Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Volunteer groups to get £2m for vulnerable patients this winter
Volunteer groups to get £2m for vulnerable patients this winter The groups, including Age UK, British Red Cross and Royal Voluntary Service, will run local projects that target those people most at risk of admission to hospital and who need extra support when they are discharged, such as older people living alone without a support network. More .... NHS England
Hooper inquiry into how the GMC treats whistleblowers
Hooper inquiry into how the GMC treats whistleblowers Information about the GMC's inquiry into whistleblowing lead by Sir Anthony Hooper NHS Employers
Liberia to receive Ebola trial drug
Liberia to receive Ebola trial drug Liberia will receive an untested experimental drug, Zmapp, to treat people infected with Ebola, the government says following a request to the US. BBC News
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Exercise may cut breast cancer risk, study finds
Exercise may cut breast cancer risk, study finds "Exercise lowers risk of breast cancer after menopause," reports The Independent. This and similar headlines were sparked by a large study of postmenopausal teachers that found increased recreational activity was associated with a 10% decrease in the risk of breast cancer.
The risk reduction eroded among some women who became less active over the years, suggesting keeping up a certain level of activity might be important in maintaining the benefits.
The study used questionnaires to estimate the levels of walking, cycling and sport the women did outside of work.
It found women who did the equivalent of walking at least four hours a week or doing sport for two hours a week had a reduced risk of breast cancer. Factors such as body mass index (BMI) did not change the results.
However, the majority of women in the study had a healthy BMI and were teachers, so the results may not be applicable to all postmenopausal women.
Lack of physical activity and excess body fat have been linked to an increased risk of many cancers, including breast, colon, endometrial (lining of the womb) and prostate cancer, as well as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
The risk reduction eroded among some women who became less active over the years, suggesting keeping up a certain level of activity might be important in maintaining the benefits.
The study used questionnaires to estimate the levels of walking, cycling and sport the women did outside of work.
It found women who did the equivalent of walking at least four hours a week or doing sport for two hours a week had a reduced risk of breast cancer. Factors such as body mass index (BMI) did not change the results.
However, the majority of women in the study had a healthy BMI and were teachers, so the results may not be applicable to all postmenopausal women.
Lack of physical activity and excess body fat have been linked to an increased risk of many cancers, including breast, colon, endometrial (lining of the womb) and prostate cancer, as well as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
How technology could help monitor and treat mental health conditions
How technology could help monitor and treat mental health conditions Technology has the potential to make significant and cost-effective contributions to mental healthcare
Could digital treatments meet mental health service users' needs?
Mental health care is often described as the Cinderella of medicine overlooked, disparaged, and generally neglected. In the UK, mental healthcare is the single biggest item on the NHS budget (£12.16bn in 2010/11), but in practice this means that only about 11% of the overall spend is allocated to deal with 23% of the disease burden. Recent cuts have also hit mental health care significantly harder than acute hospitals, creating a combination of falling capacity and rising demand. Mental healthcare appears to suffer from the same stigma in policy circles as individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder experience in private life. And just as stigma leads to worse outcomes for individuals with mental health problems, the underfunding of mental health care leads to higher long-term costs for the NHS.
If things look bad at home, they're a lot worse elsewhere. High-income countries such as Britain and America spend an average of £26.71per capita on mental healthcare; by contrast, low-income countries manage only 12p, and spend most of that on inpatient beds rather than more effective community care. Wealthy nations have one psychiatrist for every 11,640 people; the poorest countries barely have one for every two million. Undertreatment of mental health problems is a problem everywhere, but it reaches epic proportions in the poorest countries, where as few as one in 10 sufferers receive treatment. Continue reading... The Guardian
Could digital treatments meet mental health service users' needs?
Mental health care is often described as the Cinderella of medicine overlooked, disparaged, and generally neglected. In the UK, mental healthcare is the single biggest item on the NHS budget (£12.16bn in 2010/11), but in practice this means that only about 11% of the overall spend is allocated to deal with 23% of the disease burden. Recent cuts have also hit mental health care significantly harder than acute hospitals, creating a combination of falling capacity and rising demand. Mental healthcare appears to suffer from the same stigma in policy circles as individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder experience in private life. And just as stigma leads to worse outcomes for individuals with mental health problems, the underfunding of mental health care leads to higher long-term costs for the NHS.
If things look bad at home, they're a lot worse elsewhere. High-income countries such as Britain and America spend an average of £26.71per capita on mental healthcare; by contrast, low-income countries manage only 12p, and spend most of that on inpatient beds rather than more effective community care. Wealthy nations have one psychiatrist for every 11,640 people; the poorest countries barely have one for every two million. Undertreatment of mental health problems is a problem everywhere, but it reaches epic proportions in the poorest countries, where as few as one in 10 sufferers receive treatment. Continue reading... The Guardian
Pay blow 'will hit nurse recruitment and retention'
Pay blow 'will hit nurse recruitment and retention' Nurses leader hits out a decision to deny cost of living pay rise next year. OnMedica
See also:
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- Fighting for fair pay and conditions - an update Royal College of Nursing
Senior policeman calls for access to medical records without consent
Senior policeman calls for access to medical records without consent Police dealing with more people with dementia and those with mental health, drug or alcohol problems. OnMedica
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- Police chief calls for records access E-Health Insider
Is this GP showing how to solve the A&E crisis? Steffi's working in Casualty to weed out patients who don't need hospital care
Is this GP showing how to solve the A&E crisis? Steffi's working in Casualty to weed out patients who don't need hospital care Many emergency departments are so overwhelmed they've become like 'war zones', one of the country's most senior A&E doctors warned. Daily Mail
Drunks a problem at A&E but charging them isn't the answer, says BMA
Drunks a problem at A&E but charging them isn't the answer, says BMA Drunk people coming to A&E have made emergency departments “a hostile environment” for many patients – but charging people who have been drinking is not the answer to overcrowding, doctors have said. The Independent
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- Alcohol Misuse manifesto 2015 All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol
- Poots 'sees merit' in A&E drunks fee BBC News
- Drunken A&E patients may be charged, says Northern Ireland minister The Guardian
Monday, 11 August 2014
Almost £24m paid out to Northampton General Hospital patients in five years
Almost £24m paid out to Northampton General Hospital patients in five years Compensation payments to Northampton General Hospital patients totalled almost £24 million over five years, latest figures show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Twenty per cent of surveyed A&E patients were at Northampton General Hospital because of a lack of GP appointments
Twenty per cent of surveyed A&E patients were at Northampton General Hospital because of a lack of GP appointments One in five people who arrive at Northampton General Hospital’s A&E do so because they cannot see a GP, an independent survey suggests. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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- Survey of patients waiting in Accident and Emergency at Northampton General Hospital Healthwatch Northamptonshire
Improvement collaboratives in health care
Improvement collaboratives in health care Quality improvement collaboratives involve groups of professionals coming together, either from within an organisation or across multiple organisations, to learn from and motivate each other to improve the quality of health services. The Health Foundation
Ambulances 'queuing for hours' at A&E
Ambulances 'queuing for hours' at A&E Thousands of patients face long delays in ambulances while waiting to be transferred to accident and emergency care, research by Labour suggests. BBC News
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Liberia buckles under Ebola strain
Liberia buckles under Ebola strain Liberia's information minister admits that the country's health care system has been overwhelmed by the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. BBC News
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- PHE reaffirms commitment to supporting Ebola outbreak response but risk remains low in England Public Health England
- Guinea shuts borders against Ebola BBC News
- Nigeria declares Ebola emergency BBC News
Exclusive: One in eight trainee GPs plan to work overseas
Exclusive: One in eight trainee GPs plan to work overseas One in eight final-year trainee GPs plan to leave the country within the next 12 months, an LMC poll has revealed. GP Online
Former NHS carers in Doncaster set to intensify strike action over pay
Former NHS carers in Doncaster set to intensify strike action over pay Fifty carers for disabled began action nearly seven weeks ago after firm took over NHS service and reduced pay by up to 35%
Fifty carers for the disabled are staging one of the longest strikes in the history of the health service to secure a living wage for staff working in privatised services formerly run by the NHS.
In a crucial vote on Monday, the support workers are expected to back plans to "extend and intensify" action that has already seen them withdraw their labour and sacrifice their salaries for nearly seven weeks. Continue reading... The Guardian
Fifty carers for the disabled are staging one of the longest strikes in the history of the health service to secure a living wage for staff working in privatised services formerly run by the NHS.
In a crucial vote on Monday, the support workers are expected to back plans to "extend and intensify" action that has already seen them withdraw their labour and sacrifice their salaries for nearly seven weeks. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS leaders and politicians have yet to convince patients of need for reforms
NHS leaders and politicians have yet to convince patients of need for reforms A big debate is needed ahead of the 2015 general election about how to fund a health service fit for the future.
I know what I think about the NHS, warts and all, but I find it hard to find what patients in general think. A Guardian/ICM poll asked voters about the funding pressures on the NHS. I know that voters may not necessarily be patients, and patients are not necessarily voters, but I found that the poll answered some of my questions. Along the way, it also gave a few clues to health insiders and politicians on how to devise messages for the general election.
A third of respondants quoted the ageing population as the main financial challenge facing the health service. This is good news for us oldies, as it seems that the general public recognises that more funds should be devoted to looking after us. Continue reading... The Guardian
I know what I think about the NHS, warts and all, but I find it hard to find what patients in general think. A Guardian/ICM poll asked voters about the funding pressures on the NHS. I know that voters may not necessarily be patients, and patients are not necessarily voters, but I found that the poll answered some of my questions. Along the way, it also gave a few clues to health insiders and politicians on how to devise messages for the general election.
A third of respondants quoted the ageing population as the main financial challenge facing the health service. This is good news for us oldies, as it seems that the general public recognises that more funds should be devoted to looking after us. Continue reading... The Guardian
Red Cross called in to fend off an NHS winter crisis
Red Cross called in to fend off an NHS winter crisis Red Cross called in to stave off an NHS winter crisis as waiting lists reach a record high. The Daily Telegraph
Disabled patient takes Health Secretary and the NHS to court
Disabled patient takes Health Secretary and the NHS to court Jeremy Hunt is facing an unprecedented High Court challenge over the potential closure of dozens of GP surgeries in inner-city areas, as the Government comes under increasing criticism for failing to bring down GP waiting times. The Independent
Nurses seek £15m to avert hike in watchdog's annual registration fees
Nurses seek £15m to avert hike in watchdog's annual registration fees Nurses are pushing Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to find up to £15m to fill a black hole in their regulator's accounts. The Independent
Friday, 8 August 2014
Fire rips through hospital site
Fire rips through hospital site A huge blaze at a derelict hospital site in Northampton is tackled by more than 80 firefighters overnight. BBC Northamptonshire
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- ‘Extensive structural damage’ caused during huge blaze at former St Crispin’s Hospital in Northampton Northampton Chronicle and Echo
- Hospital blaze in Northampton was ‘inevitable’ after regular vandalism say Duston residents Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Doctor who sent toddler home from hospital three days before he died from dehydration 'failed to properly examine the youngster'
Doctor who sent toddler home from hospital three days before he died from dehydration 'failed to properly examine the youngster' Dr Tasnim Arif should have used more caution in dealing with Harry Connolly at Northampton General Hospital, an expert claimed. Daily Mail
An independent review into creating an open and honest reporting culture in the NHS
An independent review into creating an open and honest reporting culture in the NHS This review was announced on 24 June 2014 by the Secretary of State for Health and is led by Sir Robert Francis QC. Sir Robert wants to hear from as many people as possible who have experiences, both good and bad, of raising concerns in the NHS. It will gather information in a number of ways including an invitation to share experiences and ideas, seminars and research projects. A report containing the findings is planned for November 2014. Freedom To Speak Up
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- Sir Robert Francis review of whistleblowing processes NHS Employers
NHS says no to breast cancer drug
NHS says no to breast cancer drug A pioneering new breast cancer treatment will not be routinely available on the NHS in England, the official drugs advisory body is proposing. BBC News
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- Pressure grows on Roche to lower breast cancer drug price NICE
- Breast cancer (HER2 positive, unresectable) - trastuzumab emtansine (after trastuzumab & taxane) NICE draft guideline
- VIDEO: Breast cancer drug 'too expensive' BBC News
- NICE rejects another breast cancer drug that can extend life Daily Mail
- Drugs watchdog condemns Roche for high price of breast cancer therapy The Guardian
- Cancer Drugs Fund seems to help pharmaceuticals giant Roche most The Guardian
- Pharmaceuticals giant Roche blasted for refusing to make breast cancer drug Kadcyla affordable The Independent
Ebola 'an international emergency'
Ebola 'an international emergency' The World Health Organization declares the spread of Ebola in West Africa an international health emergency. BBC News
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Clegg: Mental health 'needs boost'
Clegg: Mental health 'needs boost' Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg calls for mental health research to be given the same attention as physical health - and says a pledge to put £50m into research would feature in the party's next election manifesto. BBC News
Lack of vitamin D may 'raise dementia risk'
Lack of vitamin D may 'raise dementia risk' People lacking in vitamin D have a higher risk of developing dementia report several media outlets, including BBC News and The Independent.
A study found people severely lacking in the sunshine vitamin were twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease compared with people with healthy levels (50nmol/l or more).
The findings are based on a study of more than 1,650 people aged 65 and above who were followed over a period of about six years to see if they developed dementia.
Researchers found the higher the vitamin D deficiency, the higher the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
They found severe vitamin D deficiency (less than 25nmol/l) is associated with approximately twice the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Moderately low levels of vitamin D (between 25nmol/l and 50nmol/l) are associated with a 50% increase in risk.
This study was able to show an association between low levels of vitamin D and the risk of developing dementia. But it does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes the disease.
A study found people severely lacking in the sunshine vitamin were twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease compared with people with healthy levels (50nmol/l or more).
The findings are based on a study of more than 1,650 people aged 65 and above who were followed over a period of about six years to see if they developed dementia.
Researchers found the higher the vitamin D deficiency, the higher the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
They found severe vitamin D deficiency (less than 25nmol/l) is associated with approximately twice the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Moderately low levels of vitamin D (between 25nmol/l and 50nmol/l) are associated with a 50% increase in risk.
This study was able to show an association between low levels of vitamin D and the risk of developing dementia. But it does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes the disease.
Plain packs for tobacco would save £500m in first year, says PHE
Plain packs for tobacco would save £500m in first year, says PHE Those in deprived areas have most to gain; no dent in retailers’ profits, suggest new calculations. OnMedica
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- Standardised packaging can save lives and boost local economies Public Health England
Manchester's hospital reform plan has been a failure
Manchester's hospital reform plan has been a failure The baffling Healthier Together proposals will undermine patients' confidence in the NHS
The dos and don'ts of NHS reconfiguration
The backlash over plans to reconfigure hospitals and primary care in Greater Manchester is a warning of what can go wrong if consultations are mishandled.
The plan badged Healthier Together was launched last month by the area's 12 clinical commissioning groups. There are four problems: the consultation document is vague and confusing; they are not being up-front about the need to cut costs; it has provoked a fight between four foundation trusts (FTs); and the proponents of change have alienated local MPs, who have torn into the exercise. Continue reading... The Guardian
The dos and don'ts of NHS reconfiguration
The backlash over plans to reconfigure hospitals and primary care in Greater Manchester is a warning of what can go wrong if consultations are mishandled.
The plan badged Healthier Together was launched last month by the area's 12 clinical commissioning groups. There are four problems: the consultation document is vague and confusing; they are not being up-front about the need to cut costs; it has provoked a fight between four foundation trusts (FTs); and the proponents of change have alienated local MPs, who have torn into the exercise. Continue reading... The Guardian
Waiting times in NHS at worst for six years
Waiting times in NHS at worst for six years NHS waiting times are at their worst level for six years, official figures show, as 3.2m are waiting for treatment it has been admitted. The Daily Telegraph
Dementia timebomb set to cost £3bn by 2030 as people leave work to care for relatives
Dementia timebomb set to cost £3bn by 2030 as people leave work to care for relatives Dementia will cost English businesses £3bn by 2030, driving thousands out of work to care for their elderly relatives, and cutting the size of the over 65s workforce, economic analysts have warned. The Independent
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- Businesses urged to step up to help dementia crisis The Daily Telegraph
Lonely cancer patients failing to complete treatment, charity claims
Lonely cancer patients failing to complete treatment, charity claims Thousands of cancer patients are missing crucial appointments, failing to take medicine or even refusing treatment altogether, simply because they are lonely, the UK’s leading cancer charity has said. The Independent
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Thursday, 7 August 2014
Doctor who treated Northampton toddler who later died of dehydration facing misconduct hearing
Doctor who treated Northampton toddler who later died of dehydration facing misconduct hearing A doctor who treated a 19-month-old boy from Northampton who was discharged from hospital three days before he died of dehydration is facing allegations of misconduct at a fitness to practice hearing this week. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Kettering General Hospital wins £12m in Government funding
Kettering General Hospital wins £12m in Government funding Kettering General Hospital’s chief executive has welcomed the announcement of a Government grant of millions of pounds. Northamptonshire Telegraph
New £1.6m fund to boost health and well-being of Northamptonshire people
New £1.6m fund to boost health and well-being of Northamptonshire people A new fund worth £1.6 million has been created to help improve the health and well-being of people in Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Ambulance service launches investigation after Northampton man forced to wait two hours in torrential rain for paramedics to arrive
Ambulance service launches investigation after Northampton man forced to wait two hours in torrential rain for paramedics to arrive The East Midlands Ambulance Service has launched an investigation after a Northampton man was forced to wait two hours in torrential rain before paramedics arrived to treat him. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Building improvement capability: 5 ways to maximise your chances of success
Building improvement capability: 5 ways to maximise your chances of success How can you maximise your confidence that the investment your organisation makes in capability building will result insignificant improvement? Penny Pereira shares her top learning from a workshop we held with experts in the area. The Health Foundation
Cardiovascular disease profiles
Cardiovascular disease profiles The profiles highlight important facts about these conditions and include information on the leading risk factors such as smoking and obesity.
Following the recommendations of the cardiovascular disease outcomes strategy to treat coronary heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke as a single family of conditions, the profiles bring together information about each of these. Public Health England
Following the recommendations of the cardiovascular disease outcomes strategy to treat coronary heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke as a single family of conditions, the profiles bring together information about each of these. Public Health England
Four hour strike proposed as the start of potential industrial action in the NHS
Four hour strike proposed as the start of potential industrial action in the NHS UNISON have revealed more detail about their ballot process for the proposed industrial action in the NHS over the pay dispute and provided a description of the action they are likely to ask members to take. NHS Employers
Survey reveals more needs to be done on choice for patients
Survey reveals more needs to be done on choice for patients More than half of patients (51 per cent) were aware of their legal right to choose a hospital or clinic for an outpatient appointment, and a similar proportion (53 per cent) referred for an outpatient appointment first had a discussion with their GP about where to receive treatment.
Fewer than two fifths of patients, however, said they were offered a choice of hospital by their GP when being referred for an outpatient appointment.
These are some of the findings of a survey being published today of over 2,700 patients conducted for NHS England and the health regulator Monitor, which looked at the number of patients being offered a choice by their GPs.
Fewer than two fifths of patients, however, said they were offered a choice of hospital by their GP when being referred for an outpatient appointment.
These are some of the findings of a survey being published today of over 2,700 patients conducted for NHS England and the health regulator Monitor, which looked at the number of patients being offered a choice by their GPs.
Liberia declares Ebola emergency
Liberia declares Ebola emergency Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf declares a state of emergency as the country grapples with an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- 'Ebola victim' dies in Saudi Arabia BBC News
- VIDEO: Ebola drug 'poses ethics questions' BBC News
- WHO starts emergency talks on Ebola BBC News
- Ebola virus: British experts urge US and WHO to ‘give Africans experimental cure’ The Independent
- Experimental drug given to two US aid workers infected with Ebola virus OnMedica
Daily aspirin 'reduces cancer risk,' study finds
Daily aspirin 'reduces cancer risk,' study finds Taking aspirin every day could cut your risk of developing cancer, report BBC News and The Daily Telegraph among other news outlets, after the publication of a large-scale review of the evidence.
People aged between 50 and 65 who take aspirin every day for 10 years could cut their risk of bowel cancer by 30% and cancers of the throat and stomach by 25%, according to the study published in the Annals of Oncology.
Over 20 years, an aspirin a day would reduce people's risk of heart attacks by 7%, stroke by 9%, and dying prematurely by about 4%.
Aspirin is an antiplatelet, which means it reduces the risk of clots forming in your blood. Platelets may also protect cancer cells in the body, and it has been suggested aspirin's effect on them may hinder this process. However, the exact mechanism is not well understood and more research is needed.
Taking aspirin every day comes with a serious health warning as it can cause serious side effects such as ulcers and bleeding from the stomach, particularly in elderly people.
However, the researchers argue the benefits of taking the drug need to be balanced against the harms.
While the findings of this study show promise, it is not clear whether the methods used in compiling it were systematic, so the results may not be entirely reliable.
Anyone thinking of taking aspirin for prevention should talk to their GP first.
People aged between 50 and 65 who take aspirin every day for 10 years could cut their risk of bowel cancer by 30% and cancers of the throat and stomach by 25%, according to the study published in the Annals of Oncology.
Over 20 years, an aspirin a day would reduce people's risk of heart attacks by 7%, stroke by 9%, and dying prematurely by about 4%.
Aspirin is an antiplatelet, which means it reduces the risk of clots forming in your blood. Platelets may also protect cancer cells in the body, and it has been suggested aspirin's effect on them may hinder this process. However, the exact mechanism is not well understood and more research is needed.
Taking aspirin every day comes with a serious health warning as it can cause serious side effects such as ulcers and bleeding from the stomach, particularly in elderly people.
However, the researchers argue the benefits of taking the drug need to be balanced against the harms.
While the findings of this study show promise, it is not clear whether the methods used in compiling it were systematic, so the results may not be entirely reliable.
Anyone thinking of taking aspirin for prevention should talk to their GP first.
Save Our Surgeries campaigners hand 20,000-name petition to Downing Street
Save Our Surgeries campaigners hand 20,000-name petition to Downing Street GPs, patients and supporters from one of the most deprived parts of England took their grassroots campaign against practice funding cuts to the heart of government today. GP Online
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- Patients in peril due to threat of GP practice closures says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
- GPs take campaign to Downing Street BBC News
- It's not safe for you here, GP surgery tells patients The Daily Telegraph
- It's not safe for you here, overwhelmed GP surgery tells patients: Letter sent to 10,000 people tells them they will be turned away unless illness is deemed an emergency... Daily Mail
Junior doctors worry about quality of care and long working hours
Junior doctors worry about quality of care and long working hours Many still afraid to voice concerns and concerned by too little time to care for patients properly. OnMedica
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- Junior doctors 'under pressure' BBC News
Privatisation is ripping the NHS from our hands
Privatisation is ripping the NHS from our hands The notion that competition promotes excellence and market forces breed efficiency is a myth
Last year, a majority of new contracts to provide NHS services went to private companies. Most of these private companies hide behind the NHS logo but siphon off a profit. Collectively, such providers received more than £10bn from the public coffers in 2013. And according to the Financial Times, around £5.8bn of NHS work is currently being advertised to the private sector, a 14% increase on a year earlier.
Clinical commissioning group (CCG) leaders do not consider that privatisation is their main agenda. They do admit, however, that they face difficult decisions regarding the need to tender which, in a nutshell, is a tool for commissioners to facilitate competition. Promoters of the concept of Any Qualified Provider who indulge in marketisation do so under the false belief that this achieves better health outcomes, which flies in the face of both the theory as well as overwhelming evidence that equity, efficiency and equilibrium of the NHS are adversely affected. Continue reading... The Guardian
Last year, a majority of new contracts to provide NHS services went to private companies. Most of these private companies hide behind the NHS logo but siphon off a profit. Collectively, such providers received more than £10bn from the public coffers in 2013. And according to the Financial Times, around £5.8bn of NHS work is currently being advertised to the private sector, a 14% increase on a year earlier.
Clinical commissioning group (CCG) leaders do not consider that privatisation is their main agenda. They do admit, however, that they face difficult decisions regarding the need to tender which, in a nutshell, is a tool for commissioners to facilitate competition. Promoters of the concept of Any Qualified Provider who indulge in marketisation do so under the false belief that this achieves better health outcomes, which flies in the face of both the theory as well as overwhelming evidence that equity, efficiency and equilibrium of the NHS are adversely affected. Continue reading... The Guardian
Rise in care home fees outstrips earnings by 54 per cent
Rise in care home fees outstrips earnings by 54 per cent Figures disclose 'cavernous' gap between care home costs and pensioners' incomes. The Daily Telegraph
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- Councils raise care funding concerns BBC News
Prostate cancer screening could save 20 per cent of sufferers
Prostate cancer screening could save 20 per cent of sufferers A national screening programme for prostate cancer could eventually save one in five sufferers – but would also lead to over-diagnosis and a huge rise in dangerous side-effects to treatment, a major study has concluded. The Independent
Caring for High-Need, High-Cost Patients: What Makes for a Successful Care Management Program?
Caring for High-Need, High-Cost Patients: What Makes for a Successful Care Management Program? In this study the authors compare the operational approaches of 18 successful complex care management programs in order to offer guidance to providers, payers, and policymakers on best practices for complex care management. The Commonwealth Fund
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Aspirin should be taken by all over 50s to cut thousands of cancer deaths: study
Aspirin should be taken by all over 50s to cut thousands of cancer deaths: study
Every middle aged person should take aspirin daily for ten years, experts have said, as a comprehensive study has found it could save 6,000 lives a year by preventing cancer and heart disease. Telegraph
Every middle aged person should take aspirin daily for ten years, experts have said, as a comprehensive study has found it could save 6,000 lives a year by preventing cancer and heart disease. Telegraph
Blood app 'can detect diseases'
Blood app 'can detect diseases'
A team has developed an app and small lens add-on that allows blood-cell analysis via your smartphone, which it says can detect diseases such as malaria in seconds. BBC News
A team has developed an app and small lens add-on that allows blood-cell analysis via your smartphone, which it says can detect diseases such as malaria in seconds. BBC News
Guidance: Adult social care efficiency tool
Guidance: Adult social care efficiency tool
The adult social care efficiency tool identifies similar areas (or ‘statistical neighbours’) for adult social care delivery for older people and working age adults with learning disabilities. These are the two largest groups who receive adult social care. The comparable indicators include spending per head, quality of services and access to services.
The tool provides a basis for comparing spending and outcomes between councils and helps directors of adult social services and local authority financial leads to find new opportunities for improving adult social care efficiency.
It is for use by councils to assess their own performance, and to identify where different approaches in comparable local authorities may provide examples to learn from. It cannot be used to make judgements about the relative performance of councils in delivering adult social care services, nor can it provide answers as to what the ‘correct’ price is for care.
This tool is designed to work best with Excel version 2010 or later. If you need a version optimised for Excel 97-2003 please email panos.zerdevas@dh.gsi.gov.uk Department of Health
The adult social care efficiency tool identifies similar areas (or ‘statistical neighbours’) for adult social care delivery for older people and working age adults with learning disabilities. These are the two largest groups who receive adult social care. The comparable indicators include spending per head, quality of services and access to services.
The tool provides a basis for comparing spending and outcomes between councils and helps directors of adult social services and local authority financial leads to find new opportunities for improving adult social care efficiency.
It is for use by councils to assess their own performance, and to identify where different approaches in comparable local authorities may provide examples to learn from. It cannot be used to make judgements about the relative performance of councils in delivering adult social care services, nor can it provide answers as to what the ‘correct’ price is for care.
This tool is designed to work best with Excel version 2010 or later. If you need a version optimised for Excel 97-2003 please email panos.zerdevas@dh.gsi.gov.uk Department of Health
Special measures: one year on
Special measures: one year on
This document gives an update on progress made at 11 NHS trusts and foundation trusts that were put into special measures in July 2013. Practical measures that have led to significant changes at some of the trusts include: recruiting extra staff, using better systems to manage the way patients are moved throughout their stay from admission to discharge (known as ‘patient flow’), better managing patients with life threatening conditions and placing renewed emphasis on the quality of care provided. Monitor
Report
Monitor news
This document gives an update on progress made at 11 NHS trusts and foundation trusts that were put into special measures in July 2013. Practical measures that have led to significant changes at some of the trusts include: recruiting extra staff, using better systems to manage the way patients are moved throughout their stay from admission to discharge (known as ‘patient flow’), better managing patients with life threatening conditions and placing renewed emphasis on the quality of care provided. Monitor
Report
Monitor news
Centralised stroke care saves more lives, says study
Centralised stroke care saves more lives, says study
Radical reorganisation of stroke care in London compares favourably with compromise arrangement in Manchester
The centralisation of stroke services in London, which involved the controversial closure of five hospital units, saves nearly 100 lives a year, according to research.
A study published in the British Medical Journal contrasts the radical reorganisation of stroke care which took place in London with a compromise arrangement in Manchester, where there were no unpopular hospital closures. There was also no reduction in mortality. Guardian
Continue reading...
Radical reorganisation of stroke care in London compares favourably with compromise arrangement in Manchester
The centralisation of stroke services in London, which involved the controversial closure of five hospital units, saves nearly 100 lives a year, according to research.
A study published in the British Medical Journal contrasts the radical reorganisation of stroke care which took place in London with a compromise arrangement in Manchester, where there were no unpopular hospital closures. There was also no reduction in mortality. Guardian
Continue reading...
- Super units 'needed for stroke care' BBC News
Focus on historical sexual abuse ignores today's harsh mental health cuts | Clare Allan
Focus on historical sexual abuse ignores today's harsh mental health cuts | Clare Allan
Survivors of abuse need good mental health services now, otherwise they are simply being failed all over again
There is a sense of national outrage at the seemingly endless stream of revelations concerning thesexual abuse of children by people in the public eye. While such outrage is understandable, I can't help being struck by the simultaneous lack of concern about the cuts to the services and support many survivors of sexual abuse depend on.
Mental health problems are a very common consequence of sexual abuse. An overview of research in this area, conducted by Anne Lazenbatt for the NSPCC suggests that as many as 80% of young adults who have been sexually or physically abused, or both, are found to meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder by the time they are 21. By the time they reach their late 20s, they are twice as likely to have attempted suicide as someone who has never been abused. Guardian
Continue reading...
Survivors of abuse need good mental health services now, otherwise they are simply being failed all over again
There is a sense of national outrage at the seemingly endless stream of revelations concerning thesexual abuse of children by people in the public eye. While such outrage is understandable, I can't help being struck by the simultaneous lack of concern about the cuts to the services and support many survivors of sexual abuse depend on.
Mental health problems are a very common consequence of sexual abuse. An overview of research in this area, conducted by Anne Lazenbatt for the NSPCC suggests that as many as 80% of young adults who have been sexually or physically abused, or both, are found to meet the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder by the time they are 21. By the time they reach their late 20s, they are twice as likely to have attempted suicide as someone who has never been abused. Guardian
Continue reading...
Black men face inequalities in cancer care
Black men face inequalities in cancer care
Report highlights that black men are more likely to get cancer at a younger age and calls for action to improve screening and detection
What 12 Years a Slave tells us about 21st century black mental health
I recently had a PSA test, a blood test that can detect the early signs of prostate cancer. It came back negative and I felt relieved. It led me, however, to discuss with my GP the merits and validity of the test, especially for African and Caribbean men.
The report Hear Me Now launched by David Lammy in parliament earlier this year highlights the issue of prostate cancer and black men. It provides analysis along with case studies and a number of key recommendations for GPs, primary care professionals and commissioners. There is now a growing body of evidence of inequality and disparity between black men and the rest of the population that shows they are more likely to get cancer at a younger age. Guardian
Continue reading...
Report highlights that black men are more likely to get cancer at a younger age and calls for action to improve screening and detection
What 12 Years a Slave tells us about 21st century black mental health
I recently had a PSA test, a blood test that can detect the early signs of prostate cancer. It came back negative and I felt relieved. It led me, however, to discuss with my GP the merits and validity of the test, especially for African and Caribbean men.
The report Hear Me Now launched by David Lammy in parliament earlier this year highlights the issue of prostate cancer and black men. It provides analysis along with case studies and a number of key recommendations for GPs, primary care professionals and commissioners. There is now a growing body of evidence of inequality and disparity between black men and the rest of the population that shows they are more likely to get cancer at a younger age. Guardian
Continue reading...
Supporting NHS providers considering transactions and mergers
Supporting NHS providers considering transactions and mergers
NHS providers considering a merger are urged to contact Monitor early in their planning to ensure proposals work well for patients. These guidance documents will help NHS providers navigate their way through a transaction such as a merger or acquisition. Monitor
Guidance
Monitor news
NHS providers considering a merger are urged to contact Monitor early in their planning to ensure proposals work well for patients. These guidance documents will help NHS providers navigate their way through a transaction such as a merger or acquisition. Monitor
Guidance
Monitor news
Could HIV drugs help treat multiple sclerosis?
Could HIV drugs help treat multiple sclerosis?
"Could MS patients be treated with HIV drugs?" ask the Mail Online and The Independent, after a new study discovered people with HIV were almost two-thirds less likely (62%) to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) than those who did not have the virus.
The study was prompted by the case of a patient who had HIV and MS, but stayed clear of any MS symptoms for more than 12 years.
Data from the medical records of about 21,000 people with HIV in the UK was analysed to see how many developed the condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord.
Researchers suggest the HIV infection itself and the antiretroviral drugs used to treat it may protect the body's immune system from developing MS.
Their two theories are:
immunodeficiency caused by HIV may stop the body attacking itself
antiretroviral therapy may suppress other viruses in the body, such as those suggested as being responsible for causing MS
This is a well-conducted study, with a large sample size and very large number of controls. But as it is a cohort study, it can only show an association and cannot prove cause and effect.
The authors acknowledge their findings "should be regarded as speculative rather than definitive".
Overall, this interesting study paves the way for clinical trials to be conducted on the use of antiretroviral medication for people with MS.
"Could MS patients be treated with HIV drugs?" ask the Mail Online and The Independent, after a new study discovered people with HIV were almost two-thirds less likely (62%) to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) than those who did not have the virus.
The study was prompted by the case of a patient who had HIV and MS, but stayed clear of any MS symptoms for more than 12 years.
Data from the medical records of about 21,000 people with HIV in the UK was analysed to see how many developed the condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord.
Researchers suggest the HIV infection itself and the antiretroviral drugs used to treat it may protect the body's immune system from developing MS.
Their two theories are:
immunodeficiency caused by HIV may stop the body attacking itself
antiretroviral therapy may suppress other viruses in the body, such as those suggested as being responsible for causing MS
This is a well-conducted study, with a large sample size and very large number of controls. But as it is a cohort study, it can only show an association and cannot prove cause and effect.
The authors acknowledge their findings "should be regarded as speculative rather than definitive".
Overall, this interesting study paves the way for clinical trials to be conducted on the use of antiretroviral medication for people with MS.
The no fault compensation model needs a radical overhaul
The no fault compensation model needs a radical overhaul
The model used for clinical negligence may not deliver the cost savings anticipated by the NHS. Fundamental changes to how costs are calculated will ensure they are effectively shouldered by society. HSJ
The model used for clinical negligence may not deliver the cost savings anticipated by the NHS. Fundamental changes to how costs are calculated will ensure they are effectively shouldered by society. HSJ
Sir Anthony Hooper to undertake GMC whistleblowers review
Sir Anthony Hooper to undertake GMC whistleblowers review
The General Medical Council has commissioned the Right Honourable Sir Anthony Hooper to undertake a review of how it deals with doctors who raise concerns in the public interest. GMC
The General Medical Council has commissioned the Right Honourable Sir Anthony Hooper to undertake a review of how it deals with doctors who raise concerns in the public interest. GMC
Say cheese: saturated fat in dairy may protect against diabetes
Say cheese: saturated fat in dairy may protect against diabetes
Scientists at Cambridge University and the Medical Research Council found that saturated fat in cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products may protect against type 2 diabetes. Telegraph
Scientists at Cambridge University and the Medical Research Council found that saturated fat in cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products may protect against type 2 diabetes. Telegraph
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Bid to get more mothers breastfeeding launched by NHS Northamptonshire
Bid to get more mothers breastfeeding launched by NHS Northamptonshire A campaign to encourage more mums to breastfeed has been launched by NHS Northamptonshire to mark World Breastfeeding Week. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
See also:
See also:
- News: Local NHS goes Baby Friendly Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Update on new 2015 NHS Pension Scheme published
Update on new 2015 NHS Pension Scheme published Read about the new information published relating to the 2015 NHS Pension Scheme. NHS Employers
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See also:
Antibiotics use for colds 'rising'
Antibiotics use for colds 'rising' There has been a 40% rise in the proportion of patients given antibiotics for coughs and colds since the turn of the century, a study suggests. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Significant scope to improve antibiotic prescribing Public Health England
- Trends in antibiotic prescribing in primary care for clinical syndromes subject to national recommendations to reduce antibiotic resistance, UK 1995–2011: analysis of a large database of primary care consultations Hawker et al, Journal of Antimicrobal Chemotherapy (free full text)
- RCGP comment on Public Health England report on antibiotics prescribing Royal College of General Practitioners
- GPs dishing out MORE antibiotics just to treat colds: Number given treatment by doctors rose by 40 per cent between 1999 and 2011 Daily Mail
- More must be done to cut unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, say experts The Guardian
- The figures behind our antibiotics crisis The Daily Telegraph
- New figures reveal soaring use of antibiotics despite warnings The Daily Telegraph
VIDEO: How Sweden cares for its elderly
VIDEO: How Sweden cares for its elderly The system for looking after older people in England is "horribly fragmented", Care Minister Norman Lamb has said during a visit Sweden to see how the elderly are cared for there. BBC News
Nigeria records second Ebola case
Nigeria records second Ebola case Nigeria records its second confirmed Ebola case as new UN figures show that 887 people have died of the virus in West Africa since February. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- VIDEO: World Bank launches Ebola fund BBC News
- Ebola outbreak: end of epidemic could be in sight, says scientist The Daily Telegraph
- If Ebola was in the UK we'd cure it, says leading doctor The Daily Telegraph
Video games 'beneficial' for children
Video games 'beneficial' for children Children who play video games for up to an hour a day are more sociable, happy and less hyperactive, The Telegraph and Daily Mail report after the publication of a study on the links between gaming and behaviour.
The study involved around 5,000 young people aged 10 to 15 who were asked to report their use of computer games, as well as complete a questionnaire assessing sociability, life satisfaction, and emotional and behavioural problems.
About 75% of the participants reported playing computer games every day. Compared with adolescents who didn't play computer games, those who played for less than one hour a day reported higher levels of social behaviour and life satisfaction, and lower levels of emotional and behavioural problems. There was no difference between non-players and those who played one to three hours a day.
Meanwhile, adolescents who played more than three hours a day were found to be less social, have lower life satisfaction, and more emotional and behavioural problems than non-players.
But the study has several limitations that the media reports failed to acknowledge. The contribution of game playing in explaining the differences in behaviour between non-players and light or heavy players was tiny – less than 1.5% – suggesting that other factors (including hereditary, environmental and lifestyle factors) are likely to be having a much greater influence.
Also, because the study examined both levels of game playing and behaviour at the same time, even if there is a link between the two, it's not able to tell us the direction of the relationship – whether gaming for less than an hour a day makes adolescents happy and sociable, or whether happy, sociable adolescents are more likely to engage in low levels of play rather than none or more.
Other limitations of this cross-sectional study include only using self-report questionnaires, which may be open to the possibility of inaccuracies and biased reporting.
The study involved around 5,000 young people aged 10 to 15 who were asked to report their use of computer games, as well as complete a questionnaire assessing sociability, life satisfaction, and emotional and behavioural problems.
About 75% of the participants reported playing computer games every day. Compared with adolescents who didn't play computer games, those who played for less than one hour a day reported higher levels of social behaviour and life satisfaction, and lower levels of emotional and behavioural problems. There was no difference between non-players and those who played one to three hours a day.
Meanwhile, adolescents who played more than three hours a day were found to be less social, have lower life satisfaction, and more emotional and behavioural problems than non-players.
But the study has several limitations that the media reports failed to acknowledge. The contribution of game playing in explaining the differences in behaviour between non-players and light or heavy players was tiny – less than 1.5% – suggesting that other factors (including hereditary, environmental and lifestyle factors) are likely to be having a much greater influence.
Also, because the study examined both levels of game playing and behaviour at the same time, even if there is a link between the two, it's not able to tell us the direction of the relationship – whether gaming for less than an hour a day makes adolescents happy and sociable, or whether happy, sociable adolescents are more likely to engage in low levels of play rather than none or more.
Other limitations of this cross-sectional study include only using self-report questionnaires, which may be open to the possibility of inaccuracies and biased reporting.
Pay rise for doctors and nurses blocked
Pay rise for doctors and nurses blocked Danny Alexander, chief secretary to treasury, says there is a 'strong need' for restraint on public sector pay. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Correspondence: Chief Secretary of the Treasury letter to DDRB 31 July 2014 Department of Health
- Government confirms approach to 2015 NHS pay NHS Employers
- NHS pay freeze pouring fuel on fire in GP crisis, warns GPC GP Online
Waiting times in the NHS will get worse, Health Secretary admits
Waiting times in the NHS will get worse, Health Secretary admits Waiting times for NHS operations will get worse, the Health Secretary has admitted, as targets have been missed and £250m is to be pumped in to clear the backlog. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Speech: NHS waiting times: job not done Department of Health
- BMA says NHS 'buckling' under strain OnMedica
- NHS waits: Getting the excuses in early? BBC News
- NHS to target long waits for ops BBC News
- Doctors to be paid to work weekends to clear backlog of operations, it has emerged The Daily Telegraph
- Jeremy Hunt announces drive to eliminate 12-month NHS waiting lists The Guardian
Monday, 4 August 2014
Seven-month wait for pain clinic check in Northamptonshire
Seven-month wait for pain clinic check in Northamptonshire NHS staff who treat patients with muscle and joint disorders have said Northamptonshire GPs are often wrongly referring patients to them. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
NHS takes action to tackle race inequality across the workforce
NHS takes action to tackle race inequality across the workforce The NHS Equality and Diversity Council today announced action to ensure employees from black and ethnic minority (BME) backgrounds have equal access to career opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.
The move follows recent reports which have highlighted disparities in the number of BME people in senior leadership positions across the NHS, as well as lower levels of wellbeing amongst the BME population. NHS England
See also:
The move follows recent reports which have highlighted disparities in the number of BME people in senior leadership positions across the NHS, as well as lower levels of wellbeing amongst the BME population. NHS England
See also:
Competition review of NHS mergers: a short guide for managers of NHS providers
Competition review of NHS mergers: a short guide for managers of NHS providers This short guide seeks to answer the questions merging providers often ask us about the UK merger review process. It is designed to highlight important aspects of the process of merger review and provide an overview of the substantive test. It is therefore not intended to be comprehensive. Monitor
Phone calls 'do not cut GP pressure'
Phone calls 'do not cut GP pressure' GP consultations by telephone, rather than face-to-face, do not reduce the pressures on busy surgeries, a study shows. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Telephone triage for management of same-day consultation requests in general practice (the ESTEEM trial): a cluster-randomised controlled trial and cost-consequence analysis The Lancet Primary care telephone triage does not save money or reduce practice workload University of Exeter Medical School
- Telephone appointments ‘no benefit’ to busy GPs, claims study The Independent
- GP phone consultations 50% more likely to need follow up The Daily Telegraph
Sperm bank to meet UK donor demand
Sperm bank to meet UK donor demand A national sperm bank, which can be used by same-sex couples and single women, is to be opened to combat a UK-wide shortage. BBC News
See also:
See also:
BMJ 'right' in statins claims row
BMJ 'right' in statins claims row An investigation backs the British Medical Journal's response after it published two inaccurate articles on the harms of cholesterol-reducing statins. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- British Medical Journal 'acted correctly' over statins controversy The Daily Telegraph
Combined Pill may raise breast cancer risk
Combined Pill may raise breast cancer risk "Some contraceptive pills double risk of breast cancer," The Daily Telegraph reports, as a new US study found an increased risk of 50% with use of the combined oral contraceptive pill, commonly called "the pill".
The combined pill contains oestrogen and, as it is known oestrogen can stimulate breast cancer cells to grow, the potential for extra oestrogen to increase the risk of breast cancer has been recognised for some time.
However, any increase in risk needs to be seen in context. The baseline risk of women of a fertile age developing breast cancer is small, so a 50% increase in this risk doesn't amount to a "high" risk.
Also, this risk needs to be measured against the potential benefits of the pill protecting against other types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, there are often no easy answers when weighing up the benefits and risk.
What we can say is this was a robust study that included more than 1,000 US women aged 20 to 49 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and an age-matched control group. The researchers checked if the women used combined oral contraceptive pills in the year before their cancer diagnosis.
Overall use of any combined pill in the past year was associated with a 50% increased risk of developing breast cancer, compared with never using the combined pill or using it more than one year ago. High-strength pills more than doubled risk, but these are no longer prescribed in the UK.
The combined pill contains oestrogen and, as it is known oestrogen can stimulate breast cancer cells to grow, the potential for extra oestrogen to increase the risk of breast cancer has been recognised for some time.
However, any increase in risk needs to be seen in context. The baseline risk of women of a fertile age developing breast cancer is small, so a 50% increase in this risk doesn't amount to a "high" risk.
Also, this risk needs to be measured against the potential benefits of the pill protecting against other types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, there are often no easy answers when weighing up the benefits and risk.
What we can say is this was a robust study that included more than 1,000 US women aged 20 to 49 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and an age-matched control group. The researchers checked if the women used combined oral contraceptive pills in the year before their cancer diagnosis.
Overall use of any combined pill in the past year was associated with a 50% increased risk of developing breast cancer, compared with never using the combined pill or using it more than one year ago. High-strength pills more than doubled risk, but these are no longer prescribed in the UK.
GPs to foot the bill for texts to patients
GPs to foot the bill for texts to patients Practices could be forced to spend thousands of pounds on replacement SMS texting services under DH plans to phase out central funding for services used by NHS bodies. GP Online
Rise in prison suicides linked to mental health problems
Rise in prison suicides linked to mental health problems Suicide and murder rates in prisons rise to highest level in six years. OnMedica
Jeremy Hunt announces drive to eliminate 12-month NHS waiting lists
Jeremy Hunt announces drive to eliminate 12-month NHS waiting lists NHS to get £250m as health secretary says no patient should wait more than a year unless there is strong clinical justification.
No one should have to wait more than a year for NHS treatment in England unless it is clinically necessary, the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has said.
Hunt announced a £250m drive to eliminate "unacceptable" 12-month waits, with more than 100,000 additional treatments to take place in the NHS over the summer. Continue reading... The Guardian
No one should have to wait more than a year for NHS treatment in England unless it is clinically necessary, the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has said.
Hunt announced a £250m drive to eliminate "unacceptable" 12-month waits, with more than 100,000 additional treatments to take place in the NHS over the summer. Continue reading... The Guardian
Nurses need to be fitter, to fight for the future of the NHS | Christina Patterson
Nurses need to be fitter, to fight for the future of the NHS | Christina Patterson Big bodies may hold big hearts, but obese health workers are in no shape to tackle the problems of the health service.
If you go anywhere near the NHS, you cant fail to see it. The woman who marches you over to the scales and carefully records your weight, the man who asks you to roll up your sleeve and tells you to expect a sharp scratch: what they often have in common apart from a desire to help is that theyre pretty damn big.
Sometimes, when Ive been weighed by a nurse who looks twice my size, Ive been tempted to ask whether shes ever been asked to step on a set of scales herself. Sometimes, when Ive been quizzed about my lifestyle and seen letters to my GP saying Im a heavy social drinker Ive wondered whether the person who quizzed me has ever been asked to tot up their weekly tally of chips. I dont know if NHS workers are ever grilled about their lifestyle, but if theyre not theyll soon find out what its like. Theyll find out because their new boss has looked at his staff and decided far too many of them are fat. Continue reading... The Guardian
If you go anywhere near the NHS, you cant fail to see it. The woman who marches you over to the scales and carefully records your weight, the man who asks you to roll up your sleeve and tells you to expect a sharp scratch: what they often have in common apart from a desire to help is that theyre pretty damn big.
Sometimes, when Ive been weighed by a nurse who looks twice my size, Ive been tempted to ask whether shes ever been asked to step on a set of scales herself. Sometimes, when Ive been quizzed about my lifestyle and seen letters to my GP saying Im a heavy social drinker Ive wondered whether the person who quizzed me has ever been asked to tot up their weekly tally of chips. I dont know if NHS workers are ever grilled about their lifestyle, but if theyre not theyll soon find out what its like. Theyll find out because their new boss has looked at his staff and decided far too many of them are fat. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS hospital cafés 'are helping to fuel the obesity crisis'
NHS hospital cafés 'are helping to fuel the obesity crisis' NHS chief urges hospitals to act after Telegraph investigation exposes the unhealthy offerings promoted in scores of hospitals. The Daily Telegraph
Independent review urges NHS whistleblowers to speak
Independent review urges NHS whistleblowers to speak Sir Robert Francis, head of the Mid Staffs public inquiry, calls for an end to a culture of 'denial and fear' as he launches first ever independent review of whistleblowing. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Whistleblowing: Ninth Report of Session 2014–15 House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts
- 'I reported my concerns but was just given the brush off' - NHS whistleblowers tell of being ignored and marginalised The Daily Telegraph
- NHS whistleblowers suffer bullying and harassment OnMedica
No rise in numbers in care homes despite surge in elderly population
No rise in numbers in care homes despite surge in elderly population New figures show little change in the number of elderly people living in care homes over the past decade, even though the number of pensioners has soared. The Daily Telegraph
Friday, 1 August 2014
‘Herstory’: the barriers facing women in health and care
‘Herstory’: the barriers facing women in health and care In 1929, Virginia Woolf created a tragic fictional character – Judith Shakespeare, the twin of William Shakespeare. In her essay ‘A room of one's own’, Woolf concluded that even had Judith had the same talent as William, she wouldn’t have been able to succeed as he had. She believed that the treatment of women by society prevented many female writers from achieving their potential.
Fast forward to 2014 and the announcement of the HSJ's ‘Inspirational women in health’ list. Two colleagues from The King’s Fund and I were included in this list, and at least one third of the women named have been coached by, or attended development programmes run by, me or my colleagues. This prompted me to revisit in my head the tale of Judith Shakespeare and to relate it to my 16 years’ experience of working with women in health.
Fast forward to 2014 and the announcement of the HSJ's ‘Inspirational women in health’ list. Two colleagues from The King’s Fund and I were included in this list, and at least one third of the women named have been coached by, or attended development programmes run by, me or my colleagues. This prompted me to revisit in my head the tale of Judith Shakespeare and to relate it to my 16 years’ experience of working with women in health.
UK to lead the world in the fight against cancer and rare diseases
UK to lead the world in the fight against cancer and rare diseases The UK is set to become the world leader in ground-breaking genetic research into cancer and rare diseases, which will transform how diseases are diagnosed and treated, thanks to£300 million of investment, the Prime Minister announced today (1 August).
The four year project will allow scientists to do pioneering new research to decode 100,000 human genomes – a patient’s personal DNA code. NHS England
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The four year project will allow scientists to do pioneering new research to decode 100,000 human genomes – a patient’s personal DNA code. NHS England
See also:
- DNA project 'to make UK world leader' BBC News
- David Cameron hails gene revolution 'that will make chemotherapy obsolete in 20 years' Daily Mail
- End of chemotherapy within 20 years as pioneering DNA project launched The Daily Telegraph
- Genomics are not overhyped: they really can change medicine The Daily Telegraph
- PM: genome project will transform cancer care The Guardian
- English patients set for genetic revolution: Government backs massive new £300m gene sequencing project The Independent
WHO sounds alarm over W Africa Ebola
WHO sounds alarm over W Africa Ebola The World Health Organization and presidents of West African nations affected by the Ebola outbreak are to announce a joint $100m response plan. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Ebola virus threat to the UK is 'very low' NHS Choices
- Ebola risk low in England Public Health England
- Ebola victim heads to US hospital BBC News
- S Leone declares Ebola emergency BBC News
- Ebola outbreak: suspected case at British immigration centre The Daily Telegraph
- GPs warned to 'remain vigilant' for Ebola symptoms GP Online
Evaluating the Care Quality Commission's acute hospital regulatory model: final report
Evaluating the Care Quality Commission's acute hospital regulatory model: final report This report, by researchers from Manchester Business School and The King's Fund, evaluates the first two waves of new style hospital inspections, covering inspections carried out in 18 hospital trusts between September 2013 and April 2014. The authors found that the new approach commands strong credibility, in particular through the use of specialists to inform assessments, and the granular detail of ratings within services rather than at provider level.
The very public NHS privatisation debate
The very public NHS privatisation debate The debate over the NHS's use of the private sector. BBC News
Telecare "not magic bullet" - WSD study
Telecare "not magic bullet" - WSD study Policy makers have been warned to avoid describing telecare as a "magic bullet" in the latest study to cast serious doubt on the cost effectiveness of remote monitoring and intervention. E-Health Insider
The husky that came back to bite
The husky that came back to bite The architects of the NHS National Programme for IT were fond of boasting that they had negotiated eye-wateringly tough contracts with suppliers that would punish failure and reward success. E-Health Insider
Warning over waistline link to type 2 diabetes
Warning over waistline link to type 2 diabetes “Belly fat clearest sign of type 2 diabetes risk,” The Guardian reports. This comes as Public Health England publishes a report highlighting the links between bulging waistlines, obesity and type 2 diabetes risk.
According to a new report, men whose waist size is over 102cm (40.2 inches) are five times more likely to develop diabetes than those with a smaller waist size. Women with a waist over 88cm (34.7 inches) are three times more likely to develop the condition.
The report says that being overweight or obese is the main avoidable risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The condition is now a major public health issue, with all types of diabetes projected to rise to 4.6 million – nearly 10% of the adult population – by 2030.
Some people may have the misconception that type 2 diabetes is an inconvenience, like back pain or arthritis, but not especially serious. This is not the case.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness (diabetic retinopathy), heart problems and even reduce blood supply to the limbs, which can lead to the affected limb being amputated. People with type 2 diabetes are 15 times more likely to require an amputation than the population at large.
According to a new report, men whose waist size is over 102cm (40.2 inches) are five times more likely to develop diabetes than those with a smaller waist size. Women with a waist over 88cm (34.7 inches) are three times more likely to develop the condition.
The report says that being overweight or obese is the main avoidable risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The condition is now a major public health issue, with all types of diabetes projected to rise to 4.6 million – nearly 10% of the adult population – by 2030.
Some people may have the misconception that type 2 diabetes is an inconvenience, like back pain or arthritis, but not especially serious. This is not the case.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness (diabetic retinopathy), heart problems and even reduce blood supply to the limbs, which can lead to the affected limb being amputated. People with type 2 diabetes are 15 times more likely to require an amputation than the population at large.
Can health checks be revived?
Can health checks be revived? The validity of NHS health checks has long been viewed as doubtful, but Public Health England is now determined to revive the scheme. David Millett reports. GP Online
See also:
See also:
- The impact of NHS Health Checks on the prevalence of disease in general practices: a controlled study British Journal of General Practice
- Are NHS Health Check MOTs for the over-40s useless? Daily Mail
40 million people now have a summary care record
40 million people now have a summary care record Plans to roll out records to GP out-of-hours services and A&E OnMedica
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See also:
- Summary care record hits 40m milestone GP Online
General practice is not the only alternative to hospital care
General practice is not the only alternative to hospital care Community pharmacies and other providers should work together to identify where collaboration can deliver better care.
From a public health perspective, primary care providers, working together with social care, community and voluntary groups, have far greater potential for preventing ill health and improving health and wellbeing, than working apart.The World Health Organisation states that around 80% of deaths from major diseases, such as cancer or heart disease, are attributable to lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, excess alcohol and inappropriate diet, and are often linked to health and social inequalities. Continue reading... The Guardian
From a public health perspective, primary care providers, working together with social care, community and voluntary groups, have far greater potential for preventing ill health and improving health and wellbeing, than working apart.The World Health Organisation states that around 80% of deaths from major diseases, such as cancer or heart disease, are attributable to lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, excess alcohol and inappropriate diet, and are often linked to health and social inequalities. Continue reading... The Guardian
Medicines shortages force family doctors to prescribe second-choice alternatives putting patients at risk, GPs warn
Medicines shortages force family doctors to prescribe second-choice alternatives putting patients at risk, GPs warn Medicines shortages are putting patient safety at risk and piling “almost daily” pressures on family doctors to find second-choice alternatives to commonly-prescribed drugs, GPs have warned. The Independent
See also:
See also:
Thursday, 31 July 2014
An invitation to Quality Improvement
An invitation to Quality Improvement Following a visit to see the Improving Quality Together programme being run in NHS Wales, Adam Roberts blogs about the approach they're taking to instil improvement in the health service there. The Health Foundation
Number of patients with recorded diagnosis of dementia increases by 62 per cent over seven years
Number of patients with recorded diagnosis of dementia increases by 62 per cent over seven years Provisional figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show 344,000 patients had a recorded diagnosis of dementia in 2013-14.
See also:
See also:
- Recorded dementia cases rise 62% in seven years GP Online
- England records rise in dementia BBC News
- Dementia diagnosis rises by 60 per cent in 7 years The Independent
- Soaring numbers diagnosed with dementia The Daily Telegraph
Ebola outbreak in West Africa – latest information
Ebola outbreak in West Africa – latest information The Government has today issued latest information on the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. There are no reports of British citizens being infected and there are no cases of the virus in the UK. Department of Health
See also:
See also:
- NHS 'can deal with' UK Ebola threat BBC News
- VIDEO: Ebola outbreak 'presents challenges' BBC News
- UK on high alert amid fears of Ebola virus spread OnMedica
- Ebola outbreak 'could reach UK' The Daily Telegraph
- Ebola virus outbreak: the impact so far in 60 seconds The Daily Telegraph
- What is Ebola? The signs, symptoms and source of the deadly virus - and what people should be looking out for The Independent
Engaging in global health: the framework for voluntary engagement in global health by the UK health sector
Engaging in global health: the framework for voluntary engagement in global health by the UK health sector This report provides information and advice to those working in the health sector about the opportunities and benefits of international volunteering. The information is aimed at health employees, employers and health organisations. Department of Health
'E-cigs less harm than cigarettes'
'E-cigs less harm than cigarettes' An analysis of the current evidence available on e-cigarettes suggests they are safer than conventional cigarettes. BBC News
Inspection notice periods could treble
Inspection notice periods could treble Hospitals, GP practices and care homes could see pre-inspection notice periods trebled under a new Care Quality Commission approach. Health Service Journal
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