Tuesday, 20 September 2016
Why is diagnosing frailty important?
Why is diagnosing frailty important? Professor Martin Vernon, National Clinical Director for Older People and Integrated Care at NHS England discusses the importance and potential in diagnosing frailty. NHS England
NHS watchdog issues sexting advice
NHS watchdog issues sexting advice Any child or teenager sending explicit images or messages on texts and emails is cause for concern and should be monitored, new guidelines for schools and health professionals in England advise. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people guideline [NG55] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Children caught sexting should be sent to social workers and psychiatrists, say health chiefs The Daily Mail
- Sexting: treating children as ‘mini sex offenders’ could make things worse The Daily Telegraph
One hospital's fight with care shortfall
One hospital's fight with care shortfall (video) New figures show a rapid rise in the numbers of people unable to leave hospital, because of problems providing them with care at home.
It is costing the NHS £820m per year and putting hospitals under huge strain.
Alison Holt visited one hospital in Liverpool to see the impact of the shortfall on front line services. BBC News
It is costing the NHS £820m per year and putting hospitals under huge strain.
Alison Holt visited one hospital in Liverpool to see the impact of the shortfall on front line services. BBC News
Zika cases in UK travellers triple in a month as 100 new cases confirmed
Zika cases in UK travellers triple in a month as 100 new cases confirmed UK GPs encountered an unprecedented number of Zika virus cases over the past few weeks, data from Public Health England (PHE) suggest, as the number of confirmed cases in travellers tripled in the past month. GP Online
Progress made in cutting antimicrobial resistance
Progress made in cutting antimicrobial resistance Progress is being made in preventing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the UK, according to two new government reports.
The government has published its official response report to Lord O’Neill’s review Tackling drug-resistant infections globally, which made 10 recommendations on how to best prevent the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
Lord O’Neill’s review’s recommendations included raising awareness of AMR globally, reducing the use of antibiotics in animals and improving hygiene to help stop the spread of infection.
It also highlighted the consequences of not taking steps to tackle AMR, warning that there could be 10 million deaths a year by 2050 and the potential end of modern medicine as we know it. OnMedica
See also:
The government has published its official response report to Lord O’Neill’s review Tackling drug-resistant infections globally, which made 10 recommendations on how to best prevent the challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
Lord O’Neill’s review’s recommendations included raising awareness of AMR globally, reducing the use of antibiotics in animals and improving hygiene to help stop the spread of infection.
It also highlighted the consequences of not taking steps to tackle AMR, warning that there could be 10 million deaths a year by 2050 and the potential end of modern medicine as we know it. OnMedica
See also:
Number of smokers in England falls to record low
Number of smokers in England falls to record low Smoking rates across England are the lowest on record, health officials have said.
Public Health England (PHE) said that 16.9 per cent of the population in England are smokers - the lowest level since records began.
The figures were released as the health body launched its annual Stoptober campaign to encourage the nation's remaining smokers to quit for the month of October. If people give up the habit for 28 days they are five times more likely to quit for good, PHE said. The Independent
See also:
Public Health England (PHE) said that 16.9 per cent of the population in England are smokers - the lowest level since records began.
The figures were released as the health body launched its annual Stoptober campaign to encourage the nation's remaining smokers to quit for the month of October. If people give up the habit for 28 days they are five times more likely to quit for good, PHE said. The Independent
See also:
- Quitting smoking sweeps the nation as Stoptober returns Public Health England
- Smoking rates in England fall to lowest on record BBC News
- Number of smokers in England drops to an all-time low with just one-in-six adults lighting up The Daily Mail
- Number of smokers in England drops to all-time low The Guardian
NHS plans to make senior doctors reveal outside earnings
NHS plans to make senior doctors reveal outside earnings About half of hospital consultants are believed to undertake private work, risking conflicts of interests, says NHS England
Doctors will have to reveal the amount of money they earn from private work under new plans to improve transparency. NHS England chairman Sir Malcolm Grant told the Times that the extent of private work carried out had been “under the radar” for too long. “We are looking into something that is quite a touchy subject,” he said.
A spokesman for NHS England, which is trying to increase transparency, said that every hospital is to publish a register of consultants’ outside earnings from April in a drive to unearth potential conflicts of interest. It is believed that about half of England’s 46,000 NHS consultants do private work, on top of average earnings of £112,000 a year. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Doctors will have to reveal the amount of money they earn from private work under new plans to improve transparency. NHS England chairman Sir Malcolm Grant told the Times that the extent of private work carried out had been “under the radar” for too long. “We are looking into something that is quite a touchy subject,” he said.
A spokesman for NHS England, which is trying to increase transparency, said that every hospital is to publish a register of consultants’ outside earnings from April in a drive to unearth potential conflicts of interest. It is believed that about half of England’s 46,000 NHS consultants do private work, on top of average earnings of £112,000 a year. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- NHS doctors to declare income from private work BBC News
- Consultants will have to reveal all their income from private work amid reports they can earn hundreds of thousands on top of their NHS hours The Daily Mail
- NHS plans to make senior doctors reveal earnings from private work The Independent
Jeremy Hunt acted illegally over junior doctors, court hears
Jeremy Hunt acted illegally over junior doctors, court hears Legal challenge brought by five trainees over health secretary’s decision to impose new contract begins in high court.
Jeremy Hunt acted illegally and beyond his powers by deciding to impose a new contract on NHS junior doctors, the high court has been told in a legal challenge to the health secretary’s handling of the year-long dispute.
The court on Monday began a two-day judicial review of the legal challenge to Hunt brought byfive junior doctors. Continue reading... The Guardian
Jeremy Hunt acted illegally and beyond his powers by deciding to impose a new contract on NHS junior doctors, the high court has been told in a legal challenge to the health secretary’s handling of the year-long dispute.
The court on Monday began a two-day judicial review of the legal challenge to Hunt brought byfive junior doctors. Continue reading... The Guardian
Doctor will see you now - on his webcam: Patient safety fears as GPs pay private firms to give consultations via computer
Doctor will see you now - on his webcam: Patient safety fears as GPs pay private firms to give consultations via computer Patients will first have to download an app on their computer or mobile phone and then at an allocated time they must log on and speak to their GP using their built-in camera or webcam. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- NHS offers appointments with a doctor via webcam rather than in person The Daily Telegraph
Leaked emails reveal junior doctors secretly polled by union amid fears thousands now oppose strikes
Leaked emails reveal junior doctors secretly polled by union amid fears thousands now oppose strikes Junior doctors are being secretly polled by union representatives amid fears thousands no longer want to join in walkouts, leaked emails reveal.
A memo sent to thousands of medics suggests that the controversial strikes could be dropped if doctors do not actively express their willingness to take part.
Medics are due to take part in the biggest strikes in NHS history in just over a fortnight, with week-long walkouts repeated every month until Christmas. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
A memo sent to thousands of medics suggests that the controversial strikes could be dropped if doctors do not actively express their willingness to take part.
Medics are due to take part in the biggest strikes in NHS history in just over a fortnight, with week-long walkouts repeated every month until Christmas. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Embattled mental health NHS trust chairman stands down
Embattled mental health NHS trust chairman stands down The interim chairman of a scandal-hit mental health trust that was criticised for not investigating hundreds of unexpected patient deaths has resigned after only four months.
Tim Smart, who took over the heavily criticised Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in May, said yesterday he was standing down “for personal reasons”. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Tim Smart, who took over the heavily criticised Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in May, said yesterday he was standing down “for personal reasons”. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Monday, 19 September 2016
Policy paper: Progress report on the UK 5 year AMR strategy: 2015
Policy paper: Progress report on the UK 5 year AMR strategy: 2015 The second annual progress report describes what was achieved in the second year of implementation, including a number of significant achievements on the international stage.
The UK 5 year antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy 2013 to 2018 represents an ambitious programme to slow the development and spread of AMR taking a “One-Health” approach spanning people, animals, agriculture and the wider environment.
This is published on behalf of the high level steering group responsible for driving delivery of the UK AMR strategy. Department of Health
See also:
The UK 5 year antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy 2013 to 2018 represents an ambitious programme to slow the development and spread of AMR taking a “One-Health” approach spanning people, animals, agriculture and the wider environment.
This is published on behalf of the high level steering group responsible for driving delivery of the UK AMR strategy. Department of Health
See also:
- Government’s progress in preventing drug resistant infections Department of Health
- Policy paper: Government response the review on antimicrobial resistance Department of Health
Improving access to psychological therapies: workforce census report
Improving access to psychological therapies: workforce census report The 2015 Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Workforce Census Report offers the most comprehensive view to date of the size and shape of the IAPT workforce in England, including insight into the capacity of IAPT services to offer the full range of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended psychological therapies. NHS England
Real lives: listening to the voices of people who use social care
Real lives: listening to the voices of people who use social care In summer 2016, working in collaboration with the British Red Cross and Royal Voluntary Service, The Richmond Group of Charities commissioned The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust to undertake a series of interviews with individuals with experience of using social care services. The aim of this work was to complement and add value to a wider piece of research being undertaken by The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust to examine the future sustainability of the social care system, Social Care for Older People: Home Truths (published 15 September 2016). The personal experiences of people needing care and support and their carers outlined in Real Lives illustrate the key issues and challenges facing local authorities, policymakers and those who depend on services.
Junior doctors take contract fight to high court
Junior doctors take contract fight to high court Junior doctors in England are going to the High Court to try and stop the government imposing a new contract.
The group Justice for Health, which is mounting the legal challenge, says the contract is unsafe and unsustainable and it accuses Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt of acting outside his powers.
The Department says the case is without merit.
Ministers insist the new contract is needed to improve levels of medical cover in hospitals at weekends.
The hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London will run for two days. BBC News
See also:
The group Justice for Health, which is mounting the legal challenge, says the contract is unsafe and unsustainable and it accuses Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt of acting outside his powers.
The Department says the case is without merit.
Ministers insist the new contract is needed to improve levels of medical cover in hospitals at weekends.
The hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London will run for two days. BBC News
See also:
Fire service rescuing more obese people across UK
Fire service rescuing more obese people across UK The number of obese people being rescued by fire services because they are too large to move on their own rises by more than a third over the past three years in the UK. BBC News
See also:
See also:
Ambulance staff picket GP surgeries in row over unpaid wages
Ambulance staff picket GP surgeries in row over unpaid wages Sussex GPs who hold senior CCG management posts have seen their practices picketed by ambulance staff in a row over unpaid wages, following the collapse of a private provider. GP Online
First official figures reveal how likely you are to be alive 10 years after a cancer diagnosis
First official figures reveal how likely you are to be alive 10 years after a cancer diagnosis Data experts have forecast how many people with cancer can expect to survive a decade. The new figures, from the Office for National Statistics, show the stark differences between cancers. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- Cancer Registration Statistics, England: 2014 Office for National Statistics
- Survival rates 10 years after cancer diagnosis predicted for first time The Daily Telegraph
Just 1 in 5 students has vital meningitis jab
Just 1 in 5 students has vital meningitis jab Figures showed that by the end of August, just 17 per cent of all 18-year-olds leaving school had been vaccinated – despite GPs writing to all eligible 17 and 18-year-olds at the start of the month. The Daily Mail
Doctors to be sent on NHS courses in how to talk to their patients
Doctors to be sent on NHS courses in how to talk to their patients Doctors and nurses will be sent on courses in compassion, amid growing concern that too many are failing to listen to patients.
Thousands of NHS staff will be urged to improve their communication skills, as part of a national drive to help patients improve their health.
The country’s most senior doctor said the future of the health service depended on coaching staff in how to have a more “equal conversation” with patients.
Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, said the skills were needed to help patients tackle unhealthy lifestyles which have left the health service under unprecedented strain. The Daily Telegraph
Thousands of NHS staff will be urged to improve their communication skills, as part of a national drive to help patients improve their health.
The country’s most senior doctor said the future of the health service depended on coaching staff in how to have a more “equal conversation” with patients.
Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, said the skills were needed to help patients tackle unhealthy lifestyles which have left the health service under unprecedented strain. The Daily Telegraph
National 'Uber-style' private GP service sparks backlash
National 'Uber-style' private GP service sparks backlash Anew ‘Uber-style' system of private GP appointments using NHS doctors is to be rolled out nationally, sparking a backlash from some medics.
The new service will match patients who are prepared to pay between £40 and £70 for an appointment, with family doctors prepared to work privately from their own practice in their spare time.
Critics said it was not fair to encourage patients to jump the queue if they could afford to avoid long waiting lists on the NHS.
But the company behind it said it would “drive down queues in surgeries” and reduce pressure on Accident & Emergency departments. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
The new service will match patients who are prepared to pay between £40 and £70 for an appointment, with family doctors prepared to work privately from their own practice in their spare time.
Critics said it was not fair to encourage patients to jump the queue if they could afford to avoid long waiting lists on the NHS.
But the company behind it said it would “drive down queues in surgeries” and reduce pressure on Accident & Emergency departments. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Friday, 16 September 2016
Research and analysis: Northamptonshire: abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme
Research and analysis: Northamptonshire: abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme This document sets out observations and recommendations from the quality assurance (QA) visit to Northamptonshire General Hospital. Public Health England
Engaging local people: a guide for local areas developing Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs)
Engaging local people: a guide for local areas developing Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) This document is for teams developing STPs in each of the 44 footprint areas, and the statutory organisations which form part of them. It is intended to clarify the expectations on stakeholder involvement, in particular patient and public participation. It also covers legal duties around engagement and consultation and will be of particular interest to communication and engagement leads for STPs and footprint leaders.
Sweden’s Esther Model for Improving Care of Elderly Patients with Complex Needs
Sweden’s Esther Model for Improving Care of Elderly Patients with Complex Needs The Esther model in Jönköping County, Sweden, seeks to improve care for elderly patients with complex care needs—symbolically known as “Esthers”—by persistently focusing on what is best for them. The Commonwealth Fund
See also:
See also:
Number of written complaints about NHS falls by 4 per cent
Number of written complaints about NHS falls by 4 per cent New figures show there were 198,739 written complaints received over the last financial year(2) - the equivalent of around 544 per day - which was 8,668 (4.2 per cent) fewer than in 2014-15. NHS Digital
Emergency contraceptive affected by other medicines - regulator issues new guidance
Emergency contraceptive affected by other medicines - regulator issues new guidance Women needing the emergency contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel should tell their healthcare professional if they are currently taking medicines for epilepsy and certain serious infections, or herbal remedies such as St John’s Wort as these may reduce how well the emergency contraceptive works. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Sharp rise in care delays 'piles pressure on hospitals'
Sharp rise in care delays 'piles pressure on hospitals' A sharp rise in waits for care services is piling the pressure on the NHS in England, hospital bosses are warning. BBC News
See also:
See also:
PrEP HIV drugs: court hears NHS England appeal
PrEP HIV drugs: court hears NHS England appeal NHS England is challenging high court ruling that it has power to commission ‘game-changing’ prevention strategy
A legal battle is being fought out in the court of appeal over who pays the bill for a service to block HIV infection.
The high court ruled that NHS England has the power to commission PrEP, which has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight against HIV/Aids. Continue reading... The Guardian
A legal battle is being fought out in the court of appeal over who pays the bill for a service to block HIV infection.
The high court ruled that NHS England has the power to commission PrEP, which has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight against HIV/Aids. Continue reading... The Guardian
Doctors urge inquiry into Jeremy Hunt's NHS 'weekend effect' claims
Doctors urge inquiry into Jeremy Hunt's NHS 'weekend effect' claims Letter signed by doctors and scientists including Stephen Hawking accuses health secretary of misrepresenting evidence
Stephen Hawking, Robert Winston and a number of senior doctors are urging Theresa May to hold an inquiry into Jeremy Hunt’s claim that 11,000 patient deaths a year are caused by a lack of medics on duty in hospitals at weekends.
In a letter to the Guardian they claim the health secretary has caused a “devastating breakdown of trust between government and the medical profession” by misrepresenting the evidence on the “weekend effect”. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Stephen Hawking, Robert Winston and a number of senior doctors are urging Theresa May to hold an inquiry into Jeremy Hunt’s claim that 11,000 patient deaths a year are caused by a lack of medics on duty in hospitals at weekends.
In a letter to the Guardian they claim the health secretary has caused a “devastating breakdown of trust between government and the medical profession” by misrepresenting the evidence on the “weekend effect”. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Jeremy Hunt faces High Court battle over junior doctors' contracts
Jeremy Hunt faces High Court battle over junior doctors' contracts Unprecedented walkouts by thousands of junior doctors over a new contract could be averted by a High Court case next week, medics say.
Up to 50,000 doctors have been asked by unions to take part in week-long strikes, starting next month, despite concerns that the actions could cost lives.
On Monday, the Health Secretary will face a judicial review application over the way the contract is being introduced. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Up to 50,000 doctors have been asked by unions to take part in week-long strikes, starting next month, despite concerns that the actions could cost lives.
On Monday, the Health Secretary will face a judicial review application over the way the contract is being introduced. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Hospital hid cancer operation error from dead woman's family
Hospital hid cancer operation error from dead woman's family The family of a mother-of-three who died two days after she had an operation to remove a kidney was not told about a surgical error.
Cancer patient Deborah O'Hara had undergone surgery to remove a kidney at University Hospital Coventry during which the blood supply from two arteries was cut off.
The hospital failed to report the error to her family or to the coroner's office when it reported her death last June. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Cancer patient Deborah O'Hara had undergone surgery to remove a kidney at University Hospital Coventry during which the blood supply from two arteries was cut off.
The hospital failed to report the error to her family or to the coroner's office when it reported her death last June. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Older people are paying the price for cuts to social care
Older people are paying the price for cuts to social care The care and support older people receive increasingly depends on where they live and how much money they have rather than their needs, according to a new report by The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust.
Six consecutive years of cuts to local authority budgets, rising demand for services and shortages of staff have left the social care system increasingly unable to meet the needs of the older people who depend on it. The report finds that this is placing an unacceptable burden on unpaid carers and is leaving rising numbers of older people who have difficulty with the basic activities of daily living – such as washing, dressing and getting out of bed – without any support at all. The King's Fund
See also:
Six consecutive years of cuts to local authority budgets, rising demand for services and shortages of staff have left the social care system increasingly unable to meet the needs of the older people who depend on it. The report finds that this is placing an unacceptable burden on unpaid carers and is leaving rising numbers of older people who have difficulty with the basic activities of daily living – such as washing, dressing and getting out of bed – without any support at all. The King's Fund
See also:
- Social care for older people: Home truths (report) The King's Fund
- Home truths: are older people paying the price for social care cuts? The King's Fund
- When social care is cut the NHS bleeds NHS Providers
- Care for elderly 'increasingly rationed' in England BBC News
- How the care system works across the UK BBC News
- Care costs BBC News
- The alternatives to traditional care BBC News
- Elderly care shortages now the ‘burning injustice’ facing Theresa May’s Britain The Daily Telegraph
- Elderly Britons bearing brunt of cuts to social care, report warns The Guardian
Exclusive: Survey finds doctors 'rationing care' as cash crisis hits NHS
Exclusive: Survey finds doctors 'rationing care' as cash crisis hits NHS More than two thirds of doctors admit they have been left with no choice but to ration care as the NHS cash crisis intensifies.
Services and treatments including mental health care for children, hip and knee replacements and cancer drugs are being restricted in order to save money.
A survey of 1,000 doctors conducted exclusively for ITV News reveals patients are being denied treatments including varicose vein removal and cataract surgery, and forced to pay for care privately or wait for their condition to worsen.
Some patients ended up in A&E because they were refused treatment, the research concluded. ITV News
Services and treatments including mental health care for children, hip and knee replacements and cancer drugs are being restricted in order to save money.
A survey of 1,000 doctors conducted exclusively for ITV News reveals patients are being denied treatments including varicose vein removal and cataract surgery, and forced to pay for care privately or wait for their condition to worsen.
Some patients ended up in A&E because they were refused treatment, the research concluded. ITV News
UK Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey cleared of misconduct
UK Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey cleared of misconduct UK nurse Pauline Cafferkey, who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone, cleared of misconduct by disciplinary panel. BBC News
New care models promised in Five Year Forward View may be 15 years away
New care models promised in Five Year Forward View may be 15 years away New models of care outlined in the NHS Five Year Forward View to provide care at scale could take a decade longer to set up than planned and may fail to deliver efficiency savings, NHS Providers has warned. GP Online
BMA accuses Capita of multiple failures
BMA accuses Capita of multiple failures GP leaders in England have warned that patient safety is being compromised by multiple failures in back office support services currently run by Capita.
It comes after a qualitative survey by the BMA of Local Medical Committees (LMCs), revealed serious failures in a range of areas Capita is now responsible for as part of its contract with NHS England to run Primary Care Support (PCS) services. OnMedica
See also:
It comes after a qualitative survey by the BMA of Local Medical Committees (LMCs), revealed serious failures in a range of areas Capita is now responsible for as part of its contract with NHS England to run Primary Care Support (PCS) services. OnMedica
See also:
- Support services failure threatens patient safety British Medical Association
- Capita failing on managing patient records, says BMA BBC News
- Patient safety at risk due to Capita failings, BMA warns GP Online
DH rejects priority mental health assessments for children in care
DH rejects priority mental health assessments for children in care Recommendations for children in care to automatically receive an assessment of their mental health have been rejected by the Department of Health.
A recent report by the Education Select Committee found that children in care frequently struggle to access mental health services because of factors such as frequent relocations, as reported in NHE’s sister title, Public Sector Executive.
It therefore recommended that children in care should have priority access to specialist mental health assessments.
However, in its response to the report, the Department of Health said: “We do not accept the committee’s recommendation as it stands.” National Health Executive
See also:
A recent report by the Education Select Committee found that children in care frequently struggle to access mental health services because of factors such as frequent relocations, as reported in NHE’s sister title, Public Sector Executive.
It therefore recommended that children in care should have priority access to specialist mental health assessments.
However, in its response to the report, the Department of Health said: “We do not accept the committee’s recommendation as it stands.” National Health Executive
See also:
- Mental health and wellbeing of looked-after children: response Department of Health
MPs slam 'national scandal' of FGM- Britain's hidden crime
MPs slam 'national scandal' of FGM- Britain's hidden crime Britain’s failure to protect girls from female genital mutilation (FGM) has been described as a “national scandal” by a committee of MPs, who said it was “beyond belief” that, 30 years since it became illegal, not a single person has been convicted of the crime. They described it as a “hidden crime” and “preventable” child abuse.
The committee warned: “FGM is not a religious or cultural rite of passage that deserves protection. When it is inflicted on a woman, it is a horrific crime. When it is inflicted on a girl, it is violent child abuse. It involves young girls’ genitalia being cut with scissors, a razor, a knife or even glass, usually with no anaesthetic or antiseptic. The Independent
See also:
The committee warned: “FGM is not a religious or cultural rite of passage that deserves protection. When it is inflicted on a woman, it is a horrific crime. When it is inflicted on a girl, it is violent child abuse. It involves young girls’ genitalia being cut with scissors, a razor, a knife or even glass, usually with no anaesthetic or antiseptic. The Independent
See also:
- Ongoing failure to tackle "national scandal" of female genital mutilation Home Affairs Select Committee
- Female genital mutilation: abuse unchecked (report) Home Affairs Select
- FGM: Lack of convictions 'a national scandal' BBC News
- MPs report reveal nearly 500 girls are having FGM procedure every month The Daily Mail
- MPs demand hard line against clinicians who do not report FGM The Guardian
NHS boss warns of four hard years ahead after health service gets less cash than requested
NHS boss warns of four hard years ahead after health service gets less cash than requested The head of the NHS has warned of four hard years ahead for the health service – dismissing ministers’ claims that it has been given all the money it needs.
Simon Stevens warned that much of a promised extra £10bn each year has been “back-ended to 2020”, which means promised improvements would be delayed and tough choices inevitable in the interim.
Speaking to an inquiry by MPs – days after hospital bosses broke cover to argue the NHS will reach breaking point without more money – Mr Stevens admitted to the looming funding shortfall. The Independent
Simon Stevens warned that much of a promised extra £10bn each year has been “back-ended to 2020”, which means promised improvements would be delayed and tough choices inevitable in the interim.
Speaking to an inquiry by MPs – days after hospital bosses broke cover to argue the NHS will reach breaking point without more money – Mr Stevens admitted to the looming funding shortfall. The Independent
Rise in prisoners moved to mental health hospitals
Rise in prisoners moved to mental health hospitals Transfers increase by 20% in England and Wales, amid concerns over increase in prison suicides and self-harm
More prisoners are being diagnosed with mental health problems requiring hospital treatment, official figures obtained by the Guardian show.
The number of male prisoners being transferred to hospital under the 1983 Mental Health Act grew by more than 20% between 2011 and 2014 in England and Wales, said the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in response to a freedom of information request. Continue reading... The Guardian
More prisoners are being diagnosed with mental health problems requiring hospital treatment, official figures obtained by the Guardian show.
The number of male prisoners being transferred to hospital under the 1983 Mental Health Act grew by more than 20% between 2011 and 2014 in England and Wales, said the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in response to a freedom of information request. Continue reading... The Guardian
More than 15,000 GPs earning more than £100,000, official figures show
More than 15,000 GPs earning more than £100,000, official figures show More than 15,000 family doctors are earning more than £100,000 a year, official figures show, with soaring numbers receiving more than £250,000 annually.
New data shows that average pay for a GP partner is now £101,500 – a rise of 1.7 per cent during 2014/15, as the NHS plunged into deficit.
The figures for England include 15,190 GPs earning more than £100,000, of whom 660 received at least £200,000, with 180 paid more than £250,000 in total. The previous year, 14,910 family doctors received six-figure earnings, with 560 passing the £200,000 mark, and 150 on at least £250,000. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
New data shows that average pay for a GP partner is now £101,500 – a rise of 1.7 per cent during 2014/15, as the NHS plunged into deficit.
The figures for England include 15,190 GPs earning more than £100,000, of whom 660 received at least £200,000, with 180 paid more than £250,000 in total. The previous year, 14,910 family doctors received six-figure earnings, with 560 passing the £200,000 mark, and 150 on at least £250,000. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Sugar tax loophole will still allow cut-price fattening drinks, warns obesity expert
Sugar tax loophole will still allow cut-price fattening drinks, warns obesity expert Retailers will still be able to sell cut-price fattening drinks because of a loophole in the new sugar levy, the Government’s obesity adviser has warned.
The flagship new measure could fail to encourage healthier shopping habits by making sugary drinks more expensive than low-sugar options, said Susan Jebb, professor of diet and population health at the University of Oxford.
Under Soft Drinks Industry Levy, manufacturers will pay a charge for the amount of sugar they introduce into the drinks market, but the policy does not stipulate how the cost should be passed onto consumers. The Daily Telegraph
The flagship new measure could fail to encourage healthier shopping habits by making sugary drinks more expensive than low-sugar options, said Susan Jebb, professor of diet and population health at the University of Oxford.
Under Soft Drinks Industry Levy, manufacturers will pay a charge for the amount of sugar they introduce into the drinks market, but the policy does not stipulate how the cost should be passed onto consumers. The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Nurse bank campaign shortlisted for national award
Nurse bank campaign shortlisted for national award
A successful campaign to recruit nurses to its staff bank has seen Northampton General Hospital shortlisted in the most sought-after awards in the British health sector. The hospital's nurse bank campaign, entitled "Join our bank and we'll invest in you" has been shortlisted in the staff engagement category of the HSJ Awards.
NGH News
A successful campaign to recruit nurses to its staff bank has seen Northampton General Hospital shortlisted in the most sought-after awards in the British health sector. The hospital's nurse bank campaign, entitled "Join our bank and we'll invest in you" has been shortlisted in the staff engagement category of the HSJ Awards.
NGH News
News story: New £816 million investment in health research
News story: New £816 million investment in health research
Leading NHS clinicians and universities will benefit from new world class facilities and support services built by the 5-year funding package totalling £816 million – the largest ever investment into health research.
Mental health research will see funding increase to nearly £70 million, dementia to over £45 million, deafness and hearing problems will receive over £15 million and antimicrobial resistance research rises to around £45 million.
Department of Health
Leading NHS clinicians and universities will benefit from new world class facilities and support services built by the 5-year funding package totalling £816 million – the largest ever investment into health research.
Mental health research will see funding increase to nearly £70 million, dementia to over £45 million, deafness and hearing problems will receive over £15 million and antimicrobial resistance research rises to around £45 million.
Department of Health
Promotional material: Health and work: infographics
Promotional material: Health and work: infographics
Public Health England (PHE) and The Work Foundation have collaborated to produce the following 12 infographics:
Spotlight on mental health
Cost of ill health
Health of the working age population
Health of UK employees
Spotlight on musculoskeletal conditions (MSK)
Managing health at work for employers
Spotlight on small medium enterprises (SME)
Unemployment and economic inactivity
Welfare
The local picture
Supporting older workers with health problems
Young people and health at work
These infographics are intended to help public health practitioners, local authorities and policy makers to make the case and inform planning on embedding health, work and worklessness within and across these issues.
Download the infographic files and references.
Public Health England (PHE) and The Work Foundation have collaborated to produce the following 12 infographics:
Spotlight on mental health
Cost of ill health
Health of the working age population
Health of UK employees
Spotlight on musculoskeletal conditions (MSK)
Managing health at work for employers
Spotlight on small medium enterprises (SME)
Unemployment and economic inactivity
Welfare
The local picture
Supporting older workers with health problems
Young people and health at work
These infographics are intended to help public health practitioners, local authorities and policy makers to make the case and inform planning on embedding health, work and worklessness within and across these issues.
Download the infographic files and references.
Guidance: Flu vaccination: easy read invitation letter template
Guidance: Flu vaccination: easy read invitation letter template
This letter is for health professionals to give to people with learning difficulties and their parents and carers/guardians, either by hand or by post, preferably with an accompanying information leaflet.
Staff can adapt the template format for GP surgeries and health professionals for patients to have their annual flu vaccination.
Download the file to add the name of the practice and other details as appropriate, or print as-is, add notes by hand and then photocopy to share.
Public Health England
This letter is for health professionals to give to people with learning difficulties and their parents and carers/guardians, either by hand or by post, preferably with an accompanying information leaflet.
Staff can adapt the template format for GP surgeries and health professionals for patients to have their annual flu vaccination.
Download the file to add the name of the practice and other details as appropriate, or print as-is, add notes by hand and then photocopy to share.
Public Health England
Supporting self-management: a guide to enabling behaviour change for health and wellbeing using person- and community-centred approaches
Supporting self-management: a guide to enabling behaviour change for health and wellbeing using person- and community-centred approaches
This guide outlines how the science of behaviour can help people to self-manage their health and wellbeing. It is written for people who support those living with long-term conditions, or those who help people avoid these conditions using person- and community-centred approaches.
NESTA
Guide
NESTA publications
This guide outlines how the science of behaviour can help people to self-manage their health and wellbeing. It is written for people who support those living with long-term conditions, or those who help people avoid these conditions using person- and community-centred approaches.
NESTA
Guide
NESTA publications
E-cigarettes 'help more smokers quit'
E-cigarettes 'help more smokers quit'
The rise in popularity of e-cigarettes in the UK appears to be helping more smokers successfully quit smoking, say researchers.
BBC News
The rise in popularity of e-cigarettes in the UK appears to be helping more smokers successfully quit smoking, say researchers.
BBC News
NHS England to make existing care models 'progressively less attractive'
NHS England to make existing care models 'progressively less attractive'
NHS England will make it 'progressively less attractive' to continue working in traditional health systems - such as standalone GP practices - in a bid to extend new care models across 50% of England's population by 2020/21.
GP Online
NHS England will make it 'progressively less attractive' to continue working in traditional health systems - such as standalone GP practices - in a bid to extend new care models across 50% of England's population by 2020/21.
GP Online
Integrated care for the physical health of people with severe mental illness: no easy answers
Integrated care for the physical health of people with severe mental illness: no easy answers
Liz Hughes summarises a recent rapid review on integrated care to address the physical health needs of people with severe mental illness.
Mental Elf
Liz Hughes summarises a recent rapid review on integrated care to address the physical health needs of people with severe mental illness.
Mental Elf
Commissioning early intervention services for mental ill health
Commissioning early intervention services for mental ill health
This report showcases projects that promote early intervention in mental health and draws out tips from commissioners and practitioners involved in their development and delivery.
NHS Networks
This report showcases projects that promote early intervention in mental health and draws out tips from commissioners and practitioners involved in their development and delivery.
NHS Networks
New video on end-of-life care training
New video on end-of-life care training
In this short video, we learn how Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and private care home, Broughton House, brought significant benefits to staff and patients by adopting a joined-up approach to training in end-of-life care.
NHS Networks
In this short video, we learn how Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and private care home, Broughton House, brought significant benefits to staff and patients by adopting a joined-up approach to training in end-of-life care.
NHS Networks
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
STP leaders face major challenges in transforming care and balancing budgets
STP leaders face major challenges in transforming care and balancing budgets The NHS in England is in the final stages of developing five-year sustainability and transformation plans (STPs). These plans are the product of work by providers and commissioners in the 44 areas identified as the ‘footprints’ for planning purposes. Local authorities have contributed to the STPs to varying degrees but involvement of other stakeholders has been limited, and as yet there has been no public consultation. The King's Fund
Understanding and preventing drug-related deaths: the report of a national expert working group to investigate drug-related deaths in England
Understanding and preventing drug-related deaths: the report of a national expert working group to investigate drug-related deaths in England This report makes recommendations towards addressing the rising number of people dying from drug misuse in England and highlights a number of principles for action by local authorities, drug treatment providers and partner organisations. The national expert working group advocate a whole-system approach to substance abuse treatment and a personalised approach which is tailored to patient needs. Public Health England
Lightning Review: Children's access to school nurses to improve wellbeing and protect them from harm
Lightning Review: Children's access to school nurses to improve wellbeing and protect them from harm Results from a survey of nearly 800 school nurses by the Children's Commissioners
See also:
See also:
Support from the start: commissioning early intervention services for mental ill health
Support from the start: commissioning early intervention services for mental ill health This report showcases projects that promote early intervention in mental health and draws out tips from commissioners and practitioners involved in their development and delivery. The report highlights four projects where CCGs and their partners are tackling the challenge of early intervention and it aims to share the learning and good practice from these projects. NHS Clinical Commissioners
MPs call for medical cannabis to be made legal
MPs call for medical cannabis to be made legal Cannabis for medical use should be made legal, says a cross-party group of UK politicians. BBC News
Girls face huge quality of life difference across England
Girls face huge quality of life difference across England Girls growing up in parts of England have a much lower quality of life than others, according to analysis of official statistics. BBC News
Hospitals still wasting 15m appointments a year by dumping work on GPs, warns GPC
Hospitals still wasting 15m appointments a year by dumping work on GPs, warns GPC NHS hospitals across England are wasting around 15m GP appointments a year by dumping work unnecessarily on practices and are ignoring a clause written into their contracts to prevent this, the BMA has warned. GP Online
Diabetes increase putting NHS future 'at stake'
Diabetes increase putting NHS future 'at stake' Treating diabetes and the complications arising from it costs the NHS around £10 billion annually.
Tackling diabetes is “fundamental” to the future of NHS as the number of adults with the condition nears four million, Public Health England has warned.
Around 3.8 million adults in England now have diabetes, with at least 940,000 of those undiagnosed, new figures have revealed.
About 90 per cent of the cases are Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to being overweight and obese and therefore largely preventable, PHE, who released the data, said. The Independent
Tackling diabetes is “fundamental” to the future of NHS as the number of adults with the condition nears four million, Public Health England has warned.
Around 3.8 million adults in England now have diabetes, with at least 940,000 of those undiagnosed, new figures have revealed.
About 90 per cent of the cases are Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to being overweight and obese and therefore largely preventable, PHE, who released the data, said. The Independent
NHS facing 'pockets of meltdown' this winter
NHS facing 'pockets of meltdown' this winter Mark Holland, an expert in acute medicine, warns of a national emergency as bed-blocking reaches record levels
The NHS will experience “pockets of meltdown” this winter as the service comes under increasing pressure, a leading doctor has warned.
Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the resilience of medical units was being “put to the test like never before”. Continue reading... The Guardian
The NHS will experience “pockets of meltdown” this winter as the service comes under increasing pressure, a leading doctor has warned.
Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the resilience of medical units was being “put to the test like never before”. Continue reading... The Guardian
The secret life of an anaesthetist: if surgeons are the blood, we are the brains
The secret life of an anaesthetist: if surgeons are the blood, we are the brains During an operation, your life is in our hands. But despite the highly sensitive role we play, we are all but invisible to our patients
You have to get used to being invisible as an anaesthetist. A large percentage of the public has no idea that we’re medically qualified. I’ve been asked how many GCSEs you need to be an anaesthetist. In fact our training is as long as that of a surgeon. It takes seven years of specialist studies after you’ve already completed two years of basic general training; and that’s after five or six years at medical school.
Patients always remember the name of their surgeon, never that of their anaesthetist. But it’s still a hugely rewarding job. We’re everywhere in the hospital. In theatre obviously, but also in intensive care, on the wards, in the emergency department, and in the pain clinic, with those who are really suffering. We assess people’s fitness for surgery, how likely they are to suffer complications, and support them through the operation itself and into the postoperative period.
If there’s an emergency during an operation the team looks to the anaesthetist for leadership. If you panic, it spreads Continue reading... The Guardian
You have to get used to being invisible as an anaesthetist. A large percentage of the public has no idea that we’re medically qualified. I’ve been asked how many GCSEs you need to be an anaesthetist. In fact our training is as long as that of a surgeon. It takes seven years of specialist studies after you’ve already completed two years of basic general training; and that’s after five or six years at medical school.
Patients always remember the name of their surgeon, never that of their anaesthetist. But it’s still a hugely rewarding job. We’re everywhere in the hospital. In theatre obviously, but also in intensive care, on the wards, in the emergency department, and in the pain clinic, with those who are really suffering. We assess people’s fitness for surgery, how likely they are to suffer complications, and support them through the operation itself and into the postoperative period.
If there’s an emergency during an operation the team looks to the anaesthetist for leadership. If you panic, it spreads Continue reading... The Guardian
'Health Service doesn't need more money' says Minister.
'Health Service doesn't need more money' says Minister. A bitter row broke out last night after hospital bosses claimed the NHS will no longer be able to provide the services patients expect without more cash. But ministers said what they've agreed is enough. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey faces disciplinary hearing
Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey faces disciplinary hearing Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey is facing a disciplinary hearing linked to her return to the UK with the virus.
The case of the Scottish medical worker, who was infected with the virus while working in Sierra Leone in December 2014, will be heard at a fitness to practise hearing in Edinburgh on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It is not known whether Ms Cafferkey will attend the hearing and details of the finalised charges to be considered by the panel have not yet been released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The Daily Telegraph
See also:
The case of the Scottish medical worker, who was infected with the virus while working in Sierra Leone in December 2014, will be heard at a fitness to practise hearing in Edinburgh on Tuesday and Wednesday.
It is not known whether Ms Cafferkey will attend the hearing and details of the finalised charges to be considered by the panel have not yet been released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Monday, 12 September 2016
Wachter watch: where next for the NHS’s digital strategy?
Wachter watch: where next for the NHS’s digital strategy? Back to school and back to another round of new NHS initiatives and announcements. At the NHS Health and Care Innovation Expo on Wednesday, the focus was very much on digital technology and what it can do for the NHS. The King's Fund
Seven-day NHS 'impossible under current funding levels'
Seven-day NHS 'impossible under current funding levels'A seven-day NHS is "impossible" to achieve with the current funding and staffing levels, the chief executive of NHS Providers says.
Chris Hopson told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that "something has to give" and there should be a debate about which services to sacrifice "rather than pretend the gap doesn't exist".
Figures show waiting times and delayed hospital discharges at record levels.
The government says it is giving NHS England the £10bn it asked for.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for a "seven-day NHS" since 2015 after his department concluded that there was a "clear link between poorer outcomes for patients and uneven service provision at the weekend". BBC News
See also:
Chris Hopson told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme that "something has to give" and there should be a debate about which services to sacrifice "rather than pretend the gap doesn't exist".
Figures show waiting times and delayed hospital discharges at record levels.
The government says it is giving NHS England the £10bn it asked for.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for a "seven-day NHS" since 2015 after his department concluded that there was a "clear link between poorer outcomes for patients and uneven service provision at the weekend". BBC News
See also:
- NHS heading for a winter of discontent NHS Providers
- NHS 'under greatest pressure in a generation', says CEO (video) BBC News
- Seven-day NHS 'impossible' with current levels of funding The Daily Telegraph
- Hospitals in England are on the brink of collapse, warn NHS chiefs The Guardian
- The gap between funds and delivery is a chasm in the NHS: something has to give The Guardian
- NHS chief Chris Hopson: Hospitals need to close departments, let’s talk about what has to give i News
Too many hospitals deliver 'outdated' hip fracture care
Too many hospitals deliver 'outdated' hip fracture care Not all patients who have fractured their hip are receiving properly planned care and rehabilitation after leaving hospital. The National Hip Fracture Database's (NHFD) 2016 annual report for England, Wales and Northern Ireland on hip fracture surgery has found that better collaboration between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians in coordinated hip fracture programmes has led to improved patient care in many areas, with two thirds of all hip fracture patients receiving "best practice" care in hospital. OnMedica
Chief nurse calls for gender equality on NHS boards
Chief nurse calls for gender equality on NHS boards The Chief Nursing Officer for England, Professor Jane Cummings, says she wants to see a balance of genders on NHS boards with more nurses and midwives in senior positions within the next five years.
“I am determined to ensure our professions have a seat at the table as we tackle the challenges ahead. The nursing and midwifery professions have a vital role to help shape an NHS and care system for the future and their voices must be heard," Professor Cummings said in a speech at the Health and Care Innovation Expo 2016 conference in Manchester yesterday. OnMedica
“I am determined to ensure our professions have a seat at the table as we tackle the challenges ahead. The nursing and midwifery professions have a vital role to help shape an NHS and care system for the future and their voices must be heard," Professor Cummings said in a speech at the Health and Care Innovation Expo 2016 conference in Manchester yesterday. OnMedica
Junior doctors dispute: Five go to war with the Government
Junior doctors dispute: Five go to war with the Government On 19 and 20 September, a group of five junior doctors called Justice for Health will be taking on the Government in the High Court. Youssef El-Gingihy hears their stories and how they are coping in a world in which ‘nobody tells the truth’ The Independent
Super-gonorrhoea outbreak could be out of control as attempts to stop spread fail
Super-gonorrhoea outbreak could be out of control as attempts to stop spread fail An outbreak of super-gonorrhoea in the UK is out of control and efforts to stop it have been unsuccessful, health officials have warned.
It is feared the sexually transmitted disease may be becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, prompting concerns further rapid spread could occur.
In April, it emerged an outbreak of so-called ‘super-gonorrhoea’ had occurred in Leeds, with cases also noted in the West Midlands, London and southern-England. It began among heterosexual couples but has since been spread among men who have sex with men (MSM). The Independent
See also:
It is feared the sexually transmitted disease may be becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, prompting concerns further rapid spread could occur.
In April, it emerged an outbreak of so-called ‘super-gonorrhoea’ had occurred in Leeds, with cases also noted in the West Midlands, London and southern-England. It began among heterosexual couples but has since been spread among men who have sex with men (MSM). The Independent
See also:
- Research and analysis: High level azithromycin resistant gonorrhoea in England Public Health England
A lethal combination of secrecy and jargon has overshadowed NHS plans
A lethal combination of secrecy and jargon has overshadowed NHS plans There has been a lack of communication over sustainability and transformation plans so they are now seen through the lens of cuts
The NHS is in danger of losing control of public debate around the sustainability and transformation plans (STPs). Days after the unnecessary secrecy around STP blueprints for change predictably backfired, with lurid headlines about closures and cuts, both NHS England and the government have been trying to get a grip on public understanding of what all this frantic management work is trying to achieve.
At this week’s Health and Care Innovation Expo in Manchester, NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said that in the next few days his organisation will be spelling out expectations on how the public will be involved in discussions. Continue reading... The Guardian
The NHS is in danger of losing control of public debate around the sustainability and transformation plans (STPs). Days after the unnecessary secrecy around STP blueprints for change predictably backfired, with lurid headlines about closures and cuts, both NHS England and the government have been trying to get a grip on public understanding of what all this frantic management work is trying to achieve.
At this week’s Health and Care Innovation Expo in Manchester, NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said that in the next few days his organisation will be spelling out expectations on how the public will be involved in discussions. Continue reading... The Guardian
Children are still guzzling nearly THREE times their daily sugar limit despite warnings over fizzy drinks
Children are still guzzling nearly THREE times their daily sugar limit despite warnings over fizzy drinks The National Diet and Nutrition Survey also found that people in the UK are not eating enough fruit and veg, while consumption of red meat and saturated fat is still too high. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- Young children still exceeding sugar recommendation Public Health England
- The National Diet and Nutrition Survey Public Health England
- Sugar intake in children 'double recommended level' BBC News
- Sugar warnings have not reduced consumption in England, figures show The Guardian
District nurses are the real heroes of the NHS, but they are under total siege
District nurses are the real heroes of the NHS, but they are under total siege Anyone who thinks the front line of our healthcare lies in hospital wards or GP’s surgeries should spend a day with a district nurse. Looking after people in their own homes, they are the Cinderellas of the system. And yet many people do not even know they exist and new reports show that their work is at breaking point due to unmanageable caseloads, a growing gap between capacity and demand. The Daily Telegraph
Drug deaths reach record levels as purity of heroin and cocaine rises
Drug deaths reach record levels as purity of heroin and cocaine rises Drug deaths have reached record levels as cocaine and heroin becomes more pure and ageing addicts succumb to years of abuse.
A total of 3,674 people died of drugs poisoning in 2015, the highest number since records began.
Deaths from heroin and morphine have doubled to 1,200 since 2012, while deaths from cocaine have jumped from 112 to 320, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics The Daily Telegraph
See also:
A total of 3,674 people died of drugs poisoning in 2015, the highest number since records began.
Deaths from heroin and morphine have doubled to 1,200 since 2012, while deaths from cocaine have jumped from 112 to 320, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- New recommendations to address deaths from drug misuse published Public Health England
- Drug-related deaths reach record levels in England and Wales BBC News
Friday, 9 September 2016
NSPCC ‘concerned’ about rise in number of FGM cases in Northamptonshire
NSPCC ‘concerned’ about rise in number of FGM cases in Northamptonshire The NSPCC has highlighted a “concerning” rise in the number of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases in Northamptonshire. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The value of community pharmacy
The value of community pharmacy This report commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, found that community pharmacies contributed a net value of £3 billion to the NHS, public sector, patients and wider society in England in 2015 through just twelve services. PricewaterhouseCoopers
New NHS cyber security services to be rolled out to health and care
New NHS cyber security services to be rolled out to health and care NHS Digital is set to start expanding the NHS cyber security service, Innovation minister Nicola Blackwood announced today at the Health and Care Innovation Expo.
CareCERT (Care Computer Emergency Response Team), launched in November last year, and is a national service that helps health and care organisations to improve their cyber security defences by providing proactive advice and guidance about digital threats and cyber security best practice.
The service currently sends out broadcasts about known cyber threats and resolutions, and will now be expanded to include three new services, which will start being tested from September.
CareCERT (Care Computer Emergency Response Team), launched in November last year, and is a national service that helps health and care organisations to improve their cyber security defences by providing proactive advice and guidance about digital threats and cyber security best practice.
The service currently sends out broadcasts about known cyber threats and resolutions, and will now be expanded to include three new services, which will start being tested from September.
Obesity link to cancer 'not well known by public'
Obesity link to cancer 'not well known by public' Three-quarters of people are unaware being overweight increases the risk of developing 10 different types of cancer, Cancer Research UK says. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Three in four don’t know obesity causes cancer Cancer Research UK
- 670,000 more people will get cancer in the next 20 years because of obesity claims study The Daily Mail
- Three-quarters of people don't know about the link between obesity and cancer The Daily Telegraph
Statins review says benefits 'underestimated'
Statins review says benefits 'underestimated' The benefits of the cholesterol-reducing drug statins are underestimated and the harms exaggerated, a major review suggests.
Published in the Lancet and backed by a number of major health organisations, it says statins lower heart attack and stroke risk.
The review also suggests side effects such as muscle pain do occur, although in relatively few people.
But critics say healthy people are unnecessarily taking medication. BBC News
Published in the Lancet and backed by a number of major health organisations, it says statins lower heart attack and stroke risk.
The review also suggests side effects such as muscle pain do occur, although in relatively few people.
But critics say healthy people are unnecessarily taking medication. BBC News
Still working nurse, 83: 'I love my job'
Still working nurse, 83: 'I love my job' An 83-year-old nurse who still works 15 to 20 hours a week says she has "no plans" to retire.
Monica Bulman, who works at Torbay Hospital, began her career in the NHS aged 19 in 1952.
When she's not working, the grandmother, who turned 83 on 1 September, is a gym-bunny and attends regular spinning classes.
Mrs Bulman said she still loves her job but misses the 1950s uniform because it was "much more glamorous". BBC News
Monica Bulman, who works at Torbay Hospital, began her career in the NHS aged 19 in 1952.
When she's not working, the grandmother, who turned 83 on 1 September, is a gym-bunny and attends regular spinning classes.
Mrs Bulman said she still loves her job but misses the 1950s uniform because it was "much more glamorous". BBC News
GP trainee recruitment improving but parts of England continue to struggle
GP trainee recruitment improving but parts of England continue to struggle Nationally, the number of GP trainee posts filled after the first recruitment round for 2016 surpassed the total number filled in 2015, according to data published earlier this year.
But with one recruitment round now remaining for 2016, wide variations in uptake of GP training posts between English regions have continued.
Many areas have already recruited numbers of GP trainees close to or greater than their total for 2016, interim data suggest.
In London, 99% of GP trainee posts have been filled and in Thames Valley no vacancies remain - matching their uptake for 2015. The East Midlands, which was left with nearly a third of its available GP training posts vacant after recruitment finished last year, has seen a sharp turnaround in 2016 with 87% of posts now filled. GP Online
But with one recruitment round now remaining for 2016, wide variations in uptake of GP training posts between English regions have continued.
Many areas have already recruited numbers of GP trainees close to or greater than their total for 2016, interim data suggest.
In London, 99% of GP trainee posts have been filled and in Thames Valley no vacancies remain - matching their uptake for 2015. The East Midlands, which was left with nearly a third of its available GP training posts vacant after recruitment finished last year, has seen a sharp turnaround in 2016 with 87% of posts now filled. GP Online
Tell women IUD more effective for emergency contraception
Tell women IUD more effective for emergency contraception GPs and other health professionals should tell women who need emergency contraception that a copper intrauterine device (IUD or ‘coil’) is more effective than oral pills in preventing pregnancy after sex, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said. NICE also said doctors and nurses should inform women requesting ongoing contraception about long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARC), including the coil, as well oral contraceptives and other methods. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
CCGs facing huge challenges in balancing books
CCGs facing huge challenges in balancing books Clinical commissioning groups are facing enormous and increasing challenges in balancing their books, The King’s Fund reported this morning. It warned in its latest Quarterly Monitoring Report that CCGs’ pessimism over meeting their savings targets has soared over the past year. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
NHS 'in perpetual winter of Narnia' as waiting list reaches record 3.9m
NHS 'in perpetual winter of Narnia' as waiting list reaches record 3.9m Waiting time targets missed, bed blocking at record levels, and medical leaders say system is close to breaking down
The NHS is missing so many of its key performance targets that it has entered “the perpetual winter of Narnia”, a medical leader has said, after figures revealed the highest ever number of patients on waiting lists.
Claire Marx, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, criticised the NHS’s failure to give patients planned care in hospital within the required 18 weeks, such as surgery for cataract removals, hernia repairs and hip and knee replacements. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
The NHS is missing so many of its key performance targets that it has entered “the perpetual winter of Narnia”, a medical leader has said, after figures revealed the highest ever number of patients on waiting lists.
Claire Marx, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, criticised the NHS’s failure to give patients planned care in hospital within the required 18 weeks, such as surgery for cataract removals, hernia repairs and hip and knee replacements. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- NHS bed blocking at monthly worst level on record The Daily Telegraph
Another reason why breast is best: Improving breastfeeding rates could save the NHS £40 million a year
Another reason why breast is best: Improving breastfeeding rates could save the NHS £40 million a year Swansea University professor Amy Brown said improving uptake by two thirds would save the NHS millions in excess appointments for babies fed on formula milk who are more prone to illness. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- Breastfeeding drive 'could save NHS £40m a year' The Guardian
Cases of PTSD on the rise as more veterans seek help for mental health problems
Cases of PTSD on the rise as more veterans seek help for mental health problems The number of veterans needing help for mental health problems such as PTSD has jumped by 71 per cent in the past five years in the aftermath of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, a major military charity has warned.
Combat Stress said it had received nearly 10,000 referrals in the past five years as it rejected as “unhelpful” recent suggestions that the toll of PTSD has been exaggerated by some charities.
The charity said it was currently treating more than 1,300 veterans of Afghanistan for illnesses including PTSD, depression and anxiety, up 34 per cent from a year earlier. The Daily Telegraph
Combat Stress said it had received nearly 10,000 referrals in the past five years as it rejected as “unhelpful” recent suggestions that the toll of PTSD has been exaggerated by some charities.
The charity said it was currently treating more than 1,300 veterans of Afghanistan for illnesses including PTSD, depression and anxiety, up 34 per cent from a year earlier. The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, 8 September 2016
Organ donors save 40 lives in Northamptonshire last year...but eight people die after failing to get vital organs
Organ donors save 40 lives in Northamptonshire last year...but eight people die after failing to get vital organs Forty people in Northamptonshire received a potentially lifesaving or transforming transplant last year, according to new figures released today. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Tributes paid to Northampton infertility expert who transformed the lives of thousands of people’
Tributes paid to Northampton infertility expert who transformed the lives of thousands of people’ The brother of “remarkable” doctor Roy Davies has, following his inquest, paid tribute to the Northampton General Hospital infertility expert without whom thousands of Northamptonshire families would not exist. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Demand for NHS services soars to record levels
Demand for NHS services soars to record levels Relentless demand for services is driving up waiting times and exacerbating financial pressures in the NHS according to the latest Quarterly Monitoring Report from The King's Fund.
The report found that more than one million patients were admitted to hospital from A&E in the first quarter of 2016/17, with the number of patients attending A&E departments also soaring to nearly six million. This means that for each month in the first quarter of the year, there were an additional 54,000 attendances at A&E departments and 14,200 emergency hospital admissions compared to the same time last year.
The report found that increased demand for services is placing the health system under huge strain with more than 90 per cent of beds occupied by patients, well above the threshold that is considered safe. This is fuelling deteriorating performance against a number of key measures. The King's Fund
See also:
The report found that more than one million patients were admitted to hospital from A&E in the first quarter of 2016/17, with the number of patients attending A&E departments also soaring to nearly six million. This means that for each month in the first quarter of the year, there were an additional 54,000 attendances at A&E departments and 14,200 emergency hospital admissions compared to the same time last year.
The report found that increased demand for services is placing the health system under huge strain with more than 90 per cent of beds occupied by patients, well above the threshold that is considered safe. This is fuelling deteriorating performance against a number of key measures. The King's Fund
See also:
NHS finances: a game of two halves
NHS finances: a game of two halves Launching the long-awaited NHS 'reset' on finances in July, Simon Stevens said, 'because the pressures across the NHS are real and growing, we need to use this year both to stabilise finances and kick-start the wider changes everyone can see are needed'. With financial performance data for the first quarter now available, combined with the results of our latest quarterly monitoring report, we can take a temperature check on the first of these priorities: the need to stabilise NHS finances. How is the NHS doing?
It’s a game of two halves. First, the good news. The arrival of the £1.8 billion Sustainability and Transformation Fund – allocated to providers to reduce their deficits – alongside a suite of other financial control measures has led to the provider deficit being reduced from £930 million in the first quarter of last year to £461 million for the same period this year. As the NHS attempts to restore greater discipline over its finances it's perhaps even more impressive that this result is £5 million ahead of plan. £5 million may not sound like much in the context of NHS finances, but the tradition for quarter one has been for the NHS to be well behind plan, so this is a sharp turnaround.
So where is the bad news? There are some uncomfortable signals within both the provider and commissioner numbers that may suggest that the NHS will struggle to keep up this relatively good start. The King's Fund
It’s a game of two halves. First, the good news. The arrival of the £1.8 billion Sustainability and Transformation Fund – allocated to providers to reduce their deficits – alongside a suite of other financial control measures has led to the provider deficit being reduced from £930 million in the first quarter of last year to £461 million for the same period this year. As the NHS attempts to restore greater discipline over its finances it's perhaps even more impressive that this result is £5 million ahead of plan. £5 million may not sound like much in the context of NHS finances, but the tradition for quarter one has been for the NHS to be well behind plan, so this is a sharp turnaround.
So where is the bad news? There are some uncomfortable signals within both the provider and commissioner numbers that may suggest that the NHS will struggle to keep up this relatively good start. The King's Fund
New coalition of health and social care experts on mission to guarantee status of EU staff
New coalition of health and social care experts on mission to guarantee status of EU staff A coalition of 29 health and social care organisations has been created to ensure sustainable workforce supply and thereby standards of care are maintained as Britain withdraws from the EU.
The Cavendish Coalition is here to provide those leading Brexit negotiations with the expertise, evidence and knowledge required on issues affecting the health and social care sectors.
The newly formed group will be a shared voice which influences and lobbies on post-EU referendum issues that affect the social care and health workforce. It will in particular ensure that there is a robust evidence base to support workforce policy across social care and health. NHS Employers
The Cavendish Coalition is here to provide those leading Brexit negotiations with the expertise, evidence and knowledge required on issues affecting the health and social care sectors.
The newly formed group will be a shared voice which influences and lobbies on post-EU referendum issues that affect the social care and health workforce. It will in particular ensure that there is a robust evidence base to support workforce policy across social care and health. NHS Employers
NHS e-Referral Service saves £10million in first year
NHS e-Referral Service saves £10million in first year The NHS e-Referral Service has saved the NHS £10million in its first year of operation, following redevelopment by NHS Digital.
The achievement was paralleled by 10 million referrals also being made by the electronic booking system in the same time period.
The millions of pounds in savings have mostly been achieved as a result of the service being built in-house by NHS Digital, in collaboration with software specialists BJSS. This has led to a 60% reduction in running costs compared to the Choose and Book system, which the NHS e-Referral Service replaced in June 2015.
The achievement was paralleled by 10 million referrals also being made by the electronic booking system in the same time period.
The millions of pounds in savings have mostly been achieved as a result of the service being built in-house by NHS Digital, in collaboration with software specialists BJSS. This has led to a 60% reduction in running costs compared to the Choose and Book system, which the NHS e-Referral Service replaced in June 2015.
Record hospital delays discharging patients
Record hospital delays discharging patients Hospitals are facing record levels of delays discharging patients, latest figures from NHS England show.
There were nearly 185,000 days of delays in July, up a quarter on the same month last year.
The delays are caused by a lack of available care in the community, and mean vulnerable patients are left stuck on wards while arrangements are made for them to be safely discharged.
It comes as the NHS continues to miss its key waiting time goals.
Targets for A&E, cancer care, ambulance response times and routine operations are all being missed - continuing a trend that has been seen in recent months. BBC News
There were nearly 185,000 days of delays in July, up a quarter on the same month last year.
The delays are caused by a lack of available care in the community, and mean vulnerable patients are left stuck on wards while arrangements are made for them to be safely discharged.
It comes as the NHS continues to miss its key waiting time goals.
Targets for A&E, cancer care, ambulance response times and routine operations are all being missed - continuing a trend that has been seen in recent months. BBC News
Record numbers call Childline over suicidal thoughts
Record numbers call Childline over suicidal thoughts Childline received an average of one call every 30 minutes from UK children with suicidal thoughts last year, the NSPCC has said.
Youngsters plagued by suicidal thoughts contacted Childline 19,481 times - more than double the number five years ago.
The charity said it referred many callers to the emergency services, adding a lack of support was leading children to reach crisis point.
The government insists it is investing in children's mental health services. BBC News
See also:
Youngsters plagued by suicidal thoughts contacted Childline 19,481 times - more than double the number five years ago.
The charity said it referred many callers to the emergency services, adding a lack of support was leading children to reach crisis point.
The government insists it is investing in children's mental health services. BBC News
See also:
NHS can’t afford not to transform end-of-life care
NHS can’t afford not to transform end-of-life care We can’t afford not to transform end-of-life care in the NHS as doing so would make economic sense as well as being the ethically right thing to do, according to a palliative care expert. She has called today for more focus on supporting patients to have a good death at all levels of the NHS – considering people’s last months and years rather than just their last few days. OnMedica
Tackling mental health is the policy challenge of our lifetime
Tackling mental health is the policy challenge of our lifetime Tackling poor mental health in our communities is perhaps the single most important issue for my generation of Members of Parliament.
I’m an MP because I believe that Plymouth, and by extension the wider UK society, must be judged on how we look after our most vulnerable. I care deeply about, and work hard every day, in order to improve the opportunities of those in my City for whom life’s lottery has not been kind. And the truth is, the single biggest factor in doing so in these hardest to reach communities, is getting mental healthcare right. New Statesman
I’m an MP because I believe that Plymouth, and by extension the wider UK society, must be judged on how we look after our most vulnerable. I care deeply about, and work hard every day, in order to improve the opportunities of those in my City for whom life’s lottery has not been kind. And the truth is, the single biggest factor in doing so in these hardest to reach communities, is getting mental healthcare right. New Statesman
'Postcode lottery' revealed in NHS care
'Postcode lottery' revealed in NHS care Differences in quality of treatment for patients with dementia, diabetes and learning disabilities revealed in NHS England figures
Patients with dementia, diabetes and learning disabilities are being let down by their local health services in many parts of England, new figures show.
A postcode lottery of care across the country has been highlighted as new performance data shows that while some health bodies are performing well, neighbouring organisations are falling short. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Patients with dementia, diabetes and learning disabilities are being let down by their local health services in many parts of England, new figures show.
A postcode lottery of care across the country has been highlighted as new performance data shows that while some health bodies are performing well, neighbouring organisations are falling short. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
BMA in a 'total mess' over junior doctors dispute, says insider
BMA in a 'total mess' over junior doctors dispute, says insider Senior figure says leaders going ahead with week-long strikes to avoid members going it alone and forming new union
The British Medical Association is in a “total mess” over the junior doctors dispute and is pushing ahead with plans for a series of week-long strikes despite having “lost the battle” with Jeremy Hunt, a senior figure in the union has said.
BMA leaders are backing the walkouts partly because they want to avoid junior doctors breaking away and forming their own union, the well-placed source told the Guardian. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
The British Medical Association is in a “total mess” over the junior doctors dispute and is pushing ahead with plans for a series of week-long strikes despite having “lost the battle” with Jeremy Hunt, a senior figure in the union has said.
BMA leaders are backing the walkouts partly because they want to avoid junior doctors breaking away and forming their own union, the well-placed source told the Guardian. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Why are junior doctors striking? BBC News
Teen pregnancy rates plummet as more young people use 'effective' contraception like the coil and the Pill, study reveals
Teen pregnancy rates plummet as more young people use 'effective' contraception like the coil and the Pill, study reveals The number of 15- to 19-year-olds giving birth dropped 5.6 per cent between 2007 and 2012. In that same period, sexual activity among teens rose. And so did teen use of 'effective' contraception. The Daily Mail
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)