Cancer's unequal burden

Cancer's unequal burden This report finds that there is a large variation in survival and the long-term impact on survivors’ health for breast, prostate, lung and brain cancers. It urges NHS leaders and GPs to adopt the solutions in the report and use the research to better plan cancer services. These include improving early diagnosis; providing equal access to the best available treatment; implementing the ‘cancer recovery package’; and encouraging people with cancer to be physically active. Macmillan Cancer Support

EWTD has impacted on quality of doctor training, report says

EWTD has impacted on quality of doctor training, report says Independent review recommends exploring protected time for training and right of individuals to opt out of restricted hours. OnMedica

See also:

• The Implementation of the Working Time Directive, and its impact on the NHS & Health Professionals Independent Working Times Regulation Taskforce 
• Overworked doctors pose threat to patient safety The Daily Telegraph

Heavy drinkers will be eligible for liver transplants for the first time

Heavy drinkers will be eligible for liver transplants for the first time NHS Blood and Transplant says patients with alcohol-related liver disease will be eligible for liver transplants under a pilot scheme. OnMedica

See also:

• Liver transplant scheme extended BBC News
• Heavy drinkers could receive liver transplants on NHS The Independent
• Who deserves a new liver? Anyone who needs one  The Guardian

Rationing NHS care: why we need a serious debate | David Lock

Rationing NHS care: why we need a serious debate | David Lock Healthcare reform is urgently needed but politicians unwilling to make unpopular changes are wasting money, says David Lock

The NHS is not spending our tax money effectively. There is a wide professional consensus that too much is being spent on hospital buildings it cannot afford, and it is failing to reduce spending on drug treatments that do not work. But many local NHS leaders are too frightened to try and persuade the public of the case for change. Reforms are delayed for fear of upsetting politicians who seek re-election. Continue reading... The Guardian

Gay conversion therapy should have no place in NHS, says health minister

Gay conversion therapy should have no place in NHS, says health minister Norman Lamb calls for assurances from NHS England that GPs are not referring people for treatment.

Gay conversion therapy is abhorrent and has no place in a modern society, according to the health minister Norman Lamb, who has asked for assurances from NHS England that GPs do not make any referrals for such treatment.

"It is based on the completely false premise that there is something wrong with you if you happen to be gay," said Lamb, the minister for care and support. "I certainly want to do what I can, as a Liberal Democrat, to eradicate this."Continue reading... The Guardian

Landmark legal case to rule whether GP exam 'discriminates' against Asian and black doctors

Landmark legal case to rule whether GP exam 'discriminates' against Asian and black doctors

Hundreds of black and Asian doctors have had promising careers "halted" because of racial discrimination in the way GPs are examined, a leading doctor has claimed, before a landmark High Court hearing in which two pillars of the medical establishment will be accused of breaching equality laws. The Independent

Elderly 'suffer in silence' under NHS care, says watchdog

Elderly 'suffer in silence' under NHS care, says watchdog Dame Julie Mellor, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, said elderly can be too frightened or polite to complain about inadequate care. The Daily Telegraph

The Great British Vape-off debate

The Great British Vape-off debate Special report: Healthy alternative to smoking or dangerous craze? The jury remains out on e-cigarettes. The Daily Telegraph

Labour candidate says Northamptonshire NHS has “Dragon’s Den-style approach” to approving surgery

Labour candidate says Northamptonshire NHS has “Dragon’s Den-style approach” to approving surgery About a quarter of applications to Northamptonshire NHS bosses for certain types of planned surgery have been rejected in the last three months, a prospective Labour MP has claimed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Ambulance crews ‘queueing with patients in corridors of Northampton General Hospital’ for fourth consecutive day

Ambulance crews ‘queueing with patients in corridors of Northampton General Hospital’ for fourth consecutive day Ambulance crews were again queueing with patients in Northampton General Hospital corridors yesterday, for the fourth consecutive day. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Lung cancer survival rates 'poor'

Lung cancer survival rates 'poor' Half of people with lung cancer die within six months of diagnosis, says a report from Macmillan Cancer Support which looked at cancer survival rates. BBC News

Accesses to health data made public

Accesses to health data made public A list of bodies that have been allowed to access NHS patient data is released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. BBC News

See also:

• Drugs companies buy NHS patient data, register reveals The Daily Telegraph
• Health and Social Care Information Centre publishes register of data releases HSCIC

Cabinet Office agrees one year XP deal

Cabinet Office agrees one year XP deal The government has signed a deal with Microsoft to provide Windows XP support and security updates for the entire public sector, including the NHS. E-Health Insider

Ketamine tested as severe depression treatment

Ketamine tested as severe depression treatment “The illegal party drug ketamine is an ‘exciting’ and ‘dramatic’ new treatment for depression,” BBC News reports. A small study found that some people with severe depression responded well to the drug.

The study involved people with severe depression (including people with depression as part of bipolar disorder) who had failed to respond to conventional treatments.

Standardised packaging of tobacco - report of the independent review undertaken by Sir Cyril Chantler

Standardised packaging of tobacco - report of the independent review undertaken by Sir Cyril Chantler This report concludes that standardised packaging of tobacco is likely to contribute to a reduction in smoking, including reducing the rate of children taking up smoking. King's College London

GP-led local NHS bodies forced to put health services out to tender

GP-led local NHS bodies forced to put health services out to tender Research shows almost 30% of clinical commissioning groups had opened up, or were opening up, services to competition

Many GP-led local NHS bodies are being forced to put health services out to tender despite government assurances that that would not happen.

New research by Health Service Journal shows that 29.1% of the leaders of 93 clinical commissioning groups (CCG) which responded to a survey said had opened up, or were opening up, services to competition which they would not have done if they were not concerned about the impact of new rules contained in the controversial Health and Social Care Act. The Guardian

EU rules on doctors' working hours puts patients at risk, report finds

EU rules on doctors' working hours puts patients at risk, report finds Rules which ban junior doctors for working more than 48 hours a week are damaging patient care and more staff should be encouraged to opt out, a report has found. The Daily Telegraph

Update: man charged with Kettering General Hospital robberies

Update: man charged with Kettering General Hospital robberies A man has been charged with a series of offences in connection with two robberies in Kettering General Hospital’s car park. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Independent commission calls for a new settlement for health and social care

Independent commission calls for a new settlement for health and social care The health and social care systems are no longer fit for purpose, an independent commission established by The King's Fund has concluded. The time has come, it says, for 'a new settlement' to meet the needs of 21st century patients and service users.

The interim report from the five-strong commission, chaired by Kate Barker, says that England should move towards a single, ring-fenced budget for health and social care, with services singly commissioned and entitlements more closely aligned. With the NHS and social care now under significant financial strain, the report presents hard choices about how to pay for fairer entitlements and ensure adequate funding to meet future needs. The King's Fund

See also:

• It is time for a new settlement for health and social care in England The King's Fund
• Call for merged 'super' care budget BBC News
• NHS charges could pay for free elderly care - commission The Daily Telegraph
• ‘Charge patients for GP and hospital visits’, says King's Fund think-tank The Independent
• NHS may need to apply more patient charges, says report The Guardian

Think autism: fulfilling and rewarding lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update

Think autism: fulfilling and rewarding lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update This document aims to set out a clear programme that the Department of Health and other government departments will be taking to improve the lives of people with autism, primarily through taking actions that will support local authorities, the NHS, other public services and their partners with their local implementation work. It has a new focus on building communities that are more aware of and accessible to the needs of people with autism. Department of Health

School nursing: public health services guidance

School nursing: public health services guidance It also explains how local school nursing services can be used and improved to meet local needs. Department of Health

Guidance: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: Supreme Court Judgments

Guidance: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: Supreme Court Judgments This note sets out how health and social care organisations can continue to act within the law following the revised test about the meaning of a deprivation of liberty which has now been supplied by the Supreme Court.

The contents of this note are specifically addressed to all those who are:

• involved in the assessment and/or authorisation of a deprivation of liberty
• involved in the care of individuals who may lack capacity
• responsible for policies and procedures relating to the care of individuals who may lack capacity

Department of Health

NHS staff face ban for poor English

NHS staff face ban for poor English NHS regulators will be able to discipline or strike off doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who are not able to communicate clearly in English under new plans. BBC News

Funding for general practice set to plummet by fifth by 2017, while patient consultations to increase by 69m

Funding for general practice set to plummet by fifth by 2017, while patient consultations to increase by 69m
The study, conducted by Deloitte, shows that if current trends continue, funding for general practice across the UK will fall to a record low of just 7.29% of the NHS budget by 2017/18 – down from 8.39% in 2012/13.

Meanwhile, the number of patient consultations in England is estimated to rise to a high of 409m – up from 340m in 2012/13. In 2008/09 the number of consultations stood at nearly 304m.

The number of consultations in general practice has increased as the population has increased in size, grown older, and more and more people have multiple-conditions. However, the share of funding spent on general practice has been falling since 2005/6.

The new Deloitte report into the future funding gap is due to be unveiled officially at an event in the House of Commons tonight.

A debate around how hospitals use data is needed

A debate around how hospitals use data is needed Reliability of information about standards of NHS care has been called into question after accusations of 'fiddling' death rates

A report this week from Dr Foster highlighted the dramatic rise in the number of patients recorded as being in hospital for palliative care over recent years. The report pointed out that these shifts had an impact on the reliability of mortality measurement since patients who come into hospital for palliative care are expected to die unlike those brought in for treatment. The point of the report was to draw attention to the fact that, because of the rules about coding of hospital data, patients admitted for treatment who die in hospital can be recorded in the same way as patients admitted for palliative care.

This is a problem because it affects the reliability of the information we have about the standards of care in the NHS. If the data we use to judge where services are working and where they are not gets corrupted, we need to fix it. How we do that should be the focus of any debate on the issue. The Guardian

Alder Hey's high-risk rating ‘has cost hospital millions’ and angered its bosses

Alder Hey's high-risk rating ‘has cost hospital millions’ and angered its bosses

A furious row over millions in lost donations and a PR “disaster” has erupted between Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), after a damning risk rating angered hospital bosses. The Independent

Has the Minister for Magic Jeremy Hunt gone too far?

Has the Minister for Magic Jeremy Hunt gone too far? Jeremy Hunt says traditional Chinese medicine should be available on the NHS, says Victoria Lambert. The Daily Telegraph

Saharan dust and pollution: confusion over health risk from smog cloud

Saharan dust and pollution: confusion over health risk from smog cloud School pupils kept indoors amid fears over air pollution as Government advisers insist no health risk to vast majority of people. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• What will pollution do to us? BBC News
• Air pollution reaches high levels BBC News

Healthwatch Northamptonshire produces a report in which patients say Northampton General Hospital 'did not meet the standard' expected

Healthwatch Northamptonshire produces a report in which patients say Northampton General Hospital 'did not meet the standard' expected Healthwatch Northamptonshire has released a report on patient experience at Northampton General Hospital coincides with the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s inspection report on the hospital.

The report captures the views, opinions and reported experiences of patients during 2012 and 2013 who talked to Healthwatch Northamptonshire during that time. Northampton Herald and Post

One year on, new commissioning groups are an improvement on their predecessors but do not reflect the views of members, say GPs

One year on, new commissioning groups are an improvement on their predecessors but do not reflect the views of members, say GPs Less than half of GPs feel decisions made by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), the doctor-led bodies created by the NHS reforms to hold local health budgets, reflect their views, suggests a survey by the Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund. However, the research also suggests that three times as many GPs think they can influence the work of their CCG than could influence their predecessors – primary care trusts. The King's Fund

See also:

• How engaged are CCG members one year on? The King's Fund

When it comes to person-centred care, do we need measurement or feedback? Part 1

When it comes to person-centred care, do we need measurement or feedback? Part 1 Measurement in healthcare is highly complex and subject to a range of human factors, so how do you start to measure something as contextually sensitive and elusive as person-centeredness? asks Darshan Patel. The Health Foundation

How to ensure the right people, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time

How to ensure the right people, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time This guidance has been jointly issued by NHS England and the Care Quality Commission in order to help deliver on the commitments associated with publishing staffing data regarding nursing, midwifery and care staff levels. NHS England

• Guidance
• Staffing letter
• Table of actions
• Frequently asked questions

See also:

• Safe staffing expectations and guidance issued NHS Employers

High air pollution 'set to spread'

High air pollution 'set to spread' High levels of air pollution which have been affecting parts of England are set to get worse and spread, the government warns. BBC News

Fears over dementia diagnosis push

Fears over dementia diagnosis push Questions are being raised about the government's drive in England to increase dementia diagnosis rates. BBC News

AUDIO: Mental health care 'needs transforming'

AUDIO: Mental health care 'needs transforming' Dr Peter Aitken, from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says the NHS needs a "significant transformation" in mental health care. BBC News

Call to make 5 a day fruit and veg into '7 a day'

Call to make 5 a day fruit and veg into '7 a day' “7 a day fruit and veg 'saves lives’” reports BBC News, while The Daily Telegraph states that “10 portions of fruit and vegetables per day” is best.

The headlines have been prompted by the results of a UK-based study that used information on more than 65,000 randomly selected adults who were participating in the Health Survey for England.

This is an ongoing health survey that looks at health and lifestyle factors such as fruit and vegetable consumption. The researchers followed up participants for an average of 7.7 years after their initial participation.

The researchers found that eating fruit and vegetables was associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, looking especially at deaths as a result of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The higher a person's intake of fruit and vegetables, the greater the protective effects seemed to be.

Unnecessary jobs in the NHS

Unnecessary jobs in the NHS This briefing is the result of Freedom of Information requests submitted to NHS organisations regarding non-clinical NHS staff roles. The Taxpayers' Alliance

• Briefing
• Data by region and highest pay

Politicians ‘lack will’ to tackle challenges faced by NHS

Politicians ‘lack will’ to tackle challenges faced by NHS Survey shows eight out of ten MPs feel changes to the NHS are essential. OnMedica

See also:

• Nearly half of politicians think 'free' NHS is in jeopardy NHS Confederation
• Members survey findings NHS Confederation

Community treatment orders simply don’t work

Community treatment orders simply don’t work Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) were introduced in the UK in the last revisions of the Mental Health Act. They are highly controversial, and unpopular amongst the mental health community. They clearly impact on an individual’s Human Rights. Interestingly, they cannot enforce a treatment but can require an individual to return to hospital or a place of treatment. [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

Why technology is no longer a barrier in the NHS

Why technology is no longer a barrier in the NHS IT has had a difficult past in the health service, but using it to increase efficiency remains a priority

The relationship between IT and the NHS has often been one fraught with misunderstanding and disaster.Take the infamous IT programme, Connecting for Health, as an example; it aimed to make accurate patient records available to NHS staff at all times but was abandoned in 2013 after costing the taxpayer nearly £10bn. Successful IT is built around patient care, not technology, and if you get this right, clinicians will be demanding it, not resisting it. The Guardian

Focus on wellbeing an alternative cure for the NHS's ills

Focus on wellbeing an alternative cure for the NHS's ills Better prevention, as well as better treatment, can be achieved by government departments joining forces

The Department of Health (DH) faces an enormous challenge: how to meet ever-increasing demand from an ageing society while public spending increases no faster than inflation. And maybe less fast: last month's budget implies further public expenditure cuts, to meet the government's deficit targets.

The "solution" most often proposed is further below-inflation pay rises for NHS staff, more reconfiguration of hospitals and new ways of enhancing productivity. There is no alternative? Well, actually this time there is: but it involves a radical change of focus, a Whitehall shakeup, and some tough spending choices. The Guardian

NHS ‘bad eggs’ could be struck off under new regulation plans drawn up by the Law Commission in response to Mid-Staffs scandal

NHS ‘bad eggs’ could be struck off under new regulation plans drawn up by the Law Commission in response to Mid-Staffs scandal

NHS staff who perform poorly in their job could face being struck off, under wide-ranging plans drawn up by the Law Commission. The Independent

New NHS chief warns of the burden of an ageing population

New NHS chief warns of the burden of an ageing population The traditional way some NHS services are delivered "no longer makes much sense", Simon Stevens will say, as he warns that a massive "effort" is needed to relieve pressure on the organisation because of the growing elderly population. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Full text of Simon Stevens’ speech NHS England
• Can Simon Stevens build a coalition for change? The King's Fund
• NHS must do more to help people stay healthy, says new boss The Daily Telegraph

Social services ‘needs to change’ to help Northampton General Hospital

Social services ‘needs to change’ to help Northampton General Hospital Beds are often being blocked in Northamptonshire hospitals because social services cannot take adult referrals at weekends, according to the opposition leader at County Hall. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS say ambulance service for Northamptonshire improving in some areas

NHS say ambulance service for Northamptonshire improving in some areas Ambulance bosses have announced improvements in performance as well as plans to further quicken response times, following criticism from the NHS and inspectors last year. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• East Midlands Ambulance Service has improved but ‘is not out of the woods’ Northamptonshire Telegraph

Accountable care organisations in the United States and England: Testing, evaluating and learning what works

Accountable care organisations in the United States and England: Testing, evaluating and learning what works Cost pressures associated with ageing populations and an increase in the numbers of people with chronic illness in both the United States and England create a need for more accountable and integrated forms of delivering health services. The King's Fund

Skilled for improvement?

Skilled for improvement? Part of the reason why quality improvement is so hard to achieve may be that those involved in leading QI programmes need to deploy three different but interrelated types of improvement skills: technical, soft and learning skills. The Health Foundation

‘Putting Patients First’ – NHS England’s Business Plan 2014/15 – 2016/17

‘Putting Patients First’ – NHS England’s Business Plan 2014/15 – 2016/17 NHS England has published a refreshed business plan, describing its role in delivering high quality care for all, now and for future generations.

NHS facing 'biggest ever challenge'

NHS facing 'biggest ever challenge' The NHS is facing the biggest challenge in its history because of the squeeze on its budget, says its new boss on his first day in the job. BBC News

See also:

• Stevens calls for change on first day E-Health Insider
• Health service facing biggest challenge in its history, new NHS chief says The Guardian
• New NHS chief: Stakes have never been higher for service, warns incoming Simon Stevens The Independent

NHS cuts putting cancer patients at risk, warn doctors

NHS cuts putting cancer patients at risk, warn doctors “Draconian” cuts to the NHS are putting cancer patients’ lives at risk, according to some of Britain’s leading doctors and surgeons. The Independent

Disease experts warns UK defences 'not fit for purpose'

Disease experts warns UK defences 'not fit for purpose' Jeremy Farrar, world expert on infectious diseases and head of the Wellcome Trust, calls for an overhaul of the clinical trials system to help prevent devastating outbreaks. The Daily Telegraph

Solving the NHS care and cash crisis

Solving the NHS care and cash crisis Lord Warner, Minister for Health Reform in Tony Blair’s government, argues in a new report that NHS funding from general taxation should rise only with inflation to avoid starving the rest of the public sector of resources. Higher “sin” taxes on alcohol, tobacco and sugary foods, means-testing of NHS “Continuing Care”, plus a £10 per month NHS membership charge and other patient contributions are needed for the NHS to survive the next five years of austerity. Reform

See also:

• Should we pay a monthly membership fee to the NHS? BBC News
• NHS patients should pay monthly fee, says former Labour minister The Independent
• NHS users should pay £10 a month, says former health minister The Guardian
• £10 each can save the NHS The Guardian
• Britons overwhelmingly against GP charges to help NHS balance books The Guardian
• Call for £10 a month fee to use NHS and £20 a night to stay in hospital The Daily Mail

Guidance: NHS: resisting cost inflation pressures

Guidance: NHS: resisting cost inflation pressures NHS providers are being advised by the Department of Health to resist blanket inflationary price increases from suppliers.

These documents provide guidance to enable the NHS to take a consistent approach to resisting inflationary pressures as part of a wider programme of initiatives to stabilise non-pay spend.

The guidance document sets out a process for NHS healthcare provider organisations to follow, in order to engage and work with suppliers to find ways of avoiding inflationary costs. Templates for letters and spreadsheets that can be used throughout the process are provided.

The guidance is supported by both Monitor and the Trust Development Authority. Department of Health 

Nursing body faces Mid-Staffs censure

Nursing body faces Mid-Staffs censure The Nursing and Midwifery Council is facing further criticism over its handling of disciplinary cases. BBC News

Dozens of A&Es 'miss winter target'

Dozens of A&Es 'miss winter target' Nearly two thirds of England's major A&Es missed the waiting time target this winter, BBC analysis shows. BBC News

See also:

• Did the NHS get lucky this winter? BBC News
• VIDEO: Mild winter eases A&E pressures BBC News
• Numbers waiting in A&E hit a record high The Independent

First cat-to-human TB infections reported

First cat-to-human TB infections reported “Cats have passed TB to humans for the first time,” the Daily Mail reports. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and the risk of further transmission has been described as “very low”.

The headline is based on the news that two people in England have developed tuberculosis (TB) after contact with a domestic cat infected with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). This bacterium is a leading cause of TB in cattle and a less common cause, in other species.

This is newsworthy as these are the first documented cases of cat-to-human transmission anywhere in the world.

Mental health payment mechanism survey report

Mental health payment mechanism survey report This report presents the results from the 2014 survey of 43 mental health organisations in relation to the implementation of the payment mechanism for mental health and adult learning disability services. The survey sought to find out how the payment mechanism is currently working in reality; how far the supplementary guidance has been used for contracting purposes and how the payment mechanism and guidance might be developed in future years. Healthcare Financial Management Association

Common core principles to support good mental health and wellbeing in adult social care

Common core principles to support good mental health and wellbeing in adult social care These principles aim to help staff working in social care services know how to support and promote good mental health and overall wellbeing for everyone who uses those services. It also provides guidance for leaders and managers, training and education leads, and commissioners to develop a workforce that can support good mental health for people needing care and support. Skills for Care

Plain packaging: Big Tobacco prepares for ‘bare-knuckle fight’ over ban

Plain packaging: Big Tobacco prepares for ‘bare-knuckle fight’ over ban
Cigarette manufacturers are gearing up to attack a landmark report into the health benefits of plain packaging for cigarettes, due to be published this week. The review, written by the leading paediatrician Sir Cyril Chantler, will influence whether the Government presses ahead with plain packaging, which is designed to discourage the next generation from smoking. The Independent

See also:

• Tobacco firms hype smuggling fears to avoid plain packaging, finds study The Guardian

Saatchi Bill: The fight to win hope for the seriously ill

Saatchi Bill: The fight to win hope for the seriously ill As the deadline for Lord Saatchi's Bill on medical innovation draws close, thousands of patients, doctors and charity chiefs are calling for it to be made law. Dominic Nutt reports. The Daily Telegraph

Nurse appears in court charged with murder of three patients

Nurse appears in court charged with murder of three patients  Victorino Chua, 48, a nurse at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, appears in court charged with the murder of three patients who died after their hospital drips were allegedly contaminated. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Murder charge after hospital deaths BBC News

CQC publish inspection report for Northampton General Hospital

CQC publish inspection report for Northampton General Hospital The CQC have published the full inspection report for Northampton General Hospital following their visits in January. Care Quality Commission

See also:

• NGH responds to CQC inspection report Northampton General Hospital
• Hospital end-of-life care criticised BBC News
• Northampton General Hospital “caring and safe” but some units not properly staffed during inspection Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• More A&E crisis days will happen before things get better, Northampton General Hospital chief admits Northampton Chronicle and Echo
• Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust 'requires improvement' ITV News

Man seriously injured in second robbery in two days at Kettering General Hospital

Man seriously injured in second robbery in two days at Kettering General Hospital Two robberies in as many days in the car park of Kettering General Hospital may be linked, police have said. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Accountable care organisations (ACOs) in the United States and England: testing, evaluating and learning what works

Accountable care organisations (ACOs) in the United States and England: testing, evaluating and learning what works This paper describes the different types of ACOs emerging in the United States; presents some early evidence on their performance; assesses the future for ACOs; and discusses the implication of these developments for integrated care initiatives in England. The King's Fund

NHS and social care: public perceptions 2013

NHS and social care: public perceptions 2013 The Department of Health commissions a ‘tracker’ survey to explore public attitudes towards, and perceptions of, the NHS and social care services. These reports present the findings from the spring and winter 2013 surveys. The spring 2013 wave brought in new questions on whether people are treated with compassion when they use NHS and social care services and whether it is easy to give feedback on NHS services.

• Spring 2013 survey
• Winter 2013 survey

New guidance on raising concerns at work

New guidance on raising concerns at work Raising concerns about poor practice, as part of people’s day-to-day work, should be the norm, says new guidance launched this month, providing support for health and social care staff and managers on whistleblowing. NHS Employers

Call for action over weekend doctors

Call for action over weekend doctors Hospitals in England have a fraction of the number of doctors on site at weekends as they do during the week, figures obtained by the BBC suggest. BBC News

Overweight 'being seen as the norm'

Overweight 'being seen as the norm' Being overweight is increasingly seen as the norm, England's chief medical officer says. BBC News

See also:

• Independent report: Chief Medical Officer annual report: surveillance volume 2012 Department of Health
• Overweight is becoming normal, warns CMO OnMedica
• Size 16 mannequins make being fat 'normal' The Daily Telegraph
• Obesity is becoming normal, England's Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies warns The Independent
• Chief medical officer criticises media acceptance of being overweight The Guardian
• Larger sized mannequins blamed for 'normalising' Britain's obesity crisis, according to new medical report The Daily Mail

Child protection database going live

Child protection database going live The first wave of the Child Protection Information Sharing project is due to go live next month. E-Health Insider

Rise in complaints to ministers over access to mental health services

Rise in complaints to ministers over access to mental health services Care minister Norman Lamb has unveiled some interesting data regarding the number of complaints made to ministers about mental health services. Community care

Healthcare Professionals Network survey results - interactive

Healthcare Professionals Network survey results - interactive More than 1,000 NHS staff took part in our latest member survey, which asked how healthcare workers' jobs have changed over the last year and whether there is too much political influence over the health service. The Guardian

Fears that hospitals are covering up death rates

Fears that hospitals are covering up death rates New data triggers fears that hospitals are 'fiddling the figures' on hospital deaths by increasing the number of deaths recorded as 'palliative'. Hover over the chart or table for more detail on a trust. The Daily Telegraph

Pet cats infect humans with TB for first time

Pet cats infect humans with TB for first time In the first ever recorded cat-to-human transmission, two people in England have contracted tuberculosis from pet cats thought to have ventured into badger setts. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Pet cats infect two people with TB BBC News

Fears thousands could be denied life-extending drugs

Fears thousands could be denied life-extending drugs New NHS rationing plan could mean more dying patients are denied life-extending medicines, charities fear. The Daily Telegraph

Hospital staff introduce innovative scheme to tackle hospital pressures

Hospital staff introduce innovative scheme to tackle hospital pressures Breaking the cycle emergency pathway patient care. Northampton General Hospital

Northamptonshire families ‘needlessly’ selling homes to pay for care

Northamptonshire families ‘needlessly’ selling homes to pay for care Too many families in Northamptonshire are wrongly selling off their family home to pay for care home fees, according to the authors of a new guide launched by a solicitors this week. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

A turning point for safety?

A turning point for safety? Jeremy Hunt's announcement of a grassroots safety movement in the NHS is to be welcomed, but also need leaders who actively support a safety culture if safety is to improve, says Jo Bibby. The Health Foundation

Consultation: Introducing the statutory duty of candour

Consultation: Introducing the statutory duty of candour The duty of candour will require all health and adult social care providers registered with the Care Quality Commission to be open with people when things go wrong. The regulations would impose a specific and detailed duty of candour on all providers where any harm to a service user from their care or treatment is above a certain harm-threshold. This consultation sets out what the Department of Health are proposing, includes a draft of the regulations that will introduce the duty of candour and asks about the impact of our proposals and the impact of the new regulations on providers. The consultation closes on 25th April 2014. Department of Health

• Consultation
• Impact assessment

Important upcoming changes to the Immigration Rules

Important upcoming changes to the Immigration Rules From the 6 April 2014 there are some important changes being made to the Immigration Rules and Sponsorship Arrangements for Tier 2. NHS Employers

Councils 'divert' public health cash

Councils 'divert' public health cash Councils in England are using public health budgets to fund other services, an investigation for the British Medical Journal suggests. BBC News

See also:

• John Middleton: 'Public health is about making ordinary lives richer' The Guardian

Plain cigarette packaging doesn't work, says industry funded study

Plain cigarette packaging doesn't work, says industry funded study “Unbranded cigarettes could mean people smoke more, experts warn,” The Daily Telegraph reports.

However, the evidence provided by experts and reported on by the media has not been peer reviewed, and their work has been funded by a major cigarette manufacturer.

Going the distance: national calls to action to drive neurological service improvement in England

Going the distance: national calls to action to drive neurological service improvement in England This report takes a critical look at how neurology is represented in the health and social care quality improvement system. It provides an overview of neurology’s place within the new system of incentives, accountability and quality measures introduced under the NHS reform programme. The Neurological Alliance

Liver disease: today's complacency, tomorrow's catastrophe

Liver disease: today's complacency, tomorrow's catastrophe This report reveals a consensus across the medical community on the urgent need for action on liver disease, as well as on the actions that are required. It finds that deaths from liver disease in England have risen 40% between 2001-2012. All-Party Parliamentary Hepatology Group

Doctors in training urged to share their views on medical education

Doctors in training urged to share their views on medical education The UK’s largest survey of doctors in training is now open. The General Medical Council’s National Training Survey, which provides an annual snapshot of medical education, will run until 8 May. The GMC

NHS reforms: 100 voices - interactive

NHS reforms: 100 voices - interactive The health and social care bill represents the biggest reorganisation of the NHS in England since it was created in 1948. Some argue the reforms are much needed. Critics say they will be a disaster. Here a hundred people who work in or with the NHS tell the Guardian what the changes mean for them. The Guardian

Healthcare staff reveal they have no confidence in Jeremy Hunt

Healthcare staff reveal they have no confidence in Jeremy Hunt Frontline professionals say health secretary does not understand the NHS and feel it is under too much political control NHS workers' views are 'damning indictment of Jeremy Hunt's record'

Healthcare professionals have declared they have no confidence in the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, over his handling of the NHS.

In a survey conducted by the Guardian Healthcare Professionals Network, an emphatic 77.6% of members responded "no" when asked: "Do you have confidence in Jeremy Hunt?" The Guardian

Elderly unable to move around own home 'could be denied care' under new system

Elderly unable to move around own home 'could be denied care' under new system Alliance of charities claims that thousands more elderly and disabled people could be shut out of care system because of gaps in new rules. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Focus on: social care for older people - reductions in adult social services for older people in England The Nuffield Trust 
• New care criteria may leave thousands without support OnMedica
• Cuts have left 250,000 older people without state care, report says The Guardian

Northamptonshire sees rise in scarlet fever cases

Northamptonshire sees rise in scarlet fever cases Cases of scarlet fever have risen in Northamptonshire this month. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Exclusive: Hike in car park charges could force student nurses to quit

Exclusive: Hike in car park charges could force student nurses to quit Crippling parking charges may force student nurses to quit at an east Midlands hospital.

Students, as well as bank and agency staff, will no longer be eligible for staff permits under a controversial new parking policy that comes into force at Northampton General Hospital in April.

The changes mean student and bank nurses face paying up to £10 a day to park on site instead of being able to apply for permits, which cost around £10 a month...  Nursing Times

#MHN2014: The future of mental health

#MHN2014: The future of mental health This paper discusses what these challenges might mean for the future of our nation’s mental health. NHS Confederation

New Pay Circular for medical and dental staff published

New Pay Circular for medical and dental staff published The pay scales and allowances for medical and dental staff in England, effective from 1 April 2014, are now available in Pay Circular (M&D) 2/2014. NHS Employers

NHS urged to halve serious mistakes

NHS urged to halve serious mistakes Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is asking the NHS in England to reduce the number of serious mistakes being made and save 6,000 lives over the next three years. BBC News

See also:

• Press release: Halving avoidable harm and saving up to 6,000 lives Department of Health
• Pledge to save 6,000 lives through NHS safety campaign The Daily Telegraph
• Jeremy Hunt says hospitals will be obliged to report medical errors The Independent

Mass water supply fluoridation urged

Mass water supply fluoridation urged Adding fluoride to water supplies should be considered by councils to improve dental health, the government's public health advisory body says. BBC News

See also:

• Is water fluoridation the next big thing? BBC News
• Fluoridation safe and effective, says Public Health England OnMedica
• Add fluoride to water to improve British teeth, say Government's health advisers The Independent
• Government study backs fluoride in water The Daily Telegraph
• Fluoride: Just when you thought it was safe to drink the water... The Daily Telegraph

New guidance on standards for GP specialty training released

New guidance on standards for GP specialty training released GP education programmes that meet the requirements of this guidance, an update of guidance first published in 2008 and based on the GMC's The Trainee Doctor standards - will be assumed to meet General Medical Council standards.

Could Botox be used to treat severe asthma?

Could Botox be used to treat severe asthma? “Botox is commonly used to smooth out wrinkles, but new research suggests it could be used to help asthma sufferers,” the Mail Online report.

While early results seem encouraging, the research being reported on is still at proof of concept stage.

Supporting employees who are caring for someone with dementia

Supporting employees who are caring for someone with dementia With our ageing population and workforce, dementia is becoming an increasingly significant issue in the workplace, with more and more people combining work with caring for a loved one. In recognition of this, Carers UK and Employers for Carers carried out an employer and employee survey between October 2013 and January 2014 to find out the impact of working while also caring for someone with dementia. This report sets out the key findings and emerging issues from these surveys. It concludes by making 10 recommendations for employers, health and social care services and government to take to facilitate better support for employees who are caring for loved ones with dementia. Carers UK

The NHS fraud story would be terrible, if it were true

The NHS fraud story would be terrible, if it were true The evidence of fraud is weak but the damage is done: the health service is made to look like an impossible dream.

Terrible news, isn't it, that the NHS loses £5bn a year through fraud; just awful … to think that people would steal from the public institution we all claim to be so in love with.

But like so many fables of recent history – do people really breed for the child benefit?; do foreigners really leave their homes and friends and everything they know just to come and leech off our unemployment benefits, thinking, "I hope I get cancer, that way I can really max out my EU entitlements"? – we can file this under "It would be terrible, if it were true".

The independent fact-checking organisation Full Fact took a restrained approach to this data,which was presented on Panorama earlier this week: it merely said we couldn't know from the evidence we have whether this figure is correct. We have data covering bent dentists (or "bentists" as this report tragically never calls them) and we have evidence of fraud related to patient charges, and the two figures combined amount to £229m (it sounds like a lot, but as a proportion of the NHS's annual £100bn budget, isn't). It's also a long way from £5bn.

Women GPs outnumber men for first time

Women GPs outnumber men for first time Female GPs outnumber men for the first time The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Annual census headcount figures shows increased numbers in the NHS workforce compared to last year Health & Social Care Information Centre
• Women GPs now outnumber men OnMedica

The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with intellectual disabilities in the UK: a population-based study.

The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with intellectual disabilities in the UK: a population-based study. The Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with intellectual disabilities in England was commissioned to provide evidence about contributory factors to avoidable and premature deaths in this population. The Lancet

See also:

• Prepare for annual health checks for people with learning disabilities OnMedica

Kettering Hospital reveals Victoria Harrison death errors

Kettering Hospital reveals Victoria Harrison death errors A hospital where a girl bled to death reveals a catalogue of errors, weeks after withholding details for fear of "endangering" staff. BBC Northamptonshire

See also:

• VIDEO: Death hospital errors made public BBC Northamptonshire