Sickness benefit claimants to have regular health meetings

Sickness benefit claimants to have regular health meetings People on sickness benefits will be required to have regular meetings with healthcare professionals – or face losing their benefits. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Experts argue that ADHD is 'overdiagnosed'

Experts argue that ADHD is 'overdiagnosed' An article published by the British Medical Journal, claiming that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is being overdiagnosed, has been reported in some of the papers.

The Daily Mail warned that some children diagnosed with ADHD were being given “needless and possibly harmful” treatment. The Independent talked about “Hyperactive UK” as prescriptions for drugs used in ADHD, such as Ritalin, have “soared” 50% in five years.

Short changed: The Care Bill, top-ups and the emerging crisis in residential care funding

Short changed: The Care Bill, top-ups and the emerging crisis in residential care funding This report aims to explore the effects of the government's plans for reforming care funding on the role of 'top-ups' and the rules applied to them. It describes the operation of the current residential care market, including the growing use of 'third party' top-ups and sets out the main components of the government's care funding reforms that will result in 'self-funder top-ups' for the first time. It also explores if and how current rules on top-ups should be applied to 'self-funder top-ups' and concludes with key recommendations for policy makers.

• Report
• Independent Age - The Secret Subsidy project
• Independent Age - press release

Money well spent? Assessing the cost effectiveness and return on investment of public health interventions

Money well spent? Assessing the cost effectiveness and return on investment of public health interventions This briefing for councillors and officers explains the importance of assessing value for money in helping local authorities fulfil their public health responsibilities. Local Government Association

• Briefing
• Local Government Association - publications

Impact of ‘Virtual Wards’ on hospital use: a research study using propensity matched controls and a cost analysis

Impact of ‘Virtual Wards’ on hospital use: a research study using propensity matched controls and a cost analysis he purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which multidisciplinary case management in the form of virtual wards led to changes in the use of health care and social care by patients at high predicted risk of future unplanned hospital admission.

• Report
• Nuffield Trust - blogs

Hospital was warned about cancer waiting list fiddling two years ago

Hospital was warned about cancer waiting list fiddling two years ago Hospital chiefs at centre of scandal were warned by whistleblowers two years ago that they were being bullied into fiddling waiting times. The Independent

See also:

• Colchester cancer scandal shows how deep NHS culture change needs to be The Guardian
• Colchester General hospital allegations: a sign that the NHS is still sick? The Guardian
• Colchester General: The key questions BBC News

Five win fight to stop Government closing fund for disabled

Five win fight to stop Government closing fund for disabled Judges at Court of Appeal quash ruling that Government's decision to close fund which helps thousands of disabled people live independently was lawful. The Independent

See also:

• VIDEO: Disabled people win fund case BBC News