Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Resolving the emergency crisis

Resolving the emergency crisis his document lists five areas in which the College of Emergency Medicine are working to improve emergency care. It also identifies five priority areas for government and NHS leadership to ensure a stable long term future for A&E services.

Global impact of depression revealed

Global impact of depression revealed Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, according to a review of research. BBC News

Will it be a bleak winter for the NHS?

Will it be a bleak winter for the NHS? Is the NHS in for a tough ride in the coming months? BBC News

NHS England launches Clinical Digital Maturity Index to improve patient safety

NHS England launches Clinical Digital Maturity Index to improve patient safety NHS England and EHI Intelligence have today announced the launch of the Clinical Digital Maturity Index (CDMI), a benchmarking tool that enables NHS hospitals to better understand how investing in, then effectively using information technology can improve patient safety and outcomes, reduce bureaucracy, and deliver efficiencies.

Academy calls for standardised records

Academy calls for standardised records Electronic patient records must be standardised to support both patient safety and patient access, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges says today in a report on NHS IT. E-Health Insider

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NHS branded drug spend 'capped' in deal

NHS branded drug spend 'capped' in deal NHS spending on branded medicines will be capped for the next five years under a government deal struck with the pharmaceutical industry. GP Online

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Compulsory vaccination can achieve 95% flu jab coverage among healthcare workers

Compulsory vaccination can achieve 95% flu jab coverage among healthcare workers Educational campaigns and improved access don’t boost uptake enough by themselves, finds evidence review. OnMedica

NHS bosses deserve six-figure salaries, says health chief

NHS bosses deserve six-figure salaries, says health chief Sir David Nicholson stands up for managers as figures show their pay rose twice as fast as that of nurses last year.

Better access to GPs and social care ‘could solve the A&E crisis’

Better access to GPs and social care ‘could solve the A&E crisis’

GP surgeries, social care services and NHS walk-in centres must open for longer to take pressure off casualty wards, leading emergency doctors have urged, warning that A&E is being taken to mean “anything and everything” by too many patients. The Independent

Three staff at Hillcroft care home in Lancashire 'mocked, bullied and assaulted' dementia sufferers

Three staff at Hillcroft care home in Lancashire 'mocked, bullied and assaulted' dementia sufferers

Dementia sufferers in a private care home were “pelted with bean bags” and tormented by their carers, with one victim having their foot stamped on and another being tipped out of a wheelchair, a court heard. The Independent

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

County in top ten as thousands sign up to quit smoking

County in top ten as thousands sign up to quit smoking Northamptonshire saw one of the highest sign-up rates for a quit smoking campaign which ran last month. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Now or never: shaping pharmacy for the future

Now or never: shaping pharmacy for the future This report highlights that people across England should expect pharmacists to offer far more than just medicines. It looks at how pharmacists are providing easy access to medicines, advice, review and care; better self-management of long-term conditions; better health through support to make lifestyle changes, and services which are integrated with other health professionals- so care is seamless, and it recommends ways to make these services more widespread.

AUDIO: NHS chief: Winter will be an 'issue'

AUDIO: NHS chief: Winter will be an 'issue' Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS England's medical director explains how A&E departments will function over the winter period. BBC News

Health and wellbeing boards: one year on

Health and wellbeing boards: one year on Health and wellbeing boards have made good progress but face a critical year which could define whether they develop into system leaders or are relegated to a side show, according to a King’s Fund survey. There is little sign that the 152 new bodies have begun to grapple with immediate issues such as reconfiguration and integrated care with the latter only mentioned by nine respondents. King's Fund

Can we really do this patient and community engagement ‘stuff’? Joan Saddler poses the question

Can we really do this patient and community engagement ‘stuff’? Joan Saddler poses the question The move towards framing the language of our health and care system to put patients at the centre of everything we do has been a positive and heartening development. Not only is this better for individuals receiving care – who should always be treated with compassion and respect – but also for the carers who… Continue reading »  NHS Voices

084 numbers banned

084 numbers banned The use of expensive 084 numbers by GP practices has been banned by NHS England. E-Health Insider

41,500 patients admitted to hospital every day in England - up nearly 13 per cent in five years

41,500 patients admitted to hospital every day in England - up nearly 13 per cent in five years NHS hospitals dealt with 15.1 million admissions in 2012-13 - or about 41,500 admissions per day on average across England, new figures show. Health and Social Care Information Centre

Tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK: intercollegiate recommendations for identifying, recording and reporting

Tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK: intercollegiate recommendations for identifying, recording and reporting his report argues that new measures are required to ensure that young girls at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation are protected by the existing UK legal framework. The report makes nine recommendations for tackling FGM in the UK and considers issues such as the lack of consistent data collection about FGM in the NHS

Facilitating knowledge exchange between health-care sectors, organisations and professions

Facilitating knowledge exchange between health-care sectors, organisations and professions "Relatively little is known about how people and groups who function in boundary-spanning positions between different sectors, organisations and professions contribute to improved quality of health care and clinical outcomes." National Institute for Health Services Research

Deprived of chance to die at home

Deprived of chance to die at home fficial study shows terminally ill patients in some areas twice as likely to be able to die at home than in some deprived parts of the country The Daily Telegraph

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Monday, 4 November 2013

Web site of the month: Our YouTube Channel!

Web site of the month: Our YouTube Channel! We know it's hard to find the time to come on a workshop (but if you can we run a programme of different information skills training workshops) or you may only need a refresher on how to do something specific.

We have created our own YouTube channel and have developed some very short training videos to help get you through the process of searching the healthcare databases to find information. NHFT Library Service

Big rise in number of children in A&E due to booze and drugs

Big rise in number of children in A&E due to booze and drugs Almost double the number of children were admitted to Kettering General Hospital last year for drink and drug related emergencies, compared with four years ago. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Women face ‘less choice for cancer tests’ in Northamptonshire

Women face ‘less choice for cancer tests’ in Northamptonshire Women in Northamptonshire may be discouraged from being screened for cancer, patients have claimed, after clinics stopped offering tests. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

VIDEO: Home care system under pressure

VIDEO: Home care system under pressure The home care system in the UK is under increasing pressure due to a combination of budget cuts and a growing number of people requiring care. BBC News

Female genital mutilation 'alert'

Female genital mutilation 'alert' Nurses, midwives and GPs in the UK must be much more aware of female genital mutilation (FGM) and treat it as child abuse, says a new report. BBC News

Benefit delays 'hit cancer patients'

Benefit delays 'hit cancer patients' Hundreds of terminally ill cancer patients face an "appalling" wait for their income support because of reforms to benefits, a leading charity is warning. BBC News

Poverty 'linked to cancer deaths'

Poverty 'linked to cancer deaths' Hundreds of women from the poorest backgrounds in England are dying needlessly of breast cancer, according to researchers. BBC News

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Fewer minority girls have HPV jab

Fewer minority girls have HPV jab Girls from black and Asian ethnic minorities are less likely to have been vaccinated against cervical cancer, research suggests. BBC News

14 'integration pioneer' schemes in England revealed

14 'integration pioneer' schemes in England revealed The government announced 14 'integration pioneer' schemes in England on 1 November to inspire other areas to copy them for a share of a £3.8bn integration fund available from 2015/16. GP Online

Increasing equity of access to high-quality mental health services in primary care: a mixed-methods study

Increasing equity of access to high-quality mental health services in primary care: a mixed-methods study The aim of this study was to increase equity of access to high-quality primary mental health care for underserved groups. The objectives were to clarify the mental health needs of people from underserved groups; identify relevant evidence-based services and barriers to, and facilitators of, access to such services; develop and evaluate interventions that are acceptable to underserved groups; establish effective dissemination strategies; and begin to integrate effective and acceptable interventions into primary care.

The reformed health service, and commissioning arrangements in England

The reformed health service, and commissioning arrangements in England This note provides an overview of the major reforms to the health service in England under the Health and Social Care Act 2012. It shows the key funding, commissioning and accountability structures under the old and new systems, and focuses on new health service commissioning arrangements and the formal powers and duties of NHS England and CCGs.

Britain’s reliance on foreign health staff blamed for crisis in poor countries

Britain’s reliance on foreign health staff blamed for crisis in poor countries

Britain has been guilty of fuelling a “brain drain” of health workers from some of the world’s poorest countries that threatens to reverse gains in global disease control, a leading charity has warned. The Independent

NHS A&E wards face worst winter ever, says top doctor

NHS A&E wards face worst winter ever, says top doctor

A top emergency doctor has warned of the worst winter ever for the NHS's emergency wards, after figures revealed a huge increase in patients facing long waits since 2011. The Independent

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Friday, 1 November 2013

Roadshow to raise awareness of mouth cancer

Roadshow to raise awareness of mouth cancer
The county’s oral health team is to kick-start Mouth Cancer Month, which runs during November, with an awareness roadshow.It will be making its way around Northamptonshire, stopping at Corby and Irthlingborough.

With mouth cancer claiming more lives than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined, the oral health team wants Northamptonshire residents to know the warning signs before it’s too late.
Oral health specialist, Mary Egan, of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The most common signs of mouth cancer are ulcers, sores, or red and white patches in the mouth that last longer than three weeks. Other symptoms may include unexplained pain in the mouth, ear or difficulty swallowing.
“Early detection is important, the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of survival. So if you have any on-going, unexplained mouth sores or irritations speak to your dentist and get it checked out.”
The primary risk factors for mouth cancer are smoking and a heavy intake of alcohol. Research shows that at least three out of four cases of mouth cancer could be prevented by quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol. The oral health team will be joined by the trust’s Stop Smoking Team on the roadshow.
It will be at Lakeside Urgent Care Centre, Cottingham Road, Corby, on November 6, from 9am until 5pm, and at Pen Green Children’s Centre, in the town, on November 20, from 10am until 12.30pm.
The roadshow will visit Nene Park Outpatients Centre, Attley Way, Irthlingborough, on November 13, from 9am until 5pm.  Evening Telegraph

Down's pregnancy blood test trialled

Down's pregnancy blood test trialled
A blood test during pregnancy which can detect Down's syndrome in the developing foetus is to be trialled by the NHS.  BBC News

Drinks tax 'would reduce obesity'

Drinks tax 'would reduce obesity'
A 20% tax on sugary drinks could reduce the number of obese adults in the UK by 180,000, say researchers writing in the British Medical Journal.  BBC News

Prostate cancer death rate falls

Prostate cancer death rate falls
The death rate from prostate cancer has fallen by 20% in the past 20 years, figures from Cancer Research UK show, although the actual number of deaths has risen.  BBC News

Breast cancer 'rising in under-40s'

Breast cancer 'rising in under-40s'
Cases of breast cancer in women under 40 are rising across Europe, research suggests.  BBC News

GP 999 response scheme saves £1m

GP 999 response scheme saves £1m
West Midlands GPs employed to respond to 999 calls have saved more than £1m by preventing nearly 1,000 A&E attendances in a single CCG area.  GP Online

Health and wellbeing boards: one year on

Health and wellbeing boards: one year on
The King's Fund - 
Health and wellbeing boards have made good progress in establishing themselves but face a critical year which could define whether they develop into system leaders or are relegated to a side show according to The King’s Fund second survey of boards. The report based on a survey of nearly half of the 152 health and wellbeing boards shows that local authorities have brought strong leadership to establishing the Boards and report good relationships with CCGs. Most have prioritised public health inequalities allaying concerns about the transfer of this remit to local authorities. However, there is little sign they have begun to grapple with immediate issues such as reconfiguration and integrated care with the latter only mentioned by 9 respondents.

RCN Foundation invests in compassion for dementia care

RCN Foundation invests in compassion for dementia care
The RCN Foundation has announced a second grant of £19,610 for a new education initiative for health care assistants (HCAs) working in dementia wards, Inside out of mind, following a hugely successful launch in Nottingham this year. RCN

E-learning: Introduction to the NHS

E-learning: Introduction to the NHS
It is designed for those who are new to the NHS or need to understand the recent changes and the organisations it created. More .....  NHS Networks

NHS Contraceptive Services: Cross-country variation in preferred method of contraception

NHS Contraceptive Services: Cross-country variation in preferred method of contraception
New figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show there was wide regional variation in the chosen method of contraception amongst those who attended NHS Contraceptive clinics.  IC QOF

Thursday, 31 October 2013

Kettering Hospital has improved, says new watchdog report

Kettering Hospital has improved, says new watchdog report A report has found significant improvements have been made at Kettering Hospital since a similar inspection earlier this year. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Residents at Northampton care home had sores so deep “you could feel the bone”, hearing told

Residents at Northampton care home had sores so deep “you could feel the bone”, hearing told Residents at a Northampton care home were found with pressure sores so deep ‘you could feel the bone’, a hearing was told today. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Emergency admissions to hospital: managing the demand

Emergency admissions to hospital: managing the demand Many emergency admissions to hospital are avoidable and many patients stay in hospital longer than is necessary, according to a report today by the National Audit Office. Improving the flow of patients through the system will be critical to the NHS’s ability to cope with future winter pressures on urgent and emergency care services.
Today’s report points out that, at a time when NHS budgets are under significant pressure, the number of emergency admissions to hospitals is continuing to rise, albeit at a slower rate than in the past. National Audit Office
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Care leaver strategy

Care leaver strategy This is a cross-departmental strategy document that sets out in one place the steps the government is taking - from housing to health services, from the justice system to educational institutions - to support care leavers to live independently once they have left their placement.
The new strategy includes a wide range of commitments from government to improve the help and support available to young people leaving care across all areas of life. All young people leaving care will be able to see exactly what support is available to them as they take the first steps into adult life. Department of Health

NHS Employers workforce survey results published

NHS Employers workforce survey results published The findings from the workforce survey enable us to share with employers the current reported trends in the labour market across the NHS, nationally and regionally. NHS Employers

Seven-day services in the NHS

Seven-day services in the NHS The BMA has published information about the proposals to make more NHS services available all week round including background, the BMA’s position and evidence about the impact of the plan on hospitals. The BMA

Could the EU Reform the NHS?

Could the EU Reform the NHS? An EU law has just come into force that may shake up the NHS more than any political party has ever been able to do. The Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross-border Healthcare gives the right to any EU citizen to get healthcare in any other EU Member ... The Huffington Post

PIP implant breast cancer link ruled out

PIP implant breast cancer link ruled out Faulty breast implants widely known as PIP (Poly Implant Prosthese) were back in the news today, with the release of a new report that found that women who have the faulty implants are not at higher risk of cancer.

Mental Health Act detentions top 50,000 a year

Mental Health Act detentions top 50,000 a year  Detentions continue to rise while use of place of safety orders fall. Health and Social Care Information Centre

Peer support workers: a practical guide to implementation

Peer support workers: a practical guide to implementation This guide from the Centre for Mental Health sets out four phases for an organisation looking to introduce peer worker posts: preparation; recruitment; employment; and ongoing development. It advises organisations on the key questions they need to ask, addresses common myths and provides sample documents to use.

The national pain audit: third report

The national pain audit: third report This audit from the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) has found that safety protocols need to be reviewed in many specialist pain services to ensure that mental health risk assessment and full case reviews of missed diagnoses are routinely performed. It recommended that specialist training is given to staff so they can better identify and manage those at risk.

Less smokers are using NHS help to quit

Less smokers are using NHS help to quit 11% drop in people using NHS Stop Smoking Services last year. OnMedica

Young army recruits at higher risk of mental illness

Young army recruits at higher risk of mental illness
A report by ForcesWatch claims those joining the army under the age of 18 are far more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems after leaving the forces. The report looked at over 40 existing studies into mental health problems among armed services personnel, in addition to interviews with veterans. The research also indicated that young recruits from disadvantaged backgrounds were... Healthcare Today

UK warned that youth unemployment is 'public health time bomb waiting to explode'

UK warned that youth unemployment is 'public health time bomb waiting to explode'

Youth unemployment in the UK and throughout Europe is a "public health time bomb waiting to explode" the World Health Organisation has warned. The Independent

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Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Securing the future of excellent patient care: final report of the independent review led by Professor David Greenaway

Securing the future of excellent patient care: final report of the independent review led by Professor David Greenaway This report is the result of an independent review which examined postgraduate medical education and training in the UK to ensure that doctors now and in the future are able to meet the changing needs of patients, society and health services. It recommends that a new way of training doctors is needed for a changing healthcare landscape; arguing that patients and the public will need doctors who are able to provide general care in broad speciality areas across a range of different settings.
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Hunt loses Lewisham Hospital appeal

Hunt loses Lewisham Hospital appeal The Court of Appeal rules Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt did not have power to implement cuts at Lewisham Hospital in London. BBC News

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Sickness absence figures released

Sickness absence figures released The Health and Social Care Informatics Centre (HSCIC) has released the report on NHS staff sickness absence figures, for the period of April to June 2013. NHS Employers

Swaddling may damage babies' hips, expert warns

Swaddling may damage babies' hips, expert warns Swaddling may have come back into fashion, particularly after speculation about how Prince George appeared to be wrapped as he left hospital. But the centuries-old practice could damage babies' hips is the warning carried by most media outlets today after the issue was highlighted by a British surgeon.

New data from the Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator

New data from the Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator The publication shows mortality from hospitalisation in England where the patient either died in hospital or died within 30-days post discharge from hospital, during the reporting period April 2012 to March 2013. Health and Social Care Information Centre

Interim gender dysphoria protocol and service guideline 2013/14

Interim gender dysphoria protocol and service guideline 2013/14 This guidance aims to address the significant variations in equity of access currently experienced by patients using gender identity services across England. It aims to achieve national consistency in the commissioning of these services, and is the culmination of extensive work to adapt the NHS Scotland protocol, ensuring that it meets the needs of patients; provides for the safe delivery of services, and reflects NHS England structures.

Cancer imaging centres to receive funding

Cancer imaging centres to receive funding
Four cancer imaging centres across the UK are to receive £35m funding to develop imaging technologies for cancer research.The money which comes as part of a new initiative by Cancer Research UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council will be spread over five years and will benefit the University of Oxford; the Institute of Cancer Research in London; a centre run jointly by King’s College, London ... Healthcare Today

Cancer survival rates up - but UK still lags behind other countries

Cancer survival rates up - but UK still lags behind other countries

Survival rates for cancer patients in England continue to improve, but leading charities have warned that treatments for some types of cancer are still “lagging behind” others. The Independent
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Tuesday, 29 October 2013

A review of the NHS hospitals complaints system: putting patients back in the picture

A review of the NHS hospitals complaints system: putting patients back in the picture This report looks at how complaints about care in NHS hospitals made by patients, their carers and representatives are listened to and acted on by hospitals. The review received 2,500 responses, the majority describing problems with the quality of treatment or care in NHS hospitals. The review panel also heard from people who had not complained because they felt the process was too confusing or they feared for their future care. The recommendations cover improving quality of care; improving the way complaints are handled; ensuring independence in the complaints procedures; and whistleblowing.
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A summit for safer care

A summit for safer care Measuring safety rather than harm requires us to engage with information that will give us insight into what is currently happening and what is likely to happen. Only when we have this knowledge can we respond effectively to prevent patients from being harmed in our care, says Jo Bibby. The Health Foundation

A good day to bury a significant piece of legislation?

A good day to bury a significant piece of legislation? Amid the furore (at least in health policy circles) of the Competition Commission’s decision to refuse themerger of trusts in Bournemouth and Poole, it may have passed people by that some potentially very significant changes to the current failure regime have been approved as part of the Care Bill.

VIDEO: Students tackle mental health stigma

VIDEO: Students tackle mental health stigma A scheme in the West Midlands, which has been successfully trying to combat the stigma that surrounds mental health, is about to be extended. BBC News

2015 records access promise scaled back

2015 records access promise scaled back The government's pledge for patients to have online access to their GP record by March 2015 will only require access to the brief information held on their Summary Care Record. E-Health Insider

More gene changes have role in Alzheimer's disease

More gene changes have role in Alzheimer's disease BBC News reports that there has been "Alzheimer's insight from DNA study". The BBC says that a clearer picture of what causes Alzheimer's disease is emerging after the largest-ever analysis of patients' DNA.

It's not just Mid Staffordshire. Private hospitals fail, too

It's not just Mid Staffordshire. Private hospitals fail, too For-profit healthcare groups depend on NHS contracts for their revenue, yet they are not forced to be transparent.

Jeremy Hunt takes Lewisham hospital reform battle to court of appeal

Jeremy Hunt takes Lewisham hospital reform battle to court of appeal Health secretary challenges previous ruling that he is not empowered to downgrade A&E and maternity services.

Monday, 28 October 2013

Six accused of care home 'failings'

Six accused of care home 'failings' Six people are to appear before a Nursing and Midwifery panel accused of care failings at a nursing home. BBC Northamptonshire

Hospital ‘is tackling risks’ highlighted by watchdog

Hospital ‘is tackling risks’ highlighted by watchdog Kettering Hospital says it is working to eliminate risks highlighted in a report by a national watchdog. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Bullied KGH nurse forced to quit

Bullied KGH nurse forced to quit A senior nurse with 46 years of experience has won a constructive dismissal case against Kettering General Hospital. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Most cancer patients who die in Northamptonshire hospitals wanted to spend last days at home

Most cancer patients who die in Northamptonshire hospitals wanted to spend last days at home About three quarters of cancer patients in Northamptonshire who die in hospital beds wanted to die at home, Macmillan Cancer Support has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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Project to help stop ‘horrific practice’ of female mutilation in Northamptonshire

Project to help stop ‘horrific practice’ of female mutilation in Northamptonshire A project has been launched to protect girls in Northamptonshire from female mutilation as the county is in the top 10 places in the UK where the practice is carried out. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Policy paper: Mental Health Act 2007: response to Commons Health Committee

Policy paper: Mental Health Act 2007: response to Commons Health Committee The Department of Health responds to the 11 Health Select Committee recommendations following the Mental Health Act 2007. The response covers:
  • independent mental health advocate services
  • supervised community treatment and places of safety
  • deprivation of liberty safeguards
The department’s response will be of particular interest to mental health and learning disability professionals and to those with a personal or family involvement with mental health services.

NHS complaints review set to report

NHS complaints review set to report The conclusions of a government review into the way the NHS in England handles complaints will be published on Monday. BBC News

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Emergency care: an accident waiting to happen?

Emergency care: an accident waiting to happen? This briefing aims to debunk some of the myths around A&E care and provides a snapshot of what our members are experiencing across the country. NHS Employers

NHS support organisations – new infographic published

NHS support organisations – new infographic published NHS Employers has produced a new infographic showing the organisations that support the new NHS and what they do.

Compulsory 'Care Certificate' to be introduced for support workers

Compulsory 'Care Certificate' to be introduced for support workers Health Minister Lord Howe has announced this week that a new national certificate for care will be introduced to ensure healthcare assistants and social care support workers receive high quality induction in the fundamentals of caring. NHS Employers

Cold weather plan for England 2013: protecting health and reducing harm from cold weather

Cold weather plan for England 2013: protecting health and reducing harm from cold weather The cold weather plan from Public Health England aims to prevent avoidable harm to health, by alerting people to the negative health effects of cold weather, and enabling them to prepare and respond appropriately. The emphasis of this year’s plan is on long term planning and winter action and preparedness.

Measuring and monitoring safety: an acute care perspective

Measuring and monitoring safety: an acute care perspective This thought paper offers reflections on the measurement and monitoring of safety from the perspective of a practising clinician based at a busy district general hospital. The Health Foundation

Doctors back seven-day NHS service plan

Doctors back seven-day NHS service plan Apparent U-turn by British Medical Association could pave the way for routine procedures being offered at weekends.

Simon Stevens' switch to NHS 'is like Arsenal signing Mesut Özil'

Simon Stevens' switch to NHS 'is like Arsenal signing Mesut Özil' he man who helped orchestrate New Labour's massive NHS investment is seen by many as the right choice for the job.

Close A&Es to save lives, doctors urge Jeremy Hunt

Close A&Es to save lives, doctors urge Jeremy Hunt Senior doctors have called on Jeremy Hunt to authorise mass closures of A&E departments, saying it will prevent needless deaths. The Daily Telegraph

Doctors to face regular competence tests following Harold Shipman murders

Doctors to face regular competence tests following Harold Shipman murders All doctors in the UK to be subject to tests originally recommended in the wake of the Harold Shipman scandal. The Daily Telegraph

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Friday, 25 October 2013

NGH to receive CQC inspection

NGH to receive CQC inspection
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is included in the next 19 acute and specialist trusts that will be inspected as part of the CQC's new hospital inspection programme under the direction of the new Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Sir Mike Richards.
Dr Sonia Swart, Chief Executive of NGH, said 'We welcome the opportunities that the CQC inspection will give us to make further improvements to the services we provide.  Feedback from our patients and our staff, along with our own internal inspection processes, scrutiny and constructive challenge from regulators enables us to provide even better care for our patients.
'We know there are areas where we need to take action to ensure our services are of a consistently high quality and there is an enormous amount of work already underway.  The CQC inspection will complement this work and help us to improve patient care even further.'  NGH News

Poor care risk 'at 1 in 4 hospitals'

Poor care risk 'at 1 in 4 hospitals'
Northampton and Kettering hospitals are at raised risk of providing poor care, a review by the regulator shows.  BBC Health News

NHS Trusts put in risk categories - full list

NHS Trusts put in risk categories - full list
Here is a list of the trusts in the risk categories identified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Band 1 is considered the highest risk and band 6 the lowest.  Independent

Hospital intelligent monitoring: October 2013

Hospital intelligent monitoring: October 2013
Care Quality Commission -
Intelligent monitoring looks at 150 different indicators covering a range of information including patient and staff experience and statistical measures of performance, with the aim of giving inspectors a clear picture of the areas of care that need to be looked at in NHS acute trusts. Together with local information from partners and the public, this monitoring helps the Care Quality Commission to decide when, where and what to inspect. A further 19 NHS trusts will be inspected from January 2014.

Daily aspirin 'risky' for healthy

Daily aspirin 'risky' for healthy
Healthy people should not take aspirin to ward off heart attacks and cancer, according to the most comprehensive review of the risks and benefits.  BBC News