Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Women in public life, the professions and the boardroom
Women in public life, the professions and the boardroom How are women represented in public life, the professions and the boardroom? This briefing sets out key trends and statistics, covering politics, public appointments, civil servants the judiciary, the NHS, education and leading private sector vocations. House of Commons Library
Government fights ruling to extend disability benefits for mental health sufferers
Government fights ruling to extend disability benefits for mental health sufferers Campaigners and backbenchers have criticised the government over its plans to go against a legal ruling to extend disability benefits to people suffering from severe mental health issues.
A legal tribunal had called for disability benefits to be given to people suffering with "overwhelming physical distress" from issues such as depression and anxiety.
It ruled claimants with psychological problems who cannot travel without help must be treated like those who are blind and receive Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).
Disabilities Minister Penny Mordaunt has said she will take action to ensure PIPs go only to the most needy. ITV News
A legal tribunal had called for disability benefits to be given to people suffering with "overwhelming physical distress" from issues such as depression and anxiety.
It ruled claimants with psychological problems who cannot travel without help must be treated like those who are blind and receive Personal Independence Payments (PIPs).
Disabilities Minister Penny Mordaunt has said she will take action to ensure PIPs go only to the most needy. ITV News
Prosecutions 'rare' for abuse by home carers
Prosecutions 'rare' for abuse by home carers More than 23,000 allegations of abuse have been made against carers working in people's homes across the UK.
The data comes from a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC Radio 4 programme File on 4.
The United Kingdom Homecare Association, which represents 2,000 care companies, described the findings as "horrifying" and blamed cuts to local government budgets.
The Department of Health said it had given councils up to £7.6bn of funding. BBC News
The data comes from a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC Radio 4 programme File on 4.
The United Kingdom Homecare Association, which represents 2,000 care companies, described the findings as "horrifying" and blamed cuts to local government budgets.
The Department of Health said it had given councils up to £7.6bn of funding. BBC News
New drugs 'urgently needed' to fight 12 supergerms, says WHO
New drugs 'urgently needed' to fight 12 supergerms, says WHO New antibiotics need to be developed urgently to combat 12 families of bacteria, the World Health Organisation has said, describing these “priority pathogens” as the greatest threats to human health.
The United National health agency said many of these bacteria have already evolved into deadly superbugs that are resistant to many antibiotics. The Independent
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The United National health agency said many of these bacteria have already evolved into deadly superbugs that are resistant to many antibiotics. The Independent
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Hospitals could join prisons in cycle of 'crisis, cash, repeat', says report
Hospitals could join prisons in cycle of 'crisis, cash, repeat', says report Better financial planning and reforms needed to avoid ‘disastrous combination of failing public services and breached spending controls’
Hospitals could join prisons and social care in a cycle of “crisis, cash, repeat” unless they receive better financial planning and reforms, a Whitehall report has warned.
Without improvements, public services are doomed to fail or breach spending controls, the report by the Institute for Government and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) said. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Hospitals could join prisons and social care in a cycle of “crisis, cash, repeat” unless they receive better financial planning and reforms, a Whitehall report has warned.
Without improvements, public services are doomed to fail or breach spending controls, the report by the Institute for Government and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) said. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- New report reveals pressure on public services Institute for Government
NHS faces new £1bn annual bill after 'reckless' change to injury payouts
NHS faces new £1bn annual bill after 'reckless' change to injury payouts Angry insurers rail against ‘crazy change’ to personal injury formula that will hike car premiums by £75 for millions with British military and small firms hit
A “reckless” government-ordered change to the way personal injury awards are calculated will add as much as £75 to already fast-rising average car insurance premiums, and land the NHS with an annual £1bn bill, the insurance industry has warned.
The lord chancellor, Liz Truss, has announced a change to the so-called “Ogden” discount rate – which is used to calculate compensation awards for serious personal injuries – to ensure inflation does not erode the future value of a payout. Continue reading... The Guardian
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A “reckless” government-ordered change to the way personal injury awards are calculated will add as much as £75 to already fast-rising average car insurance premiums, and land the NHS with an annual £1bn bill, the insurance industry has warned.
The lord chancellor, Liz Truss, has announced a change to the so-called “Ogden” discount rate – which is used to calculate compensation awards for serious personal injuries – to ensure inflation does not erode the future value of a payout. Continue reading... The Guardian
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NHS data loss: 173 instances of likely patient harm identified
NHS data loss: 173 instances of likely patient harm identified Department of Health reviews impact of failure to deliver 500,000 pieces of medical correspondence between 2011 and 2016
The NHS has identified 173 instances of likely patient harm arising from the loss of half a million pieces of confidential medical correspondence such as test results and treatment plans. Continue reading... The Guardian
The NHS has identified 173 instances of likely patient harm arising from the loss of half a million pieces of confidential medical correspondence such as test results and treatment plans. Continue reading... The Guardian
Crackdown on tax dodges of locum NHS staff
Crackdown on tax dodges of locum NHS staff Up to 90 per cent of temporary staff are thought to be using the ruse. They would only pay corporation tax of 21 per cent, rather 45 per cent. Locum rates are up to £160 an hour. The Daily Mail
FGM should not be prosecuted, police force says as it claims best course of action is to 'educate parents'
FGM should not be prosecuted, police force says as it claims best course of action is to 'educate parents' Parents caught practising female genital mutilation on their children should not be prosecuted, a police force has claimed as it says the best course of action is to “educate parents”.
The claims, made by West Midlands Police on social media yesterday, have provoked criticism from MPs and child welfare activists, who said the force’s reluctance to seek prosecution was “deeply disturbing”.
The feud comes after a spokesman for the force claimed that it was against “prosecuting/jailing” parents who had carried out FGM on the grounds that it would be “unlikely to benefit” children who fall victim to the crime. The Daily Telegraph
The claims, made by West Midlands Police on social media yesterday, have provoked criticism from MPs and child welfare activists, who said the force’s reluctance to seek prosecution was “deeply disturbing”.
The feud comes after a spokesman for the force claimed that it was against “prosecuting/jailing” parents who had carried out FGM on the grounds that it would be “unlikely to benefit” children who fall victim to the crime. The Daily Telegraph
NHS doctors banned from charging 'rip-off' locum rates for extra shifts
NHS doctors banned from charging 'rip-off' locum rates for extra shifts NHS doctors have been banned from earning lucrative agency rateswhile moonlighting at other hospitals after it emerged five medics were paid more than £2 million a year between them.
The health service watchdog, NHS Improvement, last night also revealed that around 100 agency staff are earning more than £200,000 a year for covering staff shortages, while more than 500 doctors take home in excess of £150,000 a year. The Daily Telegraph
The health service watchdog, NHS Improvement, last night also revealed that around 100 agency staff are earning more than £200,000 a year for covering staff shortages, while more than 500 doctors take home in excess of £150,000 a year. The Daily Telegraph
Monday, 27 February 2017
United effort required to tackle huge challenges facing the NHS
United effort required to tackle huge challenges facing the NHS The Public Accounts Committee report says that the NHS is facing huge challenges and a united effort is required to resolve these for the long term.
Its report, the latest in a series from the cross-party Committee examining the growing pressure on health finances, sets out new and urgent recommendations to government.
The Committee criticises "bickering in public" between key figures responsible for the health service at a time when the financial performance of NHS bodies has worsened considerably—a trend which is not sustainable.
It calls on the Department of Health, NHS England and No. 10 to work together "in the best interests of patients".
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Its report, the latest in a series from the cross-party Committee examining the growing pressure on health finances, sets out new and urgent recommendations to government.
The Committee criticises "bickering in public" between key figures responsible for the health service at a time when the financial performance of NHS bodies has worsened considerably—a trend which is not sustainable.
It calls on the Department of Health, NHS England and No. 10 to work together "in the best interests of patients".
See also:
- Financial sustainability in the NHS Public Accounts Committee
- MPs criticise Theresa May and NHS over 'bickering' BBC News
- Patients suffer as NHS chiefs bicker say MPs The Daily Mail
- Bickering between Theresa May and NHS chiefs is 'an insult to taxpayers' The Daily Telegraph
- NHS financial crisis blocking plans to move care out of hospital, warn MPs GP Online
- Government ‘must act to avoid catastrophic failure’ in NHS The Independent
Health and social care integration (England)
Health and social care integration (England) This briefing paper analyses recent policy and debate on the integration of NHS-provided healthcare and local authority-provided social care. As health and social care are both devolved policy areas, this briefing focuses on integration in England. House of Commons Library
NHS 'tobacco free' campaign launched by Public Health England
NHS 'tobacco free' campaign launched by Public Health England A "truly tobacco-free NHS" needs to be created to help smoker patients quit their habit, health officials say.
Only one in 10 hospitals enforces a smoking ban outside health service buildings, and Public Health England (PHE) wants all hospitals to offer help to quit as part of patients' treatment.
More than a million smokers are admitted to NHS hospitals every year.
PHE chief executive Duncan Selbie said it was not about "forcing people" to quit, but was about "helping people". BBC News
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Only one in 10 hospitals enforces a smoking ban outside health service buildings, and Public Health England (PHE) wants all hospitals to offer help to quit as part of patients' treatment.
More than a million smokers are admitted to NHS hospitals every year.
PHE chief executive Duncan Selbie said it was not about "forcing people" to quit, but was about "helping people". BBC News
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- Call for smoking to be BANNED outside NHS hospitals The Daily Mail
Maps reveal schizophrenia 'hotspots' in England
Maps reveal schizophrenia 'hotspots' in England Maps have revealed "hotspots" of schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses in England, based on the amount of medication prescribed by GPs.
The analysis by the University of East London showed North Kesteven, in Lincolnshire, had the highest rates.
The lowest rate of schizophrenia prescriptions was in East Dorset.
However, explaining the pattern across England is complicated and the research team says the maps pose a lot of questions.
They were developed using anonymous prescription records that are collected from doctors' surgeries in England. BBC News
The analysis by the University of East London showed North Kesteven, in Lincolnshire, had the highest rates.
The lowest rate of schizophrenia prescriptions was in East Dorset.
However, explaining the pattern across England is complicated and the research team says the maps pose a lot of questions.
They were developed using anonymous prescription records that are collected from doctors' surgeries in England. BBC News
Children in UK mental health hospitals 'not improving', parents say
Children in UK mental health hospitals 'not improving', parents say More than half of parents with children in mental health hospitals do not feel their condition has improved as a result of treatment, while nearly a quarter say it has actually deteriorated, according to a survey.
The research was based on responses from 448 parents whose children have been in mental health hospitals in England over the last five years.
The study, carried out by the children’s mental health charity YoungMinds and the National Autistic Society, found that 54% of parents said they had seen no improvement, while 24% said their offspring’s mental health had got worse. The Guardian
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The research was based on responses from 448 parents whose children have been in mental health hospitals in England over the last five years.
The study, carried out by the children’s mental health charity YoungMinds and the National Autistic Society, found that 54% of parents said they had seen no improvement, while 24% said their offspring’s mental health had got worse. The Guardian
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- Mental health hospitals failing parents YoungMinds
NHS accused of covering up huge data loss that put thousands at risk
NHS accused of covering up huge data loss that put thousands at risk Exclusive: More than 500,000 pieces of patient data between GPs and hospitals went undelivered between 2011 and 2016
Thousands of patients are feared to have been harmed after the NHS lost more than half a million pieces of confidential medical correspondence, including test results and treatment plans.
In one of the biggest losses of sensitive clinical information in the NHS’s 69-year history, more than 500,000 pieces of patient data sent between GPs and hospitals went undelivered over the five years from 2011 to 2016. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Thousands of patients are feared to have been harmed after the NHS lost more than half a million pieces of confidential medical correspondence, including test results and treatment plans.
In one of the biggest losses of sensitive clinical information in the NHS’s 69-year history, more than 500,000 pieces of patient data sent between GPs and hospitals went undelivered over the five years from 2011 to 2016. Continue reading... The Guardian
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Test all pregnant women for smoking, say NHS chiefs
Test all pregnant women for smoking, say NHS chiefs The plan, which is supported by the Royal College of Midwives, is part of a wider drive to discourage cigarettes at hospitals
England’s public health chief is urging hospitals to give every pregnant woman a carbon monoxide test to see if they smoke, as part of an NHS-wide drive to persuade patients to kick the habit.
Duncan Selbie wants midwives and nurses to routinely screen mothers-to-be when their pregnancy is first “booked”, monitor them at all their antenatal appointments and support those who want to quit. Continue reading... The Guardian
England’s public health chief is urging hospitals to give every pregnant woman a carbon monoxide test to see if they smoke, as part of an NHS-wide drive to persuade patients to kick the habit.
Duncan Selbie wants midwives and nurses to routinely screen mothers-to-be when their pregnancy is first “booked”, monitor them at all their antenatal appointments and support those who want to quit. Continue reading... The Guardian
Row over GP who sent away dying girl for being late
Row over GP who sent away dying girl for being late Ellie-May Clark died of an asthma attack hours after Dr Joanne Rowe turned her away claiming she was late for her emergency appointment at The Grange Clinic in Newport, South Wales. The Daily Mail
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Thousands of children and teenagers with anorexia forced to wait months for help
Thousands of children and teenagers with anorexia forced to wait months for help Thousands of children and teenagers with anorexia are being forced to wait months for help, amid a growing crisis in services to treat eating disorders.
An investigation by The Telegraph reveals a dramatic fall in provision of hospital appointments for the condition, forcing patients to wait longer, with some in need of inpatient care travelling hundreds of miles.
The NHS data shows that in just two years, there has been a 36 per cent reduction in the number of hospital appointments for eating disorders across the country. The Daily Telegraph
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An investigation by The Telegraph reveals a dramatic fall in provision of hospital appointments for the condition, forcing patients to wait longer, with some in need of inpatient care travelling hundreds of miles.
The NHS data shows that in just two years, there has been a 36 per cent reduction in the number of hospital appointments for eating disorders across the country. The Daily Telegraph
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- GPs are trained in all aspects of mental health, including eating disorders, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
- Three in ten people with eating disorders let down by GPs The Daily Mail
- GPs are telling young girls with anorexia to come back when they are thinner, report warns The Daily Telegraph
- Three out of 10 eating disorder sufferers not being referred for necessary treatment The Independent
GPs say patients take offence when told they need to lose weight
GPs say patients take offence when told they need to lose weight GPs are offending overweight patients by warning them they need to go on a diet, a poll suggests.
The survey found one in three had seen patients take offence when they had raised the issue of their weight.
Current NHS advice says family doctors should offer all obese patients free places on courses run by WeightWatchers and Slimming World. And last year a study by Oxford University found just a 30 second intervention was enough to make a difference. The Daily Telegraph
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The survey found one in three had seen patients take offence when they had raised the issue of their weight.
Current NHS advice says family doctors should offer all obese patients free places on courses run by WeightWatchers and Slimming World. And last year a study by Oxford University found just a 30 second intervention was enough to make a difference. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- One in three GPs have offended patients by talking about their weight Pulse
- GPs doing a good job at having difficult conversations about weight management with patients, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
- Patients offended when told they need to lose weight The Daily Mail
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