In addition to broken bones, falls may lead to prolonged lies on the floor, with resulting complications, and they are a common precipitant for people moving into long-term care, or needing more help at home.
Friday, 6 September 2013
NHSmail2 procurement this year
NHSmail2 procurement this year The procurement of NHSmail2 will start this year, using the Public Services Network framework. EHI News
Oxleas Advanced Dementia Service: supporting carers and building resilience
Oxleas Advanced Dementia Service: supporting carers and building resilience
This case study looks at Oxleas Advanced Dementia Service, which provides care co-ordination, and specialist palliative care and support to patients with advanced dementia living at home. It is part of a research project undertaken by The King’s Fund and funded by Aetna and the Aetna Foundation in the United States to compare five successful UK-based models of care.
This case study looks at Oxleas Advanced Dementia Service, which provides care co-ordination, and specialist palliative care and support to patients with advanced dementia living at home. It is part of a research project undertaken by The King’s Fund and funded by Aetna and the Aetna Foundation in the United States to compare five successful UK-based models of care.
- Case study
- Related video
- Organogram
- Patient stories
- Co-ordinated care project page
- The King's Fund - publications
The King's Fund
Could a heart attack test save thousands of women's lives?
Could a heart attack test save thousands of women's lives? "£5 blood test will save thousands of women," shouts the front page of the Daily Mail in very large print.
This headline is based on a study recently presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Amsterdam.
The research looked at the effects of changing the diagnostic threshold levels of a blood test used to help diagnose heart attacks.
When someone with symptoms of a heart attack turns up at A&E, doctors will carry out an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a blood test to measure levels of an enzyme called troponin. Troponin levels are raised when heart muscle is damaged.
Only limited information is available on this study's methods and the patients included, but preliminary results suggest that lowering the diagnostic threshold for troponin in women (rather than using the same threshold for men and women) may improve our ability to correctly diagnose women who have symptoms of heart attack.
Cleanliness does not 'cause dementia'
Cleanliness does not 'cause dementia' “Being too clean could increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s,” The Sun has reported, while the Daily Mail reports that “an obsession with being too clean and hygienic could lead to a higher risk of dementia”.
The reports refer to research into the association between a country’s economic development, sanitation and clean water, the prevalence of infectious bugs, and a statistical estimate of Alzheimer’s disease.
Countries with higher levels of pathogens, poorer sanitation and hygiene systems and lower economic development had lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. However, flaws in the research limit our ability to draw conclusions based on the study’s results.
Media reports suggesting that being clean causes Alzheimer's disease cannot be backed up because the study can’t prove cause and effect. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are largely unknown, with genetic factors and age being the most established risk factors. If there is a link between a country’s economics and sanitation and risk of Alzheimer’s disease, it could be due to confounding from other environmental and sociodemographic factors, rather than being a direct effect of sanitation and pathogen exposure alone.
New carbon footprint tool launched
New carbon footprint tool launched This tool will help companies estimate the carbon footprint of tablet medicines in blister packs in a way that is relatively quick and easy. It is part of the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to help reduce its impact on the environment through sustainable practices including management of carbon footprints. NHS Networks
Thursday, 5 September 2013
New chairman for troubled hospital
New chairman for troubled hospital A hospital in Northamptonshire which failed to meet government targets for A&E treatment appoints a new chairman and four board members. BBC News
What are the real costs of falls and fractures?
What are the real costs of falls and fractures? David Oliver
Falls and fall-related injuries are a major challenge to health and care systems and to the older people who suffer them. Around one in three people over 65 and one in two people over 80 fall at least once each year. Falls account for around 40 per cent of all ambulance call-outs to the homes of people over 65 and are a leading cause of older people’s use of hospital beds. Each year there are around twice as many fractures resulting from falls as there are strokes in the over 65s.
Thousands of women's lives could be saved by blood test
Thousands of women's lives could be saved by blood test Thousands of women's lives could be saved by simple blood test to detect signs of a heart attack, research suggests. Telegraph
Good hygiene may be to blame for soaring Alzheimer's
Good hygiene may be to blame for soaring Alzheimer's Modern cities and improved hygiene could be behind rising rates of Alzheimer's in Britain and the rest of the developed world, scientists say.
Telegraph
Telegraph
Quarter of GPs offer Patient Access
Quarter of GPs offer Patient Access A quarter of GPs in England are now actively using Emis' Patient Access, which can be used to give patients access to their records and transactional services such as online booking. EHI News
National PACS Programme broke even
National PACS Programme broke even The programme to deliver picture and archiving communications systems to hospitals in England has saved almost as much money as it cost, according to figures released by the National Audit Office under the Freedom of Information Act. EHI News
Hospital trust that failed to ensure patients' safety is fined £350k
Hospital trust that failed to ensure patients' safety is fined £350k Basildon hospital admitted failing to protect patients and visitors after two people died after contracting legionnaires' disease
A hospital trust has been ordered to pay fines and costs of £350,000 for failing to ensure the safety of its patients.
Basildon hospital admitted failing to protect patients and visitors between 2006 and 2007 after James Compton, 74, and Raymond Cackett, 54, died after contracting legionnaires' disease. Six others were also infected by chronic Legionella.
Bosses also pleaded guilty to a similar count after a patient, who was on the hospital's elderly ward, was injured after falling five metres from an unrestricted window.
Sentencing at Chelmsford crown court, the judge David Turner said: "These are failures of very different kinds but each is in its own way serious."
He ordered the Essex hospital – one of 14 named in a report into abnormally high death rates by the NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh – to pay a fine of £100,000 for the legionnaires' offence and £75,000 for the fall.
Crossing boundaries: improving integrated care for people with mental health problems
Crossing boundaries: improving integrated care for people with mental health problems
Mental Health Foundation -
Mental Health Foundation -
This report sets out the findings from the Mental Health Foundation’s Inquiry into integrated health care for people with mental health problems, which ran from April 2012 to June 2013. Its aim was to identify good practice, generate discussion, and draw up key messages on integrated healthcare for people with mental health problems.
Psychiatrists and nurses admit lying to dementia patients
Psychiatrists and nurses admit lying to dementia patients More than two thirds of psychiatrists and nearly all nurses questioned in research have admitted lying to dementia patients.
Telegraph
Telegraph
Stopping tamoxifen 'ups breast cancer death risk'
Stopping tamoxifen 'ups breast cancer death risk' “Hundreds of women are dying needlessly every year as they stop taking breast cancer drugs because of the unbearable side effects,” reports The Daily Telegraph.
The news is based on a study looking at whether women prescribed tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery took the drug as prescribed (adherence).
Researchers wanted to compare the cost-effectiveness of tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery for women who were highly adherent with those whose adherence to treatment was low.
Researchers analysed data on just over 1,000 Scottish women prescribed tamoxifen to try and reduce risk of cancer recurrence. They found that women with low “adherence” (stopping or taking it irregularly) to tamoxifen had shorter time to cancer recurrence, increased medical costs, and poorer quality of life.
However, despite the headlines, we can’t tell why the women didn’t stick with their treatment. The reasons people stop taking potentially life-saving treatment are complex, and can be due to many factors, including psychosocial and health factors, as well as side effects.
Currently, women given tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery are advised to take it for five years, and the results of this study support this. The study authors suggest that it would be cost-effective for the health service to intervene to encourage women to continue taking tamoxifen daily for the whole five-year period.
Where did the story come from?
Links To The Headlines
Hundreds of women dying needlessly after quitting cancer drugs. The Daily Telegraph, September 4 2013
Lethal toll as women quit ‘unbearable’ cancer drug tamoxifen. The Times, September 4 2013
Breast cancer drug could save lives of more than 400 women, study shows. The Guardian, September 4 2013
Skipping breast cancer drugs costs lives, warns charity. BBC News, September 4 2013
Links To Science
McCowan C, et al. The value of high adherence to tamoxifen in women with breast cancer: a community-based cohort study. British Journal of Cancer. Published online September 3 2013
NHS Choices
Commissioning inclusive services
Commissioning inclusive services The National Inclusion Health Board has produced a new guide to help bring a greater focus on tackling health inequalities, by supporting JSNAs and JHWSs to identify the needs of the most vulnerable and set clear priorities for how these can be met.
The guide can be found on the LGA’s Knowledge Hub. NHS Networks
Good practice guidance
Good practice guidance NICE Good practice guidance provides advice and guides good practice for those in health and social care involved in handling, prescribing, commissioning and making decisions about medicines. NICE
News story: Local Clinical Research Network hosts announced by the NIHR
News story: Local Clinical Research Network hosts announced by the NIHR The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Local Clinical Research Network will distribute £280 million of NIHR funding per year to hospitals and surgeries across England to pay for research nurses, scans, x-rays and other clinical research costs.
The network will help to increase the opportunities for patients to take part in clinical research, and will be responsible for making sure that studies are carried out efficiently. It also supports the government’s strategy for UK Life Sciences by improving the environment for life-sciences research in the NHS.
Clinical research provides evidence about ‘what works’, and on how the NHS can provide better treatments for NHS patients across all areas of medicine. The promotion, conduct and use of clinical research is included in the NHS Constitution, which pledges that patients will be informed of research studies they may be able to take part in.
Last year, more than 630,000 patients took part in clinical research studies supported by the NIHRClinical Research Network.
Dr Daniel Poulter, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, said:
Department of HealthThese changes will give patients around the country better access to clinical research. That means new treatments will be developed faster and available for patients earlier.The UK’s position as a world leader in the field of research is something we are rightly proud of. The network provides a platform for exciting studies to take place and build on that reputation.
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Patients encouraged to ask about clinical research
Patients encouraged to ask about clinical research The parents of children who need treatment at Kettering Hospital are being encouraged to inquire about the possibility of taking part in clinical research. Evening Telegraph
Hunt announces new push to create database of NHS patients' records
Hunt announces new push to create database of NHS patients' records Health secretary says government will match hospital funding for new IT systems but campaigners question privacy safeguards
The government's controversial push to create a database of patients' records containing the nation's medical details will be boosted by a £1bn technology fund, ministers will announce today.
Despite privacy campaigners warning that identifiable patient data could harm rather than help the public, the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, will argue today that the sharing of such information is necessary to help ease pressures on A&E departments by cutting down on the paperwork that hampers clinicians.
The cash will be used for new IT systems in hospitals that will allow consultants, GPs' surgeries, social workers and out-of-hours doctors to share patients' electronic records routinely "so they will be able to give them personal and effective treatment with full knowledge of their care history".
Where are the voices of the healthcare assistants in mental health? - The Guardian
Where are the voices of the healthcare assistants in mental health? And even Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, who himself trained as a mental health nurse and spent 12 years as chief executive of a mental health NHS trust, is repeatedly quoted talking about the physical care tasks ... Guardian
Second NHS hospital may be franchised before election
Second NHS hospital may be franchised before election Circle, Serco and Care UK reportedly interested in taking over running of George Eliot hospital in Warwickshire
A second NHS hospital could be taken over by a private company before the general election, it has emerged.
Board papers published by the NHS Trust Development Authority reveal (pdf) that George Eliot hospital in Warwickshire, which serves 290,000 people, could be "franchised", with a private sector firm taking over its management.
Last February Hinchingbrooke became the first NHS hospital to be privatised when it was handed over to Circle Health for 10 years.
Health Service Journal reported that private firms such as Circle, Serco and Care UK were circling George Eliot, and other NHS trusts had expressed an interest in taking it over. The sell-off has been backed by the Treasury.
'World's biggest silent killer': Breakthrough could revolutionise treatment of blood pressure
'World's biggest silent killer': Breakthrough could revolutionise treatment of blood pressure Removing one of the smallest organs in the human body could dramatically reduce blood pressure in patients who do not respond to medicines, potentially revolutionising treatments for thousands. Independent
Future payment systems in the NHS
Future payment systems in the NHS
Healthcare Financial Management Association -
Healthcare Financial Management Association -
The HFMA, in conjunction with The King’s Fund and Monitor, held a one-day workshop for NHS finance leaders in May 2013 to debate a future NHS payment system. This briefing summarises views from the day on: the limitations of the current system; desirable features of the new system; steps to achieving a new system; considerations and limitations; and ideas for further work.
Building dementia-friendly communities: a priority for everyone
Building dementia-friendly communities: a priority for everyone
Alzheimer's Society -
This report finds that while there are some excellent examples of community provision for dementia, less than half of survey respondents think their area is set up to help them live well with dementia (42%). Results also become considerably lower the more advanced the person's dementia is. Findings show that there is significant goodwill in the community to help people with dementia live well. The report states that not only do people feel that dementia-friendly places would be better for everyone, but that for every one person with dementia that is able to stay in their own home for a year longer, rather than entering residential care, £11,000 would be saved.
Alzheimer's Society -
This report finds that while there are some excellent examples of community provision for dementia, less than half of survey respondents think their area is set up to help them live well with dementia (42%). Results also become considerably lower the more advanced the person's dementia is. Findings show that there is significant goodwill in the community to help people with dementia live well. The report states that not only do people feel that dementia-friendly places would be better for everyone, but that for every one person with dementia that is able to stay in their own home for a year longer, rather than entering residential care, £11,000 would be saved.
A strategic review of the future pharmacist workforce: informing pharmacy student intakes
A strategic review of the future pharmacist workforce: informing pharmacy student intakes
Centre for Workforce Intelligence -
Centre for Workforce Intelligence -
This review of the future supply and demand for the pharmacist workforce in England looks ahead to 2040. Key findings include the likelihood of a surplus supply of pharmacists in the future unless action is agreed in the short-term. Recommendations to tackle this include: intervention to bring the supply and demand of pharmacists into balance; a staged approach to balancing supply and demand to secure high-quality services; ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews of supply and demand, with a continued drive to improve data around the pharmacy workforce; and reviewing this work at least every five years, with yearly monitoring.
Give GPs hospital board posts, says RCP
Give GPs hospital board posts, says RCP GPs should be handed roles on hospital boards as part of the NHS response to the Francis inquiry, according to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). GP Online
Mental health reports go monthly
Mental health reports go monthly 3 September, 2013: The Health and Social Care Information Centre has moved one of its important mental health reports to a monthly publication schedule. IC QOF
3millionlives industry group axed
3millionlives industry group axed NHS England has axed the 3millionlives industry group as it "redefines" its vision for the campaign to have 3m patients using telehealth and telecare by 2017. EHI News
NHS Electronic Staff Record Reprocurement
NHS Electronic Staff Record Reprocurement A project by the Department of Health to reprocure the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) is currently underway and responses to the most frequently asked questions on this topic are now available. NHS Employers
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
NHS England to publish quarterly lists of 'never events'
NHS England to publish quarterly lists of 'never events' Events that should never happen, such as surgical instruments left inside patients' bodies, will be listed by hospital trust
The NHS in England will publish quarterly lists of "never events" – so-called because they should never happen – broken down by hospital trust, it has emerged.
The admission came as part of a response to a freedom of information request from the magazineHealth Service Journal, which sought a list of serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents which are never supposed to happen in the NHS.
2013 cancer survey: Trust level reports
2013 cancer survey: Trust level reports This survey reported the views of 116,000 cancer patients in all 155 NHS Trusts that provide treatment to patients with cancer. It showed improvements in many areas since last year, and outlined very positive experience of aspects of care such as privacy, being treated with respect, being listened to and given good information. NHS Evidence
UK survey finds that social firms may help with vocational recovery for people with mental illness
UK survey finds that social firms may help with vocational recovery for people with mental illness In the UK it is a shocking statistic that around 80-90% of people with severe mental illness are not in work. Unemployment impacts negatively not only on the individual, but is also costly to the government. Employment is now embedded in key mental health policy as a central part of recovery. However, despite this, and [read the full story...] The Mental Elf
Hospitals to be offered ‘gold standard’ mark on care for elderly patients following Mid Staffs scandal
Hospitals to be offered ‘gold standard’ mark on care for elderly patients following Mid Staffs scandal Hospital wards are to be awarded “gold standard” stamps of approval by the Royal College of Physicians if they can prove they are meeting high standards in caring for the elderly. Independent
Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers
Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers This report looks at what they are, how they will work in practice, and the issues they raise. NHS Networks
Call for rare conditions drugs fund
Call for rare conditions drugs fund A group of MPs is calling for a ring-fenced fund to pay for drugs for rare conditions. BBC News
Government response: DH’s response to Sustain’s hospital food standards campaign
Government response: DH’s response to Sustain’s hospital food standards campaign The Department’s improving hospital food project, launched by the Secretary of State in 2012, was well received by its partners and welcomed by Sustain.
The project identified 8 fundamental principles that patients should expect from hospital food. Most important amongst them was that hospitals should adopt government buying standards for food and catering services (Food GBS) where practical and supported by procurement practices.
Monday, 2 September 2013
Leadership alliance formed to respond to the independent review of the Liverpool Care Pathway
Leadership alliance formed to respond to the independent review of the Liverpool Care Pathway All patients, irrespective of whether or not they are on the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) or any other integrated care pathway, should receive high quality, compassionate care in the last days and hours of life, and their families should be supported. But this is not always the case and we must address that inconsistency.
In the report by the independent review of the LCP the review panel called for a coalition of regulatory and professional bodies to lead the way in creating and delivering the knowledge base, the education, training and skills and the long-term commitment needed to make high quality care for dying patients a reality, not just an ambition. A Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People (LACDP) is being set up under the chairmanship of Dr Bee Wee, National Clinical Director for End of Life Care at NHS England, to do this.
Updated locums guidance published
Updated locums guidance published NHS Employers has published an updated version of our guidance on the appointment and employment of NHS locum doctors. NHS Employers
Standards of care for people who self-harm must be improved, says NICE
Standards of care for people who self-harm must be improved, says NICE The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a quality standard to improve the quality of care and support for children, young people, and adults who self-harm.
Adult safeguarding: updated statement of government policy
Adult safeguarding: updated statement of government policy The purpose of this document is to provide an update on the government’s policy on safeguarding adults vulnerable to abuse and neglect. It includes the statement of principles for local authority social services and housing, health, the police and other agencies to use, for both developing and assessing the effectiveness of their local safeguarding arrangements. NHS Networks
Health and wellbeing boards and integrated care
Health and wellbeing boards and integrated care The guide addresses areas that they need to address to make sure that they reach their full potential, including local authority budget cuts, increasing demands due to an ageing population, the restructuring of the NHS, the public health agenda and the implementation of integrated care. NHS Networks
Hospital care: clear differences between mental health service users and others
Hospital care: clear differences between mental health service users and others Longer hospital stays and fewer procedures on average, for mental health service users, new analysis shows. IC QOF
Does racial discrimination affect the mental health of children and young people?
Does racial discrimination affect the mental health of children and young people? Recent adult mental health policy initiatives, such as the Delivering Race Equality programme (PDF) show the increasing recognition of racial discrimination in NHS mental health services. In 2012 the NHS Confederation issued guidance on achieving race equality in mental health, which was summarised on the Mental Elf a while ago. These UK policy developments on [read the full story...] Mental Elf
Two-thirds of nurses have considered resigning, says survey
Two-thirds of nurses have considered resigning, says survey Royal College of Nursing report finds plummeting morale and stress levels soaring amid cuts and poor working conditions
Almost two-thirds of nurses have considered quitting their jobs in the last 12 months because they are so stressed, a survey has found.
Swingeing cuts to the numbers of nurses in the NHS have left many feeling overburdened and unable to give the care they would want.
A Royal College of Nursing (RCN) survey of 10,000 staff found that 62% had thought about leaving over the last year because they were under so much stress in their job.
GPs letting receptionists decide who gets seen
GPs letting receptionists decide who gets seen Untrained staff operating 'telephone triage' at one in eight practices as doctors complain of time wasted by £1bn worth of unnecessary visits. Telegraph
Shingles vaccine campaign to start
Shingles vaccine campaign to start People in their 70s across the UK will be routinely vaccinated against shingles from September 2013. BBC News
Friday, 30 August 2013
Joint statement about unexplained death of Esme Blore
Joint statement about unexplained death of Esme Blore Northamptonshire and Thames Valley police and the Royal Berkshire and Northampton General Hospital are working together to establish the circumstances of the death of 17-year-old Esme Blore, from Bedfordshire, who died in Northampton General Hospital on Monday (26/8), after attending Reading Festival at the weekend. Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Child death cases publishing pledge
Child death cases publishing pledge The board that investigates the deaths of children in Northamptonshire pledges to complete outstanding cases by March next year. BBC Northamptonshire
Hospital bosses apologise over mental health unit failings - This is Leicestershire
Hospital bosses apologise over mental health unit failings Health bosses have publicly apologised for failings in care standards at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit. Around 30 people - including top health officials, campaigners, staff and patients - heard the apology at a meeting of the Leicestershire ... This is Leicestershire
Hospital prosecuted for coma death
Hospital prosecuted for coma death Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust is to be prosecuted over the death of a diabetic patient. BBC News
See also
See also
BMA offers guidance on treating vulnerable patients
BMA offers guidance on treating vulnerable patients The association has produced recommendations to help health professionals in England and Wales treat adults who are being abused and do not want confidential information disclosed, even if it will help protect them from harm.
It seeks to address some of the dilemmas for doctors caring for vulnerable patients who retain capacity under the terms of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, such as whether patients are making a free and informed choice about confidentiality or whether they are acting under pressure from their abusers.
Finance managers recommend changes to NHS payments system
Finance managers recommend changes to NHS payments system The findings are explained in a joint briefing by the Healthcare Finance Managers’ Association and the King’s Fund.
50,000 clinicians to learn to code
50,000 clinicians to learn to code NHS England's director of patients and information expects 50,000 clinicians to learn to code over the next few years. E-Health Insider
Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers
Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers From 2014, personal health budgets will be offered to people in receipt of continuing care. This report looks at what they are, how they will work in practice, and the issues they raise.
Substance abuse and mental disorders are now killing more people globally than HIV, diabetes and TB
Substance abuse and mental disorders are now killing more people globally than HIV, diabetes and TB The Global Burden of Disease Study found depressive disorders account for the largest proportion, leading to 40 per cent of the worldwide death and disease burden. The Daily Telegraph
How much money do hospitals spend on their patient's meals?
How much money do hospitals spend on their patient's meals? New data shows how much hospitals are spending on their patient's meals, but high cost doesn't necessarily mean good grub.
Councils must face difficult decisions on NHS with leadership, not hyperbole
Councils must face difficult decisions on NHS with leadership, not hyperbole There a whiff of hypocrisy in local authorities aggressive opposition to changes to hospital services.
Doctors 'offered bribes for referrals to private firms'
Doctors 'offered bribes for referrals to private firms' Private healthcare firms have been accused of bribing GPs to send patients for expensive treatment at their clinics, sometimes involving procedures they do not even need.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
NHS receives 3,000 complaints every week - with nearly half against medical professionals
NHS receives 3,000 complaints every week - with nearly half against medical professionals
The NHS in England received 162,000 written complaints over the past year, the equivalent of more than 3,000 letters and emails per week. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- NHS hospital complaints rise by 1.9% The Guardian
- More complaints about GPs than hospital doctors OnMedica News
- NHS Confederation comments on the national written complaints figures NHS Confederation
- NHS written complaints data released Health & Social Care Information Centre
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Ten tips for measuring patient and carer experience
Ten tips for measuring patient and carer experience Jane Jones outlines 10 simple things that need to be considered when planning how to measure changes in patient and carer experience over time. The Health Foundation
GPS agency nurses and social care workers framework launches
GPS agency nurses and social care workers framework launches The Government Procurement Service launched its new agency nurses and social care workers framework agreement on the 1 August 2013. NHS Employers
Child protection database live in 2015
Child protection database live in 2015 Children identified as vulnerable by social services will be flagged to NHS staff if they attend an A&E, starting in 2015. E-Health Insider
DH expects £4.3 billion in NME benefits
DH expects £4.3 billion in NME benefits The North, Midlands and East programme for IT is predicted to reap benefits of more than £4.3 billion, with more than 60% expected from the delivery of TPP's SystmOne. E-Health Insider
Private healthcare market investigation
Private healthcare market investigation These provisional findings from the Competition Commission on privately-funded healthcare services show that many private hospitals face little competition in local areas across the UK, leading to higher private medical insurance premiums and charges for private patients. It also highlights incentive schemes, which encourage consultants to choose particular private providers for diagnosis and treatment, and the lack of available information on the performance of hospitals and consultants as further restrictions on competition.
Association between chronic disease related hospitalisations and primary health care resourcing
Association between chronic disease related hospitalisations and primary health care resourcing "Measuring hospitalisations, that could potentially be avoided with high quality and accessible primary care, is one indicator of how well primary care services are performing."
A systematic review of evidence on the association between hospitalisation for chronic disease related ambulatory care sensitive conditions and primary health care resourcing
OR Gibson, L Segal, RA McDermott BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:336
A systematic review of evidence on the association between hospitalisation for chronic disease related ambulatory care sensitive conditions and primary health care resourcing
OR Gibson, L Segal, RA McDermott BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13:336
Working time directive hinders junior doctors' progress
Working time directive hinders junior doctors' progress Shifts are not long enough to encounter the wide range of conditions and treatments they need to experience.
Home carers being paid illegal poverty wages - study
Home carers being paid illegal poverty wages - study Hundreds of thousands of agency workers caring for elderly people in their own homes are illegally being paid well below the minimum wage, a report claims.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Hospital chief resigns over targets
Hospital chief resigns over targets A chief executive resigns at a hospital in Northamptonshire after failing to achieve Department of Health targets for A&E treatment. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Kettering Hospital boss resigns over missed A&E targets Northamptonshire Telegraph
- Kettering hospital pledges to improve standards Northamptonshire Telegraph
Field named chief inspector of GPs
Field named chief inspector of GPs The new chief inspector of GPs in England has been named as Prof Steve Field, former chair of the Royal College of GPs. BBC News
Private patients 'paying too much'
Private patients 'paying too much' Most patients in UK private hospitals are paying more than they should for treatment because of a lack of local competition, an inquiry has found. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Private healthcare providers under the microscope The Daily Telegraph
Kidney checks 'would save lives'
Kidney checks 'would save lives' The NHS in England could save between 12,000 and 42,000 lives a year by simple checks on the kidney function of hospital patients, says the health watchdog. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- New NICE kidney guideline to save thousands of lives The Royal College of Physicians
- Thousands die with treatable kidney problems The Daily Telegraph
- Better kidney care could save up to 42,000 lives a year, says Nice The Guardian
Claims raspberries boost fertility 'misleading'
Claims raspberries boost fertility 'misleading' "Eating raspberries could increase your chances of becoming a father," the Mail Online website reports, with the Daily Express making similar claims. But these claims are not backed up by the evidence, as the stories seem to be based on the opinion of just one fertility nutritionist.
NHS England hits back over consultant CCG role
NHS England hits back over consultant CCG role NHS England has rejected findings of a BMA poll that suggested many CCGs had failed to involve secondary care doctors on their boards. GP Online
Supporting working carers: the benefits to families, business and the economy
Supporting working carers: the benefits to families, business and the economy The Employers for Carers and Department of Health Task and Finish Group was set up in 2012 to explore ways in which carers can be supported to combine work and care. This report of findings and recommendations includes information on the current complexity of care and support services; and the part that assistive technologies such as telehealth and telecare have to play in enabling carers to combine work and care.
care.data
care.data NHS England is introducing an information service on behalf of the NHS called care.data. The service aims to use information from a patients’ medical record to improve the way that healthcare is delivered for all. A thorough process must be followed before any information can be shared and strict rules about how information is stored and used are followed.
Mental health care overlooked by NHS review of emergency services
Mental health care overlooked by NHS review of emergency services A series of unsettling findings suggests the need for an agreed care pathway across the police, providers and local government.
GPs continue to do battle with government over telehealth
GPs continue to do battle with government over telehealth In the poisonous relationship between the Department of Health and GPs, ministerial support for telehealth is interpreted by some doctors as an attack on their way of working.
First private medical school to launch with £157,000 fees
First private medical school to launch with £157,000 fees British students will be expected to pay more than £157,000 in tuition fees to complete what is believed to be the most expensive undergraduate degree course in the country.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Charging foreigners would damage NHS, doctors say
Charging foreigners would damage NHS, doctors say Plans to charge more foreigners for using NHS services could mean every patient, including British nationals, having to prove their identity when they register with their GP, doctors have warned. The Independent
'No new evidence': Health bodies clash over draft guidelines that warn against dangers of using paracetamol to treat osteoarthritis
'No new evidence': Health bodies clash over draft guidelines that warn against dangers of using paracetamol to treat osteoarthritis
Two of the country’s leading health bodies have clashed over new draft guidelines that warn against the dangers of using paracetamol to treat a common form of arthritis that affects one million people in the UK. The Independent
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