Number of kidney stone cases increases by 115% in 10 years An increase in obesity may account for the greater prevalence of the condition, which can be mitigated by drinking enough water
Emergency hospital admissions for kidney stones have risen by 115% in a decade, figures indicate. Continue reading... The Guardian
Thursday, 10 March 2016
Time to admit and resolve NHS errors
Time to admit and resolve NHS errors Telegraph View: Jeremy Hunt's laudable approach to clinical errors also shows the BMA how it should end its mistaken industrial action. The Daily Telegraph
British mums sent home sooner after birth than any other developed country
British mums sent home sooner after birth than any other developed country British women are sent home after 36 hours compared with two days in the US and more than four days in France. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Junior doctors’ strike sees Northampton General Hospital cancel 421 appointments
Junior doctors’ strike sees Northampton General Hospital cancel 421 appointments Bosses at NGH have been forced to cancel more than 400 appointments as junior doctors go on strike from 8am this morning (Wednesday). Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Junior doctors set for 48-hour strike
Junior doctors set for 48-hour strike Hospitals in England are braced for the third strike by junior doctors in their contract dispute with the government. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Junior doctor and consultant contract negotiations British Medical Association
- Junior doctor contract negotiations Department of Health
- Correspondence: Health Secretary's response to proposed claim for judicial review by BMA Department of Health
- NHS England prepares for 48-hour action by junior doctors NHS England
- VIDEO: Junior doctors' strike The dispute explained BBC News
- VIDEO: Junior doctors: Why we are striking BBC News
- Another 5,200 operations are cancelled as junior doctors walk out AGAIN in first 48-hour strike The Daily Mail
- 5,000 operations cancelled as junior doctors enter sustained strikes The Daily Telegraph
- Doctors strike: the NHS exists to serve patients, not keep doctors happy The Daily Telegraph
- No, junior doctors won't leave the country because of Jeremy Hunt's new contract The Daily Telegraph
- More than 5,000 NHS operations cancelled as doctors prepare to strike The Guardian
- Jeremy Hunt fails to make any weekend visits to hospitals over 12 months The Independent
NHS to introduce financial incentive to improve staff health
NHS to introduce financial incentive to improve staff health NHS England has announced plans to offer financial incentives to improve the health and wellbeing of NHS staff in England. NHS Employers
Protesters criticise scheme that puts Jobcentre advisors in GP practices
Protesters criticise scheme that puts Jobcentre advisors in GP practices Disability rights and mental health campaigners have slammed a pilot scheme to put Jobcentre employment advisors inside GP practices. GP Online
GP blackspots: Old, rich and white people more likely to get appointment than young and less well-off, report finds
GP blackspots: Old, rich and white people more likely to get appointment than young and less well-off, report finds Young people and the less well-off find it more difficult to get an appointment with a GP than older, whiter, richer people, according to a damning parliamentary report.
A growing shortage of doctors has been blamed on the Department of Health (DoH) and NHS England, which “failed” to ensure GP numbers kept pace with demand. The Independent
See also:
A growing shortage of doctors has been blamed on the Department of Health (DoH) and NHS England, which “failed” to ensure GP numbers kept pace with demand. The Independent
See also:
- Access to General Practice in England Public Account Committee
- RCGP response to PAC report on access to general practice in England Royal College of General Practitioners
- MPs slam government 'complacency' over GP workforce crisis GP Online
International Women's Day: Top doctor warns of lack of women in surgery, as #WomenInStem celebrates females
International Women's Day: Top doctor warns of lack of women in surgery, as #WomenInStem celebrates females Women make up 13 per cent of the workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths. The Independent
More than 1,300 new cases of FGM are reported in England in three months
More than 1,300 new cases of FGM are reported in England in three months The latest figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that more than 1,300 women were seen by the NHS in a three-month period after having their genitals mutilated. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - October 2015 to December 2015 Health and Social Care Information Centre
Unions angered by 'miserly' 1% pay rise for public sector workers
Unions angered by 'miserly' 1% pay rise for public sector workers Award for NHS staff, doctors, dentists and armed services will force many to consider their futures in careers, warn workers’ representatives
Public sector workers including doctors and nurses will receive a 1% pay rise from the government, prompting an angry response from their unions.
More than 1 million employees, including staff in the armed forces, will receive the award from this year. Ministers have claimed the amount was in line with its policy of an average 1% pay increase in 2016-17. Continue reading... The Guardian
Public sector workers including doctors and nurses will receive a 1% pay rise from the government, prompting an angry response from their unions.
More than 1 million employees, including staff in the armed forces, will receive the award from this year. Ministers have claimed the amount was in line with its policy of an average 1% pay increase in 2016-17. Continue reading... The Guardian
Bullying stopped staff reporting heart surgery deaths, says CQC
Bullying stopped staff reporting heart surgery deaths, says CQC Care Quality Commission inspectors find serious problems at heart unit of NHS Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham
One of the NHS’s best hospitals ignored repeated warnings and evidence that too many heart patients were dying as a result of surgery intended to save their lives, the NHS care watchdog has revealed.
A new Care Quality Commission report into cardiac surgery at Queen Elizabeth medical centre in Birmingham is scathing about a litany of mistakes made by both surgeons there and the leadership of the NHS trust which runs the unit. Continue reading... The Guardian
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One of the NHS’s best hospitals ignored repeated warnings and evidence that too many heart patients were dying as a result of surgery intended to save their lives, the NHS care watchdog has revealed.
A new Care Quality Commission report into cardiac surgery at Queen Elizabeth medical centre in Birmingham is scathing about a litany of mistakes made by both surgeons there and the leadership of the NHS trust which runs the unit. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Bullying stopped staff speaking out BBC News
- Bullying and blame culture at leading hospital 'stopped staff speaking out over heart unit deaths', damning report reveals The Daily Mail
- Leading hospital under CQC scrutiny over high heart surgery death rate The Guardian
- The Guardian view on heart surgery failings in Birmingham: disdain for the data | Editorial The Guardian
All hospital deaths to be examined by second doctor
All hospital deaths to be examined by second doctor Health secretary Jeremy Hunt to announce medics will provide a ‘second look’ at events preceding a patient’s death
All deaths in hospital will be examined by a second doctor unconnected to the patient’s treatment, in a move intended to improve care and help bereaved relatives understand why their loved one died.
Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, told the Guardian he will announce the change – to take effect in England in 2018 – in a speech to a global summit on patient safety in London on Thursday. Continue reading... The Guardian
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All deaths in hospital will be examined by a second doctor unconnected to the patient’s treatment, in a move intended to improve care and help bereaved relatives understand why their loved one died.
Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, told the Guardian he will announce the change – to take effect in England in 2018 – in a speech to a global summit on patient safety in London on Thursday. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Plans to end the cover-up culture in the NHS Department of Health
- NHS trusts ranked on mistakes response BBC News
- Doctors will be able to own up to honest mistakes 'without fear' The Daily Telegraph
- Jeremy Hunt Announces Plan To Crackdown On 'Mistakes' By NHS Doctors The Huffington Post UK
- Jeremy Hunt promises whistleblowers 'safe spaces' and legal cover The Independent
- The NHS needs to learn from its mistakes, and as Health Secretary I'm on a mission to make sure it does The Independent
E-cigarettes now the most popular form of support to stop smoking
E-cigarettes now the most popular form of support to stop smoking Today is No Smoking Day which has been running annually since 1983. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Nagging smokers does not help them quit, say researchers The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
£11 billion cost of treating physical and mental health separately
£11 billion cost of treating physical and mental health separately A new report shows that the psychological problems associated with physical health conditions, and vice versa, are costing the NHS more than £11 billion a year and care is less effective than it could be. The report argues that by integrating physical and mental health care the NHS can improve health outcomes and save money.
The £11 billion a year is the collective cost of:
The £11 billion a year is the collective cost of:
- high rates of mental health issues among those with long-term conditions such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease
- limited support for the psychological aspects of physical health, for example during and after pregnancy
- poor management of ‘medically unexplained symptoms’ such as persistent pain or tiredness.
Northamptonshire hospitals urge public to help relieve pressure during 48-hour strike by junior doctors
Northamptonshire hospitals urge public to help relieve pressure during 48-hour strike by junior doctors A 48-hour strike by junior doctors later this week has prompted calls by health authorities in Northamptonshire for people to help reduce pressure on NHS services. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Pay review bodies recommend 1 per cent uplift for NHS staff
Pay review bodies recommend 1 per cent uplift for NHS staff The government has accepted recommendations from the independent pay review bodies that all NHS staff groups be awarded a 1 per cent consolidated pay increase with effect from April 2016. NHS Employers
See also:
See also:
- News story: NHS staff to receive 1% pay rise Department of Health
- Independent report: Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration forty-fourth report: 2016 Department of Health
- Independent report: National Health Service Pay Review Body 29th report: 2016 Department of Health
NHS child mental health money 'missing'
NHS child mental health money 'missing' Many mental health trusts in England have seen "no significant investment" in psychiatric services for children despite government plans to overhaul provision, say experts. BBC News
2.5m Brits bust alcohol limit in a day
2.5m Brits bust alcohol limit in a day Around 2.5 million people in Great Britain - 9% of drinkers - consume more than the new weekly recommended limit for alcohol in a single day, latest figures show. BBC News
Outmoded workforce planning poses risk to child health
Outmoded workforce planning poses risk to child health More paediatric trainees needed, says Royal College. OnMedica
Dementia: 'Most people' do not know a healthy lifestyle can prevent the disease
Dementia: 'Most people' do not know a healthy lifestyle can prevent the disease The majority of people do not know that leading a healthy lifestyle can help cut the risk of developing dementia, a new survey has shown.
Charity Alzheimer’s Research UK has conducted a survey to raise awareness of how the disease is not an inevitable part of ageing. The Independent
Charity Alzheimer’s Research UK has conducted a survey to raise awareness of how the disease is not an inevitable part of ageing. The Independent
NHS mistakes cost lives. Here are four ways to improve patient safety
NHS mistakes cost lives. Here are four ways to improve patient safety Former health minister Lord Darzi on novel projects, including ambulance redesign and hospital drug charts
Almost 130 NHS patients are killed or harmed every day in the NHS as a result of errors in their treatment. Latest figures from a report by Imperial College London state: “in the six months from October 2014 to March 2015 there were 622,000 patient safety incidents recorded in general hospitals (acute, non-specialist, NHS trusts) in England and Wales. Of these, more than 23,000 caused moderate or severe harm and there were 716 deaths – four a day.”
To kickstart a global drive to reduce errors, improve care and save lives, ministers from countries across Europe will meet in London for the Patient Safety Global Action Summit 2016. The two-day conference, which begins on Wednesday, will assess the latest innovations in patient safety, the barriers to research, and how we can learn more from our mistakes. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Almost 130 NHS patients are killed or harmed every day in the NHS as a result of errors in their treatment. Latest figures from a report by Imperial College London state: “in the six months from October 2014 to March 2015 there were 622,000 patient safety incidents recorded in general hospitals (acute, non-specialist, NHS trusts) in England and Wales. Of these, more than 23,000 caused moderate or severe harm and there were 716 deaths – four a day.”
To kickstart a global drive to reduce errors, improve care and save lives, ministers from countries across Europe will meet in London for the Patient Safety Global Action Summit 2016. The two-day conference, which begins on Wednesday, will assess the latest innovations in patient safety, the barriers to research, and how we can learn more from our mistakes. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Patient Safety 2030 NIHR Patient Safety Translational Research Centre at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
- National Reporting And Learning System Research And Development NRLS Research Team (Lord Darzi chief investigator)
- NHS staff are 'too scared to blow whistle for fear of repercussions' The Daily Mail
- Avoidable harm still ‘too high’ in UK healthcare OnMedica
NHS's first 'national guardian' resigns after two months
NHS's first 'national guardian' resigns after two months Dame Eileen Sills, whose remit was to support NHS whistleblowers, said she couldn’t combine role with other job as chief nurse.
A chief nurse who was appointed more than two months ago as the first “national guardian” with a remit to support NHS whistleblowers has resigned from the post.
Dame Eileen Sills said she had to step down due to her commitment to patients and staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust, where she was chief nurse.
Brave decision by Dame Eileen Sills. Surely National Guardian must be a full time position to be effective. https://t.co/m7Zdv6uUUC
Not surprised Eileen Sills quit as national whistleblowers guardian. Chief nurse @ Guys & Thomas' was never going to work as part-time role Continue reading... The Guardian
A chief nurse who was appointed more than two months ago as the first “national guardian” with a remit to support NHS whistleblowers has resigned from the post.
Dame Eileen Sills said she had to step down due to her commitment to patients and staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust, where she was chief nurse.
Brave decision by Dame Eileen Sills. Surely National Guardian must be a full time position to be effective. https://t.co/m7Zdv6uUUC
Not surprised Eileen Sills quit as national whistleblowers guardian. Chief nurse @ Guys & Thomas' was never going to work as part-time role Continue reading... The Guardian
Health and care integration will not happen unless budgets are pooled
Health and care integration will not happen unless budgets are pooled Siloed funding streams make it harder for services to work together. Despite the obstacles, full integration is the only way forward.
The desire to see integrated heathcare and social care services is broadly shared by care professionals, government bodies and special interest groups. But in England, successful integration is only found in local initiatives that focus on specific areas of care or patient groups. These successes are driven by joint working between local authorities and health trusts, plus third-sector organisations, and are to be commended; not least because they have generally been achieved despite national funding mechanisms working against them. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
The desire to see integrated heathcare and social care services is broadly shared by care professionals, government bodies and special interest groups. But in England, successful integration is only found in local initiatives that focus on specific areas of care or patient groups. These successes are driven by joint working between local authorities and health trusts, plus third-sector organisations, and are to be commended; not least because they have generally been achieved despite national funding mechanisms working against them. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Patronising the overweight, unhealthy British public won't stop them eating and smoking
Patronising the overweight, unhealthy British public won't stop them eating and smoking Public Health England's decision to spend £3.5 million offering us blindingly obvious health tips won't solve anything. The Daily Telegraph
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See also:
Monday, 7 March 2016
Real trust rather than regulated trust should be the foundation on which improvement in the NHS is built
Real trust rather than regulated trust should be the foundation on which improvement in the NHS is built Last week we launched a report setting out the case for the NHS in England to adopt a quality improvement strategy.
This case received strong endorsement from Don Berwick and Maxine Power, looking from different ends of the quality improvement telescope, and from the leaders who attended the launch event. The sense that now is the time to rediscover the importance of quality improvement was palpable with a feeling of urgency about translating the principles in our report into practice. The King's Fund
This case received strong endorsement from Don Berwick and Maxine Power, looking from different ends of the quality improvement telescope, and from the leaders who attended the launch event. The sense that now is the time to rediscover the importance of quality improvement was palpable with a feeling of urgency about translating the principles in our report into practice. The King's Fund
NHS to introduce new £600m financial incentive to improve staff health
NHS to introduce new £600m financial incentive to improve staff health The NHS in England is step up its efforts to improve the health of its 1.3 million staff by offering financial incentives to support their heath and provide them with healthy food options.
Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England, said he hoped that more employers from public and private sectors would follow the health service example.
Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England, said he hoped that more employers from public and private sectors would follow the health service example.
Management by geographical area or management specialised by disorder? A mixed-methods evaluation of the effects of an organisational intervention on secondary mental health care for common mental disorder
Management by geographical area or management specialised by disorder? A mixed-methods evaluation of the effects of an organisational intervention on secondary mental health care for common mental disorder In 2010, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust established a programme replacing the borough directorates responsible for adult mental health services with three clinical academic groups (CAGs), each of which took on a subset of adult services straddling all four boroughs. This study aimed to understand the CAG programme by using realistic evaluation and assess whether it has led to changes in activity and health care quality. National Institute for Health Research
VIDEO: New funding to help prevent stillbirths
VIDEO: New funding to help prevent stillbirths Every day in the UK 11 babies are stillborn - and research shows we still lag behind other wealthy countries when it comes to tackling the issue. BBC News
Dementia awareness plan for over-40s
Dementia awareness plan for over-40s People over 40 in England are to be given more information about dementia to help improve early diagnosis of the condition, the health secretary says. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Health Secretary unveils plans for safer 7 day dementia service Department of Health
- Guidance: Challenge on dementia 2020: implementation plan Department of Health
- VIDEO: Dementia information for over 40s BBC News
- People over 40 will get better information about dementia to improve early diagnosis The Daily Mail
- NHS will carry out dementia checks at 40 The Daily Telegraph
Health campaign targets over-40s
Health campaign targets over-40s Unhealthy middle-aged people must improve their lifestyles if they want to enjoy a healthy retirement, a new government campaign is warning. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- PHE launches One You Public Health England
- NHS splurges £3.5m on ads telling middle aged to eat less and run more: Critics brand health drive as 'patronising' The Daily Mail
- Britons will be urged to take a mid-life MOT The Daily Telegraph
- Living healthily in middle age can double your chances of being healthy when you are 70, study finds The Independent
Zika vaccine possible 'within months'
Zika vaccine possible 'within months' A Zika vaccine could be ready for human trials in the summer, according to the man in charge of the US government's research programme. BBC News
See also:
See also:
RCGP revalidation overhaul to scrap doubling of CPD points for 'impact'
RCGP revalidation overhaul to scrap doubling of CPD points for 'impact' The RCGP has backed plans to simplify GP revalidation from April by scrapping a mechanism that allows doctors to claim double credits for CPD by demonstrating the impact of their learning. GP Online
NHS denies reports women will be pressurised to have babies so their organs can be harvested
NHS denies reports women will be pressurised to have babies so their organs can be harvested A transplant surgeon was quoted as saying options were being considered to increase donor numbers. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- NHS to harvest babies' organs: 'Ghoulish' proposal gives mothers pregnant with a damaged foetus an agonising choice - abort the dying child or give birth so body parts can be used for transplants The Daily Mail
- NHS categorically dismisses claims it was looking into proposals for 'baby organ harvesting' ITV News
More than a million Britons have been to see GPs over rent worries, says Shelter
More than a million Britons have been to see GPs over rent worries, says Shelter Doctors treat stress and anxiety as more than half the people in England fear losing their homes. The Independent
There's a long list of NHS inquiries, but what have they actually changed?
There's a long list of NHS inquiries, but what have they actually changed? From Mid Staffs to Morecambe Bay, inquiries into poor care are cathartic. But too often they have unintended consequences, or are ignored.
The claim by the chair of the Morecambe Bay inquiry (pdf) that the NHS risks “another avoidable disaster” by failing to implement the recommendations in his report highlights the dangers of using inquiries to drive service improvements.
According to Nursing Times, Dr Bill Kirkup claimed that almost a year after the inquiry into failures in maternity care at Furness general hospital that contributed to the deaths of at least 11 babies and one mother, there has been progress on only 10 of the 26 national recommendations the report made. Kirkup was particularly concerned that his calls for the introduction of investigations by professional regulators, national reviews into isolated rural services and a review of the NHS complaints system have yet to be fully implemented. Continue reading... The Guardian
The claim by the chair of the Morecambe Bay inquiry (pdf) that the NHS risks “another avoidable disaster” by failing to implement the recommendations in his report highlights the dangers of using inquiries to drive service improvements.
According to Nursing Times, Dr Bill Kirkup claimed that almost a year after the inquiry into failures in maternity care at Furness general hospital that contributed to the deaths of at least 11 babies and one mother, there has been progress on only 10 of the 26 national recommendations the report made. Kirkup was particularly concerned that his calls for the introduction of investigations by professional regulators, national reviews into isolated rural services and a review of the NHS complaints system have yet to be fully implemented. Continue reading... The Guardian
Migrants on the NHS: 'You're targeted because you have an accent'
Migrants on the NHS: 'You're targeted because you have an accent' Mary was hit with a £5,000 bill after her son got meningitis. Campaigners say NHS staff are put in an impossible position when forced to decide on eligibility.
When Mary’s 17-year-old son, the oldest of her five children, began complaining of pain and taking medication early last year, she put it down to stress. Though her family had a GP, it was some months before she took the teenager to the surgery to find out exactly what was wrong.
What happened next – the scare of a serious illness, the joy of recovery, the shock of a bill for more than £5,000, and the eventual realisation the NHS should not have charged for his treatment in the first place – is, according to some people concerned at ministers’ renewed emphasis on recovering health costs from overseas visitors to the UK, a salutary reminder of the possible consequences. Continue reading... The Guardian
When Mary’s 17-year-old son, the oldest of her five children, began complaining of pain and taking medication early last year, she put it down to stress. Though her family had a GP, it was some months before she took the teenager to the surgery to find out exactly what was wrong.
What happened next – the scare of a serious illness, the joy of recovery, the shock of a bill for more than £5,000, and the eventual realisation the NHS should not have charged for his treatment in the first place – is, according to some people concerned at ministers’ renewed emphasis on recovering health costs from overseas visitors to the UK, a salutary reminder of the possible consequences. Continue reading... The Guardian
Hospice UK attacks plan to extend NHS charges for non-EU patients
Hospice UK attacks plan to extend NHS charges for non-EU patients Including end-of-life care is ‘inappropriate’, says charity as it joins GPs in opposing proposals to widen charging regime.
The hospice movement has condemned moves by the Department of Health in England to include end-of-life care in its plans to widen charges for treating overseas visitors and migrants using the NHS.
Hospice UK, the charity that champions the work of about 200 organisations, said the suggestion was inappropriate and not in keeping with the principle of “free, unprejudiced care”. Continue reading... The Guardian
The hospice movement has condemned moves by the Department of Health in England to include end-of-life care in its plans to widen charges for treating overseas visitors and migrants using the NHS.
Hospice UK, the charity that champions the work of about 200 organisations, said the suggestion was inappropriate and not in keeping with the principle of “free, unprejudiced care”. Continue reading... The Guardian
Hospital suspends consultant who stopped surgeon operating while wearing headscarf
Hospital suspends consultant who stopped surgeon operating while wearing headscarf Vladislav Rogozov is being investigated by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' NHS Trust after going public with concerns on blog. The Daily Telegraph
Friday, 4 March 2016
Antibiotic call over hospital care tubes
Antibiotic call over hospital care tubes Fewer children would develop infections in intensive care if the plastic tubes used to deliver drugs straight into their veins were coated in antibiotics, a study in The Lancet suggests. BBC News
Exclusive: NHS officials declare 20% of GP practices 'vulnerable' in parts of England
Exclusive: NHS officials declare 20% of GP practices 'vulnerable' in parts of England More than 20% of GP practices in parts of England have been identified as 'vulnerable' by NHS officials administering an emergency support fund. GP Online
Final-year medical students face delay to job offers
Final-year medical students face delay to job offers Students say UK Foundation Programme Office hold-up is a blow at a time when morale is already low due to junior doctor contracts row
Thousands of final-year medical students have been left with no idea where they will begin work after the body responsible for making job offers took a last-minute decision not to publish the results of their applications on Thursday.
Students due to hear news of where they were starting their first jobs expressed anger and frustration after the examining body admitted it would not be publishing the details on time.
Continue reading... The Guardian
Thousands of final-year medical students have been left with no idea where they will begin work after the body responsible for making job offers took a last-minute decision not to publish the results of their applications on Thursday.
Students due to hear news of where they were starting their first jobs expressed anger and frustration after the examining body admitted it would not be publishing the details on time.
Continue reading... The Guardian
Leading hospital under CQC scrutiny over high heart surgery death rate
Leading hospital under CQC scrutiny over high heart surgery death rate Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham must report surgery results weekly to inspectors, who considered closing unit
One of the country’s best-known hospitals has been told to report weekly to inspectors on the results of its adult heart operations after it was discovered too many of its patients were dying during and after treatment.
The Guardian can reveal that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham before Christmas after it was alerted to the high death rate in open-heart surgery. Calculations by the Guardian suggest that 17 people may have died over the last three years who should have survived. Continue reading... The Guardian
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One of the country’s best-known hospitals has been told to report weekly to inspectors on the results of its adult heart operations after it was discovered too many of its patients were dying during and after treatment.
The Guardian can reveal that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham before Christmas after it was alerted to the high death rate in open-heart surgery. Calculations by the Guardian suggest that 17 people may have died over the last three years who should have survived. Continue reading... The Guardian
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How much are junior doctors paid, and why are they threatening to strike?
How much are junior doctors paid, and why are they threatening to strike? As the British Medical Association prepares for industrial action, ending in the first 'all out' strike by medics in the history of the NHS, we examine the issues.The Daily Telegraph
Sepsis diagnosis numbers hits 400 a day with over-prescription of antibiotics blamed
Sepsis diagnosis numbers hits 400 a day with over-prescription of antibiotics blamed Experts say the rise in Sepsis is down to several reasons, including resistance to antibiotics, the aging population and more patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. The Daily Mail
Nigerian nurse worked in UK hospitals for decade before she was detected as illegal immigrant
Nigerian nurse worked in UK hospitals for decade before she was detected as illegal immigrant Medic struck off after being able to avoid detection for ten years without being questioned about immigration status or producing correct documentation. The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, 3 March 2016
‘I will not be getting the care I have now’: Northampton man’s fears over social care cuts
‘I will not be getting the care I have now’: Northampton man’s fears over social care cuts A former youth worker from Northamptonshire who has used a wheelchair all his life believes the £24 million of care cuts approved by the county council could have a drastic affect on lives. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
A perfect storm: an impossible climate for NHS providers’ finances? An analysis of NHS finances and factors associated with financial performance
A perfect storm: an impossible climate for NHS providers’ finances? An analysis of NHS finances and factors associated with financial performance This report examines the financial performance of the NHS in England. The main focus is on the finances of NHS providers and the financial position of the commissioners of care (NHS England and clinical commissioning groups).
The report examines commissioners’ budgets and how spending has changed by type of provider, as well as the specific issues facing NHS providers. It also includes the findings of a statistical analysis that set out to identify factors that are most strongly associated with an acute or specialist provider’s deficit.
Analysis finds that organisations with a high proportion of their pay bill going on agency staff coupled with more of their income being paid through the PbR tariff rather than negotiated prices are associated with being in deficit. We also find that poor quality ratings either from CQC or the hospital’s own staff are associated with poor finances. This is not causation and our analysis can’t tell us if finances cause quality problems, quality problems cause finance problems or, as is most likely, they are bound together in complex inter-connected ways. The Health Foundation
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The report examines commissioners’ budgets and how spending has changed by type of provider, as well as the specific issues facing NHS providers. It also includes the findings of a statistical analysis that set out to identify factors that are most strongly associated with an acute or specialist provider’s deficit.
Analysis finds that organisations with a high proportion of their pay bill going on agency staff coupled with more of their income being paid through the PbR tariff rather than negotiated prices are associated with being in deficit. We also find that poor quality ratings either from CQC or the hospital’s own staff are associated with poor finances. This is not causation and our analysis can’t tell us if finances cause quality problems, quality problems cause finance problems or, as is most likely, they are bound together in complex inter-connected ways. The Health Foundation
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Engagement is up according to the NHS Staff Survey, but at what cost?
Engagement is up according to the NHS Staff Survey, but at what cost? When the concept of engagement at work was introduced by William Kahn in 1990, he described it as the expression of our ‘preferred self’ in tasks that promote connection with our work and with others. Engagement underlies effort, involvement, flow, mindfulness and intrinsic motivation. The good news then is that levels of engagement, as recorded in the NHS Staff Survey, have increased since last year. So can we all relax?
Far from it. While the survey results can be presented from a ‘glass half full’ perspective, if we see the glass as half empty then the results are disturbing. They suggest that of the 1.4 million people who make up the NHS workforce:
Far from it. While the survey results can be presented from a ‘glass half full’ perspective, if we see the glass as half empty then the results are disturbing. They suggest that of the 1.4 million people who make up the NHS workforce:
- 41 per cent would not recommend their trust as a place to work
- 57 per cent say they are unable to meet the conflicting demands on them at work
- 13 per cent report being bullied by their managers
- 15 per cent have been assaulted at work in the previous year
- only 39 per cent feel they are able to deliver the quality of care they wish to patients
- 31 per cent did not agree that they would feel happy with the quality of care in their organisations if a friend or relative needed treatment
- only 42 per cent agreed that their roles actually make a difference to patients.
A long and winding road: improving communication with patients in the NHS
A long and winding road: improving communication with patients in the NHS This report warns that poor communication in the NHS has a profound impact on patient care, staff burnout and public funds. It argues that inadequacies in communication are damaging medical care and wasting much-needed NHS resources and estimates that the total cost, in England alone, is likely to be in excess of £1 billion a year. It says that better communication between healthcare professionals and patients can save costs, improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of experience of patients and the professionals who support them. Marie Curie
Research and analysis: Interventions to prevent burnout in high risk individuals: evidence review
Research and analysis: Interventions to prevent burnout in high risk individuals: evidence review Although there is existing evidence on what works to treat burnout and work-related stress, there is less on what works to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
This report provides an overview of literature covering how to prevent burnout and work-related stress in individuals and within organisations. Public Health England
This report provides an overview of literature covering how to prevent burnout and work-related stress in individuals and within organisations. Public Health England
Healthcare public health in England: capacity and capability review
Healthcare public health in England: capacity and capability review This report summarises the responses of around 110 directors of public health, training programme directors and specialty registrars who responded to survey and focus-group work exploring their views on the state of the healthcare public health function - particularly that delivered back into the NHS. Responses from Scotland were very positive, but the situation in England was very mixed with some real challenges and concerns. Faculty of Public Health
What is the role of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in care and support planning?
What is the role of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in care and support planning? This paper suggests that the knowledge, skills, experience and resources of VCSE organisations are crucial to the widespread implementation of care and support planning. It argues that charities have a vital role in supporting people to develop care and support plans, and in working with people with long-term conditions and their clinical teams to put the plans into practice. National Voices
Meningitis B petition rejected
Meningitis B petition rejected Offering the meningitis B vaccine to all children is "not cost effective" and would be a waste of NHS resources, the government says. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Meningitis B vaccine: Hearts v heads BBC News
- Offering meningitis b vaccine to all children not cost effective for NHS, government says The Daily Mail
- Meningitis B: Government rejects call for vaccine for all children despite record petition The Daily Telegraph
- Government rejects calls for meningitis B vaccine for all children The Guardian
Health services watchdog gets powers to set fees to cover all its services
Health services watchdog gets powers to set fees to cover all its services CQC will be able to charge for full costs of assessments and inspections from April 1. OnMedica
Jeremy Hunt's confrontation with junior doctors 'derailed the NHS' own work to deliver seven-day service'
Jeremy Hunt's confrontation with junior doctors 'derailed the NHS' own work to deliver seven-day service' British Medical Journal editor Dr Fiona Godlee accused Mr Hunt of 'misusing' evidence of higher weekend mortality in hospitals to 'beat up' doctors. The Independent
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See also:
- Seven-day services needs 'proper resourcing' British Medical Association
Best-selling blood pressure app is 'so inaccurate it gives false warnings 80% of the time - putting people's health at risk'
Best-selling blood pressure app is 'so inaccurate it gives false warnings 80% of the time - putting people's health at risk' Scientists from Johns Hopkins University revealed the app called Instant Blood Pressure - which has been downloaded more than 100,000 times - gives inaccurate readings. The Daily Mail
Brilliant clinicians need a brilliant support workforce
Brilliant clinicians need a brilliant support workforce Support workers have a vital role to play in the future of the NHS so how can they be given the time and support to develop?
In healthcare, the focus is often on brilliant surgeons, nurses or doctors (who, of course, we applaud). However, nurses and other medical professionals in the UK would not be able to do their job without the dedicated assistance of the support workforce.
The level of responsibility these health and care support workers have is increasing as the financial strain on the NHS makes the case for transferring more activities away from clinical staff. Continue reading... The Guardian
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In healthcare, the focus is often on brilliant surgeons, nurses or doctors (who, of course, we applaud). However, nurses and other medical professionals in the UK would not be able to do their job without the dedicated assistance of the support workforce.
The level of responsibility these health and care support workers have is increasing as the financial strain on the NHS makes the case for transferring more activities away from clinical staff. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Almost 300 GP surgeries in England could close due to finances – poll
Almost 300 GP surgeries in England could close due to finances – poll BMA survey of 2,830 GP surgeries – a third of practices in England – finds that 10% believe they are financially ‘unsustainable’
Almost 300 GP surgeries in England face closure because of financial pressures and nearly half have doctors planning to leave the NHS, according to a BMA survey.
The poll, which received responses from about a third of all surgeries, paints a bleak picture of the prospects for general practice with just one in 20 reporting that its finances were in a strong state. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Almost 300 GP surgeries in England face closure because of financial pressures and nearly half have doctors planning to leave the NHS, according to a BMA survey.
The poll, which received responses from about a third of all surgeries, paints a bleak picture of the prospects for general practice with just one in 20 reporting that its finances were in a strong state. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The Guardian view on childhood obesity: fizz with indignation | Editorial
The Guardian view on childhood obesity: fizz with indignation | Editorial The official action plan has been delayed, again. With continuing resistance to a tax on sugary drinks, this is a case of drift, rather than deliberation.
The first thing to know about nutrition is that nobody is certain about very much. Data gets painstakingly collected in diaries which don’t give a full dietary picture: even if people don’t actually fib, they won’t always be sure of everything they've consumed, and may eat more thoughtfully when they know they’re going to be writing it down. The health consequences show up only slowly, which makes it necessary to keep tabs on the same patients for decades, which isn't easy to do. The chemical effect of a particular food may depend on how it is prepared, and even the mix of things it is served with. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The first thing to know about nutrition is that nobody is certain about very much. Data gets painstakingly collected in diaries which don’t give a full dietary picture: even if people don’t actually fib, they won’t always be sure of everything they've consumed, and may eat more thoughtfully when they know they’re going to be writing it down. The health consequences show up only slowly, which makes it necessary to keep tabs on the same patients for decades, which isn't easy to do. The chemical effect of a particular food may depend on how it is prepared, and even the mix of things it is served with. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Cash paid by European Union migrants to use British hospitals falls despite surge in EU nationals moving to the UK
Cash paid by European Union migrants to use British hospitals falls despite surge in EU nationals moving to the UK Cash clawed back from European Union migrants who use British hospitals has fallen over the past year despite a surge in EU nationals moving to the UK.
Britain paid out £647.4million to EU countries to cover their health costs last year – but received only £49.7million in return from EU countries treating Britons. The Daily Telegraph
Britain paid out £647.4million to EU countries to cover their health costs last year – but received only £49.7million in return from EU countries treating Britons. The Daily Telegraph
Number of 'legal highs' soaring, warns United Nations body
Number of 'legal highs' soaring, warns United Nations body International Narcotics Control Board says more than 600 new psychoactive substances were reported around the world last year, a rise of 55 per cent. The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Appeal to raise £20,000 for ‘must-have’ equipment for intensive care patients at Kettering Hospital
Appeal to raise £20,000 for ‘must-have’ equipment for intensive care patients at Kettering Hospital An appeal has been launched to raise £20,000 to buy new equipment which could be a lifeline for patients in intensive care. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Recruitment day is being held at Northampton General Hospital
Recruitment day is being held at Northampton General Hospital A recruitment day is being held next Tuesday at Northampton General Hospital. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Press release: Fewer adults dying from conditions directly caused by alcohol
Press release: Fewer adults dying from conditions directly caused by alcohol New figures show fewer adults are dying from alcohol-specific conditions, such as alcoholic liver disease and alcohol poisonings.
The latest update to the Local Alcohol Profiles for England (LAPE) data tool shows that nationally, alcohol-specific deaths fell by 3% to 17,755 deaths. Alcohol-related deaths have seen a slight increase, year on year, from an estimated 22,330 in 2012 to 22,976 in 2014. Alcohol-related deaths include conditions that are partially related to alcohol, such as heart disease and certain cancers. Public Health England
The latest update to the Local Alcohol Profiles for England (LAPE) data tool shows that nationally, alcohol-specific deaths fell by 3% to 17,755 deaths. Alcohol-related deaths have seen a slight increase, year on year, from an estimated 22,330 in 2012 to 22,976 in 2014. Alcohol-related deaths include conditions that are partially related to alcohol, such as heart disease and certain cancers. Public Health England
Zika virus: updated travel advice for pregnant women
Zika virus: updated travel advice for pregnant women Public Health England and the National Travel Health Network and Centre have been carefully monitoring the evolving Zika virus outbreak in South and Central America and the Caribbean and are now issuing updated travel advice for pregnant women and advice on preventing sexual transmission.
See also:
See also:
- 'Strong evidence' of Zika virus and Guillain-Barr syndrome link NHS Choices
- Pregnant women warned against Zika travel BBC News
- VIDEO: Zika concerns grow in Puerto Rico BBC News
- Zika virus: pregnant women warned against travel to affected areas The Guardian
- Zika: What is Guillain-Barre syndrome linked to the virus? The Independent
Delivering for patients with rare diseases: Implementing a Strategy
Delivering for patients with rare diseases: Implementing a Strategy The UK Rare Disease Forum (the group charged with monitoring the implementation of the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases) has published its first progress report. The report recognises that there has been significant progress across the UK but much remains to be done to meet the needs of the millions of people affected by rare diseases.
New initiative aims to improve maternity services through patient feedback
New initiative aims to improve maternity services through patient feedback Maternity services have been invited to bid for money from a new Challenge Fund aimed at finding innovative ways to use patient feedback to improve services.
Emails with full details have gone out to chief executives of all trusts inviting them to put in their bids to be among the two to four projects that will get funding for their initiative from the £195,000 available. NHS England
Emails with full details have gone out to chief executives of all trusts inviting them to put in their bids to be among the two to four projects that will get funding for their initiative from the £195,000 available. NHS England
Triple Aim strategies to improve behavioural health care
Triple Aim strategies to improve behavioural health care This guide describes strategies, action steps and examples for hospitals, health systems and community stakeholders working together to develop a well-coordinated, accessible, affordable and accountable system for delivering behavioural health care. The case studies in the guide provide examples of how hospitals and health systems, working with community partners, can improve the quality of and access to behavioural health care, while bending the cost curve and improving community health. Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence
Rise in hip replacements for under-60s
Rise in hip replacements for under-60s The number of hip replacement operations on people aged under 60 has risen 76% in the last decade, NHS figures for England reveal. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Sporty baby-boomers spark surge in hip-replacements The Daily Telegraph
Ambulance chief in 111 row 'told to go'
Ambulance chief in 111 row 'told to go' The chairman of the scandal-hit South East Coast Ambulance Service, Tony Thorne, is told to leave his post, the BBC understands. BBC News
Exclusive: Patients consulted in less than half of PMS reviews that could cut services
Exclusive: Patients consulted in less than half of PMS reviews that could cut services Commissioners have consulted patients in less than half of completed PMS reviews that are expected to change GP services, GP Online has learned.
NHS failing to answer patients’ questions, warns Ombudsman
NHS failing to answer patients’ questions, warns Ombudsman The NHS too often fails to answer patients’ questions and forces them to contact the Ombudsman service for answers, according to a report* published today.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's latest snapshot of cases report included many cases where questions about mistakes or oversights by the health service were unanswered by the NHS itself. OnMedica
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The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's latest snapshot of cases report included many cases where questions about mistakes or oversights by the health service were unanswered by the NHS itself. OnMedica
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- Report on selected summaries of investigations April to June 2015 Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Patients who do not use GP for five years 'may be barred from practice'
Patients who do not use GP for five years 'may be barred from practice' The plan being developed in the east of England is intended to find out if people no longer require services, have moved house or have died.
Patients who do not visit their GP for five years could be barred from their doctor’s surgery under plans being developed in the east of England.
Under the move, patients who have not seen their GP for five years will be sent two letters asking them to respond. If they do not get in touch to say they still wish to be registered with their GP, they will be removed from the GP practice list. Continue reading... The Guardian
Patients who do not visit their GP for five years could be barred from their doctor’s surgery under plans being developed in the east of England.
Under the move, patients who have not seen their GP for five years will be sent two letters asking them to respond. If they do not get in touch to say they still wish to be registered with their GP, they will be removed from the GP practice list. Continue reading... The Guardian
The five principles behind the world’s most efficient health systems
The five principles behind the world’s most efficient health systems Some nations pay half what others do for healthcare and yet get the same or better outcomes. Here’s why.
One of the greatest conundrums in global health is why so many countries don’t get what they pay for. A relationship between health expenditure and health exists, but is far looser than you might think. Many nations spend a quarter or even a half of what others do for the same or better outcomes.
Lifestyle and cultural factors undoubtedly play a role in this, but after working in more than 60 countries, I have seen how patterns in the way that healthcare is managed, delivered and funded is also crucial. Here are five factors that are often at play: Continue reading... The Guardian
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One of the greatest conundrums in global health is why so many countries don’t get what they pay for. A relationship between health expenditure and health exists, but is far looser than you might think. Many nations spend a quarter or even a half of what others do for the same or better outcomes.
Lifestyle and cultural factors undoubtedly play a role in this, but after working in more than 60 countries, I have seen how patterns in the way that healthcare is managed, delivered and funded is also crucial. Here are five factors that are often at play: Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Life-changing Sickle Cell Disease treatment approved by NHS watchdog
Life-changing Sickle Cell Disease treatment approved by NHS watchdog A new automatic blood transfusion treatment will half the number of visits to hospital for people with Sickle Cell Disease. The Daily Telegraph
Ban contact rugby in schools, say health experts
Ban contact rugby in schools, say health experts Dozens of doctors and health experts have written to the Government calling for a ban on tackling in school rugby games to avoid needless injuries. The Daily Telegraph
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See also:
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
NHS 'lost' 91-year-old woman due to 'data protection'
NHS 'lost' 91-year-old woman due to 'data protection' A frustrated son said the NHS "lost" his 91-year-old mother after she was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Harry Whitehouse said the East Midlands Ambulance Service could not tell him where his mother Margaret had been taken due to "data protection". BBC Nottingham
Harry Whitehouse said the East Midlands Ambulance Service could not tell him where his mother Margaret had been taken due to "data protection". BBC Nottingham
NICE: a terrible beauty
NICE: a terrible beauty NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) is one of the many arms-length bodies set up by the last Labour government – and one of the few to have survived. In the health sector it is almost the only one to have reached the present day with its original remit intact.
It has done so despite living much of its life in ferment. NICE has been accused of everything from being ‘a death panel’ – by denying people potentially life-saving treatment – to being one of Britain’s greatest cultural exports – countries around the world have sought to learn lessons from NICE as they seek to introduce health technology assessment and guidelines. The King's Fund
It has done so despite living much of its life in ferment. NICE has been accused of everything from being ‘a death panel’ – by denying people potentially life-saving treatment – to being one of Britain’s greatest cultural exports – countries around the world have sought to learn lessons from NICE as they seek to introduce health technology assessment and guidelines. The King's Fund
Care After Cure: Creating a fast track pathway from hospitals to homes
Care After Cure: Creating a fast track pathway from hospitals to homes This report examines how to reduce these pressures on the NHS by making better use of existing residential care facilities, and asks what is needed to allow residential care to step up and take on a more substantial role in the health and social care ecosystem through working more closely with providers of healthcare.
The report proposes a ‘Fast Track Discharge Fund’, worth more than £3 billion over the next five years, and funded out of existing NHS budgets, to both pay for residential care beds to accommodate patients with no medical need to be in hospital, and invest in skills, training and facilities within the residential care sector. Respublica
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The report proposes a ‘Fast Track Discharge Fund’, worth more than £3 billion over the next five years, and funded out of existing NHS budgets, to both pay for residential care beds to accommodate patients with no medical need to be in hospital, and invest in skills, training and facilities within the residential care sector. Respublica
See also:
- Care homes 'could solve NHS bed-blocking' BBC News
- Bed Blocking crisis to cost NHS £3.3 billion in next five years The Daily Telegraph
What to expect from a good care service
What to expect from a good care service Guidance from the Care Quality Commission aimed at the public, which describes what constitutes good quality care in:
- Hospitals
- GPs
- Care homes
- Home care agencies
- Dentists
Working together we can improve gender identity services – Will Huxter
Working together we can improve gender identity services – Will Huxter In his latest blog the chair of the NHS England Gender Task & Finish Group looks at the work being done to help improve people’s experience of NHS gender identity services.
NHS to help create 'healthy new towns'
NHS to help create 'healthy new towns' Ten new housing developments in England are to be built with healthy living in mind, under an NHS scheme. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Theme parks can inspire new towns to beat childhood obesity, says NHS boss Simon Stevens The Daily Telegraph
- Ten new 'healthy' towns to be built in England The Guardian
Matthew Garnett: Autistic teenager stuck inside psychiatric unit for six months 'is being kept like a prisoner'
Matthew Garnett: Autistic teenager stuck inside psychiatric unit for six months 'is being kept like a prisoner' Family of Matthew Garnett have started a petition calling for NHS bosses to find him a space at a specialist autistic unit. The Independent
Zika virus: Scientists find direct evidence of link with Guillain-Barré syndrome
Zika virus: Scientists find direct evidence of link with Guillain-Barré syndrome Study suggests Latin America can expect rise in number of people suffering from mysterious neurological disorder. The Independent
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See also:
Constipation costs the NHS £145m a year as many were 'too embarrassed'
Constipation costs the NHS £145m a year as many were 'too embarrassed' The NHS dealt with 48,409 unplanned emergency admissions to hospital where constipation was given as the primary diagnosis in 2014/15, official figures show. The Daily Mail
Mid-Staff hospital scandal will see no one prosecuted after three year probe
Mid-Staff hospital scandal will see no one prosecuted after three year probe Despite a three-year police investigation, insufficient evidence could be found to mount a single prosecution against managers or staff involved in the Mid-Staffordshire hospital scandal. The Daily Mail
NHS nurse shortages 'to last another four years'
NHS nurse shortages 'to last another four years' Figures show almost 24,000 nursing vacancies as trusts go overseas to recruit staff.
A senior health official has admitted there will be a shortage of nurses in the NHS for another four years after figures revealed that thousands of posts for doctors and nurses have not been filled.
The escalating NHS recruitment crisis is forcing more than two-thirds of trusts to look to migrants to fill vacancies, according to figures released after a freedom of information request by the BBC.
Impossible to ignore the staffing crisis in the NHS. The government attacking the staff isn't the solution Continue reading... The Guardian
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A senior health official has admitted there will be a shortage of nurses in the NHS for another four years after figures revealed that thousands of posts for doctors and nurses have not been filled.
The escalating NHS recruitment crisis is forcing more than two-thirds of trusts to look to migrants to fill vacancies, according to figures released after a freedom of information request by the BBC.
Impossible to ignore the staffing crisis in the NHS. The government attacking the staff isn't the solution Continue reading... The Guardian
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NHS chief at centre of 111 scandal authorised secret policy which recorded 999 calls as receiving a 'swift response'
NHS chief at centre of 111 scandal authorised secret policy which recorded 999 calls as receiving a 'swift response' Exclusive: The rule was applied regardless of whether the medical emergency could have been helped by a defibrillator, or whether any attempt was made to use it, a leaked report reveals. The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 29 February 2016
Former nurses given guaranteed job offer in new recruitment drive at Northampton General Hospital
Former nurses given guaranteed job offer in new recruitment drive at Northampton General Hospital A new campaign to encourage former nurses to return to practice has been launched by Northampton General Hospital and the University of Northampton. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Nine new ambulances could be on the way for Northamptonshire
Nine new ambulances could be on the way for Northamptonshire A loan of £1.2m from the wider NHS could be set to pay for nine new ambulances to cover Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Change is good for patients and Allied Health Professionals – Helen Marriott
Change is good for patients and Allied Health Professionals – Helen Marriott The Allied Health Professions Medicines Project Lead at NHS England gives her views on the impact new legislation relating to prescribing, supply and administration of medicines will bring to the quality of care patients receive from eligible Allied Health Professions (AHPs). NHS England
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Thousands of NHS posts lie vacant
Thousands of NHS posts lie vacant Tens of thousands of nursing and doctor posts are vacant and many NHS trusts are looking overseas to fill them, according to a BBC Freedom of Information request. BBC News
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See also:
- Health trusts reveal thousands of doctor and nursing vacancies The Daily Mail
- Thousands of NHS doctor and nursing posts are vacant The Daily Telegraph
Tech could offer the NHS 'quick wins'
Tech could offer the NHS 'quick wins' The relationship between the NHS and information technology has not always been smooth.
But, in this week's Scrubbing Up Dr Rob Watson says we shouldn't give up hope - and there is potential for technology to improve the way the health service works, for doctors and patients. BBC News
But, in this week's Scrubbing Up Dr Rob Watson says we shouldn't give up hope - and there is potential for technology to improve the way the health service works, for doctors and patients. BBC News
Ebola nurse discharged from hospital
Ebola nurse discharged from hospital Scots nurse Pauline Cafferkey is discharged from a London hospital after being admitted for a third time since contracting Ebola. BBC News
More tooth decay among English children
More tooth decay among English children The number of children in England having their teeth removed because of decay has increased for the fourth year in a row, figures suggest. BBC News
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Cold homes cost the NHS £1billion a year: Every health trust wastes £27,000 a day treating patients with preventable illnesses, says charity
Cold homes cost the NHS £1billion a year: Every health trust wastes £27,000 a day treating patients with preventable illnesses, says charity Every health trust wastes more than £27,000 a day treating patients with health problems caused by living in cold housing, a charity has said. The Daily Mail
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Junior doctors will boycott review into poor morale
Junior doctors will boycott review into poor morale Medics’ representatives say they won’t discuss morale during dispute over pay and hours, which the review ignores
Junior doctors are preparing to boycott a review into falling morale among medics, the Guardian understands, casting doubt on the inquiry, which was announced on the same day the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, vowed to impose a controversial new contract.
The Department of Health may now be forced to overhaul the terms of the independent review of junior doctors’ poor morale, announced by Hunt earlier this month. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Junior doctors are preparing to boycott a review into falling morale among medics, the Guardian understands, casting doubt on the inquiry, which was announced on the same day the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, vowed to impose a controversial new contract.
The Department of Health may now be forced to overhaul the terms of the independent review of junior doctors’ poor morale, announced by Hunt earlier this month. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Childhood obesity strategy delayed further, government admits
Childhood obesity strategy delayed further, government admits Campaigners say delay in publication is ‘unforgivable’ and fear tax on sugary drinks will be rejected
The already delayed childhood obesity strategy will not be published until the summer, the government has said, and campaigners say it is unlikely to include a sugar tax.
“It is a very complex issue and there is a lot of work going on to get it right,” said a Department of Health spokesperson. “There are a lot of different issues that need considering and we want to make sure it is right when we put it out. David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt have said they want it to be a game-changing moment.” Continue reading... The Guardian
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The already delayed childhood obesity strategy will not be published until the summer, the government has said, and campaigners say it is unlikely to include a sugar tax.
“It is a very complex issue and there is a lot of work going on to get it right,” said a Department of Health spokesperson. “There are a lot of different issues that need considering and we want to make sure it is right when we put it out. David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt have said they want it to be a game-changing moment.” Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- How did Britain get so fat? The Daily Telegraph
- GP leaders condemn obesity strategy delay OnMedica
Ambulances referred by NHS 111 service deliberately delayed under secret trust policy, inquiry finds
Ambulances referred by NHS 111 service deliberately delayed under secret trust policy, inquiry finds Ambulances dispatched after people called the NHS 111 helpline were deliberately delayed under a secret policy authorised by a senior health service executive, a leaked report seen by The Daily Telegraph reveals.
Up to 20,000 patients were subject to deliberate delays under the covert operation, which forced high-risk cases in the South East to automatically wait up to twice as long if their call was referred from the helpline.
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Up to 20,000 patients were subject to deliberate delays under the covert operation, which forced high-risk cases in the South East to automatically wait up to twice as long if their call was referred from the helpline.
See also:
- Our response to Daily Mail story about 111 service Care Quality Commission
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