Corby best in country for dementia diagnosis

Corby best in country for dementia diagnosis People with dementia in Corby are more likely to receive a diagnosis of the condition than anywhere else in the country. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Fraudsters threaten donations for county’s air ambulance

Fraudsters threaten donations for county’s air ambulance The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) is calling on its supporters to be wary of rogue collectors posing as the charity. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Food poverty 'a health emergency'

Food poverty 'a health emergency' Food poverty in the UK has now become such a big problem that it should be seen as a "public health emergency", a group of health experts says. BBC News

Private sector access to NHS pension

Private sector access to NHS pension The government may extend the NHS pension scheme to private companies or charities who mainly look after health service patients. BBC News

See also:

• Open consultation: Amendments to NHS pension scheme regulations Department of Health

25,000 doctors have their licences renewed in first year of checks

25,000 doctors have their licences renewed in first year of checks In its first year of operation the new system of checks for doctors practising in the UK has seen nearly 25,000 doctors have their licence revalidated. The GMC

Prosecution for illegal records access

Prosecution for illegal records access A former GP surgery manager has been prosecuted and fined for illegally accessing the medical records of nearly 2000 patients, most of whom were women in their 20s and 30s. E-Health Insider

Sperm blocking study brings 'male pill' closer

Sperm blocking study brings 'male pill' closer "Researchers announce discovery of proteins that can be blocked to prevent the launch of sperm cells during ejaculation," The Guardian reports. The paper explains that if drugs can be found that turn off these proteins, a male contraceptive pill could become a reality.

However, the news is based on a study on mice in a laboratory.

What can useful bureaucracy in the NHS achieve?

What can useful bureaucracy in the NHS achieve? Clinical staff think two thirds of the data and information they collect is relevant to patient care.

April to June is busiest time of year for A&E - not winter, reveals report

April to June is busiest time of year for A&E - not winter, reveals report

April to June is consistently the busiest time of year for A&E wards – not winter, according to a new report into accident and emergency services in England. The Independent

See also:

• HSCIC publishes new report to help shed light on A&E activity Health & Social Care Information Centre
• Government response: HSCIC report on A&E Department of Health
• A&E: The straw that broke the camel's back BBC News
• Changing picture of A&E activity revealed in new report OnMedica
• A&E visits rise steeply during coalition government, NHS figures reveal The Guardian
• Half of A&E arrivals sent home without treatment The Daily Telegraph

Community marks World AIDS Day 2013

Community marks World AIDS Day 2013 Members of the local community came together at the Guildhall to mark World AIDS Day 2013 and lit candles to remember those who have died and to promote safe sex and HIV testing. NHFT News

See also:

• Showing solidarity with HIV sufferers Northamptonshire Telegraph

HK confirms first H7N9 bird flu case

HK confirms first H7N9 bird flu case Hong Kong confirms its first case of the new strain of the H7N9 bird flu in a domestic worker from Indonesia, who officials say is in critical condition. BBC News

Inquiry into donor blood vCJD risk

Inquiry into donor blood vCJD risk An inquiry is being launched to check the safety of donor blood amid concerns about an infection risk from the human form of "mad cow disease". BBC News

See also:

• Commons committee launch investigation into potential spread of vCJD brain disease in hospitals The Independent

Lessons from Europe: the value of tariff redesign

Lessons from Europe: the value of tariff redesign Payment mechanisms can be a powerful lever for strengthening healthcare delivery – driving quality and efficiency gains. NHS Confederation

Disease-specific pathways and hospital-based care are a redundant strategy for the multi-morbidity future, says Sir John Oldham

Disease-specific pathways and hospital-based care are a redundant strategy for the multi-morbidity future, says Sir John Oldham Over the next 40 years, most healthcare systems worldwide will face a tsunami of need from people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, chronic airways disease and circulatory diseases. There will be a rise of 252 per cent by 2050, and this is built into existing demography and prevalence. The mathematics are inescapable. In England… Continue reading » NHS Voices

Heart's strain rate may be raised by energy drinks

Heart's strain rate may be raised by energy drinks Caffeine energy drinks “intensify heart contractions,” BBC News reports.

The news is based on a small study of 18 healthy adults who had heart scans taken before and one hour after drinking an energy drink containing caffeine and taurine (a chemical said to have stimulant properties).

Towards whole person care

Towards whole person care This paper reviews the case for change in the English health and care system and considers how to move towards a ‘whole person care’ approach. It sets out broad themes on creating a health and care system that is fit for the future. It makes a case for a number of person-centred guarantees at the heart of the vision for whole person care, focused on people with long-term conditions and older people. Institute for Public Policy Research

Review recommends one ombudsman for public sector services

Review recommends one ombudsman for public sector services The new ombudsman would combine the functions of the Local Government and Health Service Ombudsmen. OnMedica

Leap in care home deaths linked to blood infections

Leap in care home deaths linked to blood infections The number of care home residents dying with blood infections has soared by almost 50 per cent over the past decade, official figures show. The Daily Telegraph

'Unacceptable' that only half of NHS staff took routine flu vaccination

'Unacceptable' that only half of NHS staff took routine flu vaccination NHS staff who do not take a routine flu vaccine this winter are putting frail patients' lives at risk, a leading doctor has warned. The Independent

See also:

• 75,000 more frontline NHS staff vaccinated against flu than in the same period last year NHS Employers

New NGH birth centre opens its doors

New NGH birth centre opens its doors Northampton General Hospital's new birth centre opens for business on Monday 2 December, the first midwife-led unit in the county. NGH News