Scientists talk of 'pandemic potential' after first confirmed human death from new strain of bird flu

Scientists talk of 'pandemic potential' after first confirmed human death from new strain of bird flu

Chinese scientists have said the “pandemic potential” of a new strain of bird flu “should not be underestimated” after the first known human infection resulted in the death of an elderly woman. Independent

NHS whistleblowers helping service become more caring, says Jeremy Hunt

NHS whistleblowers helping service become more caring, says Jeremy Hunt

In an article for The Telegraph, Health Secretary says that NHS has started to move on from scandals such as Mid Staffs, with 'compassionate care' replacing 'tick-box targets'. Telegraph

HEE launches first national consultation on a NHS bands 1-4 workforce strategy

HEE launches first national consultation on a NHS bands 1-4 workforce strategy


Health Education England (HEE) has launched a consultation to hear views about developing staff in roles banded 1-4. The staff in bands 1-4 make up around 40 per cent of the NHS’s 1.3 million workforce, and are responsible for an estimated 60 per cent of direct patient contact. However, this group receives only around 5 per cent of the whole training budget.

HEE wants to know what people think are the barriers and challenges for this part of the workforce, and how these can be overcome. All the feedback collected will be analysed to create a bands 1-4 national strategy – “The Talent for Care”:

The closing date for feedback is 24 March 2014.

The project also wants to establish nationally agreed recognition of support roles in the healthcare team and their part in delivering high quality, safe patient care. It also will develop formal opportunities for people to improve and progress within and beyond bands 1-4, through nationally agreed arrangements, consistent standards and certification, where relevant.

As such HEE is looking for ambition, innovation and the commitment to widen the bands 1-4 route to clinical and professional training; but most of all, to provide some of the best patient care in the world.

The support in training and development of our Bands 1-4 Workforce has been identified as a core objective in the Health Education England Mandate (April 2013 to March 2015) and is also recognised as a key priority for HEE and its LETBs.

To share your views and learn more about this project, visit http://eoe.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/1to4/consultation/, search #TalentForCare or take our survey.

For more information email HEEE.bands1-4@nhs.net.

Nominations sought for caring staff in Northampton General Hospital awards

Nominations sought for caring staff in Northampton General Hospital awards

Northampton General Hospital is inviting people to nominate members of hospital staff who go the extra mile to care for patients. Chronicle & Echo

Patients 'in dark' over database

Patients 'in dark' over database

The roll-out of a new NHS data-sharing scheme involving medical records should be delayed as patients have been left "in the dark", a patient watchdog says. BBC News

Hair tongs and mugs top burns list

Hair tongs and mugs top burns list

Hair straighteners and hot mugs are the leading causes of childhood scalds and burns, and one year olds are at greatest risk, data reveals. BBC News

NICE BNF consultation

NICE BNF consultation

This consultation document sets out proposals to enhance the information and support currently offered by the British National Formulary (BNF) Publications. It sets out plans for a service that integrates the best available evidence and gives easy access to healthcare professionals working with medicines to meet the needs of their patients. The aim of the consultation is to ensure that NICE's vision for an enhanced BNF reflects the requirements and needs of users.

First NICE Medtech Innovation Briefings published

First NICE Medtech Innovation Briefings published

NICE publishes its first Medtech Innovation Briefings today (Tues 4 February) on a range of novel technologies: a device to cool the brain in patients who?ve suffered a heart attack, a system for measuring narrowing of arteries in people with angina, a hydrosurgery device for cleaning wounds and a test to diagnose kidney damage. NICE

Coordinated care for people nearing the end of life – feedback wanted

Coordinated care for people nearing the end of life – feedback wanted

This document will express the perspective of people nearing the end of life.The narrative for coordinated care has been a landmark document in changing the conversation about integration of health and social care and has been adopted by NHS England. There are currently four new branches of the narrative in development, each giving the perspective of a particular group of people. The others are for frail and older people, children and young people with complex needs and people with continuing mental health needs. NHS Networks

HSCIC publishes strategy for 2013-2015

HSCIC publishes strategy for 2013-2015

04 February, 2014: We have published our strategy, setting out our priorities for the next 18 months, together with a roadmap for the longer-term development of our data and information systems. IC QOF

NHS scrambles to fix bug sending users to malware site

NHS scrambles to fix bug sending users to malware site



‘Coding error’ saw NHS Choices visitors unknowingly redirected to advertising and malware site. Guardian

NHS admits it should have been clearer over medical records-sharing scheme

NHS admits it should have been clearer over medical records-sharing scheme

NHS partially accepts criticism that it has failed to adequately explain how patients can opt out of care.data scheme
The NHS has conceded that it should be clearer about how patients can opt out of a controversial scheme to share their medical records in a single English database.

Patients have until March to opt out of the new system, which is aimed at improving research into the outcome of treatments, and will allow drug and insurance companies to buy "pseudonymised" medical information about them.

NHS watchdog accused of 'throwing away' complaints

NHS watchdog accused of 'throwing away' complaints

NHS watchdog accused of 'throwing away' complaints after it finally admits errors in Morecambe Bay scandal.  Telegraph Health News

Cancer alliance talks for Northampton General Hospital and Leicester

Cancer alliance talks for Northampton General Hospital and Leicester

Northampton General Hospital’s cancer department is in partnership talks with a Leicester hospital to protect specialist oncology services on both sites in future years. Chronicle & Echo

Inspectors say staff levels at St Andrew’s are still too low

Inspectors say staff levels at St Andrew’s are still too low

Inspectors have said staffing levels at a Northampton hospital are still too low, following the latest inspection of the facility. Chronicle & Echo

Care and comfort - Daventry Express

Care and comfort - Daventry Express

Vince Baxter is locality manager of Daventry and South Northants, in charge of Danetre Hospital's building for Northamptonshire HealthcareNHS Trust. He said: “We have services including the ward beds, which are run by Northampton General Hospital, and ... Daventry Express

New alerting will spread safety risk warnings more quickly

New alerting will spread safety risk warnings more quickly


A new alerting system launched today by NHS England will ensure warnings of potential risks to the safety of patients can be developed much more quickly and be rapidly disseminated right across the NHS.

The new National Patient Safety Alerting System (NPSAS) will ensure warnings of emerging risks can be rapidly issued following their identification by the NHS England Patient Safety Domain. As part of the new process, by April 2014 NHS England will also begin publishing monthly data on trusts who fail to confirm they have complied with the required actions of an alert within the set timeframe.

Health watchdog attacks NHS culture

Health watchdog attacks NHS culture

The health watchdog criticises the NHS in England for a culture that "doesn't listen" and is jeopardising safety - while warning it could go bust without serious change. BBC News

E-cigarettes could become 'medicines' available on NHS

E-cigarettes could become 'medicines' available on NHS


Manufacturers apply for licences from regulatory body as tobacco substitutes scrutinised by EU and advertising watchdog
E-cigarettes could be available on the NHS by the end of the year with at least two companies – one a subsidiary of British American Tobacco – having already embarked on the process of obtaining licences from the medicines regulator.
The UK company Nicolites said its application was "well-advanced" while BAT's Nicoventures has also started the process, although decisions on whether their products are prescribed on the NHS will be made by local commissioning groups.
The status of "medicines" will give the companies commercial advantage and allow the e-cigarette makers to market their product internationally, including in sponsorship deals, a move that will be banned for competitors not in the same bracket.

Government attacked over deals with fast-food industry: ‘Pure illusion’ to think this approach can cut obesity

Government attacked over deals with fast-food industry: ‘Pure illusion’ to think this approach can cut obesity

The Government’s plan to fight obesity through voluntary deals with fast-food chains is founded on “pure illusion” and will lead to ever-worsening ill health in Britain, a leading expert claims today. Guardian

NHS Change Day is about a different approach to leadership | Interview with Jackie Lynton

NHS Change Day is about a different approach to leadership | Interview with Jackie Lynton

A former mental health nurse organising pledges to improve patient care explains how to empower frontline staff .  In March, staff across the NHS will be asked to make pledges to improve patient care, as part of the second-ever NHS Change Day.
The first NHS Change Day took place in March 2013 as a concept that sprang from frontline staff. It has been described as the largest ever health and care social movement, and one of the unusual aspects of this grassroots movement is that it has no single figurehead, but aims to make healthcare staff themselves leaders of change.

Cochrane review finds no evidence to support the use of user held records for patients with severe mental illness

Cochrane review finds no evidence to support the use of user held records for patients with severe mental illness

The use of care plans and Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP®) (Cook et al, 2009) within mental health is commonplace. In Wales, care planning is covered by legislation in the form of the Mental Health Measure (Welsh Government website, 2013). The care plans are designed to be developed and agreed in a collaborative way with input [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

New guide to help people to talk about their mental health with their GP

New guide to help people to talk about their mental health with their GP

Mental Health Foundation provides practical advice for patients. OnMedica News

Guidance for efficient use of off-tariff medicines

Guidance for efficient use of off-tariff medicines

NHS England’s medicines optimisation clinical reference group has published a document setting out how NHS England can work with providers incentivise more efficient use of high cost drugs excluded from the national tariff. NHS Networks

NHS trusts failing to support staff health and mental wellbeing

NHS trusts failing to support staff health and mental wellbeing

Nearly a quarter of trusts do not monitor their staff's mental wellbeing. Only 57 per cent have a mental wellbeing policy in place, even though mental health is one of the leading causes for long-term sickness absence among the NHS workforce. More .... NHS Networks

Rape data shows regional variation

Rape data shows regional variation New figures show Northamptonshire has the highest number of recorded adult rapes per 100,000 of population in England and Wales. BBC Northamptonshire

Care for offenders with learning disabilities

Care for offenders with learning disabilities A new report shows a lack of adequate care in the criminal justice system for people with learning disabilities. RCN

Peanut allergy therapy shows promise

Peanut allergy therapy shows promise "A tough nut cracked? Scientists discover new treatment for peanut allergy sufferers," is the punning headline in The Independent. It comes from research that suggests that exposing children with a peanut allergy to trace elements of peanuts boosts their tolerance to the nut.

Eating disorders: Hospital admissions up by 8 per cent in a year

Eating disorders: Hospital admissions up by 8 per cent in a year New figures from the the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show a national rise of 8 per cent in the number of admissions to hospital for an eating disorder(3).

See also:

• Eating disorders admissions up 8% BBC News
• Hospital admissions for eating disorders rise 8 per cent in a year OnMedica
• Eating disorder increase among young people The Daily Telegraph

Providing integrated care for older people with complex needs: lessons from seven international case studies

Providing integrated care for older people with complex needs: lessons from seven international case studies This report synthesises evidence from seven case studies covering Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. It considers similarities and differences of programmes that are successfully delivering integrated care, and identifies lessons for policy-makers and service providers to help them address the challenges ahead. The King's Fund

NHS patients 'face more treatment rationing since coalition restructuring'

NHS patients 'face more treatment rationing since coalition restructuring' Doctors say restrictions on access to healthcare have increased since creation of NHS clinical commissioning groups

Patients are facing growing rationing of treatments such as counselling, cataract removal and IVF since the coalition restructured the NHS last year, GPs say.

In a survey of 315 family doctors, GP magazine found that 71% believed that restrictions on access to treatment in their area had increased since April 2013, when the controversial shake-up of the NHS in England began.

'Insufficient' Government funding threatens NHS's ability to provide universally safe maternity care, says MPs

'Insufficient' Government funding threatens NHS's ability to provide universally safe maternity care, says MPs

England may not have enough midwives and maternity consultants to provide universally safe care because Government funding is “insufficient”, MPs have said, in the latest stark warning on the country's maternity care crisis. The Independent

See also:

• Midwife shortage may be putting mothers and babies at risk, say MPs The Guardian
• Three in four women happy to endorse their own maternity unit The Guardian
• First local results of friends and family test for maternity services are published NHS England

Crying in A&E

Crying in A&E The A&E system is creaking with shortages of clinical staff and waiting times beginning to creep up - how might queues and associated poor outcomes for patients be reduced for no extra cost? asks Jennifer Dixon. The Health Foundation

NHS England urged to check pathology safety

NHS England urged to check pathology safety Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of NHS England commissioned Dr Ian Barnes, chair of NHS England’s Pathology Quality Assurance Review Board, to improve the quality assurance process for pathology services in England. NHS England

Heart failure patients may have higher cancer risk

Heart failure patients may have higher cancer risk "Heart attacks increase the risk of developing cancer," is the completely inaccurate headline on the Mail Online website. The Mail was attempting to report on a study looking at cancer risk in people with heart failure. This is where damage to the heart means that it fails to pump blood around the body efficiently.

Leading the information revolution in cancer intelligence: why the National Lung Cancer Audit is the key to transforming lung cancer...

Leading the information revolution in cancer intelligence: why the National Lung Cancer Audit is the key to transforming lung cancer... This report analyses the importance of the National Lung Cancer Audit, which was launched in 1994 and captures up to date information on almost every lung cancer case in the UK. It compares clinical practice at hospitals across the country, helping to identify problem areas and drive up standards of care for the disease, which kills 35,000 people every year. This report credits the audit with increasing the number of patients who receive radiotherapy, increasing the number of patients who have surgery, increasing the number of patients who have chemotherapy and increasing the number of patients who see a nurse specialist. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Removing QOF not detrimental to patient care

Removing QOF not detrimental to patient care Clinical performance generally remains stable long after incentives withdrawn OnMedica

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