Sustainable healthcare: the NHS launches a new strategy

Sustainable healthcare: the NHS launches a new strategy As one of the world's biggest employers, there can be no better sector or better time to set out examples of the NHS's responsibilities for the future, writes David Pencheon.

Some of the key players in the public sector are coming together this month to launch a joint approach to sustainability.

A quarter of suicides happen within 90 days of being discharged from hospital, study finds

A quarter of suicides happen within 90 days of being discharged from hospital, study finds A quarter of suicides occur within three months of discharge from hospital, a major study in Scotland has found. The Independent

Lords vote to ban motorists from smoking in cars carrying children

Lords vote to ban motorists from smoking in cars carrying children
Smoking in cars in the presence of children could be outlawed after the House of Lords voted for a ban. The Independent

See also:

• Peers back child car smoking ban BBC News

Data reveals six NHS trusts with 'persistently' high death rates

Data reveals six NHS trusts with 'persistently' high death rates Six NHS trusts have “persistently” high death rates for patients who die in hospital or within 30 days of discharge, according to new data. The Independent

See also:

• Six NHS trusts under fresh scrutiny over high death rates The Guardian
• Report shows hospital trusts with persistently high or low death ratios Health & Social Care Information Centre

GPs doing well on data protection - ICO

GPs doing well on data protection - ICO Most GP surgeries have good patient data protection schemes in place, a report by the Information Commissioner's Office has concluded. E-Health Insider

See also:

• Outcomes from visits to general practitioners and primary healthcare providers Information Commissioner's Office

Over-90s ambulance trips 'up 81%'

Over-90s ambulance trips 'up 81%' The number of over-90s brought to A&E by ambulance in England has risen 81% over the past three years, figures highlighted by Labour show. BBC News

See also:

• Attendance rates at major A&E departments highest in London Health & Social Care Information Centre
• Use of ambulances by over-90s to go to A&E rises by 81% The Guardian
• Scandal of elderly forced into A&E as faith lost in care outside hospitals The Daily Telegraph
• A&E needs reform, says senior doctor The Daily Telegraph
• A&E figures: Young patients without a GP add to growing pressure on casualty units The Independent

New Resource: 10 Top Tips for Reporting Concerns

New Resource: 10 Top Tips for Reporting Concerns The new 10 Top Tips for Reporting Concerns is the perfect size to use as a payslip insert, as a handout to give to staff or can be shared electronically on your local intranet. NHS Employers

New strains of the Black Death could emerge

New strains of the Black Death could emerge "Plague that killed millions is able to rise from the dead,” warns The Independent after a new study looked at the genetic history of the Yersinia pestis bacteria.

Plague is a devastating disease which causes rapid death if left untreated. There have been three plague pandemics in recorded history. The most famous was the second – the “Black Death” of the 14th to 17th centuries in Europe.

DDT pesticide exposure may up Alzheimer's risk

DDT pesticide exposure may up Alzheimer's risk "DDT: Pesticide linked to Alzheimer's," BBC News reports. A US study found that levels of the now banned pesticide DDT were almost four times higher in people with a confirmed diagnosis ofAlzheimer's disease.

DDT was widely used as a pesticide during much of the 20th century, but is now banned in most countries because of concerns that it contaminates the environment and the food chain. The UK was relatively late in banning the pesticide, which did not come into force until 1984.

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2012/13

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2012/13 This annual report into the use of the Mental Health Act provides an insight into the experiences of patients who received care under the act throughout 2012/13. It highlights five key areas which CQC will examine following the results of this report: community care; reporting on death; emergency and mental health crisis; involving people who use services; and investigating complaints relating to the use of the Mental Health Act. Care Quality Commission

• Report
• Infographic

See also:

• Concern over record numbers detained for mental health treatment The Guardian
• Mental Health Act detentions up 12% BBC News

NHS failing in its duty to look after the health of its staff, doctors say

NHS failing in its duty to look after the health of its staff, doctors say
The NHS in England is not doing enough to look after the health of its staff, doctors have warned, as a report found that nearly half of NHS trusts do not have a mental wellbeing policy in place for their employees. The Independent

See also:

• 300,000 additional NHS staff are benefiting from health and wellbeing programmes NHS Employers

MPs outraged at £1m redundancy payments for three NHS managers

MPs outraged at £1m redundancy payments for three NHS managers

Three NHS managers reportedly received redundancy payments totalling nearly £1m - even though they continued to work for the health service. The Independent

See also:

• NHS under fire over redundancy payment to health chiefs The Daily Telegraph

Good outcomes? Bad outcomes? Let patients define value

Good outcomes? Bad outcomes? Let patients define value When it comes to value in healthcare, who defines value? Who creates value? Value to whom? asks Jeremy Taylor. The Health Foundation

Are your medical records in danger?

Are your medical records in danger? Should we be concerned about plans to share information? BBC News

'Good' cholesterol can turn 'bad', study finds

'Good' cholesterol can turn 'bad', study finds  "Good cholesterol also has a nasty side that can increase the risk of heart attacks," BBC News reports after a US study has suggested that labelling cholesterol either "good" or "bad" is oversimplifying a complex situation.

The segment tool: segmenting life expectancy gaps by cause of death

The segment tool: segmenting life expectancy gaps by cause of death This tool aims to help local authorities identify causes of death that contribute most to their life expectancy gaps and, therefore, enable them to target interventions appropriately. It provides charts and tables which segment the life expectancy gap from January 2009 to December 2011 by the major causes of death. A summary report is also available for each upper tier local authority. Public Health England

NHS to axe 300 support jobs

NHS to axe 300 support jobs  Managers alarmed at downsizing of recently set-up clinical support units, as NHS confirms plans for 3% staff reduction.

Elderly care loans could bankrupt councils after 'massive cost underestimate', claim

Elderly care loans could bankrupt councils after 'massive cost underestimate', claim Council chiefs warn flagship care loans scheme could leave them facing crisis within a decade to meet costs of more than £1 billion. The Daily Telegraph

Anger over NHS 'U-turn' on prostate cancer drugs

Anger over NHS 'U-turn' on prostate cancer drugs NHS rationing body accused of "playing fast and loose" with the lives of cancer sufferers. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• NICE consults again on decision to recommend new prostate cancer drug NICE

Throat-grabbing nurse struck off

Throat-grabbing nurse struck off A nurse who held the throat of a brain-injured patient and would not let go is struck off the register. BBC Northamptonshire

New hospital unit for A&E patients

New hospital unit for A&E patients The pressure on Kettering Hospital’s accident and emergency department has been relieved with the opening of a new unit. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Five residents removed amid concerns at Northampton care home

Five residents removed amid concerns at Northampton care home A care home in Northampton being investigated by police over the death of an elderly resident, failed all its core care standards in an inspection, it has emerged. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Shifting from counting what is measured to measuring what counts

Shifting from counting what is measured to measuring what counts The primary purpose of a health service is to improve health of the population and add value to its customers - the customer has to be actively involved in defining that value. We need to get better at measuring the softer side of the care experience, says Kallur Suresh. The Health Foundation

Hull creates real-time A&E waits app

Hull creates real-time A&E waits app Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has created a first of kind app which shows patients real-time A&E and outpatient clinic waiting times and attendance. E-Health Insider

Liverpool Care Pathway 'wrongly blamed'

Liverpool Care Pathway 'wrongly blamed' Should a controversial end-of-life care pathway have been scrapped? BBC News

E-cigarette ban for under-18s

E-cigarette ban for under-18s Under-18s are to be banned from buying electronic cigarettes, ministers announce, amid fears the quitting aid could be encouraging nicotine addiction. BBC News

See also:

• VIDEO: E-cigarette ban for under-18s BBC News
• E-cigarette to be banned for under-18s in England The Independent
• E-cigarettes to be banned for under-18s The Daily Telegraph

Daily Mail admits 'champagne bar' story was wrong

Daily Mail admits 'champagne bar' story was wrong Editors at the Daily Mail have stated that a story alleging that NICE staff misspent public money on corporate credit cards was wrong. NICE

Lingonberries claimed to prevent weight gain

Lingonberries claimed to prevent weight gain “Lingonberries ‘could prevent weight gain’,” says The Daily Telegraph, reporting on the so-called “superberries” from Scandinavia. But before rushing your local Swedish grocer, it’s worth noting that these tests were done on mice.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) - litigation and reputation

Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) - litigation and reputation This research finds that two thirds of Britons would sue a hospital if they contracted a serious HCAI while undergoing treatment. It suggests that the reputational/litigation risk to hospitals with higher HCAI rates, and the possible consequential loss of patient volumes, is an incentive to focus on reducing HCAIs. MindMetre

Cash and decisions on primary care investment ‘at a virtual standstill’

Cash and decisions on primary care investment ‘at a virtual standstill’ This will stymie much needed shift of care from hospitals, warns NHS Alliance chair. OnMedica

NHS patients should be pushy with GPs about treatment and drugs, says health chief

NHS patients should be pushy with GPs about treatment and drugs, says health chief Patients should adopt American attitudes to make sure they get treated, says NHS drugs rationing chief Professor David Haslam. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Patients told to be pushier with GPs BBC News
• NHS patients 'should be more pushy to get drugs' The Guardian
• Doctors know best, but we shouldn't have to be pushy to get proper treatment The Guardian

Warnings over shortages of Intensive care beds

Warnings over shortages of Intensive care beds 50 hospitals run out of critical care beds amid fears of a winter crisis. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• NHS hospitals face record levels of 'bed blocking' The Guardian

Exclusive: Eating disorders soar among teens - and social media is to blame

Exclusive: Eating disorders soar among teens - and social media is to blame

The number of children and teenagers seeking help for an eating disorder has risen by 110 per cent in the past three years, according to figures given exclusively to The Independent on Sunday.

40 per cent of GPs plan to opt out of the NHS big data sweep, due to a lack of confidence in the project

40 per cent of GPs plan to opt out of the NHS big data sweep, due to a lack of confidence in the project

Family doctors are concerned that the “total confidentiality” of GP consultations could be under threat from a major NHS data scheme which will see confidential patient records stored in a national database. The Independent

See also:

• Four in 10 GPs to opt out of NHS database The Daily Telegraph
• NHS data sharing benefits outweigh risks The Guardian

NHFT Children and Young People's Services – Have Your Say

NHFT Children and Young People's Services – Have Your Say

If you are a child or young person using health services in Northamptonshire, or a parent or carer of a child or young person, we want to hear your views. NGH News

Fight to save Corby mental health service

Fight to save Corby mental health service

A campaign has been launched in Corby to save a vital lifeline for people facing an emotional crisis or suffering mental health distress. Evening Telegraph

Have a say in future of health care in Corby

Have a say in future of health care in Corby

Residents are invited to a meeting on the future of health care services in Corby. Evening Telegraph

Hospital celebrates being ulcer free for a year

Hospital celebrates being ulcer free for a year

Carlton and Ian Bennett wards of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are this week celebrating over a year pressure ulcer free. Evening Telegraph

East Kent uses Bloodhound on iPods

East Kent uses Bloodhound on iPods

Staff at East Kent University NHS Foundation Trust will use Apple iPods at the bedside to match patients with blood products using its new Bloodhound system. EHI News

Too many needless deaths because elderly cancer sufferers are 'written off'

Too many needless deaths because elderly cancer sufferers are 'written off'

Elderly cancer sufferers miss out on life-saving treatment because doctors 'write them off,' charity says. Telegraph

Sharing information could prevent suicides

Sharing information could prevent suicides

The government report, Preventing Suicide in England: One year On, outlines an agreement between government and health and care professionals that is designed to promote greater sharing of information between families and organisations.Figures released from the Office for National Statistics show there were just over 4,500 suicides in 2012, a small increase on the year before. 77% of those who take their own ... Healthcare Today

Better information means better care

Better information means better care

A new animated video has been developed by NHS England and the Health and Social Care Information Centre to further raise awareness of how patient data are set to be collected and used to help improve care for all. It aims to present a simple way for GPs and other NHS staff to explain why systems need upgrading to collect information that is missing. NHS Evidence
Video

New guide to help young people with learning disabilities to manage their feelings better

New guide to help young people with learning disabilities to manage their feelings better

We have produced a guide on ways to adapt the internationally recognised and World Health Organisation endorsed FRIENDS for Life programme to help children and young people with learning disabilities to manage their feelings better. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities News

Over half of frontline healthcare workers protected against flu

Over half of frontline healthcare workers protected against flu

The latest figures show that 53.1 per cent of frontline healthcare workers have had their seasonal flu vaccination. NHS Employers News

Nurse denies attempted throttling of brain-damaged amputee

Nurse denies attempted throttling of brain-damaged amputee A mental health nurse has denied trying to throttle a brain-damaged amputee after the patient dragged her to the floor in a violent struggle at the National Brain Injury Centre, a tribunal has heard. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS waiting time data 'unreliable'

NHS waiting time data 'unreliable' Waiting time information for non-emergency operations such as knee and hip replacements in England is unreliable, a watchdog says. BBC News

See also:

• NHS waiting times for elective care in England National Audit Office
• Trusts 'mis-recording' data - NAO E-Health Insider
• NHS Confederation comments on the National Audit office report about surgery waiting times NHS Confederation
• Doubts over NHS waiting time figures, after watchdog uncovers 'inconsistencies' The Independent
• NHS 'fiddles up to 1 in 5 waiting times' says official study The Daily Mail

Dozens of CCGs in deficit by April

Dozens of CCGs in deficit by April One in eight CCGs will be in deficit by April 2014, with most CCG finance leads 'very pessimistic' about the next financial year, a survey for the King's Fund suggests. GP Online

Preventing chronic conditions among ethnic minorities and improving access to services

Preventing chronic conditions among ethnic minorities and improving access to services This briefing recommends lowering BMI thresholds as a trigger for intervening to prevent ill health among adults from minority ethnicities. Further examples of recommendations include developing an integrated regional and local plan, and promoting early intervention. It also suggests that by reconfiguring services to meet the health needs of their local populations, local authorities can reduce health inequalities and address the costs associated with ill health. NICE

How is the health and social care system performing? Quarterly monitoring report

How is the health and social care system performing? Quarterly monitoring report This analysis of key performance data shows that NHS performance is holding up well but the survey findings from finance directors working in the health and social care sectors suggest that financial pressures are increasing. It also highlights the issues of delayed transfers of care. The King's Fund

Integrated care value case toolkit

Integrated care value case toolkit The toolkit should enable Health and Wellbeing Boards and local partners to understand the evidence and impact of different integrated care models on service users, as well as the associated impact on activity and cost to different parts of the health and care system. Local Government Association

One in five hospitals heading into the red and morale is low, survey shows

One in five hospitals heading into the red and morale is low, survey shows But most hospitals are coping well with winter pressures. OnMedica

Every hospital patient will get point-of-contact doctor, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will announce

Every hospital patient will get point-of-contact doctor, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will announce

Hospital patients will be allocated a named doctor with overall responsibility for their care, Jeremy Hunt will announce today. The Independent

See also:

• Give each NHS hospital patient a single consultant, says Jeremy Hunt The Guardian

Midwives from NGH who reduce caesarean births up for award

Midwives from NGH who reduce caesarean births up for award Midwives from Northampton General Hospital have been shortlisted for the ‘Excellence in Maternity Care’ award. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Call for safe staff levels across NHS

Call for safe staff levels across NHS The health and care regulator for England has yet to win the public's confidence, according to a highly critical report by a committee of MPs. BBC News

HSCIC discusses Care Bill info challenge

HSCIC discusses Care Bill info challenge The Care Bill will bring several informatics challenges, including higher data standards and increased use of the NHS Number, according to a Health and Social Care Information Centre board paper. E-Health Insider

Key facts and trends in mental health - 2014 update

Key facts and trends in mental health - 2014 update We have updated our 2011 factsheet, reflecting new figures, statistics and resources. NHS Confederation

Genetic effects of shift work examined

Genetic effects of shift work examined “Night work ‘throws body into chaos’,” reports the BBC News website. The news is based on a new study from researchers at the University of Surrey which found that the daily rhythms of genes are disrupted by shifting sleep times.

NHS finance - the fundamentals post 2012 reforms

NHS finance - the fundamentals post 2012 reforms This is part of a series of briefings which is written and structured for foundation trust governors. The aim of this briefing is to enable governors to navigate around the financial reports provided to governors and identify the key information within these reports. Foundation Trust Governors' Association

NHS safe staffing: not just a number

NHS safe staffing: not just a number This analysis highlights the risks to patient care when hospital ward staffing falls short of the roster. Despite developments in electronic rostering hospitals have resisted using automated systems to track their staff. Recent unannounced hospital inspections have found serious staff shortfalls against rosters. This report highlights the potential benefits of implementing robust systems to track the deployment of hospital staff in real time, to patients, to the workforce, and to hospital management. Policy Analysis Centre

NHS chiefs may ask private health firms to help if there is a patient surge

NHS chiefs may ask private health firms to help if there is a patient surge Medical director Bruce Keogh says private sector could carry out operations to relieve pressure on hospitals in case of cold snap.

Private firms will be asked to take on some of the NHS's workload if the service cannot cope with demand this winter, it has emerged, as hospital bosses warned that emergency services were on a knife edge.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, said private companies would be asked to carry out planned operations in order to relieve pressure on hospitals "when the going gets rough in winter".

Don't mislead us about our NHS medical records

Don't mislead us about our NHS medical records The NHS wants us to hand over our personal health details - yet it cannot guarantee anonymity, warns Philip Johnston. The Daily Telegraph

Report claims thousands of seriously ill NHS patients are being denied drugs

Report claims thousands of seriously ill NHS patients are being denied drugs Thousands of seriously ill patients are being denied drugs that have been approved for use by the NHS, according to a report. The Independent

See also:

• Analysis shows usage of NICE-appraised medicines by NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre
• Thousands of patients denied NHS drugs for major diseases The Daily Telegraph
• Regulator needs to act to stop endemic postcode lottery The Daily Telegraph
• The NHS trusts that won't give patients new life-saving drugs: Huge disparity between numbers given new treatments The Daily Mail

NHS director reveals 'great scepticism' over government's £3.8bn Better Care Fund

NHS director reveals 'great scepticism' over government's £3.8bn Better Care Fund

England's top doctor has said that there are fears in the NHS that a flagship government fund aimed at helping the health service work more closely with local authorities to provide social care, will be wrongly used by councils for “filling in potholes and other significant things”. The Independent

Dementia-friendly Yorkshire: First steps on the journey

Dementia-friendly Yorkshire: First steps on the journey This collection contains 20 examples of inspiring grassroots dementia-friendly projects transforming communities across Yorkshire.

Projects are taking place in shops, churches, mosques, gurdwaras, legal services and cafes, and in public services such as transport, museums, hospitals, trading standards, schools, libraries, and sports centres. Joseph Rowntree Trust

Psychological wellbeing and work: improving service provision and outcomes

Psychological wellbeing and work: improving service provision and outcomes This report, commissioned by the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions, explores how to improve employment and health outcomes for people with common mental health problems. It makes a number of recommendations including the use of evidence-based models that combine employment and mental health support; the integration of existing treatment and employment services; and the timely provision of services. Department of Health

"If you could do one thing...": nine local actions to reduce health inequalities

"If you could do one thing...": nine local actions to reduce health inequalities This paper presents a collection of opinion pieces from leading social scientists on health inequalities. Each of the authors has written an article, drawing on the evidence base for their particular area of expertise, identifying one policy intervention that they think local authorities could introduce to improve the health of the local population and reduce health inequalities. British Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences

• Report
• Executive summary

Hospitals to get more money for seeing A&E cases after funding rule is relaxed

Hospitals to get more money for seeing A&E cases after funding rule is relaxed NHS bosses make changes to payments system critics say wrongly denies emergency departments estimated £500m a year.

Hospitals are to receive more money for treating patients admitted as emergencies after NHS bosses relaxed a payments system which critics say has wrongly denied A&E units an estimated £500m a year.

Emergency departments have been struggling with a funding rule which means they receive only 30% of the cost of treating any patient admitted as an emergency over and above the number of patients treated in 2008-09.

EU proposals could outlaw giant NHS database

EU proposals could outlaw giant NHS database Proposed EU laws could render £50 million NHS database illegal, senior officials warn. The Daily Telegraph

Kettering General Hospital withholds death findings

Kettering General Hospital withholds death findings A hospital where a girl bled to death withholds the findings of an inquiry from the BBC for fear of "endangering the mental health" of its staff. BBC Northamptonshire

Work of Northampton General Hospital surgeon must be overseen during investigation

Work of Northampton General Hospital surgeon must be overseen during investigation A specialist spinal surgeon at Northampton General Hospital must be supervised during operations while an investigation is carried out into some of his work. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Clegg attacks NHS mental health care

Clegg attacks NHS mental health care Nick Clegg has launched a strong attack on how the NHS treats mental health patients. BBC News

See also:

• Mental therapy waiting times spark concern The Independent
• Closing the Gap: Priorities for essential change in mental health Department of Health

Policy paper: Suicide prevention report

Policy paper: Suicide prevention report The annual report summarises the developments on the suicide prevention strategy for England at national level. It identifies key research studies and their findings, and is accompanied by a report of statistical information on suicides. The report sets out the key actions that local areas can take to prevent suicides. It also highlights the importance of responsive and high quality care for people who self-harm.

The annual report has been prepared with the input of leading experts in the field of suicide prevention, including the members of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group.

There is also a joint statement on sharing information appropriately, within the legal framework, to help prevent suicide. This was prepared with the Royal Colleges and professional organisations. Department of Health

New TUPE guidance published

New TUPE guidance published A new guide to the amended TUPE Regulations, which are due to come into effect on 31 January 2014, has been published by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). NHS Employers

Claims of a universal cure for cancer 'misleading'

Claims of a universal cure for cancer 'misleading' "A cure for all cancers is on the way" was the frankly bizarre claim on the front page of the Daily Express, not least because the study it was "reporting" on involved blind mole rats, not humans.

Productivity of the English National Health Service from 2004/5: updated to 2011/12

Productivity of the English National Health Service from 2004/5: updated to 2011/12 This report finds that productivity growth in 2010/11 – 2011/12 was around 2.13% to 2.38% depending on the choice of mixed or indirect input index used. Over the whole time series we find that quality adjusted output has increased by 40%. Inputs have increased by 28% using the mixed input measure and by 26% using the indirect measure, leading to a total factor productivity growth over the entire period of 10% and 11% respectively. Centre for Health Economics

NHS patient data to be made available for sale to drug and insurance firms

NHS patient data to be made available for sale to drug and insurance firms Privacy experts warn there will be no way for public to work out who has their medical records or how they are using it.

Hospitals with fewer nurses on wards than Mid Staffs

Hospitals with fewer nurses on wards than Mid Staffs Some hospitals have fewer nurses to care for patients than Stafford Hospital at the height of its crisis, according to research by the Royal College of Nursing. The Daily Telegraph

Mental health risk to children trapped in ‘toxic climate’ of dieting, pornography and school stress

Mental health risk to children trapped in ‘toxic climate’ of dieting, pornography and school stress Children are living in an “unprecedented toxic climate” in which they skip meals to stay thin, are bombarded by pornographic images and fear they will be failures amid a “continuous onslaught of stress at school”, according to research published today. The Independent

Multinational Comparisons of Health Systems Data, 2013

Multinational Comparisons of Health Systems Data, 2013 In this chartbook, we use data collected by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to compare health care systems and performance on a range of topics, including spending, hospitals, physicians, pharmaceuticals, prevention, mortality, quality and safety, and prices. The Commonwealth Fund

Meeting to guide Northampton General Hospital inspectors hears good and bad stories

Meeting to guide Northampton General Hospital inspectors hears good and bad stories More than 70 people turned out to a meeting to give their impressions of Northampton General Hospital to inspectors ahead of an audit inspection that starts today. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Two million 'may need weight op'

Two million 'may need weight op' Up to two million people in England could be eligible for weight loss surgery, such as the fitting of gastric bands, experts believe. BBC News

CCGs - saving lives or forcing cuts?

CCGs - saving lives or forcing cuts? Are new NHS groups saving lives or forcing cuts? BBC News

VIDEO: What do we think of the NHS?

VIDEO: What do we think of the NHS? The NHS is almost a national religion to some and the government has committed to ring fencing health spending in England. BBC News

Gene therapy offers hope for sight loss

Gene therapy offers hope for sight loss Gene therapy "could be used to treat blindness," BBC News reports. This is just one of the many headlines reporting on the exciting application of gene therapy in visual impairment.

The news come from a small study involving just six male patients with a rare genetic condition called choroideremia. This condition causes progressive damage to the retina (the light-sensitive film of tissue at the back of the eye). There is currently no effective treatment for choroideremia and most people affected are legally blind by the time they are 50.

Tackling health inequalities: Reformers must check evidence

Tackling health inequalities: Reformers must check evidence Practitioners and policymakers have a moral obligation to do their research and ensure policy changes don't waste society's precious resources.
"The poor are always with us", and in recent decades the gap between the haves and the have-nots in Britain has widened.
Some argue that more equal societies have higher levels of wellbeing. Others see the unexploited talent of the disadvantaged as a morally repugnant waste.
Whatever your perspective, the principal challenge is how to identify interventions that are effective in improving the lot of the poor and reducing inequality at least cost.

Jeremy Hunt trying to undermine trust in us, say four in five GPs

Jeremy Hunt trying to undermine trust in us, say four in five GPs Poll of family doctors finds 94% agree that profession is being unfairly criticised for political purposes.
GPs have responded to Jeremy Hunt's criticisms of how they care for patients by accusing the health secretary of trying to damage the public's trust in them.
In a poll for the Guardian, four in five family doctors say they believe Hunt is deliberately seeking to undermine trust through a series of sometimes trenchant attacks on them, and some complain that they are being used as "political scapegoats".
The poll found that 83% of respondents agreed with the statement that "Jeremy Hunt is seeking to undermine public trust in GPs", and 3% disagreed.

Thousands of doctors accused of malpractice never fully checked

Thousands of doctors accused of malpractice never fully checked One in five allegations about rogue doctors are never properly investigated. The Daily Telegraph

Thousands more elderly care home residents subject to restraints

Thousands more elderly care home residents subject to restraints Steep rise in attempts by care homes to restrain and lock up the elderly, figures show. The Daily Telegraph

Chief Medical Officer highlights 'worrying' trend of delayed pregnancies

Chief Medical Officer highlights 'worrying' trend of delayed pregnancies The trend for many women to choose delaying motherhood is 'worrying', warns England's Chief Medical Officer. The Independent

VIDEO: Meeting to demand healthcare funding very positive, say MPs

VIDEO: Meeting to demand healthcare funding very positive, say MPs The area’s MPs say a health minister is on board with their campaign for £20 million of investment in healthcare in the north of the county. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Press told to leave public meeting run by Care Quality Commission ahead of inspection at Northampton General Hospital

Press told to leave public meeting run by Care Quality Commission ahead of inspection at Northampton General Hospital The listening event was set up for the public for them to express their views on Northampton General Hospital ahead of an inspection tomorrow and Friday by the CQC. Northampton Herald and Post

Independent report: Health Working Group Report on Child Sexual Exploitation

Independent report: Health Working Group Report on Child Sexual Exploitation This report makes recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing of children who have experienced sexual exploitation. It is designed to help health services improve prevention techniques and to achieve the best possible results for affected children and young people.

The independent health working group was chaired by the Department of Health. By implementing the recommendations, health practitioners can help protect children, identify and intervene in cases of child sexual exploitation and help with recovery.

20% of NHS work 'does no good'

20% of NHS work 'does no good' Up to a fifth of the NHS's work does not benefit patients and could cause them harm, says the health minister before announcing plans for "prudent" health care changes. BBC News

Women over 50 warned not to skip smear tests

Women over 50 warned not to skip smear tests "Women aged 50 and older are being warned of the dangers of skipping smear tests," BBC News reports, as a UK study into the impact of cervical cancer screening found that our current screening practices seem to work.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to be routine in CQC checks

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to be routine in CQC checks Plan should protect vulnerable in care homes and hospitals. OnMedica

Report criticises 'any qualified provider' policy

Report criticises 'any qualified provider' policy A recent report, carried out by the University of Chester’s Centre for Psychological Therapies in Primary care, suggests the government’s any qualified provider (AQP) approach to service delivery is detrimental to the quality and consistency of mental healthcare. The report is based on qualitative interviews with providers and commissioners in the first trial areas implementing the AQP policy.The AQP... Healthcare Today

See also:

• Access to psychological therapies: first annual report published Health & Social Care Information Centre

Empowered and engaged NHS staff will provide better care

Empowered and engaged NHS staff will provide better care A study shows a mismatch between the positive outlook of NHS managers and staff who feel overworked and disempowered.

It should not be news to anyone working in healthcare that the way staff feel about their workplace has an impact on the quality of patient care, as well as on the efficiency and financial performance of an organisation.

This has been driven home by the Boorman review on the importance of health and wellbeing in the NHS. Research also demonstrates the link between staff satisfaction and mortality rates, that higher staff satisfaction is linked to higher patient satisfaction, and that staff experience shapes patients' experience, rather than the other way around.

Gout cases explode as doctors warn that the condition affects one in 40 Britons

Gout cases explode as doctors warn that the condition affects one in 40 Britons

Cases of gout in the UK have “soared” since the beginning of the 21st century, doctors have said, amid warnings that a condition traditionally labelled “the disease of kings” now afflict one in every 40 people – with the most incidences among the poor. The Independent

See also:

• VIDEO: Sharp rise in UK gout rates BBC News

More than 300 cancer patients in Northamptonshire given financial support

More than 300 cancer patients in Northamptonshire given financial support More than 310 cancer patients in Northamptonshire were given a Macmillan grant last year to help them with costs relating to their cancer treatment. Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo

The Self Care NHS Trust – the future for NHS Choices?

The Self Care NHS Trust – the future for NHS Choices? Making a real shift in the prevalence of self care and self management requires healthcare professionals to encourage and support these behaviours - virtual care needs to be incorporated into an NHS that is too often defined by bricks and mortar, says Jo Bibby. The Health Foundation