Confessions Of A Junior Doctor shows impact of A&E crisis Junior doctors have been filmed making potentially life-threatening errors during patient assessments - which they made while ‘under pressure’ to free up hospital beds.
A revealing TV documentary will this week expose the impact that the A+E crisis is having on Britain’s youngest doctors, as they make a series of errors when their hospital in Northampton reaches full capacity and becomes ‘completely stretched’. The Daily Mail
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Proposal for KGH extension moves one step closer
Proposal for KGH extension moves one step closer A bid to build an extension to KGH has taken a step forward. Northamptonshire Telegraph
What does improving population health really mean?
What does improving population health really mean? Everybody in NHS policy seems to be talking about population health. New care models are being developed to improve population health.
Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) – the local plans for redesigning NHS and social care services – will, we are told, develop into partnerships to improve population health. And health care leaders in other countries, such as the United States, are also using the language of population health to define the aims of their health systems. But what does improving population health really mean? And what does it mean for the NHS? The King's Fund
Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) – the local plans for redesigning NHS and social care services – will, we are told, develop into partnerships to improve population health. And health care leaders in other countries, such as the United States, are also using the language of population health to define the aims of their health systems. But what does improving population health really mean? And what does it mean for the NHS? The King's Fund
DH publishes response to 'safe space'
DH publishes response to 'safe space' The Department of Health (DH) has published a response to the providing a 'safe space' in healthcare safety investigations consultation. NHS Employers
The impact of housing problems on mental health
The impact of housing problems on mental health This report, conducted with ComRes, reveals that over the last five years one in five adults suffer mental health problems due to housing pressures. The research also surveyed the experiences of 20 GPs who highlighted the number of patients diagnosed with anxiety or depression directly due to housing issues and that GPs required greater help to support patients with housing problems. Shelter
Updated confidentiality guidance comes into force for doctors
Updated confidentiality guidance comes into force for doctors All doctors practising medicine in the UK are now expected to follow revised, expanded and restructured General Medical Council (GMC) ethical guidance on confidentiality.
Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information has been updated following an extensive consultation exercise, and is now more explicit than previously published guidance* about working with patients. General Medical Council
Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information has been updated following an extensive consultation exercise, and is now more explicit than previously published guidance* about working with patients. General Medical Council
General election 2017: Labour promises pay rises for NHS staff
General election 2017: Labour promises pay rises for NHS staff NHS staff will get higher pay and there will be no tuition fees for student nurses and midwives under a Labour government, the party is promising.
Labour said the policies would help address staffing shortages in England that had become a "threat to patients".
The promises mark the first of what are expected to be a series of policy announcements on the NHS by Labour.
But the Conservatives said Labour's nonsensical economic policies would put the health service at risk. BBC News
See also:
Labour said the policies would help address staffing shortages in England that had become a "threat to patients".
The promises mark the first of what are expected to be a series of policy announcements on the NHS by Labour.
But the Conservatives said Labour's nonsensical economic policies would put the health service at risk. BBC News
See also:
Scientists create 'artificial womb' that could save premature babies' lives
Scientists create 'artificial womb' that could save premature babies' lives Extremely premature babies could be kept alive in future using an “artificial womb” that scientists plan to test in humans after a successful study involving unborn lambs.
A plastic bag filled with artificial amniotic fluid – the nutrient-rich liquid that sustains a foetus in the womb – allowed foetal lambs to develop at an age equivalent to 23 weeks in humans.
Human infants born at 23 weeks have just a 15 per cent chance of survival, according to pregnancy research charity Tommy’s. This rises to 55 per cent at 24 weeks, while babies born at 25 weeks have an 80 per cent chance of survival. The Independent
A plastic bag filled with artificial amniotic fluid – the nutrient-rich liquid that sustains a foetus in the womb – allowed foetal lambs to develop at an age equivalent to 23 weeks in humans.
Human infants born at 23 weeks have just a 15 per cent chance of survival, according to pregnancy research charity Tommy’s. This rises to 55 per cent at 24 weeks, while babies born at 25 weeks have an 80 per cent chance of survival. The Independent
Burnout, depression and anxiety – why the NHS has a problem with staff health
Burnout, depression and anxiety – why the NHS has a problem with staff health Despite efforts from NHS England to improve the wellbeing of its staff, progress has been inconsistent and employee ill-health remains widespread
When Laura-Jane Smith took time out of her clinical training for a PhD, she found she was constantly unhappy, and suffered from palpitations, nausea, severe headaches, and breathlessness among other physical symptoms.
The hospital doctor’s days were dominated by negative thoughts. She recalls: “I once walked for 30 minutes with ‘I hate my life. I hate my life’ on a loop of internal monologue that I feared had no end.” Eventually, Smith was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and ended up leaving the PhD. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
When Laura-Jane Smith took time out of her clinical training for a PhD, she found she was constantly unhappy, and suffered from palpitations, nausea, severe headaches, and breathlessness among other physical symptoms.
The hospital doctor’s days were dominated by negative thoughts. She recalls: “I once walked for 30 minutes with ‘I hate my life. I hate my life’ on a loop of internal monologue that I feared had no end.” Eventually, Smith was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and ended up leaving the PhD. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Has the public sector lost the human touch? The Guardian
How a digital NHS saves time and money – and transforms care | Afzal Chaudhry
How a digital NHS saves time and money – and transforms care Our hospital trust has introduced systems that released appointments and allow staff to spend more quality time with patients
Imagine this scenario: a patient arrives at hospital for an appointment or an emergency, or is admitted for treatment and the clinical team can see their medical record in its entirety, wherever and whenever they need to.
At Cambridge University hospitals NHS foundation trust, that is what we set out to achieve when, seven years ago, we decided to invest in a sustainable digital future for our hospitals. Rather than relying on paper-based processes and simply replacing outdated technology as it became obsolete, we wanted to transform the way we care for our patients.
The EPR has 3,200 concurrent users and every single one looks at the most up-to-date version of patient records Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
Imagine this scenario: a patient arrives at hospital for an appointment or an emergency, or is admitted for treatment and the clinical team can see their medical record in its entirety, wherever and whenever they need to.
At Cambridge University hospitals NHS foundation trust, that is what we set out to achieve when, seven years ago, we decided to invest in a sustainable digital future for our hospitals. Rather than relying on paper-based processes and simply replacing outdated technology as it became obsolete, we wanted to transform the way we care for our patients.
The EPR has 3,200 concurrent users and every single one looks at the most up-to-date version of patient records Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- How apps can help patients take care of themselves The Guardian
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Complexity of health system is 'holding back progress' in HIV care
Complexity of health system is 'holding back progress' in HIV care The complexity of the health system in England is holding back progress in meeting the needs of people with HIV, according to a new report from The King’s Fund.
The report highlights how improvements in treatment mean that, 30 years on from being seen as a death sentence, people with HIV are able to live longer, healthier lives. This means that for the first time we are seeing significant numbers of older people with the condition; already, 30 per cent of people with HIV are aged 50 or over and this is projected to rise to 54 per cent by 2028.
Because of this, health services need to focus on quality of life rather than just on suppressing the virus, and also need to co-ordinate care with that for other long-term conditions common in older people.
The report highlights how improvements in treatment mean that, 30 years on from being seen as a death sentence, people with HIV are able to live longer, healthier lives. This means that for the first time we are seeing significant numbers of older people with the condition; already, 30 per cent of people with HIV are aged 50 or over and this is projected to rise to 54 per cent by 2028.
Because of this, health services need to focus on quality of life rather than just on suppressing the virus, and also need to co-ordinate care with that for other long-term conditions common in older people.
The risks of Valproate medicines in female patients
The risks of Valproate medicines in female patients There is a 30% to 40% risk of developmental disorders in children born to mothers who take Valproate medicines during pregnancy. GPs should identify female patients on Valproate medicines and arrange discussions with healthcare professionals about the benefits and risks. NHS England
Focus on: emergency hospital care for children and young people: what has changed in the past 10 years?
Focus on: emergency hospital care for children and young people: what has changed in the past 10 years? This report draws on emergency hospital admissions data and finds that the number of babies and young children admitted to hospital in an emergency has grown by almost a third over the past decade. The analysis reveals that many children are being admitted to hospital for conditions like asthma and tonsillitis – admissions that could potentially have been avoided with better care and support out of hospital. The report raises questions about where children and young people can access high quality treatment outside of the hospital emergency care setting. Quality Watch
Health care costs in the English NHS
Health care costs in the English NHS This paper describes how to calculate average health care costs broken down by age, sex and neighbourhood deprivation quintile group using the distribution of health care spending by the English NHS in the financial year 2011/12. Centre for Health Economics
Inside a neonatal intensive care unit
Inside a neonatal intensive care unit What does it take to care for the sickest premature babies? 5 live takes a look inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Burnley General hospital. BBC News
Mental health funding cut by millions in five regions despite NHS England call for £1 billion to be spent by 2021
Mental health funding cut by millions in five regions despite NHS England call for £1 billion to be spent by 2021 Spending on mental health services is being cut in five regions of England, new figures have revealed – despite Government pledges to “transform” the way mental health problems are dealt with.
Theresa May has promised to tackle the “stigma” around mental health and NHS England said in February last year an extra £1 billion a year should be invested in mental health services by 2021.
But clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Sefton, Scarborough, the Isle of Wight, St Helens and Walsall are set to reduce spending on mental health by £4.5m, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by Pulse magazine. The Independent
Theresa May has promised to tackle the “stigma” around mental health and NHS England said in February last year an extra £1 billion a year should be invested in mental health services by 2021.
But clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Sefton, Scarborough, the Isle of Wight, St Helens and Walsall are set to reduce spending on mental health by £4.5m, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by Pulse magazine. The Independent
It's a deadly fallacy that eating disorders are a teenage illness
It's a deadly fallacy that eating disorders are a teenage illness Most patients with an eating disorder are adults. The lack of specialist services could prove fatal
Sophie* developed an eating disorder when she was 11 years old. With the help of child eating disorder services, she got better and by the age of 16 had achieved a stable weight. But her A-levels proved tough and she relapsed. This time, she had to face the challenge of navigating adult eating disorder services as a vulnerable teenager. When she was finally referred to me nearly eight months after her relapse, she was 19 years old with a BMI of nine.
I worked as a consultant psychiatrist in child eating disorders before moving to adult services in Oxford. When the government announced in the Five Year Forward View a £30m investment for eating disorders in child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) each year until 2021, I was delighted. We know early intervention offers the best chance of recovery and it’s great to see that 66 new specialist services have been set up across the country. Continue reading... The Guardian
Sophie* developed an eating disorder when she was 11 years old. With the help of child eating disorder services, she got better and by the age of 16 had achieved a stable weight. But her A-levels proved tough and she relapsed. This time, she had to face the challenge of navigating adult eating disorder services as a vulnerable teenager. When she was finally referred to me nearly eight months after her relapse, she was 19 years old with a BMI of nine.
I worked as a consultant psychiatrist in child eating disorders before moving to adult services in Oxford. When the government announced in the Five Year Forward View a £30m investment for eating disorders in child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) each year until 2021, I was delighted. We know early intervention offers the best chance of recovery and it’s great to see that 66 new specialist services have been set up across the country. Continue reading... The Guardian
GPs can inform DVLA if patients are unfit to drive
GPs can inform DVLA if patients are unfit to drive Family doctors can now report patients they believe are unfit to drive – without telling them first.
Tough new guidance, which comes into force today, says GPs have a duty to inform the authorities if a patient is driving against medical advice.
They no longer need a patient’s consent to alert the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The Daily Mail
Tough new guidance, which comes into force today, says GPs have a duty to inform the authorities if a patient is driving against medical advice.
They no longer need a patient’s consent to alert the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The Daily Mail
Cancer patients diagnosed in A&E after being repeatedly rejected by their GPs, research warns
Cancer patients diagnosed in A&E after being repeatedly rejected by their GPs, research warns Thousands of people are being diagnosed with late-stage cancer in A&E due to GPs repeatedly misreading their symptoms, new research warns.
Experts have described as “extremely concerning” new data revealing that among those who were diagnosed with the disease in an emergency setting, almost a quarter had visited their family doctor three or more times.
They included 31 per cent of breast cancer patients who had attended three or more appointments, and 41 per cent of those diagnosed with bowel cancer. The daily Telegraph
Experts have described as “extremely concerning” new data revealing that among those who were diagnosed with the disease in an emergency setting, almost a quarter had visited their family doctor three or more times.
They included 31 per cent of breast cancer patients who had attended three or more appointments, and 41 per cent of those diagnosed with bowel cancer. The daily Telegraph
Monday, 24 April 2017
New strategy to boost health and fitness in East Northants
New strategy to boost health and fitness in East Northants A new strategy has been drawn up to improve healthy and active lifestyles in East Northants.
It is aimed at building a healthier and more active community through increased participation in sport, physical activity and active recreation.
Aims include getting ‘more people, more active, more often in East Northamptonshire’ as well as improved leisure facilities, developing sustainable plans for future leisure provision, an increase in the proportion of adults and children with a healthy weight and working with other groups to ensure greater access to activities. Northamptonshire Telegraph
It is aimed at building a healthier and more active community through increased participation in sport, physical activity and active recreation.
Aims include getting ‘more people, more active, more often in East Northamptonshire’ as well as improved leisure facilities, developing sustainable plans for future leisure provision, an increase in the proportion of adults and children with a healthy weight and working with other groups to ensure greater access to activities. Northamptonshire Telegraph
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