NHS ‘better equipped’ to deal with winter crisis after funding boost The NHS in England has said it is “better equipped” to deal with the surge in demand for health services during winter thanks to a “£420m boost”. Part of the extra money has gone towards upgrading emergency departments – expanding space, creating new treatment areas and adding bed capacity at 80 hospitals across the country. Most of the improvements were put in place before Christmas, officials said. NHS England said the funding is making it easier to transfer patients from A&E to different wards and speed up their test results, helping to better manage the number of patient beds in use. Health officials said they expect the benefit from the schemes will be the equivalent of an additional 900 beds this winter. iNews
Thursday, 3 January 2019
Falling immigration could destroy the NHS
Falling immigration could destroy the NHS Workforce gaps currently pose a major threat to the viability of our health services, as noted in a joint 2018 report by the King’s Fund, Nuffield Trust, and Health Foundation. One in 11 NHS clinical posts is currently unfilled, rising to one in eight nursing posts. The report estimates that, without concerted action, the current shortage of NHS staff employed by trusts in England—already around 100 000—will grow to an estimated 250 000 by 2030. The BMJ
Radiotherapy should be given at different times of day to reduce side effects, Leicester Uni study suggests
Radiotherapy should be given at different times of day to reduce side effects, Leicester Uni study suggests Radiotherapy should be given at different times of day to reduce terrible side effects according to a new study from Leicester University.
A breakthrough study by genetic scientists at the University of Leicester shows that radiotherapy toxicity - the side effects from radiotherapy - can be reduced by scheduling treatment according to the body’s circadian rhythm. They found that 24 percent of patients treated in the morning had bright red skin after radiotherapy compared to 11 percent of those treated in the afternoon. Telegraph
A breakthrough study by genetic scientists at the University of Leicester shows that radiotherapy toxicity - the side effects from radiotherapy - can be reduced by scheduling treatment according to the body’s circadian rhythm. They found that 24 percent of patients treated in the morning had bright red skin after radiotherapy compared to 11 percent of those treated in the afternoon. Telegraph
2019: handling the uncertainty
2019: handling the uncertainty An NHS long-term plan, a social care Green Paper, a prevention Green Paper. And somewhere woven in amongst all that, Brexit. Or possibly not Brexit, depending on how the politics plays out. At the same time staff in the newly aligned NHS England and NHS Improvement will be settling into post, not least in the newly restructured regions – this alignment ends well over a decade of separation, remembering that Monitor existed long before the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Of course, on a bigger scale, the whole NHS is moving from competition to co-operation despite the legislative framework. Meanwhile across the country we expect sustainability and transformation partnerships to continue the journey towards integrated care systems with an added dose of primary care networks on top. King's Fund
Government promises to improve maternity care
Government promises to improve maternity care Mothers and new babies will be offered better support as part of plans designed to make the NHS one of the best places in the world to give birth. The measures will improve safety, quality and continuity of care to halve stillbirths, maternal and infant deaths and serious brain injuries in new-born babies by 2025.
At the heart of these plans is a major redesign of neonatal services, led by an expansion in staff numbers – with more expert neonatal nurses and specialists, and new roles for allied health professionals. Gov.uk
At the heart of these plans is a major redesign of neonatal services, led by an expansion in staff numbers – with more expert neonatal nurses and specialists, and new roles for allied health professionals. Gov.uk
NHS England wants to see new year boost to numbers getting health check
NHS England wants to see new year boost to numbers getting health check Making a New Year’s resolution to take up a free NHS health check could stop people developing dementia as well as catching physical conditions, a top doctor said today. The national health check – a 20-minute, pain-free assessment carried out by a GP or nurse and involving tests on blood pressure, weight and height – is free to everyone aged 40 years old and above.
Symptoms like high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat increase the risk of having a stroke or suffering a heart attack and can be spotted as part of the routine health check. The national health check programme also picks up conditions such as kidney disease and type 2 diabetes and, since June, has included advice about preventing dementia. However, recent figures show that of the 15 million people eligible for a free NHS health check over the last five years, fewer than 50% took one. NHS England
Symptoms like high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat increase the risk of having a stroke or suffering a heart attack and can be spotted as part of the routine health check. The national health check programme also picks up conditions such as kidney disease and type 2 diabetes and, since June, has included advice about preventing dementia. However, recent figures show that of the 15 million people eligible for a free NHS health check over the last five years, fewer than 50% took one. NHS England
EU exit operational readiness guidance: actions the health and care system in England should take to prepare for a 'no deal' scenario
EU exit operational readiness guidance: actions the health and care system in England should take to prepare for a 'no deal' scenario Department of Health and Social Care - This guidance, developed and agreed with NHS England and NHS Improvement, will support the health and care system in England to be prepared for a no-deal scenario. It summarises the areas where the department is focusing no-deal exit contingency planning, and where local action is required. Further operational guidance will be provided to support the health and care system to prepare for the UK leaving the EU before 29 March 2019. King's Fund
Guidance
Department of Health and Social Care - publications
Guidance
Department of Health and Social Care - publications
Wednesday, 2 January 2019
Corby man’s charity perm raises funds for KGH
Corby man’s charity perm raises funds for KGH A Corby man took fundraising and his hair to new lengths by getting a perm for charity. Father-of-two Steve Gibson, a warehouse operative at Tata Steel in the town, decided to have the hairstyle as a fun way of raising money for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Kettering General Hospital. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Training hub for front line ambulance crews opens in Northampton
Training hub for front line ambulance crews opens in Northampton
A new hub for training emergency first aid crews has launched at a Northampton ambulance station.
Previously, the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) had one regional training centre in Nottingham where new recruits from across the county were trained.
But now, a new hub for training crews in Northamptonshire has opened at the Northampton North Ambulance Station, off Kettering Road, in a modular building by Portakabin. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
A new hub for training emergency first aid crews has launched at a Northampton ambulance station.
Previously, the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) had one regional training centre in Nottingham where new recruits from across the county were trained.
But now, a new hub for training crews in Northamptonshire has opened at the Northampton North Ambulance Station, off Kettering Road, in a modular building by Portakabin. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
All aboard! Volunteers needed at NGH to take little patients to theatre on a new train buggy
All aboard! Volunteers needed at NGH to take little patients to theatre on a new train buggy
Poorly young patients at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) are in need of hard-working volunteers to steer them to the operating theatre on a new train.
The green and yellow train, complete with a working bell, was unveiled at NGH last week and will transport younger patients around the hospital. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Poorly young patients at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) are in need of hard-working volunteers to steer them to the operating theatre on a new train.
The green and yellow train, complete with a working bell, was unveiled at NGH last week and will transport younger patients around the hospital. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northamptonshire in laughing gas ‘epidemic’ says charity
Northamptonshire in laughing gas ‘epidemic’ says charity Potentially-lethal laughing gas is still being widely used by young people in Northamptonshire two years on from a law banning its sale for psychoactive purposes, a drugs charity has said. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northamptonshire County Council: Former leader resigns
Northamptonshire County Council: Former leader resigns A former leader of what was dubbed the country's "worst-run council" has resigned as a councillor.
Heather Smith quit as Northamptonshire County Council leader in March after a report recommended it be scrapped after it ran out of money.
In a resignation letter for Oundle, Ms Smith said it was time to put "horrendous events of 2018" behind her and to "move on".
It means a by-election for an authority which is due to be axed in 2020. BBC News
Heather Smith quit as Northamptonshire County Council leader in March after a report recommended it be scrapped after it ran out of money.
In a resignation letter for Oundle, Ms Smith said it was time to put "horrendous events of 2018" behind her and to "move on".
It means a by-election for an authority which is due to be axed in 2020. BBC News
NHS trusts are spending millions to replace crutches
NHS trusts are spending millions to replace crutches Official figures show more than £14million was spent on nearly 560,000 walking aids since January 2014 by 66 trusts in England. Of those trusts with relevant data, 67,491 aids were returned by patients. Mail Online
NHS staff in New Year honours
NHS staff in New Year honours Dozens of NHS staff have been recognised in the 2019 New Year honours list, including 15 nurses, numerous doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and other health professionals, and those who led the response to terror attacks and major incidents. NHS Networks
The challenges facing the NHS in 2019 - BBC News
The challenges facing the NHS in 2019 - BBC News When the NHS is preoccupied with immediate pressures, like the surge in numbers of sick patients that winter brings, it's hard to imagine how there can be time for senior managers to think beyond the next month, never mind five years or more. But they are having to.
The long-term plan for the NHS in England - due out by the end of 2018 but delayed because of the government's preoccupation with Brexit - should now be published in January.
And it could set the tone for the NHS in England for the next decade. BBC News
The long-term plan for the NHS in England - due out by the end of 2018 but delayed because of the government's preoccupation with Brexit - should now be published in January.
And it could set the tone for the NHS in England for the next decade. BBC News
Should the NHS pay for transgender fertility treatment?
Should the NHS pay for transgender fertility treatment? Changing gender can often leave people infertile but, if their eggs or sperm are frozen before treatment, it is possible for them to start their own families.
The BBC has found that about a quarter of all NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in England offer free fertility treatment to transgender patients, while the rest don't. BBC News
The BBC has found that about a quarter of all NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in England offer free fertility treatment to transgender patients, while the rest don't. BBC News
Average child has eaten 18 years of sugar by the age of 10, research finds
Average child has eaten 18 years of sugar by the age of 10, research finds British children have consumed 18 years’ worth of sugar by the time they reach the age of 10, new research shows.
Data from Public Health England shows that the average child consumes the equivalent of around eight excess sugar cubes every day. Telegraph
Data from Public Health England shows that the average child consumes the equivalent of around eight excess sugar cubes every day. Telegraph
See also:
Soaring numbers of patients sent home from hospital at night
Soaring numbers of patients sent home from hospital at night
Vulnerable patients - many elderly - are increasingly being sent home from hospital in the middle of the night, despite repeated pledges to stop the practice.
An investigation reveals the number of patients being discharged between the hours of 11pm and 6am has risen by more than a fifth in five years. Telegraph
Vulnerable patients - many elderly - are increasingly being sent home from hospital in the middle of the night, despite repeated pledges to stop the practice.
An investigation reveals the number of patients being discharged between the hours of 11pm and 6am has risen by more than a fifth in five years. Telegraph
NHS England loses £216m a year to missed GP appointments
NHS England loses £216m a year to missed GP appointments Cost of patients not turning up and not telling surgeries could pay for 2,325 full-time GPs
More than 15m appointments at GP surgeries in England are being wasted each year because of patients failing to turn up and not telling practices in advance, costing the NHS more than £216m. The Guardian
More than 15m appointments at GP surgeries in England are being wasted each year because of patients failing to turn up and not telling practices in advance, costing the NHS more than £216m. The Guardian
See also:
Mental health: target to boost staff numbers by 21,000 set to be missed
Mental health: target to boost staff numbers by 21,000 set to be missed NHS mental health trusts in England employed just 1,524 extra personnel in past year
Ministers are on course to miss their target of increasing the number of mental health staff by 21,000 by 2020, according to NHS workforce figures obtained by Labour.
A year after the government made the pledge, NHS mental health trusts in England had employed just 1,524 extra personnel, according to statistics collected by NHS Digital. The Guardian
Ministers are on course to miss their target of increasing the number of mental health staff by 21,000 by 2020, according to NHS workforce figures obtained by Labour.
A year after the government made the pledge, NHS mental health trusts in England had employed just 1,524 extra personnel, according to statistics collected by NHS Digital. The Guardian
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