Friday, 31 August 2018
Diversity should be a strategic priority
Diversity should be a strategic priority Maya Angelou, the acclaimed US poet and activist said, ‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.’ Yet in my experience, discussions on diversity in health and care can often polarise people. The King's Fund
NHS could free up £480m by limiting use of temporary staffing agencies
NHS could free up £480m by limiting use of temporary staffing agencies The NHS could free up £480m to reinvest into NHS services and improve patient care if trusts filled temporary vacancies with workers from a ‘staff bank’ instead of using expensive staffing agencies.
Temporary staff, such as doctors and nurses supplied by agencies, cost on average 20% more than those from the NHS’s own ‘staff banks’ despite doing the exact same job.
Bank staff tend to come from internal pools of workers who are already employees of the NHS trust and have agreed to work flexible shifts.
As bank staff generally work within the trust, their use increases the likelihood of a patient being treated by the same healthcare professional throughout their care. NHS Improvement
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Temporary staff, such as doctors and nurses supplied by agencies, cost on average 20% more than those from the NHS’s own ‘staff banks’ despite doing the exact same job.
Bank staff tend to come from internal pools of workers who are already employees of the NHS trust and have agreed to work flexible shifts.
As bank staff generally work within the trust, their use increases the likelihood of a patient being treated by the same healthcare professional throughout their care. NHS Improvement
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The good childhood report 2018
The good childhood report 2018 This report examines the state of children’s well-being in the UK. It finds that one in six (16 per cent) of more than 11,000 children aged 14 surveyed reported self-harming. It looks at the reasons behind the unhappiness which increases the risk of children self-harming. The report urges the Government to make sure that every child can talk to a counsellor in their school. The Children's Society
The Brexit White Paper on future relations and alternative proposals
The Brexit White Paper on future relations and alternative proposals This briefing paper looks at some of the proposals in the White Paper, their reception in the UK and EU, and any corresponding provisions in the DExEU ‘alternative white paper’. It discusses medicine and access to health care. House of Commons Library
Numbers of elderly in 24-hour care set to double by 2035
Numbers of elderly in 24-hour care set to double by 2035 The number of people aged 85 and over needing 24-hour care is set to double, says a new study, as an expert warns the care system is "at breaking point".
The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, analysed the projected health needs of the elderly in England between 2015 and 2035.
It found that the number of 65-year-olds and over needing round-the-clock care is also set to rise by a third.
The government says adult social care reforms will be set out in the autumn. BBC News
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The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, analysed the projected health needs of the elderly in England between 2015 and 2035.
It found that the number of 65-year-olds and over needing round-the-clock care is also set to rise by a third.
The government says adult social care reforms will be set out in the autumn. BBC News
See also:
- Forecasting the care needs of the older population in England over the next 20 years: estimates from the Population Ageing and Care Simulation (PACSim) modelling study Lancet Public Health
- Modelling the growing need for social care in older people (comment) Lancet Public Health
- Carers not 'glorified bottom wipers' BBC News
- Britain faces a deepening care crisis for the elderly The Daily Mail
- Number of over-65s needing 24-hour care 'to rise by third over next 20 years' The Daily Telegraph
- Social care needs for over-85s predicted to double in next 20 years The Guardian
- Social care crisis: Over-85s needing 24 hour care set to double by 2035, major study shows The Independent
High suicide risk for 'men in construction'
High suicide risk for 'men in construction' The suicide rate among low-skilled male labourers is three times higher than the national average for men, according to figures by the ONS. BBC News
Dentists say fines deterring poor patients
Dentists say fines deterring poor patients The British Dental Association says a "huge fall" in people on low incomes going to the dentist in England is because they fear being wrongly fined when they claim for free treatment.
The most recent annual figures show almost 370,000 fines for people accused of "misclaiming" for free dental care.
But dentists say many of these are innocent confusions over paperwork and that many are overturned when challenged.
The NHS says that anyone entitled to free care should be able to access it. BBC News
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The most recent annual figures show almost 370,000 fines for people accused of "misclaiming" for free dental care.
But dentists say many of these are innocent confusions over paperwork and that many are overturned when challenged.
The NHS says that anyone entitled to free care should be able to access it. BBC News
See also:
- Low income patients turn away as ministers say 'don't run the risk' British Dental Association
'Life changing' asthma treatment that burns away muscle in airways could help 200,000 at risk of suffocating attacks
'Life changing' asthma treatment that burns away muscle in airways could help 200,000 at risk of suffocating attacks A specialist asthma treatment is to become widely available on the NHS in a move that will bring relief to patients suffering frequent "terrifying" attacks.
In changes proposed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which recommends what treatments are funded on the NHS, patients with asthma that cannot be controlled with inhaler medication will receive bronchial thermoplasty.
Nice have said the procedure is safe and can reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. The Independent
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In changes proposed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which recommends what treatments are funded on the NHS, patients with asthma that cannot be controlled with inhaler medication will receive bronchial thermoplasty.
Nice have said the procedure is safe and can reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. The Independent
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Women should have the same midwife throughout pregnancy – here's why
Women should have the same midwife throughout pregnancy – here's why Healthcare in the UK has been a political football for decades. Despite the constant mantra that the NHS is the “envy of the world”, everyone knows there are problems. In my clinical area – maternity care – the Morecambe Bay scandal, where midwifery was found to be seriously sub-standard, and the fact that the UK has persistently high rates of pre-term birth, reveal that all is not well. The Independent
NHS bosses urge hospitals to send patients to private firms
NHS bosses urge hospitals to send patients to private firms Warning that announcement from NHS England will waste scarce funding and prompt private providers to increase prices
NHS bosses have urged hospitals to send patients to be treated by private healthcare firms in a bid to reduce the increasing number of patients waiting for planned operations.
The move has sparked claims that it will waste scarce NHS funding and that profit-driven operators will use the service’s desperation to cut waiting lists to charge higher prices.
Between 2010-11 and 2016-17, health spending increased by an average of 1.2% above inflation and increases are due to continue in real terms at a similar rate until the end of this parliament. This is far below the annual inflation-proof growth rate that the NHS enjoyed before 2010 of almost 4% stretching back to the 1950s. As budgets tighten, NHS organisations have been struggling to live within their means. In the financial year 2015-16, acute trusts recorded a deficit of £2.6bn. This was reduced to £800m last year, though only after a £1.8bn bung from the Department of Health, which shows the deficit remained the same year on year. Continue reading... The Guardian
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NHS bosses have urged hospitals to send patients to be treated by private healthcare firms in a bid to reduce the increasing number of patients waiting for planned operations.
The move has sparked claims that it will waste scarce NHS funding and that profit-driven operators will use the service’s desperation to cut waiting lists to charge higher prices.
Between 2010-11 and 2016-17, health spending increased by an average of 1.2% above inflation and increases are due to continue in real terms at a similar rate until the end of this parliament. This is far below the annual inflation-proof growth rate that the NHS enjoyed before 2010 of almost 4% stretching back to the 1950s. As budgets tighten, NHS organisations have been struggling to live within their means. In the financial year 2015-16, acute trusts recorded a deficit of £2.6bn. This was reduced to £800m last year, though only after a £1.8bn bung from the Department of Health, which shows the deficit remained the same year on year. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- NHS bosses launch urgent drive to address 'significant under delivery of elective activity' Health Service Journal
Why modern medicine is a major threat to public health
Why modern medicine is a major threat to public health | Aseem Malhotra Most patients will derive no health improvement from medication. We should tackle the root causes of disease instead
When former airline pilot Tony Royle came to see me last year to seek reassurance that it was OK to participate in an Ironman event, having stopped all his medications 18 months after suffering a heart attack, I was initially a little alarmed.
But after talking to him, I realised he had made an informed decision to stop the medication after suffering side effects, and instead had opted for a diet and lifestyle approach to manage his heart disease. Continue reading... The Guardian
When former airline pilot Tony Royle came to see me last year to seek reassurance that it was OK to participate in an Ironman event, having stopped all his medications 18 months after suffering a heart attack, I was initially a little alarmed.
But after talking to him, I realised he had made an informed decision to stop the medication after suffering side effects, and instead had opted for a diet and lifestyle approach to manage his heart disease. Continue reading... The Guardian
Scandal-hit NHS Trust faces calls for wider investigation into deaths on maternity unit
Scandal-hit NHS Trust faces calls for wider investigation into deaths on maternity unit A scandal-hit trust is facing calls for a wider probe into dozens of deaths at a hospital's maternity unit, it was reported last night.
The Government is already investigating Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust after former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ordered an independent inquiry in 2017 into seven deaths at the unit.
A failure to properly monitor the baby's heart rate was a contributory factor in five of the deaths
The announcement prompted a further 16 cases to come forward, and Senior midwife Donna Ockenden was appointed to review all 23 cases of alleged poor care last year. The Daily Telegraph
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The Government is already investigating Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust after former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ordered an independent inquiry in 2017 into seven deaths at the unit.
A failure to properly monitor the baby's heart rate was a contributory factor in five of the deaths
The announcement prompted a further 16 cases to come forward, and Senior midwife Donna Ockenden was appointed to review all 23 cases of alleged poor care last year. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Dozens more maternity failings exposed at scandal hit trust Health Service Journal
Disease X: China ignores UK request to share samples of flu virus with pandemic potential
Disease X: China ignores UK request to share samples of flu virus with pandemic potential Requests by UK experts to Chinese authorities for samples of the latest strain of a dangerous and evolving avian influenza virus, known as H7N9 have so far been ignored, the Telegraph has learned.
The news comes on the back of revelations earlier this week by the United States’ government that China has, for over a year, refused its requests to share lab samples of the same strain of avian influenza virus.
To date there have been 1,625 cases of H7N9 – a virus which usually circulates in poultry – in humans including a spike in cases in 2017, which prompted US researchers to request samples of the virus from Chinese authorities. The Daily Telegraph
The news comes on the back of revelations earlier this week by the United States’ government that China has, for over a year, refused its requests to share lab samples of the same strain of avian influenza virus.
To date there have been 1,625 cases of H7N9 – a virus which usually circulates in poultry – in humans including a spike in cases in 2017, which prompted US researchers to request samples of the virus from Chinese authorities. The Daily Telegraph
Doctors who run GP surgeries earn £111,500 a year but patient satisfaction is at an all-time low
Doctors who run GP surgeries earn £111,500 a year but patient satisfaction is at an all-time low NHS figures have revealed the average salary for all GPs in the health service is now £92,500, but experts say difficulty recruiting new doctors means staff are having to work longer hours. The Daily Mail
Meningitis risk for millions as more than half of Britons don't know which jabs they have had
Meningitis risk for millions as more than half of Britons don't know which jabs they have had Research by British charity the Meningitis Research Foundation surveyed 2,000 people and discovered nearly one in ten think they've never had a vaccination or cannot remember having one. The Daily Mail
Thursday, 30 August 2018
Government proposes energy drinks ban for children
Government proposes energy drinks ban for children The sale of energy drinks could be banned in England to anybody under 18, amid fears they are damaging children's health, the prime minister has said. The government has launched a public consultation on its plans to make it illegal to sell the drinks to children. Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and caffeine and have been linked to obesity and other health issues.
The government is asking for views on what age the ban should apply to, but gave under 16 and under 18 as options. BBC News
The government is asking for views on what age the ban should apply to, but gave under 16 and under 18 as options. BBC News
NHS campaign aims to encourage patients to check free prescription eligibility - The Pharmaceutical Journal
NHS campaign aims to encourage patients to check free prescription eligibility A nationwide campaign to help crack down on patients claiming free prescriptions when they are not eligible is to be launched on 10 September 2018.
‘Check before you tick’ is being run jointly by NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to encourage patients to check their eligibility, using a new online eligibility checker, before ticking the free prescriptions box. It will also highlight the possible consequences of making an incorrect claim. Pharmaceutical Journal
‘Check before you tick’ is being run jointly by NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to encourage patients to check their eligibility, using a new online eligibility checker, before ticking the free prescriptions box. It will also highlight the possible consequences of making an incorrect claim. Pharmaceutical Journal
Millions miss out on vital diabetes health checks
Millions miss out on vital diabetes health checks Fewer than half of the population in England who should be receiving the preventative NHS Health Check have had one, according to a new analysis by Diabetes UK. The charity has analysed NHS Health Check data and found that less than half of over 40-year-olds eligible for an NHS Health Check in the last five years have actually received one.
Launched in England in 2009, the programme offers a five-yearly check-up to everyone aged 40 to 74 with the aim of spotting early signs of type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and dementia. OnMedica
Launched in England in 2009, the programme offers a five-yearly check-up to everyone aged 40 to 74 with the aim of spotting early signs of type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and dementia. OnMedica
How to start mental health conversations with your employees - People Management Magazine
How to start mental health conversations with your employees With one in six people experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week, creating an open and supportive work culture has never been more important. Starting a conversation on mental health may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.
From regularly checking in with your team to encouraging them to open up, you can support them in a few, simple steps ... People Management
From regularly checking in with your team to encouraging them to open up, you can support them in a few, simple steps ... People Management
Children forced to travel hundreds of miles for NHS mental health treatment
Children forced to travel hundreds of miles for NHS mental health treatment NHS England figures reveal some under-18s sent as far as 285 miles for inpatient services. Children and young people with serious mental health problems are receiving treatment as far as 285 miles away from their homes, despite a pledge to end such practice, because bed shortages in some areas are so severe.
Experts say sending highly troubled under-18s to units far from their family and friends can be frightening for them, reduces their chances of recovery and increases their risk of self-harm. Guardian
Experts say sending highly troubled under-18s to units far from their family and friends can be frightening for them, reduces their chances of recovery and increases their risk of self-harm. Guardian
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