Thursday, 16 July 2015
Viewpoint: reconsidering accountability in an age of integrated care
Viewpoint: reconsidering accountability in an age of integrated care This paper examines the future of governance and accountability in the NHS and social care amid the rise of new provider models, a growing focus on integration and deep cuts in council funding. The Nuffield Trust
Should we worry about the 'flesh-eating killer bug'?
Should we worry about the 'flesh-eating killer bug'? A "terrifying" and "flesh-eating" bug that "kills one in four it infects invasively" is spreading around the world, warns The Daily Telegraph in news that surprisingly didn't make its front page.
So why is everyone in the country not wearing biohazard onesies? Probably because the threat from this kind of infection is extremely low.
The key fact is that while the emm89 strain of group A streptococcus bacteria was reported to kill one in four people it infects invasively, just over a hundred were infected in this way by this strain in 2013.
The case fatality rate reported in this study of 21% (actually closer to one in five than one in four) makes these invasive infections very serious. For comparison, in the latest outbreak of Ebola the case fatality rate was around 50%. Fortunately, it is not common.
In fact, "strep A" bacteria are generally very common and usually harmless or only slightly problematic. They live on our skin and give us sore throats, earache, and the usually self-limiting but very contagious scarlet fever.
The research behind this news brought together data on the increasing prevalence of the emm89 bacteria and genetic changes in the strain over time, and their effects on the bacteria. Researchers were surprised to find its structure was different from other types of invasive bacteria.
So why is everyone in the country not wearing biohazard onesies? Probably because the threat from this kind of infection is extremely low.
The key fact is that while the emm89 strain of group A streptococcus bacteria was reported to kill one in four people it infects invasively, just over a hundred were infected in this way by this strain in 2013.
The case fatality rate reported in this study of 21% (actually closer to one in five than one in four) makes these invasive infections very serious. For comparison, in the latest outbreak of Ebola the case fatality rate was around 50%. Fortunately, it is not common.
In fact, "strep A" bacteria are generally very common and usually harmless or only slightly problematic. They live on our skin and give us sore throats, earache, and the usually self-limiting but very contagious scarlet fever.
The research behind this news brought together data on the increasing prevalence of the emm89 bacteria and genetic changes in the strain over time, and their effects on the bacteria. Researchers were surprised to find its structure was different from other types of invasive bacteria.
GMC backs plan to set up support service for vulnerable doctors
GMC backs plan to set up support service for vulnerable doctors The GMC and healthcare leaders have agreed that a national support service for doctors with mental health or addiction problems should be established, and that this should be separate from the GMC to encourage doctors to seek confidential support. GP Online
See also:
See also:
- Key principles for supporting vulnerable doctors agreed General Medical Council
Cultural awareness improves dementia care for South Asian minorities
Cultural awareness improves dementia care for South Asian minorities Reduced awareness and stigma around mental health can prevent people from the south Asian community accessing dementia care
Different cultures have different perceptions of mental illnesses – including dementia. In fact, in the UK, people from the south Asian community are more likely to approach their GPs for physical than mental health symptoms. With south Asian ethnic minority groups one of the largest minority groups in western countries, improving dementia care for south Asians is becoming increasingly more important (pdf).
Almost every day there’s an article on dementia in the news, be that how chocolate consumption can boost your memory or a negative care home report. Sometimes, there is direct insight frompeople with dementia, such attendeees of last year’s 24th Alzheimer Europe conference in Glasgow. The topic of the conference was dignity and autonomy in dementia and delegates signed the Glasgow Declaration: a commitment to promote the rights and needs of people with dementia. So, how can we ensure we respect the needs of south Asian minorities? Continue reading... The Guardian
Different cultures have different perceptions of mental illnesses – including dementia. In fact, in the UK, people from the south Asian community are more likely to approach their GPs for physical than mental health symptoms. With south Asian ethnic minority groups one of the largest minority groups in western countries, improving dementia care for south Asians is becoming increasingly more important (pdf).
Almost every day there’s an article on dementia in the news, be that how chocolate consumption can boost your memory or a negative care home report. Sometimes, there is direct insight frompeople with dementia, such attendeees of last year’s 24th Alzheimer Europe conference in Glasgow. The topic of the conference was dignity and autonomy in dementia and delegates signed the Glasgow Declaration: a commitment to promote the rights and needs of people with dementia. So, how can we ensure we respect the needs of south Asian minorities? Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS finances: how will we plug the £22bn gap?
NHS finances: how will we plug the £22bn gap? Research into the financial challenges facing the NHS reveals two-thirds of finance directors predict a deficit for the end of this financial year
It is a turbulent time in the sector and NHS financial performance across the board continues to nose dive at an alarming rate.
This was evident in the latest findings from our Temperature Check report, which surveyed 196 NHS finance directors across England. This investigation into the financial challenges facing the NHS is the first research of its kind since the new government took office. Continue reading...
See also:
It is a turbulent time in the sector and NHS financial performance across the board continues to nose dive at an alarming rate.
This was evident in the latest findings from our Temperature Check report, which surveyed 196 NHS finance directors across England. This investigation into the financial challenges facing the NHS is the first research of its kind since the new government took office. Continue reading...
See also:
- NHS Financial Temperature Check NHS Confederation
New doctors will be forced to work weekends in seven-day NHS plan
New doctors will be forced to work weekends in seven-day NHS plan All new hospital consultants will be forced to work at weekends to deliver the Government’s plan for a seven-day NHS by the end of the decade, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will announce. The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Doctors 'must back seven-day working' BBC News
- Consultants must work weekends to save lives, Jeremy Hunt says The Daily Telegraph
- NHS cannot afford seven-day services, public believes GP Online
- NHS consultants given ultimatum on weekend working The Guardian
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
KGH urgent care hub plans on track
KGH urgent care hub plans on track Plans for a new urgent care hub at Kettering General Hospital are on track, the chief executive has confirmed. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Health secretary in talks about expanding Northampton General Hospital
Health secretary in talks about expanding Northampton General Hospital Talks about an “extra investment” for Northampton General Hospital (NGH) have been opened between the town’s MPs and Health secretary Jeremy Hunt. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Improving acute inpatient psychiatric care for adults in England: interim report
Improving acute inpatient psychiatric care for adults in England: interim report This interim report is based on the Commission’s initial observations about acute inpatient psychiatric services for adults in England and its discussions with patients, carers, advocates, health and social care professionals and policy makers. The final report is due in early 2016. The Commission to review the provision of acute inpatient psychiatric care for adults
See also:
See also:
More than 135 diabetes amputations every week
More than 135 diabetes amputations every week New figures have revealed that the number of diabetes-related amputations each week in England has now reached an all-time record high of 135, according to new analysis by Diabetes UK.
See also:
See also:
Commissioning and statutory funding arrangements for hospices in England: survey results 2015
Commissioning and statutory funding arrangements for hospices in England: survey results 2015 This report of a survey of 117 hospices found that more than two thirds of the hospices report that their statutory funding was frozen or slashed in 2014/15, largely because of financial restrictions on NHS commissioners or stand still budgets. It calls on the government to set out how it will bring about fair and sustainable statutory funding for hospice and palliative care. Together for Short Lives
750 avoidable deaths a month in NHS hospitals, study finds
750 avoidable deaths a month in NHS hospitals, study finds One in 28 deaths can be attributed to poor care and study says standard death rates should not be used to rank quality of care
About 750 patients a month in NHS hospitals are dying unnecessarily, the largest review of “avoidable deaths” has found.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said one in 28 deaths could be attributed to poor care such as inattentive monitoring of the patient’s condition, doctors making the wrong diagnosis or patients being prescribed the wrong medicine. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
About 750 patients a month in NHS hospitals are dying unnecessarily, the largest review of “avoidable deaths” has found.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said one in 28 deaths could be attributed to poor care such as inattentive monitoring of the patient’s condition, doctors making the wrong diagnosis or patients being prescribed the wrong medicine. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
NHS care of elderly patients often poor and lacking dignity, report says
NHS care of elderly patients often poor and lacking dignity, report says Researchers from LSE find large number of patients treated with insufficient respect in vast majority of NHS England hospitals
More than a million over-65s a year are treated poorly while in hospital, for example by not being helped to eat, according to a new report which has prompted calls for the NHS to improve care of older people.
Elderly patients are confronted with widespread and systematic inadequate care during their stay, which is a significant problem affecting the vast majority of hospitals in England, it says. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
More than a million over-65s a year are treated poorly while in hospital, for example by not being helped to eat, according to a new report which has prompted calls for the NHS to improve care of older people.
Elderly patients are confronted with widespread and systematic inadequate care during their stay, which is a significant problem affecting the vast majority of hospitals in England, it says. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Older hospital patients face "widespread and systematic" pattern of poor care London School of Economics
- Older people’s experiences of dignity andnutrition during hospital stays: Secondary data analysis using the AdultInpatient Survey Centre for the Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE
- Patients bewail 'lack of dignity' BBC News
Flesh-eating bug 'kills one-in-four of people it infects in UK'
Flesh-eating bug 'kills one-in-four of people it infects in UK' Deadly new strain of flesh-eating bug that kills one in four of people it invasively infects spreading rapidly, scientists find. The Daily Telegraph
NHS promises urgent action after report reveals extent of 'inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs' in people with learning disabilities
NHS promises urgent action after report reveals extent of 'inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs' in people with learning disabilities NHS England has said it will take urgent action after finding a "high level of inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs in people with learning disabilities". The Independent
See also:
See also:
- Urgent action pledged on over-medication of people with learning disabilities NHS England
- Press release: People with learning disabilities over-prescribed psychiatric drugs Public Health England
- NHS told 'stop over-medicating' BBC News
- People with learning disabilities being wrongly given anti-psychotic drugs The Daily Mail
- RCGP responds to NHS England announcement on the use of medicines in people with learning disabilities Royal College of General Practitioners
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Frontline teams are the key to delivering better value care for patients
Frontline teams are the key to delivering better value care for patients We need to talk about patients not pounds if we are to engage clinicians in meeting the NHS productivity challenge. That means focusing on providing the best possible health outcomes at the lowest possible cost, rather than a single-minded push to save money. The King's Fund
Launch of 'Winterbourne View - Time is Running Out' Report
Launch of 'Winterbourne View - Time is Running Out' Report The 6 month review of the progress being made by the Transforming Care programme to act on the recommendations of Winterbourne View - Time for Change. ACEVO
See also:
See also:
Health and safety competencies for NHS managers
Health and safety competencies for NHS managers This new guidance highlights the core skills managers at all levels need to manage health and safety in the workplace effectively. NHS Employers
Psychological wellbeing and work: improving outcomes for people with common mental health problems
Psychological wellbeing and work: improving outcomes for people with common mental health problems This briefing summarises key findings and recommendations from a report that explores proposals to improve employment and health outcomes for people with common mental health problems. RAND Corporation
A guide to quality improvement methods
A guide to quality improvement methods The guide brings together twelve quality improvement (QI) methods, providing an overview of each and practical advice on how and when to implement them, with illustrative case examples. QI methods covered include clinical audit; Plan, Do, Study, Act; model for improvement; LEAN/Six Sigma; performance benchmarking, process mapping and statistical process control and it is aimed at all professionals with an interest in QI. Health Quality Improvement Partnership
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)