated 460,000 hospital admissions in 2010/11 among people aged 35 and over were due to smoking
. This is the equivalent of 1,260 admissions a day; representing one in 20 of all admissions to hospital in 2010/11.
 
Among people aged 35 and over:
. Around 1.5 million hospital admissions had a primary diagnosis of a disease that can be caused ...

Thursday, 16 August 2012

General needs to improve A&E waits in Northampton

General needs to improve A&E waits in Northampton:
A greater proportion of Northampton General Hospital emergency patients wait more than four hours than almost any other hospital. Chronicle and Echo

Consultations launched on sector regulation of health service

Consultations launched on sector regulation of health service:
Two consultations that will help ensure that patients’ interests will be protected throughout the health service are launched today by the Department of Health.
The consultations set out proposals for how Monitor, as the sector regulator for the health service, will ensure that the new system operates in the best interest of patients.
Specifically, the consultations seek views in relation to:
  • Licensing – this covers which providers of NHS funded services will need to hold a licence with Monitor. For the first time, Monitor will regulate private and voluntary providers, setting out the safeguards to ensure patients receive the best quality care possible. These safeguards will also prevent abuses of power, such as providers charging higher prices to boost profits or refusing to cooperate in service integration. Find out more about consultation about licensing
  • Procurement, choice and competition – this covers minimum requirements for commissioners to ensure that they deliver best value for patients. This also explains how, for the first time, patients’ rights to choice under the NHS Constitution will be enforceable wherever they live in England.Find out more about consultation about procurement, choice and competition
Department of Health

Launch of part two of the single operating model for strategic health authority clusters

Launch of part two of the single operating model for strategic health authority clusters:
The guidance for this next stage of the SOM details the rationale for this launch alongside the detail of the model and the associated tools to deliver this.
Editable versions of the self certification templates can be found here. NHS Networks

Why is there variation in the NHS?

Why is there variation in the NHS?:
Author of a recent Kings Fund report on variation in emergency admissions discusses why there is variation in the NHS at all – after being asked why the NHS can't be more like Pizza Express
"When I go to Pizza Express I am guaranteed a good quality pizza, why can't the NHS do the same?" This incredulous question was put by a regional radio presenter who interviewed me about our new report Older people and emergency bed use - exploring variation.
Our report describes a fourfold variation in the rate of hospital bed use by older people admitted as an emergency. This is driven in equal part by differences in length of stay and rates of admission for older people. Our working hypothesis was that we would be able to link the use of hospital beds with other factors like spend on social care, the number of community beds, and the number of GPs, but we couldn't demonstrate a relationship.
The variation in these other factors was just as great if not greater than the variation in bed use and no clear pattern emerged. The only factor that those areas with the lowest use of beds had in common was that a high number of them had a history of joint working between health and social care. Guardian
Candace Imison is deputy director of policy for the Kings Fund, and lead author of Older people and emergency bed use - exploring variation.

 

Four NHS staff to be charged with mistreating patients with learning disabilities

Four NHS staff to be charged with mistreating patients with learning disabilities:
Charges of mistreating and neglecting patients with learning disabilities are to be laid against four health centre staff after a five-year inquiry during which two previous attempts to bring criminal proceedings have failed.
Two men and two women will appear before magistrates in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in August and September accused of the offences between 2005 and 2007 at the Solar Centre in St Catherine's hospital at Balby, Doncaster.Guardian

 
 

Dementia patients given right to say on end-of-life care

Dementia patients given right to say on end-of-life care: People in the early stages of dementia are to be given a right to have a say in how and where they want to die under guidelines for medical staff and social workers. Telegraph Health News

GP providers win just a fifth of NHS 111 contracts

GP providers win just a fifth of NHS 111 contracts: GPs providers have won just five of the 26 NHS 111 contracts awarded so far, with NHS Direct revealing it has won a further nine contracts covering 30% of the population in England. GP Online News

King's Fund: A guide for commissioners on how to measure for improving outcomes

King's Fund: A guide for commissioners on how to measure for improving outcomes
The King's Fund have produced two slide sets to help clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) make the best use of measurement to support them to commission for improved outcomes.  The slides cover general concepts about approaches to measurement in health care, the uses of structure, process and outcome indicators, how to achieve a good mix of indicators for commissioning and how commissioners can build up sets of measures along whole pathways of care.  Please see the link below for details. King's Fund

Securing best value for NHS patients: requirements for commissioners to adhere to good procurement practice and protect patient choice

Securing best value for NHS patients: requirements for commissioners to adhere to good procurement practice and protect patient choice:
This document outlines proposals for regulations to protect patients’ interests by ensuring that commissioners always deliver best value. The Department of Health are currently seeking views on these proposals and comments will be accepted until 26th October 2012. Kings Fund

The austerity Britain report: the impact of the recession on the UK's health, according to GPs

The austerity Britain report: the impact of the recession on the UK's health, according to GPs:
This report is the result of a GP opinion survey which aimed to better understand the impact that the economic downturn of the last four years has had on the nation’s health, and how this may have impacted on GPs’ practices. It questioned GPs broadly at the impact of the recession on family planning, alcohol abuse, wellbeing, mental health and the impact on GPs themselves. Kings Fund

NICE consults on new social care quality standards

NICE consults on new social care quality standards: NICE has today (16 August) launched a consultation on two new quality standards for social care; one on the health and wellbeing of looked-after children and young people and one on supporting people to live well with dementia. NICE

Four NHS staff to be charged with mistreating patients with learning disabilities - The Guardian


 
Four NHS staff to be charged with mistreating patients with learning disabilities
The Guardian
The original inquiry was reopened after an internal investigation by the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber mental health NHS foundation trust, and its leader, then acting Detective Chief Inspector, Natalie Shaw, said in September last year: "I can ... Guardian
Four face patient abuse chargesThe Press Association
Solar Centre abuse charges authorisedBBC News
Four charged over neglect of patients at Doncaster hospitalYorkshire Post
Yahoo! News UK -Thorne Gazette
all 131 news articles »

Patient survey suggests benefit from common procedures varies markedly by NHS provider

Patient survey suggests benefit from common procedures varies markedly by NHS provider: Comparative annual PROMs results published for first time The level of health benefit patients feel they gain from common procedures varies markedly b...NHS Information Centre

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

CQC whistleblower 'subjected to mental health assessment'

CQC whistleblower 'subjected to mental health assessment': A high-profile whistleblower at the Care Quality Commission, the health watchdog, was subjected to a mental health assessment after raising concerns about poor leadership and performance at the organisation, internal documents show. Telegraph



Launch of part two of the single operating model for strategic health authority clusters

Launch of part two of the single operating model for strategic health authority clusters:
A letter sent out on the 3 August  indicates the launch of part two of the single operating model (SOM) for strategic health authority (SHA) clusters, focussing on SHA oversight of NHS trusts to support the foundation trust pipeline.
The guidance for this next stage of the SOM details the rationale for this launch alongside the detail of the model and the associated tools to deliver this.
Write-able versions of the self certification templates can be found below. Further tools may be issued following this launch to supplement these.
Read the single operating model part one

Department of Health

Views sought for review of cosmetic procedures

Views sought for review of cosmetic procedures:
A major review of cosmetic surgery and procedures is launched today by the Department of Health.
The review, led by NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, wants people to give their views on and share their experiences of the cosmetic surgery industry and cosmetic procedures. A call for evidence asks for views on:
  • the regulation and safety of products used in cosmetic interventions
  • how best to ensure that the people who carry out procedures have the necessary skills and qualifications
  • how to ensure that organisations have the systems in place to look after their patients both during their treatment and afterwards
  • how to ensure that people considering cosmetic surgery and procedures are given the information, advice and time for reflection to make an informed choice
  • what improvements are needed in dealing with complaints so they are listened to and acted upon.
This comes as a survey shows that many people consider the cost of surgery more important than the qualifications of the people doing it or how they will be looked after.
A team of experts will assist Sir Bruce Keogh to gather evidence and make recommendations to the Government by next March.
The review, requested by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, is in response to concerns raised about the industry following the PiP breast implant controversy. Department of Health






New briefings for health and wellbeing boards

New briefings for health and wellbeing boards: The NHS Confederation has published two new resources for health and wellbeing board (HWB) members. The briefings aim to help both GP commissioners and local authorities understand some of the structural and cultural differences between the NHS and local government. The briefing for GP Commissioners includes information on what councils do, how they are structured and how they work across tiers. The purpose is to help commissioners understand more about local government and suggest ways of bridging structural and cultural differences to build strong, productive local partnerships. The briefing for local councillors and officers explains the implications of the changes introduced by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and includes tips for councillors when working with health colleagues and for strong and cohesive working.

Briefing for GP Commissioners: http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/government-guide-commissioners.pdf

Briefing for local councillors and officers: http://www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/gp-commissioners-councillors-officers.pdf

CASH Full news feed

End blacklisting of NICE-approved drugs

End blacklisting of NICE-approved drugs: PCT clusters and CCGs should publish information which sets out which NICE technology appraisals are included in their local formularies from April 2013. NICE

Diabetes prescriptions up by 50% in six years

Diabetes prescriptions up by 50% in six years:
Data shows how diabetes is having growing impact on health service
Diabetes prescription numbers topped 40m for the first time last year, according to official figures. The number of diabetes prescriptions rose by nearly 50% in six years, from 27.1m in 2005-06 to 40.6m in 2011-12, data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) shows.
Net cost of diabetes drugs also rose by just under 50% during the same period, according to the report. In 2005-06 diabetes drugs cost the NHS £514m. Last year they cost £760.3m.
The growth is much greater than the rise seen in prescription numbers overall, at 33%. As a result, diabetes drugs take up a bigger share of both total drugs dispensed and the total net cost to the NHS each year.
While the overall cost of drugs to the NHS fell last year by 1%, the diabetes drugs bill increased by nearly 5%.
Tim Straughan, HSCIC's chief executive, said: "Our figures show diabetes is having a growing impact on prescribing in a very obvious way, from the amount of prescriptions dispensed to patients in primary care to the annual drugs bill costs to the NHS.
"Other reports we produce, such as our National Diabetes Audit and the Quality and Outcomes Framework, also demonstrate the impact of diabetes is widespread in all areas of the health service, from pharmacy to hospital care. When all this information is considered together, it presents a full and somewhat-concerning picture of the increasing impact of this condition." Guardian
 

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Praise for staff as NGH publishes annual report, announces AGM

Praise for staff as NGH publishes annual report, announces AGM: Northampton General Hospital's chief executive and chairman have praised the 'outstanding' performance of their staff in the hospital's annual report for 2011/12. NGH News

Air ambulance to run car scheme

Air ambulance to run car scheme: Northamptonshire's air ambulance service is introducing an emergency car scheme for when the helicopter is not in use. BBC Northampton

Digital technology essentials guide

Digital technology essentials guide:
This guide provides a brief summary of a wide range of enabling, affordable digital technologies, aimed to assist organisations in meeting their QIPP targets. NHS Networks

David Nicholson sets out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system

David Nicholson sets out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system:
NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson, has today written to NHS leaders to set out the next stage in the transition to the new health and care system.
In the letters he sets out arrangements to ensure stability and resilience for the current system through transition to the new health and care system from April 2013. Some of the staff appointed to leadership roles in NHS Commissioning Board will manage relevant operational delivery in the current system for 2012/13 and planning for the new system for 2013/14.
For more information and to read the letters visit the Department of Health website. NHS Commissioning Board

Update on new guidance and policy for managing the transition

Update on new guidance and policy for managing the transition: The guidance on recruitment and exit terms has been amended and the national policy and process on filling of posts in receiving organisations has also been published. NHS Employers

Equality analysis: health visiting programme

Equality analysis: health visiting programme:
This analysis describes what is known about the health visiting workforce and users of services and how the health visitor programme will address factors, which may encourage inequality.
Kings Fund

Online tool to search for local care providers

Online tool to search for local care providers:
The Provider Quality Profile, an online tool launched by the Care Quality Commission, will allow people to compare care providers and is available on NHS Choices.The Department of Health website explained:  "It allows users to search for local providers within an area and link to CQC reports and information about the provider. The service is being extended and will allow providers to include key info... Healthcare Today

Monday, 13 August 2012

Configuration of ‘scale’ services finalised

Configuration of ‘scale’ services finalised:
The outcome of the business review and assurance process for the majority of the ‘scale’ commissioning support services has been agreed.  For the full story see issue 4 of the commissioning support bulletin. NHS Commissioning Board




Patients 'lost sight' at NHS hospital private clinic

Patients 'lost sight' at NHS hospital private clinic: Six people may have permanent eye damage due to firm's alleged failure to provide proper follow-up careSix people are feared to have suffered irreversible sight loss because of the failings of a privately run clinic at an NHS hospital, raising fresh fears about the government's plans to open up the health service to the commercial sector.In an unprecedented move, GPs have been advised to consider alternative clinics for their patients because of "worrying concerns" about the services offered at a ...Kings Fund Health News