This blog covers the latest UK health care news, publications, policy announcements, events and information focused on the NHS, as well as the latest media stories and local news coverage of the NHS Trusts in Northamptonshire.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Integrated ambulance commissioning in the new NHS
Integrated ambulance commissioning in the new NHS: As the NHS reforms start to become embedded over the next year, it will be vital for clinicians leading the new clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to get involved in ambulance commissioning. NHS Confederation
Our future: people with learning disabilities speak out on the Government plans for social care
Our future: people with learning disabilities speak out on the Government plans for social care: This report compiles opinions from people with learning disabilities on the Government’s plans for social care and how their lives will be affected by the proposals. It reveals that while service users and their relatives feel that some of the proposed reforms would make a really positive difference, almost all are concerned about current levels of
funding for care; what is going to happen to their benefits; and how their support will be affected as a result.
funding for care; what is going to happen to their benefits; and how their support will be affected as a result.
Quality with compassion: the future of nursing education
Quality with compassion: the future of nursing education: This report is the result of a project which looked into future health and social care needs and how the nursing workforce needs to develop in order to meet these needs. The Commission make a number of recommendations which include: the promotion of patient-centred care as the heart of all pre-registration nursing education and CPD; better evaluation of nursing education programmes; and the need for health care service providers to fully support nursing education.
How private health cover could force you into the hands of cut-price doctors
How private health cover could force you into the hands of cut-price doctors: Soaring hospital and medical costs mean private medical insurers are desperately looking to find ways to slash costs. The Daily Mail
Annual assessments for doctors 'will improve care and cut legal costs'
Annual assessments for doctors 'will improve care and cut legal costs': Department of Health study finds £100m yearly cost of new system of revalidation would pay for itself in 10 years.
Giving all doctors annual assessments and detailed checks every five years will result in better care for patients and reduce compensation claims, but may see an exodus of experienced medics from the NHS who are reluctant to be tested, a government study has warned.
Giving all doctors annual assessments and detailed checks every five years will result in better care for patients and reduce compensation claims, but may see an exodus of experienced medics from the NHS who are reluctant to be tested, a government study has warned.
Addenbrooke's resuscitation policy row goes to court
Addenbrooke's resuscitation policy row goes to court: High court hears claims that woman was 'badgered' into agreeing to 'do not resuscitate' order
The husband of a woman who died in Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, has claimed doctors "badgered" her about agreeing to a "do not resuscitate" order. David Tracey alleges two DNR notices were added to his wife Janet's medical records without her knowledge or consent.
The husband of a woman who died in Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, has claimed doctors "badgered" her about agreeing to a "do not resuscitate" order. David Tracey alleges two DNR notices were added to his wife Janet's medical records without her knowledge or consent.
Patients with private medical cover 'costing NHS up to £1bn'
Patients with private medical cover 'costing NHS up to £1bn': Doctors could help save the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds a year if they encouraged patients to use private health insurance, according to a report.
The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 5 November 2012
NSPCC says it received 60 child abuse calls from county last year
NSPCC says it received 60 child abuse calls from county last year: Sixty people contacted the NSPCC over concerns about child abuse in the county last year – and 21 of those came from parents or carers of the child. Evening Telegraph
Staff treated for TB at Northampton renal unit
Staff treated for TB at Northampton renal unit: A tuberculosis outbreak at a renal unit in Northampton affected 13 members of staff, one seriously, the Chronicle
understands. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Fear at whooping cough increase across Northamptonshire
Fear at whooping cough increase across Northamptonshire: Confirmed cases of whooping cough in Northamptonshire are running at almost nine a month on average, latest figures for 2012 showed. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The Liverpool care pathway implementation model
The Liverpool care pathway implementation model:
Whenever possible, relatives should be involved in discussions and it is important to note the LCP does not require hydration or nutrition to be withdrawn. It is a framework for good practice and does not replace clinical judgement. Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute
Whenever possible, relatives should be involved in discussions and it is important to note the LCP does not require hydration or nutrition to be withdrawn. It is a framework for good practice and does not replace clinical judgement. Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute
Tougher end-of-life rules planned
Tougher end-of-life rules planned: Relatives of terminally-ill patients would have to be consulted before a decision to withdraw food or water is taken, under new government proposals. BBC News
Mental health app for young people
Mental health app for young people: A mobile phone app to help young people with mental illness is being tested by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The ‘my journey’ app has been created by the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, which gives treatment and support to young people with psychosis, and is designed to help service users monitor their mood and get advice on symptoms. It will also give medication and appointment r... Healthcare Today
The ‘my journey’ app has been created by the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team, which gives treatment and support to young people with psychosis, and is designed to help service users monitor their mood and get advice on symptoms. It will also give medication and appointment r... Healthcare Today
NHS constitution reform to include new end-of-life care commitments
NHS constitution reform to include new end-of-life care commitments: Measures may include suing health trusts that fail to fully discuss issues and striking off doctors who ignore patients' wishes
New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS constitution under proposals unveiled on Monday.
New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS constitution under proposals unveiled on Monday.
Liverpool Care Pathway: minister orders report into cash rewards
Liverpool Care Pathway: minister orders report into cash rewards: A Minister has ordered an internal investigation into the use of payments to hospitals for getting terminally ill patients onto a controversial care "pathway" to death.
The Daily Telegraph
Fewer pensioners and at-risk patients are receiving the flu jab than last year
Fewer pensioners and at-risk patients are receiving the flu jab than last year:
With winter fast approaching, many people who risk becoming seriously ill if they get the flu have not yet been vaccinated against it. The Independent
With winter fast approaching, many people who risk becoming seriously ill if they get the flu have not yet been vaccinated against it. The Independent
Heart disease deaths halve –but only if you live in the South
Heart disease deaths halve –but only if you live in the South:
In one of the most dramatic improvements in the nation's health, deaths from heart disease have halved since the 1980s – but the gains have not been shared equally and the "health gap" between the wealthiest and poorest communities has widened among older people, researchers say. The Independent
In one of the most dramatic improvements in the nation's health, deaths from heart disease have halved since the 1980s – but the gains have not been shared equally and the "health gap" between the wealthiest and poorest communities has widened among older people, researchers say. The Independent
Case of anthrax confirmed in Oxford
Case of anthrax confirmed in Oxford: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware that a person who injected heroin has been diagnosed with anthrax infection in Oxford. The patient is recovering. Health Protection Agency
New social media guidance from RCGP
New social media guidance from RCGP: The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has drafted new guidance for GPs on how to use social media safely in a professional context.
The guidance will help doctors use social media such as Facebook and Twitter appropriately to help improve the way they communicate with their patients.
The guidance includes information on how to maintain an appropriate image online, and says doctors should avoid using an online pseudonym and be cautious when giving out personal advice to ensure patient confidentiality is not broken.
RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada, who was involved in drafting the guidance, said, “We shouldn’t underestimate the extent to which doctors and other healthcare professionals will use online tools like Twitter and Facebook in the future – social media will fundamentally change the way we interact with patients, for the better.” The Medical Protection Society
The guidance includes information on how to maintain an appropriate image online, and says doctors should avoid using an online pseudonym and be cautious when giving out personal advice to ensure patient confidentiality is not broken.
RCGP chair Dr Clare Gerada, who was involved in drafting the guidance, said, “We shouldn’t underestimate the extent to which doctors and other healthcare professionals will use online tools like Twitter and Facebook in the future – social media will fundamentally change the way we interact with patients, for the better.” The Medical Protection Society
Employers urged to sign whistleblowing charter
Employers urged to sign whistleblowing charter: A charter has been introduced to support whistleblowing in the NHS.
The Speaking Up charter has been launched by NHS Employers to promote a collaborative approach for healthcare organisations to work together to support any staff who report concerns about colleagues or working practices.
So far, 28 organisations have signed the charter, pledging their support of its key commitments to:
See more about the charter at NHS Employers
So far, 28 organisations have signed the charter, pledging their support of its key commitments to:
- Place safety at the heart of all care.
- Ensure all individuals are treated in a service which is open to feedback, and encourages as well as supports its staff to raise concerns.
- Engage staff in the development and delivery of NHS services.
- Encourage registered health and social care workers to follow their professional codes of conduct, and encourage organisations to develop their own statement of values for all staff.
- Support any individuals who want to raise concerns through local processes.
- Develop whistleblowing policies and continuously promote them.
- Avoid compromise agreements containing clauses seeking to prevent disclosures protected under the PIDA 1998.
- Provide adequate training and support for managers so that they understand their role and responsibilities in handling concerns raised with them so they are able to respond appropriately.
See more about the charter at NHS Employers
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