NHS to 'extend rationing' of healthcare in bid to balance books Survey of clinical commissioning group bosses reveals that smokers and obese people will be among those denied surgery and other treatment.
The NHS plans to dramatically increase rationing of patients’ access to care and treatment in an effort to balance its books, a new survey of health bosses reveals.
Almost two in five of England’s 211 clinical commissioning groups are considering imposing new limits this year on eligibility for services such as IVF, footcare and hip and knee replacements. Continue reading... The Guardian
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Election 2015: what do party pledges mean for NHS staff?
Election 2015: what do party pledges mean for NHS staff? The NHS is centre stage in the parties’ manifestos; there are subtle yet significant differences between their commitments.
With the NHS as one of the general election’s highest-profile topics, it is remarkable how little the political parties disagree. All are offering billions more in funding, greater support for mental health and dementia, faster access to GPs and more integration between health and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian
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With the NHS as one of the general election’s highest-profile topics, it is remarkable how little the political parties disagree. All are offering billions more in funding, greater support for mental health and dementia, faster access to GPs and more integration between health and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Parties clash on NHS funding and reform E-Health Insider
- Editorial: Beware of unfunded NHS policies GP Online
Surgeon who punched patient up to 10 times in face to 'fix broken cheekbone' is struck off
Surgeon who punched patient up to 10 times in face to 'fix broken cheekbone' is struck off Professor Ninian Peckitt erased from medical register after hearing told he curled hand into fist, pulled it back six inches and repeatedly struck patient under anaesthetic. The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
What are the parties promising on health and social care? An animated guide to the manifestos
What are the parties promising on health and social care? An animated guide to the manifestos The NHS is one of the key issues in the 2015 general election. This website looks at some of the big questions in health and social care and sets out the policies and pledges made by the main parties in England. The King's Fund
Staff health, wellbeing and engagement
Staff health, wellbeing and engagement This infographic highlights key facts and figures about why staff experience matters. It sets out, in an easy-to-digest format, the importance of staff health and wellbeing and engagement. NHS Employers
When one door closes...: research into the closure and commissioning of care homes throughout England
When one door closes...: research into the closure and commissioning of care homes throughout England As care home operators seek to maintain quality of care in the face of inadequate local authority fee levels and rising costs, this research highlights the impact on registered bed levels throughout England. The research finds that the number of beds in newly registered homes mirrors the number of beds simultaneously falling out of the market and finds that several regions are showing a net bed reduction. Healthcare Property Consultants
Facts, figures and views on health and social care
Facts, figures and views on health and social care This pack sets out statistics, figures and facts surrounding health and social care in the lead up to the general election. It covers NHS finances, the NHS workforce, A&E performance, quality of care and social care. The Nuffield trust
I could not survive another day: Improving treatment and tackling stigma: lessons from women’s experience of abortion for severe pregnancy sickness
I could not survive another day: Improving treatment and tackling stigma: lessons from women’s experience of abortion for severe pregnancy sickness Difficulty obtaining swift treatment and support for severe and debilitating pregnancy sickness means some women feel they are left with no option but to end otherwise wanted pregnancies, the charities British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Pregnancy Sickness Support
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See also:
Why you should drink (water) before you drive
Why you should drink (water) before you drive "Not drinking enough water has same effect as drink driving," The Daily Telegraph reports. A small study found participants made more mistakes on a driving simulator task when they were mildly dehydrated than when they had plenty of fluids.
This was a small trial of 12 men, studying the effect of mild dehydration on performance during a driving task. The men had a day of being hydrated or fluid-restricted prior to spending two hours in a driving simulator showing a view of a monotonous dual carriageway.
This was a crossover trial, meaning that all men acted as their own control, undertaking both hydrated and dehydrated conditions one week apart.
The researchers found men in the dehydrated state made around double the number of driving errors during the two-hour drive compared with the hydrated group.
Overall, the detrimental effects of dehydration on wellbeing and physical and mental performance are well-publicised, so the results are entirely plausible. But the study has many limitations, so it cannot provide solid proof.
This was a small trial of 12 men, studying the effect of mild dehydration on performance during a driving task. The men had a day of being hydrated or fluid-restricted prior to spending two hours in a driving simulator showing a view of a monotonous dual carriageway.
This was a crossover trial, meaning that all men acted as their own control, undertaking both hydrated and dehydrated conditions one week apart.
The researchers found men in the dehydrated state made around double the number of driving errors during the two-hour drive compared with the hydrated group.
Overall, the detrimental effects of dehydration on wellbeing and physical and mental performance are well-publicised, so the results are entirely plausible. But the study has many limitations, so it cannot provide solid proof.
Treating sepsis early could save 12,500 lives a year
Treating sepsis early could save 12,500 lives a year A group of leading doctors, led by Professor Jonathan Cohen of Brighton and Sussex Medical School, has warned that a radical new approach is needed to the way hospitals detect and treat sepsis. The Daily Mail
How to save the NHS – by the people who work for it
How to save the NHS – by the people who work for it The NHS is a top election issue – both Labour and the Conservatives promise they would pump in billions to save it. But what do the people on its frontline – the workers who know it best and care for it most – think it needs?
I have been a paramedic for the NHS for 13 years. We are under a lot of pressure; an ambulance crew in my service is often sent out on 10-14 calls a day. Some calls can take an hour, to an hour and a half – and we work 12-hour shifts. The majority of the time we have to work overtime, anything from 20 minutes to several hours.
Make advertising for fast-food outlets less prominent, make healthy foods more visible
Cuts in auxiliary services are really hitting our patients – they need stimulation and their carers need a break
You can’t find the extra people you need because the NHS cut back on the number of student nurses it was training Continue reading... The Guardian
I have been a paramedic for the NHS for 13 years. We are under a lot of pressure; an ambulance crew in my service is often sent out on 10-14 calls a day. Some calls can take an hour, to an hour and a half – and we work 12-hour shifts. The majority of the time we have to work overtime, anything from 20 minutes to several hours.
Make advertising for fast-food outlets less prominent, make healthy foods more visible
Cuts in auxiliary services are really hitting our patients – they need stimulation and their carers need a break
You can’t find the extra people you need because the NHS cut back on the number of student nurses it was training Continue reading... The Guardian
Every political party is talking nonsense about the NHS
Every political party is talking nonsense about the NHS Until we see honest collaboration at the very top of the NHS, you probably shouldn't take the main parties' promises too seriously, says Dr Phil Hammond. The Daily Telegraph
Pregnant women employ ‘doulas’ for support during labour as NHS cuts hit
Pregnant women employ ‘doulas’ for support during labour as NHS cuts hit Pregnant women are hiring companions to hold their hands through labour for fear of being left without help and support by midwives. The Independent
Monday, 20 April 2015
Violet leads mental health campaign
Violet leads mental health campaign A woman from Higham Ferrers is leading a national campaign calling for more funding for mental health services.
Violet Skinner, 31, has shared her own experiences with NHS mental health services in a video produced by the mental health charity Mind as part of the campaign. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Violet Skinner, 31, has shared her own experiences with NHS mental health services in a video produced by the mental health charity Mind as part of the campaign. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Northamptonshire people have helped raise £2million to be spent on improving care for breast cancer patients at county hospitals
Northamptonshire people have helped raise £2million to be spent on improving care for breast cancer patients at county hospitals The people of Northamptonshire have been thanked for helping raise £2 million to improve breast cancer care in the county. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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See also:
- Crazy Hats breaks £2m fundraising barrier for breast cancer care in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
The contracting NHS – can the NHS handle the outsourcing of clinical services?
The contracting NHS – can the NHS handle the outsourcing of clinical services? This report argues that the NHS is poorly equipped
to monitor the quality, safety and value for money of health services outsourced to private providers .
This is further complicated by the outsourcing of contract monitoring from CCGs to Commissioning Support Units, which are themselves soon to be privatised. Centre for Health and the Public Interest
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to monitor the quality, safety and value for money of health services outsourced to private providers .
This is further complicated by the outsourcing of contract monitoring from CCGs to Commissioning Support Units, which are themselves soon to be privatised. Centre for Health and the Public Interest
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Beyond the manifestos: prospects for the NHS after the election
Beyond the manifestos: prospects for the NHS after the election The deafening silence on NHS funding I wrote about last autumn has given way to a cacophony of commitments and contested claims as election day approaches. The cacophony reached a crescendo this week following the Conservatives’ promise last weekend to find an extra £8 billion a year for the NHS by 2020/21 and the release of the parties’ election manifestos. A discordant note was struck by David Nicholson, who pointed out that even with commitments to spend more money the NHS is still facing unprecedented pressures and financial challenges.
What then are we to make of the commitments made by the three main political parties?
What then are we to make of the commitments made by the three main political parties?
Analysis of the Green Party’s health pledges in the manifesto
Analysis of the Green Party’s health pledges in the manifesto All this week, we have been blogging on the launch of the election manifestos. Last but not least is our take on the Green party manifesto. On Tuesday when the party released its manifesto ‘For the Common Good’ it set out a series of policies that would represent quite a significant departure from the status quo. The Health Foundation
Labour warns of fewer nurses in NHS
Labour warns of fewer nurses in NHS There will be 2,000 fewer NHS nurses in England over the next four years according to projections, Labour says, but the Conservatives say the figures are old. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- RCN responds to projection of fewer nurses Royal College of Nursing
- Labour accuses Tories of secret plan to cut number of NHS nurses after election The Guardian
Survey reveals Parkinson's hostility
Survey reveals Parkinson's hostility A survey of 2,000 people with Parkinson's finds that more than half have experienced rudeness or hostility from the public. BBC News
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See also:
Discovery could 'boost immune system's cancer fighting ability'
Discovery could 'boost immune system's cancer fighting ability' The media is awash with news of a breakthrough that is "turbocharging the immune system to kill all cancers" (The Daily Telegraph) and a "game-changing new way to fight cancer" (The Independent).
Both of these vivid headlines are debatable – the first because the technique has only been looked at in one type of cancer, and the second because it has only been examined in lab mice.
Researchers were actually looking at a way to overcome "exhaustion" of the body's immune system when its killer cells (called CD8 T cells) have too much to deal with. They wanted to find out how to increase the number of these killer cells, and memory cells that help the immune system "remember" cancers and viruses.
The researchers used genetic techniques in mice to study CD8 T cells. They discovered a protein, lymphocyte expansion molecule (LEM), which helps increase the number of CD8 T cells, improving the mice's ability to fight viruses or cancer cells. The LEM protein is a new discovery, and the researchers hope they can produce treatments for human diseases based on it.
Both of these vivid headlines are debatable – the first because the technique has only been looked at in one type of cancer, and the second because it has only been examined in lab mice.
Researchers were actually looking at a way to overcome "exhaustion" of the body's immune system when its killer cells (called CD8 T cells) have too much to deal with. They wanted to find out how to increase the number of these killer cells, and memory cells that help the immune system "remember" cancers and viruses.
The researchers used genetic techniques in mice to study CD8 T cells. They discovered a protein, lymphocyte expansion molecule (LEM), which helps increase the number of CD8 T cells, improving the mice's ability to fight viruses or cancer cells. The LEM protein is a new discovery, and the researchers hope they can produce treatments for human diseases based on it.
Thousands of patients' data excluded from NHS dementia target data
Thousands of patients' data excluded from NHS dementia target data NHS England says it is closer to its dementia diagnosis target than Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) figures suggest. GP Online
‘Grave concern’ over growing violence against doctors
‘Grave concern’ over growing violence against doctors Incidents reported from every part of the world. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
- Growing Violence Against Doctors Alarms Medical Profession World Medical Association
Patients should be able to expect compassion from clinicians
Patients should be able to expect compassion from clinicians Healthcare professionals cannot become emotionally overwhelmed by every case they deal with, but patients and families need support and empathy Continue reading... The Guardian
HIV patients in UK are living longer, new data reveals
HIV patients in UK are living longer, new data reveals Figures released by House of Commons to HIV charity Positively UK show number of people seeking medical care with the virus as secondary diagnosis has risen by 301% since 2003-4
The number of patients with HIV being admitted to hospital in England has more than doubled in a decade – suggesting those with the virus are living for longer, official statistics show.
There were 29,870 admissions in 2013-14, compared with 12,796 in 2003-04, with the rise predominately down to the big increase in the number of cases where the patient’s HIV was not the primary reason for treatment. Continue reading... The Guardian
The number of patients with HIV being admitted to hospital in England has more than doubled in a decade – suggesting those with the virus are living for longer, official statistics show.
There were 29,870 admissions in 2013-14, compared with 12,796 in 2003-04, with the rise predominately down to the big increase in the number of cases where the patient’s HIV was not the primary reason for treatment. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS executives 'earn £35 million in pay rises' despite funding crisis
NHS executives 'earn £35 million in pay rises' despite funding crisis Some hospital bosses took home more than £1 million pounds last year, while others were accused of exploiting loopholes to maximise their pay packets. The Daily Telegraph
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Friday, 17 April 2015
Vandals made to pay for Northants medical centre damage
Vandals made to pay for Northants medical centre damage Six vandals who caused hundreds of pounds of damage to a medical centre have been made to cough up £600 and write letters of apology. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Analysis of UKIP’s health pledges in the manifesto
Analysis of UKIP’s health pledges in the manifesto Over the course of this week, we’ve been writing blogs on the political parties’ manifestos. A common theme across the major parties has been the fact that they have been relatively sedate with few surprises. The UKIP manifesto offers a slightly more eclectic mix of proposals – including a few that you might also spot in the other parties’ manifestos. The Health Foundation
Bad backs cost the UK 31 million days of work
Bad backs cost the UK 31 million days of work Our back pack outlines the measures that need to be taken to reduce the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). NHS Employers
Joint review of investment in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in health and care sector
Joint review of investment in voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in health and care sector The Department of Health, Public Health England, NHS England and representatives of the voluntary sector are working together to review how government invests in the voluntary sector in health and care. This interim report outlines the findings of the review so far and highlights the challenges that the voluntary sector has experienced, as well as the potential benefits and value that collaboration could bring to the health and care sector. Voluntary Sector Health and Care
Disaster doctor sent into hospital
Disaster doctor sent into hospital A doctor usually deployed for major disasters is sent into Worcestershire Royal Hospital's A and E department. BBC News
Paper cuts
Paper cuts For an idea that has been promoted by major figures in UK healthcare policy for more than two years, there is still a large degree of uncertainty about what is meant by a 'paperless' NHS. E-Health Insider
NHS dementia diagnosis targets missed despite 'harmful' DES
NHS dementia diagnosis targets missed despite 'harmful' DES Efforts to boost dementia diagnosis rates have fallen short of NHS England's aims despite a controversial incentive scheme for GPs, official figures show. GP Online
Many teens try e-cigarettes but few become regular users
Many teens try e-cigarettes but few become regular users Frequent use is highest amongst existing smokers. OnMedica
Weekend opening hours for GPs would save TWO MILLION unnecessary A&E visits - and the NHS £194 million, experts say
Weekend opening hours for GPs would save TWO MILLION unnecessary A&E visits - and the NHS £194 million, experts say A pilot of seven-day opening at four London surgeries resulted in an eight per cent drop in A&E visits, which experts say would translate into two million fewer visits nationally. The Daily Mail
Former NHS boss pours cold water on party leaders' election pledges
Former NHS boss pours cold water on party leaders' election pledges Former NHS in England boss David Nicholson says none of the parties’ pledges on the NHS will alter the grim reality of the service’s fast-crumbling finances.
A year after stepping down as boss of the NHS in England, David Nicholson has spoken truth unto power with a series of statements about the service that politicians will find uncomfortable.
He is saying that despite the parties’ bidding war over extra money for the NHS, none of their pledges will alter the grim reality of the service’s fast-crumbling finances. Continue reading... The Guardian
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A year after stepping down as boss of the NHS in England, David Nicholson has spoken truth unto power with a series of statements about the service that politicians will find uncomfortable.
He is saying that despite the parties’ bidding war over extra money for the NHS, none of their pledges will alter the grim reality of the service’s fast-crumbling finances. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Summary of party political manifestos NHS Employers
- NHS finance problem 'being ignored' BBC News
- Labour must commit to spending £8billion on hospitals, says former NHS chief The Daily Telegraph
- Manifestos verdict: pragmatic hope meets pie-in-the-sky spin | Salma Yaqoob, Harry Leslie Smith, Saleyha Ahsan, Kirstie Allsopp The Guardian
- GPs will leave in droves while the parties play politics with the NHS The Guardian
- Will the general election decide whether the NHS is a right or privilege? The Guardian
- Former NHS boss warns health service faces ‘financial hole’ OnMedica
Austerity is having a 'profoundly disturbing' effect on Britain's mental health, say experts
Austerity is having a 'profoundly disturbing' effect on Britain's mental health, say experts Austerity and cuts to benefits designed to drive people to work is having a “profoundly disturbing” effect on the people’s mental health, according to a letter signed by hundreds of psychotherapists, councillors and other experts in the field. The Independent
Lariam: Hundreds of British soldiers suffering from mental illness after being given anti-malarial drug
Lariam: Hundreds of British soldiers suffering from mental illness after being given anti-malarial drug The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of knowingly risking the mental health of its own soldiers after new figures showed that nearly 1,000 British servicemen and women have required psychiatric treatment after taking a discredited anti-malarial drug. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Labour vows review after 994 troops 'stricken by Lariam' Channel 4 News
- 1000 Armed Forces members require psychiatric treatment after being given anti-Malaria drug linked to mental health problems The Daily Mail
- Lariam timeline: From approval to psychosis warnings The Independent
- Lariam case study: 'He is now in a secure unit' The Independent
- Hundreds of British soldiers sent to Afghanistan given anti-malaria drug known to be dangerous for mental health The Independent
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Community nurse deficit 'scandalous'
Community nurse deficit 'scandalous' The loss of more than 900 community nurses in five years in the east of England is "scandalous", the Royal College of Nursing says. BBC News East
Reconfiguring NHS services: necessary but fraught with difficulties
Reconfiguring NHS services: necessary but fraught with difficulties With the NHS facing growing pressures on all fronts, following the general election the next government is likely to begin a new round of NHS service reconfiguration planning. In addition, work will continue to implement the new care models – such as urgent and emergency care networks and modernised maternity services – set out in the NHS five year forward view. So what are the challenges around service reconfiguration? And what evidence is available to help guide this planning process?
At the beginning of April, the National Institute for Health Research published the final version of the report, Insights from the clinical assurance of reconfiguration in the NHS, written by The King’s Fund. When writing the report, we had access to more than 100 reports written by experienced clinicians (the National Clinical Advisory Team) who offered independent expert advice on proposed service reconfigurations. We sought to learn about reconfigurations: what drove them, what lessons could be learned, what evidence was used in planning the changes, and what ultimately happened. Those considering any type of health service reconfiguration should read the report, along with our companion publication on the evidence base for reconfiguration.
At the beginning of April, the National Institute for Health Research published the final version of the report, Insights from the clinical assurance of reconfiguration in the NHS, written by The King’s Fund. When writing the report, we had access to more than 100 reports written by experienced clinicians (the National Clinical Advisory Team) who offered independent expert advice on proposed service reconfigurations. We sought to learn about reconfigurations: what drove them, what lessons could be learned, what evidence was used in planning the changes, and what ultimately happened. Those considering any type of health service reconfiguration should read the report, along with our companion publication on the evidence base for reconfiguration.
Analysis of the Conservative Party’s health pledges in the manifesto
Analysis of the Conservative Party’s health pledges in the manifesto The additional £8bn that is the absolute minimum needed to close the NHS funding gap has taken on iconic status, so you may be surprised to learn that the figure doesn’t actually appear in the NHS Five Year Forward View… The Health Foundation
See also:
See also:
- Our response to the Conservative Party’s election manifesto The King's Fund
- Tory manifesto re-runs access pledge E-Health Insider
- Tory manifesto pledges seven-day GP services and same day appointments for over-75s GP Online
- Conservative manifesto pledges: what the experts say The Guardian
GP services face 'retirement crisis'
GP services face 'retirement crisis' GP services are facing a crisis, with a third of doctors considering retirement in the next five years, a British Medical Association poll suggests. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- The future of General Practice 2015: Second Extract of Findings (download) British Medical Association
- RCGP response to BMA survey on GP workforce Royal College of General Practitioners
- GPs want to retire or emigrate, poll finds The Daily Telegraph
- Senior doctors say 'incredible' pressures are forcing them to quit The Daily Mail
- One in three GPs considering retirement within five years, BMA poll reveals GP Online
- Viewpoint: Soaring GP stress should set alarm bells ringing, warns Dr Richard Vautrey GP Online
- NHS stress: a third of GPs plan to retire in next five years The Guardian
Breath test shows promise in diagnosing stomach cancer
Breath test shows promise in diagnosing stomach cancer "A simple breath test could help predict whether people with gut problems are at high risk of developing stomach cancer," BBC News reports. The test is designed to detect a distinctive pattern of chemicals associated with stomach cancer.
The study involved 484 people with a known diagnosis – 99 who had established stomach cancer and others who had different stages of pre-cancer.
Pre-cancer is when abnormal changes have affected certain cells and these changes could trigger cancer at a later date. Not all cases of pre-cancer will progress to "full-blown" cancer.
Overall, the study found that the breath analyser had fairly high accuracy for distinguishing between established cancer and pre-cancer. However, it was less reliable at distinguishing between the different severities of pre-cancer.
The researchers suggest that this could possibly provide a new method of screening for stomach cancer, allowing a method of surveillance for people with pre-cancer. However, it is far too early to say whether this idea could come to fruition.
The breath test could potentially be of value when combined with other methods in the diagnosis of stomach cancer or pre-cancer. However, further study will need to confirm that the test is reliable and that it gives any additional benefit over standard methods.
The study involved 484 people with a known diagnosis – 99 who had established stomach cancer and others who had different stages of pre-cancer.
Pre-cancer is when abnormal changes have affected certain cells and these changes could trigger cancer at a later date. Not all cases of pre-cancer will progress to "full-blown" cancer.
Overall, the study found that the breath analyser had fairly high accuracy for distinguishing between established cancer and pre-cancer. However, it was less reliable at distinguishing between the different severities of pre-cancer.
The researchers suggest that this could possibly provide a new method of screening for stomach cancer, allowing a method of surveillance for people with pre-cancer. However, it is far too early to say whether this idea could come to fruition.
The breath test could potentially be of value when combined with other methods in the diagnosis of stomach cancer or pre-cancer. However, further study will need to confirm that the test is reliable and that it gives any additional benefit over standard methods.
How lessons from the building industry are transforming mental health services | Denis O’Rourke
How lessons from the building industry are transforming mental health services | Denis O’Rourke A new single contract for all providers is moving services away from high-cost, bed-based provision to supporting people to live in their own homes, at a much lower cost.
Lambeth has some of the highest rates of mental health diagnosis in the country, and commissioning mental health services is one of the biggest challenges facing the council and the local NHS. This is why we as a council have joined forces with Lambeth clinical commissioning group (CCG), GPs and service providers, such as the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust, and voluntary and community-sector organisations – Thames Reach and Certitude – to operate under an “alliance contract”.
Pioneered by the construction industry, this is a new way of working, where providers have one contract, a single performance framework aligned to objectives and shared risks. Contract incentives are focused on the rehabilitation and recovery of service users rather than on existing assets or activity (such as secure residential settings). And all partners have an equal stake in getting – and then keeping – people well.
Our living well network brings together services from all sectors to provide support before people reach a crisis. Continue reading... The Guardian
Lambeth has some of the highest rates of mental health diagnosis in the country, and commissioning mental health services is one of the biggest challenges facing the council and the local NHS. This is why we as a council have joined forces with Lambeth clinical commissioning group (CCG), GPs and service providers, such as the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust, and voluntary and community-sector organisations – Thames Reach and Certitude – to operate under an “alliance contract”.
Pioneered by the construction industry, this is a new way of working, where providers have one contract, a single performance framework aligned to objectives and shared risks. Contract incentives are focused on the rehabilitation and recovery of service users rather than on existing assets or activity (such as secure residential settings). And all partners have an equal stake in getting – and then keeping – people well.
Our living well network brings together services from all sectors to provide support before people reach a crisis. Continue reading... The Guardian
Politicians scramble to make NHS promises, but forget social care at their peril
Politicians scramble to make NHS promises, but forget social care at their peril Are commitments for personal midwives and thousands more doctors and nurses what is really needed?
Coming in the middle of a general election campaign, a gathering of adult social care leaders in England this week will have no politicians speaking. But it will still feature one comedian.
The spring seminar of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) will conclude with a set by Laurence Clark, a professional comic who has cerebral palsy. He is fascinated by how people react to his condition and has in the past tested this by sitting in a wheelchair on the street, shaking a bucket for absurd causes. Continue reading... The Guardian
Coming in the middle of a general election campaign, a gathering of adult social care leaders in England this week will have no politicians speaking. But it will still feature one comedian.
The spring seminar of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) will conclude with a set by Laurence Clark, a professional comic who has cerebral palsy. He is fascinated by how people react to his condition and has in the past tested this by sitting in a wheelchair on the street, shaking a bucket for absurd causes. Continue reading... The Guardian
How the NHS can improve care for dementia patients
How the NHS can improve care for dementia patients Treating people with dementia costs the health service £4.3bn a year, the illness currently affects more than 800,000 people.
There are over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK and numbers are expected to double within 30 years. Yet, despite the push for better dementia care, education and training in dementia for healthcare professionals remains patchy.
This gap in training is caused by a fixation on a “hospital only” model, instead of addressing the shift towards community care, according to the Dementia today and tomorrow report (pdf) for the Alzheimer’s Society. The document, published in February, calls for targeted initiatives so that appropriate education and training is provided for all staff across the NHS and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian
There are over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK and numbers are expected to double within 30 years. Yet, despite the push for better dementia care, education and training in dementia for healthcare professionals remains patchy.
This gap in training is caused by a fixation on a “hospital only” model, instead of addressing the shift towards community care, according to the Dementia today and tomorrow report (pdf) for the Alzheimer’s Society. The document, published in February, calls for targeted initiatives so that appropriate education and training is provided for all staff across the NHS and social care. Continue reading... The Guardian
Secret NHS plans overheard on the train
Secret NHS plans overheard on the train Management consultants in talks about the future of hospitals in London and Surrey have accidentally revealed plans which had been kept secret from the public. The Daily Telegraph
NHS pays £13 million after botched births left siblings with cerebral palsy
NHS pays £13 million after botched births left siblings with cerebral palsy After a two-decade legal fight the health service has finally agreed to pay compensation to a family left devastated by medical negligency. The Daily Telegraph
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Fitness apps don't improve health - and could be harmful
Fitness apps don't improve health - and could be harmful They are the latest health and fitness ‘revolution’, beloved of the fad dieters and the pilates obsessives – not to mention some of our leading politicians.The Independent
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Tuesday, 14 April 2015
Analysis of the Labour Party’s health pledges in the manifesto
Analysis of the Labour Party’s health pledges in the manifesto Emma Spencelayh, Senior Policy Advisor at the Health Foundation, examines the health pledges in the Labour Party manifesto ahead of the 2015 general election. The Health Foundation
See also:
See also:
- Our response to the Labour Party’s election manifesto The King's Fund
The red, the blue, the NHS and you
The red, the blue, the NHS and you NLGN hosted two roundtable discussions in December 2014 and January 2015 centred on the Conservative and Labour parties’ approaches to health and social care in the run-up to the General Election in May 2015. This paper details the outcomes of the discussions as well as a section highlighting the key differences between the two approaches. New Local Government Network
How dogs could sniff out prostate cancer
How dogs could sniff out prostate cancer "Dogs trained to detect prostate cancer with more than 90% accuracy," The Guardian reports. Two trained bomb-sniffing dogs also proved remarkably successful in detecting compounds associated with prostate cancer in urine samples.
This headline is based on research that trained two explosive-detection sniffer dogs to identify the urine samples of men with prostate cancer. They then tested the dogs on urine samples from 332 men with the condition and 540 controls without the condition, most of whom were men.
One dog correctly identified all the samples from men with prostate cancer, and the other dog identified 98.6% of them. The dogs incorrectly identified between one and four percent of the control samples as being from men with prostate cancer ("false positives").
Some of the samples in the study were used for training the dogs and assessing their performance, and ideally the study would be repeated with entirely new samples to confirm the results.
This study suggests dogs can be trained to differentiate between urine samples from men known to have prostate cancer and people without the condition. But further testing should be carried out to test whether the dogs can accurately detect men with prostate cancer who are not yet known to have the disease.
This headline is based on research that trained two explosive-detection sniffer dogs to identify the urine samples of men with prostate cancer. They then tested the dogs on urine samples from 332 men with the condition and 540 controls without the condition, most of whom were men.
One dog correctly identified all the samples from men with prostate cancer, and the other dog identified 98.6% of them. The dogs incorrectly identified between one and four percent of the control samples as being from men with prostate cancer ("false positives").
Some of the samples in the study were used for training the dogs and assessing their performance, and ideally the study would be repeated with entirely new samples to confirm the results.
This study suggests dogs can be trained to differentiate between urine samples from men known to have prostate cancer and people without the condition. But further testing should be carried out to test whether the dogs can accurately detect men with prostate cancer who are not yet known to have the disease.
Exclusive: Lib Dems plan integration of GP services with mental health
Exclusive: Lib Dems plan integration of GP services with mental health Additional NHS funding could be used to better integrate mental health services with general practice under the Liberal Democrats, health minister Norman Lamb has said. GP Online
The new criminal sanctions of wilful neglect or ill-treatment
The new criminal sanctions of wilful neglect or ill-treatment Guidance and a case study on the new legislation that came in to force this week. Medical Defence Union
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Liverpool CCG set to rethink homeopathy funding
Liverpool CCG set to rethink homeopathy funding Liverpool CCG has decided to review its funding of homeopathic medicine treatments on the NHS following the threat of a judicial review, brought by charity The Good Thinking Society. OnMedica
Training future doctors: how does medical education need to adapt?
Training future doctors: how does medical education need to adapt? From teaching compassion to raising the standards of postgrad courses, experts from across the sector discuss how universities can improve training. Continue reading... The Guardian
Humanity lies at the heart of an NHS worth keeping
Humanity lies at the heart of an NHS worth keeping The system is not perfect but the kindness and hope I’ve seen during my training make me excited for a career in medicine.
In less than four months’ time, I will walk on to the wards of a hospital as a doctor for the first time. Fired up and ready to deploy my five years’ worth of learning, experience and acquired wisdom from medical school, I, along with thousands of other colleagues in the same role, will assume my place on the NHS frontline.
When I started university, I was brimming over with enthusiasm about the lifelong career I was embarking on. I was ready to soak up the vast volume of knowledge which would be thrown at me. I had worked through a difficult selection process, I had made it to the beginning and I had no real idea what lay ahead. Continue reading... The Guardian
In less than four months’ time, I will walk on to the wards of a hospital as a doctor for the first time. Fired up and ready to deploy my five years’ worth of learning, experience and acquired wisdom from medical school, I, along with thousands of other colleagues in the same role, will assume my place on the NHS frontline.
When I started university, I was brimming over with enthusiasm about the lifelong career I was embarking on. I was ready to soak up the vast volume of knowledge which would be thrown at me. I had worked through a difficult selection process, I had made it to the beginning and I had no real idea what lay ahead. Continue reading... The Guardian
Dementia research gets 13 times less funding than cancer, figures show
Dementia research gets 13 times less funding than cancer, figures show Despite the huge burden of dementia far less money is spent research a cure for the devastating condition than researching cancer treatments. The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 13 April 2015
People in Northamptonshire urged to take up bowel cancer screening invitation
People in Northamptonshire urged to take up bowel cancer screening invitation People in Northamptonshire are being urged to take up invitations to take part in screening for bowel cancer. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Eight in 10 staff at ambulance service covering Northamptonshire have considered quitting due to stress
Eight in 10 staff at ambulance service covering Northamptonshire have considered quitting due to stress More than half of staff at the ambulance service covering Northamptonshire say stress levels are so high it affects how they do their job, a survey suggests. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northampton takes SynApps VNA
Northampton takes SynApps VNA Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust has bought a vendor neutral archive from SynApps Solutions, on a five-year contract. E-Health Insider
How have waiting times fared under the coalition?
How have waiting times fared under the coalition? With election tour buses clocking up the miles and manifestos soon to go to print, the last data on NHS performance measures before the election, released this week, shows us what the incoming government will be inheriting. So what does it tell us?
In brief, in May 2010 the coalition government inherited a waiting list for elective treatment of around 2.6 million patients, with performance standards for both admitted (inpatients) and non-admitted patients (outpatients) being met (the target for those still waiting was yet to be introduced).
By June 2014, however, the total waiting list for elective treatment had increased to 3.14 million, the performance standard for inpatients had been missed for four months out of the previous five, and the proportion of outpatients and patients still waiting for treatment for more than 18 weeks showed an increasing trend.
Concerns over deteriorating performance and rising long waits led the Secretary of State for Health to inject £250 million into the system – and suspend penalties for hospitals who had breached the waiting times target – to help treat some of the longest waiting patients before the year was out.
In brief, in May 2010 the coalition government inherited a waiting list for elective treatment of around 2.6 million patients, with performance standards for both admitted (inpatients) and non-admitted patients (outpatients) being met (the target for those still waiting was yet to be introduced).
By June 2014, however, the total waiting list for elective treatment had increased to 3.14 million, the performance standard for inpatients had been missed for four months out of the previous five, and the proportion of outpatients and patients still waiting for treatment for more than 18 weeks showed an increasing trend.
Concerns over deteriorating performance and rising long waits led the Secretary of State for Health to inject £250 million into the system – and suspend penalties for hospitals who had breached the waiting times target – to help treat some of the longest waiting patients before the year was out.
Better access to talking therapies: what are the options?
Better access to talking therapies: what are the options? If talking therapies make therapeutic and financial sense, and are popular with people who use services, why aren’t they happening in our clinically led commissioning system? asks Felicity Dorman. The Health Foundation
Frontline First: The fragile frontline
Frontline First: The fragile frontline The RCN's final report before the General Election, Frontline First: The fragile frontline, finds that there are fewer nurses than in 2010 and that an already over-stretched workforce is being forced to carry out even more work. Royal College of Nursing
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See also:
- 'Action needed' to boost nurse numbers BBC News
- Lack of nurses ‘is causing crisis in community care’ The Guardian
Health: how will the NHS fare in a cold climate?
Health: how will the NHS fare in a cold climate? This briefing argues that an NHS protected from budget cuts is only going to be viable through further efficiency savings of some kind - and even then it is not clear how resource levels will be maintained. It highlights future reforms to the system, rather than privatisation, as the key threat to the NHS. Centre for Economic Performance
Patients to be asked about UK status
Patients to be asked about UK status Patients could be made to show their passports when they use hospital care in England under new rules introduced by the Department of Health. BBC News
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A silence that kills men
A silence that kills men Why do so many fortysomething men kill themselves? BBC News
Middle-age spread 'seems to reduce dementia risk'
Middle-age spread 'seems to reduce dementia risk' "Being overweight 'reduces dementia risk'," BBC News reports. The story comes from a cohort study of nearly 2 million UK adults aged over 40. It showed that being overweight or obese was linked to a lower risk of dementia up to 20 years later, compared with people who were a healthy weight. Underweight people were at a higher risk of dementia.
This result is surprising as it contradicts the current consensus of opinion, including the advice on this website, that obesity may be a risk factor for some types of dementia.
In the best scientific tradition, this study raises more questions than it answers. But it is important not to overlook the many serious health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease anddiabetes.
As one of the key authors, Dr Qizilbash, rightly says, the findings are "not an excuse to pile on the pounds or binge on Easter eggs … You can't walk away and think it's OK to be overweight or obese. Even if there is a protective effect, you may not live long enough to get the benefits".
This result is surprising as it contradicts the current consensus of opinion, including the advice on this website, that obesity may be a risk factor for some types of dementia.
In the best scientific tradition, this study raises more questions than it answers. But it is important not to overlook the many serious health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease anddiabetes.
As one of the key authors, Dr Qizilbash, rightly says, the findings are "not an excuse to pile on the pounds or binge on Easter eggs … You can't walk away and think it's OK to be overweight or obese. Even if there is a protective effect, you may not live long enough to get the benefits".
Jeremy Hunt interview: Some dementia patients still suffer 'horrific conditions'
Jeremy Hunt interview: Some dementia patients still suffer 'horrific conditions' Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the Health Secretary says there are care homes "where people with dementia are left sitting on their own, often in a semi-circle, ignored, day in day out in frankly horrific conditions". The Daily Telegraph
A million elderly people lack basic social care as unprecedented funding cuts leave struggling NHS to pick up the pieces
A million elderly people lack basic social care as unprecedented funding cuts leave struggling NHS to pick up the pieces The number of elderly people who need help with basic tasks, but have been left to struggle by an unprecedented withdrawal of state-funded social care, has hit one million, experts believe. The Independent
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General Election 2015: Parties lose their bedside manner as they clash over NHS
General Election 2015: Parties lose their bedside manner as they clash over NHS Labour and the Tories have gone to war over the NHS, after David Cameron’s pledge of £8bn extra for the health service by 2020 was undermined by footage of him warning that “unfunded spending commitments” would “wreck the NHS”. The Independent
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See also:
- The £8bn NHS political row BBC News
- Election 2015: Tories 'confident' about £8bn NHS pledge BBC News
- Election 2015: Labour offers one-to-one midwife care BBC News
- Tories: Over-75s to be guaranteed same-day access to GPs The Daily Telegraph
- Conservative party pledges extra £8bn a year for NHS The Guardian
- Women in Labour: Miliband to promise midwife for every mother giving birth The Guardian
- Ed Miliband: 'The NHS cannot be funded from an IOU' - video The Guardian
- The week the gloves came off in the 2015 election as parties try to break deadlock The Guardian
- General election 2015: George Osborne pledges £8bn a year for NHS from Conservative party The Independent
- RCGP response to Conservative Party's pledge of future NHS funding Royal College of General Practitioners
Friday, 10 April 2015
Health minister refuses to be drawn on Northampton General Hospital expansion talks
Health minister refuses to be drawn on Northampton General Hospital expansion talks Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has accused Labour of making false promises after his opposite number agreed to hold talks on expanding Northampton General Hospital if elected. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Good progress? The coalition’s track record on inequalities in health
Good progress? The coalition’s track record on inequalities in health One of the early mantras of the coalition government was the intention to ‘improve the health of the poorest, fastest’. So where have we got to with this ambition, and more broadly, with inequalities in health?
Back in 2010 and 2011 there was optimism about the role of outcomes frameworks in tracking and holding the NHS, public health and social care systems to account. With strong frameworks driving transparent progress, and with a commitment to inequalities at their heart, there was hope that reducing inequalities in health would be central to policy, practice and public debate about the NHS and health. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduced new legislation beyond the public sector equality duty, legally binding the NHS and wider system to have due regard to inequalities in health. In our mid-term assessment of its health policy we gave the coalition the benefit of the doubt.
Back in 2010 and 2011 there was optimism about the role of outcomes frameworks in tracking and holding the NHS, public health and social care systems to account. With strong frameworks driving transparent progress, and with a commitment to inequalities at their heart, there was hope that reducing inequalities in health would be central to policy, practice and public debate about the NHS and health. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduced new legislation beyond the public sector equality duty, legally binding the NHS and wider system to have due regard to inequalities in health. In our mid-term assessment of its health policy we gave the coalition the benefit of the doubt.
Taken with total health – a focus on prevention and proactive management
Taken with total health – a focus on prevention and proactive management Jo Bibby reflects on her visit to the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health and the concept of ‘total health’ – care characterised by a focus on prevention and proactive management. The Health Foundation
Modelling of maternity services in England
Modelling of maternity services in England This paper sets out how we used a modelling technique called ‘discrete event simulation’ to investigate a local maternity service. National Audit Office
NHS and sustainability
NHS and sustainability This briefing on the NHS and sustainability in England has been prepared for the Environmental Audit Committee. It focuses on identifying potential good practice, opportunities and challenges and draws on the NAO’s good practice criteria. National Audit Office
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The changing face of death
The changing face of death The burden of disease has changed remarkably over the past century, challenging how the health service is run. But what will the coming decades bring? BBC News
UK pollution forecast prompts warning
UK pollution forecast prompts warning Parts of the UK face soaring levels of air pollution on Friday, prompting heath warnings for vulnerable people. BBC News
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See also:
- Air pollution forecast NHS England
NHS to switch ESR to IBM in June
NHS to switch ESR to IBM in June The Department of Health has confirmed that the transition to a new electronic staff record system for the NHS in England and Wales will begin in June this year as part of a phased rollout to conclude in November. E-Health Insider
Care.data stuck in last chance saloon
Care.data stuck in last chance saloon Of all the major health IT initiatives to be launched during the coalition government's term in power, the care.data programme has been notable by its absence from electioneering. E-Health Insider
Short people may have an increased risk of heart disease
Short people may have an increased risk of heart disease "Shorter people at greater risk of heart disease, new research finds," reports The Guardian.
It reports that a study of nearly 200,000 people has found that for every 2.5 inches (6.35cm) less in height, there is a 13.5% increased risk of coronary heart disease or CHD (also known as coronary artery disease).
This means that someone who is 5ft (1.52m) would have a 32% increased risk of CHD compared to someone who is 5ft 6 (1.71m).
Previous research identified the link between shorter adult height and increased risk of CHD but why this might be was not known. It is thought that environmental factors could be involved. For example a person fed a poor diet in childhood could grow up both shorter than average and unhealthy.
This current study attempted to create a clearer picture by looking for genetic variations linked to short stature that were also linked to CHD.
It reports that a study of nearly 200,000 people has found that for every 2.5 inches (6.35cm) less in height, there is a 13.5% increased risk of coronary heart disease or CHD (also known as coronary artery disease).
This means that someone who is 5ft (1.52m) would have a 32% increased risk of CHD compared to someone who is 5ft 6 (1.71m).
Previous research identified the link between shorter adult height and increased risk of CHD but why this might be was not known. It is thought that environmental factors could be involved. For example a person fed a poor diet in childhood could grow up both shorter than average and unhealthy.
This current study attempted to create a clearer picture by looking for genetic variations linked to short stature that were also linked to CHD.
Doctors’ leaders consult on ethical use of data
Doctors’ leaders consult on ethical use of data Global consultation to protect patients’ data. OnMedica
NHS managers are more than just 'bureaucrats with clipboards'
NHS managers are more than just 'bureaucrats with clipboards' David Cameron’s portrayal of health service management shows how little is understood about the role of managers.
David Cameron’s insulting portrayal of NHS management in last week’s leaders’ election debate as “a bureaucrat with a clipboard” shows how little is understood about the vital role of managers in running the health service. As the next parliament looms, managers’ skills will be tested as never before. Will they pass?
The skills which got many managers to the top in the past will no longer be sufficient as the health service landscape becomes ever more complex and demanding. The ebbing of central prescription to make way for a greater variety of commissioning and care models, coupled with the huge financial stresses, means managers are having to think and work in new ways. Continue reading... The Guardian
David Cameron’s insulting portrayal of NHS management in last week’s leaders’ election debate as “a bureaucrat with a clipboard” shows how little is understood about the vital role of managers in running the health service. As the next parliament looms, managers’ skills will be tested as never before. Will they pass?
The skills which got many managers to the top in the past will no longer be sufficient as the health service landscape becomes ever more complex and demanding. The ebbing of central prescription to make way for a greater variety of commissioning and care models, coupled with the huge financial stresses, means managers are having to think and work in new ways. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS England misses waiting times target for routine operations for second time in a year
NHS England misses waiting times target for routine operations for second time in a year The NHS in England has missed its waiting times target for routine operations for the second time this year, as official figures reveal 40,000 people had to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment starting in February. The Independent
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Thursday, 9 April 2015
Care facility in Northamptonshire vows to improve after report by Care Quality Commission
Care facility in Northamptonshire vows to improve after report by Care Quality Commission A care facility in Northamptonshire has been ordered to make improvements after issues were discovered by Care Quality Commission inspectors. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
'We need to expand Northampton General Hospital in every way', says Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt
'We need to expand Northampton General Hospital in every way', says Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt Conservative Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt visited Northampton today to add his weight to the party's election campaign. The Health Secretary agreed improvements need to be made to hospital services, GP services and community services 'across the board'. Northants Herald and Post
Form follows function: governance challenges for providers in light of the Dalton review
Form follows function: governance challenges for providers in light of the Dalton review This joint NHS Providers and NHS Confederation report explores the governance implications of the different organisational forms proposed in Sir David Dalton’s review of organisational forms. The report focuses on governance as a critical factor in determining success and explores the governance implications of adopting different organisational forms for the purposes of improving quality and/or efficiency, and provides some core questions for provider boards to use to inform their thinking.
Revised policy on never events and serious incidents
Revised policy on never events and serious incidents The revised Never Events Policy and Framework includes changes to the definition of a never event and adjustments to the never events list. The revised Serious Incident Framework provides renewed guidance to help organisations respond to serious incidents appropriately. More .... NHS England
Prescription Cost Analysis, England - 2014
Prescription Cost Analysis, England - 2014 In 2014, 1.1 billion prescription items were dispensed in the community. This is an increase of 3 per cent (34 million items) on the number dispensed in 2013.
The Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) in 2014 was £8.9 billion, an increase of 3 per cent (£227 million) on the NIC in 2013.
The average NIC per item in 2014 was £8.32, a decrease of 0.7 per cent (5 pence) on the average NIC per item in 2013.
Simvastatin was the most commonly prescribed chemical with 37.8 million items dispensed in 2014, whilst Metformin Hydrochloride had the greatest NIC, £96.2m. Health and Social Care Information Centre
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The Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) in 2014 was £8.9 billion, an increase of 3 per cent (£227 million) on the NIC in 2013.
The average NIC per item in 2014 was £8.32, a decrease of 0.7 per cent (5 pence) on the average NIC per item in 2013.
Simvastatin was the most commonly prescribed chemical with 37.8 million items dispensed in 2014, whilst Metformin Hydrochloride had the greatest NIC, £96.2m. Health and Social Care Information Centre
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- NHS gave out £13m worth of suncream last year The Daily Mail
- GP dispensed prescriptions rise 3% to 1.1 billion OnMedica
The future of General Practice 2015
The future of General Practice 2015 Results from a national survey showed that GPs need to be freed from the constraints of the ten minute consultation to help meet their patients’ needs and almost all GPs also feel that their heavy workload is having a negative impact on the quality GP services, a major new survey has found. The poll, which is the largest recent test of opinion across the profession heard from 15,560 grassroots GPs working in the UK. The BMA
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See also:
- RCGP response to BMA survey of 15,000 GPs Royal College of General Practitioners
- GP workload harming care - BMA poll BBC News
- GPs revolt over call to open seven days a week: 94 per cent of family doctors believe their practice should not open at the weekend The Daily Mail
- Nine out of 10 GPs say heavy workload is undermining patient care GP Online
- Infographic: Can GPs cope with soaring workload? GP Online
- GP leader calls for staff boost over better access OnMedica
Review of case against NHS manager
Review of case against NHS manager The General Medical Council is to review an investigation into the second most powerful person at NHS England, Dame Barbara Hakin. BBC News
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'Loneliness maps' should be used to help the most isolated people, report advises
'Loneliness maps' should be used to help the most isolated people, report advises Maps pinpointing where the country’s loneliest people might live must be used to help focus services to those who are most isolated, according to a new report. The Independent
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See also:
- Hidden Citizens: how can we identify loneliness in our communities? Campaign to End Loneliness
- Why lunch at a rugby club is the best medicine The Guardian
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
New toolkit launched to help reduce poor in-patient care
New toolkit launched to help reduce poor in-patient care A new toolkit is published today by NHS England to help commissioners reduce poor experience of in-patient care.
The toolkit has been co-designed with the help of a number of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) so it could be tested for its ease and usability. NHS England
The toolkit has been co-designed with the help of a number of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) so it could be tested for its ease and usability. NHS England
Care for dying 'needs overhaul'
Care for dying 'needs overhaul' More than 100,000 people a year who are dying from terminal illness are not getting the palliative care they would benefit from, says a damning new report. BBC News
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See also:
- Equity in the Provision of Palliative Care in the UK:Review of Evidence Marie Curie
- New research exposes inequities in care and support for terminally ill (press release) Marie Curie
- VIDEO: 'Overhaul needed' for end-of-life care BBC News
- Thousands of dying non-cancer patients missing out on specialist end-of-life care, says report The Independent
VIDEO: NHS: Labour and Tory key policies
VIDEO: NHS: Labour and Tory key policies The BBC's Christian Fraser reports on the main parties' policies on the NHS - and the degree of trust shown by the public in politicians, when it comes to health provision. BBC News
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See also:
- Election 2015: Tories would give NHS 'whatever' it needs BBC News
- Tories accuse Labour of orchestrating 'stitch up' letter from doctors The Daily Telegraph
- More than 100 top doctors attack government record on NHS The Guardian
- Senior doctors assess government’s record on NHS – letter in full The Guardian
- Politicians' access pledges meaningless until GP numbers rise, warns RCGP GP Online
Superbug 'could kill 80,000 people' experts warn
Superbug 'could kill 80,000 people' experts warn "Superflu pandemic is biggest danger to UK apart from a terrorist attack – and could kill 80,000 people," is the warning in The Independent. A briefing produced by experts outlines how antibiotic resistance could pose a significant threat (PDF, 440kb) to public health.
"Up to 80,000 people in Britain could die in a single outbreak of an infection due to a new generation of superbugs," reports The Daily Telegraph – one of many news sources reporting on these estimated figures from the government.
"Up to 80,000 people in Britain could die in a single outbreak of an infection due to a new generation of superbugs," reports The Daily Telegraph – one of many news sources reporting on these estimated figures from the government.
GMC steps into eye drug row
GMC steps into eye drug row Regulator says controversy surrounding use of Avastin places doctors in "invidious" position. OnMedica
'Instagram for doctors': How physicians use app to share anatomical wonders
'Instagram for doctors': How physicians use app to share anatomical wonders Figure 1 is a physician's desk reference for the digital age.
Not yet two years old, the photo-sharing app dubbed the Instagram for doctors has amassed hundreds of thousands of active users who've posted some 2 million photos of shocking, strange or difficult to diagnose medical phenomena. The Daily Mail
Not yet two years old, the photo-sharing app dubbed the Instagram for doctors has amassed hundreds of thousands of active users who've posted some 2 million photos of shocking, strange or difficult to diagnose medical phenomena. The Daily Mail
Treating UK tourists in Europe costs five times more than equivalent cost to NHS
Treating UK tourists in Europe costs five times more than equivalent cost to NHS Critics say figures obtained under Freedom of Information Act ‘puncture a big hole’ in claims that health tourism is costing Britain.
The cost of treating British people who become ill while travelling in Europe is five times higher than the cost of treating ill visitors from other European countries in the UK, official figures show.
The Department of Health data, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that it cost £30m in 2013-14 to meet the costs of European visitors using the National Health Service. This is less than one-fifth of the £155m cost to other states in the European single market for treating ill British tourists. Continue reading... The Guardian
The cost of treating British people who become ill while travelling in Europe is five times higher than the cost of treating ill visitors from other European countries in the UK, official figures show.
The Department of Health data, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that it cost £30m in 2013-14 to meet the costs of European visitors using the National Health Service. This is less than one-fifth of the £155m cost to other states in the European single market for treating ill British tourists. Continue reading... The Guardian
Child transgender referrals quadruple
Child transgender referrals quadruple The number of under 11s referred to the UK's only centre specialising in gender issues in under 18s has risen from 19 in 2009-10 to 77 in 2014-15. The Daily Telegraph
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