Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Making local health economies work better for patients
Making local health economies work better for patients This report summarises the findings of NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority’s joint project to support 11 local health economies to develop clinically and financially sustainable 5-year strategic plans. Monitor
A&E performance 'to hit new low'
A&E performance 'to hit new low' A&E waiting times in England have fallen to their worst level for a decade, figures out later are expected to show. BBC News
See also:
See also:
Are most cancers down to 'bad luck'?
Are most cancers down to 'bad luck'? "Most types of cancer can be put down to bad luck rather than risk factors such as smoking," BBC News reports. A US study estimates around two-thirds of cancer cases are caused by random genetic mutations.
The researchers who carried out the study wanted to see why cancer risk varies so much between different body tissues.
For example, the average lifetime risk of lung cancer is around 1 in 14, whereas brain cancer risk is significantly lower at around 1 in 166.
The study estimates around two-thirds (65%) of cancer risk is a result of chance, based on the number of times stem cells divide in the different tissues.
However, this figure could be anywhere between 39% and 81%. This is quite a large margin of error, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the 65% estimate.
Overall, this gives us a clearer idea of the possible relative effects of chance versus lifestyle, versus genetics on our risk of developing cancer over our lifetimes.
But none of this can predict whether individuals will or will not develop cancer.
Even if the majority of cancers are the result of a bad roll of the dice, there are still proven methods of reducing the risk: namely, eating a healthy balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle free of smoking and excess alcohol.
The researchers who carried out the study wanted to see why cancer risk varies so much between different body tissues.
For example, the average lifetime risk of lung cancer is around 1 in 14, whereas brain cancer risk is significantly lower at around 1 in 166.
The study estimates around two-thirds (65%) of cancer risk is a result of chance, based on the number of times stem cells divide in the different tissues.
However, this figure could be anywhere between 39% and 81%. This is quite a large margin of error, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the 65% estimate.
Overall, this gives us a clearer idea of the possible relative effects of chance versus lifestyle, versus genetics on our risk of developing cancer over our lifetimes.
But none of this can predict whether individuals will or will not develop cancer.
Even if the majority of cancers are the result of a bad roll of the dice, there are still proven methods of reducing the risk: namely, eating a healthy balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle free of smoking and excess alcohol.
Pharmacists do not want to verify prescription exemptions
Pharmacists do not want to verify prescription exemptions The government wants pharmacists to check patients’ benefit status to cut prescription fraud. OnMedica
Secret scandal of faulty NHS equipment that kills hundreds of patients a year
Secret scandal of faulty NHS equipment that kills hundreds of patients a year In 2013, there were 13,600 reports of failed devices to the watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) — these were linked to 309 deaths and 5,000 serious injuries. The Daily Mail
A new year’s resolution for the NHS: let’s deliver a new leadership approach
A new year’s resolution for the NHS: let’s deliver a new leadership approach Sir Stuart Rose’s upcoming report on NHS leadership may be uncomfortable reading but it could be the impetus to affect change in the health service.
Sir Stuart Rose’s delayed report into leadership in the NHS is expected soon. The mirror he holds up to the NHS will feel uncomfortable in places. As we gaze into it, it is human nature that we will be drawn to any blemishes but must not lose sight of the finer points of NHS Leadership – the sheer guts, resilience, inspiration and ingenuity we see from home to hospital and board to ward every single day. It’s these points that will see us through but only if we redefine and embrace a new set of relationships between government, national bodies and local leaders.
Back in May, alongside national organisations representing patients, doctors, local government and NHS leaders, the NHS Confederation published the 2015 Challenge Declaration. The declaration, designed to kickstart a proper debate on the NHS, was an evidence based statement of the seven big challenges we face. At the heart of the seven were a triumvirate of defining a new leadership style; delivering an open and engaged culture; and creating a 21st century workforce. Continue reading... The Guardian
Sir Stuart Rose’s delayed report into leadership in the NHS is expected soon. The mirror he holds up to the NHS will feel uncomfortable in places. As we gaze into it, it is human nature that we will be drawn to any blemishes but must not lose sight of the finer points of NHS Leadership – the sheer guts, resilience, inspiration and ingenuity we see from home to hospital and board to ward every single day. It’s these points that will see us through but only if we redefine and embrace a new set of relationships between government, national bodies and local leaders.
Back in May, alongside national organisations representing patients, doctors, local government and NHS leaders, the NHS Confederation published the 2015 Challenge Declaration. The declaration, designed to kickstart a proper debate on the NHS, was an evidence based statement of the seven big challenges we face. At the heart of the seven were a triumvirate of defining a new leadership style; delivering an open and engaged culture; and creating a 21st century workforce. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS chief: New cities will have 'virtual' NHS where visiting GPs is an 'alien concept'
NHS chief: New cities will have 'virtual' NHS where visiting GPs is an 'alien concept' Simon Stevens, the head of the NHS, says new towns will build 'digital health services' with most contact with GPs done by Skype and iPhone. The Daily Telegraph
Cancer survivors can cause ‘unmanageable crisis’ for NHS
Cancer survivors can cause ‘unmanageable crisis’ for NHS A record 2.5 million people are now living with cancer or the after-effects of it, threatening “a crisis of unmanageable proportions” for the NHS, a leading charity has warned. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- 2.5 million people now living with cancer in UK Macmillan Cancer Support
- Cancer cases to reach 'record high' BBC News
- VIDEO: Record number 'living with cancer' BBC News
- Cancer 'becoming a crisis of unimaginable proportions' The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 5 January 2015
Northamptonshire medics laid-off through redundancy were replaced within weeks
Northamptonshire medics laid-off through redundancy were replaced within weeks The two full-time Band Six podiatrists lost their jobs last April as part of a shake-up of the service by bosses at NHS Northamptonshire Healthcare (NHFT).
Unknown to the two staff members, NHS was bidding for funding to keep them in post.
And it has now emerged that weeks after they were given their notice, the funding was granted and their roles were re-advertised.
The news came as a Freedom of Information request showed that in 2011/12, redundancy costs totalled £2.8m followed by £5.5 million the following year. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Unknown to the two staff members, NHS was bidding for funding to keep them in post.
And it has now emerged that weeks after they were given their notice, the funding was granted and their roles were re-advertised.
The news came as a Freedom of Information request showed that in 2011/12, redundancy costs totalled £2.8m followed by £5.5 million the following year. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Life-saving baby screening expanded
Life-saving baby screening expanded Newborn babies across England will be screened for more rare, debilitating genetic diseases from today. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- Babies to be screened for more gene disorders The Independent
Hospitals declare major incident
Hospitals declare major incident Two hospitals in Gloucestershire declare a major incident, due to the high number of people using their A&E departments. BBC News
Proper checks in place for Ebola - PM
Proper checks in place for Ebola - PM Britain has "proper arrangements" in place to screen people who may have contracted Ebola, the PM insists, as questions are raised about the screening of a nurse with the virus. BBC News
See also:
See also:
- UK Ebola nurse critical - hospital BBC News
- Charity to probe UK Ebola nurse case BBC News
- Ebola in Britain: No quarantine for health workers The Daily Telegraph
- Ebola outbreak: Congo showed transfusion therapy can work, but scientists don’t know why The Independent
HSCIC data lab to launch in March
HSCIC data lab to launch in March The Health and Social Care Information Centre will launch a secure data lab for viewing sensitive patient data in March, allowing it to support the pathfinder stage of NHS England's controversial care.data programme. E-Health Insider
Put more money in or face public backlash, says NHS chief
Put more money in or face public backlash, says NHS chief Simon Stevens calls for end to ‘boom-bust’ approach and predicts a reaction if government does not increase funding.
The head of the NHS in England has predicted a “public backlash” if funding for health services is not increased during the next parliament.
Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, told the Financial Times he hoped for more annual funding on top of the £2bn lifeline the chancellor, George Osborne, promised should the Tories succeed at the general election. Continue reading... The Guardian
The head of the NHS in England has predicted a “public backlash” if funding for health services is not increased during the next parliament.
Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, told the Financial Times he hoped for more annual funding on top of the £2bn lifeline the chancellor, George Osborne, promised should the Tories succeed at the general election. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS accused of ‘cruel’ rationing of hearing aids
NHS accused of ‘cruel’ rationing of hearing aids Some 10 million people in the UK suffer hearing loss and cuts may raise risk of dementia and depression, charity warns.
Campaigners are accusing the NHS of imposing “cruel” cuts on people who are going deaf by denying them the hearing aids they need.
Growing numbers of NHS organisations are planning to ration access to the devices, even though they help to combat dementia, depression and social isolation among the hard of hearing. Continue reading... The Guardian
Campaigners are accusing the NHS of imposing “cruel” cuts on people who are going deaf by denying them the hearing aids they need.
Growing numbers of NHS organisations are planning to ration access to the devices, even though they help to combat dementia, depression and social isolation among the hard of hearing. Continue reading... The Guardian
Give unpaid carers professional qualifications to avert crisis, call
Give unpaid carers professional qualifications to avert crisis, call Britain must recruit an additional care workforce the size of the Chinese army to cope with the ageing population, new forecast predicts. The Daily Telegraph
NHS is missing key targets, says Labour
NHS is missing key targets, says Labour Labour has kicked off its general election campaign with a damning dossier showing that the NHS has missed half of its patient waiting time pledges in the past year. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- VIDEO: Cameron: 'NHS is not unaffordable' BBC News
- Labour in new NHS attack on Tories BBC News
- Labour to warn that NHS would not survive five more years of Tories The Guardian
- Labour pledges £2.5bn to employ 32,000 more NHS core workers The Guardian
- Farage: NHS should not hire doctors who ‘don’t speak very good English’ The Guardian
- Nigel Farage says Ukip would get rid of foreign NHS workers who 'can't speak English properly' The Independent
Friday, 2 January 2015
Three challenges and a big uncertainty for the NHS in 2015
Three challenges and a big uncertainty for the NHS in 2015 The NHS faces three major challenges in 2015.
The first is to prepare for the spending review that will be initiated after the election. National bodies, led by NHS England, have set out their views on future spending requirements in the NHS five year forward view, and the major parties have all acknowledged the need for additional funding. While this is welcome, it is not yet clear whether any of the parties will commit to finding an additional £8 billion a year by 2020/21.
The first is to prepare for the spending review that will be initiated after the election. National bodies, led by NHS England, have set out their views on future spending requirements in the NHS five year forward view, and the major parties have all acknowledged the need for additional funding. While this is welcome, it is not yet clear whether any of the parties will commit to finding an additional £8 billion a year by 2020/21.
News story: New Year’s Honours for health and social care
News story: New Year’s Honours for health and social care People from the health and care community make up 7% of all honours, including 8 nurses who received MBEs. Department of Health
See also:
See also:
- Frontline NHS staff given honours BBC News
Mental heath patients can put services to the test
Mental heath patients can put services to the test Patients using mental health and community health services are able to give feedback on their experiences of care and treatment from today.
This comes as the Friends and Family Test (FFT), a real time patient feedback tool that is already operating for some hospital services such as maternity and A&E, continues to be rolled out across the NHS.
Mental Health and Community Health are the latest two areas to start gathering information from thousands of patients across the country – a move that comes a month after FFT went live across all 8,000 GP practices in England where up to one million people see their doctor every day.
From today, patients receiving treatment on mental health wards, or receiving medication, counselling or therapy for conditions such as depression, dementia, stress, drug or alcohol addiction, will all be able to give feedback on the services they receive. It will also include services for children receiving care for conditions like autism or support for things like eating disorders or the effects of bullying.
This comes as the Friends and Family Test (FFT), a real time patient feedback tool that is already operating for some hospital services such as maternity and A&E, continues to be rolled out across the NHS.
Mental Health and Community Health are the latest two areas to start gathering information from thousands of patients across the country – a move that comes a month after FFT went live across all 8,000 GP practices in England where up to one million people see their doctor every day.
From today, patients receiving treatment on mental health wards, or receiving medication, counselling or therapy for conditions such as depression, dementia, stress, drug or alcohol addiction, will all be able to give feedback on the services they receive. It will also include services for children receiving care for conditions like autism or support for things like eating disorders or the effects of bullying.
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