Early implementers sought to test long term conditions year of care funding model:
Early implementers are being invited to apply to test a potential new way of funding long term conditions care. The LTC year of care funding model will be tested by six early implementer sites and prescribes a set approach for the purpose of national evaluation.
The model is described in Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention long term conditions which is published today along side an application form and supporting guidance for those interested in becoming early implementers.
The deadline for applications is Friday 25 May 2012.
QIPP long term conditions is aimed at health and social care commissioners and providers who are implementing integrated LTC care services to improve outcomes and people’s experience. The funding model has been developed through the QIPP LTC work stream to support health and social care teams in integrating care in a more sustainable way by aligning funding with people’s needs.
The model, which is is not mandated, has been developed using evidence and best practice and will be formally tested by the early implementer sites. The model will evolve over time with this testing phase informing future developments. Department of Health
Friday, 20 April 2012
The week: issue 244
The week: issue 244:
On the agenda this week: the Secretary of State launches a consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products, foreign doctors to prove they can speak English before practising in England under new government proposals, and the Prime Minister announces a call to action for frontline nurses to share best practice with colleagues across the NHS. Department of Health
Download ‘the week’ issue 244 13 – 19 April 2012 (RTF 546KB)
On the agenda this week: the Secretary of State launches a consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products, foreign doctors to prove they can speak English before practising in England under new government proposals, and the Prime Minister announces a call to action for frontline nurses to share best practice with colleagues across the NHS. Department of Health
Download ‘the week’ issue 244 13 – 19 April 2012 (RTF 546KB)
Home births more 'cost effective'
Home births more 'cost effective': Research by a team at the University of Oxford has indicated that planned births at home and in midwifery units are more cost-effective than giving birth in hospital.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, where they compared costs and outcomes for mother and baby of giving birth in different locations, they said this was particularly the case for women who had given birth before.
They focussed on 60,0... Healthcare Today
Writing in the British Medical Journal, where they compared costs and outcomes for mother and baby of giving birth in different locations, they said this was particularly the case for women who had given birth before.
They focussed on 60,0... Healthcare Today
NHS needs to integrate mental and physical health services for better care and impressive savings
NHS needs to integrate mental and physical health services for better care and impressive savings: A new report from the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network makes the case for combining mental and physical healthcare. NHS Confederation
From vision to action: making patient-centred care a reality
From vision to action: making patient-centred care a reality:
The Richmond Group, an alliance of leading health and social care charities, is calling on the Government to ensure patients are central to the delivery of care in the redesigned NHS in England. This report sets out what the group would like to change to put patients at the heart of the NHS.
The Richmond Group, an alliance of leading health and social care charities, is calling on the Government to ensure patients are central to the delivery of care in the redesigned NHS in England. This report sets out what the group would like to change to put patients at the heart of the NHS.
NHS waiting times rise 6%
NHS waiting times rise 6%: New research from the Patients Association has revealed that waiting times are getting longer for common surgical procedures.
It has warned of increasingly long delays for the most common forms of surgery in NHS hospitals, despite Prime Minister David Cameron’s election pledge to cut waiting times.
Latest figures show that waiting times rose by 6% for eight types of surgery between 2010 and 2011. The ... Healthcare Today
Read the full report here
It has warned of increasingly long delays for the most common forms of surgery in NHS hospitals, despite Prime Minister David Cameron’s election pledge to cut waiting times.
Latest figures show that waiting times rose by 6% for eight types of surgery between 2010 and 2011. The ... Healthcare Today
Read the full report here
Spending cuts biggest challenge for health service leaders
Spending cuts biggest challenge for health service leaders:
Our survey found that the impact of cuts is as big a challenge for the NHS as implementing the Health and Social Care Act
The impact of spending cuts is as big a challenge for the NHS as implementing the Health and Social Care Act, say healthcare leaders.
An exclusive Guardian healthcare network survey asked members what they think are the main concerns facing the health sector; 64% said implementing efficiency savings, 62% said the impact of the Health and Social Care Act, and 35% said planned NHS reforms.
Other responses included the increasing demands placed on the health service by demographic changes - citing both the ageing population and an ageing workforce. One member wrote the biggest challenge was "becoming more cost efficient while maintaining and improving quality"; and another cited unco-ordinated thinking and planning.
The issues of spending cuts and the government reforms are recurring themes throughout the survey, with many members blaming them for the aspects they like least about their jobs, and also fearing the effect they will have in the year ahead.
Our survey was launched before the health and social care bill gained royal assent to become the Health and Social Care Act, and asked members whether they personally supported the proposed reforms - 68% said no, 11% said yes, and 21% were unsure.
One member branded the bill "unworkable", another commented "this bill could well be Cameron's 'poll tax'", and a third said: "The NHS remains a political toy and is bounced on a whim from minister to minister."
Members were also asked whether they think there should be more private sector involvement in the health service - 56% said no, 27% said yes and 18% were unsure.
And the questionnaire - completed by more than 500 healthcare network members - also asked whether healthcare leaders think there should be more integration of health, social care and housing services. Some 89% said yes, while 5% said no and 6% were unsure.
The research revealed a very strong sense of public service among healthcare network members, with a large proportion saying the chance to help people, care for patients and improve others' lives was the most enjoyable aspect of their job. Many also cited patient contact, while the variety of their role and the challenges of delivering care were also repeatedly mentioned.
When asked what they liked least about their jobs, many members said they felt uncertain about their future - whether due to government policy, NHS funding or job insecurity. A number mentioned that politics - at a local and a national level - were having a negative impact on their work, and many felt that paperwork, meetings and administration (one member cited "death by email") were the least enjoyable aspects of their work. Other members cited workloads, staff shortages, work place pressure and poor morale.
Most members (73%) think their jobs will become more difficult in the year ahead - and cuts and reorganisations were again mentioned by many.
One member said: "We are fighting to understand the new NHS structures, in 12 months we will still be trying to understand them and delivering in a changing landscape."
Another commented: "There is a huge amount of work to do, and in some instances there is a lack of focus, vision and lack of support. With uncertain financial times, and in the challenging political climate. Things are very tough."
But 25% think their role will stay the same over the next 12 months - and 3% believe it will get easier.
The research is the second in a series of quarterly questionnaires sent to healthcare network members and promoted via Twitter and Facebook. The first questionnaire also found that spending cuts are the biggest challenge facing NHS leaders.
Watch out for further opportunities to contribute to healthcare network research later in the year, and in the meantime please add your comments on the issues discussed in this piece below. Guardian Professional.
The impact of spending cuts is as big a challenge for the NHS as implementing the Health and Social Care Act, say healthcare leaders.
An exclusive Guardian healthcare network survey asked members what they think are the main concerns facing the health sector; 64% said implementing efficiency savings, 62% said the impact of the Health and Social Care Act, and 35% said planned NHS reforms.
Other responses included the increasing demands placed on the health service by demographic changes - citing both the ageing population and an ageing workforce. One member wrote the biggest challenge was "becoming more cost efficient while maintaining and improving quality"; and another cited unco-ordinated thinking and planning.
The issues of spending cuts and the government reforms are recurring themes throughout the survey, with many members blaming them for the aspects they like least about their jobs, and also fearing the effect they will have in the year ahead.
Our survey was launched before the health and social care bill gained royal assent to become the Health and Social Care Act, and asked members whether they personally supported the proposed reforms - 68% said no, 11% said yes, and 21% were unsure.
One member branded the bill "unworkable", another commented "this bill could well be Cameron's 'poll tax'", and a third said: "The NHS remains a political toy and is bounced on a whim from minister to minister."
Members were also asked whether they think there should be more private sector involvement in the health service - 56% said no, 27% said yes and 18% were unsure.
And the questionnaire - completed by more than 500 healthcare network members - also asked whether healthcare leaders think there should be more integration of health, social care and housing services. Some 89% said yes, while 5% said no and 6% were unsure.
The research revealed a very strong sense of public service among healthcare network members, with a large proportion saying the chance to help people, care for patients and improve others' lives was the most enjoyable aspect of their job. Many also cited patient contact, while the variety of their role and the challenges of delivering care were also repeatedly mentioned.
When asked what they liked least about their jobs, many members said they felt uncertain about their future - whether due to government policy, NHS funding or job insecurity. A number mentioned that politics - at a local and a national level - were having a negative impact on their work, and many felt that paperwork, meetings and administration (one member cited "death by email") were the least enjoyable aspects of their work. Other members cited workloads, staff shortages, work place pressure and poor morale.
Most members (73%) think their jobs will become more difficult in the year ahead - and cuts and reorganisations were again mentioned by many.
One member said: "We are fighting to understand the new NHS structures, in 12 months we will still be trying to understand them and delivering in a changing landscape."
Another commented: "There is a huge amount of work to do, and in some instances there is a lack of focus, vision and lack of support. With uncertain financial times, and in the challenging political climate. Things are very tough."
But 25% think their role will stay the same over the next 12 months - and 3% believe it will get easier.
The research is the second in a series of quarterly questionnaires sent to healthcare network members and promoted via Twitter and Facebook. The first questionnaire also found that spending cuts are the biggest challenge facing NHS leaders.
Watch out for further opportunities to contribute to healthcare network research later in the year, and in the meantime please add your comments on the issues discussed in this piece below. Guardian Professional.
Private companies providing GP out of hours services are 'worse than NHS'
Private companies providing GP out of hours services are 'worse than NHS': Private firms providing GP out of hour services fail to assess urgent cases within 20 minutes and leave patients waiting longer than two hours to see a doctor, a study has found.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Death of autistic boy shines light on national problem
Death of autistic boy shines light on national problem:
A coroner warned yesterday that the "gross failure" of mental health services to help an autistic boy, who was bullied and committed suicide, could be a national problem affecting others with similar behavioural needs. The Independent
A coroner warned yesterday that the "gross failure" of mental health services to help an autistic boy, who was bullied and committed suicide, could be a national problem affecting others with similar behavioural needs. The Independent
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Seventeen-year ‘healthy years’ gap between north and south of Northamptonshire
Seventeen-year ‘healthy years’ gap between north and south of Northamptonshire:
PEOPLE in south Northamptonshire have up to 17 more years of healthy life than someone living in Corby, health experts have suggested. Northampton Chronicle & Echo
PEOPLE in south Northamptonshire have up to 17 more years of healthy life than someone living in Corby, health experts have suggested. Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Data definitions
Data definitions: A new Audit Commission briefing addresses key issues with data definitions that are a major cause of dispute within the NHS - it updates key guidance and looks at the underlying causes of these issues. Audit Commission
Breast cancer map 'a key moment'
Breast cancer map 'a key moment': What we currently call breast cancer should be thought of as 10 completely separate diseases, according to a study which has been described as a landmark moment for treatment. BBC News
Hospitals 'overcharging for care'
Hospitals 'overcharging for care': NHS money is being wasted by hospitals wrongly charging the health service for treating short-stay patients, a watchdog says. BBC News
RCGP hails 'momentous' plan to extend GP training to four years
RCGP hails 'momentous' plan to extend GP training to four years: The RCGP has hailed a 'momentous day for general practice' after Medical Education England backed its call to extend GP training to four years. GP Online
Out-of-hours comparison tool launched
Out-of-hours comparison tool launched: Data on the quality of out-of-hours services can be easily compared by commissioners and providers using an online benchmark tool that goes live today. E-Health Insider
Long-term health gains: investing in emotional and psychological wellbeing for patients with long-term conditions and medically unexplained symptoms
Long-term health gains: investing in emotional and psychological wellbeing for patients with long-term conditions and medically unexplained symptoms:
A new Mental Health Network report brings together the evidence across diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease, plus medically unexplained symptoms, to present a business case for investing in psychological services. This briefing summarises the report and describes how primary and secondary health services can improve patient outcomes, while reducing the overall costs of care for the NHS.
A new Mental Health Network report brings together the evidence across diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease, plus medically unexplained symptoms, to present a business case for investing in psychological services. This briefing summarises the report and describes how primary and secondary health services can improve patient outcomes, while reducing the overall costs of care for the NHS.
NICE reject Avastin for advanced breast cancer
NICE reject Avastin for advanced breast cancer: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has decided a drug for women with breast cancer that has spread should not be available on the NHS.
The decision comes despite evidence that Avastin can stall progression of the disease for three months.
NICE has issued draft guidance on Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, which says that the drug which costs more than £3,500 a month for ... Healthcare Today
The decision comes despite evidence that Avastin can stall progression of the disease for three months.
NICE has issued draft guidance on Avastin, also known as bevacizumab, which says that the drug which costs more than £3,500 a month for ... Healthcare Today
NHS and civil servants plan pension strike in May - BBC News
NHS and civil servants plan pension strike in May - BBC News:
 BBC News | NHS and civil servants plan pension strike in May BBC News NHS workers and civil servants are to stage a one-day strike in May over their pension dispute. The Unite trade union, which has 100000 members in the NHS, will walk out on 10 May, a day after the Queen's speech is to set out the NHS reforms. Unite and PCS to strike over public sector reformProfessional Pensions Unite sets date for industrial action over pension reformManagement in Practice May 10 chosen for public sector strikeJournal Live ITV News -Finance Markets -The Guardian all 417 news articles » |
NHS waiting times rise for operations
NHS waiting times rise for operations:
NHS patients are having to wait longer for some surgery and fewer operations are taking place, according to new data. The Independent
NHS patients are having to wait longer for some surgery and fewer operations are taking place, according to new data. The Independent
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Finance boss is jailed for taking £330,000
Finance boss is jailed for taking £330,000:
A CARE home finance manager who stole more than £330,000 meant for adults with learning disabilities to buy fur coats, jewellery, champagne and a cruise has been jailed for almost three years. Evening Telegraph
A CARE home finance manager who stole more than £330,000 meant for adults with learning disabilities to buy fur coats, jewellery, champagne and a cruise has been jailed for almost three years. Evening Telegraph
Common challenges to improving quality
Common challenges to improving quality: In my experience, improvement leaders often begin new areas of work with a compelling personal vision of the potential for quality to be much improved. I think there’s a cultural bias in health management of action over reflection, and often a strong temptation to give insufficient time to the initial challenges, says Penny Pereira. Health Foundation
First ever mandatory care standards bring hope of improved care for children and young people with diabetes
First ever mandatory care standards bring hope of improved care for children and young people with diabetes:
Set by leading paediatric doctors, nurses and commissioners, working in partnership with NHS Diabetes, the ‘Best Practice Tariff for Paediatric Diabetes’ sets out 13 mandatory care standards1 for paediatric diabetes service teams to meet. Providers who can prove they meet these levels of care will qualify for greater funding. Local services unable to achieve these standards will be supported to improve but face having their funding withdrawn if unable to reach the required level by April 2013. NHS Networks
Set by leading paediatric doctors, nurses and commissioners, working in partnership with NHS Diabetes, the ‘Best Practice Tariff for Paediatric Diabetes’ sets out 13 mandatory care standards1 for paediatric diabetes service teams to meet. Providers who can prove they meet these levels of care will qualify for greater funding. Local services unable to achieve these standards will be supported to improve but face having their funding withdrawn if unable to reach the required level by April 2013. NHS Networks
Nursing and Care Quality Forum outlines work to improve nursing care
Nursing and Care Quality Forum outlines work to improve nursing care:
The Nursing and Care Quality Forum, which aims to improve the quality of nursing care across all care settings, met Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today to discuss the work the Forum will deliver.
The independent Forum will begin its work by identifying and supporting the spread and adoption of best practice across four areas:
The Forum, which is chaired by Sally Brearley, is made up of a range of expert voices, including front-line nurses working in hospitals and the community, patient representatives and members of professional bodies and voluntary sector organisations.
The Forum’s Chair, Sally Brearley, said:
Read the Nursing and Care Quality Forum mission statement.
See the Forum membership list and biographies.
See press release
The Nursing and Care Quality Forum, which aims to improve the quality of nursing care across all care settings, met Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today to discuss the work the Forum will deliver.
The independent Forum will begin its work by identifying and supporting the spread and adoption of best practice across four areas:
- how to promote and achieve accountable and empowered nurse leadership across the system
- how to make sure that the right culture and the right values that put patients first prevails at all times
- how best to involve, listen to, hear and respond to feedback from patients
- how to make sure that those providing care have the time to do so properly.
The Forum, which is chaired by Sally Brearley, is made up of a range of expert voices, including front-line nurses working in hospitals and the community, patient representatives and members of professional bodies and voluntary sector organisations.
The Forum’s Chair, Sally Brearley, said:
‘We want best practice to be common practice. The Forum’s mission is to identify and spread best practice to help all nurses deliver compassionate, dignified, respectful and safe care. We want nurses to feel confident and proud to give top quality care to those who need it.’Prime Minister David Cameron said:
‘Nurses are some of the most caring, compassionate people in the country and I want to do everything possible to allow them to do a fantastic job.If you would like to feed in your views on any of the above four themes to the Forum, you can contact it by email at ncqf@dh.gsi.gov.uk
‘That means learning from the best – and helping everyone to match those great standards. That’s why I’ve asked the Nursing and Care Quality Forum to scour the country, find out what works best and share it across the NHS.
‘We’ve seen how innovative changes to nursing can increase patient trust and confidence in their care. These are the kind of ideas we need to explore if we are to change the way nursing works and restore a sense of pride in the profession.’
Read the Nursing and Care Quality Forum mission statement.
See the Forum membership list and biographies.
See press release
Forget 'social care pot of gold'
Forget 'social care pot of gold': There will be no "pot of gold" to answer the prayers of councils struggling to look after the elderly, according to social care chiefs. BBC News
90% of GPs believe financial pressures will increase in next five years
90% of GPs believe financial pressures will increase in next five years: More than 90% of GPs believe financial pressures will increase in the next five years, a survey has revealed. GP Online
Mental health and homelessness: planning and delivering mental health services for homeless people
Mental health and homelessness: planning and delivering mental health services for homeless people: This Briefing sets out the policy context around tackling homelessness and addressing the mental health needs of homeless people. NHS Confederation
'Striking the Balance': practical guidance on the application of Caldicott Guardian Principles to domestic violence and MARACs (multi agency risk assessment conferences)
'Striking the Balance': practical guidance on the application of Caldicott Guardian Principles to domestic violence and MARACs (multi agency risk assessment conferences):
This guidance has been published jointly by the Department and the UK Council of Caldicott Guardians to assist those who need to share information about individuals involved in domestic violence. It sets out the underlying ethical considerations between confidentiality and information sharing and identifies the role of the Caldicott Guardian to ‘strike the balance’ between maintaining the individuals’ confidentiality and privacy and wider considerations such as protection from harm.
This guidance has been published jointly by the Department and the UK Council of Caldicott Guardians to assist those who need to share information about individuals involved in domestic violence. It sets out the underlying ethical considerations between confidentiality and information sharing and identifies the role of the Caldicott Guardian to ‘strike the balance’ between maintaining the individuals’ confidentiality and privacy and wider considerations such as protection from harm.
Improving care for lung cancer patients: a collaborative approach
Improving care for lung cancer patients: a collaborative approach:
The Improving Lung Cancer Outcomes project aims to improve the quality of care and patient experience for lung cancer patients. The project paired hospitals and multi-disciplinary teams and encouraged them to visit each others’ services and review their processes. This publication outlines examples of best practice and practical examples of quality improvement projects.
The Improving Lung Cancer Outcomes project aims to improve the quality of care and patient experience for lung cancer patients. The project paired hospitals and multi-disciplinary teams and encouraged them to visit each others’ services and review their processes. This publication outlines examples of best practice and practical examples of quality improvement projects.
NHS 'must do more to respond to rising numbers of homeless'
NHS 'must do more to respond to rising numbers of homeless':
Many homeless people struggle to register with a GP and gain access to health services, NHS Confederation warns
Health services needs to "up their game" to respond to rising levels of homelessness and people sleeping rough as the recession lingers and benefit cuts begin to bite, according to a report by the providers of NHS services.
The NHS Confederation, representing all hospitals and providers who treat the homeless, warn that those on the streets often struggle to register with a GP and that many suffer from mental health problems that doctors refuse to treat unless they are "clean".
About 70% of people who use homelessness services have mental health problems, and many self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
"For a range of NHS-funded services, we are not treating homeless patients for mental health who are intoxicated. People are not accepted because they use drink or drugs. Clearly they do need to be referred for therapy, so it's not good enough to say, 'Go away and clean yourself up,'," said the confederation's mental health network director, Steve Shrubb.
Shrubb said there was concern in the NHS that homeless numbers were increasing at a time when the health regulator Monitor warned of cuts of 7% a year for three years. He said the government's own estimate that 2,200 people were sleeping rough on any one night in England – a jump of 23% on the previous year – was too low. "We probably have that in London alone," he said.
Shrubb pointed out that a study by the University of York revealed that 23,000 people were already in emergency accommodation, slipping in and out of homelessness. "A lot of our members tell us that this is the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of particularly young people moving from couch to couch, staying on friends' floors. It only takes a small crisis for them to be on the streets. We need to get an idea of how big this problem is."
Charities backed the report and warned that the government's programme on mental health might be too narrow. Peter Cockersell, the director of health and recovery at St Mungo's, a homeless charity, said the government's focus on improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT), centred around cognitive behavioural therapy, was in some cases obscuring those with the greatest needs.
"We are seeing counselling and therapy services [for the homeless] closed down. IAPT is getting bigger but it is working with a much narrower group of clients," Cockersell said. One of St Mungo's clients, Len, a former alcoholic who spent eight years on the streets, told the Guardian that he had only "got clean because of the therapy provided by the charity. That's all been cut now." The Guardian
Health services needs to "up their game" to respond to rising levels of homelessness and people sleeping rough as the recession lingers and benefit cuts begin to bite, according to a report by the providers of NHS services.
The NHS Confederation, representing all hospitals and providers who treat the homeless, warn that those on the streets often struggle to register with a GP and that many suffer from mental health problems that doctors refuse to treat unless they are "clean".
About 70% of people who use homelessness services have mental health problems, and many self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.
"For a range of NHS-funded services, we are not treating homeless patients for mental health who are intoxicated. People are not accepted because they use drink or drugs. Clearly they do need to be referred for therapy, so it's not good enough to say, 'Go away and clean yourself up,'," said the confederation's mental health network director, Steve Shrubb.
Shrubb said there was concern in the NHS that homeless numbers were increasing at a time when the health regulator Monitor warned of cuts of 7% a year for three years. He said the government's own estimate that 2,200 people were sleeping rough on any one night in England – a jump of 23% on the previous year – was too low. "We probably have that in London alone," he said.
Shrubb pointed out that a study by the University of York revealed that 23,000 people were already in emergency accommodation, slipping in and out of homelessness. "A lot of our members tell us that this is the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of particularly young people moving from couch to couch, staying on friends' floors. It only takes a small crisis for them to be on the streets. We need to get an idea of how big this problem is."
Charities backed the report and warned that the government's programme on mental health might be too narrow. Peter Cockersell, the director of health and recovery at St Mungo's, a homeless charity, said the government's focus on improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT), centred around cognitive behavioural therapy, was in some cases obscuring those with the greatest needs.
"We are seeing counselling and therapy services [for the homeless] closed down. IAPT is getting bigger but it is working with a much narrower group of clients," Cockersell said. One of St Mungo's clients, Len, a former alcoholic who spent eight years on the streets, told the Guardian that he had only "got clean because of the therapy provided by the charity. That's all been cut now." The Guardian
One in four women buy wrong medication after misdiagnosing themselves on the internet
One in four women buy wrong medication after misdiagnosing themselves on the internet: Women with embarrassing medical problems are misdiagnosing themselves after consulting 'Dr Google', research suggests.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Exclusive: Crisis in care of elderly as £1bn cuts bite
Exclusive: Crisis in care of elderly as £1bn cuts bite:
Hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled people face cuts to their support and assistance this year as councils struggle to find new savings of £1bn from social-care budgets, an investigation by The Independent has established.
Hundreds of thousands of elderly and disabled people face cuts to their support and assistance this year as councils struggle to find new savings of £1bn from social-care budgets, an investigation by The Independent has established.
Government to unveil plan to improve NHS language skills
Government to unveil plan to improve NHS language skills:
Doctors whose English is not up to scratch could be struck off amid fears that patients are being put at risk. The Independent
Doctors whose English is not up to scratch could be struck off amid fears that patients are being put at risk. The Independent
Independent advocacy for people with mental disorder
Independent advocacy for people with mental disorder
This report sets out the principles of advocacy and provides recommendations and guidance. Independent advocacy is an excellent way to ensure that an individual’s rights are upheld and that the individual receives the care and treatment that they are entitled to. It also has benefits for psychiatrists and can improve the quality of the relationships between people with mental health problems and professionals.
This report replaces CR74: Patient Advocacy, 1999.
This report replaces CR74: Patient Advocacy, 1999.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Politician’s fears for Corby health services
Politician’s fears for Corby health services:
NHS reorganisation costs are hitting Corby health services, a prospective MP has claimed. Evening Telegraph
NHS reorganisation costs are hitting Corby health services, a prospective MP has claimed. Evening Telegraph
Guidance on direct access to diagnostic tests for cancer
Guidance on direct access to diagnostic tests for cancer:
The guidance aims to help GPs in determining which patients would be suitable for direct referral to local services providing the diagnostic tests.
It deals specifically with the circumstances and symptoms that may warrant such referrals and is aimed at health care professionals across primary and secondary care and those who both provide and commission services. NHS Networks
The guidance aims to help GPs in determining which patients would be suitable for direct referral to local services providing the diagnostic tests.
It deals specifically with the circumstances and symptoms that may warrant such referrals and is aimed at health care professionals across primary and secondary care and those who both provide and commission services. NHS Networks
Dementia: a public health priority
Dementia: a public health priority:
This report, produced jointly by WHO and Alzheimer's Disease International, aims to raise awareness of dementia as a public health priority; to articulate a public health approach; and to advocate for action at international and national levels. NHS Networks
This report, produced jointly by WHO and Alzheimer's Disease International, aims to raise awareness of dementia as a public health priority; to articulate a public health approach; and to advocate for action at international and national levels. NHS Networks
‘Striking the Balance’ Guidance on information sharing
‘Striking the Balance’ Guidance on information sharing:
This guidance has been published jointly by the Department and the UK Council of Caldicott Guardians to assist those who need to share information about individuals involved in domestic violence, for example at a MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) – a local, multi agency victim-focused meeting where information is shared on the highest risk cases of domestic abuse between different agencies.
It sets out the underlying ethical considerations between confidentiality and information sharing and identifies the role of the Caldicott Guardian to ‘strike the balance’ between maintaining the individuals’ confidentiality and privacy and wider considerations such as protection from harm.
Read the report: ‘Striking the Balance’: Practical Guidance on the application of Caldicott Guardian Principles to Domestic Violence and MARACs (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) Department of Health
This guidance has been published jointly by the Department and the UK Council of Caldicott Guardians to assist those who need to share information about individuals involved in domestic violence, for example at a MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference) – a local, multi agency victim-focused meeting where information is shared on the highest risk cases of domestic abuse between different agencies.
It sets out the underlying ethical considerations between confidentiality and information sharing and identifies the role of the Caldicott Guardian to ‘strike the balance’ between maintaining the individuals’ confidentiality and privacy and wider considerations such as protection from harm.
Read the report: ‘Striking the Balance’: Practical Guidance on the application of Caldicott Guardian Principles to Domestic Violence and MARACs (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences) Department of Health
NHS warning over night discharges
NHS warning over night discharges: The medical director of the NHS in England tells hospitals to stop discharging patients overnight to free up beds. BBC News
RCGP in talks about UK-wide NHS plan
RCGP in talks about UK-wide NHS plan: RCGP wants all four UK governments to adopt 10 core values for the NHS. GP Online
A crisis in nursing?
A crisis in nursing? Complaints against nurses and midwives rise by 57 per cent NMC
Walking a useful tool to treat depression
Walking a useful tool to treat depression:
Researchers at the University of Stirling have said taking a walk could play a part in beating depression.The results of a study published in the Mental Health and Physical Activity journal revealed that walking had a "large effect" on depression.The research team looked at eight studies involving 341 people to determine the effect of walking on depression.The report's authors said &qu... Healthcare Today
Government response after swine flu may have led to more deaths: Liam Donaldson
Government response after swine flu may have led to more deaths: Liam Donaldson: The Coalition's decision to scrap the flu awareness campaign after coming into power may have contributed to hundreds of preventable deaths, the government's former chief medical officer has said.
Daily Telegraph
Daily Telegraph
David Cameron to announce nursing overhaul
David Cameron to announce nursing overhaul: David Cameron will say that 'nothing counts more than a friendly face and a calming word' as he announces an overhaul of nursing.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 16 April 2012
NHS to launch three new breast-feeding programmes across Northamptonshire - Northampton Chronicle & Echo
 Northampton Chronicle & Echo | NHS to launch three new breast-feeding programmes across Northamptonshire Northampton Chronicle & Echo But a raft of other services will be paid for by NHS Northamptonshire over the next 12 months with £60000 of funds. They include project work in an area of low breast feeding or high drop-off rates, where mums begin breast feeding and for some reason ... Northampton Chronicle & Echo |
Health and wellbeing boards – System leaders or talking shops?
Health and wellbeing boards – System leaders or talking shops?:
Health and wellbeing boards: System leaders or talking shops? presents the findings from that survey and includes case studies based on the experience of two early implementers.
The paper assesses the ways in which local authorities have begun to develop new arrangements with their partners – the size, composition and ways of working emerging from the shadow boards. NHS Networks
Health and wellbeing boards: System leaders or talking shops? presents the findings from that survey and includes case studies based on the experience of two early implementers.
The paper assesses the ways in which local authorities have begun to develop new arrangements with their partners – the size, composition and ways of working emerging from the shadow boards. NHS Networks
Consultation launched on standardised tobacco packaging
Consultation launched on standardised tobacco packaging:
A UK-wide consultation seeking views on whether tobacco products should be sold in standardised packaging has been launched.
The government is exploring whether action on tobacco packaging has the potential to bring public health benefits over and above those from our current initiatives.
Standardised packaging could consist of, for example:
The consultation asks for views on whether:
Any decisions to take further policy action on tobacco packaging will be taken only after full consideration is given to consultation responses, evidence and other relevant information.
The review was commissioned by the Department of Health and supported through the Public Health Research Consortium.
The report represents the work and views of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Department of Health.
Department of Health
A UK-wide consultation seeking views on whether tobacco products should be sold in standardised packaging has been launched.
The government is exploring whether action on tobacco packaging has the potential to bring public health benefits over and above those from our current initiatives.
Standardised packaging could consist of, for example:
- no branding
- a uniform colour
- standard font and text for any writing on the pack
The consultation asks for views on whether:
- tobacco packaging should remain unchanged
- plain packaging should be adopted
- a different option should be considered
“Smoking remains one of the most significant challenges to public health. Each year it accounts for over 100,000 deaths in the UK and one in two long-term smokers will die prematurely from a smoking disease.You have until 10 July to have your say on the tobacco packaging consultation.
“That is why the health ministers across the UK have a responsibility to look closely at initiatives that might encourage smokers to quit and stop young people taking up smoking in the first place.”
Any decisions to take further policy action on tobacco packaging will be taken only after full consideration is given to consultation responses, evidence and other relevant information.
Systematic review of evidence
The Public Health Research Consortium, a network of researchers funded by the Department of Health’s Policy Research Programme, has published a systematic review of the evidence on plain tobacco packaging.The review was commissioned by the Department of Health and supported through the Public Health Research Consortium.
The report represents the work and views of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Department of Health.
Department of Health
VIDEO: 'Parkinson's is with you for life'
VIDEO: 'Parkinson's is with you for life': Researchers are to conduct the world's biggest study into the causes of Parkinson's disease, a brain condition that affects almost 130,000 people in the UK. BBC News
Coalition to cut NHS redundancy costs
Coalition to cut NHS redundancy costs: Redundancy payments could add many millions of pounds to the overall costs of the reforms. Health & Social Care News
Elsevier launches Clinical Key
Elsevier launches Clinical Key: Scientific content publishers, Elsevier, this week launched Clinical Key, a "clinical insight engine" that aggregates information from textbooks and journals. EHI News
Doctors turn on No 10 over failure to curb obesity surge
Doctors turn on No 10 over failure to curb obesity surge: Major food and drinks firms fuel crisis with irresponsible marketing, claim doctors, who call for ban on fast-food sponsorship deals. The body that represents every doctor in the country has launched an unprecedented attack on the coalition government's failed strategy to tackle an obesity epidemic in the UK.The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges demands "bold and tough" measures to put an end to the role of "irresponsible marketing" by major food and drinks firms in fuelling the crisis. It calls on ...
Guardian
Guardian
NHS Bill for England: What changes will the public see?
NHS Bill for England: What changes will the public see?: about the changes patients will see and when they would start to take place. Kings Fund health News
Who will take responsibility for rolling out 'telecare'?
Who will take responsibility for rolling out 'telecare'?:
Despite the government's enthusiasm for telecare, many GPs will be too busy trying to commission to learn how to do it
Last week, I expressed my disappointment with the King's Fund's International Telehealth and Telecare Conference. I am so upset that I am returning to the subject again.
For starters, I was amazed that there were only three GPs present. I found this strange, as telecare is likely to change the way GPs treat patients for ever. Or do GPs consider telehealth as just another irritating technology, like electronic patient records and email, which will go away if you ignore them long enough?
One speaker involved in the project said that GPs were divided between those who were interested, those who were not sure and those who didn't want to know. One GP claimed that telecare increased patient anxiety and workload for GPs.
On the other hand, community matrons and nurses already involved in telecare monitoring were generally very positive. They found that telecare made it easier to manage their own time. They even claimed that telecare would reduce the GPs' workload! This figures in my experience; nurses tend to welcome new ways of treating patients, but doctors hang back, particularly if what is proposed will radically change their way of life.
One of the GPs who did turn up asked the minister, Paul Burstow, a very intelligent question: "We GPs are up to our eyes in learning how to commission. How are going to find time to get our heads round telehealth?"
The minister had been emphasizing that 3millionlives was not a top-down initiative, like Tony Blair's nasty centralised National Programme for IT. It is going to be rolled out by lovely localised commissioning consortia. Paul Burstow had no answer for that GP, who was going to be too busy for telecare.
All he had to offer were "how to do it" guides and awareness campaigns. The trouble is that too many clinicians do not seem to want to know. It will take more than awareness campaigns to persuade them, and then educate them, which could be a long and arduous process, with all the other demands on their time.
Burstow's sidekick in the Department of Health called for the NHS, social services and industry to work together. He asked for leaders to come forward, including financial leaders, to share the vision and drive 3millionlives forward. He is right. But I have heard these calls before, and they haven't been answered.
I can't see where the charismatic champions will come from. Instead, I have a nasty feeling that 3millionlives will come to be regarded by clinicians as just another part of the hated Lansley reforms, and will be rejected by the profession.
There was, however, one bit of good news to come out of the conference. Apparently, Cornwall was not waiting for the peer-reviewed report. It had decided to start extending telecare to 30,000 patients. They had seen the evidence with their own eyes, and have people fired up to give more patients the benefits of telecare. So, why hang about?
Guardian Healthcare Network
Last week, I expressed my disappointment with the King's Fund's International Telehealth and Telecare Conference. I am so upset that I am returning to the subject again.
For starters, I was amazed that there were only three GPs present. I found this strange, as telecare is likely to change the way GPs treat patients for ever. Or do GPs consider telehealth as just another irritating technology, like electronic patient records and email, which will go away if you ignore them long enough?
One speaker involved in the project said that GPs were divided between those who were interested, those who were not sure and those who didn't want to know. One GP claimed that telecare increased patient anxiety and workload for GPs.
On the other hand, community matrons and nurses already involved in telecare monitoring were generally very positive. They found that telecare made it easier to manage their own time. They even claimed that telecare would reduce the GPs' workload! This figures in my experience; nurses tend to welcome new ways of treating patients, but doctors hang back, particularly if what is proposed will radically change their way of life.
One of the GPs who did turn up asked the minister, Paul Burstow, a very intelligent question: "We GPs are up to our eyes in learning how to commission. How are going to find time to get our heads round telehealth?"
The minister had been emphasizing that 3millionlives was not a top-down initiative, like Tony Blair's nasty centralised National Programme for IT. It is going to be rolled out by lovely localised commissioning consortia. Paul Burstow had no answer for that GP, who was going to be too busy for telecare.
All he had to offer were "how to do it" guides and awareness campaigns. The trouble is that too many clinicians do not seem to want to know. It will take more than awareness campaigns to persuade them, and then educate them, which could be a long and arduous process, with all the other demands on their time.
Burstow's sidekick in the Department of Health called for the NHS, social services and industry to work together. He asked for leaders to come forward, including financial leaders, to share the vision and drive 3millionlives forward. He is right. But I have heard these calls before, and they haven't been answered.
I can't see where the charismatic champions will come from. Instead, I have a nasty feeling that 3millionlives will come to be regarded by clinicians as just another part of the hated Lansley reforms, and will be rejected by the profession.
There was, however, one bit of good news to come out of the conference. Apparently, Cornwall was not waiting for the peer-reviewed report. It had decided to start extending telecare to 30,000 patients. They had seen the evidence with their own eyes, and have people fired up to give more patients the benefits of telecare. So, why hang about?
Guardian Healthcare Network
Friday, 13 April 2012
Plans to close ambulance stations
Plans to close ambulance stations: The number of ambulance stations in the East Midlands could be slashed if new plans are approved. BBC Northampton
Care home nurse death cover-up
Care home nurse death cover-up:
A senior care home nurse who failed to check on a dying resident, then faked records to show she had served him cake and juice, may be struck off. Evening Telegraph
A senior care home nurse who failed to check on a dying resident, then faked records to show she had served him cake and juice, may be struck off. Evening Telegraph
Patients Association issues statement on late night discharges
Patients Association issues statement on late night discharges:
Overnight discharges from NHS hospitals
Katherine Murphy Chief Executive at the Patients Association comments,
“Discharging patients often elderly and vulnerable late at night is totally inconsiderate and unacceptable and displays no compassion or thought for the individual patient.
Hospitals may think it is convenient for them to ask people to leave in the middle of the night but is it convenient and safe for a patient who may well have been in hospital for a considerable amount of time, to go home without any warning to an empty cold house – how patient centred is this? This is totally unacceptable practice in what is supposed to be a caring environment. We regularly receive calls to our Helpline from patients and relatives shocked at this callous, cruel and thoughtless behaviour.
NHS Managers need to recognise that discharging vulnerable patients at night is a poor reflection on their management skills and those Trusts that are guilty of doing this must be penalised.
The Patients Association today calls for intervention from the Department of Health, the Care Quality Commission and the Secretary of State for Health. No patient, unless they are in agreement and it is clinically safe to do so should be discharged after 6pm it is inappropriate”. Patients Association
Overnight discharges from NHS hospitals
Katherine Murphy Chief Executive at the Patients Association comments,
“Discharging patients often elderly and vulnerable late at night is totally inconsiderate and unacceptable and displays no compassion or thought for the individual patient.
Hospitals may think it is convenient for them to ask people to leave in the middle of the night but is it convenient and safe for a patient who may well have been in hospital for a considerable amount of time, to go home without any warning to an empty cold house – how patient centred is this? This is totally unacceptable practice in what is supposed to be a caring environment. We regularly receive calls to our Helpline from patients and relatives shocked at this callous, cruel and thoughtless behaviour.
NHS Managers need to recognise that discharging vulnerable patients at night is a poor reflection on their management skills and those Trusts that are guilty of doing this must be penalised.
The Patients Association today calls for intervention from the Department of Health, the Care Quality Commission and the Secretary of State for Health. No patient, unless they are in agreement and it is clinically safe to do so should be discharged after 6pm it is inappropriate”. Patients Association
Changes to the professional use of controlled drugs by pharmacists and nurses
Changes to the professional use of controlled drugs by pharmacists and nurses:
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is delighted to be able to confirm that legislation which introduces a number of changes to the professional use of controlled drugs by pharmacists and nurses was laid before parliament on the 30 March 2012 and will be coming into force on 23 April 2012. NHS Networks
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is delighted to be able to confirm that legislation which introduces a number of changes to the professional use of controlled drugs by pharmacists and nurses was laid before parliament on the 30 March 2012 and will be coming into force on 23 April 2012. NHS Networks
Guidance on direct access to diagnostic tests for cancer published
Guidance on direct access to diagnostic tests for cancer published:
Guidance on direct referral by GPs to specific diagnostic tests for the assessment of particular symptoms where cancer may be suspected but the urgent GP referral (two week wait) process is not applicable, has been published.
The guidance aims to help GPs in determining which patients would be suitable for direct referral to local services providing the diagnostic tests.
It deals specifically with the circumstances and symptoms that may warrant such referrals and is aimed at health care professionals across primary and secondary care and those who both provide and commission services.
The guidance, which was commissioned by the Cancer Diagnostics Advisory Board, forms part of the broader programme to support the implementation of direct access to diagnostics.
Read the guidance
Cancer survival rates in England are lower than the best outcomes in Europe and the Government has set a level of ambition to save an additional 5,000 lives each year by in England by 2014/15 – equivalent to the European average.
In the majority of cases the GP is the first medical professional to see a patient with symptoms suspicious of cancer and GPs need easy access to the right diagnostic tests to help them diagnose or exclude cancer earlier.
Improving earlier diagnosis is key to improving cancer survival and the actions to achieve this are set out in Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, published in January 2011.
Department of Health
Guidance on direct referral by GPs to specific diagnostic tests for the assessment of particular symptoms where cancer may be suspected but the urgent GP referral (two week wait) process is not applicable, has been published.
The guidance aims to help GPs in determining which patients would be suitable for direct referral to local services providing the diagnostic tests.
It deals specifically with the circumstances and symptoms that may warrant such referrals and is aimed at health care professionals across primary and secondary care and those who both provide and commission services.
The guidance, which was commissioned by the Cancer Diagnostics Advisory Board, forms part of the broader programme to support the implementation of direct access to diagnostics.
Read the guidance
Cancer survival rates in England are lower than the best outcomes in Europe and the Government has set a level of ambition to save an additional 5,000 lives each year by in England by 2014/15 – equivalent to the European average.
In the majority of cases the GP is the first medical professional to see a patient with symptoms suspicious of cancer and GPs need easy access to the right diagnostic tests to help them diagnose or exclude cancer earlier.
Improving earlier diagnosis is key to improving cancer survival and the actions to achieve this are set out in Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, published in January 2011.
Department of Health
Reforms in the 1990s were supposed to make nursing care better. Instead, there's a widely shared sense that this was how today's compassion deficit began. How did we come to this?
Reforms in the 1990s were supposed to make nursing care better. Instead, there's a widely shared sense that this was how today's compassion deficit began. How did we come to this?:
Yesterday, Christina Patterson described how extensive first-hand experience of Britain's hospitals persuaded her that all was not well with British nursing – and how subsequent research suggested that her disquiet was widely shared. Here, she tries to identify the origins of the crisis.The Independent
Yesterday, Christina Patterson described how extensive first-hand experience of Britain's hospitals persuaded her that all was not well with British nursing – and how subsequent research suggested that her disquiet was widely shared. Here, she tries to identify the origins of the crisis.The Independent
Late-night hospital discharges to be probed
Late-night hospital discharges to be probed:
Hospitals are ‘throwing patients out of hospitals’ late at night to free up beds, according to an investigation by The Times.
The newspaper estimates that each year more than 400,000 patients are discharged from hospital between 11pm and 6am: many of whom could be elderly or vulnerable patients with inadequate care and support.
The Times sent Freedom of Information requests to 170 NHS hospital trusts and analysed data from 100 that responded. These recorded 239,233 late-night discharges in the past year, which would equate to over 400,000 across the country. This represents around 3.5% of NHS hospital discharges each year.
The Times report included case studies of several patients who had been discharged inappropriately. However, the data reported tells us only the raw number of patients discharged during the seven-hour window. It does not explain why they were discharged, what the patients experienced or how many of the discharges were inappropriate.
Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the NHS told The Times that he will now investigate the issue of late-night discharges. Sir Bruce said “Patients should only be discharged when it’s clinically appropriate, safe and convenient for them and their families. It is simply not fair to be sending people home late at night. We will look at this.”
Individual patients’ stories support the case that some are being discharged wrongly at night to free up beds but not all night-time discharges will be inappropriate. A small proportion of patients will always leave hospital at night for a variety of legitimate reasons, as some news sources have highlighted:
If you aren’t satisfied with the way the NHS deals with your complaint, you can take it to the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Under the NHS Constitution you can also make a claim for judicial review if you think you have been directly affected by an unlawful act or decision of an NHS body, and receive compensation if you have been harmed.
You can also raise your concerns by contacting regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission. Read more about this in other options for complaints.
Overnight discharges from NHS hospitals to be examined. BBC News, April 12 2012
NHS patients 'discharged overnight'. The Daily Telegraph, April 12 2012
NHS patients 'discharged overnight'. The Independent, April 12 2012
NHS chief to investigate overnight discharges. The Guardian, April 12 2012
8000 NHS patients discharged in middle of night 'every week'. Metro, April 12 2012
Health News from NHS Choices
The newspaper estimates that each year more than 400,000 patients are discharged from hospital between 11pm and 6am: many of whom could be elderly or vulnerable patients with inadequate care and support.
The Times sent Freedom of Information requests to 170 NHS hospital trusts and analysed data from 100 that responded. These recorded 239,233 late-night discharges in the past year, which would equate to over 400,000 across the country. This represents around 3.5% of NHS hospital discharges each year.
The Times report included case studies of several patients who had been discharged inappropriately. However, the data reported tells us only the raw number of patients discharged during the seven-hour window. It does not explain why they were discharged, what the patients experienced or how many of the discharges were inappropriate.
Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director of the NHS told The Times that he will now investigate the issue of late-night discharges. Sir Bruce said “Patients should only be discharged when it’s clinically appropriate, safe and convenient for them and their families. It is simply not fair to be sending people home late at night. We will look at this.”
Why might patients be discharged at night?
Although the story has been front-page news, it does not explain why so many patients are being discharged at night or how many of these discharges are inappropriate.Individual patients’ stories support the case that some are being discharged wrongly at night to free up beds but not all night-time discharges will be inappropriate. A small proportion of patients will always leave hospital at night for a variety of legitimate reasons, as some news sources have highlighted:
- Alcohol-related admissions: binge drinking is thought to cause over a million NHS hospitalisations each year, and drunk patients attending A&E may sometimes be transferred to wards so their health can be monitored. They may be discharged or choose to leave at night once they are more sober.
- Births: women who give birth to healthy babies often have no need to remain in hospital, and may choose to return home soon after their delivery rather than staying in hospital for the rest of the night.
- Cleared emergencies: patients brought in at night for suspected emergencies can sometimes be briefly booked into wards for checks and tests. Once it is considered safe for patients to return home they may be discharged the same night.
- Record-keeping practices: the way discharges are recorded in hospitals may not be totally accurate. For example, discharges recorded on paper might be keyed into computer systems at quieter periods such as night-time, suggesting a late-night discharge. Also, errors might occur when entering discharge times.
- Deaths: some hospital record systems count a patient as discharged if they die while in hospital. Therefore the figures are likely to include a number of patient deaths recorded during the seven-hour period from 11pm to 6am.
How can I give feedback on my hospital stay?
You can use the NHS Choices site to give feedback. As well as rating your hospital, you can also read and leave feedback on your GP practice, dental practice or optician. You can add positive and negative ratings and comment on what you have experienced. To post your views, simply find your facility in our NHS services directory and click the button marked “Rate and comment” to begin.How can I make a complaint?
If you are not happy with the care or treatment you or a relative have received, or you have been refused treatment for a condition, you have the right to:- make a complaint
- have your complaint properly investigated
- be given a full and prompt reply
If you aren’t satisfied with the way the NHS deals with your complaint, you can take it to the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Under the NHS Constitution you can also make a claim for judicial review if you think you have been directly affected by an unlawful act or decision of an NHS body, and receive compensation if you have been harmed.
You can also raise your concerns by contacting regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission. Read more about this in other options for complaints.
Links To The Headlines
Scandal of NHS patients 'thrown out in the dark'. The Times, April 12 2012 [Paid content, avaiable via subscription from The Times online]Overnight discharges from NHS hospitals to be examined. BBC News, April 12 2012
NHS patients 'discharged overnight'. The Daily Telegraph, April 12 2012
NHS patients 'discharged overnight'. The Independent, April 12 2012
NHS chief to investigate overnight discharges. The Guardian, April 12 2012
8000 NHS patients discharged in middle of night 'every week'. Metro, April 12 2012
Health News from NHS Choices
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Health boards ''could integrate care''
Health boards ''could integrate care'': Health and wellbeing boards could be the catalyst for delivering integrated care, says King's Fund
Health and Social Care News from Public Service
Health and Social Care News from Public Service
Coroner finds ‘failings’ in care of 19-month-old boy who died of dehydration
Coroner finds ‘failings’ in care of 19-month-old boy who died of dehydration:
THE CORONER for Northamptonshire has identified a series of “failings and catastrophic” mistakes made by medical staff at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) who treated a 19-month-old boy who later died of dehydration. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
THE CORONER for Northamptonshire has identified a series of “failings and catastrophic” mistakes made by medical staff at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) who treated a 19-month-old boy who later died of dehydration. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The role of the health workforce in tackling health inequalities: action on the social determinants of health
The role of the health workforce in tackling health inequalities: action on the social determinants of health:
It focusses on three main areas of action - practice, education, and incentives, monitoring, and directives. It has now been released for consultation and the closing date for comments is 18th May 2012. More ...
NHS Networks
It focusses on three main areas of action - practice, education, and incentives, monitoring, and directives. It has now been released for consultation and the closing date for comments is 18th May 2012. More ...
NHS Networks
Strategic review of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): interim report
Strategic review of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): interim report:
This interim report focusses on regulatory purpose, leadership, governance, decision making and operational management. It sets out 16 recommendations to help the NMC carry out its regulatory role better in the future.
This interim report focusses on regulatory purpose, leadership, governance, decision making and operational management. It sets out 16 recommendations to help the NMC carry out its regulatory role better in the future.
Weigh all hospital patients as one in four is malnourished: charity
Weigh all hospital patients as one in four is malnourished: charity: All patients should be weighed and measured when they are admitted to hospital, a charity has warned, as it emerged one in four people are malnourished.
Telegraph Health
Telegraph Health
NHS patients 'discharged overnight'
NHS patients 'discharged overnight':
The medical director of the NHS has promised action after it was reported that hundreds of thousands of patients are being sent home from hospital in the middle of the night to relieve pressure on beds. Independent
The medical director of the NHS has promised action after it was reported that hundreds of thousands of patients are being sent home from hospital in the middle of the night to relieve pressure on beds. Independent
Mobile stroke treatment needs more evidence
Mobile stroke treatment needs more evidence:
Treating stroke patients in specialised ambulances en route to hospital could boost the number of patients who receive lifesaving therapy, BBC News has today reported.
The news is based on a small but well-conducted study looking at whether the time taken to assess and treat stroke patients could be reduced using special “mobile stroke units”, which are vehicles kitted out with a mobile brain scanner, lab and experts in assessing strokes. Compared with traditional testing in a hospital, researchers found that being able to scan patients at the site of their stroke roughly halved the time taken to decide on an appropriate treatment. Since (in the case of most strokes) the earlier treatment is given the better the outcome, this study is important.
However, the study was not designed to find out if mobile stroke units improve important outcomes such as the long-term outlook for stroke patients, or their chances of disability or death. A larger study is required to assess whether this approach can improve clinical outcomes in stroke patients. Furthermore, the research was conducted in an urban area of Germany with short journey distances, and more research would need to test whether they have benefits in more remote settings.
In the UK, stroke experts have drawn up standards for good stroke care, including rapid response to a 999 call, prompt transfer to hospital, urgent brain scan and immediate access to a specialised stroke unit. If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, call 999 immediately. The sooner you get help, the greater the chance of recovery.
It was reported accurately by the BBC, which also included interviews with independent UK experts.
Whatever the cause of a stroke, it is vital that treatment is given as soon as possible to prevent a lack of blood and oxygen damaging the brain or even causing death. This was a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether specially equipped mobile stroke units (MSUs) could reduce the time taken for suspected stroke patients to be diagnosed and treated where appropriate, compared with conventional treatment in hospital. An RCT is the best type of study design to compare different treatment interventions.
The authors pointed out that the majority of strokes are due to blood clots in the brain. They can be treated using a “clot-busting” medicine called alteplase which dissolves blood clots (thrombolysis), but to be effective this has to be given within 4.5 hours of the onset of a stroke - the earlier the better. The authors said this is often difficult to achieve because various tests and examinations are needed to rule out another type of stroke (called a haemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in the brain) and to ensure patients are suitable for thrombolysis. It could be dangerous to give thrombolysis drugs to stroke patients with a bleed, therefore it can’t be prescribed as a matter of course. The researchers pointed out that less than 15-40% of patients with acute stroke currently arrive at hospital early enough to receive “clot-busting” treatment and only 2%-5% of patients actually receive it.
With both groups, the researchers monitored the time it took from the first emergency call for help until a medical decision was made about treatment. They also compared the intervals between the emergency call and the end of CT scanning and the end of the laboratory analysis. In addition, they compared the numbers of patients in each group who received thrombolysis, the time between the emergency call and thrombolysis and the outcome that treatment had on the patients’ brains. They also looked at other results, including survival rates seven days after the stroke.
However, it’s important to note that although researchers looked at patient outcomes seven days later, the study was not designed in a manner to assess fully whether MSUs would enable more patients to benefit from thrombolysis, would save brain tissue or reduce disability or death in these patients. Arguably all of the time-based measures assessed in the study would come secondary to these key considerations of whether MSUs would allow more patients to survive, and whether the quality of patients’ life and health would improve if they did survive.
The authors of the study also raised some of the study’s other limitations, such as the doctors assessing the patients after treatment being aware (unblinded) of the treatment that patients had received. This means that their knowledge of what treatment was received may have subconsciously influenced their assessments. The authors also noted a potential for bias in the way patients were randomised, as all stroke patients treated within a particular week received one form of treatment, and patients treated the next received the opposing treatment.
As an accompanying editorial points out, the study was set in an urban area of Germany where the average distance from the patient to the hospital was 7km. Whether an MSU could provide assessment and treatment more quickly would depend on the setting. For example, an MSU might work less well in rural areas in where local ambulance services might get patients to hospital as fast as a hospital-based MSU could get out to the patient. Equally, in built-up cities where there are numerous hospitals the journey to hospital in a conventional ambulance might be particularly quick.
MSUs, unsurprisingly, are extremely expensive, with the researchers estimating a cost of about €300,000 (£247,000) for the equipment alone. They are also likely to be resource-intensive in terms of the dedicated trained staff required to operate them.
While the idea of mobile stroke units is an exciting prospect, there is still more research and planning needed to tell if they actually do provide the best option for treating patients. It would seem that a larger study is needed to look at whether they can improve the medical outcomes stroke patients experience and whether the costs involved would be better spent on other, less expensive measures. These could include further specialised training of ambulance crews, additional specialised stroke centres (already operated with some success within the NHS), greater availability of scanners within hospitals or simply increasing the public’s awareness of the need to seek treatment early and ways to cut their stroke risk.
NHS News
The news is based on a small but well-conducted study looking at whether the time taken to assess and treat stroke patients could be reduced using special “mobile stroke units”, which are vehicles kitted out with a mobile brain scanner, lab and experts in assessing strokes. Compared with traditional testing in a hospital, researchers found that being able to scan patients at the site of their stroke roughly halved the time taken to decide on an appropriate treatment. Since (in the case of most strokes) the earlier treatment is given the better the outcome, this study is important.
However, the study was not designed to find out if mobile stroke units improve important outcomes such as the long-term outlook for stroke patients, or their chances of disability or death. A larger study is required to assess whether this approach can improve clinical outcomes in stroke patients. Furthermore, the research was conducted in an urban area of Germany with short journey distances, and more research would need to test whether they have benefits in more remote settings.
In the UK, stroke experts have drawn up standards for good stroke care, including rapid response to a 999 call, prompt transfer to hospital, urgent brain scan and immediate access to a specialised stroke unit. If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, call 999 immediately. The sooner you get help, the greater the chance of recovery.
Where did the story come from?
The study was carried out by researchers from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, Saarland University Hospital and several other centres in Germany. It was funded by the Ministry of Health of the Saarland and several other German organisations. The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Lancet Neurology.It was reported accurately by the BBC, which also included interviews with independent UK experts.
What kind of research was this?
Having a stroke is a life-threatening condition where the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either through a blockage in the blood vessels supplying the brain or due to a bleed in them. Strokes caused by a blockage are known as “ischaemic”, while those caused by a bleed are termed “haemorrhagic”. Around 80% of strokes are ischemic.Whatever the cause of a stroke, it is vital that treatment is given as soon as possible to prevent a lack of blood and oxygen damaging the brain or even causing death. This was a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether specially equipped mobile stroke units (MSUs) could reduce the time taken for suspected stroke patients to be diagnosed and treated where appropriate, compared with conventional treatment in hospital. An RCT is the best type of study design to compare different treatment interventions.
The authors pointed out that the majority of strokes are due to blood clots in the brain. They can be treated using a “clot-busting” medicine called alteplase which dissolves blood clots (thrombolysis), but to be effective this has to be given within 4.5 hours of the onset of a stroke - the earlier the better. The authors said this is often difficult to achieve because various tests and examinations are needed to rule out another type of stroke (called a haemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in the brain) and to ensure patients are suitable for thrombolysis. It could be dangerous to give thrombolysis drugs to stroke patients with a bleed, therefore it can’t be prescribed as a matter of course. The researchers pointed out that less than 15-40% of patients with acute stroke currently arrive at hospital early enough to receive “clot-busting” treatment and only 2%-5% of patients actually receive it.
What did the research involve?
Between 2008 and 2011, the researchers recruited patients aged between 18 and 80 who had one or more stroke symptoms that had started within the previous 2.5 hours. Patients experiencing a stroke were randomly selected to receive either:- pre-hospital stroke treatment at the site of the emergency in a specialised MSU equipped with a CT scanner, mobile laboratory and online medical systems
- conventional hospital-based treatment, transporting patients to hospital and carrying out similar treatments there
With both groups, the researchers monitored the time it took from the first emergency call for help until a medical decision was made about treatment. They also compared the intervals between the emergency call and the end of CT scanning and the end of the laboratory analysis. In addition, they compared the numbers of patients in each group who received thrombolysis, the time between the emergency call and thrombolysis and the outcome that treatment had on the patients’ brains. They also looked at other results, including survival rates seven days after the stroke.
What were the basic results?
The researchers had planned to include 200 patients but stopped the trial after analysing results on the first 100 (53 in the pre-hospital stroke treatment group, 47 in the control group). They found that compared with standard hospital treatment, the pre-hospital stroke treatment:- reduced the time from the first call for help to a decision about treatment, from 76 to 35 minutes on average (median difference 41 min, 95% CI 36 to 48 min)
- reduced the average time between the first call for help and the end of CT scan
- reduced the average time between the first call for help and the end of laboratory analysis
- reduced the average time between the first call for help and the start of intravenous thrombolysis for eligible ischaemic stroke patients
How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers concluded that mobile stroke units offer a potential solution to the problem of most stroke patients arriving at hospital too late for treatment.Conclusion
This small study found that using specialised mobile stroke units to assess and treat suspected stroke patients at the site of the emergency roughly halved the time taken for doctors to decide on the appropriate treatment. Since, in the case of most strokes, the earlier thrombolytic treatment is given the better the outcome, this is important. As the authors pointed out, stroke is a medical emergency where time is critical for saving the brain, and patients’ lives.However, it’s important to note that although researchers looked at patient outcomes seven days later, the study was not designed in a manner to assess fully whether MSUs would enable more patients to benefit from thrombolysis, would save brain tissue or reduce disability or death in these patients. Arguably all of the time-based measures assessed in the study would come secondary to these key considerations of whether MSUs would allow more patients to survive, and whether the quality of patients’ life and health would improve if they did survive.
The authors of the study also raised some of the study’s other limitations, such as the doctors assessing the patients after treatment being aware (unblinded) of the treatment that patients had received. This means that their knowledge of what treatment was received may have subconsciously influenced their assessments. The authors also noted a potential for bias in the way patients were randomised, as all stroke patients treated within a particular week received one form of treatment, and patients treated the next received the opposing treatment.
As an accompanying editorial points out, the study was set in an urban area of Germany where the average distance from the patient to the hospital was 7km. Whether an MSU could provide assessment and treatment more quickly would depend on the setting. For example, an MSU might work less well in rural areas in where local ambulance services might get patients to hospital as fast as a hospital-based MSU could get out to the patient. Equally, in built-up cities where there are numerous hospitals the journey to hospital in a conventional ambulance might be particularly quick.
MSUs, unsurprisingly, are extremely expensive, with the researchers estimating a cost of about €300,000 (£247,000) for the equipment alone. They are also likely to be resource-intensive in terms of the dedicated trained staff required to operate them.
While the idea of mobile stroke units is an exciting prospect, there is still more research and planning needed to tell if they actually do provide the best option for treating patients. It would seem that a larger study is needed to look at whether they can improve the medical outcomes stroke patients experience and whether the costs involved would be better spent on other, less expensive measures. These could include further specialised training of ambulance crews, additional specialised stroke centres (already operated with some success within the NHS), greater availability of scanners within hospitals or simply increasing the public’s awareness of the need to seek treatment early and ways to cut their stroke risk.
Links To The Headlines
Ambulance staff 'can speed up stroke treatment'. BBC News, April 11 2012Links To Science
Walter S, Kostopoulos P, Haass A et al. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with stroke in a mobile stroke unit versus in hospital: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology, Early Online Publication, April 11 2012NHS News
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Save our ambulance stations
Save our ambulance stations:
People have expressed their fears after East Midlands Ambulance Service announced it could close stations in the area as part of a major overhaul of the service. The Evening Telegraph
People have expressed their fears after East Midlands Ambulance Service announced it could close stations in the area as part of a major overhaul of the service. The Evening Telegraph
BREAKING NEWS: Inquest told 19-month-old Northampton boy who died of dehydration received “sub standard care” before his death
BREAKING NEWS: Inquest told 19-month-old Northampton boy who died of dehydration received “sub standard care” before his death:
THE mother of a 19-month-old boy from Northampton who died of dehydration told an inquest today that her son was provided with “sub standard care” in the days before his death. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
THE mother of a 19-month-old boy from Northampton who died of dehydration told an inquest today that her son was provided with “sub standard care” in the days before his death. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
First health visitor implementation progress report published
First health visitor implementation progress report published:
The Department has committed to publishing progress reports every quarter until 2015.
Published in December 2011, the Health visitor implementation progress report set out progress on key areas of the programme during its first year of activity. This is a four year transformational programme linked to public health improvement. Its key aims are to improve services and health outcomes in the foundation years for children, families and local communities, through expanding and strengthening the health visiting service. NHS Networks
The Department has committed to publishing progress reports every quarter until 2015.
Published in December 2011, the Health visitor implementation progress report set out progress on key areas of the programme during its first year of activity. This is a four year transformational programme linked to public health improvement. Its key aims are to improve services and health outcomes in the foundation years for children, families and local communities, through expanding and strengthening the health visiting service. NHS Networks
Boost for open access to research
Boost for open access to research: One of the world's largest research charities, the Wellcome Trust, is to support efforts by scientists to make their work freely available for all. BBC News
Nursing regulator 'too weak'
Nursing regulator 'too weak': The body that regulates nurses and midwives in the UK is failing to adequately carry out its duties due to poor management, an interim review says. BBC News
Mobile stroke units 'hasten care'
Mobile stroke units 'hasten care': Treating stroke in specialised ambulances en route to hospital is feasible and could boost the number of patients who receive life-saving therapy, experts believe. BBC News
CCG authorisation guide published
CCG authorisation guide published: Clinical commissioning groups will be able to receive full authorisation by the end of October this year, in the first of four monthly waves of approvals that are due to be complete by 31 January 2013. E-health Insider
Maternity services pathway payment system: a simple guide 2012-13
Maternity services pathway payment system: a simple guide 2012-13:
This guide provides a summary of the proposed 2013/14 Payment by Results pathway funding system for maternity services. It identifies what the NHS needs to do during 2012/13 to prepare for its implementation.
This guide provides a summary of the proposed 2013/14 Payment by Results pathway funding system for maternity services. It identifies what the NHS needs to do during 2012/13 to prepare for its implementation.
Safeguarding in 2012: views from the frontline
Safeguarding in 2012: views from the frontline:
This report is the result of a survey of doctors in England about the implications of the Munro Review and the Health and Social Care Act on child safeguarding. It makes recommendations intended for all practitioners, agencies and policymakers that will inform national developments and the direction of child protection policy and training at the College.
This report is the result of a survey of doctors in England about the implications of the Munro Review and the Health and Social Care Act on child safeguarding. It makes recommendations intended for all practitioners, agencies and policymakers that will inform national developments and the direction of child protection policy and training at the College.
Pilot scheme to test babies for more inherited diseases
Pilot scheme to test babies for more inherited diseases:
A pilot scheme starting in July will be run by the NHS in order to test over half the babies born in the UK for five inherited diseases.The pilot will test around 430,000 babies born in the UK for the diseases using a blood sample.Of the 700,000 babies born in the UK annually, each is tested for inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis.As a result of the screening, around 1,000 babies are found to have... Healthcare Today
A pilot scheme starting in July will be run by the NHS in order to test over half the babies born in the UK for five inherited diseases.The pilot will test around 430,000 babies born in the UK for the diseases using a blood sample.Of the 700,000 babies born in the UK annually, each is tested for inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis.As a result of the screening, around 1,000 babies are found to have... Healthcare Today
Physiotherapists banned from touching patients
Physiotherapists banned from touching patients: Physiotherapists have been banned from touching their patients in a cost-cutting move described as "barmy" by experts.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Christina Patterson: Reforms in the 1990s were supposed to make nursing care better.
The second part of our week-long series on the crisis of caring in British nursing addresses the question of what, precisely, has gone wrong. The Independent
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Target failure may cost trust £5.2m
Target failure may cost trust £5.2m:
POSSIBLE fines for failing to hit speed targets next year could “jeopardise the future viability” of East Midlands Ambulance Service, finance chiefs have claimed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
POSSIBLE fines for failing to hit speed targets next year could “jeopardise the future viability” of East Midlands Ambulance Service, finance chiefs have claimed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Doctors failed to spot toddler's fatal illness on THREE occasions before he died - Daily Mail
Doctors failed to spot toddler's fatal illness on THREE occasions before he died - Daily Mail:
 Daily Mail | Doctors failed to spot toddler's fatal illness on THREE occasions before he died Daily Mail With his worried mother Lucy at his side, Harry was admitted to Northampton General Hospital that evening, before being discharged the next day. However when he was unable to keep down fluids, his family took him back to the same hospital on April 28. Inquest into death of 19-month-old-boy to hear evidence from mother who ...Northampton Chronicle & Echo all 3 news articles » |
Are we expecting too much from the Care Quality Commission? | Anna Dixon
Are we expecting too much from the Care Quality Commission? | Anna Dixon: A report by the Public Accounts Committee has once again highlighted the challenges the Care Quality Commission has faced since it was set up in 2009. But are we expecting too much from a quality regulator? (Blog, Anna Dixon) Kings Fund
Materials to support improved access and reduced waiting times in elective care
Materials to support improved access and reduced waiting times in elective care:
You can access the Referral to Treatment consultant-led waiting times rules, methodology papers, Frequently Asked Questions, and practical tools for waiting list management.
A range of tools to help providers manage capacity and demand and elective waiting lists are also available on the NHS Interim Management and Support (IMAS) website.
You can also view an Inflammatory Arthritis Patient Pathway – a guide to what information is available and might be useful to patients at every key stage of their journey. Department of Health
You can access the Referral to Treatment consultant-led waiting times rules, methodology papers, Frequently Asked Questions, and practical tools for waiting list management.
A range of tools to help providers manage capacity and demand and elective waiting lists are also available on the NHS Interim Management and Support (IMAS) website.
Referral to Treatment waiting times statistics
The monthly Referral To Treatment (RTT) data collections monitor the length of time from referral through to treatment.Elective care commissioning pathways
There are a number of elective care condition based and symptom based commissioning pathways available. These show a structured approach to commissioning local services.You can also view an Inflammatory Arthritis Patient Pathway – a guide to what information is available and might be useful to patients at every key stage of their journey. Department of Health
Diabetes blood pressure warning
Diabetes blood pressure warning: Half of people with diabetes in England are failing to keep control of their blood pressure, risking a range of "damaging" complications, figures suggest. BBC News
VIDEO: Malaria fight 'badly compromised'
VIDEO: Malaria fight 'badly compromised': Scientists have found new evidence that resistance to the front-line treatments for malaria is increasing. BBC News
Exclusive: NHS Commissioning Board may stipulate staff CCGs employ
Exclusive: NHS Commissioning Board may stipulate staff CCGs employ: The NHS Commissioning Board (NCB) will have powers to stipulate types of staff clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) employ, according to draft authorisation guidance to be discussed next week. GP Online
NHS spending on drugs fell in 2011
NHS spending on drugs fell in 2011: The NHS in England spent less on its drugs budget last year, bucking the longstanding upward trend.This is because a number of major drugs have lost patent protection in the last few years. The NHS in England spent ;8.81 billion for all of its prescription medicines in primary care last year, a 0.1% drop compared to the ;8.83 billion spent in 2010. The data comes from the NHS Information Centre and shows that amount spent on prescription drugs by GPs in England.read more
Healthcare market to be investigated
Calls have been made for an investigation into the private healthcare market in the UK, which is worth £5.5bn.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has asked the Competition Commission to launch an inquiry – which could take two years - following a public consultation earlier this year after which it said it suspected competition was being restricted.
The OFT holds the view “that the private healthcare... Healthcare Today
Four-year doctor training urged
Four-year doctor training urged:
The RCGP has said the period of time for GP training should be extended to four years.
It is making a submission along those lines to the Medical Programme Board of Medical Education England (MEE) to see the 12-month increase in the current GP specialty training period to reflect growing demands on GPs and primary care as the main setting for an increasing amount of patient services.
It is also suggesti... Healthcare Today
The RCGP has said the period of time for GP training should be extended to four years.
It is making a submission along those lines to the Medical Programme Board of Medical Education England (MEE) to see the 12-month increase in the current GP specialty training period to reflect growing demands on GPs and primary care as the main setting for an increasing amount of patient services.
It is also suggesti... Healthcare Today
New smoking rules help those wanting to stop, says Andrew Lansley
New smoking rules help those wanting to stop, says Andrew Lansley:
Government to press ahead with measures to discourage smoking as ban on tobacco promotion in shops comes into force
Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, has hailed the ban on smoking in public places for the way it had changed attitudes and ensured that smoking was ceasing to be a "part of life".
As a ban on tobacco promotion in large shops came into force in England on Friday, Lansley pledged to press ahead with measures to discourage smoking.
He said the new rules were designed to ensure all large shops and supermarkets in England must hide cigarettes and tobacco products from public view. "It's also about supporting smokers who want to give up," the health secretary told BBC Breakfast.
"There's more than a third of smokers who say they want to stop. Each year we have nearly 800,000 smokers who try to quit, 50% succeed. We want to continue to increase that proportion, help more people to stop." The Department of Health said the new restrictions were necessary because evidence suggests cigarette displays could encourage young people to start smoking. Figures released by the department showed that more than 300,000 children under the age of 16 try smoking every year. It estimates 5% of children between the ages of 11 and 15 are regular smokers.
Lansley dismissed the idea that young people could find smoking more exciting if tobacco was hidden.
"The culture is about moving to a place where tobacco and smoking isn't part of normal life: people don't encounter it normally, they don't see it in their big supermarkets, they don't see people smoking in public places, they don't see tobacco vending machines," he said. "We are going to continue to try to act against smoking for the simple reason that most smokers want to quit and it is the biggest avoidable cause of early mortality."
Lansley's strong praise for the smoking ban, imposed by a free vote in parliament in 2006, shows he has changed his views. In the 2005 general election he called, as shadow health secretary, for voluntary agreements on whether to ban smoking. Labour called for a partial ban while the Liberal Democrats called for an outright ban.
Lansley admitted in February 2006, when MPs voted in favour of the ban, that he was proposing a "complex" series of positions. This involved tabling an amendment to ban smoking in parts of private clubs to which children have access. But he voted against government plans as the Tories tried to ensure private clubs would be exempt from the ban.
He told MPs then: "The voting might be complex, but the principles involved are pretty straightforward. We must reduce smoking and the exposure to secondhand smoke. We should not permit people's liberty to choose whether to smoke to extend to a licence to cause harm to others, but we cannot allow legislation to intrude into the choices that people make in their private space."
Jean King, of Cancer Research UK, told the BBC: "We want everything we can possibly do to make cigarettes unavailable and inaccessible and something that children don't see as a normal product … we need to do everything we can to prevent young people getting hold of cigarettes." The Guardian
Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, has hailed the ban on smoking in public places for the way it had changed attitudes and ensured that smoking was ceasing to be a "part of life".
As a ban on tobacco promotion in large shops came into force in England on Friday, Lansley pledged to press ahead with measures to discourage smoking.
He said the new rules were designed to ensure all large shops and supermarkets in England must hide cigarettes and tobacco products from public view. "It's also about supporting smokers who want to give up," the health secretary told BBC Breakfast.
"There's more than a third of smokers who say they want to stop. Each year we have nearly 800,000 smokers who try to quit, 50% succeed. We want to continue to increase that proportion, help more people to stop." The Department of Health said the new restrictions were necessary because evidence suggests cigarette displays could encourage young people to start smoking. Figures released by the department showed that more than 300,000 children under the age of 16 try smoking every year. It estimates 5% of children between the ages of 11 and 15 are regular smokers.
Lansley dismissed the idea that young people could find smoking more exciting if tobacco was hidden.
"The culture is about moving to a place where tobacco and smoking isn't part of normal life: people don't encounter it normally, they don't see it in their big supermarkets, they don't see people smoking in public places, they don't see tobacco vending machines," he said. "We are going to continue to try to act against smoking for the simple reason that most smokers want to quit and it is the biggest avoidable cause of early mortality."
Lansley's strong praise for the smoking ban, imposed by a free vote in parliament in 2006, shows he has changed his views. In the 2005 general election he called, as shadow health secretary, for voluntary agreements on whether to ban smoking. Labour called for a partial ban while the Liberal Democrats called for an outright ban.
Lansley admitted in February 2006, when MPs voted in favour of the ban, that he was proposing a "complex" series of positions. This involved tabling an amendment to ban smoking in parts of private clubs to which children have access. But he voted against government plans as the Tories tried to ensure private clubs would be exempt from the ban.
He told MPs then: "The voting might be complex, but the principles involved are pretty straightforward. We must reduce smoking and the exposure to secondhand smoke. We should not permit people's liberty to choose whether to smoke to extend to a licence to cause harm to others, but we cannot allow legislation to intrude into the choices that people make in their private space."
Jean King, of Cancer Research UK, told the BBC: "We want everything we can possibly do to make cigarettes unavailable and inaccessible and something that children don't see as a normal product … we need to do everything we can to prevent young people getting hold of cigarettes." The Guardian
Cancer diagnosis among catalogue of NHS fax blunders
Cancer diagnosis among catalogue of NHS fax blunders: Sensitive medical records including a patient's diagnosis of cancer were faxed to strangers by NHS hospitals.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Christina Patterson: More nurses, better paid than ever – so why are standards going down?
Christina Patterson: More nurses, better paid than ever – so why are standards going down?:
Let's get one thing straight. There never was a golden age of nursing. Florence Nightingale wasn't Jesus, and nor were the people she recruited and trained. There was a report to a select committee, triggered by a scandal in poor nursing, in 1892. There was another one in 1932, and another in 1939. There have been scandals in nursing for as long as nursing has been around. The Independent
Let's get one thing straight. There never was a golden age of nursing. Florence Nightingale wasn't Jesus, and nor were the people she recruited and trained. There was a report to a select committee, triggered by a scandal in poor nursing, in 1892. There was another one in 1932, and another in 1939. There have been scandals in nursing for as long as nursing has been around. The Independent
NHS managers draw up plans to cope with first mass walkout by doctors
NHS managers draw up plans to cope with first mass walkout by doctors:
National Health Service managers have been told to draw up contingency plans to deal with the threat of the first-ever strike by doctors in England, which could take place within two months. The Independent
National Health Service managers have been told to draw up contingency plans to deal with the threat of the first-ever strike by doctors in England, which could take place within two months. The Independent
Community services governance indicators: Monitor's requirements for 2011/12
Community services governance indicators: Monitor's requirements for 2011/12: 
This document summarises Monitor’s requirements for community services governance indicators for 2011/12.
This document summarises Monitor’s requirements for community services governance indicators for 2011/12.
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