Thursday, 30 October 2014
New figures show UK increasingly reliant on overseas nurses
New figures show UK increasingly reliant on overseas nurses The United Kingdom has become a net importer of nurses for the first time in eight years, showing the extent of the reliance on overseas staff as hospitals desperately struggle to recruit enough staff to keep patients safe. Royal College of Nursing
Could sex with 21 women 'cut prostate risk'?
Could sex with 21 women 'cut prostate risk'? "Sleeping with more than 20 women protects men against prostate cancer, academics find," The Daily Telegraph reports.
The study in question included more than 1,500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer and a matched group of men without prostate cancer from the general population. Researchers then interviewed the men about their sexual activity.
The study concluded that having more than 20 female partners over a man’s lifetime was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, while having several male partners seemed to increase the risk.
However, studies like this one cannot prove that having several female partners reduces the risk of prostate cancer, or that having more male partners increases risk.
The study in question included more than 1,500 men diagnosed with prostate cancer and a matched group of men without prostate cancer from the general population. Researchers then interviewed the men about their sexual activity.
The study concluded that having more than 20 female partners over a man’s lifetime was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer, while having several male partners seemed to increase the risk.
However, studies like this one cannot prove that having several female partners reduces the risk of prostate cancer, or that having more male partners increases risk.
Quarter of CCGs set to miss 1% surplus target
Quarter of CCGs set to miss 1% surplus target Almost 50 CCGs are set to miss the NHS's financial target of being at least 1% in surplus this year, and 18 CCGs are forecast to be in deficit at year end, the House of Commons health select committee has been told. GP Online
How sick are the worlds healthcare systems?
How sick are the worlds healthcare systems? The NHS is in trouble and its chief executive has requested £8bn to save it. But how does Britains system compare with healthcare around the world and what can we learn? From hard-pressed India to highly organised Germany, eight Guardian correspondents report Continue reading... The Guardian
Ebola rages on, but we are approaching a turning point in this epidemic
Ebola rages on, but we are approaching a turning point in this epidemic New urgency on Ebola from the rich world, major investment and vaccine development suggest we may have reached the end of the beginning.
The news from Guinea and Sierra Leone has been unrelentingly horrific. Despite encouraging signs from Liberia, overall things will get worse. Today the official toll of the Ebola epidemic reached 13,703 cases, though the true figure is higher. By Christmas there may be thousands of new cases every week. More countries will probably report introduced infections, as in the US and, more worryingly, African neighbours. Several bleak months lie ahead.
Yet through this darkness it is finally becoming possible to see some light. In the past 10 days theinternational community has belatedly begun to take the actions necessary to start turning Ebolas tide. The progress is preliminary and uncertain; even if ultimately successful it will not reduce mortality or stop transmission for some time. We are not close to seeing the beginning of the end of the epidemic. But three developments offer hope that we may have reached the end of the beginning. Continue reading... The Guardian
The news from Guinea and Sierra Leone has been unrelentingly horrific. Despite encouraging signs from Liberia, overall things will get worse. Today the official toll of the Ebola epidemic reached 13,703 cases, though the true figure is higher. By Christmas there may be thousands of new cases every week. More countries will probably report introduced infections, as in the US and, more worryingly, African neighbours. Several bleak months lie ahead.
Yet through this darkness it is finally becoming possible to see some light. In the past 10 days theinternational community has belatedly begun to take the actions necessary to start turning Ebolas tide. The progress is preliminary and uncertain; even if ultimately successful it will not reduce mortality or stop transmission for some time. We are not close to seeing the beginning of the end of the epidemic. But three developments offer hope that we may have reached the end of the beginning. Continue reading... The Guardian
Diabetes 'out of control' in most parts of England
Diabetes 'out of control' in most parts of England Warning that diabetes is 'out of control' in most of England, with 120 amputations a week, and those living in East London and West Suffolk faring worst for uncontrolled disease. The Daily Telegraph
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See also:
‘Urgent action’ needed to halt alcohol abuse in armed forces
‘Urgent action’ needed to halt alcohol abuse in armed forces Dangerous levels of alcohol consumption are “the norm” in the armed forces and the link between drinking and higher rates of violence among veterans must be investigated, MPs have warned. The Independent
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Developing strategy in the NHS – mission impossible or essential leadership task?
Developing strategy in the NHS – mission impossible or essential leadership task? With the NHS facing both financial and quality challenges, just how can the sector plan ahead for an uncertain future? asks Suzie Bailey. The Health Foundation
Failings in NHS and poor government complaint handling highlighted in new report
Failings in NHS and poor government complaint handling highlighted in new report The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has published 161 summaries of investigations it carried out between April and June this year.
The Ombudsman Service investigates complaints about the NHS in England and UK government departments and their agencies, such as the Child Maintenance Service and the DVLA. The summaries published include 35 governmental cases and 126 are healthcare.
The cases investigated included several complaints about incorrect discharges from hospitals, failings in diagnosis of cancer.
See also:
The Ombudsman Service investigates complaints about the NHS in England and UK government departments and their agencies, such as the Child Maintenance Service and the DVLA. The summaries published include 35 governmental cases and 126 are healthcare.
The cases investigated included several complaints about incorrect discharges from hospitals, failings in diagnosis of cancer.
See also:
- NHS errors that left patients infertile, brain-damaged or dead REVEALED Daily Mail
- NHS Ombudsman report: how the vulnerable were failed The Daily Telegraph
- NHS investigation exposes failings for every generation The Daily Telegraph
- End the culture of patient deference towards NHS professionals | Denis Campbell The Guardian
- Ombudsman report: NHS sending patients home too early The Independent
Better communication needed in health screening programmes
Better communication needed in health screening programmes The risks and benefits of participating in screening programmes, for conditions and diseases like cancer, are not consistently communicated by either the NHS or private health care providers, a new report has warned. It is calling on the Government to ensure that a standardised process to produce screening information is introduced and that better communications training is provided to health care professionals. Science and Technology Committee (House of Commons Select Committee)
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Adult social care funding: 2014 state of the nation report
Adult social care funding: 2014 state of the nation report This report, jointly produced by the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, warns that services for elderly and disabled residents are in crisis after new analysis reveals a £4.3 funding gap by the end of this decade. It highlights the need for integration of health and social care as a priority in order to prevent the care system from collapsing. Local Government Association
Do you care?
Do you care? This report finds that nine in ten (89%) of health professionals who regularly deal with cancer patients agree friends and family caring for someone with cancer often neglect their own health whilst 85% believe a lack of support is the main reason carers reach breaking point and are forced to stop caring. The report calls for the prioritisation of the healthcare for carers in the NHS in England. MacMillan Cancer Support
Best practice in social media – measurement and evaluation
Best practice in social media – measurement and evaluation This briefing discusses how to plan and manage social media measurement and evaluation. NHS Employers
Drugs fund 'papers over cracks'
Drugs fund 'papers over cracks' A temporary fund to pay for cancer drugs not available on the NHS does not address problems with the price of new treatments, says Breakthrough Breast Cancer. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Demand a fair price campaign Breakthrough Breast Cancer
- NHS Cancer Drugs Fund 'no longer fit for purpose', charity warns The Independent
Disasters group launches Ebola appeal
Disasters group launches Ebola appeal The Disasters Emergency Committee is to launch an appeal in response to a disease outbreak for the first time, in aid of the Ebola crisis. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- World Bank plea for Ebola volunteers BBC News
- Power to the people: Ebola - hacking social cohesion E-Health Insider
- Ebola outbreak: The appeal that shows this is no ordinary medical emergency The Independent
- Ebola outbreak: The contact tracers facing a race against time to track down those who have been exposed The Independent
Challenge Fund GP access pilots 'unsustainable', warns GPC
Challenge Fund GP access pilots 'unsustainable', warns GPC Government plans to extend GP opening hours are unsustainable and could cost £1bn a year across all practices in England, GP leaders have warned. GP Online
See also:
See also:
- GPs to bid for share of £100m ‘access’ fund NHS England
Call for action to tackle ill health of homeless
Call for action to tackle ill health of homeless Campaigning charity says three quarters of homeless people have health problems. OnMedica
See also:
See also:
- A Future. Now Homeless Health Matters: the case for change St Mungos Broadway
Employer bias against mental health conditions rife, study reveals - CIPD (blog)
Employer bias against mental health conditions rife, study reveals A study of employer attitudes towards staff with mental health conditions has revealed that 94 per cent of UK leaders admit prejudice against sufferers remains an issue in their organisation. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Five tips on how the NHS can engage patients and the public
Five tips on how the NHS can engage patients and the public Health service needs to do things differently and change relationships and nature of dialogue.
Ten ways to improve patient involvement in the NHS
Over the last few years, patient engagement and patient-centred care have become buzzwords across the health service. NHS organisations at all levels across the UK have developed opportunities for feedback and involvement, taskforces have been established, and patient representatives have been recruited. But, while these are all steps in the right direction, they do not produce the results that either the patients, managers or clinicians hope for.
Many healthcare professionals feel that the patients who sit on their committees do not understand the way the system works and have unrealistic expectations of what change can be brought about. Conversely, when they do understand the system, patients are often described as too expert or so far removed from the realities facing new patients that they are unable to make a valuable contribution. Patients who use their positions to identify problems or to complain are commonly viewed as difficult. Often middle-class and retired, many patient volunteers are also derisively described as the usual suspects. Continue reading... The Guardian
Ten ways to improve patient involvement in the NHS
Over the last few years, patient engagement and patient-centred care have become buzzwords across the health service. NHS organisations at all levels across the UK have developed opportunities for feedback and involvement, taskforces have been established, and patient representatives have been recruited. But, while these are all steps in the right direction, they do not produce the results that either the patients, managers or clinicians hope for.
Many healthcare professionals feel that the patients who sit on their committees do not understand the way the system works and have unrealistic expectations of what change can be brought about. Conversely, when they do understand the system, patients are often described as too expert or so far removed from the realities facing new patients that they are unable to make a valuable contribution. Patients who use their positions to identify problems or to complain are commonly viewed as difficult. Often middle-class and retired, many patient volunteers are also derisively described as the usual suspects. Continue reading... The Guardian
Samaritans launches app to spot 'calls for help' on Twitter
Samaritans launches app to spot 'calls for help' on Twitter Suicide prevention charity's free app watches Twitter for signs that people are struggling to cope, including phrases like "tired of being alone", and sends a warning to friends. The Daily Telegraph
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