Wednesday, 17 April 2019
Specialist nursing support for unpaid carers of people with dementia: a mixed-methods feasibility study
Specialist nursing support for unpaid carers of people with dementia: a mixed-methods feasibility study Admiral Nursing is the only specialist nursing service in the UK that specifically focuses on supporting carers of people with dementia, but evidence of its effectiveness, costs, and relationships to other services is limited. This project, jointly undertaken with the University of York’s Social Policy Research Unit, aimed to address this gap and explore the feasibility of full-scale formal evaluation. Centre for Health Economics
NHS Property Services awards Mitie with extension to facilities management mega-contract
NHS Property Services awards Mitie with extension to facilities management mega-contract NHS Property Services (NHS PS) has awarded an extension to a three-year contract to deliver engineering, landscaping and security services across the health service to Mitie.
The contract will see Mitie deliver mechanical and electrical services, building maintenance, security, and ground maintenance across the public body’s portfolio of 3,500 buildings, which represents about 10% of the total NHS estate. National Health Executive
The contract will see Mitie deliver mechanical and electrical services, building maintenance, security, and ground maintenance across the public body’s portfolio of 3,500 buildings, which represents about 10% of the total NHS estate. National Health Executive
Technology to keep dementia patients out of hospital
Technology to keep dementia patients out of hospital Sensors small enough to fit in the ear, robotic devices and sleep monitors could all become standard technology in the homes of people with dementia, scientists say.
The idea is to keep people safe and independent in their own homes, rather than needing to go to hospital.
Scientists, engineers and doctors are working to develop the technology at Imperial College London.
They say much of it is affordable and "could be usable in five years". BBC News
The idea is to keep people safe and independent in their own homes, rather than needing to go to hospital.
Scientists, engineers and doctors are working to develop the technology at Imperial College London.
They say much of it is affordable and "could be usable in five years". BBC News
Breech baby scan 'would save lives'
Breech baby scan 'would save lives' Mums-to-be could be routinely offered an ultrasound scan at 36 weeks to help spot risky breech deliveries, when a baby's bottom or feet will emerge first, say UK researchers.
Breech births can be hazardous and tricky to diagnose.
Currently, midwives and doctors tend to rely on the shape and feel of the mother's bump to check.
Researchers estimate the scans would avoid 4,000 emergency caesareans and eight baby deaths a year in England. BBC News
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Breech births can be hazardous and tricky to diagnose.
Currently, midwives and doctors tend to rely on the shape and feel of the mother's bump to check.
Researchers estimate the scans would avoid 4,000 emergency caesareans and eight baby deaths a year in England. BBC News
See also:
- Screening for breech presentation using universal late-pregnancy ultrasonography: A prospective cohort study and cost effectiveness analysis (open access) PLOS Medicine
- Giving all pregnant women an extra ultrasound at 36 weeks could prevent C-sections The Daily Mail
- Ultrasound at eight months could prevent deaths and emergency caesareans, study shows The Independent
Mental health nurses join police officers on duty
Mental health nurses join police officers on duty Police in Berkshire have stopped more than 150 mental health patients from being sectioned or detained unnecessarily in cells over the past year.
Officers credit an initiative where mental health nurses join them on duty for an evening.
Thames Valley Police said the "invaluable" service saves officers' time because the nurses have access to medical records.
There are now calls for the service to be expanded so it's available around the clock. BBC News
Officers credit an initiative where mental health nurses join them on duty for an evening.
Thames Valley Police said the "invaluable" service saves officers' time because the nurses have access to medical records.
There are now calls for the service to be expanded so it's available around the clock. BBC News
Workplace wellness schemes don't improve productivity or cut absences, trial finds
Workplace wellness schemes don't improve productivity or cut absences, trial finds Workplace wellness programmes which aim to help employees stay fit, healthy, and - crucially - productive, do not reduce sick days, staff turnover or improve job performance, a major trial has found.
For the first time researchers, led by Harvard Medical School, have conducted a comprehensive trial to test the effects of diet advice, fitness coaching and mental health schemes offered by many businesses. The Independent
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For the first time researchers, led by Harvard Medical School, have conducted a comprehensive trial to test the effects of diet advice, fitness coaching and mental health schemes offered by many businesses. The Independent
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Those left behind by the contaminated blood scandal shouldn’t have to fight for support
Those left behind by the contaminated blood scandal shouldn’t have to fight for support | Su Gorman My husband was a victim of the contaminated blood scandal. His death started my Kafkaesque battle with bureaucracy
My husband, Steve Dymond, was a mild haemophiliac and a victim of the contaminated blood scandal. He was a funny, clever, gentle man for whom tributes have not ceased, since he finally died in late December, aged 62. In the 1970s he was infected with hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products on the NHS – 4,800 British haemophiliacs were infected with the product at the time and many have subsequently died.
When I kissed his cheek for the last time and then stepped out into that lonely night, I had no idea what was awaiting me. The Guardian
My husband, Steve Dymond, was a mild haemophiliac and a victim of the contaminated blood scandal. He was a funny, clever, gentle man for whom tributes have not ceased, since he finally died in late December, aged 62. In the 1970s he was infected with hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products on the NHS – 4,800 British haemophiliacs were infected with the product at the time and many have subsequently died.
When I kissed his cheek for the last time and then stepped out into that lonely night, I had no idea what was awaiting me. The Guardian
Eating red meat just once a day increases bowel cancer risk by a fifth
Eating red meat just once a day increases bowel cancer risk by a fifth Eating red meat just once a day increases your risk of bowel cancer by a fifth, a study by Oxford University suggests.
The research based on almost half a million British men and women found that even moderate consumption of ham and bacon was linked to an increased chance of developing the disease.
Scientists recommended cutting intake of red and processed meat to no more than twice a week, in light of the findings. The Daily Telegraph
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The research based on almost half a million British men and women found that even moderate consumption of ham and bacon was linked to an increased chance of developing the disease.
Scientists recommended cutting intake of red and processed meat to no more than twice a week, in light of the findings. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Diet and colorectal cancer in UK Biobank: a prospective study (open access) International Journal of Epidemiology
- A rasher of bacon 'ups cancer risk' BBC News
- Eating 76g of red and processed meat STILL raises your risk of bowel cancer The Daily Mail
- Even government guideline amounts of red meat and bacon increase risk of bowel cancer, study finds The Independent
From fear to fatwas: the data behind the growing mistrust in vaccines
From fear to fatwas: the data behind the growing mistrust in vaccines Startling figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday showed the extent to which measles has overrun the globe in the last few months.
The data show that the number of cases of measles worldwide more than trebled in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, increasing from around 28,000 to 112,000 cases.
WHO is clear that stagnating vaccination rates are one of the key reasons behind the disease's resurgence. The Daily Telegraph
The data show that the number of cases of measles worldwide more than trebled in the first three months of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, increasing from around 28,000 to 112,000 cases.
WHO is clear that stagnating vaccination rates are one of the key reasons behind the disease's resurgence. The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, 16 April 2019
Hitting the sweet spot?
Hitting the sweet spot? It has taken a while for everybody to digest the NHS long-term plan, a meaty document of over 130 pages and by some counts around 500 commitments. As if that weren't enough, it has also been followed by a plethora of further detail. The King's Fund
Hospitals still running with nurse staffing levels that put patient lives at risk
Hospitals still running with nurse staffing levels that put patient lives at risk Hospital wards across the NHS in England are still under staffed and putting patient lives at risk despite new policies coming into force as a result of the 2013 Mid-Staffordshire Inquiry, warns a new report published by the University of Southampton.
See also:
See also:
- Implementation, impact and costs of policies for safe staffing in acute NHS trusts University of Southampton.
- One in four NHS wards routinely operate at unsafe staffing levels that threaten patient safety The Daily Mail
- One in four NHS wards has dangerously low numbers of nurses, researchers find The Independent
Advances in cancer treatment
Advances in cancer treatment The pace of innovation in cancer treatment is rapid, with promising developments for patients in terms of survival and quality of life. Research in the fields of immunotherapy and radiotherapy has shown positive results in treating some cancers where established treatments are not effective. This POSTnote gives an overview of recent advances, the potential benefits and risks, and considers the opportunities and challenges of using new technologies in the NHS. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Violence in England and Wales in 2018: an accident and emergency perspective
Violence in England and Wales in 2018: an accident and emergency perspective This report finds that despite the recent spate of knife violence and homicide in some UK cities, the number of people injured in serious violence in England and Wales dropped by 1.7 per cent between 2017 and 2018. The study, which examines data by age and sex, is produced from a scientific sample of 126 emergency departments, minor injury units and walk-in centres in England and Wales. All are certified members of the National Violence Surveillance Network (NVSN), which has published an annual report for the past 18 years. Crime and Security Research Institute
Productivity of the English National Health Service: 2016/17 update
Productivity of the English National Health Service: 2016/17 update This report updates the Centre for Health Economics’ time-series of National Health Service (NHS) productivity growth for the period 2015/16 to 2016/17 and sets out trends in output, input and productivity since 2004/05. Centre for Health Economics
Statins 'don't work well for one in two people'
Statins 'don't work well for one in two people' Cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs taken by millions of Britons may not work well enough in about half of those prescribed them, research suggests.
UK investigators looked at 165,000 patients on statins and found that for one in two, the drugs had too little effect on bad cholesterol - one of the big risk factors for heart disease.
They are not sure why statins appear to help some more than others.
Patients should not stop taking the drugs without seeing their doctor. BBC News
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UK investigators looked at 165,000 patients on statins and found that for one in two, the drugs had too little effect on bad cholesterol - one of the big risk factors for heart disease.
They are not sure why statins appear to help some more than others.
Patients should not stop taking the drugs without seeing their doctor. BBC News
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Clampdown planned for British online pharmacies
Clampdown planned for British online pharmacies New rules to keep people safe when buying medications from online pharmacies have been described as a "big step forward" by Britain's pharmacy regulator.
It comes after patients and relatives raised concerns, as well as an investigation by BBC Panorama.
The General Pharmaceutical Council has issued guidance for providers.
It will help regulate access to addictive medication, such as strong painkillers. BBC News
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It comes after patients and relatives raised concerns, as well as an investigation by BBC Panorama.
The General Pharmaceutical Council has issued guidance for providers.
It will help regulate access to addictive medication, such as strong painkillers. BBC News
See also:
- New safeguards for people seeking medicines online General Pharmaceutical Council
Number of measles cases rocket amid warnings of poor vaccination rates
Number of measles cases rocket amid warnings of poor vaccination rates The number of cases of measles rose by more than 300 per cent in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2018, according to new figures from the World Health Organization.
Some 112,163 cases of measles globally were reported between January and March this year compared to just 28,124 during the same period last year. The Daily Telegraph
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Some 112,163 cases of measles globally were reported between January and March this year compared to just 28,124 during the same period last year. The Daily Telegraph
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The forgotten sex: why is men's health ignored by policy makers?
The forgotten sex: why is men's health ignored by policy makers? British men have died at a younger age than British women since at least the time of Queen Victoria’s accession and they will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
This is not some strange peculiarity of these islands: the pattern is repeated throughout every region of the world. There is not a single country where men outlive women. In both the UK and globally, there is currently a four-year difference in life expectancy between the sexes. The Daily Telegraph
This is not some strange peculiarity of these islands: the pattern is repeated throughout every region of the world. There is not a single country where men outlive women. In both the UK and globally, there is currently a four-year difference in life expectancy between the sexes. The Daily Telegraph
NHS trusts are now handing out cash top-ups to convince doctors not to retire
NHS trusts are now handing out cash top-ups to convince doctors not to retire The NHS is handing out cash top-ups to doctors' salaries in a desperate bid to stop them from retiring early.
Doctors are trying to avoid big tax bills from stricter pension rules that put a cap on their saving allowances.
It's led to thousands leaving the profession early, amid a worsening staff shortage in the NHS workforce.
Around ten NHS trusts have now offered to contribute cash to doctors' pensions so they can opt out of the pension scheme, the Financial Times reports. The Daily Mail
Doctors are trying to avoid big tax bills from stricter pension rules that put a cap on their saving allowances.
It's led to thousands leaving the profession early, amid a worsening staff shortage in the NHS workforce.
Around ten NHS trusts have now offered to contribute cash to doctors' pensions so they can opt out of the pension scheme, the Financial Times reports. The Daily Mail
Monday, 15 April 2019
Digital tool to help reduce avoidable lengthy stays in hospital
Digital tool to help reduce avoidable lengthy stays in hospital A new digital portal is being introduced by the NHS and councils which allows health and social care staff to see how many vacancies there are in local care homes, saving hours of time phoning around to check availability and helping people to get the right care or return home as quickly as possible. NHS England
Gene-silencing: 'New class' of medicine reverses disease porphyria
Gene-silencing: 'New class' of medicine reverses disease porphyria Doctors have used a new type of medicine called "gene silencing" to reverse a disease that leaves people in crippling pain.
The condition, acute intermittent porphyria, also causes paralysis and is fatal in some cases.
The novel approach fine-tunes the genetic instructions locked in our DNA.
Doctors say they are "genuinely surprised" how successful it is and that the same approach could be used in previously untreatable diseases. BBC News
The condition, acute intermittent porphyria, also causes paralysis and is fatal in some cases.
The novel approach fine-tunes the genetic instructions locked in our DNA.
Doctors say they are "genuinely surprised" how successful it is and that the same approach could be used in previously untreatable diseases. BBC News
Bounty pregnancy club fined £400,000 over data handling
Bounty pregnancy club fined £400,000 over data handling Pregnancy club Bounty UK has been given a £400,000 fine for illegally sharing the personal information of more than 14 million people.
The fine was issued by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in what it said was an "unprecedented" case.
Bounty compiled personal data but did not tell people that it was shared with 39 other organisations, said the ICO.
Bounty said it "acknowledged" the ICO's findings and had now made changes to how it handled member data. BBC News
The fine was issued by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in what it said was an "unprecedented" case.
Bounty compiled personal data but did not tell people that it was shared with 39 other organisations, said the ICO.
Bounty said it "acknowledged" the ICO's findings and had now made changes to how it handled member data. BBC News
Obese people unfairly denied IVF by cost-cutting NHS, says Oxford academic
Obese people unfairly denied IVF by cost-cutting NHS, says Oxford academic Obese people are being unfairly denied IVF by NHS bureaucrats who see them as “easy targets” for refusal of the expensive treatment, Oxford University research has concluded.
A paper by health researcher Dr Rebecca Brown said unsubstantiated assumptions that people are overweight by choice, and have become infertile as a consequence of this, result in their applications being declined.
She argues high-quality data from clinical trials – which the NHS demands for other treatments as a matter of course – are scarce or absent for IVF. The Independent
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A paper by health researcher Dr Rebecca Brown said unsubstantiated assumptions that people are overweight by choice, and have become infertile as a consequence of this, result in their applications being declined.
She argues high-quality data from clinical trials – which the NHS demands for other treatments as a matter of course – are scarce or absent for IVF. The Independent
See also:
- Irresponsibly Infertile? Obesity, Efficiency, and Exclusion from Treatment (open access) Health Care Analysis
Medical cannabis isn’t reaching NHS patients. And I’m in too much pain to wait
Medical cannabis isn’t reaching NHS patients. And I’m in too much pain to wait | James Coke The government has broken its promise to make products that help with my MS available on prescription
I was delighted when the home secretary, Sajid Javid, announced that medical cannabis would be made available on prescription from November, including the two main active ingredients cannabidiol (CBD) and the psychoactive component of the plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Having used the drug for years to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), I and thousands of others would benefit from the change, or so I thought.
I’d hoped that acquiring cannabis oil legally would be a formality by now, but the door still remains firmly closed. Having recently moved house, I registered with a new doctor and enquired about getting the oil for my pain management. The request for oil containing THC was met with incredulity and a lecture on the dangers it could have on my mental health. I had to bite my tongue as I was offered ibuprofen or OxyContin instead: the former can rot your guts and the latter can leave you addicted to opiates. To say the least, it was a disappointing appointment. The Guardian
I was delighted when the home secretary, Sajid Javid, announced that medical cannabis would be made available on prescription from November, including the two main active ingredients cannabidiol (CBD) and the psychoactive component of the plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Having used the drug for years to alleviate the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), I and thousands of others would benefit from the change, or so I thought.
I’d hoped that acquiring cannabis oil legally would be a formality by now, but the door still remains firmly closed. Having recently moved house, I registered with a new doctor and enquired about getting the oil for my pain management. The request for oil containing THC was met with incredulity and a lecture on the dangers it could have on my mental health. I had to bite my tongue as I was offered ibuprofen or OxyContin instead: the former can rot your guts and the latter can leave you addicted to opiates. To say the least, it was a disappointing appointment. The Guardian
Hospital develops AI to identify patients likely to skip appointments
Hospital develops AI to identify patients likely to skip appointments Exclusive: London’s UCLH creates tool predicting 90% of no-shows – potentially saving NHS millions
A leading hospital has developed artificial intelligence to predict which patients are most likely to miss appointments.
University College Hospital in London created an algorithm using records from 22,000 appointments for MRI scans, allowing it to identify 90% of those patients who would turn out to be no-shows. The machine intelligence is not perfect – it also incorrectly flags about half of patients attending appointments as being at risk of not showing. The Guardian
A leading hospital has developed artificial intelligence to predict which patients are most likely to miss appointments.
University College Hospital in London created an algorithm using records from 22,000 appointments for MRI scans, allowing it to identify 90% of those patients who would turn out to be no-shows. The machine intelligence is not perfect – it also incorrectly flags about half of patients attending appointments as being at risk of not showing. The Guardian
Nearly 4 million GP appointments could be freed up by 2022 under NHS plans
Nearly 4 million GP appointments could be freed up by 2022 under NHS plans Nearly 4 million GP appointments could be freed up by 2022 under an NHS plan to cut bureaucracy.
The Time for Care programme encourages GP surgeries to be more efficient, by allowing patients to book appointments sooner, cutting paperwork and offering faster access to health specialists.
The programme has been piloted at over 2,000 surgeries since 2016 and will now be rolled out across the country with an aim to cover three quarters of GP practices by 2022. The Daily Telegraph
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The Time for Care programme encourages GP surgeries to be more efficient, by allowing patients to book appointments sooner, cutting paperwork and offering faster access to health specialists.
The programme has been piloted at over 2,000 surgeries since 2016 and will now be rolled out across the country with an aim to cover three quarters of GP practices by 2022. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- GP scheme frees up half a million hours for patients NHS England
- Releasing time to care NHS England
- Time for Care 'one part' of much bigger solution that is needed on GP workforce and workload Royal College of General Practitoners
- More GP appointments available due to success of pilot scheme BBC News
Friday, 12 April 2019
Woman, 78, died after nine-hour ambulance wait
Woman, 78, died after nine-hour ambulance wait Faster treatment could have saved the life of a 78-year-old woman who waited more than nine hours for an ambulance, a coroner has said.
Diana Gudgeon died on 25 May 2018, two days after calling 111 with symptoms of a water infection and sepsis.
A Northampton coroner has raised concerns over how her emergency call was graded and an ambulance shortage.
East Midlands Ambulance Service said it was recruiting more staff to plug the "fundamental gap" in its resources. BBC Northampton
Diana Gudgeon died on 25 May 2018, two days after calling 111 with symptoms of a water infection and sepsis.
A Northampton coroner has raised concerns over how her emergency call was graded and an ambulance shortage.
East Midlands Ambulance Service said it was recruiting more staff to plug the "fundamental gap" in its resources. BBC Northampton
Context matters: the contrasting effect of enhancing support in residential and nursing homes
Context matters: the contrasting effect of enhancing support in residential and nursing homes The NHS Long Term Plan commits to improving NHS support to all care home residents over the next five years. This includes stronger links with primary care networks to help keep care home residents healthy and out of hospital wherever possible. The Health Foundation
Meeting the challenge of reducing stress and building resilience in the NHS workforce
Meeting the challenge of reducing stress and building resilience in the NHS workforce A new framework aimed at helping health and social care employers improve the mental wellbeing of their employees has been launched by Health Education England (HEE).
The Workforce Stress and the Supportive Organisation – A framework for improvement through reflection, curiosity and change encourages employers to take a closer look at the systems they currently have in place for managing staff wellbeing, it challenges them to give greater consideration to the impact workforce stress has on staff and look at the role they can play in providing better support to staff who may need it.
The Workforce Stress and the Supportive Organisation – A framework for improvement through reflection, curiosity and change encourages employers to take a closer look at the systems they currently have in place for managing staff wellbeing, it challenges them to give greater consideration to the impact workforce stress has on staff and look at the role they can play in providing better support to staff who may need it.
Fewer people injured in violent attacks - A&E data study
Fewer people injured in violent attacks - A&E data study Overall levels of violence in England and Wales are on the decline, in spite of an increase in knife crime, a study of A&E data suggests.
Analysis by Cardiff University found admissions of patients injured in violent attacks dropped 1.7% in 2018.
Its indicates a rise in knife crime, gun crime and homicide recorded by police is not part of a wider upsurge. BBC News
Analysis by Cardiff University found admissions of patients injured in violent attacks dropped 1.7% in 2018.
Its indicates a rise in knife crime, gun crime and homicide recorded by police is not part of a wider upsurge. BBC News
Give women more consistent abortion service, NHS told
Give women more consistent abortion service, NHS told Abortion services in England must provide a more consistent service to women, the NHS says.
The call comes from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) - the official NHS advisory body - in its first abortion guidance.
The draft proposal says women should be offered an appointment within a week and a termination a week after that.
All services should also accept self-referrals rather than expecting women to see a GP first, it adds. BBC News
See also:
The call comes from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) - the official NHS advisory body - in its first abortion guidance.
The draft proposal says women should be offered an appointment within a week and a termination a week after that.
All services should also accept self-referrals rather than expecting women to see a GP first, it adds. BBC News
See also:
- Offer women a choice of procedure to terminate their pregnancy NICE
- Termination of pregnancy (draft guidelines and consultation) NICE
- Women could be able to have an abortion within a week The Daily Mail
- Women should be given the choice of a medical or surgical abortion and self-referral, says health watchdog The Independent
Doctors call for transparency over no-deal drug risk
Doctors call for transparency over no-deal drug risk Doctors' leaders have raised concerns over a lack of clarity about drug availability highlighted by no-deal Brexit planning.
The British Medical Association (BMA) warns "a culture of secrecy" could undermine the ability of medics to plan care and deliver treatment.
Confidential NHS England files, seen by Newsnight, suggest supply chain issues mean some drugs "cannot be stockpiled".
The government said it has been "as transparent as possible". BBC News
The British Medical Association (BMA) warns "a culture of secrecy" could undermine the ability of medics to plan care and deliver treatment.
Confidential NHS England files, seen by Newsnight, suggest supply chain issues mean some drugs "cannot be stockpiled".
The government said it has been "as transparent as possible". BBC News
Brexit uncertainty affecting mental health of 1 in 3 UK adults, study shows
Brexit uncertainty affecting mental health of 1 in 3 UK adults, study shows Uncertainty about the future of Brexit is affecting the mental health of a third of UK adults, a new survey has found.
Around 33 per cent of people said Britain's departure from the European Union has had a negative effect on their wellbeing, according to a poll by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The Independent
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Around 33 per cent of people said Britain's departure from the European Union has had a negative effect on their wellbeing, according to a poll by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The Independent
See also:
- One third of adults say Brexit has affected their mental health, BACP research finds British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
A&E patients waiting more than four hours reaches record high
A&E patients waiting more than four hours reaches record high Almost 3 million people not dealt with in target time last year, NHS England data shows.
Almost 3 million patients in England waited more than four hours to be dealt with by A&E last year, the highest number since records began 16 years ago.
Figures from NHS England show 88% of patients were dealt with in four hours or less in 2018-19, the lowest-ever level, down from 88.3% in 2017-18. The Guardian
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Almost 3 million patients in England waited more than four hours to be dealt with by A&E last year, the highest number since records began 16 years ago.
Figures from NHS England show 88% of patients were dealt with in four hours or less in 2018-19, the lowest-ever level, down from 88.3% in 2017-18. The Guardian
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Hospital inspections 'bad for patients'
Hospital inspections 'bad for patients' Hospital inspections are bad for patients because they divert staff away from giving basic care, a new study indicates. A major review of NHS trusts found the rate of potentially dangerous falls and bedsores tends to be worse in the aftermath of a visit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) than they otherwise would be.
Since 2013, the watchdog has undertaken longer and more complex inspections of hospitals at least once every three years. The Daily Telegraph
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Since 2013, the watchdog has undertaken longer and more complex inspections of hospitals at least once every three years. The Daily Telegraph
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More than 71,000 'frail' patients were rushed back to hospital after just one day
More than 71,000 'frail' patients were rushed back to hospital after just one day More than 71,000 patients were taken back to hospital last year just a day after they were sent home, figures have revealed.
The number of readmissions soared by a third in four years, figures revealed, with experts blaming a severe shortage of hospital beds.
They are concerned patients are being sent home before they have recovered to create room for others arriving from A&E. The Daily Mail
The number of readmissions soared by a third in four years, figures revealed, with experts blaming a severe shortage of hospital beds.
They are concerned patients are being sent home before they have recovered to create room for others arriving from A&E. The Daily Mail
Thursday, 11 April 2019
What principles should underpin the funding system for social care?
What principles should underpin the funding system for social care? While there may not be one perfect way to fund social care, Camille Oung and Laura Schlepper describe four principles that should be central to any approach. Nuffield Trust
Health and wellbeing at work
Health and wellbeing at work This is the nineteenth annual survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) exploring trends and practices in health, well-being and absence management in UK workplaces. Overall, the findings reflect employers' growing recognition of their critical role in improving the health of the workforce. But the survey highlights some cause for concern, including an increase in stress-related absence and a lack of support for managers, who are increasingly expected to take responsibility for their team's well-being. The CIPD is calling on employers to invest in more training and development for managers and have published some top tips to support managers to minimise stress in their teams.
Spring brings no respite for NHS in England
Spring brings no respite for NHS in England The start of spring has brought little respite for the NHS in England, with A&E departments still struggling.
One in seven patients spent longer than the four-hour waiting target figure in A&E in March - only marginally better than the situation seen during winter.
It comes amid mounting concern about the pressure in cancer care. BBC News
One in seven patients spent longer than the four-hour waiting target figure in A&E in March - only marginally better than the situation seen during winter.
It comes amid mounting concern about the pressure in cancer care. BBC News
'Dismantling cancer' reveals weak spots
'Dismantling cancer' reveals weak spots Scientists have taken cancer apart piece-by-piece to reveal its weaknesses, and come up with new ideas for treatment.
A team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute disabled every genetic instruction, one at a time, inside 30 types of cancer.
It has thrown up 600 new cancer vulnerabilities and each could be the target of a drug.
Cancer Research UK praised the sheer scale of the study. BBC News
See also:
A team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute disabled every genetic instruction, one at a time, inside 30 types of cancer.
It has thrown up 600 new cancer vulnerabilities and each could be the target of a drug.
Cancer Research UK praised the sheer scale of the study. BBC News
See also:
- New cancer drug targets accelerate path to precision medicine Wellcome Sanger Institute
- Scientists dismantle cancer piece-by-piece to reveal its weak spots The Daily Mail
‘Three-person’ baby boy born in Greece
‘Three-person’ baby boy born in Greece Fertility doctors in Greece and Spain say they have produced a baby from three people in order to overcome a woman's infertility.
The baby boy was born weighing 2.9kg (6lbs) on Tuesday. The mother and child are said to be in good health.
The doctors say they are "making medical history" which could help infertile couples around the world.
But some experts in the UK say the procedure raises ethical questions and should not have taken place. BBC News
The baby boy was born weighing 2.9kg (6lbs) on Tuesday. The mother and child are said to be in good health.
The doctors say they are "making medical history" which could help infertile couples around the world.
But some experts in the UK say the procedure raises ethical questions and should not have taken place. BBC News
I'm an A&E doctor. It's not my job to report the victims of knife crime
I'm an A&E doctor. It's not my job to report the victims of knife crime I’m concerned about the impact this new legislation could have on victims seeking my care. We risk losing their trust
While working a night shift in A&E last New Year’s Eve, I looked after a 17-year-old stab wound victim, Ben. It had been a busy night, our usual winter pressures exacerbated by the flurry of drunken injuries and cocaine-induced panic attacks. Ben had been booked in by our reception team as a “wrist injury” and had been sitting in the waiting room for a long time before I saw him. He followed me into a cubicle, cradling his wrist in a tea towel under his T-shirt.
Based on his booking information I was expecting a sprain, a quick consultation, an x-ray, and then to give him painkillers to take away. Instead he unwrapped his arm to show me a 10cm gash from his wrist up his forearm. It was thankfully not too deep and I was able to stop the bleeding with a few stitches and a pressure dressing. He responded vaguely to my questions that it had been “a friend” at a party and was “no big deal”. The Guardian
While working a night shift in A&E last New Year’s Eve, I looked after a 17-year-old stab wound victim, Ben. It had been a busy night, our usual winter pressures exacerbated by the flurry of drunken injuries and cocaine-induced panic attacks. Ben had been booked in by our reception team as a “wrist injury” and had been sitting in the waiting room for a long time before I saw him. He followed me into a cubicle, cradling his wrist in a tea towel under his T-shirt.
Based on his booking information I was expecting a sprain, a quick consultation, an x-ray, and then to give him painkillers to take away. Instead he unwrapped his arm to show me a 10cm gash from his wrist up his forearm. It was thankfully not too deep and I was able to stop the bleeding with a few stitches and a pressure dressing. He responded vaguely to my questions that it had been “a friend” at a party and was “no big deal”. The Guardian
Therapy over phone or online could help people with IBS – study
Therapy over phone or online could help people with IBS – study CBT recommended for condition with symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea
Talking therapies delivered remotely over the phone and internet could help people living with irritable bowel syndrome, research suggests.
About 10-20% of the UK population are thought to have IBS, a condition with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating and problems with constipation and diarrhoea. The Guardian
Talking therapies delivered remotely over the phone and internet could help people living with irritable bowel syndrome, research suggests.
About 10-20% of the UK population are thought to have IBS, a condition with symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating and problems with constipation and diarrhoea. The Guardian
30 per cent of child asthma cases due to pollution in parts of UK
30 per cent of child asthma cases due to pollution in parts of UK Three in ten child asthma cases in some parts of Britain are caused by traffic pollution, a major international study has found.
The new research reveals hundreds of thousands of cases of the potentially fatal respiratory condition could be avoided with cleaner air.
The study found that, overall, 19 per cent of new childhood asthma cases each year are attributable to nitrogen dioxide pollution. The Daily Telegraph
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The new research reveals hundreds of thousands of cases of the potentially fatal respiratory condition could be avoided with cleaner air.
The study found that, overall, 19 per cent of new childhood asthma cases each year are attributable to nitrogen dioxide pollution. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Global, national, and urban burdens of paediatric asthma incidence attributable to ambient NO2 pollution: estimates from global datasets The Lancet Planetary Health
- One in 10 child asthma cases 'linked to traffic pollution' BBC News
- Traffic-related air pollution causes FOUR MILLION cases of asthma each year The Daily Mail
- UK worst in Europe for pollution-linked childhood asthma, study shows The Independent
Wednesday, 10 April 2019
Over a third of local areas in England reduce real terms spending on low level children’s mental health services
Over a third of local areas in England reduce real terms spending on low level children’s mental health services Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has published a report looking at the amount spent on “low-level” mental health support for children in England.
The Children’s Commissioner’s research is the first time any organisation has collected data to show how much is being spent by areas in England on low level mental health. It reveals that local areas, which included both local authorities and NHS spending, allocated a total of £226 million for low-level mental health services in 2018/19, just over £14 per child.
The report shows there were wide variations between areas in how much funding is available: the top 25% of local areas spent at least £1.1 million or more, while the bottom 25% spent £180,000 or less. This postcode lottery comes at a time when the Government has made more funding available for children’s mental health nationally as the number of children in need of support and treatment from children’s mental health services has increased over the last decade.
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The Children’s Commissioner’s research is the first time any organisation has collected data to show how much is being spent by areas in England on low level mental health. It reveals that local areas, which included both local authorities and NHS spending, allocated a total of £226 million for low-level mental health services in 2018/19, just over £14 per child.
The report shows there were wide variations between areas in how much funding is available: the top 25% of local areas spent at least £1.1 million or more, while the bottom 25% spent £180,000 or less. This postcode lottery comes at a time when the Government has made more funding available for children’s mental health nationally as the number of children in need of support and treatment from children’s mental health services has increased over the last decade.
See also:
- Early access to mental health support (report) Children’s Commissioner for England
- Children's mental health services 'postcode lottery' BBC News
- Teenagers with mental health conditions are being turned away by the NHS, officials warn The Daily Mail
- Children who need help with mental health face postcode lottery – study The Guardian
- Child 'drank bleach after being denied help' as mental health services see spending cut across England The Independent
Research and analysis: Child sexual exploitation: prevention and intervention
Research and analysis: Child sexual exploitation: prevention and intervention This report summarises the emerging evidence from the UK on the issue of child sexual exploitation. It provides practice examples to support local public health leaders to establish a public health framework for prevention and intervention.
The literature search is a summary of the latest international research about effective interventions to prevent child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation. Public Health England
The literature search is a summary of the latest international research about effective interventions to prevent child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation. Public Health England
Guidance on planning of better MSK services
Guidance on planning of better MSK services The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance has published guidance for commissioners and providers on provision of better musculoskeletal (MSK) services. Better MSK services are a priority of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Averting the AMR crisis: what are the avenues for policy action for countries in Europe?
Averting the AMR crisis: what are the avenues for policy action for countries in Europe? This policy briefing summarises some of the key policy avenues for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Following the widely accepted ‘One Health’ approach to combating AMR, the brief aims to support the implementation of national action plans on AMR, drawing on numerous examples of effective policies implemented by European Union member states and involving the human, animal and environmental health sectors. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Independent hospitals must report same patient safety and outcomes data as NHS to prevent another Ian Paterson, warns RCS
Independent hospitals must report same patient safety and outcomes data as NHS to prevent another Ian Paterson, warns RCS The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) is calling for independent hospitals to collect and publish equivalent data to that which the NHS routinely provides on patient safety and clinical audits. The RCS has published a position statement today (10 April) setting out the changes to standards in the independent sector it believes are required to prevent a repeat of the harm caused by rogue breast surgeon, Ian Paterson.
While progress has undoubtedly been made to improve the collection and publication of data in the independent sector, key issues remain. Further regulatory alignment is needed to bring independent sector hospitals’ reporting requirements for patient safety and outcomes data in line with the NHS.
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While progress has undoubtedly been made to improve the collection and publication of data in the independent sector, key issues remain. Further regulatory alignment is needed to bring independent sector hospitals’ reporting requirements for patient safety and outcomes data in line with the NHS.
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Epilepsy and cancer drugs on record-high shortage list amid Brexit uncertainty
Epilepsy and cancer drugs on record-high shortage list amid Brexit uncertainty Medicines vital for managing epilepsy, cancer and life-threatening asthma attacks are among a record number of products which are currently facing shortages made worse by Brexit uncertainty.
The number of drugs which the government is having to subsidise through the “concession” pricing list for short supply medicines has more than doubled since October. The Independent
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The number of drugs which the government is having to subsidise through the “concession” pricing list for short supply medicines has more than doubled since October. The Independent
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Doctor struck off over boy's death allowed to return to work
Doctor struck off over boy's death allowed to return to work Hadiza Bawa-Garba, convicted over death of Jack Adcock, will be supervised for two years.
A doctor who was struck off the medical register after the death of a child and then reinstated after a battle through the courts has been told she can return to work under supervision.
Hadiza Bawa-Garba has not worked since November 2015 when a jury convicted her of gross negligence manslaughter over her treatment of six-year-old Jack Adcock, who developed sepsis and died of cardiac arrest at Leicester Royal Infirmary in February 2011. The Guardian
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A doctor who was struck off the medical register after the death of a child and then reinstated after a battle through the courts has been told she can return to work under supervision.
Hadiza Bawa-Garba has not worked since November 2015 when a jury convicted her of gross negligence manslaughter over her treatment of six-year-old Jack Adcock, who developed sepsis and died of cardiac arrest at Leicester Royal Infirmary in February 2011. The Guardian
See also:
- Dr Hadiza BAWA-GARBA Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service
- Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba: Struck-off doctor can return to work BBC News
- Parents of six-year-old boy who died of sepsis exasperated as doctor responsible cleared to practise again The Daily Telegraph
- Blaming Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba won't protect other patients | Dolin Bhagawati The Guardian
- Where does the blame lie when something goes wrong at hospital? The Guardian
- Hadiza Bawa-Garba: Doctor guilty of child's manslaughter by negligence to return to work The Independent
Biggest volunteer recruitment drive since WW2 to help boost mental health in same way as exercise
Biggest volunteer recruitment drive since WW2 to help boost mental health in same way as exercise The nation’s biggest volunteer recruitment drive since the Second World War has been launched by a charity with the aim of boosting people’s mental health and giving them a “high”.
The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) said that challenges facing the UK are "acute" with “unprecedented” pressure on public services. However today it has launched a major call up for the public to volunteer in a bid to boost people's' mental health. The Daily Telegraph
The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) said that challenges facing the UK are "acute" with “unprecedented” pressure on public services. However today it has launched a major call up for the public to volunteer in a bid to boost people's' mental health. The Daily Telegraph
Health chiefs to tell hospitals how to treat a deadly fungus amid fears it is spreading globally
Health chiefs to tell hospitals how to treat a deadly fungus amid fears it is spreading globally Public health bosses will advise hospitals on how to cope with a deadly fungus that has become resistant to most drugs.
Candida auris was first identified in 2009 and has since struck hundreds in Britain and the US, among other countries.
Hospitals are now struggling to deal with the little-known fungus, prompting health officials in England and Wales to step in. The Daily Mail
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Candida auris was first identified in 2009 and has since struck hundreds in Britain and the US, among other countries.
Hospitals are now struggling to deal with the little-known fungus, prompting health officials in England and Wales to step in. The Daily Mail
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Government's plan to ban junk food adverts before 9pm 'will cut just TWO calories a day'
Government's plan to ban junk food adverts before 9pm 'will cut just TWO calories a day' Banning junk food adverts before the watershed will only cut two calories from a child's diet a day, research shows.
The Government revealed plans in March to restrict advertising of foods high in salt, fat and sugar on television and social media until after 9pm.
They hoped the strict rules would curb soaring childhood obesity rates, which are already at a record high in Britain. The Daily Mail
The Government revealed plans in March to restrict advertising of foods high in salt, fat and sugar on television and social media until after 9pm.
They hoped the strict rules would curb soaring childhood obesity rates, which are already at a record high in Britain. The Daily Mail
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
Northampton hospice wants to show patients how they can find their independence again
Northampton hospice wants to show patients how they can find their independence again When so much can change in a person's life with the news of a serious illness, it can feel like an old way of life has been lost.
But now a Northampton hospice is offering a new service to help people with life-limiting illnesses find their independence again.
Yesterday (April 8) marked the launch of the Wellbeing Service at the Cynthia Spencer's Hospice Charity, off Kettering Road. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
But now a Northampton hospice is offering a new service to help people with life-limiting illnesses find their independence again.
Yesterday (April 8) marked the launch of the Wellbeing Service at the Cynthia Spencer's Hospice Charity, off Kettering Road. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Hepatitis C deaths fall by 16 per cent between 2015 and 2017
Hepatitis C deaths fall by 16 per cent between 2015 and 2017 Deaths from serious hepatitis C related liver disease fell from 380 to 319, thanks to new curative treatments. But while England has exceeded the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target to reduce hepatitis C related mortality by 10% by 2020, challenges still exit to eliminate the disease in this country. Public Health England
New tools to help health professionals boost prevention impact
New tools to help health professionals boost prevention impact Public Health England (PHE) has launched a series of new e-learning tools to boost health and care professionals’ knowledge and skills in dealing with some of the biggest issues in public health.
The new interactive e-learning tools, developed by PHE and Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare, offer bite-sized information on key public health issues to help professionals prevent illness, protect health and promote wellbeing.
The new interactive e-learning tools, developed by PHE and Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare, offer bite-sized information on key public health issues to help professionals prevent illness, protect health and promote wellbeing.
EU qualifications recognised after the UK leaves the EU
EU qualifications recognised after the UK leaves the EU The Secretary of State for Health and Social care has announced that EU workers with professional qualifications can continue to practise in the UK after the UK leaves the EU, with or without a deal. NHS Employers
Widespread debate needed on 'disease mongering' and overdiagnosis of patients, says RCGP in response to BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine paper on definitions of disease
Widespread debate needed on 'disease mongering' and overdiagnosis of patients, says RCGP in response to BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine paper on definitions of disease "Disease mongering is scaremongering and it has the potential to cause huge strain for the NHS and other healthcare systems around the world.
"Giving people unnecessary medical labels causes anxiety and distress and, in the worst cases, causes harm that can ruin lives. It also leads to unnecessary workload burdens in general practice and secondary care, and consumes funding that could be much better spent elsewhere on the care of patients who really need it.
"This is a controversial but ground-breaking paper that should spark a widespread debate on the entire industry that has grown up around disease mongering and overdiagnosis. Royal College of General Practitioners
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"Giving people unnecessary medical labels causes anxiety and distress and, in the worst cases, causes harm that can ruin lives. It also leads to unnecessary workload burdens in general practice and secondary care, and consumes funding that could be much better spent elsewhere on the care of patients who really need it.
"This is a controversial but ground-breaking paper that should spark a widespread debate on the entire industry that has grown up around disease mongering and overdiagnosis. Royal College of General Practitioners
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- Reforming disease definitions: a new primary care led, people-centred approach (abstract) BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine
The long-term impact for babies born with brain injuries
The long-term impact for babies born with brain injuries When Beth Kendall's son Wilder was born, he was immediately rushed to a special care unit after being starved of oxygen.
He suffered a type of brain injury, known as Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a condition which affects one in every 1,000 babies when they are born.
Two years later and Wilder, who is from Poole in Dorset, is doing well, but not enough is known about his long-term prognosis.
Researchers at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton are fundraising so they can carry out additional work that will give parents a more detailed diagnosis. BBC News
He suffered a type of brain injury, known as Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a condition which affects one in every 1,000 babies when they are born.
Two years later and Wilder, who is from Poole in Dorset, is doing well, but not enough is known about his long-term prognosis.
Researchers at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton are fundraising so they can carry out additional work that will give parents a more detailed diagnosis. BBC News
EU doctors’ Brexit dilemma: do we stay or do we go?
EU doctors’ Brexit dilemma: do we stay or do we go? They believed they were in a welcoming country. Three consultants discuss how their lives have been upended. The Guardian
Mental health problems don't end with age. Older people need help too
Mental health problems don't end with age. Older people need help too | Emily Reynolds Loneliness is sometimes presented as the main reason for older people’s mental ill-health, but that’s not the case
After years languishing in the dark, mental illness is finally getting its moment in the spotlight. Frustrating political football it may be, but one thing can’t be denied – it’s making headlines more than ever. Focus, largely, has been on young people – crises in child and adolescent mental healthcare and in student populations have been both persistent and significant. But mental illness doesn’t end with reaching adulthood – often, in fact, it doesn’t end at all.
New research from the British Journal of Psychiatry into self-harm in older people puts this into stark perspective. A meta-analysis of 40 studies found that yearly self-harm rates were about 65 per 100,000 people, with risk of repetition and of suicide also higher than average. Self-harm is still seen as a problem among younger demographics; and while that remains true, this data proves that the issue is even more complex and diffuse than we thought. The Guardian
After years languishing in the dark, mental illness is finally getting its moment in the spotlight. Frustrating political football it may be, but one thing can’t be denied – it’s making headlines more than ever. Focus, largely, has been on young people – crises in child and adolescent mental healthcare and in student populations have been both persistent and significant. But mental illness doesn’t end with reaching adulthood – often, in fact, it doesn’t end at all.
New research from the British Journal of Psychiatry into self-harm in older people puts this into stark perspective. A meta-analysis of 40 studies found that yearly self-harm rates were about 65 per 100,000 people, with risk of repetition and of suicide also higher than average. Self-harm is still seen as a problem among younger demographics; and while that remains true, this data proves that the issue is even more complex and diffuse than we thought. The Guardian
Woman who sued NHS for £2.5m claiming operation left her in agony seen in clubs celebrating hen night
Woman who sued NHS for £2.5m claiming operation left her in agony seen in clubs celebrating hen night A woman who tried to claim £2.5m from the NHS after claiming that having vaginal mesh fitted had left her in constant pain has been sent to prison after pictures showed her enjoying her daughter's Ibiza hen party. The Daily Telegraph
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Cyber crime warning as experts say hackers deliberately target hospitals
Cyber crime warning as experts say hackers deliberately target hospitals Hospitals and the health care industry are being deliberately targeted by hackers, cyber criminals and spies seeking a treasure trove of personal and financial information, a business consultancy has warned.
Attacks by organised gangs and even state spy agencies are a growing concern as they hunt for details that can be used for extortion or even espionage. The Daily Telegraph
Attacks by organised gangs and even state spy agencies are a growing concern as they hunt for details that can be used for extortion or even espionage. The Daily Telegraph
Asthma inhalers as bad for the environment as 180-mile car journey, health chiefs say
Asthma inhalers as bad for the environment as 180-mile car journey, health chiefs say Asthmatics have been warned by health chiefs that each inhaler they use could be polluting the environment by as much as a 180-mile car journey.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has issued new guidance urging sufferers, where possible, to avoid using the most popular type of inhaler, known as a metered dose inhaler (MDI). The Daily Telegraph
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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has issued new guidance urging sufferers, where possible, to avoid using the most popular type of inhaler, known as a metered dose inhaler (MDI). The Daily Telegraph
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GPs told to take pictures of suspected skin cancers on their PHONES to slash referrals
GPs told to take pictures of suspected skin cancers on their PHONES to slash referrals GPs have been told to take pictures of suspicious moles on their phones before referring patients to a skin-cancer specialist.
Under new plans, general practitioners working across four areas in North East England will have to take three photographs on their mobiles, which then get sent to a consultant for review.
The specialist may then offer the patient an urgent or routine appointment, or decide there is no cause for concern. The Daily Mail
Under new plans, general practitioners working across four areas in North East England will have to take three photographs on their mobiles, which then get sent to a consultant for review.
The specialist may then offer the patient an urgent or routine appointment, or decide there is no cause for concern. The Daily Mail
Monday, 8 April 2019
NHSX: digital experts will be part of cancer and mental health teams
NHSX: digital experts will be part of cancer and mental health teams Digital and data specialists from NHSX will team up with NHS England’s cancer and mental health national policy teams to help clinicians and policymakers improve patient experience through technology. Department of Health and Social Care
Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities This report says there has been a persistent failure by national and local policy makers to tackle long standing inequalities facing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in any sustained way. It finds that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people have the worst outcomes of any ethnic group across a huge range of areas, including education, health, employment, criminal justice and hate crime. The report of this two year inquiry makes 49 recommendations for change. Women and Equalities Select Committee
Ian Paterson: 'Sheer volume' of victims delays breast surgeon report
Ian Paterson: 'Sheer volume' of victims delays breast surgeon report Victims of disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson are still coming forward two years after he was jailed following hundreds of botched operations.
The "sheer volume" of patients giving evidence to an independent inquiry has pushed back a report into his malpractice, an official said.
Paterson is serving a 20-year sentence for 17 counts of wounding with intent.
About 150 patients gave evidence last year and dozens more are understood to have since come forward. BBC News
The "sheer volume" of patients giving evidence to an independent inquiry has pushed back a report into his malpractice, an official said.
Paterson is serving a 20-year sentence for 17 counts of wounding with intent.
About 150 patients gave evidence last year and dozens more are understood to have since come forward. BBC News
NHS offering £127m of contracts to private companies despite health secretary pledging: 'No privatisation on my watch'
NHS offering £127m of contracts to private companies despite health secretary pledging: 'No privatisation on my watch' The NHS is offering more than 20 contracts to private companies, despite health secretary Matt Hancock having insisted there would be "no privatisation on my watch", Labour has said.
The party released data showing 21 NHS contracts worth £127m are currently out to tender - 19 of which have been put out since mid-February.
The figures were revealed by House of Commons Library analysis and include a £91m contract to run an NHS assessment service in the South East, a £16m deal to provide health services in Leicestershire and a £6m tender for a GP surgery in High Wycombe. The Independent
The party released data showing 21 NHS contracts worth £127m are currently out to tender - 19 of which have been put out since mid-February.
The figures were revealed by House of Commons Library analysis and include a £91m contract to run an NHS assessment service in the South East, a £16m deal to provide health services in Leicestershire and a £6m tender for a GP surgery in High Wycombe. The Independent
NHS patients have cancer scans cancelled after supplier problems
NHS patients have cancer scans cancelled after supplier problems Scan delays in England leading to ‘stress and anxiety’ for those awaiting their prognosis
Concerns have been raised that problems related to the supply of a substance used to screen for cancerous cells is causing delays for NHS patients in England, with many exposed to repeated cancellation of scans at short notice.
Choline is a radiotracer injected into patients an hour before PET-CT scans, predominately when patients are feared to have a recurrence of prostate cancer. Without it the scans cannot go ahead. The Guardian
Concerns have been raised that problems related to the supply of a substance used to screen for cancerous cells is causing delays for NHS patients in England, with many exposed to repeated cancellation of scans at short notice.
Choline is a radiotracer injected into patients an hour before PET-CT scans, predominately when patients are feared to have a recurrence of prostate cancer. Without it the scans cannot go ahead. The Guardian
‘Second-class’ NHS workers struggle as pay gap widens
‘Second-class’ NHS workers struggle as pay gap widens Staff employed on minimum wage by private contractors across England missed out on £2,000 income boost
Tens of thousands of NHS workers are struggling to get by on the minimum wage because their private sector employers are failing to match public sector pay rises.
The estimated 100,000 low-paid cleaners, porters, security guards and catering staff who work for private contractors in hospitals across England are being treated as “second-class employees”, thanks to a growing pay divide between public and private sector workers, according to the country’s leading health union. The Guardian
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Tens of thousands of NHS workers are struggling to get by on the minimum wage because their private sector employers are failing to match public sector pay rises.
The estimated 100,000 low-paid cleaners, porters, security guards and catering staff who work for private contractors in hospitals across England are being treated as “second-class employees”, thanks to a growing pay divide between public and private sector workers, according to the country’s leading health union. The Guardian
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Molly Case, the NHS nurse who finds poetry on the wards
Molly Case, the NHS nurse who finds poetry on the wards Her impassioned poem defending the NHS thrust Case into the public eye. With a memoir out soon, she talks about how the job of caring continues to inspire her
Read an extract from Molly Case’s memoir How to Treat People
Not so long ago, first-person accounts of what goes on in the operating theatre or the emergency ward – and in the hearts and minds of those who work there – were hard to find. Author William Boyd said recently that when writing his novel about a surgeon, The Blue Afternoon, some years ago, he failed to unearth any descriptions of surgery by surgeons at all. But no more. The medical memoir has become a publishing phenomenon. The Guardian
Read an extract from Molly Case’s memoir How to Treat People
Not so long ago, first-person accounts of what goes on in the operating theatre or the emergency ward – and in the hearts and minds of those who work there – were hard to find. Author William Boyd said recently that when writing his novel about a surgeon, The Blue Afternoon, some years ago, he failed to unearth any descriptions of surgery by surgeons at all. But no more. The medical memoir has become a publishing phenomenon. The Guardian
Dementia patients should be offered music and dance therapy
Dementia patients should be offered music and dance therapy More people with dementia should be given music or dance therapy in a bid to prevent them being "over-medicalised", the Health Secretary has said.
It follows research which found that giving people with dementia personal playlists resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in the need for mind-altering drugs. The Daily Telegraph
It follows research which found that giving people with dementia personal playlists resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in the need for mind-altering drugs. The Daily Telegraph
Homeopathic medicine will be banned by the NHS because they are a 'misuse of public funds'
Homeopathic medicine will be banned by the NHS because they are a 'misuse of public funds' Homeopathic treatments will be blacklisted by the NHS after it emerged GPs are issuing thousands of prescriptions a year – despite being told to stop.
NHS experts say the alternative ‘medicines’ have no credible scientific evidence to support their continued use and are a ‘misuse of public funds’.
Since 2017, official NHS England guidelines have advised against prescribing the treatments which it warns are ‘at best a placebo’. The Daily Mail
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NHS experts say the alternative ‘medicines’ have no credible scientific evidence to support their continued use and are a ‘misuse of public funds’.
Since 2017, official NHS England guidelines have advised against prescribing the treatments which it warns are ‘at best a placebo’. The Daily Mail
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- NHS still spending £55,000 a year on homeopathy, despite ban The Daily Telegraph
Friday, 5 April 2019
Having your fudge and eating it
Having your fudge and eating it Sally Gainsbury takes a closer look at NHS sustainability funds and control totals, and what they might actually mean for the providers who have played their part over the past three years. Nuffield Trust
Specialist mental health support for new mums available in every part of England
Specialist mental health support for new mums available in every part of England New and expectant mothers across the country can now access specialist mental health care in the area where they live, NHS England announced.
The landmark rollout of specialist perinatal community services across the whole of England, means that mums and mums-to-be who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other forms of mental ill health should be able to access high quality care much closer to home.
Five years ago two in five parts of the country had no access to specialist community perinatal mental health treatment, but there is now full geographical coverage for the first time, with services in every one of the 44 local NHS areas, and plans to develop them further.
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The landmark rollout of specialist perinatal community services across the whole of England, means that mums and mums-to-be who are experiencing anxiety, depression or other forms of mental ill health should be able to access high quality care much closer to home.
Five years ago two in five parts of the country had no access to specialist community perinatal mental health treatment, but there is now full geographical coverage for the first time, with services in every one of the 44 local NHS areas, and plans to develop them further.
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- Bringing new mums back from crisis BBC News
Charter to strengthen relations between the Helpforce programme and staff in the National Health Service
Charter to strengthen relations between the Helpforce programme and staff in the National Health Service This charter shows how volunteers can make a valuable contribution to the NHS in England, without undermining paid staff or affecting patient safety. The aim is to ensure that the tens of thousands of people who give up their time to provide comfort and help to patients are given guidance about their roles. It’s also intended to safeguard against their use as cheap substitutes for trained health staff. Helpforce
Fourteen hospitals to pilot new A&E targets
Fourteen hospitals to pilot new A&E targets Fourteen hospitals have been chosen to pilot a new way to measure performance, which could pave the way for the end of the four-hour A&E target in England.
NHS England said last month that it was time to review the "outdated target".
But the move is controversial, with some seeing it as an attempt to move the goalposts because the target has been missed for more than three years. BBC News
NHS England said last month that it was time to review the "outdated target".
But the move is controversial, with some seeing it as an attempt to move the goalposts because the target has been missed for more than three years. BBC News
Parents being misled over kids' snacks, says child health expert
Parents being misled over kids' snacks, says child health expert Parents are at risk of being misled by "manipulative marketing campaigns" and "crafty messaging" on children's snacks, a child health expert has said.
Dr Max Davie said that given levels of obesity, it was crucial for parents to know what their children were eating.
It comes as University of Glasgow researchers examined seemingly healthy children's snacks sold in UK shops.
They found some snacks labelled as containing one portion of fruit or veg did not live up to the claim. BBC News
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Dr Max Davie said that given levels of obesity, it was crucial for parents to know what their children were eating.
It comes as University of Glasgow researchers examined seemingly healthy children's snacks sold in UK shops.
They found some snacks labelled as containing one portion of fruit or veg did not live up to the claim. BBC News
See also:
- Confused health and nutrition claims in food marketing to children could adversely affect food choice and increase risk of obesity (abstract) Archives of Diseases in Childhood
- Health claims on children's food 'are confusing', study finds The Daily Mail
- Three quarters of children's snacks which claim 'one of your five a day' are inaccurate The Daily Telegraph
- Three quarters of ‘healthy’ children’s snacks and drinks don’t meet five-a-day claims The Independent
Even one drink a day increases stroke risk, study finds
Even one drink a day increases stroke risk, study finds Even light-to-moderate drinking increases blood pressure and the chances of having a stroke, according to a large genetic study in The Lancet, countering previous claims that one or two drinks a day could be protective.
The UK and Chinese researchers followed 500,000 Chinese people for 10 years.
They say the findings are relevant to all populations and the best evidence yet on the direct effects of alcohol. BBC News
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The UK and Chinese researchers followed 500,000 Chinese people for 10 years.
They say the findings are relevant to all populations and the best evidence yet on the direct effects of alcohol. BBC News
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How is the NHS preparing for a no-deal Brexit?
How is the NHS preparing for a no-deal Brexit? Vital medical supply lines are at risk, it’s been suggested, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Brexiteers have dismissed such concerns as “Project Fear”. In Wales, the NHS has secured extra warehouse space to stock-pile essentials and one major UK hospital food supplier says it has spent five million pounds on Brexit preparations. Channel 4 News
Brexiteers have dismissed such concerns as “Project Fear”. In Wales, the NHS has secured extra warehouse space to stock-pile essentials and one major UK hospital food supplier says it has spent five million pounds on Brexit preparations. Channel 4 News
Breast implants banned in France for cancer risk still on sale in UK
Breast implants banned in France for cancer risk still on sale in UK Breast implants banned in France because of their cancer risk will continue to be on sale in the UK, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed.
The macro-textured and polyurethane breast implants for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, France's National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) ruled.
It said they came with a slight risk of developing a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Independent
The macro-textured and polyurethane breast implants for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, France's National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) ruled.
It said they came with a slight risk of developing a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Independent
Matt Hancock called in to settle Oxford hospital scanners row
Matt Hancock called in to settle Oxford hospital scanners row Health secretary to review private healthcare plan local MP calls ‘murky and opaque’
The health secretary has been called in to settle a row over a “murky and opaque” plan to privatise a key element of cancer treatment currently handled by one of England’s most highly respected hospitals.
The proposal to let the company InHealth take charge of the Thames Valley regional PET-CT scanning service, which is run by Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, has been set aside until the Department of Health completes a review of the procurement process. The Guardian
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The health secretary has been called in to settle a row over a “murky and opaque” plan to privatise a key element of cancer treatment currently handled by one of England’s most highly respected hospitals.
The proposal to let the company InHealth take charge of the Thames Valley regional PET-CT scanning service, which is run by Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, has been set aside until the Department of Health completes a review of the procurement process. The Guardian
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King's College hospital trust makes biggest overspend in NHS history
King's College hospital trust makes biggest overspend in NHS history London trust to record annual deficit of between £180m and £191m after series of setbacks
A leading London hospital trust is set to record an annual deficit of between £180m and £191m – the biggest overspend in NHS history, the Guardian can reveal.
King’s College hospital trust believes it overshot its projected £146m deficit for 2018-19 by a further £34m-£45m after it experienced a series of setbacks, documents seen by the Guardian show.
A leading London hospital trust is set to record an annual deficit of between £180m and £191m – the biggest overspend in NHS history, the Guardian can reveal.
King’s College hospital trust believes it overshot its projected £146m deficit for 2018-19 by a further £34m-£45m after it experienced a series of setbacks, documents seen by the Guardian show.
NHS could save 100 stillborn babies with better treatment of women pregnant with twins and triplets
NHS could save 100 stillborn babies with better treatment of women pregnant with twins and triplets Poor care for women pregnant with twins and triplets is resulting in 100 stillbirths a year, research suggests.
NHS hospitals' failure to follow official guidelines on multiple births is also responsible for 630 unnecessary C-sections and 1,300 infant admissions to intensive care each year, experts found.
Their research project, funded by the Department of Health, focused on ensuring 30 British maternity units followed official guidelines to the letter over a year. Experts found this vastly improved outcomes for twins, triplets and their mothers. The Daily Mail
NHS hospitals' failure to follow official guidelines on multiple births is also responsible for 630 unnecessary C-sections and 1,300 infant admissions to intensive care each year, experts found.
Their research project, funded by the Department of Health, focused on ensuring 30 British maternity units followed official guidelines to the letter over a year. Experts found this vastly improved outcomes for twins, triplets and their mothers. The Daily Mail
Thursday, 4 April 2019
Jorgie's family speaks: "We watched her failing. Nobody listened."
Jorgie's family speaks: "We watched her failing. Nobody listened." At the end of three days of complicated medical evidence looking at the death of little Jorgie Stanton-Watts, Zena Stanton was finally given the chance to address the people who said she holds responsible for her grandaughter's death.
Taking the stand, physically supported by her husband Bob. who kept his hand on her shoulder as she wept during her evidence, 68-year-old Zena spoke of how the loss of Jorgie, who died after she was neglected at Kettering General Hospital, had affected her ‘strong, united family’. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Taking the stand, physically supported by her husband Bob. who kept his hand on her shoulder as she wept during her evidence, 68-year-old Zena spoke of how the loss of Jorgie, who died after she was neglected at Kettering General Hospital, had affected her ‘strong, united family’. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Primary care networks and the NHS long-term plan
Primary care networks and the NHS long-term plan With NHS England stating that around 88 per cent of GP practices are already part of some form of wider collaboration with other practices, it might be tempting to think that that the new-found importance of primary care networks – groups of GP practices covering populations of 30–50,000 – in the NHS long-term plan is really evolution not revolution (they got 25 mentions in the plan: I counted them). It might be equally tempting for many to ignore the changes as being all rather parochial to the world of GPs – after all, they are formally part of the GP contract. Don’t fall for either temptation – both represent a misunderstanding of just how important the new primary care networks are meant to be. The King's Fund
Leave no patient behind: lessons from genetics on the risks of biased data
Leave no patient behind: lessons from genetics on the risks of biased data In the last two months, my Dad has been shuttling between various GP surgeries and hospitals, trying to get the dosage right for his warfarin treatment. This has required 15 appointments so far, with frequent frustration when the test results show the dosage is still wrong. As Dad rearranges yet another day around a visit to the doctor, his experience seems far from the vision of personalised care enabled by new technology, genetic testing and big data, as promised by NHSX and the Topol Review. The Health Foundation
Research and analysis: Urgent dental care in England: evidence review
Research and analysis: Urgent dental care in England: evidence review In 2016 NHS England recommended that urgent dental care should be transformed in line with the transformation of urgent and emergency care services more generally, and that a commissioning standard was needed.
This rapid literature review on urgent dental care provides evidence to inform the development of the commissioning standard for urgent dental care services and identifies research gaps. Public Health England
This rapid literature review on urgent dental care provides evidence to inform the development of the commissioning standard for urgent dental care services and identifies research gaps. Public Health England
Please procure responsibly: the state of public service commissioning
Please procure responsibly: the state of public service commissioning By examining the complex systems used by central government and local councils to procure public services, the report explains how public services are delivered and by who. It identifies several key areas where weak or underperforming elements in the commissioning cycle have led to failings in the procurement of public services and suggests potential solutions to some of these challenges. Reform
HPV vaccine linked to 'dramatic' cervical disease drop
HPV vaccine linked to 'dramatic' cervical disease drop The routine vaccination of girls with the HPV vaccine in Scotland has led to a "dramatic" drop in cervical disease in later life, new research suggests.
Human papilomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection and some types are linked to cervical cancer.
Researchers said the vaccine has nearly wiped out cases of cervical pre-cancer in young women since an immunisation programme was introduced 10 years ago.
They found the vaccine had led to a 90% cut in pre-cancerous cells. BBC News
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Human papilomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection and some types are linked to cervical cancer.
Researchers said the vaccine has nearly wiped out cases of cervical pre-cancer in young women since an immunisation programme was introduced 10 years ago.
They found the vaccine had led to a 90% cut in pre-cancerous cells. BBC News
See also:
- Prevalence of cervical disease at age 20 after immunisation with bivalent HPV vaccine at age 12-13 in Scotland: retrospective population study (open access) The BMJ
- The remarkable impact of bivalent HPV vaccine in Scotland (editorial) The BMJ
- Bivalent HPV vaccine in Scotland is having a considerable and sustained effect The BMJ
- Vaccinating 12-to-13 year old girls against HPV reduces their risk of cervical cancer The Daily Mail
Sexism, bullying and the NHS
Sexism, bullying and the NHS Bullying, sexism, aggression and rudeness are commonplace among the medical profession, doctors say.
In two separate developments, two GPs and the doctors' regulator have spoken out about their concerns. BBC News
In two separate developments, two GPs and the doctors' regulator have spoken out about their concerns. BBC News
Oxford hospital trust faced defamation threat from NHS
Oxford hospital trust faced defamation threat from NHS NHS England aimed to stop hospital trust opposing local privatisation of cancer scans
NHS heads threatened to sue one of England’s most admired hospitals for libel, for raising concerns that privatising a key element of cancer treatment would endanger patients’ health.
In an extraordinary move NHS England tried to stop Oxford University hospitals (OUH) NHS trust opposing its controversial decision to let a private firm take charge of cancer scanning. The Guardian
NHS heads threatened to sue one of England’s most admired hospitals for libel, for raising concerns that privatising a key element of cancer treatment would endanger patients’ health.
In an extraordinary move NHS England tried to stop Oxford University hospitals (OUH) NHS trust opposing its controversial decision to let a private firm take charge of cancer scanning. The Guardian
Ministers accused of cover-up over migrant health reports
Ministers accused of cover-up over migrant health reports Doctors’ leaders call for suspension of hostile environment NHS charging regime
Ministers have been accused of a cover-up for refusing to release official reports into whether migrants’ health has been harmed since they began being charged upfront for NHS care before they can be treated.
The leaders of Britain’s doctors, nurses and midwives are demanding the release of three government reviews into how hostile environment immigration policies have affected access to NHS care. The Guardian
Ministers have been accused of a cover-up for refusing to release official reports into whether migrants’ health has been harmed since they began being charged upfront for NHS care before they can be treated.
The leaders of Britain’s doctors, nurses and midwives are demanding the release of three government reviews into how hostile environment immigration policies have affected access to NHS care. The Guardian
Molly Case, the NHS nurse who finds poetry on the wards
Molly Case, the NHS nurse who finds poetry on the wards An impassioned poem defending her profession thrust Case into the public eye. With a memoir about the joy and pain of the job out soon, she talks about how it continues to inspire her
Not so long ago, first-person accounts of what goes on in the operating theatre or the emergency ward – and in the hearts and minds of those who work there – were hard to find. Author William Boyd said recently that when writing his novel about a surgeon, The Blue Afternoon, some years ago, he failed to unearth any descriptions of surgery by surgeons at all. But no more. The medical memoir has become a publishing phenomenon. The Guardian
Not so long ago, first-person accounts of what goes on in the operating theatre or the emergency ward – and in the hearts and minds of those who work there – were hard to find. Author William Boyd said recently that when writing his novel about a surgeon, The Blue Afternoon, some years ago, he failed to unearth any descriptions of surgery by surgeons at all. But no more. The medical memoir has become a publishing phenomenon. The Guardian
Poor diet causes one in seven deaths in Britain, Lancet finds
Poor diet causes one in seven deaths in Britain, Lancet finds Unhealthy diet causes one in seven deaths in Britain every year, a Lancet study suggests.
The research found lack of fruit and fibre is taking the heaviest toll, fuelling conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The study by the University of Washington identified lack of wholegrain, nuts and fruits as the worst elements of the British diet.
Too much salt was the fourth biggest dietary risk factor, followed by too little vegetables. The Daily Telegraph
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The research found lack of fruit and fibre is taking the heaviest toll, fuelling conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The study by the University of Washington identified lack of wholegrain, nuts and fruits as the worst elements of the British diet.
Too much salt was the fourth biggest dietary risk factor, followed by too little vegetables. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (open access) The Lancet
- The diets cutting one-in-five lives short every year BBC News
- Poor diet kills more than smoking and hypertension, Bill Gates study reveals The Daily Mail
- Western diet now killing more than smoking and high blood pressure, study suggests The Independent
Four medics are arrested over mistreatment and neglect claims at NHS Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Four medics are arrested over mistreatment and neglect claims at NHS Blackpool Victoria Hospital Four healthcare professionals have been arrested over allegations of mistreatment and neglect at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Last November, Lancashire Police were asked by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to investigate alleged incidents in their stroke unit. The Daily Mail
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Last November, Lancashire Police were asked by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to investigate alleged incidents in their stroke unit. The Daily Mail
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