Confidentiality guidance consultation
The GMC have restructured their guidance with the aim of making it easier to apply in practice, and have expanded advice in a range of areas, including on sharing information about adults at risk of harm, and doctors’ data protection responsibilities. They have also reviewed several other pieces of explanatory guidance which tackle particular themes of confidentiality doctors commonly encounter. They are seeking views on these changes. Comments must be submitted by 19 February 2016.
Friday, 5 February 2016
Member briefing: NHS planning guidance
Member briefing: NHS planning guidance
This guidance suggested that local organisations involved in planning and providing health and care services in England must prepare a five year plan which sets out how they will improve quality of services, address funding challenges, and improve the health and wellbeing of people living in their area. It also says that local organisations should engage patients, service users, carers and the public in developing these plans and also engage voluntary and community groups.
This guidance suggested that local organisations involved in planning and providing health and care services in England must prepare a five year plan which sets out how they will improve quality of services, address funding challenges, and improve the health and wellbeing of people living in their area. It also says that local organisations should engage patients, service users, carers and the public in developing these plans and also engage voluntary and community groups.
Managing the supply of NHS clinical staff in England
Managing the supply of NHS clinical staff in England
Ensuring there are enough clinical staff with the right skills to meet the demand for high-quality, safe healthcare is essential to the operation of the NHS. However, the current arrangements for managing the supply of clinical staff are fragmented and do not represent value for money, according to the National Audit Office.
The arrangements for managing the supply of clinical staff involve the Department of Health, various arm’s-length bodies and healthcare commissioners and providers. Available data on vacancies are poor but, in 2014, there was a reported overall staffing shortfall of around 5.9%. This equated to a gap of around 50,000 clinical staff. The extent of the shortfall varied between different staff groups and regions.
The creation of Health Education England means that, for the first time, there is a national body specifically tasked with making strategic decisions about planning the future workforce, working collaboratively with local healthcare providers. The national workforce plan is developed from plans prepared by local providers, which means it should be based on a detailed understanding of local circumstances. According to the NAO, however, the process for developing the national long-term workforce plan could be made more robust and Health Education England should be more proactive in addressing the variations in workforce pressures in different parts of the country.
Healthcare providers are responsible for employing clinical staff to deliver healthcare. Hospital trusts’ use of temporary staff has increased significantly, putting pressure on their financial position, and the NAO concluded that there is room for trusts to reduce spending on temporary staff. Temporary staffing gives trusts the flexibility to address short-term workforce pressures, but high levels of temporary staff are an inefficient use of resources. Spending on agency staff increased from £2.2 billion in 2009-10 to £3.3 billion in 2014-15. The Secretary of State for Health announced a cap in October 2015 on how much trusts can pay per shift to help control spending on agency staff; however, the NAO notes that these measures are unlikely to address fully the underlying causes of the increased demand for temporary staff.
At the same time as the use of temporary staff has increased, the NHS has made much less use of overseas recruitment and return-to-practice initiatives to address staffing shortfalls. The number of overseas nurses has fallen, particularly from outside the EEA, where the number of entrants decreased from 11,359 in 2004-05 to just 699 in 2014-15. Some of the decline may have been due to tighter immigration rules for nurses between 2009 and 2015. The decrease was partly offset by a large rise in recruits from within the EEA. The NAO found that a more coordinated and proactive approach to managing the supply of staff could result in efficiencies for the NHS as a whole.
Ensuring there are enough clinical staff with the right skills to meet the demand for high-quality, safe healthcare is essential to the operation of the NHS. However, the current arrangements for managing the supply of clinical staff are fragmented and do not represent value for money, according to the National Audit Office.
The arrangements for managing the supply of clinical staff involve the Department of Health, various arm’s-length bodies and healthcare commissioners and providers. Available data on vacancies are poor but, in 2014, there was a reported overall staffing shortfall of around 5.9%. This equated to a gap of around 50,000 clinical staff. The extent of the shortfall varied between different staff groups and regions.
The creation of Health Education England means that, for the first time, there is a national body specifically tasked with making strategic decisions about planning the future workforce, working collaboratively with local healthcare providers. The national workforce plan is developed from plans prepared by local providers, which means it should be based on a detailed understanding of local circumstances. According to the NAO, however, the process for developing the national long-term workforce plan could be made more robust and Health Education England should be more proactive in addressing the variations in workforce pressures in different parts of the country.
Healthcare providers are responsible for employing clinical staff to deliver healthcare. Hospital trusts’ use of temporary staff has increased significantly, putting pressure on their financial position, and the NAO concluded that there is room for trusts to reduce spending on temporary staff. Temporary staffing gives trusts the flexibility to address short-term workforce pressures, but high levels of temporary staff are an inefficient use of resources. Spending on agency staff increased from £2.2 billion in 2009-10 to £3.3 billion in 2014-15. The Secretary of State for Health announced a cap in October 2015 on how much trusts can pay per shift to help control spending on agency staff; however, the NAO notes that these measures are unlikely to address fully the underlying causes of the increased demand for temporary staff.
At the same time as the use of temporary staff has increased, the NHS has made much less use of overseas recruitment and return-to-practice initiatives to address staffing shortfalls. The number of overseas nurses has fallen, particularly from outside the EEA, where the number of entrants decreased from 11,359 in 2004-05 to just 699 in 2014-15. Some of the decline may have been due to tighter immigration rules for nurses between 2009 and 2015. The decrease was partly offset by a large rise in recruits from within the EEA. The NAO found that a more coordinated and proactive approach to managing the supply of staff could result in efficiencies for the NHS as a whole.
National Audit Office
National smoking bans are good for your health
National smoking bans are good for your health
New evidence of the befits of smoking bans, especially for non-smokers.
New evidence of the befits of smoking bans, especially for non-smokers.
Evidently Cochrane
Sacked NHS whistleblower handed £1.22m damages
Sacked NHS whistleblower handed £1.22m damages
NHS whistleblower unfairly sacked after exposing concerns about patient safety awarded £1.22 million damages. Telegraph
NHS whistleblower unfairly sacked after exposing concerns about patient safety awarded £1.22 million damages. Telegraph
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Important message: British National Formulary (BNF70) and the Children’s British National Formulary (BNFC 2015)
Important message: British National Formulary (BNF70) and the Children’s British National Formulary (BNFC 2015)
British National Formulary, February 2016
Please be advised that due to errors contained within the previously distributed hard copy version of the British National Formulary (BNF70) and the BNFC (2015) that serious patient safety incidents have been reported through the national reporting and learning system (NRLS).
An adhesive addendum will be produced at the end of February to be placed on the front of all hard copies and where Trusts have distributed copies in house, they should consider re-calling all copies.
All Practitioners are reminded that the most current up to date accurate version of the BNF and BNFC can be accessed via the electronic site here.
You can also access this via the following links
· Via Medicines complete – please click here for further details
· Via NICE evidence summaries – please click here
· Via NICE BNF app – please click here for further details
Lancashire Care Libraries
British National Formulary, February 2016
Please be advised that due to errors contained within the previously distributed hard copy version of the British National Formulary (BNF70) and the BNFC (2015) that serious patient safety incidents have been reported through the national reporting and learning system (NRLS).
An adhesive addendum will be produced at the end of February to be placed on the front of all hard copies and where Trusts have distributed copies in house, they should consider re-calling all copies.
All Practitioners are reminded that the most current up to date accurate version of the BNF and BNFC can be accessed via the electronic site here.
You can also access this via the following links
· Via Medicines complete – please click here for further details
· Via NICE evidence summaries – please click here
· Via NICE BNF app – please click here for further details
Lancashire Care Libraries
NHS stops people who have visited areas hit by Zika virus giving blood
NHS stops people who have visited areas hit by Zika virus giving blood
Health service bars those who have been to countries widely affected by the virus from donating blood for four weeks
People who have travelled to countries affected by the Zika virus will not be allowed to donate blood for four weeks after returning home, the NHS has said.
Zika, which the World Health Organisation has declared a public health emergency of international concern, is spread through mosquitoes but there have been a handful of cases of the virus believed to have been sexually transmitted, the most recent in Texas.
Health service bars those who have been to countries widely affected by the virus from donating blood for four weeks
People who have travelled to countries affected by the Zika virus will not be allowed to donate blood for four weeks after returning home, the NHS has said.
Zika, which the World Health Organisation has declared a public health emergency of international concern, is spread through mosquitoes but there have been a handful of cases of the virus believed to have been sexually transmitted, the most recent in Texas.
Guardian
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
Confidential inquiry into premature deaths of people with a learning disability
Confidential inquiry into premature deaths of people with a learning disability
This research found that 1,238 children and adults die across England every year because they are not getting the right health care.
This research found that 1,238 children and adults die across England every year because they are not getting the right health care.
NHS Networks
HEE seeks views on new nursing support role
HEE seeks views on new nursing support role
Health Education England (HEE) is keen to hear views on a new nursing support role, which will work alongside health care support workers and fully-qualified registered nurses to deliver hands on care, focusing on ensuring patients continue to get the compassionate care they deserve.
Health Education England (HEE) is keen to hear views on a new nursing support role, which will work alongside health care support workers and fully-qualified registered nurses to deliver hands on care, focusing on ensuring patients continue to get the compassionate care they deserve.
NHS Networks
Four in 10 hospitals told to improve care for the dying
Four in 10 hospitals told to improve care for the dying
Watchdog’s data reveals end-of-life care falls below expected standards at 74 NHS hospitals in England, including seven rated as inadequate
More than 40% of hospitals offer indifferent or poor care for the dying, according to the latest data seen by the Guardian, which highlights huge variability between the way NHS facilities deal with the inevitability of death.
Data from the Care Quality Commission supplied to the Guardian reveals the differences across England. Eight hospitals have been rated as outstanding for their end-of-life care – three of them are children’s hospitals (Alder Hey, Great Ormond Street and Sheffield) – and 94 have been classified as good. But 67 hospitals require improvement and seven are inadequate.
Watchdog’s data reveals end-of-life care falls below expected standards at 74 NHS hospitals in England, including seven rated as inadequate
More than 40% of hospitals offer indifferent or poor care for the dying, according to the latest data seen by the Guardian, which highlights huge variability between the way NHS facilities deal with the inevitability of death.
Data from the Care Quality Commission supplied to the Guardian reveals the differences across England. Eight hospitals have been rated as outstanding for their end-of-life care – three of them are children’s hospitals (Alder Hey, Great Ormond Street and Sheffield) – and 94 have been classified as good. But 67 hospitals require improvement and seven are inadequate.
Guardian
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
Faith at end of life: public health resource for professionals
Faith at end of life: public health resource for professionals
Public Health England published guidance for professionals, providers and commissioners on the importance of faith at the end of life.
Public Health England published guidance for professionals, providers and commissioners on the importance of faith at the end of life.
NHS Networks
Devolution could undermine existing health and social care integration, MPs warn
Devolution could undermine existing health and social care integration, MPs warn
Devolution of healthcare powers to local authorities must not be allowed to undermine existing NHS efforts to integrate health and social care, MPs have warned.
Devolution of healthcare powers to local authorities must not be allowed to undermine existing NHS efforts to integrate health and social care, MPs have warned.
GP online
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Stark alcohol warning by medical chief
Stark alcohol warning by medical chief
England's chief medical officer has urged people to take personal responsibility for their drinking and to consider cancer risks carefully with each glass.
England's chief medical officer has urged people to take personal responsibility for their drinking and to consider cancer risks carefully with each glass.
UK regulators give go-ahead for 'embryo editing'
UK regulators give go-ahead for 'embryo editing'
"UK scientists have been given the go-ahead by the fertility regulator to genetically modify human embryos," BBC News reports.
The UK body that regulates research into embryos – the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – has given a licence to Dr Kathy Niakan for her research on stem cells at The Francis Crick Institute in London.
The licence provides permission for genome editing techniques to be used on donated embryos for up to 14 days.
The UK is the first country in the world to make this type of research legal. It remains illegal to implant modified embryos in women.
Health News from NHS Choices
"UK scientists have been given the go-ahead by the fertility regulator to genetically modify human embryos," BBC News reports.
The UK body that regulates research into embryos – the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) – has given a licence to Dr Kathy Niakan for her research on stem cells at The Francis Crick Institute in London.
The licence provides permission for genome editing techniques to be used on donated embryos for up to 14 days.
The UK is the first country in the world to make this type of research legal. It remains illegal to implant modified embryos in women.
Health News from NHS Choices
Official Statistics: Local tobacco control profiles for England: February 2016 data update
Official Statistics: Local tobacco control profiles for England: February 2016 data update
The Local Tobacco Control Profiles data update for February 2016 has been published by Public Health England (PHE).
The data are presented in an interactive tool that allows users to view them in a user-friendly format. The profiles provide a snapshot of the extent of tobacco use, tobacco related harm, and measures being taken to reduce this harm at a local level. These profiles have been designed to help local government and health services to assess the effect of tobacco use on their local populations.
View the Local Tobacco Control Profiles.
This update contains:
2 new indicators
more recent data for 5 indicators
View previous Local Tobacco Control Profiles updates.
The Local Tobacco Control Profiles data update for February 2016 has been published by Public Health England (PHE).
The data are presented in an interactive tool that allows users to view them in a user-friendly format. The profiles provide a snapshot of the extent of tobacco use, tobacco related harm, and measures being taken to reduce this harm at a local level. These profiles have been designed to help local government and health services to assess the effect of tobacco use on their local populations.
View the Local Tobacco Control Profiles.
This update contains:
2 new indicators
more recent data for 5 indicators
View previous Local Tobacco Control Profiles updates.
Official Statistics: Health Profiles: February 2016 data update
Official Statistics: Health Profiles: February 2016 data update
The online Health Profiles data has been updated for February 2016.
The online Health Profiles are now being updated quarterly at the same time as the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF). The 4-page PDF Health Profiles reports are still updated annually in the summer, as usual.
The data are presented in an interactive tool that allows users to view them in a user-friendly format. The profiles provide a snapshot overview of health for each local authority in England. These profiles are intended to help local government and health services make plans to improve local people’s health and reduce health inequalities.
This quarterly update contains more recent data for 11 indicators.
The online Health Profiles data has been updated for February 2016.
The online Health Profiles are now being updated quarterly at the same time as the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF). The 4-page PDF Health Profiles reports are still updated annually in the summer, as usual.
The data are presented in an interactive tool that allows users to view them in a user-friendly format. The profiles provide a snapshot overview of health for each local authority in England. These profiles are intended to help local government and health services make plans to improve local people’s health and reduce health inequalities.
This quarterly update contains more recent data for 11 indicators.
The NHS and a social care commission
The NHS and a social care commission
This debate pack was prepared for the backbench business debate on a motion put forward for the establishment of an independent, non-partisan commission on the future of the NHS and social care with the aim of establishing a long-term settlement for health and social care.
NHS Networks
This debate pack was prepared for the backbench business debate on a motion put forward for the establishment of an independent, non-partisan commission on the future of the NHS and social care with the aim of establishing a long-term settlement for health and social care.
NHS Networks
How can frontline expertise and new models of care best contribute to safely reducing avoidable acute admissions? A mixed-methods study of...
How can frontline expertise and new models of care best contribute to safely reducing avoidable acute admissions? A mixed-methods study of...
This study aims to investigate the interplay of service factors that influence decision-making about emergency patient admissions and to understand how the medical assessment process is experienced by patients, carers and medical staff.
This study aims to investigate the interplay of service factors that influence decision-making about emergency patient admissions and to understand how the medical assessment process is experienced by patients, carers and medical staff.
Could ketamine be prescribed to treat depression? Party drug hailed as the 'next big thing in psychiatry'
Could ketamine be prescribed to treat depression? Party drug hailed as the 'next big thing in psychiatry'
A San Francisco-based psychiatrist, and member of the American Psychiatry Association's ketamine task force, claims the body are set to support use of the drug to treat severe depression early this year.
A San Francisco-based psychiatrist, and member of the American Psychiatry Association's ketamine task force, claims the body are set to support use of the drug to treat severe depression early this year.
Daily Mail
CBT plus medication for treatment-resistant depression: the CoBalT RCT long-term follow-up
CBT plus medication for treatment-resistant depression: the CoBalT RCT long-term follow-up
Sarah McDonald considers the findings of the CoBalT RCT long-term follow-up, which finds that CBT plus antidepressants are clinically and cost effective for treatment-resistant depression in primary care. The Mental Elf
Sarah McDonald considers the findings of the CoBalT RCT long-term follow-up, which finds that CBT plus antidepressants are clinically and cost effective for treatment-resistant depression in primary care. The Mental Elf
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