Suicide prevention must be priority

Suicide prevention must be priority: The number of suicides across the UK has risen and the government says reducing them has to be a top priority. BBC News

Are telehealth's benefits a myth?

Are telehealth's benefits a myth?: Are remote monitoring services really working? BBC News

How thoroughly are hospitals inspected?

How thoroughly are hospitals inspected?: What happens when the regulator turns up? BBC News

Few patients wake up during surgery

Few patients wake up during surgery: The risk of waking up while under the surgeon's knife is extremely small - about one in 15,000 - research reveals. BBC News

'NHS must be paperless by 2018 or there won't be an NHS'

'NHS must be paperless by 2018 or there won't be an NHS': The health service cannot afford to take decades to shift to digital if it is going to survive, a senior NHS figure has warned Public Service

Top tips on appraisals and objective setting

Top tips on appraisals and objective setting: Following the NHS Staff Council agreement on changes to "Agenda for Change", we are currently updating the appraisal information and guidance on our website which will help employers in planning how to implement the changes. NHS Employers

Councils unprepared for public health threat of Hep C

Councils unprepared for public health threat of Hep C:

Survey shows lack of information and planning to deal with rising rates of disease Related items from OnMedica Vitamin B12 supplements may help treat hepatitis C GPs warned of Hepatitis C crisis Antivirals cut liver cancer risk after hepatitis C Target IV drug users early to stop hepatitis C

Improving later life: understanding the oldest old

Improving later life: understanding the oldest old: This book provides insights from various contributors into key points for professionals making decisions about those aged 85 and over. Messages include: the oldest old are more diverse in health than the younger old and cannot all be treated the same; chronological age is a weak predictor of life expectancy and response to treatments; and many illnesses associated with age can be treated or avoided, especially if the oldest old receive good co-ordination across services and specialities to offer the best treatment.

• Book
• Key facts and statistics
• Age UK - publications

Comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and control: a healthier future for girls and women

Comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and control: a healthier future for girls and women: This guidance note advocates a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control. It is aimed at senior policy makers and programme managers. It describes the need to deliver effective interventions from childhood through to adulthood, including community education, social mobilization, HPV vaccination, screening, treatment and palliative care. It also outlines the complementary strategies for comprehensive cervical cancer prevention and control, and highlights collaboration across national health programmes (particularly immunisation, reproductive health, cancer control and adolescent health), organisations and partners.

• Report
• WHO - publications

Superbug threat is 'ticking time bomb'

Superbug threat is 'ticking time bomb': There are claims across the media that antibiotic resistance is a ‘ticking time bomb’, with the Daily Express claiming “Superbug threat 'ranks alongside terrorism'”.

These headlines reflect the views of England’s Chief Medical Officer, and arguably could be viewed as understated.

How can we maximise the benefits of telehealth?

How can we maximise the benefits of telehealth?: Technology-enabled integrated care is working well for many health organisations, helping patients stay in their own homes
There is no doubt about it, for those of us in the telehealth industry, this month has seen a disappointing development.

David Cameron: NHS budget 'is not going to be cut' - video

David Cameron: NHS budget 'is not going to be cut' - video: David Cameron pledges to protect NHS spending on Monday The Guardian

Healthy patients who exercise regularly and avoid fatty foods 'should be fast-tracked for surgery'

Healthy patients who exercise regularly and avoid fatty foods 'should be fast-tracked for surgery':
Patients who exercise regularly and avoid fatty foods should go to the front of the queue for NHS operations, a think tank urges today. The Independent

See also:

• Healthy patients 'should be rewarded,' says think-tank The Daily Telegraph
• Patients who eat healthily and go to the gym 'should be able to jump NHS queues for operations and treatment' The Daily Mail

Lining Up: How is harm measured?

Lining Up: How is harm measured? This learning report looks at lessons from the Health Foundation’s Lining Up research project, an investigation into interventions to reduce central line infections.  The report describes findings that have important implications for measurement of performance, and using measurement to improve quality and ensure patient safety.  The project also demonstrates that, without a standardised approach and excellent data collection, quality improvement initiatives will fail to change culture or behaviour. The Health Foundation

'No-one had heard of my boys' syndrome'

'No-one had heard of my boys' syndrome': Brothers Alex and Daniel from Northants share a rare metabolic condition called Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome which affects them both differently in a range of challenging ways. BBC Northamptonshire

KGH struggling to cope with population rise

KGH struggling to cope with population rise: Figures released by Kettering General Hospital show how the number of accident and emergency admissions has rocketed over 20 years. Evening Telegraph

MP campaigns to keep ambulance station in Corby

MP campaigns to keep ambulance station in Corby: Corby MP Andy Sawford is calling for the town’s ambulance station, which has been recommended for closure, to be kept open. Evening Telegraph

Shoes funded Northampton General Hospital site

Shoes funded Northampton General Hospital site: THE vital role that shoe barons played in building Northampton General Hospital is being explored in the NGH archive. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS winter health campaign is a 'success' - Northampton Herald and Post

NHS winter health campaign is a 'success' - Northampton Herald and Post:

Northampton Herald and Post

NHS winter health campaign is a 'success' Northampton Herald and Post Wrapped Up was a joint initiative between Northamptonshire County Council, NHS Northamptonshire Public Health, Age UK, Nene Valley Community Action and Northamptonshire Community Foundation. Events have taken place across the county and ...

Being open: the importance of communication in healthcare

Being open: the importance of communication in healthcare: There are a number of barriers to staff being open in the NHS, says Jo Bibby. When surveyed, staff cite the fear of the patient’s response; the fear of litigation; fear of blame and judgement and the lack of confidence and skill to be open even if they want to be. The Health Foundation