The NHS relies on its BME staff – so why do they still face discrimination? | Kailash Chand I arrived from India in 1978 – and became part of a rich history of BME staff in the NHS. Yet so many still face prejudice
The NHS depends on black and minority ethnic staff to provide high quality, reliable and safe care to patients – and has done since its inception in 1948. They enrich the NHS with their skills, enthusiasm and diverse perspectives.
I would often compete for jobs with UK graduates who had less experience, but I would still lose out to them Continue reading... The Guardian
Tuesday, 10 July 2018
'The right care at the right time': the team helping patients leave hospital
'The right care at the right time': the team helping patients leave hospital Health staff are working with colleagues in social care and the voluntary sector to tackle the problem of delayed discharges
“From the minute a patient comes through the door – be that via A&E or one of our admission wards – we’re starting to think about how we can get [them] home,” says Rachel Blackmore, an operational manager at University hospital of North Tees in the north-east of England.
It’s making a difference to patients as it provides joined up care Continue reading... The Guardian
“From the minute a patient comes through the door – be that via A&E or one of our admission wards – we’re starting to think about how we can get [them] home,” says Rachel Blackmore, an operational manager at University hospital of North Tees in the north-east of England.
It’s making a difference to patients as it provides joined up care Continue reading... The Guardian
Sex addiction could be treated on NHS after health chiefs recognise it as mental health condition
Sex addiction could be treated on NHS after health chiefs recognise it as mental health condition Sex addicts may be given treatment on the NHS after global health chiefs formally recognised the addiction as a mental health condition.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said people who suffer from the disorder for at least six months and experience substantial distress should be entitled to medical treatment.
Up to four per cent of people in the UK are believed to suffer from sex addiction, however the NHS currently does not recognise it as an illness. The Daily Telegraph
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has said people who suffer from the disorder for at least six months and experience substantial distress should be entitled to medical treatment.
Up to four per cent of people in the UK are believed to suffer from sex addiction, however the NHS currently does not recognise it as an illness. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- ICD-11: Classifying disease to map the way we live and die World Health Organization
Prestigious medical journal retracts 2 papers
Prestigious medical journal retracts 2 papers The Lancet - considered one of the most-well known journals - made the rare step of taking down both studies authored by the 59-year-old Italian Paolo Macchiarini. The Daily Mail
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See also:
Monday, 9 July 2018
The NHS funding settlement: recovering lost ground
The NHS funding settlement: recovering lost ground Following the prime minister's announcement of more funding for the NHS, this new report gives an assessment of the likely costs of getting the NHS back on track. NHS Providers
See also:
See also:
- NHS 'birthday present' will only make up 'lost ground', bosses say The Daily Telegraph
Every Nurse an E-nurse: Insights from a consultation on the digital future of nursing
Every Nurse an E-nurse: Insights from a consultation on the digital future of nursing This publication presents the detailed findings of a consultation, led by the RCN, into the digital future of nursing. The consultation took place over January and February 2018. The consultation explored 1) ideas for a shared vision of a digitally enabled health and social care service 2) the barriers and enablers to the vision becoming a reality and 3) examples of how data, information, knowledge and technology are already bringing that vision to life. Royal College of Nursing
An economic analysis of flu vaccination
An economic analysis of flu vaccination This report presents findings from a new economic model of the costs and benefits from flu vaccination in England using recent efficacy data. It introduces a conservative, static model which provides a partial cost-benefit analysis of vaccination under various scenarios. It also produces estimates of vaccination costs per death averted to enable comparison with the wider literature. International Longevity Centre UK
Carseview patients 'pinned to the floor' and 'bullied'
Carseview patients 'pinned to the floor' and 'bullied' Patients at a mental health unit have told the BBC they were pinned to the floor in agony and bullied on wards where illegal drugs were rife.
Former patients at the Carseview Centre in Dundee claimed staff had used face-down restraint violently and repeatedly over the past five years.
They said the practice was used for prolonged periods and patients were also mocked and shouted at by staff.
NHS Tayside said it would investigate the claims in full and "will act". BBC News
Former patients at the Carseview Centre in Dundee claimed staff had used face-down restraint violently and repeatedly over the past five years.
They said the practice was used for prolonged periods and patients were also mocked and shouted at by staff.
NHS Tayside said it would investigate the claims in full and "will act". BBC News
How hospices care for the terminally ill
How hospices care for the terminally ill The BBC met some of the patients and staff at St Ann's in Manchester, where people with terminal illnesses receive care, comfort and support as they reach the end of their lives. BBC News
More than 200 new ambulances to be bought with government funding
More than 200 new ambulances to be bought with government funding More than 200 new ambulances will be added to fleets around England with a £36.3m government investment.
The 256 vehicles will be funded by the Department for Health and Social Care, with more than half available for use this winter. BBC News
The 256 vehicles will be funded by the Department for Health and Social Care, with more than half available for use this winter. BBC News
Why improving housing leads to fewer hospital admissions
Why improving housing leads to fewer hospital admissions The poor state of Britain’s homes can be a health hazard, with four in 10 not meeting basic wellbeing criteria. New research has uncovered how home improvements have real health benefits.
Britain has a housing crisis, not just in terms of a shortage of homes and sky-high prices, but in terms of the poor state of existing homes. Four in 10 British homes don’t meet the basic criteria to secure occupants’ wellbeing, according to a recent survey. The Independent
Britain has a housing crisis, not just in terms of a shortage of homes and sky-high prices, but in terms of the poor state of existing homes. Four in 10 British homes don’t meet the basic criteria to secure occupants’ wellbeing, according to a recent survey. The Independent
When I went to practice medicine in Australia from the UK, I had no idea what I was getting myself into
When I went to practice medicine in Australia from the UK, I had no idea what I was getting myself into I saw crystal meth decimate Australian hospitals; an epidemic here could stun the NHS
The first time you see someone high on crystal meth, it’s quite a sight. Nobody had really warned me that it was a problem. It was in my first week as an emergency department doctor in one of Australia’s busiest urban hospitals. I saw the young man hurling himself against the walls of the main ward area, sweating gallons, screaming his paranoia to a divided audience of fearful patients and seen-it-all-before A&E staff. The Independent
The first time you see someone high on crystal meth, it’s quite a sight. Nobody had really warned me that it was a problem. It was in my first week as an emergency department doctor in one of Australia’s busiest urban hospitals. I saw the young man hurling himself against the walls of the main ward area, sweating gallons, screaming his paranoia to a divided audience of fearful patients and seen-it-all-before A&E staff. The Independent
A million older people 'badly let down' by lack of social care funding
A million older people 'badly let down' by lack of social care funding Analysis by AgeUK finds one in seven older people in England left to get by on their own
The number of older people in England without social care support has hit a record high, with one in seven now being left to get by on their own, figures reveal.
A record total of 1.4 million people over 65 now have some level of unmet need with tasks such as getting up, washed and dressed, according to an analysis of official statistics by AgeUK. Continue reading... The Guardian
The number of older people in England without social care support has hit a record high, with one in seven now being left to get by on their own, figures reveal.
A record total of 1.4 million people over 65 now have some level of unmet need with tasks such as getting up, washed and dressed, according to an analysis of official statistics by AgeUK. Continue reading... The Guardian
Fears of future strain on NHS as councils slash health programmes
Fears of future strain on NHS as councils slash health programmes Anti-drug and stop-smoking programmes are being cut despite May’s promise of £20bn extra on health
Hospitals will bear the brunt of “incredibly shortsighted” cuts to public health initiatives that will lead to more people having a heart attack or getting cancer, experts are warning.
New research reveals that, by next year, spending per head in England on programmes to tackle smoking, poor diet and alcohol abuse will have fallen by 23.5% over five years. Continue reading... The Guardian
Hospitals will bear the brunt of “incredibly shortsighted” cuts to public health initiatives that will lead to more people having a heart attack or getting cancer, experts are warning.
New research reveals that, by next year, spending per head in England on programmes to tackle smoking, poor diet and alcohol abuse will have fallen by 23.5% over five years. Continue reading... The Guardian
Britain needs to get fit. But warnings and advice alone aren’t enough
Britain needs to get fit. But warnings and advice alone aren’t enough | Mike Kelly It’s taken an integrated strategy to reduce smoking. We need a similar policy to change the way we look at fitness
This week Public Health England told us that along with doing aerobic exercise we should be doing muscle and bone strengthening and balance activities. It recommends ball games, racket sports, dancing, Nordic walking and various forms of resistance training. The benefits of physical activity include reduced risks from certain cancers and heart disease, better mobility, better sleep and mental health and, as we get older, the prevention of falls.
But will this make the slightest bit of difference? In short, no it won’t. Putting information into the public domain as a strategy for getting people to change their behaviour is simply not effective. Continue reading... The Guardian
This week Public Health England told us that along with doing aerobic exercise we should be doing muscle and bone strengthening and balance activities. It recommends ball games, racket sports, dancing, Nordic walking and various forms of resistance training. The benefits of physical activity include reduced risks from certain cancers and heart disease, better mobility, better sleep and mental health and, as we get older, the prevention of falls.
But will this make the slightest bit of difference? In short, no it won’t. Putting information into the public domain as a strategy for getting people to change their behaviour is simply not effective. Continue reading... The Guardian
Facebook has young people in an 'insidious grip', warns head of NHS England
Facebook has young people in an 'insidious grip', warns head of NHS England Social media giants like Facebook should be forced to release their “insidious grip” on young people, the head of the NHShas said.
Backing The Telegraph’s campaign for a “duty of care” to web users, Simon Stevens said such firms should face up to their responsiblities, fuelling pressures on today’s children.
Last month the chief executive of NHS England promised a “major ramp-up” of mental health services, in order to deal with the fallout for an explosion of social media. The Daily Telegraph
Backing The Telegraph’s campaign for a “duty of care” to web users, Simon Stevens said such firms should face up to their responsiblities, fuelling pressures on today’s children.
Last month the chief executive of NHS England promised a “major ramp-up” of mental health services, in order to deal with the fallout for an explosion of social media. The Daily Telegraph
NHS Trusts buying whiteboard markers at near double the price of high street shops
NHS Trusts buying whiteboard markers at near double the price of high street shops NHS Trusts are buying whiteboard markers at near double the price of high street shops, new figures reveal.
Last year packs of four whiteboard markers were bough for between £1.32 and £2.10, the exclusive data obtained by The Telegraph reveals, despite similar items being available for just £1.25 from office supplier Staples.
Such discrepancies have been described as "baffling" by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The health service spends £55.6 billion each year on general supplies and medical equipment, however bulk buying is not resulting in the best deals, as the new figures reveal. The Daily Telegraph
Last year packs of four whiteboard markers were bough for between £1.32 and £2.10, the exclusive data obtained by The Telegraph reveals, despite similar items being available for just £1.25 from office supplier Staples.
Such discrepancies have been described as "baffling" by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The health service spends £55.6 billion each year on general supplies and medical equipment, however bulk buying is not resulting in the best deals, as the new figures reveal. The Daily Telegraph
British doctors fit patients with pacemakers that let them track their heart rates on smartphones
British doctors fit patients with pacemakers that let them track their heart rates on smartphones British doctors have become the first in the world to fit heart patients with pacemakers connected to their smartphones.
The medical breakthrough means patients can track their heart rate and exercise levels through the device in their chest and check how much battery life it has left wherever they are.
The smart pacemakers send the information via Bluetooth straight to a smartphone app. The Daily Mail
The medical breakthrough means patients can track their heart rate and exercise levels through the device in their chest and check how much battery life it has left wherever they are.
The smart pacemakers send the information via Bluetooth straight to a smartphone app. The Daily Mail
Friday, 6 July 2018
Video shows how NGH £12m emergency assessment unit will look upon completition
Video shows how NGH £12m emergency assessment unit will look upon completion Work is three-months away from completion on a new £12m A&E assessment unit at Northampton General Hospital.
Last year workers started building a new £12 million two-storey assessment unit at Northampton General Hospital, adjacent to A&E, with a link into the existing hospital via a bridge. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Last year workers started building a new £12 million two-storey assessment unit at Northampton General Hospital, adjacent to A&E, with a link into the existing hospital via a bridge. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
NHS staff and volunteers mark 70 years of NHS at Northampton General Hospital
NHS staff and volunteers mark 70 years of NHS at Northampton General Hospital As the NHS turns 70 the Chronicle & Echo celebrates some of Northampton General Hospital's longest-serving employees.
With a combined length of service of 124 years, workers and volunteers at NGH, Andrew Beswick, Celia Penn, Tony O’Donovan and Caroline Paviour, tell of how much NGH has changed since they started their careers and voluntary roles, and how they envisage life at the NHS in another 10 years’ time. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
With a combined length of service of 124 years, workers and volunteers at NGH, Andrew Beswick, Celia Penn, Tony O’Donovan and Caroline Paviour, tell of how much NGH has changed since they started their careers and voluntary roles, and how they envisage life at the NHS in another 10 years’ time. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Is our love for the NHS bad for our health?
Is our love for the NHS bad for our health? In the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the NHS, we’ve been talking with the public to better understand their relationship with and expectations of the service and their views on who is responsible for keeping people healthy.
It almost goes without saying that there is huge support for the NHS, with the vast majority of people supporting the founding principles of a service free at the point of delivery, available to all and funded largely by taxation. As one participant at our recent discussion events said, ‘I do have a love for the NHS, it’s part of our heritage.’ The King's Fund
It almost goes without saying that there is huge support for the NHS, with the vast majority of people supporting the founding principles of a service free at the point of delivery, available to all and funded largely by taxation. As one participant at our recent discussion events said, ‘I do have a love for the NHS, it’s part of our heritage.’ The King's Fund
‘Co-production isn’t a one-night stand’
‘Co-production isn’t a one-night stand’ To mark SCIE’s Co-Production Week, #coproweek, which runs 2 July to 6 July 2018, Mandy Rudczenko, member of C4CC’s own co-production group has written this blog post on the importance of co-production being a long-term relationship. Centre for Collaborative Care
See also:
See also:
- Embedding co-production at all levels of care Centre for Collaborative Care
Evidence-based interventions: consultation document
Evidence-based interventions: consultation document This consultation seeks views on the design principles of a programme to reduce the delivery of clinically ineffective interventions. The proposals aim to reduce avoidable harm to patients, save precious professional time, help clinicians maintain their professional practice in line with the changing evidence base, create headroom for innovation and maximise value and avoid waste for patients and taxpayers. The closing date for comments is 28 September 2018. NHS England
'I never thought I'd be alive to pay back my huge debt'
'I never thought I'd be alive to pay back my huge debt' Chris Lynch, 41, was a hard-drinking student when his debts began to build up and his life started to spiral out of control.
At one point he was was £35,000 in debt - and that's when anxiety and depression took hold.
"I didn't think I'd be alive long enough to pay if off. I could easily have ended up homeless or ending my life," he says.
The charity Mental Health UK says Chris's experience is not unusual - up to four million people could be at risk of poor mental health brought on by money problems. BBC News
At one point he was was £35,000 in debt - and that's when anxiety and depression took hold.
"I didn't think I'd be alive long enough to pay if off. I could easily have ended up homeless or ending my life," he says.
The charity Mental Health UK says Chris's experience is not unusual - up to four million people could be at risk of poor mental health brought on by money problems. BBC News
GP vacancies rise to record levels despite recruitment pledge, survey suggests
GP vacancies rise to record levels despite recruitment pledge, survey suggests Long patient waits and unsafe, rushed appointments are unlikely to end any time soon as vacancies have risen from 9.1 per cent to 15.3 per cent since the government pledged 5,000 more doctors
A record 15.3 per cent of GP posts in the UK are unfilled, suggesting government pledges to address soaring waiting times for GP appointments by recruiting more thousands more doctors have fallen flat.
In England, which has 33,574 full-time GPs as of March 2018 according to NHS statistics, the figures show a vacancy rate of 15.8 per cent suggesting more than 6,000 full-time GP posts advertised and currently unfilled. The Independent
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A record 15.3 per cent of GP posts in the UK are unfilled, suggesting government pledges to address soaring waiting times for GP appointments by recruiting more thousands more doctors have fallen flat.
In England, which has 33,574 full-time GPs as of March 2018 according to NHS statistics, the figures show a vacancy rate of 15.8 per cent suggesting more than 6,000 full-time GP posts advertised and currently unfilled. The Independent
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Lucy Letby: Newborn deaths doubled at hospital where nurse arrested on suspicion of babies' murders worked
Lucy Letby: Newborn deaths doubled at hospital where nurse arrested on suspicion of babies' murders worked Audit data shows how in a single year neonatal mortality at Countess of Chester Hospital went from unremarkable to among highest in UK
Between 2014 and 2015 the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in Cheshire saw the number of babies that died on its wards double, without any apparent explanation.
There were nine neonatal deaths in 2015, compared to four in 2014, according to data published by the Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries (MBRRACE-UK) research group. The Independent
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Between 2014 and 2015 the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital (CoCH) in Cheshire saw the number of babies that died on its wards double, without any apparent explanation.
There were nine neonatal deaths in 2015, compared to four in 2014, according to data published by the Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries (MBRRACE-UK) research group. The Independent
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The robots helping NHS surgeons perform better, faster – and for longer
The robots helping NHS surgeons perform better, faster – and for longer Surgical robots such as Versius cut training time down from 80 sessions to 30 minutes
It is the most exacting of surgical skills: tying a knot deep inside a patient’s abdomen, pivoting long graspers through keyhole incisions with no direct view of the thread.
Trainee surgeons typically require 60 to 80 hours of practice, but in a mock-up operating theatre outside Cambridge, a non-medic with just a few hours of experience is expertly wielding a hook-shaped needle – in this case stitching a square of pink sponge rather than an artery or appendix. Continue reading... The Guardian
It is the most exacting of surgical skills: tying a knot deep inside a patient’s abdomen, pivoting long graspers through keyhole incisions with no direct view of the thread.
Trainee surgeons typically require 60 to 80 hours of practice, but in a mock-up operating theatre outside Cambridge, a non-medic with just a few hours of experience is expertly wielding a hook-shaped needle – in this case stitching a square of pink sponge rather than an artery or appendix. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS hailed as 'unifying ideal' on 70th anniversary
NHS hailed as 'unifying ideal' on 70th anniversary Politicians, staff and patients pay tribute to health service at Westminster Abbey ceremony
The boss of the NHS has lauded the service as an enduring “unifying ideal” for people across Britain, as politicians, staff and patients queued up to pay tribute to the health service on its 70th birthday.
At a service of celebration at Westminster Abbey for 2,200 NHS staff, Simon Stevens, the NHS England chief executive, quoted the archbishop of Canterbury’s view that the NHS was “the most powerful and visible expression of our Christian heritage” because it “sprang out of a concern that the poor should be able to be treated as well as the rich”. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The boss of the NHS has lauded the service as an enduring “unifying ideal” for people across Britain, as politicians, staff and patients queued up to pay tribute to the health service on its 70th birthday.
At a service of celebration at Westminster Abbey for 2,200 NHS staff, Simon Stevens, the NHS England chief executive, quoted the archbishop of Canterbury’s view that the NHS was “the most powerful and visible expression of our Christian heritage” because it “sprang out of a concern that the poor should be able to be treated as well as the rich”. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Apps which diagnose skin cancer are UNRELIABLE and are not a substitute for going to the doctor
Apps which diagnose skin cancer are UNRELIABLE and are not a substitute for going to the doctor Mobile apps which claim to detect skin cancer could be endangering the public because they are not regulated, scientists claim.
The apps do not notice all 'red flag' symptoms of skin cancer, according to researchers, and are not a replacement for going to see a doctor.
People should also take the apps' recommendations with a pinch of salt, experts say, and always go to a doctor if they suspect something is wrong.
Researchers worry the technology is not tested thoroughly to make sure they work, may not have expert advice when they are being made, and the software which identifies problems might be flawed. The Daily Mail
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The apps do not notice all 'red flag' symptoms of skin cancer, according to researchers, and are not a replacement for going to see a doctor.
People should also take the apps' recommendations with a pinch of salt, experts say, and always go to a doctor if they suspect something is wrong.
Researchers worry the technology is not tested thoroughly to make sure they work, may not have expert advice when they are being made, and the software which identifies problems might be flawed. The Daily Mail
See also:
- Untested skin cancer apps endangering the public British Association of Dermatologists
Thursday, 5 July 2018
Week of celebrations for Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Week of celebrations for Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust As the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday, Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT) is taking the opportunity to thank those who contribute to the on-going work of the trust.
The week of celebrations includes NHFT staff attending the Royal College of Nursing Awards (Wednesday) and Health Service Journal Patient Safety awards next week (July 9). There will also be a recruitment event on Saturday (July 7).
Chief executive Angela Hillery said: “Without the dedicated staff and clinicians and the valuable input of patients, carers, governors and members we would not be able to deliver the outstanding care we are so proud of.” Northamptonshire Telegraph
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The week of celebrations includes NHFT staff attending the Royal College of Nursing Awards (Wednesday) and Health Service Journal Patient Safety awards next week (July 9). There will also be a recruitment event on Saturday (July 7).
Chief executive Angela Hillery said: “Without the dedicated staff and clinicians and the valuable input of patients, carers, governors and members we would not be able to deliver the outstanding care we are so proud of.” Northamptonshire Telegraph
See also:
- Happy 70th birthday NHS Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
The NHS at 70: A timeline in pictures
The NHS at 70: A timeline in pictures On 5 July 1948, 70 years ago on Thursday, the National Health Service (NHS) was born.
We look at seven decades of the development of the NHS, alongside medical advancements, highlighting events that have been documented with archive photography. BBC News
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We look at seven decades of the development of the NHS, alongside medical advancements, highlighting events that have been documented with archive photography. BBC News
See also:
- Young volunteers, long-serving domestic assistant and ‘virtual surgeon’ among winners of NHS birthday awards NHS England
- NHS: A Bevan family business BBC News
- NHS at 70: Early patient pays tribute to life saving treatment BBC News
- NHS at 70: Aneira Thomas the first NHS baby BBC News
- NHS Street: Voices from Aneurin Bevan's Tredegar BBC News
- The NHS at 70: How can we help it survive? BBC News
- NHS at 70: the charts that show how the health service has changed since 1948 The Daily Telegraph
- NHS heroes: doctors, nurses, porters, therapists on the service at 70 The Guardian
- What does the NHS need to survive for another 70 years? | Richard Horton, Clare Gerada, and others The Guardian
- The birth of the NHS - in pictures The Guardian
- How the NHS inspired 60 years of heart-stopping TV drama The Guardian
- NHS at 70: How it took nearly a century for the health service to be formed The Independent
- NHS at 70: The scientific breakthroughs that revolutionised the service The Independent
- I've watched the deterioration of the NHS at first hand. Trust me when I say as a political reporter, this is our country's biggest issue The Independent
Majority of public willing to pay more tax for NHS
Majority of public willing to pay more tax for NHS The vast majority of people say they would be happy to pay more tax for a NHS that was “improved a great deal”, according to results of a poll released today by the NHS Confederation.
The representative poll of 1,003 adults across England, Scotland and Wales carried out by Ipsos MORI for the NHS Confederation asked people about their willingness for tax rises designed to boost funding of the health service. OnMedica
The representative poll of 1,003 adults across England, Scotland and Wales carried out by Ipsos MORI for the NHS Confederation asked people about their willingness for tax rises designed to boost funding of the health service. OnMedica
Fair shares for mental health has to be the NHS’s priority
Fair shares for mental health has to be the NHS’s priority | Wendy Burn The achievements of our health service are justly lauded, but a crucial part of it is unacceptably underfunded and neglected
The added disability from which our health system suffers is the isolation of mental health from the rest of the health services.” So said Nye Bevan, the founder of the NHS, in 1946, two years before the creation of what is now the world’s largest publicly funded health service. It’s still true. Mental health services, the poor relation of the NHS, are often delivered on remote sites in dilapidated buildings. My clinic room is a windowless cupboard. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The added disability from which our health system suffers is the isolation of mental health from the rest of the health services.” So said Nye Bevan, the founder of the NHS, in 1946, two years before the creation of what is now the world’s largest publicly funded health service. It’s still true. Mental health services, the poor relation of the NHS, are often delivered on remote sites in dilapidated buildings. My clinic room is a windowless cupboard. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The only way to protect our NHS? Fund social care
The only way to protect our NHS? Fund social care | Sonia Sodha The founding principles of the health service must be extended to social care. Otherwise the NHS will be run into the ground
There’s so much of modern life we take for granted, but not the NHS. It has a special place in British hearts, outranking the armed forces and the royal family in what makes us proud to be British. But the NHS is facing two existential tests on its 70th birthday, both of which exert big cost pressures.
Back in the 50s, much of its work involved doling out treatment for one-off illnesses such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Today, those serious infections are less common and the greatest demands on the NHS come from chronic conditions that people can live with for decades – diabetes, cancer, dementia – some associated with unhealthy lifestyles. Continue reading... The Guardian
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There’s so much of modern life we take for granted, but not the NHS. It has a special place in British hearts, outranking the armed forces and the royal family in what makes us proud to be British. But the NHS is facing two existential tests on its 70th birthday, both of which exert big cost pressures.
Back in the 50s, much of its work involved doling out treatment for one-off illnesses such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Today, those serious infections are less common and the greatest demands on the NHS come from chronic conditions that people can live with for decades – diabetes, cancer, dementia – some associated with unhealthy lifestyles. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Getting results: why NHS clinical trials are the envy of the world
Getting results: why NHS clinical trials are the envy of the world From cancer to dementia, UK patients are benefiting from a democratised system of research
NHS at 70: all our anniversary coverage in one place
It started with a lump on Cathy Perkins’ index finger. The viola player didn’t know what it was; nor did her GP. The eventual diagnosis in 2008 from the Christie cancer hospital in Manchester was melanoma – skin cancer – but after treatment all seemed well. Then in 2013, a routine scan showed it had come back and spread to her lungs.
“They came back with this really bad diagnosis of just a few weeks to live,” said Perkins. “I burst into tears. I packed in work on the spot. I just remember being incredibly angry that my planned retirement had gone pear-shaped.” Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS at 70: all our anniversary coverage in one place
It started with a lump on Cathy Perkins’ index finger. The viola player didn’t know what it was; nor did her GP. The eventual diagnosis in 2008 from the Christie cancer hospital in Manchester was melanoma – skin cancer – but after treatment all seemed well. Then in 2013, a routine scan showed it had come back and spread to her lungs.
“They came back with this really bad diagnosis of just a few weeks to live,” said Perkins. “I burst into tears. I packed in work on the spot. I just remember being incredibly angry that my planned retirement had gone pear-shaped.” Continue reading... The Guardian
Second hospital investigating nurse Lucy Letby after arrest on suspicion of murdering eight babies
Second hospital investigating nurse Lucy Letby after arrest on suspicion of murdering eight babies A second hospital has launched an investigation after it emerged that a nurse arrested on suspicion of the murder of eight babies had spent time training there.
Lucy Letby, 28, who is also accused of the attempted murder of another six newborns, is in custody while police search her home in connection with the deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Liverpool Women's Hospital on Merseyside announced on Wednesday that it was involved in the police investigation and was reviewing patients who attended the hospital during Ms Letby's placement there. The Daily Telegraph
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Lucy Letby, 28, who is also accused of the attempted murder of another six newborns, is in custody while police search her home in connection with the deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Liverpool Women's Hospital on Merseyside announced on Wednesday that it was involved in the police investigation and was reviewing patients who attended the hospital during Ms Letby's placement there. The Daily Telegraph
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270,000 people gave up smoking last year in the UK, official figures show
270,000 people gave up smoking last year in the UK, official figures show Government data today reveals 14.9 per cent of adults across England smoked in 2017 - the equivalent of 6.1 million people. This is down from the 15.5 per cent recorded in 2016. The Daily Mail
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Learning by doing: integrating health and care in Scotland
Learning by doing: integrating health and care in Scotland Imagine a place where you could debate and refine policy on integrating health and social care for three years, leading up to legislation. And then, organisations and staff could take a full year to learn new ways of working together in shadow form, with unwavering political support, before becoming accountable for bringing services together to improve health, care quality and value. There’s no need to imagine; that’s what is currently happening in Scotland. The King's Fund
The health and social care interface
The health and social care interface A report assessing the challenges preventing health and social care from working together effectively. In a move to encourage the government to create a long-term plan for a sustainable, joined-up care sector, the head of the NAO, Amyas Morse, is urging further and faster progress towards a service that centres on the needs of individuals, meets growing demands for care and delivers value to the taxpayer. National Audit Office
Over two million children in England are growing up in families where there are serious risks
Over two million children in England are growing up in families where there are serious risks The report, “The Children’s Commissioner’s 2018 Report into Childhood Vulnerability”, estimates that 2.1 million of England’s 11.8 million children – one in six – are living in families with risks so serious that they need some level of help. The study also warns that for 1.6 million of those vulnerable children, the support is effectively ‘invisible’ – we don’t know if they are actually getting any coordinated help, despite the difficulties they are growing up with. Some of the risks these children face include parents with mental health problems or parents who are alcoholics or have substance abuse problems. Children's Commissioner
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Woman arrested in Countess of Chester Hospital baby deaths probe
Woman arrested in Countess of Chester Hospital baby deaths probe A healthcare professional has been arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to kill six others at a hospital.
Cheshire Police said the woman's arrest was a significant step forward in an investigation into deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Officers have been investigating the deaths of 17 newborns at the neonatal unit between March 2015 and July 2016.
A spokesman said the probe also covered 15 "non-fatal collapses".
The cases being investigated involve families from the Cheshire and north Wales area. BBC News
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Cheshire Police said the woman's arrest was a significant step forward in an investigation into deaths at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Officers have been investigating the deaths of 17 newborns at the neonatal unit between March 2015 and July 2016.
A spokesman said the probe also covered 15 "non-fatal collapses".
The cases being investigated involve families from the Cheshire and north Wales area. BBC News
See also:
- Female health worker arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies at Chester hospital The Daily Telegraph
- Healthcare worker arrested on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempted murder of further six at Cheshire hospital The Independent
- Lucy Letby: Police search home of nurse after arresting healthcare worker on suspicion of murdering eight babies The Independent
The challenges faced by doctors with disabilities
The challenges faced by doctors with disabilities The regulatory body which oversees the education and training of doctors says there are “unacceptable barriers” in recruiting and educating disabled medics.
Around one in five of the UK population has a disability, yet the General Medical Council estimates only 3% of medics and doctors have a declared disability.
It’s now calling for universities and employers to provide equal access and has launched new guidance to try and improve recruitment and retention.
Hannah and Kelly are two doctors with the same disability but very different experiences of life in medicine. BBC News
Around one in five of the UK population has a disability, yet the General Medical Council estimates only 3% of medics and doctors have a declared disability.
It’s now calling for universities and employers to provide equal access and has launched new guidance to try and improve recruitment and retention.
Hannah and Kelly are two doctors with the same disability but very different experiences of life in medicine. BBC News
Jeremy Hunt answers young people's questions on mental health
Jeremy Hunt answers young people's questions on mental health "It's an actual illness - you would never say to someone who has a broken leg, oh just deal with it, it'll be fine."
Those are the words of one young woman on her experience of child and adolescent mental health services, or CAMHS, speaking as part of the latest episode of Radio 4's series Storm and Stress.
A number of young people recorded their frustrations anonymously - delays, sudden switch to adult services at 18 and lack of support in schools, for example - for the programme.
So how does the man in charge of health and social care in England, Jeremy Hunt, respond to them? BBC News
Those are the words of one young woman on her experience of child and adolescent mental health services, or CAMHS, speaking as part of the latest episode of Radio 4's series Storm and Stress.
A number of young people recorded their frustrations anonymously - delays, sudden switch to adult services at 18 and lack of support in schools, for example - for the programme.
So how does the man in charge of health and social care in England, Jeremy Hunt, respond to them? BBC News
Medical cannabis: Doctors 'should be able to prescribe drug', says UK's chief adviser
Medical cannabis: Doctors 'should be able to prescribe drug', says UK's chief adviser Medicinal cannabis has proven therapeutic benefits and doctors should be able to prescribe it, the government’s chief medical adviser has said.
In the first part of an evidence review ordered by the home secretary, Sajid Javid, Professor Dame Sally Davies recommended medicinal cannabis should be moved out of schedule one – a group of drugs considered to have no medical purposes that cannot be legally possessed or prescribed. The Independent
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In the first part of an evidence review ordered by the home secretary, Sajid Javid, Professor Dame Sally Davies recommended medicinal cannabis should be moved out of schedule one – a group of drugs considered to have no medical purposes that cannot be legally possessed or prescribed. The Independent
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- Cannabis scheduling review part 1: the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of cannabis-based products Department of Health and Social Care
- Decision on medical cannabis within weeks BBC News
'It's going to create a revolution': how AI is transforming the NHS
'It's going to create a revolution': how AI is transforming the NHS Technology is making impressive inroads into cancer treatment – saving lives and money.
The tumour is hard to miss on the scan. The size of a golf ball, it sits bold and white on the brain stem, a part of the organ that sends messages back and forth between body and brain. In many ways it is the master controller: from the top of the spinal cord, the brain stem conducts every heartbeat, every swallow, every breath.
For this young man, the cancer came to light in dramatic fashion. The growing tumour blocked fluid draining from his brain, triggering a huge seizure. Now doctors must work out the best way to treat him.
It could enable a new way of treating cancer that is faster and a lot less burdensome Continue reading... The Guardian
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The tumour is hard to miss on the scan. The size of a golf ball, it sits bold and white on the brain stem, a part of the organ that sends messages back and forth between body and brain. In many ways it is the master controller: from the top of the spinal cord, the brain stem conducts every heartbeat, every swallow, every breath.
For this young man, the cancer came to light in dramatic fashion. The growing tumour blocked fluid draining from his brain, triggering a huge seizure. Now doctors must work out the best way to treat him.
It could enable a new way of treating cancer that is faster and a lot less burdensome Continue reading... The Guardian
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Routine DNA tests will put NHS at the 'forefront of medicine'
Routine DNA tests will put NHS at the 'forefront of medicine' From 1 October new cancer patients will have tumours screened for key mutations.
People in England will have access to DNA tests on an unprecedented scale from the autumn when the NHS becomes the first health service in the world to routinely offer genomic medicine.
From 1 October, hospitals across England will be connected to specialist centres that read, analyse and interpret patient DNA to help diagnose rare diseases, match patients to the most effective treatments, and reduce adverse drug reactions. Continue reading... The Guardian
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People in England will have access to DNA tests on an unprecedented scale from the autumn when the NHS becomes the first health service in the world to routinely offer genomic medicine.
From 1 October, hospitals across England will be connected to specialist centres that read, analyse and interpret patient DNA to help diagnose rare diseases, match patients to the most effective treatments, and reduce adverse drug reactions. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Who profits when private providers take over health services?
Who profits when private providers take over health services? As the NHS turns 70, many campaigners are worried about its increasing privatisation
Last weekend tens of thousands of NHS staff, patients and campaigners marched to Westminster in protest against the underfunding of the NHS and the privatisation of many health services in England. The government may have pledged to invest another £20bn in the NHS over the next four years, but there are concerns that much of this could find its way into the hands of private companies. Addressing the crowds, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, called for an end to privatisation, the closure of the internal market and for staff to no longer be subcontracted to private companies, “the profits of which could and sometimes do, end up in tax havens around the world. I don’t pay my taxes for someone to rip off the public and squirrel the profits away,” he stated. Continue reading... The Guardian
Last weekend tens of thousands of NHS staff, patients and campaigners marched to Westminster in protest against the underfunding of the NHS and the privatisation of many health services in England. The government may have pledged to invest another £20bn in the NHS over the next four years, but there are concerns that much of this could find its way into the hands of private companies. Addressing the crowds, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, called for an end to privatisation, the closure of the internal market and for staff to no longer be subcontracted to private companies, “the profits of which could and sometimes do, end up in tax havens around the world. I don’t pay my taxes for someone to rip off the public and squirrel the profits away,” he stated. Continue reading... The Guardian
People not getting enough exercise from long walks – report
People not getting enough exercise from long walks – report Strengthening and balance activities are vital for future wellbeing, says Public Health England
Walking is just not enough, according to a new review of the evidence from Public Health England, which reveals a major disconnect between the exercise people need and what they actually do.
Those who thought 10,000 steps a day or a brisk daily trudge from a further bus stop meant they were doing enough to stay fit and healthy have got it wrong. People should also all be doing tai chi, weight lifting or ballroom dancing – although carrying home heavy shopping bags might do the trick. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Walking is just not enough, according to a new review of the evidence from Public Health England, which reveals a major disconnect between the exercise people need and what they actually do.
Those who thought 10,000 steps a day or a brisk daily trudge from a further bus stop meant they were doing enough to stay fit and healthy have got it wrong. People should also all be doing tai chi, weight lifting or ballroom dancing – although carrying home heavy shopping bags might do the trick. Continue reading... The Guardian
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- Major health benefits from strengthening and balance activity Public Health England
- Everybody active, every day: framework for physical activity Public Health England
- Give your bones a workout, public told BBC News
Poor rural broadband means elderly people in the countryside will miss out on the healthcare revolution
Poor rural broadband means elderly people in the countryside will miss out on the healthcare revolution Poor rural broadband means elderly people living in the countryside will miss out on the healthcare revolution, local authorities have warned.
Technology has been touted as the answer to social care shortfalls, but those most in need could be unable to access crucial at-home help - because rural internet is too slow.
In a report about rural England the Local Government Association predicted that in non-city areas there would be 53 people aged 65 or over for every 100 working people aged 16 to 64 by 2039.
It said people living outside cities were still struggling with slow internet, which could prevent them using smart devices which can monitor someone's activity and alert family or carers if something goes wrong. The Daily Telegraph
Technology has been touted as the answer to social care shortfalls, but those most in need could be unable to access crucial at-home help - because rural internet is too slow.
In a report about rural England the Local Government Association predicted that in non-city areas there would be 53 people aged 65 or over for every 100 working people aged 16 to 64 by 2039.
It said people living outside cities were still struggling with slow internet, which could prevent them using smart devices which can monitor someone's activity and alert family or carers if something goes wrong. The Daily Telegraph
First death linked to air pollution as government asthma advisor finds 'striking association' with girl’s fatality
First death linked to air pollution as government asthma advisor finds 'striking association' with girl’s fatality A nine year-old girl's fatal asthma attack is the first death to be linked directly to air pollution.
A government health advisor said there was a “striking association” between the times young Ella Kissi-Debrah was admitted to hospital in an emergency, and spikes of nitrogen dioxide and PM10s, the most noxious pollutants, near her home.
Ella lived just 80ft from London's South Circular Road - a pollution "hotspot" in the city - and in the three years before her death in February 2013 she went to hospital 27 times. The Daily Telegraph
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A government health advisor said there was a “striking association” between the times young Ella Kissi-Debrah was admitted to hospital in an emergency, and spikes of nitrogen dioxide and PM10s, the most noxious pollutants, near her home.
Ella lived just 80ft from London's South Circular Road - a pollution "hotspot" in the city - and in the three years before her death in February 2013 she went to hospital 27 times. The Daily Telegraph
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Britain is lagging behind other major countries in offering IVF
Britain is lagging behind other major countries in offering IVF Some clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England pay more than four times as much as others for just one IVF treatment cycle, according to experts. The Daily Mail
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- Calls for NHS to ban painful and dubious IVF 'scratch' The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 3 July 2018
Is the problem of excessive winter deaths unique to the UK?
Is the problem of excessive winter deaths unique to the UK? Several commentators have reported on how improvements in life expectancy in the UK have stalled since 2010, with the most recent analysis showing that long-term mortality improvement has stalled in males and females, and at younger and older ages. Views about the causes of this disturbing trend vary widely. We have previously commented on issues that need to be considered in this debate, including whether or not these trends are unique to the UK. Given that some of this slowing has been caused by higher than the normal excess seen in winter deaths, and that data for the recent 2017–18 winter is now available, it is timely to see whether it brings more of the same. The King's Fund
Ten steps towards a new plan for the NHS in England
Ten steps towards a new plan for the NHS in England The NHS Confederation is calling for a national conversation about what we want and can expect from the health service in England over the next ten years. Crucially this needs to involve those who use and those who work for the service. They propose ten actions which would underpin specific priorities for a new plan. The plan itself would set clear outcomes for patients and for the NHS over the next decade.
Beyond barriers: how older people move between health and care in England
Beyond barriers: how older people move between health and care in England 'Beyond barriers' looks at how services are working together to support and care for people aged 65 and over.
Many older people have complex care needs that need more than one professional and more than one service. Their experience depends on how well services work together with and for them, their families and carers.
We have completed a review of local health and social care systems in 20 local authority areas. We have published a report for each area in this programme. Care Quality Commission
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Many older people have complex care needs that need more than one professional and more than one service. Their experience depends on how well services work together with and for them, their families and carers.
We have completed a review of local health and social care systems in 20 local authority areas. We have published a report for each area in this programme. Care Quality Commission
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- Targets and 'blame culture' stop older people getting proper care The Daily Telegraph
Investing in a resilient generation: Keys to a mentally prosperous nation
Investing in a resilient generation: Keys to a mentally prosperous nation Looking beyond treatment to promoting mental health and well-being, the Mental Health Policy Commission has examined evidence from people with experience of mental distress, families, practitioners, communities, academics, and policy makers to form ground-breaking recommendations that will support a truly different approach and provide a strategic framework for mental health for the 21st Century.
NHS data breach affects 150,000 patients in England
NHS data breach affects 150,000 patients in England The NHS is blaming a coding error for 150,000 patients in England being involved in a data breach.
Those affected had requested that their confidential health information only be used to help provide them with care.
But it appears that there was a problem with the software used by GPs to record objections to the same data being used for research and auditing purposes.
As a result, the SystmOne application involved never passed on the request to NHS England's IT provider. BBC News
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Those affected had requested that their confidential health information only be used to help provide them with care.
But it appears that there was a problem with the software used by GPs to record objections to the same data being used for research and auditing purposes.
As a result, the SystmOne application involved never passed on the request to NHS England's IT provider. BBC News
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- NHS admits it accidentally disclosed data on 150,000 patients The Daily Mail
- 150,000 medical records shared against patients' wishes The Daily Telegraph
Blood scandal inquiry 'will find any cover-up'
Blood scandal inquiry 'will find any cover-up' A UK-wide inquiry into a contaminated blood scandal that left at least 2,400 people dead will look at whether there was a cover-up by the authorities and if documents were destroyed.
Treatments including blood transfusions infected thousands of patients with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 1980s.
It has been called the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
The terms of reference have now been published by the judge chairing the public inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff. BBC News
Treatments including blood transfusions infected thousands of patients with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 1980s.
It has been called the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
The terms of reference have now been published by the judge chairing the public inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff. BBC News
70 years of the NHS: How Aneurin Bevan created our beloved health service
70 years of the NHS: How Aneurin Bevan created our beloved health service Continuing our series to mark 70 years since the birth of the NHS, Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds looks at how its creator forged such a lasting institution. The Independent
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Theresa May vows to eradicate ‘abhorrent’ gay conversion therapy as part of LGBT+ equality plan
Theresa May vows to eradicate ‘abhorrent’ gay conversion therapy as part of LGBT+ equality plan Theresa May has vowed to eradicate the “abhorrent” practice of gay conversion therapy as she today publishes the world’s largest LGBT+ survey and a government plan aimed at addressing discrimination and health inequality.
Writing exclusively for The Independent, Penny Mordaunt, the women and equalities minister, said that conversion therapy – sometimes referred to as “gay cure” – is “abuse of the worst kind and must be stamped out”.
The decision comes after ministers found the controversial practice, which aims to alter a person’s sexual orientation, to be more prevalent than previously thought after analysing the survey of 108,000 LGBT+ individuals across the UK.
Writing exclusively for The Independent, Penny Mordaunt, the women and equalities minister, said that conversion therapy – sometimes referred to as “gay cure” – is “abuse of the worst kind and must be stamped out”.
The decision comes after ministers found the controversial practice, which aims to alter a person’s sexual orientation, to be more prevalent than previously thought after analysing the survey of 108,000 LGBT+ individuals across the UK.
High sugar content in cereals next target in battle of child obesity
High sugar content in cereals next target in battle of child obesity Children eating equivalent of three sugar lumps at breakfast, says head of NHS England
Food manufacturers will have to reformulate the way they produce breakfast cereals if the government’s obesity strategy is to succeed, the head of the NHS in England has warned.
Giving evidence to the Commons health and social care committee, Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, said it was “very concerning” that products marketed as healthy often contained large amounts of sugar. Continue reading... The Guardian
Food manufacturers will have to reformulate the way they produce breakfast cereals if the government’s obesity strategy is to succeed, the head of the NHS in England has warned.
Giving evidence to the Commons health and social care committee, Simon Stevens, head of NHS England, said it was “very concerning” that products marketed as healthy often contained large amounts of sugar. Continue reading... The Guardian
May needs to show courage of Attlee to fix social care, says CQC chief
May needs to show courage of Attlee to fix social care, says CQC chief David Behan says older people are left without support and demands improvements to mental health care
Theresa May has been urged to show the same courage as Clement Attlee did when creating the NHS in order to fix the UK’s crumbling social care system.
In an exclusive interview, the head of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) told the prime minister that support for older people was now so threadbare that Britain’s status as a civilised society was diminished. Continue reading... The Guardian
Theresa May has been urged to show the same courage as Clement Attlee did when creating the NHS in order to fix the UK’s crumbling social care system.
In an exclusive interview, the head of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) told the prime minister that support for older people was now so threadbare that Britain’s status as a civilised society was diminished. Continue reading... The Guardian
National measles warning after five-fold rise in cases in England
National measles warning after five-fold rise in cases in England Health officials have declared a “national measles incident” after a five-fold rise in cases over the past year.
Experts said outbreaks were largely affecting young adults who missed out on the MMR vaccine when they were younger.
Uptake fell heavily following the publication of research in 1998, which was later discredited, linking the jab to autism.
And they said GPs should also pay particular attention to those travelling from countries such as Romania and Italy where uptake has always been low. The Daily Telegraph
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Experts said outbreaks were largely affecting young adults who missed out on the MMR vaccine when they were younger.
Uptake fell heavily following the publication of research in 1998, which was later discredited, linking the jab to autism.
And they said GPs should also pay particular attention to those travelling from countries such as Romania and Italy where uptake has always been low. The Daily Telegraph
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- Measles outbreaks across England Public Health England
- Measles and summer travel to Europe Public Health England
- 'Do the right thing' and vaccinate your child against measles, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
Robots are set to carry out dementia care within 20 years
Robots are set to carry out dementia care within 20 years Robots are set to carry out dementia care within 20 years, NHS officials have announced.
They are planning a major expansion of artificial intelligence across the health service for routine operations and treatment.
The technology will also be used to 'nudge' patients towards having healthier lifestyles, particularly if they have diabetes or heart conditions. The Daily Mail
They are planning a major expansion of artificial intelligence across the health service for routine operations and treatment.
The technology will also be used to 'nudge' patients towards having healthier lifestyles, particularly if they have diabetes or heart conditions. The Daily Mail
Monday, 2 July 2018
An NHS Bonus How fixing the NHS’s broken pay system can deliver better outcomes for patients
An NHS Bonus How fixing the NHS’s broken pay system can deliver better outcomes for patients The NHS as a whole employs approximately 1.7 million people making it, famously, the fifth biggest employer on the planet. Almost two thirds of its budget goes towards staff salaries. Yet its systems of rewarding and motivating staff are outdated, inflexible and frequently unfair.
‘An NHS Bonus’ argues that by introducing greater flexibility into the system, and linking pay more closely with performance and objectives, we could improve both NHS productivity and patient outcomes. It urges the Government, and NHS managers, to make reform of the pay system an urgent priority as part of the new funding settlement. Centre for Policy Studies
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‘An NHS Bonus’ argues that by introducing greater flexibility into the system, and linking pay more closely with performance and objectives, we could improve both NHS productivity and patient outcomes. It urges the Government, and NHS managers, to make reform of the pay system an urgent priority as part of the new funding settlement. Centre for Policy Studies
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- NHS pays moonlighting medics five times as much as Theresa May to plug gaps The Daily Telegraph
NHS planning 'extensively' for no-deal Brexit
NHS planning 'extensively' for no-deal Brexit "Extensive" planning is under way to prepare the health service for a no-deal Brexit scenario, the NHS England chief executive says.
Simon Stevens said immediate planning was taking place around the supply of medicines and equipment.
"Nobody's pretending this is a desirable situation, but if that's where we get to it will not have been unforeseen," he said.
Ministers say they do not want a "no-deal" scenario.
"I believe that is an option that can be very firmly avoided," Housing Secretary James Brokenshire told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. BBC News
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Simon Stevens said immediate planning was taking place around the supply of medicines and equipment.
"Nobody's pretending this is a desirable situation, but if that's where we get to it will not have been unforeseen," he said.
Ministers say they do not want a "no-deal" scenario.
"I believe that is an option that can be very firmly avoided," Housing Secretary James Brokenshire told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. BBC News
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- NHS is preparing to stockpile medicine in case of a no deal Brexit The Daily Mail
- NHS preparing for disruption to supplies from no-deal Brexit The Guardian
- Brexit: 'Significant planning' underway to guarantee medical supplies don't run out in event of no deal, says NHS chief The Independent
New NHS app 'puts patients in control of their own healthcare'
New NHS app 'puts patients in control of their own healthcare' For its 70th anniversary, the NHS is unveiling a new mobile phone app which allows patients to make appointments with their GP and order repeat prescriptions. It will be available to download at the end of the year. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt explains how it may benefit patients and doctors. BBC News
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- New NHS app has potential but safeguards must be in place says College Royal College of General Practitioners
- NHS app: Will it cut down on wasted appointments? BBC News
The NHS saves my life every day – we must do everything we can to protect it
The NHS saves my life every day – we must do everything we can to protect it Rationed at the point of need, which is increasingly becoming the type of system we have, is nudging us towards the situation that exists in the USFree at the point of need.
That for me, as we debate the NHS on its 70th birthday, is the one thing that should remain sacrosanct. It is a beautiful concept, and a line that should not be crossed.
Whatever the NHS’s flaws, it means that if you get sick you should expect to be treated without regard to your resources or your position in society. At least in theory. The Independent
That for me, as we debate the NHS on its 70th birthday, is the one thing that should remain sacrosanct. It is a beautiful concept, and a line that should not be crossed.
Whatever the NHS’s flaws, it means that if you get sick you should expect to be treated without regard to your resources or your position in society. At least in theory. The Independent
NHS protest: Thousands of demonstrators march on Downing Street as service marks 70th year
NHS protest: Thousands of demonstrators march on Downing Street as service marks 70th year Thousands of protestors from Lancaster to the Isle of Wight converged on London on Saturday to celebrate the NHS in the week it turns 70 and to demand the government acts to ensure it is around in another 70 years’ time.
Calls to reverse the cuts to the NHS and to “save the life savers” suggested those in attendance remained unconvinced by Theresa May’s recent pledge to increase the NHS budget by £20bn over the next five years. The Independent
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Calls to reverse the cuts to the NHS and to “save the life savers” suggested those in attendance remained unconvinced by Theresa May’s recent pledge to increase the NHS budget by £20bn over the next five years. The Independent
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NHS wields the axe on 17 'unnecessary procedures'
NHS wields the axe on 17 'unnecessary procedures' Varicose vein surgery and tonsil removal feature on list of routine operations to be axed
Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients will be refused operations judged futile as part of cost-cutting measures in the health service.
Procedures including injections for back pain, surgery to help snorers and knee arthroscopies for arthritis form part of an initial list of 17 operations that will be discontinued completely or highly restricted by NHS England as many of these problems get better without treatment. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients will be refused operations judged futile as part of cost-cutting measures in the health service.
Procedures including injections for back pain, surgery to help snorers and knee arthroscopies for arthritis form part of an initial list of 17 operations that will be discontinued completely or highly restricted by NHS England as many of these problems get better without treatment. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Developing the NHS long term plan: evidence based interventions NHS England
- Evidence-based interventions: consultation document NHS England
- NHS England to stop 'ineffective' treatments BBC News
- 'NHS is becoming unrecognisable' over treatment changes BBC News
- Surgery for varicose veins and snoring among 17 treatments NHS chiefs plan to cut back on The Daily Telegraph
IVF services slashed in England as NHS bosses cut costs
IVF services slashed in England as NHS bosses cut costs Fertility Network UK says figures reveal unfairness in system.
A growing number of areas in England have axed IVF treatment on the NHS and the proportion offering the recommended three cycles of treatment has fallen to just over one in 10, the Guardian can reveal.
The data, gathered by the Fertility Network UK, also show that a further one in 10 are considering restricting or axing fertility treatment, amid widespread NHS cuts and the rationing of services in an effort to save money. Continue reading... The Guardian
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A growing number of areas in England have axed IVF treatment on the NHS and the proportion offering the recommended three cycles of treatment has fallen to just over one in 10, the Guardian can reveal.
The data, gathered by the Fertility Network UK, also show that a further one in 10 are considering restricting or axing fertility treatment, amid widespread NHS cuts and the rationing of services in an effort to save money. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Is the NHS the world's best healthcare system?
Is the NHS the world's best healthcare system? On its 70th birthday, there are reasons to celebrate Britain’s favourite institution, though it has changed beyond all recognition from the service set up in 1948
Nothing inspires national pride quite like the National Health Service. More than two-thirds of respondents in a recent poll said they considered the establishment of the institution, which turns 70 this week, to be Britain’s greatest achievement.
But it is a very different thing now compared with its earliest incarnation, when health boards took control of 2,751 of Britain’s 3,000 hospitals, which had been run by charities or local authorities. It is not just the illnesses, facilities, technologies and demographics that are different, but the service’s very purpose. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Nothing inspires national pride quite like the National Health Service. More than two-thirds of respondents in a recent poll said they considered the establishment of the institution, which turns 70 this week, to be Britain’s greatest achievement.
But it is a very different thing now compared with its earliest incarnation, when health boards took control of 2,751 of Britain’s 3,000 hospitals, which had been run by charities or local authorities. It is not just the illnesses, facilities, technologies and demographics that are different, but the service’s very purpose. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Paramedics to be given body cameras to protect them from violent patients
Paramedics to be given body cameras to protect them from violent patients Paramedics will be given body cameras in a bid to protect them from violent patients.
Ministers said the measures to counter soaring levels of violence would help to prevent crimes against staff and bring attackers to justice.
They said the protection was part of a wider package of support to healthcare workers, including quicker access to mental health help, and physiotherapy.
In an initial pilot, 465 ambulances and their paramedics will be equipped with body cameras, with potential for a full rollout to all such staff, and other workers who suffer threats from patients. The Daily Telegraph
Ministers said the measures to counter soaring levels of violence would help to prevent crimes against staff and bring attackers to justice.
They said the protection was part of a wider package of support to healthcare workers, including quicker access to mental health help, and physiotherapy.
In an initial pilot, 465 ambulances and their paramedics will be equipped with body cameras, with potential for a full rollout to all such staff, and other workers who suffer threats from patients. The Daily Telegraph
Dementia crisis 'will leave 100,000 victims with no beds by 2035'
Dementia crisis 'will leave 100,000 victims with no beds by 2035' Tens of thousands of vulnerable elderly people with dementia will end their lives 'isolated and alone' due to a rapidly growing shortage of care home places, a leading charity has warned.
The Alzheimer's Society predicts the gulf between demand and supply for care home beds in England will reach 30,000 by 2022.
By 2035, it estimates the gap will be 100,000 — equivalent to the population of a city the size of Lincoln.
Society chief Jeremy Hughes accused Ministers of ignoring a looming disaster. The Daily Mail
The Alzheimer's Society predicts the gulf between demand and supply for care home beds in England will reach 30,000 by 2022.
By 2035, it estimates the gap will be 100,000 — equivalent to the population of a city the size of Lincoln.
Society chief Jeremy Hughes accused Ministers of ignoring a looming disaster. The Daily Mail
NHS chief reveals 18,000 have been stuck in hospitals for three weeks
NHS chief reveals 18,000 have been stuck in hospitals for three weeks Around 18,000 people have been stuck in NHS hospitals for more than three weeks because there are no care services in their community, the NHS chief executive revealed today.
Simon Stevens said most of them could be better looked after elsewhere and said it illustrated why the NHS is buckling under growing pressure.
Mr Stevens said Government had to get to grips with the ageing population, warning the growing elderly population was among the biggest challenges in 70 years of the NHS. The Daily Mail
Simon Stevens said most of them could be better looked after elsewhere and said it illustrated why the NHS is buckling under growing pressure.
Mr Stevens said Government had to get to grips with the ageing population, warning the growing elderly population was among the biggest challenges in 70 years of the NHS. The Daily Mail
Friday, 29 June 2018
NGH welcomes state-of-the-art virtual assistant to give visitors health tips and directions
NGH welcomes state-of-the-art virtual assistant to give visitors health tips and directions Northampton General Hospital has become the first organisation in the town to welcome an unusual new addition to the team to dish out vital information.
The virtual assistant, who’s been given the name Mia (messaging, information and advice), looks like a real person and "speaks" to people coming into the hospital. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The virtual assistant, who’s been given the name Mia (messaging, information and advice), looks like a real person and "speaks" to people coming into the hospital. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northamptonshire pilot project offers treatment instead of jail time for low-level offences by women
Northamptonshire pilot project offers treatment instead of jail time for low-level offences by women A pilot scheme in Northamptonshire is helping to divert women offenders with low-level mental health problems away from jail by providing treatment instead.
The programme is backed by the Ministry of Justice, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England with the aim of increasing the use of community sentences for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment requirements.
Dr Sunil Lad, principal counselling psychologist at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the project, said: “This has been an exciting project to be part of. We have been helping women who are in contact with the criminal justice system having experienced adverse life events resulting in developing unhelpful ways of coping.
"We are able to better understand how they come into these difficulties and have introduced them to different ways of coping." Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The programme is backed by the Ministry of Justice, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England with the aim of increasing the use of community sentences for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment requirements.
Dr Sunil Lad, principal counselling psychologist at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and clinical lead for the project, said: “This has been an exciting project to be part of. We have been helping women who are in contact with the criminal justice system having experienced adverse life events resulting in developing unhelpful ways of coping.
"We are able to better understand how they come into these difficulties and have introduced them to different ways of coping." Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Developing new care models through NHS vanguards
Developing new care models through NHS vanguards The vanguard programme, one of NHS England’s attempts to better meet patients’ needs and deliver savings by developing new care models to integrate health and social care services, has not delivered the depth and scale of transformed services it aimed for at the beginning of the programme, says today’s report by the National Audit Office.
Separated at birth The impact of poor access to mental healthcare during pregnancy
Separated at birth The impact of poor access to mental healthcare during pregnancy One in five women experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or the first year after birth, but often receive inadequate care from the NHS reports the British Medical Association
See also:
See also:
- Babies at risk of being harmed by mothers with postnatal depression due to lack of help on the NHS The Daily Mail
- Mothers separated from newborns amid 'disgraceful' lack of specialist care The Daily Telegraph
- Mums With Mental Health Issues Are Being Separated From Their Babies, Warn Doctors HuffingtonPost UK
Review of the National Childbirth Trust 'Hidden Half' report and GP consultation
Review of the National Childbirth Trust 'Hidden Half' report and GP consultation This report found that resourcing GPs to offer a ten-minute appointment about the mother’s health would cost around £27 million a year but this could help to identify more women who are experiencing mental health difficulties after the birth of their child, and ensure that they receive timely, effective support. It concludes that an additional health check with GPs would provide an important opportunity to help women whose difficulties were missed during pregnancy. Centre for Mental Health
The value of the executive commissioning nurse
The value of the executive commissioning nurse Since their establishment, CCGs have been required to include a registered nurse on their governing body to expand the clinical knowledge and patient experience of the board. Many CCGs have expanded this role in recognition of the contribution that executive nurses embedded full-time in the day to day decision making of the CCG can make. This infographic showcases the expertise and insight that executive commissioning nurses can bring for patients, populations and the health care system. NHS Clinical Commissioners
Seeing the same doctor over time 'lowers death rates'
Seeing the same doctor over time 'lowers death rates' Patients who see the same doctor again and again have lower death rates, a study suggests.
The benefits applied to visits to GPs and specialists and were seen across different cultures and health systems.
University of Exeter researchers said the human aspect of medical practice was "potentially life-saving" but had been neglected.
GPs' leaders said they recognised the value of patients seeing "their own" doctor.
Because of intense workforce pressures, however, this could mean waiting even longer for an appointment, the Royal College of GPs said. BBC News
See also:
The benefits applied to visits to GPs and specialists and were seen across different cultures and health systems.
University of Exeter researchers said the human aspect of medical practice was "potentially life-saving" but had been neglected.
GPs' leaders said they recognised the value of patients seeing "their own" doctor.
Because of intense workforce pressures, however, this could mean waiting even longer for an appointment, the Royal College of GPs said. BBC News
See also:
- Continuity of care with doctors—a matter of life and death? A systematic review of continuity of care and mortality (open access) BMJ Open
- Balancing continuity of care and access to GP services a 'huge challenge', says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
- Why seeing the same doctor every time could save your life The Daily Mail
- Seeing the same GP really is a matter of life and death, major study finds The Daily Telegraph
- GP continuity of care linked with lower death rate, study shows GPonline
Deprived areas 'have five times more fast food outlets'
Deprived areas 'have five times more fast food outlets' Deprived areas such as Blackpool and parts of Manchester and Liverpool have five times more fast food outlets than affluent areas, a survey suggests.
The data, from Public Health England (PHE), compared levels of deprivation with numbers of takeaways such as chip shops, burger bars and pizza places.
Experts say children exposed to fast food on the way home from school are more likely to eat unhealthily.
PHE wants local authorities to refuse applications from new takeaways.
One in three children is now overweight or obese by the age of 11. BBC News
See also:
The data, from Public Health England (PHE), compared levels of deprivation with numbers of takeaways such as chip shops, burger bars and pizza places.
Experts say children exposed to fast food on the way home from school are more likely to eat unhealthily.
PHE wants local authorities to refuse applications from new takeaways.
One in three children is now overweight or obese by the age of 11. BBC News
See also:
- Research and analysis: Fast food outlets: density by local authority in England Public Health England
NHS at 70: Being a nurse in the 1940s versus now
NHS at 70: Being a nurse in the 1940s versus now Grace Stephenson and Ethel Armstrong have both worked in nursing for the NHS, but they have a 68-year age gap.
While Ethel began her career as a cadet back in 1948, Grace started her training last year.
The women, aged 20 and 88, share their experiences of the NHS during a visit to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. BBC News
While Ethel began her career as a cadet back in 1948, Grace started her training last year.
The women, aged 20 and 88, share their experiences of the NHS during a visit to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. BBC News
Traditional GP model will be swept aside by tech revolution, NHS England chair predicts
Traditional GP model will be swept aside by tech revolution, NHS England chair predicts The NHS has reached a tipping point in the way it provides care and the traditional model of general practice may not be able to cope with the increasingly complex wealth of data that will be available in the future, NHS England's chair has said. GPonline
NHS chief: Major ramp up of children's mental health services needed
NHS chief: Major ramp up of children's mental health services needed Simon Stevens has said significant expansion required to treat increasing problems
Children’s mental health services will need to expand significantly to cope with the growing problems faced by young people, the head of the NHS in England has said.
Simon Stevens said higher rates of mental illness combined with a greater willingness of people coming forward with problems meant there would have to be a “major ramp up” in services. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Children’s mental health services will need to expand significantly to cope with the growing problems faced by young people, the head of the NHS in England has said.
Simon Stevens said higher rates of mental illness combined with a greater willingness of people coming forward with problems meant there would have to be a “major ramp up” in services. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Protect the NHS – but don’t protect it to death
Protect the NHS – but don’t protect it to death | Harry Quilter-Pinner As our beloved health service turns 70, it would be wrong to allow it to stagnate. It really must embrace change
Dancing doctors, uniform-clad nurses and children jumping on hospital beds. There are very few countries that would include a celebration of their healthcare system in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. But this was the sight that greeted the millions who tuned in at the start of London 2012. After all, as former chancellor Nigel Lawson said: “The NHS is the closest thing the English people have to a religion.”
Now the country will once again celebrate the NHS, as it turns 70. And so we should. Across the globe, 400 million people still don’t have access to essential healthcare services. Thanks to the NHS, no one in the UK faces this injustice. It is there for us all – regardless of race, sexuality, gender or financial means – at our times of greatest need. Continue reading... The Guardian
Dancing doctors, uniform-clad nurses and children jumping on hospital beds. There are very few countries that would include a celebration of their healthcare system in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. But this was the sight that greeted the millions who tuned in at the start of London 2012. After all, as former chancellor Nigel Lawson said: “The NHS is the closest thing the English people have to a religion.”
Now the country will once again celebrate the NHS, as it turns 70. And so we should. Across the globe, 400 million people still don’t have access to essential healthcare services. Thanks to the NHS, no one in the UK faces this injustice. It is there for us all – regardless of race, sexuality, gender or financial means – at our times of greatest need. Continue reading... The Guardian
Doctors 'should not have to report' suspected terrorists
Doctors 'should not have to report' suspected terrorists Doctors should not be obliged to refer concerns about suspected terrorists to Prevent de-radicalisation authorities, their union has ruled.
The British Medical Association agreed a motion to support any members who refuse to take part in training in the scheme.
Doctors said the obligations on them were “Orwellian” “Kafka-esque” and “like a scene from Minority Report” – claiming the measures were creating “a climate of fear and mistrust”.
They said that the obligation to refer suspicions about patients or colleagues to the authorities could undermine trust in medics. The Daily Telegraph
The British Medical Association agreed a motion to support any members who refuse to take part in training in the scheme.
Doctors said the obligations on them were “Orwellian” “Kafka-esque” and “like a scene from Minority Report” – claiming the measures were creating “a climate of fear and mistrust”.
They said that the obligation to refer suspicions about patients or colleagues to the authorities could undermine trust in medics. The Daily Telegraph
Vacation DOES bust stress - but the benefits fade after three days, study finds
Vacation DOES bust stress - but the benefits fade after three days, study finds After vacations, most Americans feel less stressed and more motivated, the American Psychological Association found. But a stressful work culture means we're just as tense again in three days. The Daily Mail
See also:
See also:
- Vacation Time Recharges US Workers, but Positive Effects Vanish Within Days, New Survey Finds American Psychological Association
Thursday, 28 June 2018
NHS funding: what we know, what we don’t know and what comes next
NHS funding: what we know, what we don’t know and what comes next As the dust settles on the new NHS funding announcement, it is a good time to set out our understanding of exactly what is included, what is yet to be determined and outline what we can expect to happen over the next few months as the ’plan’ for spending this money is developed. The King's Fund
Resources to support safer modification of food and drink
Resources to support safer modification of food and drink A resource alert has been issued to eliminate use of the imprecise term ‘soft diet’ and assist providers with safe transition to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, which introduces standard terminology to describe texture modification for food and drink. NHS Improvement
See also:
See also:
This could cost lives: a frontline view on the funding of supported housing
This could cost lives: a frontline view on the funding of supported housing This report is based on a survey of 117 staff members who work in supported housing services for people with mental illness. It reveals that 84 per cent of those surveyed believe that the Government’s new funding proposals would mean their service would probably close. Rethink Mental Illness
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