Enhancing health care in care homes: integration in practice Many care homes provide laudably caring environments for residents living with frailty, dementia and complex needs, often in the face of funding constraints and recruitment problems. Indeed, ‘enhanced care in care homes’, is one of the new care models set out in the NHS five year forward view, and six vanguard sites are currently taking work forward to offer older people better, more joined-up care and rehabilitation services. This is good news, as it is high time this issue was brought to the fore – for a number of reasons.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Lifting the lid on the role of Secretary of State for Health
Lifting the lid on the role of Secretary of State for Health Whom did Margaret Thatcher encourage to “cut the throat” of health reform? And which Secretary of State told the head of Monitor to “piss off”? Passions run high when it comes to the NHS and our health services, not just from people working to deliver care, but all the way up to those at the very top. The Health Foundation
Dying without dignity: Investigations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman into complaints about end of life care.
Dying without dignity: Investigations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman into complaints about end of life care End of life care has been a key issue for the NHS for some time. This report highlights the key themes coming from complaints to inform the debate about how, as a society, we can drive up standards to improve the quality of end of life care offered across the country.
The report features 12 cases that illustrate the issues we regularly see in our casework on end of life care. The examples represent a diverse collection of powerful stories, drawn from a range of different health care settings. They are from all parts of the country and represent different areas of concern. Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman
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The report features 12 cases that illustrate the issues we regularly see in our casework on end of life care. The examples represent a diverse collection of powerful stories, drawn from a range of different health care settings. They are from all parts of the country and represent different areas of concern. Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman
See also:
- RCGP response to Ombudsman report on end of life care Royal College of Physicians
- 'Too many dying without dignity' BBC News
- Too many are dying without dignity, health ombudsman warns The Daily Telegraph
- Too many die without dignity, says report on end-of-life care The Guardian
- All healthcare professionals must all know how to care for, and communicate with, people who are terminally ill | Jane Collins The Guardian
- Terminally ill patients should be given the right to die at home, says harrowing report The Independent
Research? It's Ok to Ask
Research? It's Ok to Ask This year, the NIHR Clinical Research Network is supporting the NIHR Ok to ask campaign, now in its third consecutive year. One of the main aims of the campaign is to encourage more patients to ask about research opportunities that could be available to them if they have a medical condition they are receiving treatment for, so this campaign is about empowering patients to ask about research.
It’s also about reminding all healthcare professionals from consultants and doctors to nurses, midwives and carers, whether research-active or not, to be research-aware. We know that research professionals across the NIHR actively promote opportunities to patients about research but there is a much wider opportunity to encourage all healthcare professionals to get involved in and support research activity.
It’s also about reminding all healthcare professionals from consultants and doctors to nurses, midwives and carers, whether research-active or not, to be research-aware. We know that research professionals across the NIHR actively promote opportunities to patients about research but there is a much wider opportunity to encourage all healthcare professionals to get involved in and support research activity.
Bioengineering advances raise fears of 'home-brew heroin'
Bioengineering advances raise fears of 'home-brew heroin' The Daily Mirror carries the alarming headline that, "Heroin made in home-brew beer kits could create epidemic of hard drug abuse". It says scientists are "calling for urgent action to prevent criminal gangs gaining access to [this] new technology" following the results of a study involving genetically modified yeast.
This study did not actually produce heroin, but an important intermediate chemical in a pathway that produces benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). BIAs are a group of plant-derived chemicals that include opioids, such as morphine.
BIAs have previously been made from similar intermediate chemicals in genetically engineered yeast. Researchers hope that by joining these two parts of the pathway, they will get yeast that can produce BIAs from scratch. This could be cheaper and easier than current production methods, which often still involve extraction from plants.
But because morphine can be refined into heroin using standard chemical techniques and yeast can be grown at home, this has led to concerns about the potential misuse of this discovery.
So, will this lead to a rash of "Breaking Bad"-style heroin labs in criminals' garages and spare rooms? We doubt it – at least in the near future. A strain that can produce morphine has not yet been made and would need to be specially genetically engineered to do this, not just using unmodified home-brewing yeast available off the shelf.
This study did not actually produce heroin, but an important intermediate chemical in a pathway that produces benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). BIAs are a group of plant-derived chemicals that include opioids, such as morphine.
BIAs have previously been made from similar intermediate chemicals in genetically engineered yeast. Researchers hope that by joining these two parts of the pathway, they will get yeast that can produce BIAs from scratch. This could be cheaper and easier than current production methods, which often still involve extraction from plants.
But because morphine can be refined into heroin using standard chemical techniques and yeast can be grown at home, this has led to concerns about the potential misuse of this discovery.
So, will this lead to a rash of "Breaking Bad"-style heroin labs in criminals' garages and spare rooms? We doubt it – at least in the near future. A strain that can produce morphine has not yet been made and would need to be specially genetically engineered to do this, not just using unmodified home-brewing yeast available off the shelf.
Stepping Hill nurse jailed for life
Stepping Hill nurse jailed for life Nurse Victorino Chua is jailed for a minimum of 35 years for murdering and poisoning patients at Stepping Hill Hospital. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Victorino Chua found guilty of murder Nursing and Midwifery Council
- VIDEO: Nurses 'shocked' at Chua murders BBC News
- Stepping Hill nurse Victorino Chua jailed for life for murdering patients The Daily Mail
- Stepping Hill nurse Victorino Chua jailed for life The Guardian
- Stepping Hill nurse Victorino Chua: How an 'evil angel' avoided suspicions to begin a hospital killing spree The Independent
Theresa May pledges £15m to keep mentally ill people out of police cells
Theresa May pledges £15m to keep mentally ill people out of police cells Home secretary to put cash into health facilities for 4,000 people a year detained under Mental Health Act and ban children being held.
The home secretary, Theresa May, is to pledge up to £15m of new funding to provide health-based alternatives for the 4,000 people a year who spend time in detention in police cells under the Mental Health Act.
In her first speech since being reappointed home secretary, May will tell the Police Federation conference on Wednesday that a new policing and sentencing bill, to be included in next week’s Queen’s speech, will include legislation to ban the use of police cells to detain any children with mental health problems. Continue reading... The Guardian
The home secretary, Theresa May, is to pledge up to £15m of new funding to provide health-based alternatives for the 4,000 people a year who spend time in detention in police cells under the Mental Health Act.
In her first speech since being reappointed home secretary, May will tell the Police Federation conference on Wednesday that a new policing and sentencing bill, to be included in next week’s Queen’s speech, will include legislation to ban the use of police cells to detain any children with mental health problems. Continue reading... The Guardian
Unconscious bias and its effect on healthcare leadership
Unconscious bias and its effect on healthcare leadership If the health service is to survive it must take diversity seriously.
The need to build organisational cultures in which there is high quality, ever improving compassionate care focused on the needs of patients is now an indisputable and understandable refrain of health policy. But, experience has demonstrated time and again that achieving change takes considerable time, energy, passion and conviction.
Culture is about values but it is also made up of the countless interactions and exchanges between people every day. These interactions form the basis of relationships and within organisations relationships are the basis of culture. Culture is hard to pin down and while we can’t help but contribute to it, changing it is difficult. At the King’s Fund we have published a compelling evidence base in support of an approach to developing collective leadership as a way of changing culture. It invites a different way of thinking about leadership, where the responsibility for delivering high quality compassionate care resides within and across organisations, and relies heavily on how leaders build relationships. Continue reading... The Guardian
The need to build organisational cultures in which there is high quality, ever improving compassionate care focused on the needs of patients is now an indisputable and understandable refrain of health policy. But, experience has demonstrated time and again that achieving change takes considerable time, energy, passion and conviction.
Culture is about values but it is also made up of the countless interactions and exchanges between people every day. These interactions form the basis of relationships and within organisations relationships are the basis of culture. Culture is hard to pin down and while we can’t help but contribute to it, changing it is difficult. At the King’s Fund we have published a compelling evidence base in support of an approach to developing collective leadership as a way of changing culture. It invites a different way of thinking about leadership, where the responsibility for delivering high quality compassionate care resides within and across organisations, and relies heavily on how leaders build relationships. Continue reading... The Guardian
Dementia Awareness Week: we urgently need more specialist nurses
Dementia Awareness Week: we urgently need more specialist nurses Dementia costs the UK twice as much as cancer every year. But despite increased awareness, we still need many more resources if we're to cope with this illness. The Daily Telegraph
Rogue doctors could be altering records to hide their mistakes, health bodies warn
Rogue doctors could be altering records to hide their mistakes, health bodies warn Rogue doctors could be altering medical records to hide their mistakes or procedures they have carried out on patients without their consents, according to a warning from health bodies. The Independent
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
New report reveals 8,000 people live with dementia in Northamptonshire but more are staying at home rather than hospital
New report reveals 8,000 people live with dementia in Northamptonshire but more are staying at home rather than hospital The number of dementia patients in Northamptonshire is set to double to 16,000 in the next 15 years, according to research by the county council. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Parking issues and dwindling patient numbers at health centre will see x-ray service moved back to Northampton General Hospital
Parking issues and dwindling patient numbers at health centre will see x-ray service moved back to Northampton General Hospital Scans will no longer be carried out at a local health centre in Northampton from October, the NHS has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Serious incident review at Kettering General Hospital after accidental death of great-great-grandmother
Serious incident review at Kettering General Hospital after accidental death of great-great-grandmother A serious incident review has been carried out at Kettering General Hospital and changes made after the death of a great-great-grandmother. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
New Wellbeing organisation for Northamptonshire seeks residents views
New Wellbeing organisation for Northamptonshire seeks residents views A new online survey has been launched to find out how Northamptonshire residents would like to access wellbeing services and understand what keeps them well.
The wellbeing survey is a piece of research being carried out between Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton, who are all working together to form a new Wellbeing Community Interest Company. Northants Herald and Post
The wellbeing survey is a piece of research being carried out between Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton, who are all working together to form a new Wellbeing Community Interest Company. Northants Herald and Post
Every Patient a research Patient? Evaluating the current state of research in the NHS
Every Patient a research Patient? Evaluating the current state of research in the NHS Daily pressures on the NHS are having a serious impact on its ability to support world leading research into cancer, according to a Cancer Research UK commissioned report from the University of Birmingham.
The report, based on interviews with clinicians, nurses and administrators involved in NHS clinical cancer research**, revealed pockets of excellence in clinical research, but also showed how escalating pressures to deliver routine NHS services are squeezing out time for hospital staff to do vital research.
It also highlights how financial pressures are affecting research infrastructure and the capacity of host organisations to fund additional research costs.
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The report, based on interviews with clinicians, nurses and administrators involved in NHS clinical cancer research**, revealed pockets of excellence in clinical research, but also showed how escalating pressures to deliver routine NHS services are squeezing out time for hospital staff to do vital research.
It also highlights how financial pressures are affecting research infrastructure and the capacity of host organisations to fund additional research costs.
See also:
- NHS pressures at risk of stifling cancer research (press release) Cancer Research
- Pressure on day-to-day NHS cancer services impacting ability to deliver scientific research breakthroughs, says charity The Independent
Fundamentally changing mental health support in the community
Fundamentally changing mental health support in the community The introduction of personal budgets and the need to deliver cost savings in the London Borough of Wandsworth presented national charity Together for Mental Wellbeing with the opportunity to fundamentally change its approach to mental health support in the community. NHS Confederation
Simon Stevens call for bold action to make NHS fit for the future
Simon Stevens call for bold action to make NHS fit for the future NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens today (Monday) called for bold action on prevention, the redesign of care and efficiency to help the NHS through the most challenging period in its history. NHS England
GP services online in most of England
GP services online in most of England Almost every patient in England can now book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions or access their medical records online, data reveals. BBC News
Mentally ill 'sent home unprepared'
Mentally ill 'sent home unprepared' Pressures to free up mental health beds may be leaving vulnerable people at risk, says a watchdog. BBC News
Nurse guilty of murdering patients
Nurse guilty of murdering patients Nurse Victorino Chua found guilty of murdering and poisoning patients at a Greater Manchester hospital. BBC News
See also:
See also:
The 14,000 NHS workers on £50k-a-year pensions: Number of fat cats on millionaire deals now more than doubled during funding crisis
The 14,000 NHS workers on £50k-a-year pensions: Number of fat cats on millionaire deals now more than doubled during funding crisis As of last year, more than 14,000 retired NHS staff were receiving at least £50,000 every year – equivalent to a private sector pension pot of more than £2million. The Daily Mail
Medics must realise that death is an inevitable part of life, not a failure
Medics must realise that death is an inevitable part of life, not a failure Healthcare professionals should not shy away from discussing dying; good care for all at the end of life should be the norm
Over the course of next parliament, approximately 3 million people in the UK can be expected to die, half of whom are likely to die in hospital - which for many people is the last place they would like to die.
Although Britain’s palliative care services are among the best in the world, there is a large unmet need for services and very serious challenges ahead. The number of people dying each year is increasing and the population of over-85s is set to double over the next 20 years. The UK needs a new focus on health, wellbeing, housing, care and support for this emerging cohort. Continue reading... The Guardian
Over the course of next parliament, approximately 3 million people in the UK can be expected to die, half of whom are likely to die in hospital - which for many people is the last place they would like to die.
Although Britain’s palliative care services are among the best in the world, there is a large unmet need for services and very serious challenges ahead. The number of people dying each year is increasing and the population of over-85s is set to double over the next 20 years. The UK needs a new focus on health, wellbeing, housing, care and support for this emerging cohort. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS lacks money and staff for seven-day operation, David Cameron told
NHS lacks money and staff for seven-day operation, David Cameron told NHS chief executive Simon Stevens, former health minister Norman Lamb and doctors’ groups cast doubt on prime minister’s ambition.
The head of the NHS, a former health minister and several medical bodies have warned David Cameron that financial problems and a lack of staff will make it difficult to achieve his ambition of a truly seven-day health service by 2020.
The prime minister’s reaffirmation of the plan, first unveiled during the election campaign, prompted questions about how the NHS, which is forecast to be £2bn in the red by the end of the year, would pay for becoming a full 24/7 operation. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The head of the NHS, a former health minister and several medical bodies have warned David Cameron that financial problems and a lack of staff will make it difficult to achieve his ambition of a truly seven-day health service by 2020.
The prime minister’s reaffirmation of the plan, first unveiled during the election campaign, prompted questions about how the NHS, which is forecast to be £2bn in the red by the end of the year, would pay for becoming a full 24/7 operation. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Speech: PM on plans for a seven-day NHS Department of Health
- RCGP response to Prime Minister's speech on 'Seven Day' NHS Royal College of General Practitioners
- The RCN responds to plans for a new seven-day NHS Royal College of Nursing
- David Cameron to make NHS the first 7-days-a-week health service The Daily Mail
- Tech part of 7-day NHS - Cameron E-Health Insider
- David Cameron pledges seven-day NHS - video The Guardian
- NHS England chief: cash shortages could hit plans for seven-day health service The Guardian
- The Guardian view on the English NHS: the seven-day daydream | Editorial The Guardian
- David Cameron’s promise of a ‘seven-day NHS’ is rooted in ignorance, not evidence | Colin Leys The Guardian
- Can the NHS handle a seven-day service? Poll The Guardian
- Seven-day NHS unaffordable on existing budget, Lib Dems say OnMedica
Fat parents must 'shape up or face music', head of NHS warns
Fat parents must 'shape up or face music', head of NHS warns Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the NHS, said a third of parents are unable to spot that their children are overweight amid concerns that obesity is becoming the norm. The Daily Telegraph
Nurses may call strike if Government tries to cut pay as David Cameron vows to deliver 'truly seven-day NHS' plans
Nurses may call strike if Government tries to cut pay as David Cameron vows to deliver 'truly seven-day NHS' plans Nurses will take industrial action if the Government tries to cut pay to deliver its election promise of a “truly seven-day NHS”, the leader of Britain’s biggest nursing union has warned. The Independent
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See also:
Monday, 18 May 2015
Northamptonshire NHS wants to get people talking about end of life plans
Northamptonshire NHS wants to get people talking about end of life plans The NHS in Northamptonshire are encouraging people to plan their future care and support as part of dying matters awareness week from May 18 to 24. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Hospital staff set up to fail by conflicting targets, says Northampton General Hospital boss
Hospital staff set up to fail by conflicting targets, says Northampton General Hospital boss Hospital staff are too often asked to meet targets that conflict with each other, sometimes making it impossible to succeed, according to the boss of NGH. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northampton mental health worker wins national diversity award
Northampton mental health worker wins national diversity award A mental health employee at a Northampton hospital has won a public services award during a national ceremony. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
GPs leaving profession early due to patient overload, Northamptonshire doctors’ group says
GPs leaving profession early due to patient overload, Northamptonshire doctors’ group says Early retirement of exhausted GPs and recruitment problems are leading to a crisis in general practice in Northamptonshire, a doctors’ group has warned. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Improving mental health: recognising the vital role of charities
Improving mental health: recognising the vital role of charities A longstanding criticism of health care in the United Kingdom is that people with mental health problems often fail to receive the same access to services or quality of care as people with other forms of illness.
In their election campaign, the Conservatives pledged to increase mental health funding and ensure psychological therapists are available in every part of the country. But there is a long way to go before mental health achieves ‘parity of esteem’ with physical health. For example, three in four people with a mental health problem in England receive little or no treatment for their condition, and there are large gaps in terms of health outcomes – people with the most severe mental illnesses die on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population.
In their election campaign, the Conservatives pledged to increase mental health funding and ensure psychological therapists are available in every part of the country. But there is a long way to go before mental health achieves ‘parity of esteem’ with physical health. For example, three in four people with a mental health problem in England receive little or no treatment for their condition, and there are large gaps in terms of health outcomes – people with the most severe mental illnesses die on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population.
Hospitals fined millions on targets
Hospitals fined millions on targets Hospitals in the South West are being fined millions of pounds for not meeting their targets. BBC News
Exclusive: NHS IT 'too fragmented' to cope with integrated care
Exclusive: NHS IT 'too fragmented' to cope with integrated care Healthcare IT systems are currently too isolated for new models of care to succeed, an IT expert and former GP has warned. GP Online
Migrants avoid NHS healthcare due to fears of arrest, charity claims
Migrants avoid NHS healthcare due to fears of arrest, charity claims Doctors of the World warns of public health ‘time bomb’ as migrants to the UK suffer legal, administrative and language barriers
Migrants who have permission to be in the UK are avoiding seeking vital medical treatment for fear of being arrested, a charity has warned.
Doctors of the World, which runs a clinic in Bethnal Green, east London, said 83% of the patients it spoke to for its annual survey had no access to the NHS. Continue reading... The Guardian
Migrants who have permission to be in the UK are avoiding seeking vital medical treatment for fear of being arrested, a charity has warned.
Doctors of the World, which runs a clinic in Bethnal Green, east London, said 83% of the patients it spoke to for its annual survey had no access to the NHS. Continue reading... The Guardian
Hospitals cancelling largest number of operations for ten years
Hospitals cancelling largest number of operations for ten years Latest NHS England figures warn that patients affected suffer anxiety or distress as a result
Hospitals are cancelling the largest number of operations for ten years, according to new official figures, prompting warnings that the NHS is under “extreme pressure”.
A total of 20,464 planned surgeries were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons in January, February and March in England. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Hospitals are cancelling the largest number of operations for ten years, according to new official figures, prompting warnings that the NHS is under “extreme pressure”.
A total of 20,464 planned surgeries were cancelled at the last minute for non-clinical reasons in January, February and March in England. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Surge in cancelled operations BBC News
- Surge in cancelled NHS operations The Daily Telegraph
Thousands more GPs to create a world class seven-day NHS, David Cameron to say
Thousands more GPs to create a world class seven-day NHS, David Cameron to say The Prime Minister will express 'shock' at the death rates in hospitals at weekends compared with weekdays and point out that the largest numbers of seriously ill patients arrive when NHS staffing is at its lowest. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Press release: Seven-day a week NHS: Prime Minister's speech Department of Health
- Cameron renews NHS funding promises BBC News
- VIDEO: Hunt dismisses nursing concerns BBC News
- David Cameron vows to deliver world's first seven-day health service Guardian
Hospital chiefs at UK's biggest mental health trust under fire after refusing to reveal findings into fraud investigation
Hospital chiefs at UK's biggest mental health trust under fire after refusing to reveal findings into fraud investigation Hospital chiefs at the UK’s biggest mental health trust have been criticised for refusing to reveal if it will publish its findings into a year-long fraud investigation triggered by the discovery of a £4m black hole that led to the scrapping of several clinical projects. The Independent
Medical union to seek legal advice on treatment of young doctors amid fear NHS is breaching Human Rights Act
Medical union to seek legal advice on treatment of young doctors amid fear NHS is breaching Human Rights Act The country’s leading medical union is to seek legal advice on the treatment of young doctors by their NHS employers, amid concerns that it may be in breach of the Human Rights Act. The Independent
Friday, 15 May 2015
Inclusion and diversity in the NHS: let’s be bigger and bolder
Inclusion and diversity in the NHS: let’s be bigger and bolder This week marks NHS Employers’ Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week. In the past year, the NHS has started to make progress in this area, particularly in terms of raising awareness – a crucial first step. However, measuring diversity and setting quotas are not ends in themselves; they are part of the progression towards inclusive, successful organisations and cultures of high-quality care.
There is increasing evidence that a diverse, inclusive workforce can bring economic and strategic advantages. McKinsey’s Diversity matters report makes the case that diversity is business-critical and no longer about piecemeal policies, one-off interventions and well-intentioned recruitment drives. Diverse companies, it says, are ‘better able to win top talent, improve their customer experience, improve employee satisfaction and decision-making, leading to a virtuous cycle on increasing returns'.
There is increasing evidence that a diverse, inclusive workforce can bring economic and strategic advantages. McKinsey’s Diversity matters report makes the case that diversity is business-critical and no longer about piecemeal policies, one-off interventions and well-intentioned recruitment drives. Diverse companies, it says, are ‘better able to win top talent, improve their customer experience, improve employee satisfaction and decision-making, leading to a virtuous cycle on increasing returns'.
The election, the result - but what does the future hold for integrated services?
The election, the result - but what does the future hold for integrated services? Integration means health and social care working as one. We have to treat them as two parts of the same whole, giving them equal consideration, and equally fair funding too, says Izzi Seccombe. The Health Foundation
A glazier or a window breaker?
A glazier or a window breaker? A glazier or a window breaker – which approach do we need from our Secretary of State for Health over the next five years? A bit of both, says Jennifer Dixon. The Health Foundation
International recruitment - quick guides for employers
International recruitment - quick guides for employers A range of quick guides on the subject of international recruitment developed by NHS Employers
Peer support: what is it and does it work?
Peer support: what is it and does it work? This review found evidence that peer support can help people feel more knowledgeable, confident and happy, and less isolated and alone. It also showed that there is a limited understanding of the different forms of peer support, how best to deliver support and the forms of training and infrastructure to get the most impact from it so concludes that further evidence is needed to fully understand the impact it has on the health service and individuals with long-term health conditions. National Voices
Do patients choose hospitals that improve their health?
Do patients choose hospitals that improve their health? Patients in the English NHS can choose which hospital to attend for planned surgery. Among other things, their choice depends on the quality of care that each hospital provides. But the existing information on hospital quality is often limited and focuses only on the negative experience of patients, for example how many patients died after surgery or were readmitted for unplanned care. Patients increasingly have access to better information on hospital quality. The NHS has recently begun to publish information on improvements in health as reported by patients themselves. This paper tests whether hip replacement patients in England are more likely to attend a hospital that achieves larger improvements in their patients’ health. It finds that health improvements are more important for the choice of hospital than readmission or mortality rates. However, patients’ reaction to quality information is generally limited: even for large changes in quality patients would only be willing to travel few kilometres more. Centre for Health Economics
Could testing grip strength predict heart disease risk?
Could testing grip strength predict heart disease risk? "Poor grip can signal chances of major illness or premature death," the Mail Online reports. An international study has provided evidence that assessing grip strength could help identify people who were at higher risk of cardiovascular incidents such as a heart attack.
The study authors wanted to see whether muscle strength, measured by grip, can predict the chances of getting a range of illnesses, and of dying, in high-, medium- and low-income countries. To find out, they tested 142,861 people across 17 countries and tracked what happened to them over the course of four years. The study found that the chances of dying during this period were higher for people with weaker grips, as were the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
The grip test predicted death from any cause better than systolic blood pressure did, but the blood pressure test was better at predicting whether someone would have a heart attack or stroke.
Grip tests may be a quick way of assessing someone's chances of having cardiovascular disease, or dying from it, but the study doesn't tell us whether muscle weakness causes illness, or the other way around.
The study authors wanted to see whether muscle strength, measured by grip, can predict the chances of getting a range of illnesses, and of dying, in high-, medium- and low-income countries. To find out, they tested 142,861 people across 17 countries and tracked what happened to them over the course of four years. The study found that the chances of dying during this period were higher for people with weaker grips, as were the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
The grip test predicted death from any cause better than systolic blood pressure did, but the blood pressure test was better at predicting whether someone would have a heart attack or stroke.
Grip tests may be a quick way of assessing someone's chances of having cardiovascular disease, or dying from it, but the study doesn't tell us whether muscle weakness causes illness, or the other way around.
VIDEO: 'Simple shaving cut could kill you'
VIDEO: 'Simple shaving cut could kill you' Economist Jim O'Neill, the head of a UK government-appointed team looking at the impact of superbugs, tells Victoria Derbyshire the antibiotics crisis could cost millions of lives. BBC News
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More cities to control health budgets
More cities to control health budgets Chancellor George Osborne has opened the way for more big cities to take control of local healthcare budgets. E-Health Insider
GPs service put into special measures over patient safety concerns
GPs service put into special measures over patient safety concerns The Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland out-of-hours service was rated 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission. Inspectors raised concers over patient safety, waiting times and inadequate equipment. The Daily Mail
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'The tools to cope': Pioneering treatment at South London and Maudsley NHS trust turns lives around
'The tools to cope': Pioneering treatment at South London and Maudsley NHS trust turns lives around
The trust is one of two areas offering talking therapy to people with severe mental illness; it has seen waiting times cut while access to treatment has increased dramatically
Rosemary first started suffering from severe depression after the birth of her daughter and was experiencing several panic attacks a day.
It was the start of a mental illness that lasted more than 20 years. Despite attempting to get professional help, she felt nobody was really listening and couldn't escape from a destructive cycle of mood swings, paranoia and hallucinations. Continue reading... The Guardian
The trust is one of two areas offering talking therapy to people with severe mental illness; it has seen waiting times cut while access to treatment has increased dramatically
Rosemary first started suffering from severe depression after the birth of her daughter and was experiencing several panic attacks a day.
It was the start of a mental illness that lasted more than 20 years. Despite attempting to get professional help, she felt nobody was really listening and couldn't escape from a destructive cycle of mood swings, paranoia and hallucinations. Continue reading... The Guardian
Boy who suffered brain damage due to Harrogate hospital failings to get £10m
Boy who suffered brain damage due to Harrogate hospital failings to get £10m Kit van Berckel suffered significant brain injury at his birth in 2008 after medical staff failed to recognise that he was in distress
A six-year-old boy with cerebral palsy is to receive a £10m care and rehabilitation package from Harrogate hospital NHS trust after it admitted failing to provide proper care during his birth that resulted in devastating neurological injuries.
Kit van Berckel, from Harrogate, north Yorkshire, was born without a heartbeat and needed resuscitating after medical staff failed to recognise that he was in distress for a prolonged period of time when his mother, Joanna, was admitted to hospital on 31 May 2008, 10 days over her due date. Continue reading... The Guardian
A six-year-old boy with cerebral palsy is to receive a £10m care and rehabilitation package from Harrogate hospital NHS trust after it admitted failing to provide proper care during his birth that resulted in devastating neurological injuries.
Kit van Berckel, from Harrogate, north Yorkshire, was born without a heartbeat and needed resuscitating after medical staff failed to recognise that he was in distress for a prolonged period of time when his mother, Joanna, was admitted to hospital on 31 May 2008, 10 days over her due date. Continue reading... The Guardian
Private healthcare companies accused of using tax relief to undercut the NHS
Private healthcare companies accused of using tax relief to undercut the NHS Private healthcare companies have been accused of getting unfair tax relief when competing with the NHS to provide treatments such as chemotherapy for patients at home. The Independent
Single mothers more likely to suffer ill health, research finds
Single mothers more likely to suffer ill health, research finds Single mothers in England were found to be more likely to suffer poor health later on in life in an international study of women over 50. The Independent
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Thursday, 14 May 2015
Corby Council leader vows to improve people’s health
Corby Council leader vows to improve people’s health Tom Beattie, who has retained his role as leader of Corby Council, has said he is keen to continue supporting regeneration and improving healthcare in the town. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Number of dementia sufferers in Northamptonshire expected to nearly double
Number of dementia sufferers in Northamptonshire expected to nearly double The number of people in Northamptonshire with dementia is expected to almost double in the next 15 years. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Survey to ask Northamptonshire people about their wellbeing services
Survey to ask Northamptonshire people about their wellbeing services An online survey has been launched to find out about the wellbeing services that Northamptonshire residents want.
The survey is being carried out by Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton, who are all working together to form a new Wellbeing Community Interest Company. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The survey is being carried out by Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Northampton, who are all working together to form a new Wellbeing Community Interest Company. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
You can find the survey here:
Thousands of women confront mental health issues in thriving community perinatal scheme
Thousands of women confront mental health issues in thriving community perinatal scheme Thousands of pregnant women have confronted mental health issues before they become more serious thanks to a thriving perinatal mental health service in Devon.
Since it began five years ago the ten-strong Devon and Torbay Perinatal Health Team has identified, supported or signposted thousands of women who needed mental health support.
Now, all of the women who give birth every year in the three acute hospitals in Devon and Torbay are asked by midwives about their mental health and those who report concerns or are at risk are referred to the team.
In the last three years, 5,698 of the 22,715 women who gave birth needed the service. All of those women received evidence based advice, either in a letter, following a telephone conversation or in response to a face to face assessment. NHS England
Since it began five years ago the ten-strong Devon and Torbay Perinatal Health Team has identified, supported or signposted thousands of women who needed mental health support.
Now, all of the women who give birth every year in the three acute hospitals in Devon and Torbay are asked by midwives about their mental health and those who report concerns or are at risk are referred to the team.
In the last three years, 5,698 of the 22,715 women who gave birth needed the service. All of those women received evidence based advice, either in a letter, following a telephone conversation or in response to a face to face assessment. NHS England
Children's clinical research 'urged'
Children's clinical research 'urged' There must be a culture shift in medical research to make sure more children can take part, an expert panel at the Nuffield Council of Bioethics says. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Children’s views should shape how research is conducted (press release) Nuffield Council of Bioethics
- Children and clinical research Nuffield Council of Bioethics
$2bn antibiotic research fund urged
$2bn antibiotic research fund urged The global pharmaceutical industry is being called on to pay for a $2bn innovation fund to revitalise research into antibiotics. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Securing New Drugs for Future Generations – the Pipeline of Antibiotics Review on Antimicrobial Resistance
- RCGP response to Review on Antimicrobial Resistance Royal College of General Practitioners
- Governments must club together to combat global threat of 'superbugs', says report The Independent
How professional are medical students?
How professional are medical students? At the end of last year, we ran a survey to find out more about the professional values of the UK’s medical students. Over 2,500 students took part to tell us what they thought. General Medical Council
Hunt says his mission is ‘step-change’ in GP services
Hunt says his mission is ‘step-change’ in GP services General practice needs fair share of NHS budget and 8000 more GPs to meet demands. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
Mindfulness: an effective mental health treatment but not a panacea
Mindfulness: an effective mental health treatment but not a panacea It’s cheap with a wide range of health benefits – but there’s a shortage of teachers and NHS provision is patchy
It may be an ancient Buddhist practice, co-opted and misrepresented by celebrity practitioners, but scientists and health practitioners have found that mindfulness has specific benefits for mental health patients. The medical profession, too, is beginning to take it seriously.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Florian Ruths explains why: “MBCT [mindfulness based cognitive therapy] is a powerful intervention –it isn’t fluffy or alternative. The MBCT course is based on solid scientific research, and Nice [the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] has recommended it since 2005 for keeping patients with recurrent depressive vulnerability depression-free.” Continue reading... The Guardian
It may be an ancient Buddhist practice, co-opted and misrepresented by celebrity practitioners, but scientists and health practitioners have found that mindfulness has specific benefits for mental health patients. The medical profession, too, is beginning to take it seriously.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Florian Ruths explains why: “MBCT [mindfulness based cognitive therapy] is a powerful intervention –it isn’t fluffy or alternative. The MBCT course is based on solid scientific research, and Nice [the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] has recommended it since 2005 for keeping patients with recurrent depressive vulnerability depression-free.” Continue reading... The Guardian
Physiotherapists can relieve pressure on overstretched A&E departments
Physiotherapists can relieve pressure on overstretched A&E departments As well as seeing patients with musculoskeletal injuries, physiotherapists can treat elderly people who have had falls
When physiotherapist Annalisa Newson started working in Salford Royal hospital’s A&E department, little did she know she would leave a lasting legacy.
We free up doctors by allowing patients to see the right person at the right time Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
When physiotherapist Annalisa Newson started working in Salford Royal hospital’s A&E department, little did she know she would leave a lasting legacy.
We free up doctors by allowing patients to see the right person at the right time Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Physiotherapists call for bigger role in delivering healthcare changes The Guardian
- Physiotherapy can transform the NHS and lives of older adults The Guardian
- Rehab at home aids patient recovery and saves money The Guardian
- Devon and Nottingham health services see waiting times for physiotherapy cut The Guardian
- Wanted: newly qualified physiotherapists The Guardian
Mental health cuts are ‘driving people to the edge’
Mental health cuts are ‘driving people to the edge’ Mark Winstanley, head of the Rethink Mental Illness charity, urges the Conservative government to act on its funding promises and prioritise mental health
The day before last week’s election, leaked minutes from the meeting of a key mental health steering group, the Crisis Care Concordat, warned of an NHS “system failure” that was leading to large numbers of people in mental distress turning to A&E for help, due to inadequate community-based mental health services. Concerns were also raised about how many patients, especially young people, were being admitted to hospitals miles away from home because of mental health bed shortages. Continue reading... The Guardian
The day before last week’s election, leaked minutes from the meeting of a key mental health steering group, the Crisis Care Concordat, warned of an NHS “system failure” that was leading to large numbers of people in mental distress turning to A&E for help, due to inadequate community-based mental health services. Concerns were also raised about how many patients, especially young people, were being admitted to hospitals miles away from home because of mental health bed shortages. Continue reading... The Guardian
Many British men don't realise how fat they are
Many British men don't realise how fat they are A new survey has revealed that British men have a poor understanding of obesity compared to British women and men across Europe. The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Total of 183 more GPs will be needed to meet demand in Northamptonshire, watchdog reports
Total of 183 more GPs will be needed to meet demand in Northamptonshire, watchdog reports Northamptonshire needs at least 50 per cent more GPs in the next five years to meet patient demand for appointments, latest figures show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
See also:
See also:
- Patient experiences of GP services in Northamptonshire Healthwatch Northamptonshire
Realising the Value
Realising the Value Despite knowing the potential rewards, many would say that we have continued to disempower patients and disengage communities. Our work with Nesta and NHS England - Realising the Value - hopes to change this. The Health Foundation
Choosing Wisely in the UK: the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ initiative to reduce the harms of too much medicine
Choosing Wisely in the UK: the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ initiative to reduce the harms of too much medicine A new campaign to stop doctors "over-treating" their patients with unnecessary tests and treatments has been launched by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges via an article in the BMJ
See also:
See also:
- RCGP response to BMJ article on 'Choosing Wisely' Royal College of General Practitioners
- Doctors urged to stop 'over-treating' BBC News
- Over prescribing drugs fears as it may be causing patients harm The Daily Mail
- NHS tests and drugs 'do more harm than good' The Daily Telegraph
- Doctors to withhold treatments in campaign against 'too much medicine' The Guardian
- 'Over-treating' patients is wasteful, unnecessary and can cause them harm, campaign claims The Independent
UK 'needs to get tougher on alcohol'
UK 'needs to get tougher on alcohol' Tougher measures are needed to tackle the high rates of alcohol consumption in the UK, according to a leading international body. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Tackling Harmful Alcohol Use Country note - United Kingdom Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Tackling Harmful Alcohol Use: Economics and Public Health Policy Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- OECD outlines action for governments to tackle heavy cost of harmful drinking Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Assessing the impacts of alcohol policies: a microsimulation approach Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Warning over middle-class women drinkers: Educated UK women have worst alcohol problem in West as they try to keep up with men and further their careers The Daily Mail
- Half a glass of wine less a week to live longer The Daily Mail
- Better-educated women contributing to rise in UK alcohol consumption – OECD The Guardian
The NHS: What we weren't told during the election
The NHS: What we weren't told during the election Did we get the full story on the NHS during the election? BBC News
Parents are swamping A&E because they feel squeezed out by family doctors
Parents are swamping A&E because they feel squeezed out by family doctors Thousands of children are being taken to casualty needlessly because their GPs are prioritising adults, according to researchers from Imperial College London. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
Jeremy Hunt can no longer duck difficult decisions on the NHS
Jeremy Hunt can no longer duck difficult decisions on the NHS Health secretary’s priority must be to stabilise health service finances – but social care will be the big loser under this government
Jeremy Hunt mark 2 faces a tougher job as health secretary than in the last parliament. Politically he did well to distract the public from the folly of Andrew Lansley’s upheavals by relentlessly focusing on the Mid-Staffordshire scandal and ramming home the message that there have been real-terms spending increases, however slender. Now he can no longer postpone high-risk decisions over money and services – as well as having to meet election promises to extend access to primary and mental health care. Continue reading... The Guardian
Jeremy Hunt mark 2 faces a tougher job as health secretary than in the last parliament. Politically he did well to distract the public from the folly of Andrew Lansley’s upheavals by relentlessly focusing on the Mid-Staffordshire scandal and ramming home the message that there have been real-terms spending increases, however slender. Now he can no longer postpone high-risk decisions over money and services – as well as having to meet election promises to extend access to primary and mental health care. Continue reading... The Guardian
Food industry 'responsibility deal' has little effect on health, study finds
Food industry 'responsibility deal' has little effect on health, study finds Firms agreed to make their products healthier, for example by reducing amounts of salt, but few have done so, researchers say
The coalition government’s policy of tackling obesity by asking food producers to change their behaviour has achieved little, failed to improve eating habits and excludes most of the measures that would make a real impact, a government-funded study has found.
The “responsibility deal”, which ministers claimed would boost public health, has largely involved initiatives that have a limited effect on the problem of poor diets, according to a team of researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Continue reading... The Guardian
The coalition government’s policy of tackling obesity by asking food producers to change their behaviour has achieved little, failed to improve eating habits and excludes most of the measures that would make a real impact, a government-funded study has found.
The “responsibility deal”, which ministers claimed would boost public health, has largely involved initiatives that have a limited effect on the problem of poor diets, according to a team of researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Continue reading... The Guardian
Where are the voices for radiotherapy?
Where are the voices for radiotherapy? As the Royal College of Radiologists calls for more support, Judith Potts wonders why radiotherapy still remains chronically underfunded and underresourced as a cancer treatment. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- An open letter to the Secretary of State for Health Royal College of Radiologists
Vasectomies being given the snip as GPs in Essex told they must ration number of procedures
Vasectomies being given the snip as GPs in Essex told they must ration number of procedures GPs in Essex have been told they must ration the number of men they can refer for vasectomies, with three practices told they can only offer the treatment to one patient this year. The Independent
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Our response to the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health
Our response to the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health
Commenting on the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health, Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King's Fund said:
'The re-appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health will bring some welcome continuity as the NHS enters one of the most challenging periods in its history. It is also an opportunity to continue the work on safety and quality of care he started in the wake of the Francis report.
'His first priority must be to plug the growing black hole in NHS finances by securing additional funding for the current financial year. This should go hand in hand with a renewed drive to improve productivity to ensure the NHS is playing its part in responding to the pressures it is facing.
'Looking beyond this, the government must use the Spending Review later this year to put the NHS on a sustainable financial footing for the rest of the parliament. The additional £8 billion a year by 2020 pledged in the Conservative manifesto is welcome but is the bare minimum needed to maintain standards of care and will not pay for new initiatives such as seven-day working. More money will also be needed for social care.
'In the long term, as the Barker Commission recommended, a new settlement is needed for health and social care which ends the historic divide between the two systems. For a party seeking to govern as one nation, securing the future of the NHS – the most tangible expression of this aspiration – must be a key priority.' King's Fund
Commenting on the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health, Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King's Fund said:
'The re-appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health will bring some welcome continuity as the NHS enters one of the most challenging periods in its history. It is also an opportunity to continue the work on safety and quality of care he started in the wake of the Francis report.
'His first priority must be to plug the growing black hole in NHS finances by securing additional funding for the current financial year. This should go hand in hand with a renewed drive to improve productivity to ensure the NHS is playing its part in responding to the pressures it is facing.
'Looking beyond this, the government must use the Spending Review later this year to put the NHS on a sustainable financial footing for the rest of the parliament. The additional £8 billion a year by 2020 pledged in the Conservative manifesto is welcome but is the bare minimum needed to maintain standards of care and will not pay for new initiatives such as seven-day working. More money will also be needed for social care.
'In the long term, as the Barker Commission recommended, a new settlement is needed for health and social care which ends the historic divide between the two systems. For a party seeking to govern as one nation, securing the future of the NHS – the most tangible expression of this aspiration – must be a key priority.' King's Fund
Stroke Association warns of 'alarming' rise in number of victims
Stroke Association warns of 'alarming' rise in number of victims
Increase in number of sufferers in their 40s and 50s is ‘a sad indictment’ of the nation’s health, says charity
The number of people in their 40s and 50s being afflicted by strokes is soaring, with obesity and sedentary lifestyles thought to be behind the rise.
The Stroke Association described the increase as alarming and shocking and warned that the cost of treatment – already at £9bn a year – would increase.
Stroke can no longer be seen as a disease of older people. As the figures show, it can happen to anyone at any time. Guardian
Continue reading...
Increase in number of sufferers in their 40s and 50s is ‘a sad indictment’ of the nation’s health, says charity
The number of people in their 40s and 50s being afflicted by strokes is soaring, with obesity and sedentary lifestyles thought to be behind the rise.
The Stroke Association described the increase as alarming and shocking and warned that the cost of treatment – already at £9bn a year – would increase.
Stroke can no longer be seen as a disease of older people. As the figures show, it can happen to anyone at any time. Guardian
Continue reading...
Palliative and end of life care
Palliative and end of life care
Palliative and end of life care refer to the care of people who have an incurable and progressive illness. This briefing note provides an overview of palliative care and its key components, approaches to managing and standardising care and key challenges to providing high quality care. House of Commons Library
Briefing
House of Commons Library publications
Palliative and end of life care refer to the care of people who have an incurable and progressive illness. This briefing note provides an overview of palliative care and its key components, approaches to managing and standardising care and key challenges to providing high quality care. House of Commons Library
Briefing
House of Commons Library publications
E-learning in healthcare: benefits, challenges and limitations
E-learning in healthcare: benefits, challenges and limitations
Our expert panel talks about what e-learning can offer the NHS and its staff
• Read the discussion in full
Colin McEwen, account manager, eCom Scotland: One of the major benefits is the flexibility e-learning offers ... This can help ensure learning is more accessible and is not overlooked. There are also benefits when it comes to managing compliance and continual professional development, both from an individual and organisational perspective ... There can also be budgetary and time saving benefits for the organisation. Guardian
Continue reading...
Our expert panel talks about what e-learning can offer the NHS and its staff
• Read the discussion in full
Colin McEwen, account manager, eCom Scotland: One of the major benefits is the flexibility e-learning offers ... This can help ensure learning is more accessible and is not overlooked. There are also benefits when it comes to managing compliance and continual professional development, both from an individual and organisational perspective ... There can also be budgetary and time saving benefits for the organisation. Guardian
Continue reading...
Parity of esteem for mental health
Parity of esteem for mental health
Achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health in care standards and public attitudes has been attempted for decades. This briefing note outlines the history of these efforts, the various ways in which parity is defined and measured, the challenges of achieving this ideal and the strategies that may be employed to that end. House of Commons Library
Briefing
House of Commons Library publications
Achieving parity of esteem between mental and physical health in care standards and public attitudes has been attempted for decades. This briefing note outlines the history of these efforts, the various ways in which parity is defined and measured, the challenges of achieving this ideal and the strategies that may be employed to that end. House of Commons Library
Briefing
House of Commons Library publications
I work in mental health but colleagues don't understand my depression
I work in mental health but colleagues don't understand my depression
Sickness policies are punitive. One manager once told me: ‘You can’t be that ill, you’re just lazy’
It’s extremely difficult to describe the experience of depression to those who are lucky enough to have not experienced it. I’ve been a qualified mental health nurse for 20 years and have worked in various jobs in middle clinical and operational management. Yet, despite my clinical experience, I was ill-prepared for depression when it hit me in 2001. I ignored my increasingly difficult symptoms through shame until eventually I was overwhelmed. I broke down completely – and then of course everyone knew. Guardian
Related: As a nurse I don’t feel equipped to treat patients with mental health problems
Related: I love working in mental health – but I can’t do a good job on a shoestring
Related: I loved being a midwife but bullying, stress and fear made me resign
Continue reading...
Sickness policies are punitive. One manager once told me: ‘You can’t be that ill, you’re just lazy’
It’s extremely difficult to describe the experience of depression to those who are lucky enough to have not experienced it. I’ve been a qualified mental health nurse for 20 years and have worked in various jobs in middle clinical and operational management. Yet, despite my clinical experience, I was ill-prepared for depression when it hit me in 2001. I ignored my increasingly difficult symptoms through shame until eventually I was overwhelmed. I broke down completely – and then of course everyone knew. Guardian
Related: As a nurse I don’t feel equipped to treat patients with mental health problems
Related: I love working in mental health – but I can’t do a good job on a shoestring
Related: I loved being a midwife but bullying, stress and fear made me resign
Continue reading...
Delay to 700,000 patient opt-outs
Delay to 700,000 patient opt-outs
The Health and Social Care Information Centre is "extremely concerned" that 700,000 patient objections to having their identifiable data shared have yet to be enacted more than a year on from being registered with a GP. EHI News
The Health and Social Care Information Centre is "extremely concerned" that 700,000 patient objections to having their identifiable data shared have yet to be enacted more than a year on from being registered with a GP. EHI News
The digital age has helped to create a generation of short-sighted people, research finds
The digital age has helped to create a generation of short-sighted people, research finds
The advent of the computer and increasingly urban, indoor lifestyles have created a generation of short-sighted young Europeans, new figures show. Independent
The advent of the computer and increasingly urban, indoor lifestyles have created a generation of short-sighted young Europeans, new figures show. Independent
Let’s be more aware, take stock and celebrate best practice – Dr Geraldine Strathdee
Let’s be more aware, take stock and celebrate best practice – Dr Geraldine Strathdee
NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Mental Health marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week with a look at how messages are getting across:
While the nation has been swept up in the drama of the election, backstage the NHS has continued with business as usual.
And so this week’s Mental Health Awareness Week #MHAW15 is a chance for us to reflect on how the growing awareness about mental health has reached the hearts and minds of millions and is influencing decision makers in many sectors of our society.
In the past year, the appetite for information about mental health has reached unprecedented levels. Every day, across the country and indeed the world, there are newspaper and magazine articles, radio and TV programmes, thought pieces, new facts and figures, and live narrative stories.
NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Mental Health marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week with a look at how messages are getting across:
While the nation has been swept up in the drama of the election, backstage the NHS has continued with business as usual.
And so this week’s Mental Health Awareness Week #MHAW15 is a chance for us to reflect on how the growing awareness about mental health has reached the hearts and minds of millions and is influencing decision makers in many sectors of our society.
In the past year, the appetite for information about mental health has reached unprecedented levels. Every day, across the country and indeed the world, there are newspaper and magazine articles, radio and TV programmes, thought pieces, new facts and figures, and live narrative stories.
Monday, 11 May 2015
NGH chief tells Cameron: my demoralised staff deserve cash for a new hospital
NGH chief tells Cameron: my demoralised staff deserve cash for a new hospital Doctor Sonia Swart, the chief executive of Northampton General Hospital, has tweeted the Prime Minister a wishlist for her staff and patients, including fewer regulations. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
See also:
See also:
- Northampton hospital chief tweets David Cameron a wishlist on behalf of her 'demoralised' staff Northants Herald and Post
- NGH chief tells Cameron: my demoralised staff deserve cash for a new hospital Northamptonshire Telegraph
Officials at NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group issue warning about bogus phone calls
Officials at NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group issue warning about bogus phone calls Health leaders from NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are warning members of the public, patients and staff never to reveal personal details to unknown callers. Northants Herald and Post
Eating little and often 'no better for dieters than fewer feasts'
Eating little and often 'no better for dieters than fewer feasts' "Eating little and often – like Jennifer Aniston – could help dieters achieve a healthy weight loss," reports the Mirror. Meanwhile, the Mail Online urges us to "Forget three square meals a day – eating six smaller portions is better for your waistline".
But don't rush to change how often you eat: the claims are based on a tiny study that has been overstated and misinterpreted by the media. In fact, women lost a similar amount of weight regardless of the number of daily meals they ate.
In the study, 11 obese women ate the same low number of calories in either two meals or six meals a day. They lost around the same amount of weight with both diets.
They did retain their non-fat mass (the weight of the body in muscle, organs and bone) better when they were on six meals a day, but the authors warn against drawing firm conclusions from this.
The two-meal pattern seemed to improve levels of "good" cholesterol more than the six-meal pattern. Whether either of these differences would lead to any health benefits for the women was not assessed.
Overall, this study is too small to prove whether six or two meals a day is better for dieters. What is important is to choose an approach to weight loss or healthy weight maintenance that works for you that you can stick to.
But don't rush to change how often you eat: the claims are based on a tiny study that has been overstated and misinterpreted by the media. In fact, women lost a similar amount of weight regardless of the number of daily meals they ate.
In the study, 11 obese women ate the same low number of calories in either two meals or six meals a day. They lost around the same amount of weight with both diets.
They did retain their non-fat mass (the weight of the body in muscle, organs and bone) better when they were on six meals a day, but the authors warn against drawing firm conclusions from this.
The two-meal pattern seemed to improve levels of "good" cholesterol more than the six-meal pattern. Whether either of these differences would lead to any health benefits for the women was not assessed.
Overall, this study is too small to prove whether six or two meals a day is better for dieters. What is important is to choose an approach to weight loss or healthy weight maintenance that works for you that you can stick to.
VIDEO: Oslo hospital's 'human error cure'
VIDEO: Oslo hospital's 'human error cure' A hospital in Norway says it has developed a project that it hopes will remove the problem of human error in medicine.
The complex drug delivery system is operated by robots and uses a network of pneumatic tubes. BBC News
The complex drug delivery system is operated by robots and uses a network of pneumatic tubes. BBC News
Ebola 'lives on in eye of survivor'
Ebola 'lives on in eye of survivor' The Ebola virus has been detected in the eye of a US doctor who had already recovered from the illness. BBC News
Proactively target frequent users of emergency care for treatment, say doctors
Proactively target frequent users of emergency care for treatment, say doctors They are more than twice as likely to die, be admitted, or need other outpatient care. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
NHS denies lifesaving drug to 5,000 patients it gave infected blood: Sofosbuvir has been approved by regulators but victims are STILL waiting for treatment
NHS denies lifesaving drug to 5,000 patients it gave infected blood: Sofosbuvir has been approved by regulators but victims are STILL waiting for treatment Thousands of patients who contracted hepatitis C through contaminated blood in the biggest scandal in NHS history are being denied a lifesaving drug. The Daily Mail
Eight things the new government should prioritise for the NHS
Eight things the new government should prioritise for the NHS From investing in mental health to keeping the NHS free at the point of delivery, healthcare leaders tell us what they want to see addressed Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
See also:
What’s app, Doc? Patients send their medical data via smartphone
What’s app, Doc? Patients send their medical data via smartphone Patients at thousands of GP surgeries will be able to link health information recorded on their iPhone with their confidential medical records using a new app that promises to transform the care of the long-term ill. The Independent
Campaigners accuse Met Police and mental health trust of racist cover-up
Campaigners accuse Met Police and mental health trust of racist cover-up A mental health trust and the Metropolitan Police have been accused of trying to cover up alleged racism towards patients during an extraordinary night when 48 officers – some in riot gear – were deployed to deal with disturbances in a ward of vulnerable adults. The Independent
Friday, 8 May 2015
Meeting the challenge of population health: what we can learn from Kaiser Permanente
Meeting the challenge of population health: what we can learn from Kaiser Permanente After a visit to the US to see the Kaiser Permanente model working in action, Jo Bibby gives her thougths on what the NHS can learn from their way of working. The Health Foundation
Quality checking government: People with learning disabilities describe the impact of Government policy on their lives
Quality checking government: People with learning disabilities describe the impact of Government policy on their lives Earlier this year LDA England ran a mass survey to find out what impact people felt the current (2010-2015) Coalition Government had on the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families.
We surveyed nearly 2,000 people, half of whom were disabled people (including, but not limited to people with learning disabilities). The vast majority of people thought that the Government had made things a lot worse (putting together all views – positive and negative) the Government was given an overall score of 2 out 10 – which is very low indeed. Learning Disability Alliance England
We surveyed nearly 2,000 people, half of whom were disabled people (including, but not limited to people with learning disabilities). The vast majority of people thought that the Government had made things a lot worse (putting together all views – positive and negative) the Government was given an overall score of 2 out 10 – which is very low indeed. Learning Disability Alliance England
Probiotic yoghurts 'may help' hay fever
Probiotic yoghurts 'may help' hay fever "Is YOGURT the secret to easing hay fever? Probiotics can 'relieve sneezing and itchy eyes','' the Daily Mail reports. New research found initial, but not definitive, evidence that probiotics may offer some relief from this common allergic condition for some people.
Hay fever affects around one in five people, causing frequent sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. It happens when an allergic irritant sets off an immune response in the mucosa of the nasal passages, causing an allergic reaction. Most often, people are sensitive to seasonal allergens such as pollen, hence the name hay fever. However, some people can get symptoms all year round (this is known as allergic rhinitis).
There has been a lot of interest in whether probiotics – "healthy" bacteria that live in the gut – can relieve symptoms.
This review identified 23 trials investigating the effect of probiotic supplements on hay fever. These studies were highly variable in terms of their study populations, the probiotics used, outcomes measured and, importantly, results. While most studies found some benefit for at least one outcome, others found no benefit at all.
Hay fever affects around one in five people, causing frequent sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. It happens when an allergic irritant sets off an immune response in the mucosa of the nasal passages, causing an allergic reaction. Most often, people are sensitive to seasonal allergens such as pollen, hence the name hay fever. However, some people can get symptoms all year round (this is known as allergic rhinitis).
There has been a lot of interest in whether probiotics – "healthy" bacteria that live in the gut – can relieve symptoms.
This review identified 23 trials investigating the effect of probiotic supplements on hay fever. These studies were highly variable in terms of their study populations, the probiotics used, outcomes measured and, importantly, results. While most studies found some benefit for at least one outcome, others found no benefit at all.
VIDEO: 'It's hard to get a job with Down's'
VIDEO: 'It's hard to get a job with Down's' People living with Down's syndrome tell Victoria Derbyshire there are still too many barriers to finding a job. BBC News
CCGs need IT practice agreements
CCGs need IT practice agreements Clinical commissioning groups must put an IT practice agreement in place with every practice before the end of the year, or risk losing GP Systems of Choice funding, NHS England has warned. E-Health Insider
C diff used to fight C diff
C diff used to fight C diff Study shows benefits of using non-aggressive strain of C difficile. OnMedica
Five lessons we should have learned from pandemics
Five lessons we should have learned from pandemics Scientific advances have helped us understand and limit the impact of pandemics but we still cannot deliver the simple measures needed to control them for the benefit of all Continue reading... The Guardian
Cancer survivor: The empathy cards I wish I'd received
Cancer survivor: The empathy cards I wish I'd received Emily McDowell has created a series of cards for people with serious illnesses, based on the messages she wishes she'd received when she was battling cancer. The Daily Telegraph
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