Agreement reached to keep Corby’s Urgent Care Centre open An agreement to extend the contract to run Corby’s Urgent Care Centre has been reached.
Corby CCG and the site’s operators, Lakeside+, had been in a stalemate after a disagreement over funding levels to run the service in March this year.
Lakeside’s contract was due to end at the end of September with no bidders coming forward to take over, meaning the site faced potential closure.
But on Wednesday an agreement to extend the contract has been reached. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Thursday, 21 September 2017
The world is running out of antibiotics, WHO report confirms
The world is running out of antibiotics, WHO report confirms A report, Antibacterial agents in clinical development – an analysis of the antibacterial clinical development pipeline, including tuberculosis, launched today by WHO shows a serious lack of new antibiotics under development to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Most of the drugs currently in the clinical pipeline are modifications of existing classes of antibiotics and are only short-term solutions. The report found very few potential treatment options for those antibiotic-resistant infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat to health, including drug-resistant tuberculosis which kills around 250 000 people each year. World Health Organization
See also:
Most of the drugs currently in the clinical pipeline are modifications of existing classes of antibiotics and are only short-term solutions. The report found very few potential treatment options for those antibiotic-resistant infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat to health, including drug-resistant tuberculosis which kills around 250 000 people each year. World Health Organization
See also:
Staffing crisis in NHS laid bare, as new BMA analysis shows that three quarters of medical specialities face shortage of doctors
Staffing crisis in NHS laid bare, as new BMA analysis shows that three quarters of medical specialities face shortage of doctors The British Medical Association (BMA) is today warning that patient care is at risk due to a chronic shortage of doctors across most areas of medicine.
Figures obtained by the BMA show that training places across three in four medical specialties in England went unfilled last year, with many specialties experiencing recruitment shortfalls year on year.
The figures, obtained through FoI requests, show that at each stage of the training process, from applications to medical school, to training as a specialist, fewer people are choosing to enter medicine or remain in the NHS as doctors.
See also:
Figures obtained by the BMA show that training places across three in four medical specialties in England went unfilled last year, with many specialties experiencing recruitment shortfalls year on year.
The figures, obtained through FoI requests, show that at each stage of the training process, from applications to medical school, to training as a specialist, fewer people are choosing to enter medicine or remain in the NHS as doctors.
See also:
Neglected Minds: A report on mental health support for younger people leaving care.
Neglected Minds: A report on mental health support for younger people leaving care This report highlights that two thirds of care leavers identified as having mental health needs were not receiving any help from a statutory service. It also found that one in four had faced a mental health crisis since leaving care. Barnardo's wants clinical commissioning groups to invest more in services specifically aimed at meeting the needs of young people leaving care, such as embedding a mental health worker within leaving care teams.
Access and waiting times in children and young people's mental health services
Access and waiting times in children and young people's mental health services This report examines new data on access to specialist treatment for children and young people with mental health problems, and the waiting times they face. It finds that children with mental health problems face barriers when seeking access to mental health services. It also finds that, over the last year, overall waiting times (including both assessment and treatment) have fallen – yet there remains substantial variation across England. This data was obtained by EPI through a Freedom of Information request. Education Policy Institute
Quit smoking campaign Stoptober backs e-cigs for first time
Quit smoking campaign Stoptober backs e-cigs for first time The annual Stoptober campaign in England is embracing e-cigarettes for the first time - in a sign vaping is being seen as the key to getting people to quit.
Health experts have tended to shy away from explicitly promoting e-cigarettes.
But the government campaign during October will feature vaping in its TV adverts for the first time.
It comes after e-cigarettes proved the most popular tool for quitting during last year's campaign.
Some 53% of people used them, helping push the numbers of people taking part in Stoptober since its launch in 2012 to over 1.5 million. BBC News
See also:
Health experts have tended to shy away from explicitly promoting e-cigarettes.
But the government campaign during October will feature vaping in its TV adverts for the first time.
It comes after e-cigarettes proved the most popular tool for quitting during last year's campaign.
Some 53% of people used them, helping push the numbers of people taking part in Stoptober since its launch in 2012 to over 1.5 million. BBC News
See also:
- Models of delivery for stop smoking services: options and evidence Public Health England
- Smoking cessation interventions and services (draft guideline in consultation) NICE
- Health officials at odds over the safety of e-cigarettes, as TV ads launched The Daily Telegraph
Court ruling not needed to withdraw care, judge says
Court ruling not needed to withdraw care, judge says Legal permission will no longer be required to end care for patients in a permanent vegetative state, a judge has ruled.
Until now, even if medics and relatives agree to withdraw nutrition from a patient, a judge must also consent.
But a landmark decision by Mr Justice Jackson means those cases will no longer have to come to court.
The official solicitor, appointed by the state to act for such patients, is likely to appeal against the ruling. BBC News
Until now, even if medics and relatives agree to withdraw nutrition from a patient, a judge must also consent.
But a landmark decision by Mr Justice Jackson means those cases will no longer have to come to court.
The official solicitor, appointed by the state to act for such patients, is likely to appeal against the ruling. BBC News
MMR vaccine first-dose target met in England
MMR vaccine first-dose target met in England The percentage of children getting their first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) by their fifth birthday has reached 95% for the first time, NHS data shows.
This meets a World Health Organization target. Coverage has been increasing in England for the past 10 years.
The NHS says children should have two doses of the vaccine before starting school.
But only 87.6% had received both doses by their fifth birthday. BBC News
This meets a World Health Organization target. Coverage has been increasing in England for the past 10 years.
The NHS says children should have two doses of the vaccine before starting school.
But only 87.6% had received both doses by their fifth birthday. BBC News
The Government Has Failed On Mental Health For The Fourth Year In A Row
The Government Has Failed On Mental Health For The Fourth Year In A Row Where’s the money to make a reality of the Prime Minister’s oft-stated, but yet to be delivered, claim of parity for mental health?
New figures I have gathered through Freedom of Information requests to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across England reveal that, for the fourth year in a row, the government has failed to deliver on its promise to increase the money reaching the mental health frontline. In fact, for the second year in a row, over half of CCGs across England report that they plan to reduce the proportion of their budget they spend on mental health. It is wonderful that after years of embarrassed silence, more and more people are able to talk about mental health. Huffington Post UK
See also:
New figures I have gathered through Freedom of Information requests to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across England reveal that, for the fourth year in a row, the government has failed to deliver on its promise to increase the money reaching the mental health frontline. In fact, for the second year in a row, over half of CCGs across England report that they plan to reduce the proportion of their budget they spend on mental health. It is wonderful that after years of embarrassed silence, more and more people are able to talk about mental health. Huffington Post UK
See also:
One in seven GP practices in England failing on safety
One in seven GP practices in England failing on safety London has highest rate of practices needing to improve, but ‘super surgeries’ fare better, says Care Quality Commission
About 7 million people are being treated at GP surgeries in England that have severe safety problems, according to the first performance review of its kind by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
One in seven GP practices are failing on safety, even after CQC inspectors have told them to improve, the report found, with smaller practices more likely to be rated “inadequate” or “requiring improvement”. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
About 7 million people are being treated at GP surgeries in England that have severe safety problems, according to the first performance review of its kind by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
One in seven GP practices are failing on safety, even after CQC inspectors have told them to improve, the report found, with smaller practices more likely to be rated “inadequate” or “requiring improvement”. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Findings from our programme of comprehensive inspections of GP practices Care Quality Commission
- GPs and teams should be congratulated as a result of CQC report Royal College of General Practitioners
- Nine in 10 GPs rated good or outstanding BBC News
- One in three GP surgeries found to be failing patients on safety The Daily Telegraph
- GPs maintaining high quality despite rising pressure, finds CQC analysis GPonline
App set to transform the lives of dementia patients
App set to transform the lives of dementia patients A 'revolutionary' smartphone app could transform the lives of dementia patients at just the click of a button by telling them how to change their homes.
Iridis gives sufferers feedback within 20 minutes on how to slash their risk of injuries and confusion in the comfort of their own home.
Hailed as 'exciting', it highlights possible dangers, such as wall colour clashing with that of grab rails in the bathroom or the need of better lighting.
Simple suggestions such as changing the colour of the toilet bowl to help patients find the loo easier are also offered - reducing the risk of an accident.
Recommendations to extend their curtain rods to allow more light into rooms and reducing reflective glares can also be made to boost their quality of life. The Daily Mail
Iridis gives sufferers feedback within 20 minutes on how to slash their risk of injuries and confusion in the comfort of their own home.
Hailed as 'exciting', it highlights possible dangers, such as wall colour clashing with that of grab rails in the bathroom or the need of better lighting.
Simple suggestions such as changing the colour of the toilet bowl to help patients find the loo easier are also offered - reducing the risk of an accident.
Recommendations to extend their curtain rods to allow more light into rooms and reducing reflective glares can also be made to boost their quality of life. The Daily Mail
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Streamlining the organisation of the NHS without a top-down reorganisation
Streamlining the organisation of the NHS without a top-down reorganisation Two facts about today’s NHS are incontrovertible. The first is that providers in England are in the fifth year of running an aggregate deficit with financial balance or surplus an unlikely prospect. The second is that the organisation of the NHS is complex and fragmented and consumes a substantial amount of management time and cost. The King's Fund
The future of the mental health workforce
The future of the mental health workforce This report calls for reform of mental health services in order to develop a workforce that is able to meet people's needs in the future. The report describes commissioning of mental health services as in crisis with a diminishing workforce, growing expectations and increasing demand putting pressure on staff across the country. It recommends that all GPs should have significant and wide-ranging mental health training, and that mental health professionals should be given the time and training to consult with GPs and other public service staff to help them to respond to more people’s mental health needs. Centre for Mental Health
Quarter of 14-year-old girls 'have signs of depression'
Quarter of 14-year-old girls 'have signs of depression' A quarter of girls and nearly one in 10 boys show signs of depression at the age of 14, say UK researchers.
The findings come from more than 10,000 young people who shared their worries and emotions.
Surveys with their parents, however, suggested many were not attuned to the true anxieties of their teenage sons and daughters.
Parents often underestimated daughters' stress and had concerns about sons that the boys themselves did not voice.
Lead investigator Dr Praveetha Patalay, from Liverpool University, said teenagers, and particularly girls, were facing more mental health difficulties than previous generations. BBC News
The findings come from more than 10,000 young people who shared their worries and emotions.
Surveys with their parents, however, suggested many were not attuned to the true anxieties of their teenage sons and daughters.
Parents often underestimated daughters' stress and had concerns about sons that the boys themselves did not voice.
Lead investigator Dr Praveetha Patalay, from Liverpool University, said teenagers, and particularly girls, were facing more mental health difficulties than previous generations. BBC News
Life-extending lung cancer drug approved
Life-extending lung cancer drug approved A life-extending lung cancer drug will be made immediately available to NHS patients in England, say advisers.
Campaigners, including the late Sunday Times restaurant critic AA Gill, have repeatedly called for access to the pioneering immunotherapy, which can add months to life.
Scotland already offers nivolumab to people with advanced disease who have also tried chemotherapy.
England's drugs watchdog had originally said nivolumab was too expensive. BBC News
Campaigners, including the late Sunday Times restaurant critic AA Gill, have repeatedly called for access to the pioneering immunotherapy, which can add months to life.
Scotland already offers nivolumab to people with advanced disease who have also tried chemotherapy.
England's drugs watchdog had originally said nivolumab was too expensive. BBC News
Patients' illnesses could soon be diagnosed by AI, NHS leaders say
Patients' illnesses could soon be diagnosed by AI, NHS leaders say Doctors could be replaced by computers in analysing X-rays and samples of diseased tissue amid plans for further investment
Computers could start diagnosing patients’ illnesses within the next few years as artificial intelligence increasingly ousts doctors from their traditional roles, NHS leaders believe.
Machines may soon be able to read X-rays and analyse samples of diseased tissue, such as lumps that can indicate the presence of breast cancer, the NHS’s top doctor said. Continue reading... The Guardian
Computers could start diagnosing patients’ illnesses within the next few years as artificial intelligence increasingly ousts doctors from their traditional roles, NHS leaders believe.
Machines may soon be able to read X-rays and analyse samples of diseased tissue, such as lumps that can indicate the presence of breast cancer, the NHS’s top doctor said. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS boss puts service on high alert in case of heavy winter flu burden
NHS boss puts service on high alert in case of heavy winter flu burden Simon Stevens says major winter outbreaks in Australia and New Zealand suggests NHS could struggle to cope with cases
Britain could face a significant increase in flu cases this winter, which would make it hard for hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes to cope, the chief executive of NHS England said on Tuesday.
Simon Stevens said Australia and New Zealand had just experienced a heavy burden of winter flu cases, raising concerns that Britain may experience the same in the next few months. Continue reading... The Guardian
Britain could face a significant increase in flu cases this winter, which would make it hard for hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes to cope, the chief executive of NHS England said on Tuesday.
Simon Stevens said Australia and New Zealand had just experienced a heavy burden of winter flu cases, raising concerns that Britain may experience the same in the next few months. Continue reading... The Guardian
Adult social care is in crisis mode. We need a clear long-term plan
Adult social care is in crisis mode. We need a clear long-term plan Every family is affected by the challenges of our ageing society. The government must act now to build health and care provision fit for all
This party conference season, all political parties will use their platforms to set out a post-election vision. Adult social care was one of the big general election issues, and the government has indicated that an adult social care green paper is likely next year. The next few months are critical for capturing the views of the public, the health and care sectors and charities working to support older people.
At Future Care Capital, we have launched a new policy report about the challenges facing our ageing society and the implications for every generation. Addressing three key themes – intergenerational fairness and the economics of ageing, health and care futures, and planning ahead – we invited leaders from the public, private and third sectors to contribute. They considered how policies and spending decisions that impact health and care outcomes could better reflect the challenges and opportunities we can expect in the next five, 10 and 15 years. Continue reading... The Guardian
This party conference season, all political parties will use their platforms to set out a post-election vision. Adult social care was one of the big general election issues, and the government has indicated that an adult social care green paper is likely next year. The next few months are critical for capturing the views of the public, the health and care sectors and charities working to support older people.
At Future Care Capital, we have launched a new policy report about the challenges facing our ageing society and the implications for every generation. Addressing three key themes – intergenerational fairness and the economics of ageing, health and care futures, and planning ahead – we invited leaders from the public, private and third sectors to contribute. They considered how policies and spending decisions that impact health and care outcomes could better reflect the challenges and opportunities we can expect in the next five, 10 and 15 years. Continue reading... The Guardian
Record NHS negligence payouts, fuelled by maternity blunders
Record NHS negligence payouts, fuelled by maternity blunders The NHS is facing record negligence bills for brain-damaged babies because midwives fail to carry out the right checks in two in three such cases, a major report shows.
The review of compensation claims shows the costs of catastrophic birth injury have almost doubled in the last five years, reaching almost £2bn.
The study by NHS litigation authorities examined 50 cases which between in depth.
It found that in 64 per cent of cases, devastating harm - leaving children in need of life-long, round-the-clock care - followed failures to monitor babies’ hearts, or to interpret the results of checks. The Daily Telegraph
The review of compensation claims shows the costs of catastrophic birth injury have almost doubled in the last five years, reaching almost £2bn.
The study by NHS litigation authorities examined 50 cases which between in depth.
It found that in 64 per cent of cases, devastating harm - leaving children in need of life-long, round-the-clock care - followed failures to monitor babies’ hearts, or to interpret the results of checks. The Daily Telegraph
Mass NHS data sharing plan will not allow 'simple opt out' despite ministers' pledges
Mass NHS data sharing plan will not allow 'simple opt out' despite ministers' pledges A controversial NHS data-sharing plan will not allow patients a “simple opt-out” despite ministers’ pledges, leaked documents suggest.
Last year the Government axed proposals for a national care.data scheme after it was critcised by privacy campaigners for failing to give the public a clear route to opt.
The plans had become mired in scandal after it was found that existing NHS data was already being sold to the insurance industry.
Last year ministers said the scheme would be scrapped. They promised that new plans would allow every patient a “single and simple” way to opt out if they did not want their medical information shared beyond their "direct care".
This had been recommended by a review, led by the NHS national data guardian. The Daily Telegraph
Last year the Government axed proposals for a national care.data scheme after it was critcised by privacy campaigners for failing to give the public a clear route to opt.
The plans had become mired in scandal after it was found that existing NHS data was already being sold to the insurance industry.
Last year ministers said the scheme would be scrapped. They promised that new plans would allow every patient a “single and simple” way to opt out if they did not want their medical information shared beyond their "direct care".
This had been recommended by a review, led by the NHS national data guardian. The Daily Telegraph
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)