Liaison psychiatry - the way ahead: It was commissioned by the NHS Confederation on behalf of the SHA mental health leads, and written by the Centre for Mental Health.
The study set out to identify how liaison psychiatry can most effectively contribute to the government’s quality, innovation, productivity and prevention (QIPP) challenge of improving health outcomes while also reducing healthcare costs. NHS Employers
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
How to reduce unscheduled admissions in the over-75s by 20%
How to reduce unscheduled admissions in the over-75s by 20%: A Sheffield practice enjoyed award-winning results with its targeted strategy to improve healthcare quality in its elderly population. Neil Durham reports GP Online
SmartWard app to create 'paperless' healthcare
SmartWard app to create 'paperless' healthcare: New application to reduce practitioner workload and help save lives Public Service
Orphan medicines: special treatment required?
Orphan medicines: special treatment required?: This report was prompted by concerns that patients and their clinicians are not always able to access medicines for those with rare diseases. Ongoing reforms to the NHS and the development of a strategy for rare disease offer an opportunity to consider access to medicines for those with orphan or ultra-orphan conditions. This report provides an analysis of the complex framework that influences patients’ access to orphan drugs, focusing on the role of R&D, regulatory and payer/commissioner decisions, and the links between decision making along the pathway to access. It makes suggestions for better decision making and how to improve access to such drugs more widely.
Patients will view their NHS records online in three years
Patients will view their NHS records online in three years: NHS patients will be given online access to their health records in the next three years under plans to be announced by the Government today.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Fears for patient safety as 60,000 NHS jobs face the axe
Fears for patient safety as 60,000 NHS jobs face the axe:
The NHS is "sleepwalking" into a nursing crisis with thousands of frontline posts lost and training positions axed, the Government is warned today. The Independent
The NHS is "sleepwalking" into a nursing crisis with thousands of frontline posts lost and training positions axed, the Government is warned today. The Independent
NHS sleepwalking into crisis, warns RCN
NHS sleepwalking into crisis, warns RCN: The Royal College of Nursing today warned that that the NHS in England is sleepwalking into a crisis and is calling on the Government to take immediate action to stop trusts cutting vital posts and services.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Mother died after hospital errors
Mother died after hospital errors: A mother died shortly after giving birth to twins following a series of failures by hospital staff, an inquest hears. BBC Northamptonshire
Kettering MP raises hospital’s future in Parliament
Kettering MP raises hospital’s future in Parliament: MP for Kettering Philip Hollobone has spoken during a debate in Parliament about the future of Kettering General Hospital, putting forward the case for it to retain the services it has now. Evening Telegraph
Northamptonshire GPs win award
Northamptonshire GPs win award: A scheme that saved the NHS thousands of pounds in wasted medicines has won an award. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Lung cancer in women 'to soar'
Lung cancer in women 'to soar': The number of women living with lung cancer in the UK is set to rise significantly faster than the number of men with the disease over the next 30 years, experts say. BBC News
Doctors and nurses
Doctors and nurses: This report highlights examples of reforming healthcare workforces in order to improve the quality of care. The case studies demonstrate how to effectively manage and motivate clinicians to deliver better quality services.
New group for national IT
New group for national IT: The national director for patients and information, Tim Kelsey, is to be the chair of a new informatics services commissioning group.
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan told EHILive 2012 that the group will sit under the slimmed down Department of Health, the new NHS Commissioning Board, and other bodies with an interest in information and technology and will decide what infrastructure, standard... Healthcare Today
NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan told EHILive 2012 that the group will sit under the slimmed down Department of Health, the new NHS Commissioning Board, and other bodies with an interest in information and technology and will decide what infrastructure, standard... Healthcare Today
NHS Direct says no decision has been made to close call centres
NHS Direct says no decision has been made to close call centres: Union says 24 of 30 sites in England face closure, putting hundreds of jobs at risk
NHS Direct has denied that any decision has been made to close call centres after Unison warned that hundreds of jobs were under threat at the health advice service.
NHS Direct has denied that any decision has been made to close call centres after Unison warned that hundreds of jobs were under threat at the health advice service.
Rotavirus vaccine to be introduced for babies - NHS Choices
Rotavirus vaccine to be introduced for babies - NHS Choices:
 ITV News | Rotavirus vaccine to be introduced for babies NHS Choices The programme is expected to cost around £25 million a year, but is anticipated to save the NHS around £20 million a year in England through fewer stays in hospital, fewer GP and A&E visits, and fewer calls to NHS Direct. It should also prevent ... Babies to get new diarrhoea vaccineITV News Babies To Be Vaccinated Against Stomach BugKL.FM 96.7 Babies to be routinely offered rotavirus vaccine from next SeptemberThe Independent Yahoo! News (blog) all 164 news articles » |
Healthcare sell-off makes GPs millions
Healthcare sell-off makes GPs millions: £48m buyout exposes profits to be made by doctors from coalition's NHS reforms
Five family doctors have this week become millionaires from the sale of their NHS-funded firm to one of the country's biggest private healthcare companies in a deal that reveals how physicians can potentially profit from government policy in the new NHS.
Five family doctors have this week become millionaires from the sale of their NHS-funded firm to one of the country's biggest private healthcare companies in a deal that reveals how physicians can potentially profit from government policy in the new NHS.
NHS shakeup tackles disparity between mental and physical health services
NHS shakeup tackles disparity between mental and physical health services: Mental health patients must have 'parity of esteem' in doctor's surgeries, insists health minister Norman Lamb
NHS patients should wait no longer for mental health therapies than they do for treatments for their physical conditions, the government will announce.
NHS patients should wait no longer for mental health therapies than they do for treatments for their physical conditions, the government will announce.
Winter vomiting bug starts a month early: official figures
Winter vomiting bug starts a month early: official figures: Hundreds of thousand of people have suffered from the winter vomiting bug as the disease strikes early and rates are already up by a quarter on last year.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily TelegraphMinisters hail first 'contract' with NHS
Ministers hail first 'contract' with NHS: The Coalition will try to seize the agenda on the NHS this week by setting new goals to improve the nation's health.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
How can Viagra maker Pfizer pay no UK tax?
How can Viagra maker Pfizer pay no UK tax?:
One of the largest suppliers of drugs to the NHS escaped paying any tax to the UK Government last year, it has emerged. The Independent
One of the largest suppliers of drugs to the NHS escaped paying any tax to the UK Government last year, it has emerged. The Independent
Baby boom puts pressure on maternity services
Baby boom puts pressure on maternity services:
The highest number of births in 40 years is putting "enormous demands" on the maternity services at a time when they are being cut back, midwives warned yesterday. The Independent
The highest number of births in 40 years is putting "enormous demands" on the maternity services at a time when they are being cut back, midwives warned yesterday. The Independent
Infectious diseases continue to disproportionately affect drug users
Infectious diseases continue to disproportionately affect drug users: A report from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has found that half of people who inject drugs are infected with hepatitis C, one in 100 have HIV and a third have a bacterial infection as a result of their injecting. Almost a quarter of younger injectors (those aged under 25) continue to share needles and syringes.
Friday, 9 November 2012
NGH borrows £7m to solve cashflow crisis
NGH borrows £7m to solve cashflow crisis: Northampton General Hospital is receiving £7 million in NHS funding to try to solve its cashflow crisis. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
NGH staff admit missed signs in mother’s death
NGH staff admit missed signs in mother’s death: A senior doctor at Northampton General Hospital admitted he did not know all the warning signs of a condition that killed a woman hours after the birth of her twins. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The Liverpool Care Pathway debate
The Liverpool Care Pathway debate: The controversy over the Liverpool Care Pathway, following misleading headlines in the media, has this week collided with the Government’s publication of its response to the Future Forum’s recommendations about the NHS Constitution. What can we make of this? Stephen Thornton discusses the issue. The Health Foundation
Mistakes by staff have seen NHS complaints rise by 50 per cent
Mistakes by staff have seen NHS complaints rise by 50 per cent:
Complaints to the NHS about the failure of doctors, nurses or managers to admit mistakes or apologise when things go wrong have leapt by 50 per cent in a year. The Independent
See also:
Complaints to the NHS about the failure of doctors, nurses or managers to admit mistakes or apologise when things go wrong have leapt by 50 per cent in a year. The Independent
See also:
- NHS failings aggravate distress over blunders The Guardian
- Complaints about the NHS rise by 8 per cent in a year The Daily Mail
- NHS complaints on the increase BBC News
- Listening and learning: the Ombudsman review of complaint handling by the NHS in England 2011-12 Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
People with learning disabilities speak out on plans for social care
People with learning disabilities speak out on plans for social care: It reveals that while service users and their relatives feel that some of the proposed reforms would make a really positive difference, almost all are concerned about current levels of funding for care, what is going to happen to their benefits and how their support will be affected as a result. More NHS Networks
''Irresponsible'' MPs block NHS reforms
''Irresponsible'' MPs block NHS reforms: MPs who back local protests against hospital closures may put patients' lives at risk, says King's Fund Public Service
Liaison psychiatry in the modern NHS
Liaison psychiatry in the modern NHS: This report argues that every NHS hospital should have a liaison
psychiatry service as standard as it could save the average hospital £5 million a year by reducing the number and length of admissions to beds. It adds that even bigger savings could be achieved in future if liaison psychiatry services were extended to work in the community to prevent crises from happening at all.
psychiatry service as standard as it could save the average hospital £5 million a year by reducing the number and length of admissions to beds. It adds that even bigger savings could be achieved in future if liaison psychiatry services were extended to work in the community to prevent crises from happening at all.
Ethical procurement training
Ethical procurement training: This free online training programme is designed to support the Ethical Procurement for Health workbook. Together, they provide practical advice for healthcare buyers, helping them to identify poor labour standards and take action through the procurement process and engagement with suppliers.
Doctors dismayed as public health committee is scrapped
Doctors dismayed as public health committee is scrapped: Subcommittee set up to tackle obesity, alcohol abuse and other public health problems is axed after only two years
A Whitehall ministerial committee set up by the coalition as it pledged to tackle major problems such as obesity, alcohol abuse and growing health inequalities has been scrapped, prompting a furious response from senior doctors.
A Whitehall ministerial committee set up by the coalition as it pledged to tackle major problems such as obesity, alcohol abuse and growing health inequalities has been scrapped, prompting a furious response from senior doctors.
Doctors 'not telling patients the pitfalls of surgery'
Doctors 'not telling patients the pitfalls of surgery': Patients are routinely undergoing unnecessary and potentially harmful surgery because doctors are failing to tell them they have a choice, academics warn today.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, 8 November 2012
The franchising of Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust
The franchising of Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust: The first private company awarded a franchise to run an NHS hospital has made improvements in some clinical areas, but big financial challenges remain. The National Audit Office
See also
See also
- Hospital lifesaver Circle loses extra £2.2m The Independent
- Circle '£2m behind in plan to save Hinchingbrooke Hospital' The Daily Telegraph
- Private healthcare firm 'could make £31m' from running hospital The Guardian
- Warning to NHS over private deals BBC News
Survey finds UK experience of dentistry is highly rated
Survey finds UK experience of dentistry is highly rated: The report follows the survey of 1,000 consumers to explore their experience of dentistry in the UK and found eight out of ten patients who had seen a dentist in the past two years were highly satisfied with their treatment. NHS Networks
Dementia challenge progress report published
Dementia challenge progress report published: A progress report published today gives an update on the first 7 months of the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge. The report, ‘Delivering major improvements in dementia care and research by 2015: A report of progress’, outlines the aims, achievements and ambitions of the challenge’s 3 champion groups.
NHS 'institutional racism' claims
NHS 'institutional racism' claims: Why are there so few black executives in the health service? BBC News
Recovery, public mental health and wellbeing
Recovery, public mental health and wellbeing: The Centre for Mental Health has published 'Recovery, public mental health and wellbeing'. This paper explores how recovery and recovery-oriented practice have the potential to transform mental health services, but suggests it is important to examine the whole range of resources and opportunities that can support quality of life for people with mental health problems. It sets out the ways that providers, those using or working in mental health services, voluntary groups, commissioners, those in public health or with a role on Health and Wellbeing Boards, can support recovery through the development of public health and community based approaches.
Equally accessible? making mental health services more accessible for learning disabled or autistic people
Equally accessible? making mental health services more accessible for learning disabled or autistic people: People with learning disabilities or autism deserve equal access to mental health services and good treatment, but they currently receive variable treatment across England. NHS Confederation
Improving GP services in England: exploring the association between quality of care and the experience of patients
Improving GP services in England: exploring the association between quality of care and the experience of patients: Using data from more than 8,000 general practices in England, this paper examines the association between patients’ perceptions about the non-clinical aspects of care and practice performance on measures of
clinical quality. It identifies clinical effectiveness and patient experience as key domains of health care quality; that there is a correlation between positive patient experiences and higher QOF outcome scores; and that patients' experience of using their GP services can affect their use and interaction with those services.
clinical quality. It identifies clinical effectiveness and patient experience as key domains of health care quality; that there is a correlation between positive patient experiences and higher QOF outcome scores; and that patients' experience of using their GP services can affect their use and interaction with those services.
Changes to trends in disease-related deaths
Changes to trends in disease-related deaths: ‘Cancer overtakes heart disease as number one killer’, is the news in The Daily Telegraph.
The Telegraph, and other papers, report that a third of people now die from some form of cancer, according to 2011 statistics.
Taking a more glass half-full approach, The Guardian reports that heart deaths have been halved by healthier lifestyles, while conceding that cancers have become the biggest group of killers and that Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths are on the increase.
Taking a more glass half-full approach, The Guardian reports that heart deaths have been halved by healthier lifestyles, while conceding that cancers have become the biggest group of killers and that Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths are on the increase.
GP commissioner survey finds support for increased competition
GP commissioner survey finds support for increased competition: Almost nine in 10 likely to ban or limit some treatments and 50% likely to make greater use of alternative providers
Leaders of the GP commissioning groups that were created under the government's NHS reforms would limit treatments to patients and favour increasing competition from private companies, and a substantial minority advocate closing accident and emergency departments, a poll reveals.
The survey by the Health Service Journal of 116 board members of the new commissioning groups in the English NHS found that four-fifths were concerned that "political opposition to service change" would be a barrier to them making significant improvements to services in the next year.
Almost nine in 10 said they were likely to ban or limit some treatments they did not think were "clinically justified" in the next year. More than a quarter said they were likely to carry out a major service reconfiguration, including downgrading or closing an A&E unit, in the next year.
In a sign that the GP groups are more pro-market than previous NHS structures, 50% of respondents said they were likely to make greater use of alternative providers and increased competition. The Guardian
Leaders of the GP commissioning groups that were created under the government's NHS reforms would limit treatments to patients and favour increasing competition from private companies, and a substantial minority advocate closing accident and emergency departments, a poll reveals.
The survey by the Health Service Journal of 116 board members of the new commissioning groups in the English NHS found that four-fifths were concerned that "political opposition to service change" would be a barrier to them making significant improvements to services in the next year.
Almost nine in 10 said they were likely to ban or limit some treatments they did not think were "clinically justified" in the next year. More than a quarter said they were likely to carry out a major service reconfiguration, including downgrading or closing an A&E unit, in the next year.
In a sign that the GP groups are more pro-market than previous NHS structures, 50% of respondents said they were likely to make greater use of alternative providers and increased competition. The Guardian
NHS managers' standards set after Mid-Staffs
NHS managers' standards set after Mid-Staffs: All NHS managers should sign up to new standards pledging that care and compassion is the at the heart of their work, in the aftermath of the Mid-Staffs and other scandals, Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary has said.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
NHS 'pay-for-performance' scheme saves 900 lives
NHS 'pay-for-performance' scheme saves 900 lives: A 'cash incentive' scheme that rewards NHS hospitals for cutting death rates has helped saved almost 900 lives, a study shows.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Surgeon Ian Paterson faces inquiry over 1000 'unnecessary' breast operations
Surgeon Ian Paterson faces inquiry over 1000 'unnecessary' breast operations: A surgeon being investigated by the General Medical Council amid allegations about his treatment of more than 1,000 breast cancer patients is also facing a criminal inquiry, police have confirmed.The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Mastectomy patients sue NHS hospitals Public Service
- Police probe 'botched op' surgeon BBC News
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Recruitment drive for Northamptonshire nurses
Recruitment drive for Northamptonshire nurses: NHS bosses in Northamptonshire are targeting student nurses for recruitment for the first time.Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Do GP practices that offer high-quality clinical care also offer a good experience for their patients?
Do GP practices that offer high-quality clinical care also offer a good experience for their patients?: Clinically effective care and good patient experience are universally recognised as key elements of health care quality. But does one always go hand in hand with the other?
Ops cancelled over hospital rat
Ops cancelled over hospital rat: About 40 operations at a Nottinghamshire hospital were cancelled after a rat was seen in an operating theatre. BBC News
Cancer costs in UK 'top £15bn'
Cancer costs in UK 'top £15bn': The health and economic cost of cancer tops £15bn a year in the UK, a study suggests. BBC News
Revalidation to cost £1bn over a decade but benefits 'hard to predict'
Revalidation to cost £1bn over a decade but benefits 'hard to predict': Revalidation will cost almost £1bn over a decade and will prevent fewer than one in 133 cases in which poor practice results in death, or severe or moderate harm to a patient, a DH analysis suggests. GP Online
Teaching GPs about depression and suicide can help reduce the risk of suicide in depressed older adults, says new RCT
Teaching GPs about depression and suicide can help reduce the risk of suicide in depressed older adults, says new RCT: A great deal of time and money has been spent on improving the diagnosis and management of depression and self-harm in primary care. The evidence tells us that collaborative care and case management can be effective approaches, which is all well and good, but these complex interventions are not always feasible. This new cluster randomised [read the full story...] The Mental Elf
Department of Health: the management of adult diabetes services in the NHS
Department of Health: the management of adult diabetes services in the NHS: This report is based on evidence from expert witnesses and the Department of Health about the management of adult diabetes services in the NHS. It identifies a variation in service provision and quality of care in adult diabetes across the country and highlights the need for improvement in the quality of diabetes care.
Regional pay in the NHS
Regional pay in the NHS: This briefing provides background to the House of Commons Opposition-day debate on regional pay in the NHS. The note is divided into three sections: section one sets out some general information on the current national pay framework within the NHS; section two covers the Government’s wider approach to regional or “market facing” pay in the public sector, and section three covers its specific proposals for the NHS.
Tighter safety needed on medical implants
A report by a committee of MPs has called for EU safety regulations relating to medical implants to be more rigorous.The parliamentary science and technology committee has published a report called Regulation of medical implants in the EU and the UK. The committee said they had proof that some manufacturers were trying to get their implants improved in the EU states that had the least strict regul... Healthcare Today
Failings in diabetes care 'cost thousands of lives'
Failings in diabetes care 'cost thousands of lives': 'Diabetes care depressingly poor, say MPs', is the headline on the BBC News website. This is the damning verdict of a parliamentary report into standards of diabetes care in the NHS. The Public Accounts Committee reported that (in the words of the Daily Mail), “24,000 with diabetes ‘are dying needlessly’”.
What do people die of? Mortality rates and data for every cause of death in 2011 visualised
What do people die of? Mortality rates and data for every cause of death in 2011 visualised: How do we die? Are you more likely to get knocked down by a car, bitten by a dog or fall down the stairs? Find out with the latest mortality statistics
GP postcode lottery harming patients, warns thinktank
GP postcode lottery harming patients, warns thinktank: GP surgeries in London and England's poorest areas offer the lowest-quality NHS care, King's Fund study shows
Londoners and people in deprived areas receive the lowest-quality care by GPs, according to research that has prompted fresh concern about postcode lotteries in NHS care.
Londoners and people in deprived areas receive the lowest-quality care by GPs, according to research that has prompted fresh concern about postcode lotteries in NHS care.
Cancer overtakes heart disease as number one killer
Cancer overtakes heart disease as number one killer: Cancer has overtaken heart disease as the country's number one killer, new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Doctors defend Liverpool Care Pathway as 'dignified' way to die
Doctors defend Liverpool Care Pathway as 'dignified' way to die: More than 1,000 doctors, nurses and carers write to Telegraph to defend Liverpool Care Pathway.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Tiny percentage of responses on ambulance station closures are from Northamptonshire
Tiny percentage of responses on ambulance station closures are from Northamptonshire: East Midlands Ambulance Service bosses are concerned that only seven per cent of responses to its proposals to close ambulance stations are from Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Premature deaths blamed on hospital failure
Premature deaths blamed on hospital failure: Early deaths of those with learning disabilities blamed on hospitals BBC News
Diabetes care 'depressingly poor'
Diabetes care 'depressingly poor': The standard of care for diabetes in England is "depressingly poor", causing unnecessary deaths and disabilities, a parliamentary committee says. BBC News
Public sector fined £2m for data breaches
Public sector fined £2m for data breaches: NHS bodies, police and local councils have accumulated data breach fines of more than £2m over the last 18 months Public Service
Integrated ambulance commissioning in the new NHS
Integrated ambulance commissioning in the new NHS: As the NHS reforms start to become embedded over the next year, it will be vital for clinicians leading the new clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to get involved in ambulance commissioning. NHS Confederation
Our future: people with learning disabilities speak out on the Government plans for social care
Our future: people with learning disabilities speak out on the Government plans for social care: This report compiles opinions from people with learning disabilities on the Government’s plans for social care and how their lives will be affected by the proposals. It reveals that while service users and their relatives feel that some of the proposed reforms would make a really positive difference, almost all are concerned about current levels of
funding for care; what is going to happen to their benefits; and how their support will be affected as a result.
funding for care; what is going to happen to their benefits; and how their support will be affected as a result.
Quality with compassion: the future of nursing education
Quality with compassion: the future of nursing education: This report is the result of a project which looked into future health and social care needs and how the nursing workforce needs to develop in order to meet these needs. The Commission make a number of recommendations which include: the promotion of patient-centred care as the heart of all pre-registration nursing education and CPD; better evaluation of nursing education programmes; and the need for health care service providers to fully support nursing education.
How private health cover could force you into the hands of cut-price doctors
How private health cover could force you into the hands of cut-price doctors: Soaring hospital and medical costs mean private medical insurers are desperately looking to find ways to slash costs. The Daily Mail
Annual assessments for doctors 'will improve care and cut legal costs'
Annual assessments for doctors 'will improve care and cut legal costs': Department of Health study finds £100m yearly cost of new system of revalidation would pay for itself in 10 years.
Giving all doctors annual assessments and detailed checks every five years will result in better care for patients and reduce compensation claims, but may see an exodus of experienced medics from the NHS who are reluctant to be tested, a government study has warned.
Giving all doctors annual assessments and detailed checks every five years will result in better care for patients and reduce compensation claims, but may see an exodus of experienced medics from the NHS who are reluctant to be tested, a government study has warned.
Addenbrooke's resuscitation policy row goes to court
Addenbrooke's resuscitation policy row goes to court: High court hears claims that woman was 'badgered' into agreeing to 'do not resuscitate' order
The husband of a woman who died in Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, has claimed doctors "badgered" her about agreeing to a "do not resuscitate" order. David Tracey alleges two DNR notices were added to his wife Janet's medical records without her knowledge or consent.
The husband of a woman who died in Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, has claimed doctors "badgered" her about agreeing to a "do not resuscitate" order. David Tracey alleges two DNR notices were added to his wife Janet's medical records without her knowledge or consent.
Patients with private medical cover 'costing NHS up to £1bn'
Patients with private medical cover 'costing NHS up to £1bn': Doctors could help save the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds a year if they encouraged patients to use private health insurance, according to a report.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 5 November 2012
NSPCC says it received 60 child abuse calls from county last year
NSPCC says it received 60 child abuse calls from county last year: Sixty people contacted the NSPCC over concerns about child abuse in the county last year – and 21 of those came from parents or carers of the child. Evening Telegraph
Staff treated for TB at Northampton renal unit
Staff treated for TB at Northampton renal unit: A tuberculosis outbreak at a renal unit in Northampton affected 13 members of staff, one seriously, the Chronicle
understands. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Fear at whooping cough increase across Northamptonshire
Fear at whooping cough increase across Northamptonshire: Confirmed cases of whooping cough in Northamptonshire are running at almost nine a month on average, latest figures for 2012 showed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The Liverpool care pathway implementation model
The Liverpool care pathway implementation model:
Whenever possible, relatives should be involved in discussions and it is important to note the LCP does not require hydration or nutrition to be withdrawn. It is a framework for good practice and does not replace clinical judgement. Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute
Whenever possible, relatives should be involved in discussions and it is important to note the LCP does not require hydration or nutrition to be withdrawn. It is a framework for good practice and does not replace clinical judgement. Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute
Tougher end-of-life rules planned
Tougher end-of-life rules planned: Relatives of terminally-ill patients would have to be consulted before a decision to withdraw food or water is taken, under new government proposals. BBC News
Mental health app for young people
Mental health app for young people: A mobile phone app to help young people with mental illness is being tested by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The ‘my journey’ app has been created by the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, which gives treatment and support to young people with psychosis, and is designed to help service users monitor their mood and get advice on symptoms. It will also give medication and appointment r... Healthcare Today
The ‘my journey’ app has been created by the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, which gives treatment and support to young people with psychosis, and is designed to help service users monitor their mood and get advice on symptoms. It will also give medication and appointment r... Healthcare Today
NHS constitution reform to include new end-of-life care commitments
NHS constitution reform to include new end-of-life care commitments: Measures may include suing health trusts that fail to fully discuss issues and striking off doctors who ignore patients' wishes
New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS constitution under proposals unveiled on Monday.
New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS constitution under proposals unveiled on Monday.
Liverpool Care Pathway: minister orders report into cash rewards
Liverpool Care Pathway: minister orders report into cash rewards: A Minister has ordered an internal investigation into the use of payments to hospitals for getting terminally ill patients onto a controversial care "pathway" to death.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Fewer pensioners and at-risk patients are receiving the flu jab than last year
Fewer pensioners and at-risk patients are receiving the flu jab than last year:
With winter fast approaching, many people who risk becoming seriously ill if they get the flu have not yet been vaccinated against it. The Independent
With winter fast approaching, many people who risk becoming seriously ill if they get the flu have not yet been vaccinated against it. The Independent
Heart disease deaths halve –but only if you live in the South
Heart disease deaths halve –but only if you live in the South:
In one of the most dramatic improvements in the nation's health, deaths from heart disease have halved since the 1980s – but the gains have not been shared equally and the "health gap" between the wealthiest and poorest communities has widened among older people, researchers say. The Independent
In one of the most dramatic improvements in the nation's health, deaths from heart disease have halved since the 1980s – but the gains have not been shared equally and the "health gap" between the wealthiest and poorest communities has widened among older people, researchers say. The Independent
Case of anthrax confirmed in Oxford
Case of anthrax confirmed in Oxford: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware that a person who injected heroin has been diagnosed with anthrax infection in Oxford. The patient is recovering. Health Protection Agency
New social media guidance from RCGP
New social media guidance from RCGP: The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has drafted new guidance for GPs on how to use social media safely in a professional context.
The guidance will help doctors use social media such as Facebook and Twitter appropriately to help improve the way they communicate with their patients.
The guidance includes information on how to maintain an appropriate image online, and says doctors should avoid using an online pseudonym and be cautious when giving out personal advice to ensure patient confidentiality is not broken.
RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada, who was involved in drafting the guidance, said, “We shouldn’t underestimate the extent to which doctors and other healthcare professionals will use online tools like Twitter and Facebook in the future – social media will fundamentally change the way we interact with patients, for the better.” The Medical Protection Society
The guidance includes information on how to maintain an appropriate image online, and says doctors should avoid using an online pseudonym and be cautious when giving out personal advice to ensure patient confidentiality is not broken.
RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada, who was involved in drafting the guidance, said, “We shouldn’t underestimate the extent to which doctors and other healthcare professionals will use online tools like Twitter and Facebook in the future – social media will fundamentally change the way we interact with patients, for the better.” The Medical Protection Society
Employers urged to sign whistleblowing charter
Employers urged to sign whistleblowing charter: A charter has been introduced to support whistleblowing in the NHS.
The Speaking Up charter has been launched by NHS Employers to promote a collaborative approach for healthcare organisations to work together to support any staff who report concerns about colleagues or working practices.
So far, 28 organisations have signed the charter, pledging their support of its key commitments to:
See more about the charter at NHS Employers
So far, 28 organisations have signed the charter, pledging their support of its key commitments to:
- Place safety at the heart of all care.
- Ensure all individuals are treated in a service which is open to feedback, and encourages as well as supports its staff to raise concerns.
- Engage staff in the development and delivery of NHS services.
- Encourage registered health and social care workers to follow their professional codes of conduct, and encourage organisations to develop their own statement of values for all staff.
- Support any individuals who want to raise concerns through local processes.
- Develop whistleblowing policies and continuously promote them.
- Avoid compromise agreements containing clauses seeking to prevent disclosures protected under the PIDA 1998.
- Provide adequate training and support for managers so that they understand their role and responsibilities in handling concerns raised with them so they are able to respond appropriately.
See more about the charter at NHS Employers
Friday, 2 November 2012
KGH boss confident of plans to improve
KGH boss confident of plans to improve: Bosses at under-fire Kettering General Hospital say they are confident they can turn its fortunes around after its regulator stepped in and put it under ‘special measures’. Evening Telegraph
Payment by Results: time for a rethink?
Payment by Results: time for a rethink?:
It’s now a decade since Delivering the NHS Plan made a specific commitment to a new way of paying hospitals that would align payment for work done – delivering on the promise that ‘money will follow the patient’. A year later the new fixed price system – Payment by Results (PbR) – began to roll out, covering just 15 surgical procedures and accounting for a few million pounds’ worth of activity.
A public health approach to violence prevention in England
A public health approach to violence prevention in England:
A new report was published on Tuesday 23 October, Protecting People, Promoting Health – A public health approach to violence prevention in England.
The department commissioned the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO) to produce a high level report to provide information and evidence for policy makers, public health and commissioners to use in developing preventative approaches with strategic partners.
The publication contains new figures on the cost of violence, estimating national costs to the NHS and a wider cost to society. The report also draws on the latest evidence that many of the key risk factors that make individuals, families and communities vulnerable to violence are changeable.
It aims to increase awareness and strengthen commitment to prevention across government, NHS, local authorities, private and voluntary sectors as well as education, employers and other agencies. Department of Health
A new report was published on Tuesday 23 October, Protecting People, Promoting Health – A public health approach to violence prevention in England.
The department commissioned the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO) to produce a high level report to provide information and evidence for policy makers, public health and commissioners to use in developing preventative approaches with strategic partners.
The publication contains new figures on the cost of violence, estimating national costs to the NHS and a wider cost to society. The report also draws on the latest evidence that many of the key risk factors that make individuals, families and communities vulnerable to violence are changeable.
It aims to increase awareness and strengthen commitment to prevention across government, NHS, local authorities, private and voluntary sectors as well as education, employers and other agencies. Department of Health
Concern over NHS end of life care
Concern over NHS end of life care: Norman Lamb says terminally ill patients should not be put on the Liverpool Care Pathway to end their lives without relatives being consulted. BBC News
Trust reveals £1bn PFI overspend
Trust reveals £1bn PFI overspend: The costs of redeveloping a hospital in Nottinghamshire have more than doubled to over £2bn, the BBC discovers. BBC News
Welfare advice saves GP visits and prescribing
Welfare advice saves GP visits and prescribing: Practice workload and prescription volumes can be reduced by providing welfare advice and support to patients, a UK study has shown. GP Online
NHS Diabetes report on transition to adult services for young people with diabetes
NHS Diabetes report on transition to adult services for young people with diabetes: This report describes an NHS Diabetes project to assess best practice and develop a practical work programme to improve the transition process to adult services for young people with diabetes, which can be applied nationally. It is aimed at providers, commissioners and clinicians involved in the delivery of transition services in this area and may also be of use to service users to support involvement in service improvement.
£3bn returned to Treasury from Health
£3bn returned to Treasury from Health:
About £3bn has been returned to the Treasury by the Department of Health in the last two years, it has been revealed.
At a time that the NHS is facing tight financial settlements, figures show that the department had handed back around £1bn of the funding it was allocated for health spending in 2011-12 with just £316m of the £1.4bn that it had left unspent in the last financial year having been carried over f... Healthcare Today
What is the Liverpool Care Pathway?
What is the Liverpool Care Pathway?: There have been several recent news stories about the Liverpool Care Pathway – a programme for delivering palliative care to people with a terminal illness.
NHS use of private sector increasing
NHS use of private sector increasing:Number of routine NHS-funded operations carried out by private sector climbs by more than 10% in a year, figures show
The number of routine NHS-funded operations carried out by the private sector has risen by more than 10% in a year, official figures show.
The number of routine NHS-funded operations carried out by the private sector has risen by more than 10% in a year, official figures show.
85% of hospital trusts adopt controversial end-of-life care regime
85% of hospital trusts adopt controversial end-of-life care regime:
Eighty-five per cent of trusts have adopted a controversial end-of-life care regime which can involve withholding food and drink from terminally-ill patients, figures suggest. The Independent
Eighty-five per cent of trusts have adopted a controversial end-of-life care regime which can involve withholding food and drink from terminally-ill patients, figures suggest. The Independent
NHS feels the strain as hospital treatment for obese patients soars
NHS feels the strain as hospital treatment for obese patients soars:
The number of obese patients who need hospital treatment has soared from 1,800 to nearly 9,000 in just five years. The Independent
The number of obese patients who need hospital treatment has soared from 1,800 to nearly 9,000 in just five years. The Independent
Monitor takes on new powers to protect patient services at failing hospitals
Monitor takes on new powers to protect patient services at failing hospitals: Today Monitor takes on a series of new powers under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to enable the regulator to protect patient services at failing hospitals.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Contraceptive pill now more popular than the condom among 15-year-old girls attending NHS community contraceptive clinics
Contraceptive pill now more popular than the condom among 15-year-old girls attending NHS community contraceptive clinics: Fifteen-year-old girls attending an NHS community contraceptive clinic were – for the first time - more likely to opt for the oral contraceptive pill ...IC News
Why the drugs don't work: Scientist discover why statins aren't effective in 40% of patients
Why the drugs don't work: Scientist discover why statins aren't effective in 40% of patients: A team from McMaster University in Canada said high levels of the protein resistin in the blood could stop statins from working effectively. Daily Mail
Change4Life launch drink app
Change4Life launch drink app:
A smartphone app has been released as part of the nationwide Change4Life campaign to help people see the impact alcohol can have on their health, waist and wallet.
The enhanced online drinks checker is designed to raise awareness of the health impacts of drinking over the lower risk guidelines on a regular basis and comes at a time that some nine million drinkers in England are potentially putting their health at...Healthcare Today
A smartphone app has been released as part of the nationwide Change4Life campaign to help people see the impact alcohol can have on their health, waist and wallet.
The enhanced online drinks checker is designed to raise awareness of the health impacts of drinking over the lower risk guidelines on a regular basis and comes at a time that some nine million drinkers in England are potentially putting their health at...Healthcare Today
Liverpool Care Pathway use 'must not be driven by other agendas'
Liverpool Care Pathway use 'must not be driven by other agendas': Dr Peter Saunders from the Care Not Killing Alliance says Liverpool Care Pathway is a "very good tool" but there has to be full transparency about its use.
Telegraph
TelegraphGenetic profiteering: scandal of firm 'hiding vital breast cancer data'
Genetic profiteering: scandal of firm 'hiding vital breast cancer data':
The company that makes the world's biggest-selling gene test for breast and ovarian cancers is refusing to share groundbreaking knowledge that could benefit patients, academics claim.
Independent
The company that makes the world's biggest-selling gene test for breast and ovarian cancers is refusing to share groundbreaking knowledge that could benefit patients, academics claim.
Independent
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)