Return-on-investment report: Worth every cent and more

Return-on-investment report: Worth every cent and more Health Libraries Inc. (HLI), the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Health Libraries Australia (ALIA HLA) have released a study indicating that hospitals and other healthcare organisations gain a $9 return for every dollar they invest in their health libraries.

The partners commissioned SGS Economics and Planning to survey health libraries across the nation and assess the return on the annual investment in these services to their organisations. 

The results demonstrate the ongoing and exceptional value of health libraries despite increased service demand and reductions in the amount organisations are currently investing in their libraries. While patient numbers, medical staff and hospital expenditure have increased, health library budgets, space and staffing levels continue to be cut. Health Libraries Inc.

Guidance: NHS clinical and financial engagement best practice

Guidance: NHS clinical and financial engagement best practice This guide:

• highlights the characteristics of effective engagement between NHS clinicians and finance professionals
• provides a toolkit to help NHS trusts to objectively assess the level of clinical and financial engagement in their organisation
• includes the recommendations of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry that are relevant to effective clinical and financial engagement
• supports clinical and financial professionals to help their NHS organisations to achieve quality outcomes and efficiency through working together

Department of Health

NHS spends £700 insuring each birth

NHS spends £700 insuring each birth The NHS spends nearly £700 on clinical negligence cover for every live birth in England, a report says. BBC News

See also:

• Maternity services in England National Audit Office 
• One fifth of maternity budget now spent on blunders The Daily Telegraph 
• NHS maternity services overstretched, says spending watchdog The Guardian

Europe at 'polio risk' from Syria

Europe at 'polio risk' from Syria The outbreak of polio in Syria could lead to the disease re-emerging in Europe according to an article in the Lancet journal. BBC News

VIDEO: Winners and losers in health spending

VIDEO: Winners and losers in health spending Health spending priorities see more money spent in areas of deprivation than affluent areas, but NHS England is consulting on changing the funding formula. BBC News

Updated guidelines on the prevention and management of sickness absence

Updated guidelines on the prevention and management of sickness absence These updated guidelines outline the key principles that NHS organisations should follow to prevent and manage sickness absence. NHS Employers

Drug treatment performing well but faces big challenges

Drug treatment performing well but faces big challenges According to the latest annual adult statistics released by Public Health England, specialist services remained easy to access for people who need help, with 98% waiting under three weeks to get into treatment.

In 2012 to 2013, the overall number of people in treatment continued to fall, as did the number of people starting treatment for heroin and crack cocaine, particularly among younger age groups. Public Health England

Can autism really be detected in babies?

Can autism really be detected in babies? “Autism can be identified in babies as young as two months, early research suggests,” BBC News reports. Using eye-tracking technology, researchers claim to have identified subtle differences in the way affected babies respond to visual prompts, it says.

Exclusive: QOF income set to fall 15%

Exclusive: QOF income set to fall 15% Practices will be hit by a 15% fall in QOF income next year as the government's overhaul of the framework and workload pressures bite, experts have warned. GP Online

Social care and obesity - a discussion paper

Social care and obesity - a discussion paper This discussion paper considers the impact that obesity has on social care and the challenges facing social care now and in the future.

• Discussion paper
• Local Government Association - publications

One in four Brits do not even do 30 minutes exercise a month

One in four Brits do not even do 30 minutes exercise a month One in four Britons fail to take even thirty minutes of exercise a month, according to a new study, amid warnings to ministers that failing to tackle couch potato lifestyles could bankrupt the NHS. The Daily Telegraph