Northamptonshire health chief 'takes over Twitter' to give insight into her role The Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), Angela Hillery, is embarking on a twitter takeover week on the Trust's official account @nhftnhs. Over the course of the week Angela will be updating followers on what she’s doing, what her priorities are for NHFT and giving an insight on some of the challenges she faces. Northampton Herald and Post
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Library information skills programme for 2015
Library information skills programme for 2015 Need to find some information to inform your practice? Need to make a decision but can't find the evidence? Found the evidence but not sure of it's validity? We can help. All of our training programme dates for 2015 are now available on the Library's web site.
People in control of their own health and care: The state of involvement
People in control of their own health and care: The state of involvement The idea that people should have a stronger voice in decisions about their health and care, and that services should better reflect their needs and preferences, has been a policy goal of politicians and senior policy-makers in health for at least 20 years. Patients want it, and the evidence shows that when they are involved, decisions are better, health and health outcomes improve, and resources are allocated more efficiently. The King's Fund
See also:
See also:
Openness and honesty when things go wrong: the professional duty of candour
Openness and honesty when things go wrong: the professional duty of candour This joint consultation (running until the 5th January 2015) asks for views on guidance which is designed to support doctors, nurses and midwives in fulfilling their professional duty to be open and honest about mistakes. It also calls on clinical leaders and employers to support doctors, nurses and midwives by creating cultures in the workplace that are open, honest, and where people learn from mistakes so that future patients are protected from harm.General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council
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A vision for hepatitis C
A vision for hepatitis C This report calls for the government to improve hepatitis C services now to prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths. It highlights concerns from clinicians and patient and professional groups about the rising rate of hepatitis C related deaths and the need for improved screening and diagnosis. Hepatitis C Coalition
Is there really a crisis among GPs?
Is there really a crisis among GPs? A decade ago they got a new contract that allowed them to give up night and weekend cover, while seeing their pay shoot through the £100,000 a year barrier.
More recently, this government's reforms in England have put them at the heart of decision-making in the NHS by giving them responsibility for two thirds of the NHS budget.
And yet the profession, it seems, is at its wits end. A recent survey of 1,000 doctors by the British Medical Association found GPs had lower levels of morale and work-life balance than their medical colleagues elsewhere in the health service. BBC News
More recently, this government's reforms in England have put them at the heart of decision-making in the NHS by giving them responsibility for two thirds of the NHS budget.
And yet the profession, it seems, is at its wits end. A recent survey of 1,000 doctors by the British Medical Association found GPs had lower levels of morale and work-life balance than their medical colleagues elsewhere in the health service. BBC News
Ebola: Are cases levelling off?
Ebola: Are cases levelling off? We may be entering a new phase of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
There is growing - but certainly guarded - talk within the World Health Organization that the overall number of new cases is levelling off.
Officials have told me they now expect the figure to stick at around 1,000 fresh cases each week.
It is in sharp contrast to the early phase of the outbreak when the number was doubling every three to four weeks. BBC News
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There is growing - but certainly guarded - talk within the World Health Organization that the overall number of new cases is levelling off.
Officials have told me they now expect the figure to stick at around 1,000 fresh cases each week.
It is in sharp contrast to the early phase of the outbreak when the number was doubling every three to four weeks. BBC News
See also:
- UK's Ebola appeal reaches £10m mark BBC News
- Ebola in Sierra Leone 'spreading 9 x faster than 2 months ago', campaigners warn Daily Mail
- New British Ebola labs to help stop spread of virus Department of Health
- Britain steps up its involvement in Ebola treatment OnMedica
- Common sense guide to Ebola for GPs and their teams Royal College of General Practitioners
Hike in checks for most vulnerable
Hike in checks for most vulnerable Applications to restrict freedom of people with illnesses like dementia and autism for their own safety rises ten-fold since a landmark court ruling. BBC News
Dying in the UK – nurses raise “profound” concerns
Dying in the UK – nurses raise “profound” concerns Almost half a million people die in the UK every year and RCN members are concerned about the ability of health services to deliver high quality care to them. Royal College of Nursing
See also:
See also:
- Nurses 'do not have time to care properly for the dying' The Daily Telegraph
Weight loss surgery cuts diabetes risk in very obese
Weight loss surgery cuts diabetes risk in very obese “Weight loss surgery can dramatically reduce the odds of developing type 2 diabetes,” BBC News reports.
The underlying research identified a group of 2,167 obese adults without diabetes, the majority of whom were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above.
This group had undergone weight loss surgery, so researchers compared them with a comparison group matched for age, sex and BMI, who did not have surgery. They looked at the development of type 2 diabetes in both groups.
Using the maximum follow-up period in the study (seven years), they found that the “surgery group” had an 80% reduced risk of developing diabetes compared with the “no surgery” group.
These findings are mainly applicable to those with a very high BMI (over 40). Results at lower BMIs (30 to 35) were still positive, but did not have statistical significance.
It's important to stress that weight loss surgery is no magic bullet and is associated with both short- and long-term risks and complications, such as unsightly excess skin.
The underlying research identified a group of 2,167 obese adults without diabetes, the majority of whom were severely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above.
This group had undergone weight loss surgery, so researchers compared them with a comparison group matched for age, sex and BMI, who did not have surgery. They looked at the development of type 2 diabetes in both groups.
Using the maximum follow-up period in the study (seven years), they found that the “surgery group” had an 80% reduced risk of developing diabetes compared with the “no surgery” group.
These findings are mainly applicable to those with a very high BMI (over 40). Results at lower BMIs (30 to 35) were still positive, but did not have statistical significance.
It's important to stress that weight loss surgery is no magic bullet and is associated with both short- and long-term risks and complications, such as unsightly excess skin.
Big data: enabling the future of healthcare
Big data: enabling the future of healthcare By collecting patient data, clinicians can use predictive analytics to prevent potentially deadly conditions.
Data security threat holding back digital progress in the NHS
Everyones talking about the importance of big data in healthcare. Yet, as the data piles up most of it is isolated in different silos, and health systems are struggling to turn big data from a concept into a reality. Heres how I see it having a substantial impact on the health of populations, today and in the future.
Most healthcare organisations today are using two sets of data: retrospective data, basic event-based information collected from medical records, and real-time clinical data, the information captured and presented at the point of care (imaging, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, etc). For example, if a diabetic patient enters the hospital complaining about numbness in their toes, instead of immediately assuming the cause is their diabetes, the clinician could monitor their blood flow and oxygen saturation, and potentially determine if there's something more threatening around the corner, like an aneurysm or a stroke. Continue reading... The Guardian
Data security threat holding back digital progress in the NHS
Everyones talking about the importance of big data in healthcare. Yet, as the data piles up most of it is isolated in different silos, and health systems are struggling to turn big data from a concept into a reality. Heres how I see it having a substantial impact on the health of populations, today and in the future.
Most healthcare organisations today are using two sets of data: retrospective data, basic event-based information collected from medical records, and real-time clinical data, the information captured and presented at the point of care (imaging, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, etc). For example, if a diabetic patient enters the hospital complaining about numbness in their toes, instead of immediately assuming the cause is their diabetes, the clinician could monitor their blood flow and oxygen saturation, and potentially determine if there's something more threatening around the corner, like an aneurysm or a stroke. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS spending on agency nurses soars past £5.5bn
NHS spending on agency nurses soars past £5.5bn Government accused of truly incompetent planning after years of training cuts push cost of temporary staff way over budget
NHS spending on agency nurses and staff has spiralled to more than £5.5bn over the past four years and is continuing to rise amid a debilitating recruitment crisis in the health service. Budgets for temporary staff this financial year have already been blown apart, it can be revealed, with spending in some parts of the NHS running at twice the planned figure.
Reliance on agencies at a cost of up to £1,800 per day per nurse comes as the number of nurse training places in England has been cut. In the last year of the Labour government, 20,829 nurse training positions were filled in England. That fell to 17,741 in 2011-12 and to 17,219 in 2012-13, rising to 18,009 in 2013-14. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS spending on agency nurses and staff has spiralled to more than £5.5bn over the past four years and is continuing to rise amid a debilitating recruitment crisis in the health service. Budgets for temporary staff this financial year have already been blown apart, it can be revealed, with spending in some parts of the NHS running at twice the planned figure.
Reliance on agencies at a cost of up to £1,800 per day per nurse comes as the number of nurse training places in England has been cut. In the last year of the Labour government, 20,829 nurse training positions were filled in England. That fell to 17,741 in 2011-12 and to 17,219 in 2012-13, rising to 18,009 in 2013-14. Continue reading... The Guardian
Nurses 'will have to be able to speak English to work in UK'
Nurses 'will have to be able to speak English to work in UK' Language tests on nurses who come to work here from elsewhere in the European Union are to be introduced for the first time. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
See also:
- Language controls for healthcare and associated professions Department of Health (consultation)
- Language checks for nurses proposed BBC News
Three vulnerable patients a day die due to lack of care
Three vulnerable patients a day die due to lack of care A shortage of specialist nurses trained to care for people with learning disabilities is putting the lives of thousands of vulnerable people at risk, the leading charity Mencap has warned. The Independent
Friday, 31 October 2014
Police ‘found no evidence of crime’ after Northampton’s ambulance service lost 42,000 copies of patient records
Police ‘found no evidence of crime’ after Northampton’s ambulance service lost 42,000 copies of patient records
No criminal charges will be brought against anyone working at East Midlands Ambulance Service over the loss of 42,000 patients records. Northampton Chronicle & Echo
No criminal charges will be brought against anyone working at East Midlands Ambulance Service over the loss of 42,000 patients records. Northampton Chronicle & Echo
New strike by NHS staff announced
New strike by NHS staff announced
NHS workers, including nurses and midwives, are to stage a new four-hour strike in England on 24 November as part of an ongoing pay dispute. BBC News
NHS workers, including nurses and midwives, are to stage a new four-hour strike in England on 24 November as part of an ongoing pay dispute. BBC News
NHS Five Year Forward View: the pressures on to test new models of care
NHS Five Year Forward View: the pressures on to test new models of care
NHS England has set itself a challenge to provide support, flexibility and skills to allow innovation to thrive
NHS Five Year Forward Review: a shopping list without the pricesNHS Five Year Forward View: biggest challenge is on funding
Among the scores of commitments to reform which came tumbling out of NHS Englands Five Year Forward View last week, a picture emerges of how the national bodies are going to leverage reforms among both the high-performers and the strugglers.
At the struggling end, the national bodies have promised to take a joined-up approach to addressing weaknesses across whole health economies rather than separately targeting failing organisations. Guardian
Continue reading...
NHS England has set itself a challenge to provide support, flexibility and skills to allow innovation to thrive
NHS Five Year Forward Review: a shopping list without the pricesNHS Five Year Forward View: biggest challenge is on funding
Among the scores of commitments to reform which came tumbling out of NHS Englands Five Year Forward View last week, a picture emerges of how the national bodies are going to leverage reforms among both the high-performers and the strugglers.
At the struggling end, the national bodies have promised to take a joined-up approach to addressing weaknesses across whole health economies rather than separately targeting failing organisations. Guardian
Continue reading...
Top doctors urge people not to store up health problems if “feeling under the weather”
Top doctors urge people not to store up health problems if “feeling under the weather”
The NHS will today launch its national public awareness campaign in a bid to persuade people to seek advice early from their local pharmacist if they are ‘feeling under the weather’.
The campaign, ‘feeling under the weather’ has been launched to encourage people, particularly older people and those with existing respiratory conditions, to nip health problems in the bud by seeking early advice from their local pharmacist. It will run for six weeks.
Every year the NHS sees a huge increase in numbers of emergency admissions to hospital over the colder months. Those with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis are particularly vulnerable, and for frailer and older people, even the common cold can become more serious.
The NHS will today launch its national public awareness campaign in a bid to persuade people to seek advice early from their local pharmacist if they are ‘feeling under the weather’.
The campaign, ‘feeling under the weather’ has been launched to encourage people, particularly older people and those with existing respiratory conditions, to nip health problems in the bud by seeking early advice from their local pharmacist. It will run for six weeks.
Every year the NHS sees a huge increase in numbers of emergency admissions to hospital over the colder months. Those with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis are particularly vulnerable, and for frailer and older people, even the common cold can become more serious.
Alcohol 'should have calorie labels'
Alcohol 'should have calorie labels'
Alcohol should have a calorie content label in order to reduce obesity, according to public health doctors. BBC News
Alcohol should have a calorie content label in order to reduce obesity, according to public health doctors. BBC News
Growing concern about staff morale as NHS performance slips
Growing concern about staff morale as NHS performance slips
Staff morale tops the list of concerns raised by NHS finance directors in The King's Fund's latest quarterly monitoring report.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of trust finance directors surveyed for the report identified staff morale as one of their top three concerns, twice as many as in the previous quarter. The report suggests this should be a significant cause for concern given the close link between staff engagement and quality of care.
The report underlines the financial pressures facing the NHS, with nearly 40 per cent of trust finance directors forecasting a deficit by the end of the year, the highest proportion since the survey began. Worryingly, nearly 60 per cent are also concerned about whether their trust will be able to meet its cost improvement target for the current year, suggesting that it is getting more difficult to find efficiency savings.
Staff morale tops the list of concerns raised by NHS finance directors in The King's Fund's latest quarterly monitoring report.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of trust finance directors surveyed for the report identified staff morale as one of their top three concerns, twice as many as in the previous quarter. The report suggests this should be a significant cause for concern given the close link between staff engagement and quality of care.
The report underlines the financial pressures facing the NHS, with nearly 40 per cent of trust finance directors forecasting a deficit by the end of the year, the highest proportion since the survey began. Worryingly, nearly 60 per cent are also concerned about whether their trust will be able to meet its cost improvement target for the current year, suggesting that it is getting more difficult to find efficiency savings.
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