Northamptonshire County Council: Plan to save £55m unveiled A council plans to cut spending on agency staff and highways services, while boosting tax receipts, to tackle a £65m funding shortfall.
The "stabilisation plan" published by Northamptonshire County Council aims to save an additional £20m in 2018-19, on top of £45m in cuts already planned.
Government-appointed commissioners have been brought in to oversee the council, which has twice banned new spending.
Council leader Matt Golby said the authority faced "unprecedented times".
Plans to slash £35m had already been announced in the initial budget passed for this year. BBC Northampton
Tuesday, 2 October 2018
New £350,000 haematology and oncology bay opens at NGH to treat cancer patients
New £350,000 haematology and oncology bay opens at NGH to treat cancer patients Generous fundraisers and medics got together to officially unveil a new haematology and oncology assessment bay at Northampton General Hospital, which is aimed to keep cancer patients out of A&E.
Oncology and haematology patients are often ill between their treatment cycles and require emergency support and review, sometimes immediately. The urgent nature of these complications means that patients are unable to wait for outpatient appointments. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Oncology and haematology patients are often ill between their treatment cycles and require emergency support and review, sometimes immediately. The urgent nature of these complications means that patients are unable to wait for outpatient appointments. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Guidance: Improving people’s health: applying behavioural and social sciences
Guidance: Improving people’s health: applying behavioural and social sciences A comprehensive and collaborative strategy to enable public health professionals to use behavioural and social sciences to improve health and wellbeing. Public Health England
Integrating care for every community
Integrating care for every community Health and care needs are changing, with more people living longer with multiple long term conditions.
This new animation explains the challenges facing the health and care system and how partnerships are being formed between the NHS, local government and the third sector in every part of the country. NHS England
This new animation explains the challenges facing the health and care system and how partnerships are being formed between the NHS, local government and the third sector in every part of the country. NHS England
Emergency £240m to free up hospital beds
Emergency £240m to free up hospital beds An emergency £240m will be pumped into social care in England to ease pressure on the NHS this winter by enabling more elderly people to be cared for at home.
The cash will help councils pay for measures like housing adaptations and care packages, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will tell the Tory conference.
Getting people back home will "free up hospital beds", Mr Hancock will say.
Winter months often place hospitals under strain. In January, one in five patients faced long delays for a bed. BBC News
See also:
The cash will help councils pay for measures like housing adaptations and care packages, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will tell the Tory conference.
Getting people back home will "free up hospital beds", Mr Hancock will say.
Winter months often place hospitals under strain. In January, one in five patients faced long delays for a bed. BBC News
See also:
NHS to suffer £2.7bn cuts 'after government miscalculation of public sector pension costs', research suggests
NHS to suffer £2.7bn cuts 'after government miscalculation of public sector pension costs', research suggests The NHS will suffer cuts worth £2.7bn after the government miscalculated the pension costs of public sector workers, new analysis by the House of Commons library has shown.
The research suggested that government underestimated the costs by as much as £4bn a year.
That money could have paid for the salaries of over 61,900 nurses, the Labour Party, which released the research, said. The Independent
The research suggested that government underestimated the costs by as much as £4bn a year.
That money could have paid for the salaries of over 61,900 nurses, the Labour Party, which released the research, said. The Independent
As a black nurse, I see the crushing racial inequality across the NHS. This has to stop
As a black nurse, I see the crushing racial inequality across the NHS. This has to stop | Donna Kinnair Black doctors and nurses are paid far less than their white colleagues. The NHS must address the barriers and prejudices in its system
Some years ago a fellow black nurse said to me that I had been described by a nursing leader as “the only acceptable black nurse”.
I’d like to say we’ve come a long way since then, but the enormous ethnic pay gap in the NHS shows there’s a long road yet to travel. As revealed last week, black doctors and nurses are on average paid thousands of pounds less than their white colleagues. There are still those who divide our workforce between “acceptable” and “unacceptable”. The Guardian
Some years ago a fellow black nurse said to me that I had been described by a nursing leader as “the only acceptable black nurse”.
I’d like to say we’ve come a long way since then, but the enormous ethnic pay gap in the NHS shows there’s a long road yet to travel. As revealed last week, black doctors and nurses are on average paid thousands of pounds less than their white colleagues. There are still those who divide our workforce between “acceptable” and “unacceptable”. The Guardian
Physical restraint used on 50% more NHS patients with learning disabilities
Physical restraint used on 50% more NHS patients with learning disabilities Growing numbers of patients with learning disabilities are being physically restrained in mental health units, despite ministers telling NHS trusts to use such techniques less often.
Staff in NHS mental health hospitals deployed restraint on such patients 22,000 times last year, almost 50% more than the 15,000 occasions in 2016, BBC research has found.
That included a rise in face-down or “prone” restraint, which is particularly controversial and has been widely criticised as dangerous. Used 2,200 times in 2016, the figure rose to 3,100 in 2017.
The disclosures, made by Radio 4 programme File on 4, prompted criticism from health charities and the minister who, in 2014, ordered trusts to reduce their use of restraint. The Guardian
See also:
Staff in NHS mental health hospitals deployed restraint on such patients 22,000 times last year, almost 50% more than the 15,000 occasions in 2016, BBC research has found.
That included a rise in face-down or “prone” restraint, which is particularly controversial and has been widely criticised as dangerous. Used 2,200 times in 2016, the figure rose to 3,100 in 2017.
The disclosures, made by Radio 4 programme File on 4, prompted criticism from health charities and the minister who, in 2014, ordered trusts to reduce their use of restraint. The Guardian
See also:
Cost of lifesaving heroin withdrawal drug soars by 700%
Cost of lifesaving heroin withdrawal drug soars by 700% Treatment agencies warn of extra drug-related deaths unless price hike is addressed
A 700% spike in the price of a drug used to wean addicts off heroin has caused alarm among treatment agencies, which warn of a rise in drug-related deaths unless urgent action is taken to make it more affordable.
Buprenorphine is an alternative to methadone that reduces the symptoms of withdrawal and lessens the desire to use heroin. It is estimated that more than 30,000 people in England use the drug, which offers a reduced risk of overdose compared with methadone. The Guardian
A 700% spike in the price of a drug used to wean addicts off heroin has caused alarm among treatment agencies, which warn of a rise in drug-related deaths unless urgent action is taken to make it more affordable.
Buprenorphine is an alternative to methadone that reduces the symptoms of withdrawal and lessens the desire to use heroin. It is estimated that more than 30,000 people in England use the drug, which offers a reduced risk of overdose compared with methadone. The Guardian
More than one in four weekend GP appointments left unused, investigation finds
More than one in four weekend GP appointments left unused, investigation finds More than one in four GP appointments are left unused at weekends, amid a “shocking” failure of policies to improve access to family doctors, an investigation has found.
Ministers have repeatedly promised to expand opening hours of GP surgeries, so that working people are able to get appointments during evenings and weekends.
But the research from areas offering such access shows 37 per cent of Sunday appointments are being left unfilled, along with 24 per cent of Saturday slots, and 23 per cent of those on weekday evenings. The Daily Telegraph
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Ministers have repeatedly promised to expand opening hours of GP surgeries, so that working people are able to get appointments during evenings and weekends.
But the research from areas offering such access shows 37 per cent of Sunday appointments are being left unfilled, along with 24 per cent of Saturday slots, and 23 per cent of those on weekday evenings. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Revealed: 'Shocking' 25% of evening and weekend GP appointments empty Pulse
- Extending access to routine GP services must be based on patient need, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
- Quarter of weekend and evening GP appointments wasted due to 'lack of of demand', despite record waiting times The Independent
I've seen lives destroyed by hospitals losing test results
I've seen lives destroyed by hospitals losing test results While the rest of society has embraced a paperless culture, some NHS records are still written on easily lost bits of paper, says Dr Mike Brooks. The Daily Mail
Hospital patients should volunteer and give back to the NHS to make it 'work so much better'
Hospital patients should volunteer and give back to the NHS to make it 'work so much better' Hospital patients should give back to the NHS by volunteering when they are better, according to the head of a watchdog.
Sir Robert Francis, who today took charge of Healthwatch England, said more people should be offering their help for free to the health service.
The 68-year-old added the NHS would 'work so much better' if everybody did their bit.
But, Sir Robert stressed, volunteers must not be expected to make up for short-staffing or to do the work of paid employees. The Daily Mail
Sir Robert Francis, who today took charge of Healthwatch England, said more people should be offering their help for free to the health service.
The 68-year-old added the NHS would 'work so much better' if everybody did their bit.
But, Sir Robert stressed, volunteers must not be expected to make up for short-staffing or to do the work of paid employees. The Daily Mail
Monday, 1 October 2018
Raise prices and restrict alcohol to stop harmful drinking, says WHO
Raise prices and restrict alcohol to stop harmful drinking, says WHO Governments should raise the price of alcohol and restrict its availability in a bid to reduce harmful drinking, the World Health Organization has said.
The WHO's alcohol guidance for governments - called the Safer plan - released on Friday, outlines five strategies governments can implement to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by 10 per cent globally over the next seven years.
Restricting booze-related advertising, cracking down on drink driving and improving treatment are also advocated in the WHO guidance. The Telegraph
The WHO's alcohol guidance for governments - called the Safer plan - released on Friday, outlines five strategies governments can implement to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by 10 per cent globally over the next seven years.
Restricting booze-related advertising, cracking down on drink driving and improving treatment are also advocated in the WHO guidance. The Telegraph
NHS must adopt 'plain English approach' to stop confusing MPs - iNews
NHS must adopt 'plain English approach' to stop confusing MPs - iNews The NHS must adopt a “plain English approach” as healthcare jargon leaves two-thirds of MPs baffled, according to new research which is leading to calls for the NHS to reduce its use of “special words”. Labour MPs claim to have a better understanding of terms such as “system approaches” and “holistic care” than their Conservative counterparts, but are more likely to want the language to be simplified and explained more clearly. Just 12 per cent of the MPs surveyed believe that the language used to describe the current changes in the structure of the NHS is simple and easy to understand. And only just over half (55 per cent) feel sufficiently well informed to scrutinise healthcare issues in Parliament. iNews
Ambulance service efficiencies 'could save NHS £500m' - Public Finance
Ambulance service efficiencies 'could save NHS £500m' - Public Finance Making ambulance services in England more efficient could save the NHS £500m by 2020-21, a major review has claimed.
An NHS Providers’ report, led by Lord Carter and published yesterday, found if more patients were treated at the scene by paramedics the acute health sector could save £300m in two year ’s time.
By eliminating differences in productivity and improvement between the 10 ambulance trusts could save £200m for the health services, it also found. Public Finance
An NHS Providers’ report, led by Lord Carter and published yesterday, found if more patients were treated at the scene by paramedics the acute health sector could save £300m in two year ’s time.
By eliminating differences in productivity and improvement between the 10 ambulance trusts could save £200m for the health services, it also found. Public Finance
NHS under severe strain with 12% drop in mental health nurses - Health Europa
NHS under severe strain with 12% drop in mental health nurses - Health Europa
The Mental Health Network reports evidence of the NHS under severe strain, with a drop in mental health nurses.
Workforce statistics for June 2018 show 35,674 registered nurses working in mental health NHS trusts in England, which is a drop of more than 12% on the 40,602 mental health nurses employed less than a decade ago in September 2009. Health Europa
The Mental Health Network reports evidence of the NHS under severe strain, with a drop in mental health nurses.
Workforce statistics for June 2018 show 35,674 registered nurses working in mental health NHS trusts in England, which is a drop of more than 12% on the 40,602 mental health nurses employed less than a decade ago in September 2009. Health Europa
See also:
- NHS – mental health service under severe strain The HR Director Magazine
A Year Of Integrated Care Systems: Reviewing The Journey So Far
A Year Of Integrated Care Systems: Reviewing The Journey So Far The King’s Fund, September 2018
Integrated care systems represent a fundamental and far-reaching change in how the NHS works across different services and with external partners. This report is based on interviews with eight of the ‘first wave’ integrated care systems to understand how they are developing and to identify lessons for local systems and national policy-makers. Lancashire Care Library and Information Service
Integrated care systems represent a fundamental and far-reaching change in how the NHS works across different services and with external partners. This report is based on interviews with eight of the ‘first wave’ integrated care systems to understand how they are developing and to identify lessons for local systems and national policy-makers. Lancashire Care Library and Information Service
Chief medical officer to draw up social media guidelines for children
Chief medical officer to draw up social media guidelines for children Health secretary Matt Hancock has asked the UK’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dame Sally Davies, to draw up official guidelines setting out the maximum amount of time young people should spend on social media.
Mr Hancock made the announced in an interview with the Observer newspaper in which he revealed that he limits the social media use of his own children. It comes amid growing concerns that excessive use could be linked to mental health problems in children. OnMedica
Mr Hancock made the announced in an interview with the Observer newspaper in which he revealed that he limits the social media use of his own children. It comes amid growing concerns that excessive use could be linked to mental health problems in children. OnMedica
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Call to reform pay-review process
Call to reform pay-review process The BMA has called for fundamental reform of the pay-review process for doctors and dentists.
In a joint statement to the health secretary Matthew Hancock, the BMA and British Dental Association warn that confidence in the independence and effectiveness of the DDRB (Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration) has been destroyed by the interference of successive governments, with the review process ‘no longer acceptable’ to doctors.
The letter follows a BMA survey of almost 13,000 doctors in England earlier this year which found that nearly three quarters described the Government's pay offer as highly unacceptable. BMA
In a joint statement to the health secretary Matthew Hancock, the BMA and British Dental Association warn that confidence in the independence and effectiveness of the DDRB (Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration) has been destroyed by the interference of successive governments, with the review process ‘no longer acceptable’ to doctors.
The letter follows a BMA survey of almost 13,000 doctors in England earlier this year which found that nearly three quarters described the Government's pay offer as highly unacceptable. BMA
NHS Improvement and NHS England face 20 per cent budget cuts - Health Service Journal (press release)
NHS Improvement and NHS England face 20 per cent budget cuts - Health Service Journal (press release) NHS England and NHS Improvement must cut their costs by 20 per cent through developing a new joint operating model, according to plans discussed by senior figures today.
The paper outlining how system leaders were approaching the development of the new single operating model was presented to a “meeting in common” of leaders from both organisations in Skipton House, London.
The paper, entitled Next steps on delivering a single operating model and shared culture, said: “Following the funding settlement and ambition for the long term plan, we must have a sharper focus on improving productivity and efficiency… HSJ
The paper outlining how system leaders were approaching the development of the new single operating model was presented to a “meeting in common” of leaders from both organisations in Skipton House, London.
The paper, entitled Next steps on delivering a single operating model and shared culture, said: “Following the funding settlement and ambition for the long term plan, we must have a sharper focus on improving productivity and efficiency… HSJ
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