Monday, 28 January 2013
Mental Capacity and Dementia: a review part 1
Mental Capacity and Dementia: a review part 1: This review examines the impact of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 on the lives of people with dementia and those who provide them with care. The review presents evidence of good practice and recommendations for improvement. Three large studies have been undertaken. These indicated limited understanding of the act among staff members , they revealed the importance of raising awareness exploring decision making and community settings. Authors of early literature called on practitioners to be aware of their duties with regard to the act. Training is available but not mandatory and there may now be a need for refresher training. There is much evidence that this act has helped practice due to the clarification of principles and courses of action. CASH Full News Feed
We need to future proof our health and care system, says Paul Burstow MP
We need to future proof our health and care system, says Paul Burstow MP: In recent months, the media has rightly focused on Dilnot’s proposals for how we reform the way we pay for care. But alongside those reports, the nagging problem of the under-funding of social care more generally has been bubbling away in the background. According to a recent report from London Councils, there will be a … Continue reading »
NHS Voices
NHS Voices
NICE publish new evidence summary on harmful drinking and alcohol dependence
NICE publish new evidence summary on harmful drinking and alcohol dependence: NICE have published a new evidence summary (PDF) on the problems associated with alcohol misuse, which augments the clinical guideline (PDF) that came out 2 years ago. This is a fast moving area, so quite a significant amount of research has been produced in the last 2 years, which may have an impact on clinical [read the full story...] Mental Elf
Value walks: successful habits for improving workforce motivation and productivity
Value walks: successful habits for improving workforce motivation and productivity:
This report argues that insufficient attention is being paid to the changing relationship between clinicians and their patients. It argues that although improving payment systems, purchasing procedures and governance remains important, better health outcomes for patients will only be achieved if hospitals focus on their staff, pay attention to the way clinicians are able to interact with patients and improve the time they can spend on patient care.
This report argues that insufficient attention is being paid to the changing relationship between clinicians and their patients. It argues that although improving payment systems, purchasing procedures and governance remains important, better health outcomes for patients will only be achieved if hospitals focus on their staff, pay attention to the way clinicians are able to interact with patients and improve the time they can spend on patient care.
Kings Fund Information and Library Service
Lack of international agreement on drinking guidelines, study finds
Lack of international agreement on drinking guidelines, study finds:
British researchers express surprise at wide variation in advice relating to safe amounts of alcohol consumption
Little agreement exists between countries on what is considered safe or sensible alcohol consumption, a comparison of drinking guidelines by British researchers has found.
Psychologists from the University of Sussex looked at government advice on drinking in 57 countries, including all 27 EU member states.Dr Richard de Visser and Nina Furtwangler found a "remarkable lack of agreement" about what constitutes harmful or excessive alcohol consumption on a daily and weekly basis, as well as when driving.
The study, which is published this month in Drug and Alcohol Review found there was also no consensus on whether it was safe for women to drink as much as men. De Visser said: "We were surprised at the wide variation in guidelines. There is no international agreement about whether women should drink as much as men or only half as much.
"In some countries, the weekly maximum is simply seven times the daily maximum, whereas in others there is an explicit statement that drinkers should have at least one alcohol-free day a week."
Calls have now been made for internationally agreed standard definitions of alcohol units and consumption guidelines to help people drink responsibly.
"Agreed guidelines would be useful for international efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm by increasing people's capacity to monitor and regulate their alcohol consumption." Guardian Health News
Little agreement exists between countries on what is considered safe or sensible alcohol consumption, a comparison of drinking guidelines by British researchers has found.
Psychologists from the University of Sussex looked at government advice on drinking in 57 countries, including all 27 EU member states.Dr Richard de Visser and Nina Furtwangler found a "remarkable lack of agreement" about what constitutes harmful or excessive alcohol consumption on a daily and weekly basis, as well as when driving.
The study, which is published this month in Drug and Alcohol Review found there was also no consensus on whether it was safe for women to drink as much as men. De Visser said: "We were surprised at the wide variation in guidelines. There is no international agreement about whether women should drink as much as men or only half as much.
"In some countries, the weekly maximum is simply seven times the daily maximum, whereas in others there is an explicit statement that drinkers should have at least one alcohol-free day a week."
Calls have now been made for internationally agreed standard definitions of alcohol units and consumption guidelines to help people drink responsibly.
"Agreed guidelines would be useful for international efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm by increasing people's capacity to monitor and regulate their alcohol consumption." Guardian Health News
England's biggest mental health dataset to go monthly
England's biggest mental health dataset to go monthly: January 25, 2013: Consultation feedback shapes future development of MHMDS analysis. IC QOF
Friday, 25 January 2013
Free NHS winter warmth packs at Northamptonshire events - Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Free NHS winter warmth packs at Northamptonshire events - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:
Northampton Chronicle & Echo |
Free NHS winter warmth packs at Northamptonshire events
Northampton Chronicle & Echo NHS Northamptonshire is 'spreading the warmth' at events around the county by giving advice and practical tips on how to keep warm as part of their 'Wrapped Up' campaign. The outreach team will be giving out winter packs to those who may be vulnerable ... |
The King's Fund responds to Andy Burnham's speech launching the Labour Party's health and care policy review
The King's Fund responds to Andy Burnham's speech launching the Labour Party's health and care policy review: Responding to the Shadow Secretary of State's speech launching the Labour Party's health and care policy review, Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, said:
'Andy Burnham's diagnosis of why the NHS and social care needs to change is the right one. The demands of an ageing population, changing burden of disease and rising patient expectations mean that fundamental change is needed.
'His prescription for change is ambitious and his vision of delivering integrated care, co-ordinated around the needs of the individual, will be widely welcomed. But it leaves a number of unanswered questions, not least how plans as radical as these could be implemented while keeping his promise not to embark on further structural change.
'We have argued that it is time to think differently about how to respond to the future challenges facing the NHS and social care. Andy Burnham has responded to the challenge to think differently, but the ideas he has articulated today leave many questions unanswered.' Kings Fund
'His prescription for change is ambitious and his vision of delivering integrated care, co-ordinated around the needs of the individual, will be widely welcomed. But it leaves a number of unanswered questions, not least how plans as radical as these could be implemented while keeping his promise not to embark on further structural change.
'We have argued that it is time to think differently about how to respond to the future challenges facing the NHS and social care. Andy Burnham has responded to the challenge to think differently, but the ideas he has articulated today leave many questions unanswered.' Kings Fund
Direct Commissioning: planning guidance document published
Direct Commissioning: planning guidance document published:
The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) has today published a document which supports the planning for Direct Commissioning responsibilities for 2013/14.
Supporting planning for 2013/14 for Direct Commissioning follows the publication of Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients 2013/14 which outlined the incentives and levers that will be used to improve services from April 2013 – the first year of the new NHS, where improvements and outcomes are delivered through existing and new commissioning routes.
The new document describes the processes that will be used to support planning for the next financial year. It aims to support the NHS Commissioning Board’s national, regional and area teams to ensure that every plan is as strong as it can be, by designing an approach that achieves national consistency and improves quality and equity of access to services. This should be in the context of local priorities and in conjunction with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and local Health and Wellbeing Boards. NHS Commissioning
The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) has today published a document which supports the planning for Direct Commissioning responsibilities for 2013/14.
Supporting planning for 2013/14 for Direct Commissioning follows the publication of Everyone Counts: Planning for Patients 2013/14 which outlined the incentives and levers that will be used to improve services from April 2013 – the first year of the new NHS, where improvements and outcomes are delivered through existing and new commissioning routes.
The new document describes the processes that will be used to support planning for the next financial year. It aims to support the NHS Commissioning Board’s national, regional and area teams to ensure that every plan is as strong as it can be, by designing an approach that achieves national consistency and improves quality and equity of access to services. This should be in the context of local priorities and in conjunction with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and local Health and Wellbeing Boards. NHS Commissioning
Mobile Health Worker Project
Mobile Health Worker Project: This study aimed to better understand the requirements of mobile working. The final report examines 11 NHS pilot sites and outlines the benefits of mobile technology for health staff and patients. Findings include: greater productivity; an increase in available time for patient contact; less unnecessary journeys as well as time spent travelling; and significant reductions in data duplication. CASH Full News
NICE publish first guideline for psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people
NICE publish first guideline for psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people: Everyone who read the extracts from Michael Schofield’s memoir, published by the Guardian on January 19th, must surely have been moved by the sometimes harrowing description of his daughter Janni who was diagnosed with child-onset schizophrenia aged just 7 years old. Janni is an exception, as schizophrenia generally starts between the ages of 15 and [read the full story...] Mental Elf
Methods for the estimation of the NICE cost effectiveness threshold
Methods for the estimation of the NICE cost effectiveness threshold:
This study aimed to develop methods to estimate the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold making use of routinely available data. The methods used in this study provide an empirically-based and explicit
quantification of the scale of opportunity costs the NHS faces when considering whether the health benefits associated with new technologies are expected to offset the health that is likely to be forgone elsewhere in the NHS.
Research paper
Kings Fund
This study aimed to develop methods to estimate the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold making use of routinely available data. The methods used in this study provide an empirically-based and explicit
quantification of the scale of opportunity costs the NHS faces when considering whether the health benefits associated with new technologies are expected to offset the health that is likely to be forgone elsewhere in the NHS.
Research paper
Kings Fund
Homeopathy should not be available on the NHS
Homeopathy should not be available on the NHS:
Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies has criticised homeopathy as being “rubbish”, describing practitioners as “peddlers”.
She said she was “perpetually surprised” homeopathy was still available on the NHS and raised concerns that homeopaths can prescribe pills and potions to treat malaria and other illnesses. Her views, which conflict with policy of the heath service, were expressed as s...Healthcare Today
Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies has criticised homeopathy as being “rubbish”, describing practitioners as “peddlers”.
She said she was “perpetually surprised” homeopathy was still available on the NHS and raised concerns that homeopaths can prescribe pills and potions to treat malaria and other illnesses. Her views, which conflict with policy of the heath service, were expressed as s...Healthcare Today
Prostate cancer trebled in 30 years
Prostate cancer trebled in 30 years:
Cancer Research UK has released figures which suggest that boys born in 2015 will be almost three times as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point as those born in 1990.
The charity has suggested that the increased use of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which picks up a wide variety of prostate cancers, and the ageing population are key factors in explaining the increase with 41,000 me...Healthcare Today
Cancer Research UK has released figures which suggest that boys born in 2015 will be almost three times as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point as those born in 1990.
The charity has suggested that the increased use of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which picks up a wide variety of prostate cancers, and the ageing population are key factors in explaining the increase with 41,000 me...Healthcare Today
NHS drug decisions 'flawed'
NHS drug decisions 'flawed':
The Government’s drugs watchdog has hit back at criticism by European researchers over the system it utilises to recommend which medicines should be funded for NHS use.A study, funded by the European Commission, said the system applied by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) was flawed and should be scrapped.NICE, however, responded by saying the measure it uses for ass... Healthcare Today
System used to decide whether drugs are cost-effective for NHS 'is flawed'
System used to decide whether drugs are cost-effective for NHS 'is flawed': The formula used to decide whether NHS patients can have access to costly drug treatments is flawed and should be scrapped, according to a European Commission-funded study.
Daily Telegraph
Daily TelegraphThursday, 24 January 2013
Extra baby unit planned at Northampton General Hospital - Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Extra baby unit planned at Northampton General Hospital - Northampton Chronicle & Echo:
 Northampton Chronicle & Echo | Extra baby unit planned at Northampton General Hospital Northampton Chronicle & Echo NGH has been awarded �480,000 for a midwife-led unit. By John Harrison Published on Thursday 24 January 2013 07:00. Northampton General Hospital has been awarded £480,000 to improve maternity services, the Government will announce today. and more » |
Revalidation: opportunity or challenge?
Revalidation: opportunity or challenge?: On 3 December 2012 the UK was the first nation, and the General Medical Council (GMC) the first regulatory body, to implement large-scale changes to the regulation of its medical workforce. By April 2016 it is expected that the ‘vast majority’ of the UK’s 220,000 doctors would have undertaken revalidation – the process by which licensed doctors will demonstrate that they are up to date and fit to practise. Revalidation has been a popular topic in our leadership work with medical directors, GPs and consultants, having presented both opportunities and challenges. So what have we learnt so far?
Information overload: tackling bureaucracy in the NHS
Information overload: tackling bureaucracy in the NHS: The NHS Confederation has for many years emphasised the need to tackle the bureaucratic burden in the NHS.
'Blacklist' of failed NHS managers planned
'Blacklist' of failed NHS managers planned:
NHS managers who are deemed as having presided over failure in the NHS could be blacklisted.
Government ministers are considering the option of placing senior health officials who significantly under-perform on such a list in a move that would effectively see them prevented from working in the health service in the future.
HSJ has reported that the option is one of a range of suggestions being considere... Healthcare Today
NHS managers who are deemed as having presided over failure in the NHS could be blacklisted.
Government ministers are considering the option of placing senior health officials who significantly under-perform on such a list in a move that would effectively see them prevented from working in the health service in the future.
HSJ has reported that the option is one of a range of suggestions being considere... Healthcare Today
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)