Social care services 'at risk'

Social care services 'at risk': Budget cuts of up to £85m would put severe pressure on Northamptonshire's adult and children's social care services, a report finds. BBC Northamptonshire

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?: Less than two weeks ago, we said that the current health and social care system is not fit to meet current and future demands and requires radical reform.

Now the publication from the Royal College of Physicians, Hospitals on the edge? Time for action, – and hot on its heels, The state of medical education and practice in the UK, from the General Medical Council – provide further compelling evidence for the need for change. In essence both these reports describe a fundamental misalignment of the medical workforce, and the way in which care is organised, with the needs of the patients. The RCP report in particular makes salutary reading.

Dental mouth cancer checks urged

Dental mouth cancer checks urged: More dentists need to be checking their patients for mouth cancer, say experts. BBC News

Incapacity benefits appeals heap unpaid work upon GPs

Incapacity benefits appeals heap unpaid work upon GPs: Practices have faced a huge surge in unfunded work in the past 18 months as thousands of patients ask for help with benefits appeals, GP leaders say. GP Online

CCGs plan to limit private sector role

CCGs plan to limit private sector role: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are planning to add clauses to their constitutions to limit the role of private providers, GP can reveal. GP Online

Care and support at home

Care and support at home: The Good Governance Institute has published a report into out of hospital care. 'Care and support at home: an audit of telecare services in England' examines how care services in the future need to be developed. It provides a number of recommendations aimed at Government and local authority officials about how telecare services and user outcomes can be improved. It is targeted at policy-makers, local authority councillors with an interest in adult social care, local authority directors of adult social services, and health and wellbeing board members. Its purpose is to encourage decision-makers to understand the current provision of telecare services in England and how services can be improved for the future.

Report: http://www.good-governance.org.uk/Product%20Menus/audit-of-telecare-services-in-england.htm 

Good Governance Institute

Atlas of Variation in healthcare for people with respiratory disease

Atlas of Variation in healthcare for people with respiratory disease: Right Care has produced a new themed Atlas which highlights variation in care for people with respiratory disease. The indicators presented in this document underline the substantial scope clinicians and commissioners have to improve outcomes by ensuring that all patients receive the quality of care that is delivered in the best-performing localities.

GMC trialling new system to improve how complaints against doctors are investigated

GMC trialling new system to improve how complaints against doctors are investigated: A new system to improve how complaints against doctors are investigated is to be trialled by the General Medical Council (GMC), it was announced today.

More support needed for smokeless tobacco cessation in South Asian communities, says new NICE guidance

More support needed for smokeless tobacco cessation in South Asian communities, says new NICE guidance: NICE has published final guidance on providing support for people in South Asian communities on stopping the use of  smokeless tobacco products, such as Paan, Gutka, Shupari, and Betel Quid.  Contrary to perceptions that these types of products are healthy or beneficial, they are in fact associated with serious health problems such as oral cancer, serious dental problems, heart attack and stroke, and problems in pregnancy.

New 'SARS-like' virus detected

New 'SARS-like' virus detected:

A new “SARS-like” virus has been detected in the UK, according to widespread media reports. The headlines are based on press releases from the UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Coroners make record number of recommendations to NHS

Coroners make record number of recommendations to NHS: Coroners have issued a record numbers of recommendations to hospitals in order to prevent future patient deaths. The Daily Telegraph

Nurse and midwife total falls by 6,000

Nurse and midwife total falls by 6,000: The number of nurses and midwives working in the NHS has fallen by almost 6,000 in two years, figures show. The Independent

Cardiologist struck off for molesting young boys

Cardiologist struck off for molesting young boys:
An internationally renowned former Great Ormond Street cardiologist has been struck off the medical register after he was found guilty of molesting young boys. The Independent

New features to be added to mental health report following successful consultation

New features to be added to mental health report following successful consultation: The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) is to further enhance one of its biggest annual mental health reports following a successful con... NHS Information Centre

NHS meeting to discuss plans for the future

NHS meeting to discuss plans for the future: A county NHS service will discuss its plans for the future at a public meeting this week. Evening Telegraph

Consultation on ambulance stations in Northamptonshire

Consultation on ambulance stations in Northamptonshire: People in Northamptonshire are being urged to have their say on the possible closure of ambulance stations. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Patients value care over longer hospital journeys

Patients value care over longer hospital journeys: Most patients who have studied NHS proposals to move obstetrics and emergency surgery services around the region, ranked journey times as the least important factor. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Patient-level costing: can it yield efficiency savings?

Patient-level costing: can it yield efficiency savings?: The report examines in depth the experience of one NHS trust with a patient-level information and costing system. These computerised information systems were introduced in the NHS in the mid-2000s, and are currently used in many other countries. NHS Networks

How threatening is the new coronavirus?

How threatening is the new coronavirus?: How worried should we be by new Sars-like bug? BBC News

'Convenience should not compromise confidentiality'

'Convenience should not compromise confidentiality': Medical Protection Society (MPS) raises concerns over the use of tablet computers for patient data Public Service

NHS rationing 'forcing patients to go private'

NHS rationing 'forcing patients to go private': More patients are going private because the NHS is increasingly cutting back on providing a range of treatments. The Daily Telegraph

Eye clinics 'can't cope with demand' for sight-saving drugs

Eye clinics 'can't cope with demand' for sight-saving drugs: Elderly patients with a common eye condition are needlessly losing their sight because doctors are not treating them in time, campaigners have warned. The Daily Telegraph

Cancer deaths 'to fall 17% by 2030'

Cancer deaths 'to fall 17% by 2030':
Cancer death rates in the UK are set to fall by almost 17 per cent by 2030, experts predict. The Independent

County consultation on health and well-being

County consultation on health and well-being: Residents are being urged to have their say on what health and well-being means to them as part of a public consultation launched this week. Evening Telegraph

NHS Northamptonshire failing heart, stroke and kidney failure patients

NHS Northamptonshire failing heart, stroke and kidney failure patients: Diabetes, heart stroke and kidney failure patients are being failed by a lack of important health checks being carried out by NHS Northamptonshire according to a new report from Diabetes UK. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Guidance published on sharing information to tackle violence

Guidance published on sharing information to tackle violence:
This Guidance highlights how Community Safety Partnerships  (CSPs) made up of local authorities, the Police and other local agencies can reduce violence in their community by encouraging A&Es to collect and share information on time, type and location of assault, as part of the Government’s commitment to deliver on Information Sharing to Tackle Violence.
Information can be anonymised, aggregated and shared with local CSPs to identify where violence is happening and inform local interventions to tackle it. Interventions such as restricting alcohol licensing and targeting policing can have a big impact on community safety.
This guidance should also support CSP partners to understand better ways of engaging with their health partners at a local level.
This guidance includes:

• advice and tools to support CSPs to share information to reduce violence
• advice on data collection, use and feedback
• information on how to engage with health partners effectively
• relevant information on NHS and Public Health reform

Read the guidance on Information Sharing to Tackle Violence Department of Health

GMC must investigate rationing and quality premium, says GPC

GMC must investigate rationing and quality premium, says GPC: Proposed quality premium payments for commissioning groups and rationing of NHS care are 'appallingly unethical' and should be investigated by the GMC, GP leaders have said. GP Online

Papering over the cracks: the impact of social care funding on the NHS

Papering over the cracks: the impact of social care funding on the NHS: Demand for both NHS and social care services is increasing rapidly, due to growing demographic pressure from an ageing population and an increasing number of people living with complex care needs. Funding is not keeping pace with demand. NHS Confederation

Carers and telecare

Carers and telecare:

According
to Carers UK, despite huge potential benefits of using telecare and
telehealth, families caring for ill, frail and disabled loved ones are
still facing barriers to accessing the service.

• Report
• Carers UK - press release

Delivering quality care for drug and alcohol users: the roles and competencies of doctors

Delivering quality care for drug and alcohol users: the roles and competencies of doctors:
This
guidance, published by the Royal College of General Practitioners and
the Royal College of Psychiatrists, highlights the need for services to
employ teams with the right mix of skills and clinical expertise to
support the recovery of people with drug and alcohol problems. It is
also intended as timely assistance in the transition towards new
commissioning arrangements for drug and alcohol services next year.

• Guidance
• Royal College of Psychiatrists - press release

Jeremy Hunt in new row over bid to hire adviser from private health sector

Jeremy Hunt in new row over bid to hire adviser from private health sector: New health secretary accused of privatisation agenda
Jeremy Hunt has again been accused of having too close links to private healthcare after it emerged that he is in talks to hire a personal adviser from the sector as one of his first moves as health secretary.

Closing one in three hospitals would improve patient care – leading doctor

Closing one in three hospitals would improve patient care – leading doctor: Centralisation of NHS services would put more doctors in one place, says Professor Tim Evans of Royal College of Physicians
Shutting a third of hospitals would improve quality of care and should be part of changes to the NHS that would let patients see their GP or have surgery at the weekend, a leading doctor has claimed.

Primary care holds the key to raising quality of dementia patients' lives

Primary care holds the key to raising quality of dementia patients' lives: New campaign launches to tackle dementia stigma and drive concerned people to consult their GP

NHS 'heading for disaster' over lack of nurses

NHS 'heading for disaster' over lack of nurses: The NHS is heading for "disaster" because nursing training places are being cut even though record numbers of nurses are set to retire, David Cameron warned. The Daily Telegraph

Storm of protest over 'don't act too gay' advice to trainee doctors

Storm of protest over 'don't act too gay' advice to trainee doctors:
Controversial advice by a senior GP to would-be family doctors to act "less overtly gay " if they wanted to pass exams provoked a storm of protest yesterday as the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) started its inquiry into the affair. The Independent

NHS chiefs: don't take £2bn to patch up social care

NHS chiefs: don't take £2bn to patch up social care:
The NHS will "buckle under the pressure" unless the Government stops using it to plug the funding gap in social care, health leaders warn today. The Independent

Acute respiratory illness associated with a new virus identified in the UK

Acute respiratory illness associated with a new virus identified in the UK: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm the diagnosis of one laboratory confirmed case of severe respiratory illness associated with a new type of coronavirus. The patient, who is from the Middle East and recently arrived in the UK, is receiving intensive care treatment in a London hospital. Health Protection Agency

Patients take part in health budget pilot

Patients take part in health budget pilot: County patients have been involved in a trial designed to give them more choice and control over their healthcare which may now be replicated in other areas. Evening Telegraph

Computer virus in monitoring equipment sees appointments cancelled at Northampton General Hospital

Computer virus in monitoring equipment sees appointments cancelled at Northampton General Hospital:
Appointments were cancelled at NGH “in the interests of patient safety” after a computer problem affected medical monitoring equipment. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Health staff urged to get flu jab

Health staff urged to get flu jab:
Health staff are being urged to get vaccinated against flu to cut the risk of it spreading to patients and colleagues this winter.

NHS must have 'brave and honest' debate about rationing, RCGP says

NHS must have 'brave and honest' debate about rationing, RCGP says: The NHS needs to have a 'brave and honest' debate about rationing and whether it should continue to fund medicines available OTC, RCGP chairwoman Professor Clare Gerada has argued. GP Online

NHS mixed-sex breaches ''at all-time low''

NHS mixed-sex breaches ''at all-time low'': Mixed-sex accommodation breaches for hospitals in England have fallen by 99 per cent in two years Public Service

40m SCRs by 2014

40m SCRs by 2014: The Summary Care Record programme is on track to reach 40m people by early 2014. E-Health Insider

Criminal record and barring checks - new decision tree tool

Criminal record and barring checks - new decision tree tool: To support employers in making the assessment of when criminal record checks are required and eligibility for the level of check, the NHS Employers organisation has produced a new decision tree tool. NHS Employers

Home truths: how dysfunctional relationships between GPs and social care staff are driving demand for adult social care

Home truths: how dysfunctional relationships between GPs and social care staff are driving demand for adult social care:
According
to research by iMPOWER, GPs inflate demand for residential care by at
least 60,000 older people every year because they don’t understand the
alternatives. The study, based on interviews with older people, social
care professionals, GPs and directors of adult social care reveals a
bold consensus that by not addressing this, local authorities are
failing to manage demand for residential care.

• Report
• iMPOWER - news

Patient-level costing: can it yield efficiency savings?

Patient-level costing: can it yield efficiency savings?:
According
to the Nuffield Trust many hospitals in England are still unable to
track costs because they are using outdated IT systems. This report
examines in depth the experience of one NHS Trust which is more advanced
than most, in that it has a ‘patient-level information and costing
system’. These computerised information systems were introduced in the
NHS in the mid-2000s, and are currently used in many other countries.

• Report
• Research summary
• Nuffield Trust - press release

Serco gave NHS false data about its GP service 252 times

Serco gave NHS false data about its GP service 252 times: Private firm admits altering data about out-of-hours doctor service in Cornwall, prompting call for review of contract
Serco, the leading private contractor to the government, has admitted that it presented false data to the NHS 252 times on the performance of its out-of-hours GP service in Cornwall.

A quarter of cancer patients only diagnosed in casualty

A quarter of cancer patients only diagnosed in casualty: Research raises fresh questions about the NHS's ability to spot the disease early enough.
One in four cancer patients is diagnosed only after they end up in casualty, according to research that raises fresh questions about the NHS's ability to spot the disease early enough.

Maternity units must be closed to make childbirth safer, report says

Maternity units must be closed to make childbirth safer, report says: Maternity units must be shut and merged into new 'super-units' to help women give birth safely, experts say. The Daily Telegraph

Male suicide rate is 'not acceptable'

Male suicide rate is 'not acceptable': As a report is released revealing that middle-aged men from disadvantaged backgrounds are 10 times more likely to commit suicide than more affluent men, Professor Stephen Platt from the University of Edinburgh explains some of the reasons behind the high male suicide rate. The Daily Telegraph

UK hospital has 40 per cent death rate after abdominal ops

UK hospital has 40 per cent death rate after abdominal ops: More than four in 10 patients undergoing abdominal surgery at one hospital in the UK die within 30 days, according to figures described as "shocking" yesterday. The Independent

Ousted minister Paul Burstow attacks George Osborne over elderly care

Ousted minister Paul Burstow attacks George Osborne over elderly care: Former Health Minister Paul Burstow has urged the Coalition leaders to "take on the Treasury" to stop George Osborne blocking plans for funding elderly care. The Independent

NHS encourages smokers to give up next month

NHS encourages smokers to give up next month: Throughout October, NHS Northamptonshire is launching a ‘Stoptober’ campaign in an effort to help people give up smoking. Evening Telegraph

New health guide for older people being launched in Corby

New health guide for older people being launched in Corby: A new health guide is being launched for Corby aimed at older people in the town. Evening Telegraph

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?: In the light of two new reports, Candace Imison reflects on the impact of staff provision during out-of-hours on the quality of care. King's Fund

NHS must deal with risk posed by SME suppliers

NHS must deal with risk posed by SME suppliers: Government must consider challenges of opening NHS procurement to smaller suppliers, Intellect official warns Public Service

NHS Confederation calls for bold action and investment by commissioners to improve sustainability of NHS services

NHS Confederation calls for bold action and investment by commissioners to improve sustainability of NHS services: NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar calls on NHS Commissioning Board, due to take the reins in October, to be bolder in releasing the cash in the system to help providers transform their service

Half of medical reporting 'is subject to spin'

Half of medical reporting 'is subject to spin':

A study that you probably won’t be reading in your daily paper or favourite news website anytime soon casts serious doubts on the reliability of mainstream medical and health journalism.
The study found that 51% of news items reporting on medical trials – specifically on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which are seen as the gold standard in judging whether a treatment is effective or safe – were subject to “spin”.

The right to live

The right to live: Jill Davies, Research Programme Manager talks about the shocking case of a man with Down's syndrome suing East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust over a hospital's decision to issue a DNR order. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

NHS has cash reserves of £4bn, report shows

NHS has cash reserves of £4bn, report shows:

Disclosure raises questions over tight health budgets and draws criticism from Unison

The NHS has built up cash reserves of almost £4bn even as rationing has increased, the number of nurses has fallen and the service has had to make unprecedented savings, an Audit Commission report reveals.

NHS under pressure with more trusts in the red

NHS under pressure with more trusts in the red: Number of NHS trusts in financial difficulty has more than doubled in a year, an Audit Commission report warns. The Daily Telegraph

NHS faces £8bn cuts 'after next election'

NHS faces £8bn cuts 'after next election':
The National Health Service could face cuts of almost £8bn immediately after the next general election, according to the first analysis of the Government's own figures as it draws up another round of spending reductions. The |Independent

Hunt paves way for U-turn on casualty unit closures

Hunt paves way for U-turn on casualty unit closures: Jeremy Hunt has ordered a fresh political assessment of controversial plans to shut hospital casualty units as one of his first acts as Health Secretary. The Independent

Personal health budgets: the 10 features of an effective process

Personal health budgets: the 10 features of an effective process: It draws on the learning of pilot sites in the region and nationally to outline the 10 features of an effective personal health budget process within NHS continuing healthcare. NHS Networks

Painkillers 'cause' of headaches

Painkillers 'cause' of headaches: Up to a million people in the UK are giving themselves severe headaches by taking too many painkillers, doctors have warned. BBC News

Health ministers' portfolios revealed by DH

Health ministers' portfolios revealed by DH: Conservative peer Lord Howe will remain the health minister responsible for primary care and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) following the cabinet reshuffle. GP Online

Hospitals on the Edge

Hospitals on the Edge: The Royal College of Physicians has published 'Hospitals on the edge: the time for action?' This report sets out the magnitude of the challenges facing acute care services. It is a call for action for all involved in the design and delivery of health services. The report suggests it is increasingly clear that the organisation of hospital care must be radically reviewed if the health service is to meet the needs of patients. Royal College of Physicians

Shake-up to employment law

Shake-up to employment law: The Coalition Government started a systematic review of employment law in 2010. This is the update. NHS Employers

Safe staffing for older people: RCN full report and recommendations

Safe staffing for older people: RCN full report and recommendations: This report, from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), sets out guidance and recommendations for the provision of good quality, compassionate and
safe nursing care for older people in hospital.

• Report 
• RCN - publications

Caring Conversations: Half a Million Voices: improving support for BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) carers – one year on

Caring Conversations: Half a Million Voices: improving support for BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) carers – one year on: As part of a series of Caring Conversations policy and practice papers focussing on carers, Carers UK and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have jointly produced a briefing looking at improving recognition, responsiveness and outcomes for BAME carers, to mark the first anniversary of the publication of the research Half a Million Voices.

• Briefing
• Carers UK - policy briefings

British Social Attitudes 29

British Social Attitudes 29: The National Centre for Social Research has released the latest British Social Attitudes report, a study of how people's lives are changing and their views on how Britain is run. It draws on three decades of data, and spans three recessions and seven elections. The results for health show a decrease in the public's satisfaction with the way the NHS is run.

• Full report
• Health
• National Cenre for Social Attitudes - press release

Cancer support offered by libraries

Cancer support offered by libraries:


Macmillan Cancer Support and Glasgow Life are collaborating in order to offer cancer support and information at libraries across the city.The new project, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, wants to ensure that people with cancer are able to get support from their local community.A Macmillan Service Delivery Manager will lead a team of volunteers at 25 libraries around Glasgow.The... Healthcare Today

Complaints about doctors at 'record high'

Complaints about doctors at 'record high':

The number of complaints against doctors in the UK is on the rise, according to widespread media coverage. The Daily Telegraph has reported that complaints have reached a “record high”, while the Daily Mail says that GPs are “rude, dishonest and hard to understand”.

Eleven NHS foundation trusts have serious financial problems, MPs told

Eleven NHS foundation trusts have serious financial problems, MPs told: Provision of services to change at struggling south London trust, and finances of 13 other trusts under scrutiny. Key services are set to end at hospitals operated by a debt-ridden NHS trust in south London as part of efforts to rescue it, and a growing number of NHS organisations are getting into financial trouble, MPs have been told.

Hundreds of patients dying of thirst in Britain's hospitals

Hundreds of patients dying of thirst in Britain's hospitals: Hundreds of hospital patients are dying of dehydration each year, official figures show. The Daily Telegraph

Drug giants give up on Alzheimer's cure

Drug giants give up on Alzheimer's cure:
The world's leading pharmaceutical companies are downgrading the search for new treatments for Alzheimer's disease after the failure of a series of high-profile drugs trials. The Independent

Poisons experts issue warning about wild mushroom foraging

Poisons experts issue warning about wild mushroom foraging: Wild food enthusiasts are being urged to take extra care when foraging for mushrooms because of the risk of picking toxic varieties, says the Health Protection Agency's poisons experts. Health Protection Agency

Community mental health survey 2012

Community mental health survey 2012: This survey of over 15,000 people on their experiences of community mental health services found that they are treated with dignity and respect by the health or social care worker they had seen most recently. However, some would have liked more support in getting help with aspects of day-to-day living. Care Quality Commission

Release of Organisation Patient Safety Incident reports

Release of Organisation Patient Safety Incident reports: The NHS Commissioning Board Authority has published the latest set of Organisation Patient Safety Incident data.
The figures show that the number of patient safety incidents in England that occurred between 1 October 2011 and 31 March 2012 and were submitted to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS) by 31 May 2012 was 612,414. This is an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to the previous reporting period (1 April 2011 to 30 September 2011.)

Cancer patient work plans altered

Cancer patient work plans altered: Fewer cancer patients will have to look for work while receiving treatment, under revised proposals from the Department for Work and Pensions. BBC News

RCGP sets out 10-year plan to improve general practice

RCGP sets out 10-year plan to improve general practice: General practice has a key role to play in transforming the NHS over the next decade but will struggle to cope without investment in more GPs, longer training and support for existing staff, a landmark RCGP consultation warns. GP Online

Procurement of healthcare (clinical) services: briefings for CCGs

Procurement of healthcare (clinical) services: briefings for CCGs:

Working
with CCGs and others, the NHS Commissioning Board Authority has
developed a series of procurement briefings for CCGs that summarise the
key elements of legislation and guidance currently governing NHS
procurement of healthcare services.

• Introduction: why do CCGs need to understand procurement?
• How does procurement fit with the different stages of commissioning? 
• What are the procurement options?
• Which rules apply to a procurement process?
• How should a procurement process be conducted?
• Summary of the decision-making process.
• NHS Commissioning Board - news

Ban on MPs with mental health issues to be axed

Ban on MPs with mental health issues to be axed:
Moves are under way which would allow people with serious mental health issues to become MPs, company directors and serve on juries.
At present, people with such conditions are banned from serving in Parliament or holding some other key posts.
But now, the government has given its support to a private member’s bill by Tory MP Gavin Barwell, who’s Mental Health (Discrimination) Bill earlier received ... Healthcare Today

Public 'putting off visiting GPs'

Public 'putting off visiting GPs': Health experts are encouraging people not to put off seeing their GPs after research showed that almost a quarter of Britons would not see a doctor for a complaint because of the hassle of getting an appointment.The Independent

Third of mental health patients want more physical health support

Third of mental health patients want more physical health support - Communitycare.co.uk:

The Guardian

Third of mental health patients want more physical health support Communitycare.co.uk The Care Quality Commission's (CQC) 2012 survey of people using community mental health services found that 36% of patients 'who needed support' for their physical needs had not received any, up 5% from the previous year. The number of patients who ... More help urged for mental health patientsNursing Times New health ministers' portfolios unveiledHealth Service Journal all 40 news articles »

Complaints about doctors' professional conduct reach record levels

Complaints about doctors' professional conduct reach record levels: General Medical Council report shows one in 64 doctors now face possibility of being investigated by the regulator.
Complaints about the professional conduct of doctors rose by 23% last year to reach record levels, according to figures published today.

More hospices needed 'to care for people dying gradually'

More hospices needed 'to care for people dying gradually': More hospices and care homes are needed to cope with increasing numbers of people dying "gradual" deaths, say doctors. The Daily Telegraph

Doctors from crisis-hit eurozone countries heading to UK for work

Doctors from crisis-hit eurozone countries heading to UK for work: The financial crisis in the eurozone has led to a dramatic increase in the number of doctors from countries such as Greece and Spain leaving to work in the UK, new figures have revealed. The Independent

Patients see doctors via webcam

Patients see doctors via webcam: An NHS Foundation trust in Northamptonshire is using video consultation for doctors appointments. BBC Northamptonshire

Three-hour wait in agony for ambulance

Three-hour wait in agony for ambulance:
A teenage boy had to suffer in agony waiting for an ambulance to arrive after he shattered his knee while playing football. Evening Telegraph

Public asked for views on ambulance service changes

Public asked for views on ambulance service changes:
A public consultation on changes to East Midlands Ambulance Service is being launched on Monday (September 17). Evening Telegraph

More than a third of East Midlands men’s bellies so big they cannot see their genitals

More than a third of East Midlands men’s bellies so big they cannot see their genitals:
A survey suggests that 37 per cent of East Midlands men are unable to see their own genitals because they are so obese. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Ads to show 'reality' of nursing

Ads to show 'reality' of nursing: A campaign by the Royal College of Nursing aims to show the reality of nursing, and to explore the reasons behind failures in care. BBC News

Unfair cataract rationing needs DH intervention, experts warn

Unfair cataract rationing needs DH intervention, experts warn: The government must take action against PCTs for unfairly restricting cataract surgery for cost reasons following further evidence of rationing, according to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. GP Online

MPs plan "short" inquiry into NICE

MPs plan "short" inquiry into NICE: PharmaTimes reports that the House of Commons Health Committee has announced that it is to hold a "short" inquiry into the work of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The inquiry will be held before the term of office for the current chair - Professor Sir Michael Rawlins - ends in March 2013. A pre-appointment hearing will be held by the Health Committee for the government's preferred candidate for the new chair towards the end of this year. Prior to this hearing, the short inquiry is intended to examine the way the Institute has discharged its current functions and will look forward to the changes in its role that will come into effect from April 1 next year.
 
The Health Committee is now calling for written submissions on the work of NICE and the deadline for submitting written evidence to the Committee is noon on Monday October 29 2012. PharmaTimes

Down's syndrome patient challenges resuscitation order - BBC News

Down's syndrome patient challenges resuscitation order - BBC News:

Telegraph.co.uk

Down's syndrome patient challenges resuscitation order BBC News A man with Down's syndrome is suing an NHS trust over a hospital's decision to issue a do-not-resuscitate order giving his disability as one of the reasons. The instruction not to attempt resuscitation in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest ... Down's Syndrome man takes legal action over 'do not resuscitate' orderThe Independent Family of Down's patient sue hospital over DNR orderThe Guardian Action on do not resuscitate orderLittlehampton Gazette Huffington Post UK all 124 news articles »

Health firms told to get set for £20bn NHS bonanza

Health firms told to get set for £20bn NHS bonanza: Report says there is 'significant opportunity for private sector in primary and secondary care'
Private health firms can expect to win business worth around £20bn from the NHS in the next few years by taking over GP surgeries and setting up new community health clinics, according to a report written for profit-making companies keen to expand their role in the health service.

'We screwed up' - health minister on NHS reforms

'We screwed up' - health minister on NHS reforms: Anna Soubry, a new health minister, has said the Coalition made mistakes over changes to health service. The Daily Telegraph

'Antipathy' to reform hits satisfaction with NHS

'Antipathy' to reform hits satisfaction with NHS: "Antipathy" to the Government's controversial health reforms has dragged down people's satisfaction with the NHS, according to an influential think-tank. The Daily Telegraph

Britain unprepared for 'tsunami' of dementia patients

Britain unprepared for 'tsunami' of dementia patients:
Britain's dementia crisis is so huge that care homes and the health system will soon be unable to cater for the "tsunami" of people expected to be living with the condition, health experts warn. Unless a radical overhaul is taken, they say that hundreds of thousands of patients will face a future defined only by neglect. The Independent