NHS 111 'increasing pressure on NHS' There has been a big increase in the number of people referred to GP surgeries and A&E, analysis of the NHS 111 urgent care line in England shows. BBC News
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Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Shed light on big data - ethics report
Shed light on big data - ethics report Greater transparency about big data projects in healthcare is crucial if they are to succeed without losing public trust, a new report argues. E-Health Insider
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PAC calls for better NHS cost data
PAC calls for better NHS cost data The Commons' Public Accounts Committee has called for the collection of "consistent and detailed cost data across the NHS" to inform healthcare policy. E-Health Insider
Ministers urged to force doctors trained at taxpayers' expense to work in NHS
Ministers urged to force doctors trained at taxpayers' expense to work in NHS Ministers should consider obliging doctors trained at taxpayers' expense to work in the NHS for a set period of time, MPs on the influential House of Commons public accounts committee have suggested. GP Online
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust shamed for dangerously restraining its patients
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust shamed for dangerously restraining its patients Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust rated inadequate by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission after it discovered a host of worrying issues during an inspection last October. The Daily Mail
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What the NHS can learn from the US Obamacare system
What the NHS can learn from the US Obamacare system Three lessons British policymakers can take from the US experience of reshaping healthcare
Despite ongoing media and political attack, Barack Obama’s health reforms are succeeding. Given the poor record of most major health legislation, what can we learn from this?
Some 50 years ago Lyndon Baines Johnson changed the foundations of healthcare in the US. Although overshadowed by the Vietnam war, Medicare and Medicaid offered the old and vulnerable in America vital medical protection. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Despite ongoing media and political attack, Barack Obama’s health reforms are succeeding. Given the poor record of most major health legislation, what can we learn from this?
Some 50 years ago Lyndon Baines Johnson changed the foundations of healthcare in the US. Although overshadowed by the Vietnam war, Medicare and Medicaid offered the old and vulnerable in America vital medical protection. Continue reading... The Guardian
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- Why the NHS must learn lessons from abroad The Guardian
One in two people 'will be diagnosed with cancer' at some point in their lives
One in two people 'will be diagnosed with cancer' at some point in their lives One in two people will develop a cancer at some point in their lives, experts now estimate. The Independent
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Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Dying doctor's 'Hello, my name is...' Twitter campaign wins support from Northamptonshire hospital staff
Dying doctor's 'Hello, my name is...' Twitter campaign wins support from Northamptonshire hospital staff A social-media campaign by a terminally ill doctor to encourage hospital staff to introduce themselves to patients is being supported by more than 90 NHS organisations, including one from Northamptonshire.
The ‘Hello my name is…’ campaign has been spearheaded by Dr Kate Granger, who is a young hospital consultant who became frustrated with the number of staff who failed to introduce themselves to her when she was in hospital.
The 31-year-old, who has terminal cancer, has now made it her mission in whatever time she has left to get as many hospital staff as possible pledging to introduce themselves to patients.
Ninety NHS organisations are now backing her campaign, including Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Northants Herald and Post
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The ‘Hello my name is…’ campaign has been spearheaded by Dr Kate Granger, who is a young hospital consultant who became frustrated with the number of staff who failed to introduce themselves to her when she was in hospital.
The 31-year-old, who has terminal cancer, has now made it her mission in whatever time she has left to get as many hospital staff as possible pledging to introduce themselves to patients.
Ninety NHS organisations are now backing her campaign, including Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Northants Herald and Post
See also:
- #hellomynameis Twitter
- Dr Kate Granger's 'Hello, my name is...' campaign backed by 400000 NHS staff The Daily Telegraph
- Profile: Dr Kate Granger, hospital consultant The Independent
- I want my legacy to be that the NHS treats all patients with compassion The Guardian
- #hellomynameis: a doctor on why a friendly greeting is crucial to care – video The Guardian
- Compassion in care campaign hits new milestone NHS England
- News: Trust Supports The ‘Hello My Name Is…’ Campaign Northamptonshire Healthcare
Language controls for nurses, midwives, dentists, dental care professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians: government response
Language controls for nurses, midwives, dentists, dental care professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians: government response This document outlines the government response to a consultation on changes to allow professional regulatory bodies to impose language controls on nursing, dental and pharmacy professionals. The vast majority of the 71 responses received support proposals to allow these regulators the power to apply language controls, where appropriate, to healthcare professionals, to ensure they have a sufficient knowledge of the English language to practise safely in the UK. Department of Health
'Radical change' needed for NHS
'Radical change' needed for NHS MPs say radical change is needed to make the NHS in England financially sustainable. BBC News
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- Financial sustainability of NHS Bodies Public Accounts Committee
Scientists on target with dementia cure or drug
Scientists on target with dementia cure or drug Scientists are on target to develop a cure for dementia within the next 10 years, Alistair Burns, NHS England’s national clinical director for dementia has said.
He says he is confident there will be a cure for dementia, or at least a drug that will significantly slow down its progression, by 2025.
Professor Burns, 56, who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, claims that advances in treatment will eventually catch up with those made in cancer care.
More people are already being diagnosed with the illness, with an extra 10,000 people every month being added to the dementia register.
“I think in my generation, and the aspiration is that by 2020 or 2025, we will find a treatment for dementia, or at least the commonest cause of dementia, which is Alzheimer’s disease, or something that will significantly slow down the progression of the illness,” Professor Burns said.
He says he is confident there will be a cure for dementia, or at least a drug that will significantly slow down its progression, by 2025.
Professor Burns, 56, who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, claims that advances in treatment will eventually catch up with those made in cancer care.
More people are already being diagnosed with the illness, with an extra 10,000 people every month being added to the dementia register.
“I think in my generation, and the aspiration is that by 2020 or 2025, we will find a treatment for dementia, or at least the commonest cause of dementia, which is Alzheimer’s disease, or something that will significantly slow down the progression of the illness,” Professor Burns said.
A&E struggles with elderly patients
A&E struggles with elderly patients BBC's Panorama spends a week with one emergency department. BBC News
UK health worker tested for Ebola
UK health worker tested for Ebola UK military healthcare worker flown back to London following "likely exposure" to Ebola virus in Sierra Leone. BBC News
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See also:
- VIDEO: How will Ebola vaccine trial work? BBC News
- Press release: Second healthcare worker transported to UK for Ebola monitoring Public Health England
- New Ebola scare as second military healthcare worker is flown back to England after suspected needle injury while treating victims in Sierra Leone The Daily Mail
Is asthma being overdiagnosed?
Is asthma being overdiagnosed? A potentially alarming figure that emerged in the UK news last week was that “1 million” UK adults may have been wrongly diagnosed with asthma – a claim reported in various forms by BBC News, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mirror and the Mail Online.
The headlines followed the publication of new draft guideline (PDF, 670kb) from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the diagnosis and management of asthma. Most of the media articles were true to the facts and explained that the guideline was aiming to improve asthma care by improving the accuracy of diagnosis.
So, where did the figure of 1 million come from? All the UK press rallied round a statement in the draft guideline that said: “studies of adults diagnosed with asthma suggest that up to 30% do not have clear evidence of asthma”. What followed was clearly a “back of the envelope” calculation extrapolating this to the number of people receiving treatment for asthma in the UK, which is around 4.1 million. This gave the magic figure of 1.23 million potentially misdiagnosed people.
Unfortunately, the 30% figure in the draft guideline is not referenced, so we can’t find out how accurate it is. We also don’t know whether it applies to specific asthma subgroups, such as those of a specific age, or the severity of a person's symptoms. This makes it difficult to assess whether this calculation is accurate, or even reasonable.
The headlines followed the publication of new draft guideline (PDF, 670kb) from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the diagnosis and management of asthma. Most of the media articles were true to the facts and explained that the guideline was aiming to improve asthma care by improving the accuracy of diagnosis.
So, where did the figure of 1 million come from? All the UK press rallied round a statement in the draft guideline that said: “studies of adults diagnosed with asthma suggest that up to 30% do not have clear evidence of asthma”. What followed was clearly a “back of the envelope” calculation extrapolating this to the number of people receiving treatment for asthma in the UK, which is around 4.1 million. This gave the magic figure of 1.23 million potentially misdiagnosed people.
Unfortunately, the 30% figure in the draft guideline is not referenced, so we can’t find out how accurate it is. We also don’t know whether it applies to specific asthma subgroups, such as those of a specific age, or the severity of a person's symptoms. This makes it difficult to assess whether this calculation is accurate, or even reasonable.
GP practices across UK face compulsory data protection audits
GP practices across UK face compulsory data protection audits GP practices face compulsory audits from this month by the information commissioner to check their compliance with data protection laws, and could be fined heavily if they are found to have breached rules. GP Online
Four out of five NHS trusts providing acute hospital care report deficit
Four out of five NHS trusts providing acute hospital care report deficit Figure emerges in report into NHS finances warning that measures to ease pressure on A&E departments are not working
Four out of five foundation trusts involved in the provision of acute hospital services were reporting a deficit by last autumn, the public accounts committee has disclosed.
The figure has emerged in a report into NHS finances which has warned that measures to ease pressure on accident and emergency departments are not working. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Four out of five foundation trusts involved in the provision of acute hospital services were reporting a deficit by last autumn, the public accounts committee has disclosed.
The figure has emerged in a report into NHS finances which has warned that measures to ease pressure on accident and emergency departments are not working. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Monday, 2 February 2015
New national collection of electronic resources available from April 2015
New national collection of electronic resources available from April 2015 NICE have now finished their re-procurement of the NHS National Core Content. The core content is a selection of electronic resources that are purchased on behalf of all NHS staff in England and available via NHS Open Athens accounts.The new core content selection will be available from April 2015 until March 2018 and consists of:Databases (available via HDAS):
- AMED (Allied and complementary medicine)
- British Nursing Index
- CINAHL full text (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
- Embase
- Health Business Elite
- HMIC (Health Management Information Consortium)
- Medline
- PsychARTICLES ~new~
- PsychInfo
- BMJ Publishing e-journals collection
- Proquest Hospital Collection ~new~
Northampton General Hospital reveal major expansion plans which would DOUBLE the hospital in size
Northampton General Hospital reveal major expansion plans which would DOUBLE the hospital in size A huge expansion to Northampton General Hospital could almost the size of the main building. Plans have been unveiled by NGH to build a large multi-storey ward to the south of the main hospital site. Northants Herald and Post
Getting involved in the NHS
Getting involved in the NHS The NHS in Northamptonshire is asking people to get involved in its development.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) has been holding an NHFT Involvement Week all this week. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) has been holding an NHFT Involvement Week all this week. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Free materials to support the Care Certificate implementation launched
Free materials to support the Care Certificate implementation launched Materials to support employers preparing to implement for the Care Certificate, including revised standards and guidance, are now available to download. The materials are intended as a first step for employers, to prepare them for the official launch of the Care Certificate in March 2015.
This will help employers become familiar with the fifteen new Standards, and how to assess members of staff completing The Care Certificate.
For more information please visit our updated Care Certificate page. Health Education England
This will help employers become familiar with the fifteen new Standards, and how to assess members of staff completing The Care Certificate.
For more information please visit our updated Care Certificate page. Health Education England
Redesigning health and social care: challenges and opportunities from an IT and digital perspective
Redesigning health and social care: challenges and opportunities from an IT and digital perspective This report presents a high-level, illustrated guide to recent and forthcoming reforms, including the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Care Act 2014, and sets out some of the consequences, especially for IT and digital policy and activity. Socitm
Doctors urged to tell patients names
Doctors urged to tell patients names More than 90 NHS organisations back a terminally ill doctor's campaign to encourage healthcare staff to introduce themselves to patients. BBC News
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Stroke campaign 'reduced disability'
Stroke campaign 'reduced disability' Campaign to raise awareness of stroke symptoms saves thousands from lasting damage, Public Health England says. BBC News
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- VIDEO: Stroke awareness campaign hailed BBC News
- PHE encourages people to act FAST if they experience stroke symptoms Public Health England
NHS mental health care ‘pushed to breaking point by lack of beds’
NHS mental health care ‘pushed to breaking point by lack of beds’Patients are being put at serious risk, says Royal College of Psychiatrists – on some days in some areas there are simply no beds available
The lack of acute beds available to mental health patients has left the system at breaking point, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has said.
Illustrating the scale of the problem, the college said it understood that on one occasion last year there were no beds available for adults in England. It called for action to tackle the problem. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The lack of acute beds available to mental health patients has left the system at breaking point, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has said.
Illustrating the scale of the problem, the college said it understood that on one occasion last year there were no beds available for adults in England. It called for action to tackle the problem. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Child obesity rates are 'stabilising'
Child obesity rates are 'stabilising' "The rise in childhood obesity … may be beginning to level off," BBC News reports. Researchers examined trends in child and adolescent rates of overweight and obesity using electronic GP records from 1994 to 2013.
The data shows there was a significant increase in child and adolescent overweight and obesity rates every year during the first decade from 1994 to 2003. Overall, annual rates did not increase significantly during the second decade, 2004 to 2013.
However, when split by age category, the results showed there was still a significant upward trend in overweight and obesity rates for the oldest age group (11 to 15 years) – albeit with less of an increase than there was in the first decade. At its maximum in recent years, overweight and obesity has affected almost two-fifths of adolescents in this age group.
The data shows there was a significant increase in child and adolescent overweight and obesity rates every year during the first decade from 1994 to 2003. Overall, annual rates did not increase significantly during the second decade, 2004 to 2013.
However, when split by age category, the results showed there was still a significant upward trend in overweight and obesity rates for the oldest age group (11 to 15 years) – albeit with less of an increase than there was in the first decade. At its maximum in recent years, overweight and obesity has affected almost two-fifths of adolescents in this age group.
Infographic: How the NHS PR bill is spent
Infographic: How the NHS PR bill is spent An investigation using the Freedom of Information Act has found how much seven NHS organisations or regulators spend on PR and how this will, or is projected to, increase in 2014/15. GP Online
David Cameron’s brother-in-law issues NHS warning
David Cameron’s brother-in-law issues NHS warning Cardiologist married to the prime minister’s sister speaks of ‘extraordinary challenges’ facing hospitals
Labour has called on David Cameron to heed his brother-in-law’s warning that the NHS is under unprecedented pressure.
Dr Carl Brookes, a cardiologist married to the prime minister’s sister, told his local newspaper that hospitals such as his in Hampshire were facing “extraordinary challenges”. Continue reading... The Guardian
Labour has called on David Cameron to heed his brother-in-law’s warning that the NHS is under unprecedented pressure.
Dr Carl Brookes, a cardiologist married to the prime minister’s sister, told his local newspaper that hospitals such as his in Hampshire were facing “extraordinary challenges”. Continue reading... The Guardian
Patient discontent with health and care ‘being masked’ by fear of complaining
Patient discontent with health and care ‘being masked’ by fear of complaining The true scale of public discontent with the NHS and social care is being masked by the genuine fear of patients and vulnerable elderly people that they will face reprisals if they report their poor experiences, according to the head of Healthwatch England. The Independent
Friday, 30 January 2015
Huge expansion would double the size of Northampton General Hospital
Huge expansion would double the size of Northampton General Hospital A huge extension to Northampton General Hospital that would almost double the footprint of the main building has been revealed in new plans. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Regulation of health care professionals and regulation of social care professionals in England
Regulation of health care professionals and regulation of social care professionals in England This report contains the Government’s response on behalf of the four countries of the UK to the Law Commissions’ report on regulating health care professionals in the UK and social care professionals in England. Department of Health
Mortality in hospital trusts
Mortality in hospital trusts The Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator (SHMI) - Deaths associated with hospitalisation, England, July 2013 - June 2014 compares the actual number of patients who die following hospitalisation at a particular trust with the number that would be expected to die, based upon average England figures, given the characteristics of the patients treated there. Health and Social Care Information Centre
Secondary analysis and literature review of community rehabilitation and intermediate care: an information resource
Secondary analysis and literature review of community rehabilitation and intermediate care: an information resource This research presents a reanalysis of two merged datasets from intermediate care studies in order to identify patient characteristics associated with outcomes. It provides additional evidence that interdisciplinary team working in intermediate care may be associated with better outcomes for patients, but care should be taken with over interpretation. National Institute for Health Research
Focus on: hospital admissions from care homes
Focus on: hospital admissions from care homes This analysis explores how care home residents use hospital services, and how this information could prompt improvement in the way care is provided. It raises important questions about the use of hospital services by care home residents, and how they can prompt improvement in the way care is provided. Quality Watch
Second annual Learning Disability Census shows more than half of inpatients remain in hospital, while majority not ready for discharge
Second annual Learning Disability Census shows more than half of inpatients remain in hospital, while majority not ready for discharge The Learning Disability Census was initiated in response to events at Winterbourne View Hospital and the details of the second annual census are published today by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
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- Winterbourne view: transforming care two years on Department of Health
- Transforming care for people with learning disabilities - next steps NHS England
Training cuts 'could harm patients'
Training cuts 'could harm patients' Proposals to shorten medical training for doctors in the UK could seriously compromise patient care and safety, leading doctors warn. BBC News
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- Engagement exercise announced on point of medical registration Health Education England
Hospitals reject NHS funding cut
Hospitals reject NHS funding cut A row has broken out about the system for giving NHS hospitals in England their income. BBC News
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- News story: Statement on the national tariff payment system 2015/16 consultation Monitor
- NHS England statement on the 2015/16 national tariff proposals NHS England
- Our response to the news that next year’s proposed national tariff for NHS services has been rejected The King's Fund
- Chaos ahead as hospital chiefs veto NHS funding plan The Daily Telegraph
- England’s biggest hospitals veto NHS budget over patient safety fears The Guardian
- NHS budget crisis as hospitals rebel against Government cuts en masse The Independent
- NHS financial planning ‘in disarray’ after tariff veto Public Finance
Child obesity rates 'levelling off'
Child obesity rates 'levelling off' The rise in childhood obesity, which has left one in three UK children overweight, may be beginning to level off in the under-10s, a study suggests. BBC News
NMC publishes revised Code for nurses and midwives
NMC publishes revised Code for nurses and midwives The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published a revised code of professional standards for nurses and midwives.
GPs could control hospital admissions and nursing in radical primary care overhaul
GPs could control hospital admissions and nursing in radical primary care overhaul NHS England has set out requirements for practices applying for funding to set up new integrated care models. GP Online
Francis NHS whistleblower report: a new beginning?
Francis NHS whistleblower report: a new beginning?New review is a frank admission that all is not well in the NHS and that substandard care is still commonplace Continue reading... The Guardian
Lack of medically trained staff leaves NHS 111 phone service struggling to cope, claims insider
Lack of medically trained staff leaves NHS 111 phone service struggling to cope, claims insider The NHS 111 phone service is struggling to cope because of a shortage of medically trained staff, an insider has claimed. The Independent
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Thursday, 29 January 2015
Volunteers invited to join new emergency response organisation in Northamptonshire
Volunteers invited to join new emergency response organisation in Northamptonshire A community organisation that aims to make sure people in Northamptonshire are better prepared for an emergency has been officially launched. Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo
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- Get involved in Emergency Planning Northamptonshire County Council
- Could you help out in an emergency in Northants? Northamptonshire Telegraph
Public satisfaction with the NHS in 2014
Public satisfaction with the NHS in 2014 Analysis of the results and satisfaction trends relating to the NHS and health care issues from the British Social Attitudes survey 2014. The King's Fund
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Press release: New funds to kickstart joint working with NHS and councils this winter
Press release: New funds to kickstart joint working with NHS and councils this winter The government has found new funds to encourage more joint working between councils and the NHS.
In a bid to ease the pressure on the NHS during the current cold snap, the Department for Communities and Local Government and Department of Health have released an extra £37 million for councils to get people home from hospital more quickly and stop them from being admitted in the first place.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has this week provided £12 million to help join up health and social care services so that there aren’t delays for people who can be safely discharged and to avoid people needing to go to hospital in the first place (perhaps because of falls or flu).
The money will mean up to 3,500 more people a week will get home from hospital more quickly this winter, with the local authority putting in place carers and equipment to meet their needs, freeing up much-needed hospital beds within the NHS.
The extra cash is on top of the £700 million the Department of Health has found for the NHS to help manage its winter pressures and a further £25 million that councils have already been given this month to help speed up the discharge system.
It also comes ahead of the introduction in April 2015 of a £5.3 billion Better Care Fund, which will start to transform the way the NHS and councils work together to put people first and enable them live at home with dignity and independence for longer. Department of Health
In a bid to ease the pressure on the NHS during the current cold snap, the Department for Communities and Local Government and Department of Health have released an extra £37 million for councils to get people home from hospital more quickly and stop them from being admitted in the first place.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has this week provided £12 million to help join up health and social care services so that there aren’t delays for people who can be safely discharged and to avoid people needing to go to hospital in the first place (perhaps because of falls or flu).
The money will mean up to 3,500 more people a week will get home from hospital more quickly this winter, with the local authority putting in place carers and equipment to meet their needs, freeing up much-needed hospital beds within the NHS.
The extra cash is on top of the £700 million the Department of Health has found for the NHS to help manage its winter pressures and a further £25 million that councils have already been given this month to help speed up the discharge system.
It also comes ahead of the introduction in April 2015 of a £5.3 billion Better Care Fund, which will start to transform the way the NHS and councils work together to put people first and enable them live at home with dignity and independence for longer. Department of Health
New tool models youth smoking variation across England
New tool models youth smoking variation across England Commissioned by Public Health England (PHE) and NICE, and modelled by the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton, the figures are estimates of youth smoking rates for every local authority, ward and local NHS level, based on factors known to predict smoking in young people.
The data will help local organisations to respond to high levels of smoking within their areas.
The data will help local organisations to respond to high levels of smoking within their areas.
Guidance: Smoking cessation in secondary care: mental health settings
Guidance: Smoking cessation in secondary care: mental health settings Self-assessment framework for NHS mental health trusts to develop local action to reduce smoking prevalence and the use of tobacco. Public Health England
Care spend 'cut by fifth in decade'
Care spend 'cut by fifth in decade' Spending on care for people aged 65 and over has fallen by a fifth in England over the last 10 years, an analysis by the BBC shows. BBC News
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See also:
- VIDEO: Care: 'You have to be cold-hearted' BBC News
- 'No interest' in care insurance BBC News
Ebola virus mutating, scientists say
Ebola virus mutating, scientists say Scientists at the Institute Pasteur in France who are tracking the Ebola outbreak in Guinea say the virus has mutated. BBC News
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See also:
- VIDEO: The search for an Ebola vaccine BBC News
- News story: Progress in development of a new Ebola vaccine Department of Health
Doctors in the dock: Scandal of GPs who get cash from healthcare firms for patient referrals
Doctors in the dock: Scandal of GPs who get cash from healthcare firms for patient referrals The financial interests of all UK doctors should be made public, the country’s leading medical journal has said, after an investigation revealed incentives, often worth tens of thousands of pounds, have been offered to doctors by private healthcare companies in exchange for referring patients to their hospitals. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- The truth about cash for referrals The BMJ
- The General Medical Council and doctors' financial interests (editorial) The BMJ
- Private hospital chains offered doctors £100,000 for patient referrals The Daily Telegraph
NHS 'crisis guidelines' questioned
NHS 'crisis guidelines' questioned New NHS guidelines to some hospitals in England about "major incidents" prompt claims ministers are seeking to deter hospitals from declaring a crisis. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Health officials accused of trying to hide NHS winter crisis The Daily Telegraph
- Call a truce in the NHS arms race - for all our sakes The Daily Telegraph
- Viewpoint: Dr Kailash Chand: Labour needs to work out detail to reassure growing tribe of sceptics GP Online
- NHS major incidents guidelines spark political row The Guardian
- Weaponising of mass distraction: Tories and Labour face off over NHS The Guardian
- Jeremy Hunt's statement on the NHS and major incidents The Guardian
- Labour accuses coalition of tightening up NHS major incident criteria The Guardian
- Cameron distances government from revised NHS major incident guidelines The Guardian
- Health and social care debate heating up in run-up to election 2015 The King's Fund
Gift vouchers can help pregnant smokers quit
Gift vouchers can help pregnant smokers quit "Offering shopping vouchers worth a total of £400 to pregnant smokers makes them more likely to quit the habit, say researchers," BBC News reports.
The study, conducted in Glasgow, involved 612 pregnant women referred to pregnancy stop smoking services. The women were randomised to receive standard stop smoking care alone (control), or standard care in addition to up to £400 in vouchers if they successfully quit the habit.
The study found significantly more women in the voucher group (22.5%) stopped smoking by late pregnancy (34 to 38 weeks) compared with the control group (8.6%).
An obvious response to this – found in many news websites, as well as comments on message boards – is why should we bribe women to do what is best for their unborn baby?
A pragmatic answer to that question is it could save children's lives. Smoking during pregnancy is a major health problem estimated to cause the deaths of 5,000 unborn foetuses and babies each year in the UK, and costs the health system millions of pounds.
And the results of this study were within the range considered to be a cost effective use of healthcare resources.
The study, conducted in Glasgow, involved 612 pregnant women referred to pregnancy stop smoking services. The women were randomised to receive standard stop smoking care alone (control), or standard care in addition to up to £400 in vouchers if they successfully quit the habit.
The study found significantly more women in the voucher group (22.5%) stopped smoking by late pregnancy (34 to 38 weeks) compared with the control group (8.6%).
An obvious response to this – found in many news websites, as well as comments on message boards – is why should we bribe women to do what is best for their unborn baby?
A pragmatic answer to that question is it could save children's lives. Smoking during pregnancy is a major health problem estimated to cause the deaths of 5,000 unborn foetuses and babies each year in the UK, and costs the health system millions of pounds.
And the results of this study were within the range considered to be a cost effective use of healthcare resources.
NHS hires 3,000 foreign doctors in one year to fight lack of homegrown staff
NHS hires 3,000 foreign doctors in one year to fight lack of homegrown staff Exclusive: Guardian investigation finds that aggressive recruitment sees doctors from at least 27 countries hired in 32 of the 160 hospital trusts in England.
Three thousand doctors were hired from overseas by the NHS in the past year, as the service battles to tackle staff shortages that medical professionals say are serious and growing.
They came from at least 27 countries, including India, Poland, Australia and Greece – but also even Iraq, Syria and Sudan – according to 32 of the 160 hospital trusts in England who responded to requests from the Guardian for details of their recruitment.
The problem is finding permanent staff to recruit. Some hospital finance directors are asking, ‘are there any?'
The NHS doesn't have the doctors it needs. The shortage is real Continue reading... The Guardian
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Three thousand doctors were hired from overseas by the NHS in the past year, as the service battles to tackle staff shortages that medical professionals say are serious and growing.
They came from at least 27 countries, including India, Poland, Australia and Greece – but also even Iraq, Syria and Sudan – according to 32 of the 160 hospital trusts in England who responded to requests from the Guardian for details of their recruitment.
The problem is finding permanent staff to recruit. Some hospital finance directors are asking, ‘are there any?'
The NHS doesn't have the doctors it needs. The shortage is real Continue reading... The Guardian
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Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Employers delighted that NHS strike has been called off
Employers delighted that NHS strike has been called off
NHS Employers has welcomed news that the Government has reached agreement with health unions to cancel the 29 January NHS strike. NHS Employers
NHS Employers has welcomed news that the Government has reached agreement with health unions to cancel the 29 January NHS strike. NHS Employers
Labour's 10 year plan for the NHS: responses from the healthcare sector
Labour's 10 year plan for the NHS: responses from the healthcare sector
Labour pledge for the health service sounds promising but practitioners worry about how the changes will be funded. Guardian
Continue reading...
Labour pledge for the health service sounds promising but practitioners worry about how the changes will be funded. Guardian
Continue reading...
The Coalition's record on health: policy, spending and outcomes 2010-15
The Coalition's record on health: policy, spending and outcomes 2010-15
This report is part of a larger piece of research funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Nuffield Foundation and carried out by LSE, University of York and University of Manchester. This working paper presents the results of an audit of the Coalition government's record on health policy during the period 2010-15. The accompanying full overview report presents an assessment of the Coalition's performance on social policy in general during 2010-15.
This report is part of a larger piece of research funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Nuffield Foundation and carried out by LSE, University of York and University of Manchester. This working paper presents the results of an audit of the Coalition government's record on health policy during the period 2010-15. The accompanying full overview report presents an assessment of the Coalition's performance on social policy in general during 2010-15.
NHS England responds to patient feedback and consults on prioritising specialised services
NHS England responds to patient feedback and consults on prioritising specialised services
NHS England today launches a new consultation about how it will prioritise which specialised services and treatments to invest in. Patient groups asked it to consult on changes to the principles and process by which it makes these decisions.
NHS England directly commissions around 145 specialised services. In order to ensure the maximum number of patients benefit from new innovative treatments coming on stream, choices need to be made about which of these to fund.
In carrying out a public consultation, NHS England will ensure the principles and process for making these decisions are well informed, evidence-led and in line with the expectations of patients and the public. The consultation will last for 90 days from 27 January 2015.
NHS England today launches a new consultation about how it will prioritise which specialised services and treatments to invest in. Patient groups asked it to consult on changes to the principles and process by which it makes these decisions.
NHS England directly commissions around 145 specialised services. In order to ensure the maximum number of patients benefit from new innovative treatments coming on stream, choices need to be made about which of these to fund.
In carrying out a public consultation, NHS England will ensure the principles and process for making these decisions are well informed, evidence-led and in line with the expectations of patients and the public. The consultation will last for 90 days from 27 January 2015.
New GP workforce action plan
New GP workforce action plan
Building the Workforce – the New Deal for General Practice sets out a range of initiatives to improve recruitment, retention and return to general practice for GPs who have left. It also considers the role of other primary care staff, including nurses and pharmacists. The plan is funded to the tune of £10m. NHS Networks
Building the Workforce – the New Deal for General Practice sets out a range of initiatives to improve recruitment, retention and return to general practice for GPs who have left. It also considers the role of other primary care staff, including nurses and pharmacists. The plan is funded to the tune of £10m. NHS Networks
Research and analysis: Mental health: needs of gang-affiliated young people
Research and analysis: Mental health: needs of gang-affiliated young people
This briefing aims to understand and address the mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people, and outlines the:
extent of mental illness in gang members
relationships between gang-affiliation and poor mental health
shared risk factors that contribute to both
It also emphasises the need for a life course approach to prevention that:
addresses risk factors
promotes resilience in young people
provides appropriate support for vulnerable young people
The briefing summarises evidence of the types of interventions that can:
protect children from antisocial behaviour and poor mental health
treat mental illness in vulnerable young people
Public Health England
This briefing aims to understand and address the mental health needs of gang-affiliated young people, and outlines the:
extent of mental illness in gang members
relationships between gang-affiliation and poor mental health
shared risk factors that contribute to both
It also emphasises the need for a life course approach to prevention that:
addresses risk factors
promotes resilience in young people
provides appropriate support for vulnerable young people
The briefing summarises evidence of the types of interventions that can:
protect children from antisocial behaviour and poor mental health
treat mental illness in vulnerable young people
Public Health England
Many asthma diagnoses 'may be wrong'
Many asthma diagnoses 'may be wrong'
More than a million adults in the UK may be wrongly diagnosed as asthmatic and be receiving unnecessary medication as a result, warns an NHS watchdog. BBC News
More than a million adults in the UK may be wrongly diagnosed as asthmatic and be receiving unnecessary medication as a result, warns an NHS watchdog. BBC News
Care calculator launched by BBC
Care calculator launched by BBC
The BBC has launched an online guide about how the care system for the over-65s works and how much services cost. BBC News
The BBC has launched an online guide about how the care system for the over-65s works and how much services cost. BBC News
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
The best of times, the worst of times: a personal view from the CCG front line
The best of times, the worst of times: a personal view from the CCG front line With 2015 now upon us, at NHS Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group we look ahead confident of the groundwork we have put in, especially the relationships we have built with our partners. However the severe pressures over the holiday period are a painful reminder of the fact that the NHS is facing perhaps the greatest challenge in its history.
This year, the CCG will start to take a more active role in commissioning primary care, ensuring that services are not only safe, but fit to play their part in delivering our vision of ‘better care’, built around the integrated local teams across Southampton. This is a theme that is explored in The King's Fund's new report with the Nuffield Trust, Risk or reward? The changing role of CCGs in general practice. Doing this will be hard, but is of pivotal importance.
This year, the CCG will start to take a more active role in commissioning primary care, ensuring that services are not only safe, but fit to play their part in delivering our vision of ‘better care’, built around the integrated local teams across Southampton. This is a theme that is explored in The King's Fund's new report with the Nuffield Trust, Risk or reward? The changing role of CCGs in general practice. Doing this will be hard, but is of pivotal importance.
£10 million investment boost to expand general practice workforce
£10 million investment boost to expand general practice workforce Health leaders have today (Monday) announced a £10 million investment to kick start a new plan to expand the general practice workforce. The money will be used to recruit new GPs, retain those that are thinking of leaving the profession and encourage doctors to return to general practice to better meet the needs of patients now and for the future.
NHS England funding will be used to develop a range of initiatives in collaboration with Health Education England (HEE), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association (BMA) to increase the number of GPs and develop the role of other primary care staff such as nurses and pharmacists.
NHS England funding will be used to develop a range of initiatives in collaboration with Health Education England (HEE), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association (BMA) to increase the number of GPs and develop the role of other primary care staff such as nurses and pharmacists.
CCG leaders complain they do not have time to fulfil their roles
CCG leaders complain they do not have time to fulfil their roles Half of CCG leaders say they do not have time to properly fulfil their roles, according to research by two leading healthcare thinktanks. GP Online
UK general election: Miliband and Cameron neck and neck in fight for voters' trust on NHS
UK general election: Miliband and Cameron neck and neck in fight for voters' trust on NHS The NHS will matter more to people than the economy when they decide how to vote in the general election 100 days from today, according to a poll for The Independent. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Miliband to pledge longer care visits BBC News
- Labour, the NHS and social care BBC News
- Ed Miliband: the future of the NHS at stake in 2015 election The Guardian
A single hospital dealt with 1,500 cases of Female Genital Mutilation in just five years
A single hospital dealt with 1,500 cases of Female Genital Mutilation in just five years Around 15 new cases of FGM are reported to hospitals around the country every day -Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital has revealed it is dealing with six cases a week. The Daily Mail
Cervical cancer rates in under 35s soar 60% as the number having smear tests falls to an all-time low
Cervical cancer rates in under 35s soar 60% as the number having smear tests falls to an all-time low The charity Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has launched a new social media campaign #smearforsmear to encourage more young women to ensure they have their regular smear tests. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- #Smearforsmear campaign Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust
Choosing Wisely: A Growing International Campaign
Choosing Wisely: A Growing International Campaign To combat a widespread problem, the American Board of Internal Medicine launched the “Choosing Wisely” campaign in 2012 to encourage physicians and patients to work together to make better health care choices. The Commonwealth Fund
Monday, 26 January 2015
Car scheme for Kettering area patients
Car scheme for Kettering area patients A new initiative has been set up in Kettering borough to give residents of the towns and villages an affordable option to travel to medical appointments. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Hospital staff failed to recognise Northamptonshire mother as a suicide risk despite previous attempts
Hospital staff failed to recognise Northamptonshire mother as a suicide risk despite previous attempts Failures to record an inpatient’s suicide attempts on a ‘risk assessment’ log were partly to blame for her death days later at a Northampton Hospital - a coroner has ruled. BBC News
NHS pledges to publish any limits placed on outgoing Northamptonshire chief’s new business
NHS pledges to publish any limits placed on outgoing Northamptonshire chief’s new business An NHS trust in Northamptonshire has promised to make public the ‘contractual restrictions’ placed on its outgoing boss before he leaves to set up his own company. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
What are we willing to do to preserve the NHS as we know it?
What are we willing to do to preserve the NHS as we know it? If we want to maintain a high quality health service, sacrifices must be made, and according to the Health Foundation these will continue well beyond the next parliament, says India Keable-Elliott from CentreForum.
See also:
See also:
- Give productivity in the NHS a chance The Health Foundation
- Future funding of the NHS: a reckoning on taxation? The Health Foundation
International Profiles of Health Care Systems, 2014: Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States
International Profiles of Health Care Systems, 2014: Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States This publication presents overviews of the health care systems in these countries.
Each overview covers health insurance, public and private financing, health system organization and governance, health care quality and coordination, disparities, efficiency and integration, use of information technology and evidence-based practice, cost containment, and recent reforms and innovations.
In addition, summary tables provide data on a number of key health system characteristics and performance indicators, including overall health care spending, hospital spending and utilization, health care access, patient safety, care coordination, chronic care management, disease prevention, capacity for quality improvement, and public views. The Commonwealth Fund
Each overview covers health insurance, public and private financing, health system organization and governance, health care quality and coordination, disparities, efficiency and integration, use of information technology and evidence-based practice, cost containment, and recent reforms and innovations.
In addition, summary tables provide data on a number of key health system characteristics and performance indicators, including overall health care spending, hospital spending and utilization, health care access, patient safety, care coordination, chronic care management, disease prevention, capacity for quality improvement, and public views. The Commonwealth Fund
Press release: 'Be Clear on Cancer' campaign highlights links between heartburn and cancer
Press release: 'Be Clear on Cancer' campaign highlights links between heartburn and cancer A national ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign is launched today (26 January 2015) urging people to visit their doctor if they have heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more, as this can be a sign of oesophageal or stomach cancer.
The campaign launch coincides with results of a new survey commissioned by Public Health England, which reveals only 1 in 2 people (55%) would visit their doctor if they had heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more.
Early diagnosis of oesophageal or stomach cancer (also known as oesophago-gastric cancers) is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful. Around 67% of people diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancers at the earliest stage survive for at least 5 years. This figure drops to around 3% for those diagnosed at a late stage.
The campaign launch coincides with results of a new survey commissioned by Public Health England, which reveals only 1 in 2 people (55%) would visit their doctor if they had heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more.
Early diagnosis of oesophageal or stomach cancer (also known as oesophago-gastric cancers) is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful. Around 67% of people diagnosed with oesophago-gastric cancers at the earliest stage survive for at least 5 years. This figure drops to around 3% for those diagnosed at a late stage.
The cost of being unhealthy
The cost of being unhealthy How the nation's life choices are taking a toll on the NHS. BBC News
The 'problem' of medical drug prices
The 'problem' of medical drug prices Newsnight's Chris Cook assesses the difficulty of drug pricing. BBC News
WHO vows reform after Ebola 'shocks'
WHO vows reform after Ebola 'shocks' The World Health Organization sets out plans for reform, admitting it was too slow to respond to the "horrific" Ebola outbreak in West Africa. BBC News
See also:
See also:
VIDEO: How winter wards help hospitals
VIDEO: How winter wards help hospitals Fiona Trott reports from James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough which is using special winter wards to ease bed blocking in other parts of the hospital, including A&E. BBC News
Overcrowded hospitals killed 500 last year, claims top A&E doctor
Overcrowded hospitals killed 500 last year, claims top A&E doctor Ministers warned that the NHS is facing ‘a disaster’ of ever-busier accident and emergency departments and bed-blocking
Up to 500 patients died last year as a direct result of harm they suffered when hospitals became dangerously overcrowded, Britain’s A&E doctors have warned.
About 350 of the deaths were among patients who had not been diagnosed or given medical treatment quickly enough. Another 150 were not admitted because of bed shortages, even though their condition meant they would usually have been found a place on a ward. The College of Emergency Medicine’s figures have raised concern that growing turmoil in A&E units, and hospitals generally, is doing real harm. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Up to 500 patients died last year as a direct result of harm they suffered when hospitals became dangerously overcrowded, Britain’s A&E doctors have warned.
About 350 of the deaths were among patients who had not been diagnosed or given medical treatment quickly enough. Another 150 were not admitted because of bed shortages, even though their condition meant they would usually have been found a place on a ward. The College of Emergency Medicine’s figures have raised concern that growing turmoil in A&E units, and hospitals generally, is doing real harm. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
£240m tech fund 2 raided by Treasury
£240m tech fund 2 raided by Treasury The second round of NHS England's technology fund has been raided by the Treasury to shift money towards dealing with A&E pressures in the run up to the general election. E-Health Insider
New doctors offered NHS fund ‘golden hello’ to become GPs
New doctors offered NHS fund ‘golden hello’ to become GPs Total of £10m designed to encourage newly qualified medics to boost numbers and stave off existing GPs from early retirement
Newly qualified doctors will be offered “golden hellos” if they become a GP under a £10m NHS plan to help overcome the growing shortage of family doctors.
The initiative is part of a new package of measures designed to boost the number of GPs joining the profession, deter early retirement and encourage those who have taken a career break, for example to work abroad or have children, to rejoin the workforce. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Newly qualified doctors will be offered “golden hellos” if they become a GP under a £10m NHS plan to help overcome the growing shortage of family doctors.
The initiative is part of a new package of measures designed to boost the number of GPs joining the profession, deter early retirement and encourage those who have taken a career break, for example to work abroad or have children, to rejoin the workforce. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- New video aims to boost GP numbers BBC News
- VIDEO: Doctors in drive to attract new GPs BBC News
'Anonymous' NHS database could still allow patients to be identified, expert warns
'Anonymous' NHS database could still allow patients to be identified, expert warns A controversial plan to transfer the medical records of NHS patients from GP surgeries to a national database has failed to address a major privacy concern that jeopardises patient confidentiality, according to a leading IT security expert. The Independent
Broadmoor financial scandal: The £4m of NHS funds wasted at high-security hospital
Broadmoor financial scandal: The £4m of NHS funds wasted at high-security hospital A financial scandal has erupted at the UK’s largest mental health trust, causing several clinical projects to be scrapped by the organisation responsible for looking after more than 20,000 patients a year – including some of the most violent criminals based at Broadmoor high-security hospital. The Independent
Friday, 23 January 2015
County's health watchdog wants your views on Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
County's health watchdog wants your views on Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Healthwatch Northamptonshire is asking for members of the public to share their views and experiences of the care received from Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT). Northants Herald and Post
Northampton mental health hospital criticised after staff failed to record a patient’s suicide attempts
Northampton mental health hospital criticised after staff failed to record a patient’s suicide attempts A widower has criticised Berrywood Hospital in Northampton after staff failed to record a suicide attempt his wife made, only days before ending her own life. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Problems spreading beyond A&E as risk of NHS crisis grows: latest quarterly monitoring report
Problems spreading beyond A&E as risk of NHS crisis grows: latest quarterly monitoring report The King's Fund is warning that problems in hospitals are spreading beyond A&E to other key areas of performance, increasing the risk of a NHS crisis.
The Fund's latest quarterly monitoring report, which follows widespread reports about pressures on A&E units, underlines that hospitals are stretched to the limit. The report shows that waiting times for treatment and other key performance indicators are worsening, as the NHS struggles to cope with increasing demand for services and the unprecedented financial squeeze.
The Fund's latest quarterly monitoring report, which follows widespread reports about pressures on A&E units, underlines that hospitals are stretched to the limit. The report shows that waiting times for treatment and other key performance indicators are worsening, as the NHS struggles to cope with increasing demand for services and the unprecedented financial squeeze.
NHS finances: the challenge all political parties need to face
NHS finances: the challenge all political parties need to face The NHS is one of the key issues of public concern in the run up to the 2015 general election.
After the election, all political parties are committed to reducing the fiscal deficit, which will involve cuts to public spending. Health care now accounts for almost £1 in every £5 of government spending – just sustaining, let alone improving, the quality of care while delivering fiscal balance will be one of the major challenges facing any incoming government.
In this briefing we set out our analysis of the funding issues facing the NHS. The briefing presents the Health Foundation projection that funding pressures on the NHS will increase to £65bn above inflation by 2030/31. If successive governments are to meet these pressures NHS funding needs to grow slightly faster than GDP (2.9% a year compared to 2.3% a year forecast increase in GDP).
The briefing draws on four accompanying Funding overviews that go into more detail about NHS finance in the following four areas:
After the election, all political parties are committed to reducing the fiscal deficit, which will involve cuts to public spending. Health care now accounts for almost £1 in every £5 of government spending – just sustaining, let alone improving, the quality of care while delivering fiscal balance will be one of the major challenges facing any incoming government.
In this briefing we set out our analysis of the funding issues facing the NHS. The briefing presents the Health Foundation projection that funding pressures on the NHS will increase to £65bn above inflation by 2030/31. If successive governments are to meet these pressures NHS funding needs to grow slightly faster than GDP (2.9% a year compared to 2.3% a year forecast increase in GDP).
The briefing draws on four accompanying Funding overviews that go into more detail about NHS finance in the following four areas:
- historical trends
- international comparisons
- spending in the current parliament
- projections for the next parliament and beyond
See also:
- NHS will need extra £65bn by 2030, say analysts The Guardian
Library and Knowledge Services Framework
Library and Knowledge Services Framework HEE has published a development framework for Library and Knowledge Services in order to:
A work programme will be developed – with a focus on customer care and value for money for taxpayers, achieved through better coordination, collaboration and cooperation, including through pooling resources and expertise. Health Education England
- Invite stakeholders to work alongside them to transform and optimise healthcare library and knowledge services
- Guide investment and procurement decisions, the development of new information products, partnership working and service modernisation
- Drive the redesign of roles for healthcare library staff, to improve efficiency and enable the adoption of new models of service
A work programme will be developed – with a focus on customer care and value for money for taxpayers, achieved through better coordination, collaboration and cooperation, including through pooling resources and expertise. Health Education England
UKIP and the NHS: reigniting the insurance debate in the NHS
UKIP and the NHS: reigniting the insurance debate in the NHS It is true that health care is going to be more expensive in future we do need to know how to fund it appropriately. But is an insurance model really a silver bullet for the NHS’s financial challenges? asks Emma Spencelayh. The Health Foundation
Guidance: Improving community services
Guidance: Improving community services This report looks at what clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are doing about community services as the contracts entered into after the Transforming Community Services (TCS) programme expire.
As contracts expire, commissioners need to consider what options are best for patients. This review of community services commissioning explaining how commissioners can support a move to more co-ordinated care for patients closer to home. Many of the community services contracts put in place three to five years ago are expiring, giving commissioners an opportunity to:
As contracts expire, commissioners need to consider what options are best for patients. This review of community services commissioning explaining how commissioners can support a move to more co-ordinated care for patients closer to home. Many of the community services contracts put in place three to five years ago are expiring, giving commissioners an opportunity to:
- move to new ways of working or new models of care that are better for patients
- test which providers are most likely to achieve the changes that commissioners want for patients
See also:
First report released from Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Data Set
First report released from Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Data Set The first report from the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Data Set (MHLDDS) has been released today by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
VIDEO: Talks to avert NHS strike continue
VIDEO: Talks to avert NHS strike continue Talks to avert a 12-hour strike next Thursday by NHS staff in England and Northern Ireland are continuing on Friday. BBC News
GP practices in special measures
GP practices in special measures Three GP practices have been placed in "special measures" over concerns about safety, by inspectors. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Three GP practices put into special measures by CQC The Daily Mail
- CQC ratings show most GP practices 'good' or 'outstanding' GP Online
- Former negotiator wins outstanding CQC rating but warns it is unsustainable GP Online
- Company behind GP practice in CQC special measures pledges to improve GP Online
- Three GP surgeries put into special measures over patient safety concerns The Guardian
Falling Ebola cases 'turning point'
Falling Ebola cases 'turning point' There has been a "turning point" in the Ebola crisis with cases falling in all three affected countries, World Health Organization officials say. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Ebola vaccine 'shipped to Liberia' BBC News
- VIDEO: Ebola experience 'life changing' BBC News
- Guidance: Ebola: UK-based students visiting families in affected countries Public Health England
Care.data in "last chance saloon"
Care.data in "last chance saloon" NHS England has been warned its controversial care.data programme is at its "last chance saloon", as it pushes ahead with the trial phase of the project. E-Health Insider
New heart attack test shows promise for women
New heart attack test shows promise for women "Doctors could spot twice as many heart attacks in women by using a newer, more sensitive blood test," BBC News reports.
In women, for reasons that are unclear, a heart attack often doesn't trigger the symptom most people associate with the condition: severe chest pain, memorably described as like having an elephant sitting on your chest. This can lead to delays in diagnosis, which may impact on clinical outcomes.
A more sensitive blood test has been developed that can help determine if a person with the symptoms of a heart attack has actually had one.
The new test is more sensitive to levels of a protein called troponin, which is released into the bloodstream when there is damage to heart muscle.
In women, for reasons that are unclear, a heart attack often doesn't trigger the symptom most people associate with the condition: severe chest pain, memorably described as like having an elephant sitting on your chest. This can lead to delays in diagnosis, which may impact on clinical outcomes.
A more sensitive blood test has been developed that can help determine if a person with the symptoms of a heart attack has actually had one.
The new test is more sensitive to levels of a protein called troponin, which is released into the bloodstream when there is damage to heart muscle.
NHS disregards patient requests to opt out of sharing medical records
NHS disregards patient requests to opt out of sharing medical records Officials now admit they shared data because otherwise it would have affected patients’ treatment. The Guardian
Care Quality Commission heaps more pressure on NHS managers
Care Quality Commission heaps more pressure on NHS managers The healthcare regulator should not get bogged down in resolving management problems or grievances and should focus on keeping patients safe Continue reading... The Guardian
Mass prescription of statins ‘will widen social inequalities’
Mass prescription of statins ‘will widen social inequalities’ Prescribing statins to more people could have the unintended effect of “widening social inequalities”, a new study has claimed. The Independent
See also:
See also:
Thursday, 22 January 2015
One in seven people in Northamptonshire has an STI, according to NHS figures
One in seven people in Northamptonshire has an STI, according to NHS figures One in seven people in Northamptonshire has a sexually transmitted infection, according to latest NHS statistics.
Following the publication of the figures, by Northampton-based counselling service The Lowdown, the Labour Group on Northamptonshire County Council is encouraging people to sign a petition calling for compulsory sex and relationships education. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Following the publication of the figures, by Northampton-based counselling service The Lowdown, the Labour Group on Northamptonshire County Council is encouraging people to sign a petition calling for compulsory sex and relationships education. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Kidney patient from Northampton bled to death, but promised training ‘not given’
Kidney patient from Northampton bled to death, but promised training ‘not given’ A Northampton man bled to death from a rare dialysis complication while being transported to hospital by a volunteer ambulance driver. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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