Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Nurse struck off after taking £30
Nurse struck off after taking £30 A senior nurse who was working at St Andrews Hospital is struck off after taking £30 from his employee. BBC Northamptonshire
MPs meet new KGH chief executive
MPs meet new KGH chief executive The area’s three MPs have said a meeting with Kettering General Hospital’s new chief executive last week went well. Northamptonshire Telegraph
How is the NHS performing? April 2014
How is the NHS performing? April 2014 This is the eleventh in a series of quarterly monitoring reports which aims to provide a regular update on how the NHS is coping as it grapples with the evolving reform agenda and the more significant challenge of making radical improvements in productivity. It highlights that the NHS has had no real rise in spending between 2010/11 and 2013/14, yet despite this, in broad terms the NHS has continued to provide services to a growing population and to maintain the quality of those services. However, our survey finds that there is deepening pessimism about the ability of the NHS to make ends meet financially, particularly in 2015/16. The King's Fund
See also:
See also:
- The NHS: running out of money The King's Fund
Two sides of the same coin: Balancing quality and finance to deliver greater
Two sides of the same coin: Balancing quality and finance to deliver greater A crucial issue facing the NHS today is how the health service can balance the imperative to provide better care with the need to reduce costs overall. NHS Confederation
Under 16s 'shut out of safe havens'
Under 16s 'shut out of safe havens' Children suffering a mental health crisis in England are being forced into police custody because 35% of NHS "places of safety" ban under 16s, figures suggest. BBC News
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See also:
- Map of health-based places of safety Care Quality Commission
Warning over bowel cancer screening
Warning over bowel cancer screening Bowel cancer screening uptake needs to improve, campaigners say, after figures showed just half of people eligible in England come forward for the test. BBC News
Pay, conditions and care quality in residential, nursing and domiciliary services
Pay, conditions and care quality in residential, nursing and domiciliary services How do pay and conditions for workers in residential, nursing and domiciliary care services relate to the quality of care they provide? Care workers do demanding work for low pay, and social care services are being delivered in an increasingly challenging environment, yet service users, their carers and families have increasing expectations about service quality and care workers’ skills and attributes. Joseph Rowntree Trust
Barely half of those eligible for NHS Health Check actually getting it
Barely half of those eligible for NHS Health Check actually getting it Only eight local authorities have met the targets set by Public Health England. OnMedica
Four lessons for the NHS on how to manage an ageing workforce
Four lessons for the NHS on how to manage an ageing workforce With plans to raise the state pension age to 70, the health service has to tackle a variety of challenges
In his Autumn statement last year, the chancellor of the exchequer set in motion plans to raise the state pension age to 70 for today's young people, on course to be the highest in the world. The question of whether people will need to work longer in the future is pretty much settled but there is still a lack of clarity about what work will be like for older workers of the future and how managers will oversee increasingly ageing workforces.
Answering the question of how to extend working life made a significant advance when the NHS Working Longer Review group reported the preliminary findings of its investigation into the impact of higher pension ages on the delivery of health services. This is the largest review of working practices in relation to age undertaken in the UK.Continue reading... The Guardian
In his Autumn statement last year, the chancellor of the exchequer set in motion plans to raise the state pension age to 70 for today's young people, on course to be the highest in the world. The question of whether people will need to work longer in the future is pretty much settled but there is still a lack of clarity about what work will be like for older workers of the future and how managers will oversee increasingly ageing workforces.
Answering the question of how to extend working life made a significant advance when the NHS Working Longer Review group reported the preliminary findings of its investigation into the impact of higher pension ages on the delivery of health services. This is the largest review of working practices in relation to age undertaken in the UK.Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS faces strike threat as 500,000 healthcare staff to be balloted
NHS faces strike threat as 500,000 healthcare staff to be balloted Unison and Unite confirm staff ballot over possible strike action following Jeremy Hunt's decision to axe 1% pay rise
The NHS is bracing itself for a strike after its largest union voted to ballot its members over industrial action to protest against the axing of health staff's planned 1% pay rise.
Unison, which represents 400,000 NHS personnel including about 100,000 nurses, decided on Tuesday to ballot over strike action or action short of a strike.Continue reading... The Guardian
The NHS is bracing itself for a strike after its largest union voted to ballot its members over industrial action to protest against the axing of health staff's planned 1% pay rise.
Unison, which represents 400,000 NHS personnel including about 100,000 nurses, decided on Tuesday to ballot over strike action or action short of a strike.Continue reading... The Guardian
Hospital bed shortage exposed
Hospital bed shortage exposed UK has second lowest number of beds per person in Europe, report shows, as NHS overcrowding breaches safety limit and raises risk of superbugs. The Daily Telegraph
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Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Northampton General to extend accident and emergency
Northampton General to extend accident and emergency Northampton General Hospital has submitted plans to ease pressure on its emergency department with a new building for GPs and consultants. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Signing up to safety – lessons from Virginia Mason
Signing up to safety – lessons from Virginia Mason Virginia Mason Medical Centre in Seattle provide a route map for the journey to safe, effective, patient-centred and efficient health care, says Professor Stephen Singleton in this blog. He welcomes Jeremy Hunt's invitation to the English NHS to 'sign up to safety' and get going on this journey, and discusses some of the barriers and pitfalls that must be dealt with along the way. The Health Foundation
Transforming primary care: safe, proactive, personalised care for those who need it the most
Transforming primary care: safe, proactive, personalised care for those who need it the most This guidance sets out plans for more proactive, personalised and joined up care, including the Proactive Care Programme, providing the 800,000 patients with the most complex health and care needs with a personal care and support plan; a named accountable GP; a professional to coordinate their care; and same-day telephone consultations. The plan builds on the role of primary care in keeping patients well and independent. It explains how professionals across the healthcare system can work together to transform care to become more proactive and tailored to patients’ individual need. Department of Health
Routine operations: Is a crisis brewing?
Routine operations: Is a crisis brewing? Concern over rise in waits for hospital operations. BBC News
CQC publishes GP inspection handbooks
CQC publishes GP inspection handbooks The CQC has already begun to test this new approach in GP out-of-hours inspections and between April and June 2014 will be testing wave one of the new model by inspecting 200 GP practices within 12 CCG areas. More.....
From innovation to adoption: successfully spreading surgical innovation
From innovation to adoption: successfully spreading surgical innovation Failure to adopt new surgical techniques quickly into everyday clinical practice means NHS patients are missing out on ground-breaking new procedures. This report sets out the factors that have helped and hindered the adoption of new surgical techniques in England and seeks to address how to progress the uptake of surgical innovations in a practical way, eradicating delay to ensure their benefits are realised by patients as quickly as possible. Royal College of Surgeons
Exclusive: NHS faces financial disaster in 2015 as politicians urged to find radical solution
Exclusive: NHS faces financial disaster in 2015 as politicians urged to find radical solution
The NHS faces a “financial crisis” next year as a budget freeze imposed by the Coalition risks pushing most hospital trusts into deficit, a leading think-tank has warned. The Independent
The NHS faces a “financial crisis” next year as a budget freeze imposed by the Coalition risks pushing most hospital trusts into deficit, a leading think-tank has warned. The Independent
See also:
- As budget freezes and reforms set in, what next for the NHS? The Independent
- NHS faces 'significant cuts' without more funding The Daily Telegraph
- Quarter of CCGs face 2014/15 deficit as experts urge NHS funding rise GP Online
Is the NHS institutionally racist?
Is the NHS institutionally racist? A new report highlights that there are very few senior healthcare professionals from BME backgrounds
I have bookshelves of reports detailing the unfair treatment many NHS Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff receive in recruitment, promotion, training, discipline and pay. The Snowy White Peaks of the NHS suggests such unfair treatment extends to every level of leadership and governance of the NHS, with important adverse consequences for patients.
Latest statistics show that 20% of nurses and 37% of doctors in the NHS are from BME backgrounds. Yet just 6% of senior and very senior managers in the NHS are from a BME background and just over 7% (and falling) of NHS trust board members are in this category. Continue reading... The Guardian
I have bookshelves of reports detailing the unfair treatment many NHS Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) staff receive in recruitment, promotion, training, discipline and pay. The Snowy White Peaks of the NHS suggests such unfair treatment extends to every level of leadership and governance of the NHS, with important adverse consequences for patients.
Latest statistics show that 20% of nurses and 37% of doctors in the NHS are from BME backgrounds. Yet just 6% of senior and very senior managers in the NHS are from a BME background and just over 7% (and falling) of NHS trust board members are in this category. Continue reading... The Guardian
Global Drug Survey 2014: UK has the most delusional drinkers
Global Drug Survey 2014: UK has the most delusional drinkers
The UK has the most delusional drinkers, drug-takers and ‘reckless youths’ than any other country in the world, according to a survey. The Independent
The UK has the most delusional drinkers, drug-takers and ‘reckless youths’ than any other country in the world, according to a survey. The IndependentNewly blind left to cope alone, research finds
Newly blind left to cope alone, research finds Thousands of NHS patients 'abandoned' after being told they are going blind. The Daily Telegraph
Half of nurses work through breaks or beyond their shift
Half of nurses work through breaks or beyond their shift Nurses are working through breaks and beyond their hours, but still do not feel they have enough time for patients, Unison survey reveals. The Daily Telegraph
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Monday, 14 April 2014
Health regulator agrees urgent improvement plan with Kettering General Hospital
Health regulator agrees urgent improvement plan with Kettering General Hospital Kettering General Hospital has agreed a set of urgent improvements to A&E arrangements at the trust to improve care for patients. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Robber jailed after knife attacks at KGH
Robber jailed after knife attacks at KGH A heroin addict who stabbed a Kettering Hospital doctor during a terrifying robbery has been sent to jail. Northamptonshire Telegraph
E-cigarettes banned in pubs across Northampton
E-cigarettes banned in pubs across Northampton A debate is gathering steam as more people are being shown the door for ‘vaping’ in public places across Northampton. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
MPs urge shift in complaint culture
MPs urge shift in complaint culture Public services still need to learn lessons from the Stafford Hospital scandal on how to handle complaints, says a committee of MPs. BBC News
No way to reliably identify low-risk prostate cancer
No way to reliably identify low-risk prostate cancer “Men with prostate cancer being given 'false hope',” The Daily Telegraph reports.
UK researchers have examined the accuracy of different methods that have sometimes been used (mostly outside the UK) to identify “clinically insignificant” prostate cancers – those that would not be expected to affect a man during his lifetime (meaning he is likely to die of something else).
UK researchers have examined the accuracy of different methods that have sometimes been used (mostly outside the UK) to identify “clinically insignificant” prostate cancers – those that would not be expected to affect a man during his lifetime (meaning he is likely to die of something else).
The NHS is overlooking charities
The NHS is overlooking charities The health service is not ready to listen to charities on the role they can play in improving health and social care integration
Integration is often held out as the solution to many of the problems in the health sector. It's a great idea, but not everyone's sure what it is and what it might feel like if we achieve it.
We have an ageing population and those living with long-term health conditions and co-morbidities will become more numerous. We understand the theory that more joined-up services help keep people well and out of hospital. This is good for them and because these patient groups account for 70% of the NHS budget, it's also good for the taxpayer.Continue reading... The Guardian
Integration is often held out as the solution to many of the problems in the health sector. It's a great idea, but not everyone's sure what it is and what it might feel like if we achieve it.
We have an ageing population and those living with long-term health conditions and co-morbidities will become more numerous. We understand the theory that more joined-up services help keep people well and out of hospital. This is good for them and because these patient groups account for 70% of the NHS budget, it's also good for the taxpayer.Continue reading... The Guardian
Drug giant faces bribery claims
Drug giant faces bribery claims GlaxoSmithKline accused of corruption for alleged asthma drug promotion in Poland. The Daily Telegraph
Ministers tell GPs to open all hours
Ministers tell GPs to open all hours Doctors will receive £50 million of funding so they can see patients seven days a week, under plans to be launched on Monday. The Daily Telegraph
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See also:
- Press release: Millions to benefit from improved GP care Department of Health
- GP hours scheme 'to benefit 7m' BBC News
- Doctors' surgeries to offer out-of-hours appointments and Skype checkups The Guardian
- Cameron plans more access to GPs and better care for elderly The Daily Telegraph
- Exclusive: David Cameron's £50m package will fund 'bespoke' GP services for elderly patients The Independent
Friday, 11 April 2014
KGH ward closure will save £800,000
KGH ward closure will save £800,000 A ward at Kettering General Hospital is to close in June because of new arrangements in the way medical patients are looked after. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Labour candidate calls on Northamptonshire healthcare trust to withdraw plans to cut dementia care services
Labour candidate calls on Northamptonshire healthcare trust to withdraw plans to cut dementia care services Sally Keeble calls on Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to withdraw the plans pending consultations on the way forward for services for a condition that affects thousands of people across the county. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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The four health systems of the UK: How do they compare?
The four health systems of the UK: How do they compare? Since political devolution in 1999, there has been increasing policy divergence between the health systems of the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK). This report attempts to update earlier comparisons of the publicly financed health systems of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of funding, inputs and performance before and since devolution.
The report finds that variations in the running of the NHS across the four countries, including greater or lesser involvement of the private sector, has made little difference to outcomes. The Nuffield Trust and The Health Foundation
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The report finds that variations in the running of the NHS across the four countries, including greater or lesser involvement of the private sector, has made little difference to outcomes. The Nuffield Trust and The Health Foundation
See also:
- Has devolution improved NHS performance? The Health Foundation
- So which country has the best NHS? BBC News
- England 'being caught up on NHS' BBC News
- Political interventions in NHS make little difference across UK, study finds The Guardian
The future provider landscape: are foundation trusts taking us down a dead end?
The future provider landscape: are foundation trusts taking us down a dead end? A year ago NHS commissioning was ripped up by its roots, divided up and then pushed back into the soil. Like the plants in my garden that get such rough treatment, commissioners are struggling to flourish. The NHS provider architecture has, so far, had more gentle treatment, and the journey towards ‘liberalisation’, that started in 2004 with the establishment of the first foundation trusts, continues. The King's Fund
Patient engagement – we need to live it, not talk it
Patient engagement – we need to live it, not talk it Without insight into, and measurement of what our patients are really thinking and capable of, and helping them set expectations, we’re firing blanks at the ‘self-management’ target with our eyes closed, says Mark Duman. The Health Foundation
Updated guidance published for avoiding unplanned admissions
Updated guidance published for avoiding unplanned admissions NHS Employers, GPC and NHS England have today published an updated version of the enhanced service Avoiding unplanned admissions: proactive case finding and care review for vulnerable people. NHS Employers
Surveillance of infectious disease
Surveillance of infectious disease This briefing describes current surveillance efforts and examines new technological developments and their likely impacts on UK and international public health. The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Bupa's £2,000 'bribes' for members to use the NHS
Bupa's £2,000 'bribes' for members to use the NHS Bupa has been accused of dumping patients on NHS for most expensive procedures, meaning that they can increase their profits. The Daily Mail
Information governance in the NHS: the challenges and the future
Information governance in the NHS: the challenges and the future Information governance has had a difficult history in the NHS but it's time that the health service embraced it
When it comes to information governance, the NHS has experienced a few catastrophes. Take for example, the misdemeanour that saw hard drives containing the records of patients go up for sale on eBay.
Lapses like this can be attributed to the NHS contracting out its IT service to external companies rather than investing in IT professionals of its own. Dawn Monaghan, strategic liaison group manager at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) explains: "They have a service level agreement [with external companies] and don't consider that for data protection purposes they can't contract out the information governance, they still have responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act." Continue reading... The Guardian
When it comes to information governance, the NHS has experienced a few catastrophes. Take for example, the misdemeanour that saw hard drives containing the records of patients go up for sale on eBay.
Lapses like this can be attributed to the NHS contracting out its IT service to external companies rather than investing in IT professionals of its own. Dawn Monaghan, strategic liaison group manager at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) explains: "They have a service level agreement [with external companies] and don't consider that for data protection purposes they can't contract out the information governance, they still have responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act." Continue reading... The Guardian
High Court: GP exam for trainee doctors must not discriminate against minorities
High Court: GP exam for trainee doctors must not discriminate against minorities A High Court judge has ruled that the exam trainee doctors must take to become a GP does not unlawfully discriminate against candidates from ethnic minorities. The Independent
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- GPs' exams disadvantage ethnic minority students, says high court judge The Guardian
- RCGP reaction to High Court judgment on the Clinical Skills Assessment component (CSA) of the MRCGP licensing exam Royal College of General Practitioners
Abortions are not for minor disabilities, says minister
Abortions are not for minor disabilities, says minister A minor disability such as a club foot or cleft palate should not be basis for abortion, says Jane Ellison, public health minister. The Daily Telegraph
Tamiflu: Government 'must listen' to findings
Tamiflu: Government 'must listen' to findings Dr Fiona Godlee, editor in chief of the British Medical Journal, says the system for drug regulation is "clearly flawed", while Dr Daniel Thurley, UK medical director of Roche, says he disagrees with the findings of a report questioning the efficacy of Tamiflu. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Tamiflu: how drug became last line of defence against flu The Daily Telegraph
- Government spent further £49m on Tamiflu despite known doubts about it The Guardian
- Effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza questioned NHS Choices review
Thursday, 10 April 2014
CQC says improvements still needed in East Midlands Ambulance Service
CQC says improvements still needed in East Midlands Ambulance Service East Midlands Ambulance Service still needs to improve in a number of areas, according to a report released by the Care Quality Commission. Northamptonshire Telegraph
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- Ambulance trust misses care targets BBC Northamptonshire
Improving results from adult inpatient survey at Northampton General Hospital
Improving results from adult inpatient survey at Northampton General Hospital The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published the results of the 2013 survey of adult inpatients, which includes a random sample of Northampton General Hospital (NGH) inpatients discharged during June 2013. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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- Northampton General Hospital rated 'about the same' as other NHS trust in England by Care Quality Commission Northampton Herald and Post
- NGH pleased with improving results from adult inpatient survey Northampton General Hospital
Government response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee report into public expenditure on health and social care
Government response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee report into public expenditure on health and social care This paper sets out the government’s response to the 18 conclusions and recommendations made in the House of Commons Health Select Committee report. Department of Health
Mental health cuts cost NHS millions
Mental health cuts cost NHS millions Mental health cuts are costing the NHS millions long-term as reduced preventive measures mean more people are ending up in hospital, a report says. BBC News
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'Millions wasted' on flu drug
'Millions wasted' on flu drug Hundreds of millions of pounds have been wasted on Tamiflu, a drug for flu that may work no better than paracetamol, a landmark analysis says. BBC News
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- Tamiflu & Relenza: how effective are they? The Cochrane Collaboration
- Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children (systematic review) The Cochrane Library
- Tamiflu: drugs given for swine flu 'were waste of £500m' The Daily Telegraph
- Drug trials: test match | Editorial The Guardian
Prescription cost analysis, England, 2013
Prescription cost analysis, England, 2013 Prescription cost analysis provides details of the number of items and the net ingredient cost of all prescriptions dispensed in the community in England. Health & Social Care Information Centre
Painkiller use linked to irregular heartbeat
Painkiller use linked to irregular heartbeat “Painkillers used by millions of Britons have been linked to higher risk of an irregular heartbeat that could trigger a stroke,” the Mail Online reports.
This headline follows the publication of a long-term study that aimed to find out whether older adults developed atrial fibrillation. The researchers looked at whether adults who had developed the condition had used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) recently, previously or not at all.
This headline follows the publication of a long-term study that aimed to find out whether older adults developed atrial fibrillation. The researchers looked at whether adults who had developed the condition had used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) recently, previously or not at all.
Health and social care to share £5bn integration funding
Health and social care to share £5bn integration funding Councils and NHS commissioners are set to share a pooled budget of more than £5bn to deliver integrated health and social care services, a government minister has confirmed. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS spending doubles on private ambulances used for 999 calls
NHS spending doubles on private ambulances used for 999 calls Senior medics and safety campaigners fear patient safety is being jeopardised by relying on private firms to answer emergency calls as expenditure doubles in three years. The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
An alternative guide to the urgent and emergency care system in England
An alternative guide to the urgent and emergency care system in England A&E is often seen as a service in crisis and is the focus of much media and political interest. But A&E is just the tip of the iceberg – the whole urgent and emergency care system is complex, and surrounded by myth and confusion. Our brand new animation gives a whistle-stop tour of how the system fits together and busts some myths about what’s really going on – explaining that the underlying causes go much deeper than just A&E and demand a joined-up response across all services. King's Fund
Sharp increase in steroid users
Sharp increase in steroid users A leading drugs charity says it has seen a 645% increase in the number of steroid users at needle exchanges. BBC News
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Male eating disorders 'overlooked'
Male eating disorders 'overlooked' Young men with an eating disorder are not getting the help and support they need because of perceptions about a "women's illness", say researchers. BBC News
GPs in ambulances slash A&E admissions
GPs in ambulances slash A&E admissions Putting GPs in ambulances has prevented 2,300 emergency admissions and saved £2.5m across three CCGs in the last 18 months. GP Online
Mental Healthwatch handbook: improving mental health with your community
Mental Healthwatch handbook: improving mental health with your community This handbook provides information on how Healthwatch can help improve mental health with a range of partners including central government, service users, commissioners, providers, the voluntary sector and councils. National Survivors User Network for Mental Health
Review of the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act
Review of the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act The government is reviewing the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act to make sure that the legislative framework offers the right support for people at the right time. These parts of the legislation give the police powers to temporarily remove people who appear to be suffering from a mental disorder and who need urgent care to a ‘place of safety’, so that a mental health assessment can be carried out and appropriate arrangements made for their care. This review aims to examine evidence to determine whether or not changes to the legislation would improve outcomes for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Department of Health
Understanding of Parkinson’s in hospitals ‘woefully inadequate’
Understanding of Parkinson’s in hospitals ‘woefully inadequate’ Almost half of inpatients with the condition not getting regular access to drugs they need, warns charity. OnMedica
Why the new duty of candour could be detrimental to the NHS
Why the new duty of candour could be detrimental to the NHSWith 99% of doctors already being open with their patients, is there any need for a legal duty of candour?
Moves to introduce a duty of candour to ensure patients get an explanation when something goes wrong may seem positive, but the potential for confusion could cause problems.Continue reading... The Guardian
Moves to introduce a duty of candour to ensure patients get an explanation when something goes wrong may seem positive, but the potential for confusion could cause problems.Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS blunders put millions of records at risk
NHS blunders put millions of records at risk NHS chiefs admit major breaches saw security of millions of patient records compromised. The Daily Telegraph
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- HSCIC admits HES data breaches E-Health Insider
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
When it comes to person-centred care, do we need measurement or feedback? Part 2
When it comes to person-centred care, do we need measurement or feedback? Part 2 In thinking about a measurement framework for person-centred care, we need to be acutely aware that our efforts do not lead us down a path where what we measure becomes dangerously detached from the organisational qualities and behaviours that we need to make person-centred care a reality all day, every day, says Darshan Patel. The Health Foundation
Royal Liverpool creates A&E app
Royal Liverpool creates A&E app Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust has developed a mobile app to give staff access to emergency procedure guidelines. E-Health Insider
Milk may slow progression of knee osteoarthritis
Milk may slow progression of knee osteoarthritis "Milk could be the key to beating crippling arthritis," reports the Daily Express, while the Daily Mail adds that, "A glass of milk a day keeps arthritis at bay".
Both headlines are potentially misleading. The study the papers were reporting on was about slowing the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee joints, rather than preventing it occurring in the first place.
Both headlines are potentially misleading. The study the papers were reporting on was about slowing the progression of osteoarthritis in the knee joints, rather than preventing it occurring in the first place.
Nurse morale ‘at all-time low’
Nurse morale ‘at all-time low’ RCN warns MPs that pay restraint could provoke exodus of nurses. OnMedica
Medical assessments chaos
Medical assessments chaos Civil servants drafted in to help clear backlog of assessments under new system. OnMedica
Bill needs push to sweep away 'inflexible' healthcare regulation framework
Bill needs push to sweep away 'inflexible' healthcare regulation framework The draft law commission bill's publication goes some way towards the regulatory transformation that we need but it is not there yet
The publication this month of the draft law commission bill, regulation of health and social care professionals, was a key milestone for patients, the public, and the healthcare regulators whose frameworks it will revolutionise.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), of which I am the chief executive and registrar, is hampered by a framework that has not adjusted to the modern age.Continue reading... The Guardian
The publication this month of the draft law commission bill, regulation of health and social care professionals, was a key milestone for patients, the public, and the healthcare regulators whose frameworks it will revolutionise.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), of which I am the chief executive and registrar, is hampered by a framework that has not adjusted to the modern age.Continue reading... The Guardian
Tanni Grey-Thompson: UK does less exercise than at any time in all human history
Tanni Grey-Thompson: UK does less exercise than at any time in all human history
The UK is less physically active than at any time “in all human history”, a new parliamentary report claimed, and the Government could save lives and cut billions of pounds from the NHS budget simply by encouraging exercise. The Independent
The UK is less physically active than at any time “in all human history”, a new parliamentary report claimed, and the Government could save lives and cut billions of pounds from the NHS budget simply by encouraging exercise. The Independent
Monday, 7 April 2014
Child health: Winning war on obesity
Child health: Winning war on obesity A report has revealed we are starting to win the war on childhood obesity but there has been a worrying rise in the number of children and young people who self harm. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Northampton General Hospital needs new building to solve A&E crisis says chief executive
Northampton General Hospital needs new building to solve A&E crisis says chief executive Building a combined centre for GPs and social services on the Northampton General Hospital site is the only long-term answer to its frequent A&E crises, the trust’s chief executive has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Guidance: Funding transfer from the NHS to social care 2014: directions
Guidance: Funding transfer from the NHS to social care 2014: directions The directions and explanatory note concern the transfer of £1.1bn in the financial year 2014 to 2015 from the NHS to local authorities for social care.
This funding consists of £900m to support adult social care which has a health benefit and an additional £200m for preparing for implementation of mandatory pooled budgets between local authorities and clinical commissioning groups in financial year 2015 to 2016 (i.e. the Better Care Fund). The local authority and clinical commissioning groups must agree together how to use the money.
These directions should be read together with the conditions relating to payments between NHS bodies and local authorities. Department of Health
This funding consists of £900m to support adult social care which has a health benefit and an additional £200m for preparing for implementation of mandatory pooled budgets between local authorities and clinical commissioning groups in financial year 2015 to 2016 (i.e. the Better Care Fund). The local authority and clinical commissioning groups must agree together how to use the money.
These directions should be read together with the conditions relating to payments between NHS bodies and local authorities. Department of Health
Guidance for unplanned admissions enhanced services
Guidance for unplanned admissions enhanced services The service is designed to help reduce avoidable unplanned admissions by improving services for vulnerable patients and those with complex physical or mental health needs, who are at high risk of hospital admission or readmission. It forms part of the GMS contract changes for 2014/15. More... NHS Employers
Is frequent mouthwash use linked to oral cancer?
Is frequent mouthwash use linked to oral cancer? "Experts warn using mouthwash more than twice a day can give you cancer," the Daily Mirror reports. The news comes from a European study that examined the oral health and dental hygiene of people diagnosed with cancers of the mouth, throat, vocal chords or oesophagus (collectively called "upper aerodigestive cancers").
The researchers found that people with the poorest oral health (including wearing dentures and bleeding gums) had a more than doubled risk of these cancers compared with those with the best oral health.
Similarly, they found that those with the poorest dental care (including frequency of tooth brushing and visiting the dentist) had a more than double risk compared with those with the best dental care.
Importantly, these associations remained after adjustment for smoking and alcohol consumption – established risk factors for these cancers – and for other factors that may influence risk, such as socioeconomic status.
But despite the Mirror's headline, the link between oral cancer and mouthwash is less clear. The association was only significant when looking at very frequent use (three times a day).
The researchers found that people with the poorest oral health (including wearing dentures and bleeding gums) had a more than doubled risk of these cancers compared with those with the best oral health.
Similarly, they found that those with the poorest dental care (including frequency of tooth brushing and visiting the dentist) had a more than double risk compared with those with the best dental care.
Importantly, these associations remained after adjustment for smoking and alcohol consumption – established risk factors for these cancers – and for other factors that may influence risk, such as socioeconomic status.
But despite the Mirror's headline, the link between oral cancer and mouthwash is less clear. The association was only significant when looking at very frequent use (three times a day).
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:
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:
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
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
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
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
Friday, 4 April 2014
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:
See also:
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.
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
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
Thursday, 3 April 2014
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:
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:
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.
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
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
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:
See also:
- What will pollution do to us? BBC News
- Air pollution reaches high levels BBC News
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