Cancer patients asked to help shape future of care in Northampton Northampton patients undergoing cancer treatment could help shape the future of care in the town.
Northampton General Hospital is asking for people who are undergoing or recently completed cancer treatments to help them develop a new service for patients. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Wednesday, 26 June 2019
Investigation into NHS Property Services Limited
Investigation into NHS Property Services Limited Today’s report by the National Audit Office has found that NHS Property Services Limited (the Service) lacks the powers it needs to make its tenants sign lease agreements and pay their rent, which has contributed to increasing levels of outstanding debt.
The Service was established in December 2011 to manage, maintain and improve NHS properties in England and facilities previously owned by strategic health authorities and primary care trusts. It operates 2,900 properties with an estimated value of £3.8 billion, and has approximately 6,950 tenants.
The Service has no effective way of getting tenants to sign formal rental agreements. Since 2013-14 the percentage of tenants without leases has increased from nearly two-thirds to 70%. The Service has improved the quality of data it holds and introduced a new billing system in 2017, but many bills are still disputed, particularly by tenants without rental agreements.
The Service was established in December 2011 to manage, maintain and improve NHS properties in England and facilities previously owned by strategic health authorities and primary care trusts. It operates 2,900 properties with an estimated value of £3.8 billion, and has approximately 6,950 tenants.
The Service has no effective way of getting tenants to sign formal rental agreements. Since 2013-14 the percentage of tenants without leases has increased from nearly two-thirds to 70%. The Service has improved the quality of data it holds and introduced a new billing system in 2017, but many bills are still disputed, particularly by tenants without rental agreements.
Hidden no more: dementia and disability
Hidden no more: dementia and disability According to domestic law and international convention, dementia is a disability. Thousands of people who responded to an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry agreed that they see dementia as a disability. But they told the APPG that society is lagging behind and failing to uphold the legal rights of people with dementia. The evidence reveals that, across the country, people with dementia are not having their disability rights upheld. This report seeks to highlight the human impact that this has on people living with dementia. It focuses on themes of equality, non-discrimination, participation and inclusion. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia
Essex Strep A outbreak: Twelve people dead
Essex Strep A outbreak: Twelve people dead Twelve people have died in a "very serious" outbreak of a rare contagious bacterial strain, it has emerged.
Thirty-two people across Essex have been infected with the invasive Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection.
Public Health England (PHE) warned there was a "high risk" of further fatalities from the "ongoing outbreak".
It began in Braintree but cases have been found around Chelmsford and Maldon, a Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) report said. BBC News
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Thirty-two people across Essex have been infected with the invasive Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infection.
Public Health England (PHE) warned there was a "high risk" of further fatalities from the "ongoing outbreak".
It began in Braintree but cases have been found around Chelmsford and Maldon, a Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) report said. BBC News
See also:
- Twelve die in Essex as rare bug infects dozens of vulnerable elderly The Daily Telegraph
- 12 killed by rare bacterial infection in Essex The Independent
Struggling mums to get mental health help via text
Struggling mums to get mental health help via text Women who are struggling with mental health issues during pregnancy or after giving birth will now be able to get help by sending a text message.
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust claims its Mum's Mind message service is the first of its kind for the NHS.
Mothers can text the service if they are struggling with problems like anxiety, panic attacks and depression. BBC News
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust claims its Mum's Mind message service is the first of its kind for the NHS.
Mothers can text the service if they are struggling with problems like anxiety, panic attacks and depression. BBC News
Boris Johnson filmed telling Tory members NHS 'needs reform'
Boris Johnson filmed telling Tory members NHS 'needs reform' Boris Johnson has been filmed at a private garden party telling Conservative members that the NHS absolutely needs to be reformed, as he fired them up for a general election by asking them to be ready to “wallop Jeremy Corbyn”.
The frontrunner to be Conservative leader and prime minister was videoed giving a rabble-rousing stump speech to members in Sutton Coldfield on Saturday, the day after the Guardian revealed that police had been called to his girlfriend’s flat following a late-night altercation.
Asked by one party member what he would do with the NHS, Johnson told the crowd the health service was a “crowning glory” but was “not getting the kind of support and indeed the kind of changes and management that it needs”, suggesting he as prime minister would aim to undertake an overhaul of the health service. The Guardian
The frontrunner to be Conservative leader and prime minister was videoed giving a rabble-rousing stump speech to members in Sutton Coldfield on Saturday, the day after the Guardian revealed that police had been called to his girlfriend’s flat following a late-night altercation.
Asked by one party member what he would do with the NHS, Johnson told the crowd the health service was a “crowning glory” but was “not getting the kind of support and indeed the kind of changes and management that it needs”, suggesting he as prime minister would aim to undertake an overhaul of the health service. The Guardian
Scrap upfront NHS charges for migrants, says BMA
Scrap upfront NHS charges for migrants, says BMA Policy has resulted in deaths and been heavily criticised by MPs and health charities
Britain’s doctors have urged ministers to scrap controversial rules that force migrants to pay upfront before they can receive NHS care for serious illnesses such as cancer.
The British Medical Association has become the first body representing medical staff to call for the complete abolition of the charges, which have been heavily criticised by MPs and health charities. The Guardian
Britain’s doctors have urged ministers to scrap controversial rules that force migrants to pay upfront before they can receive NHS care for serious illnesses such as cancer.
The British Medical Association has become the first body representing medical staff to call for the complete abolition of the charges, which have been heavily criticised by MPs and health charities. The Guardian
Simple prostate cancer test could diagnose five years early and prevent thousands of invasive operations
Simple prostate cancer test could diagnose five years early and prevent thousands of invasive operations A simple urine test could detect aggressive prostate cancer five years before treatment is needed and save thousands of men from invasive surgery.
Researchers said the simple test could make a “huge difference” to men with suspected disease, giving many the all-clear, without having to undergo biopsies.
The £100 test - which could be offered within three years - is much more sensitive than current methods, picking up how aggressive the disease is and at what point men will need treatment. The Daily Telegraph
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Researchers said the simple test could make a “huge difference” to men with suspected disease, giving many the all-clear, without having to undergo biopsies.
The £100 test - which could be offered within three years - is much more sensitive than current methods, picking up how aggressive the disease is and at what point men will need treatment. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Prostate cancer: New urine test hope BBC News
Prince Charles criticised after becoming patron of homeopathy group
Prince Charles criticised after becoming patron of homeopathy group The Prince of Wales has come under fire after he became the patron of a homeopathy group, the Faculty of Homeopathy, which supports registered medical professionals with alternative treatment.
Following the announcement on Tuesday, Prince Charles came under criticism from scientists for associating himself with a group that is dedicated to a practice whose worth has come under question and which is banned by the NHS. The Daily Telegraph
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Following the announcement on Tuesday, Prince Charles came under criticism from scientists for associating himself with a group that is dedicated to a practice whose worth has come under question and which is banned by the NHS. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
- Prince Charles becomes patron of homeopathy group The Guardian
Whooping cough warning as cases are 27% higher than last year
Whooping cough warning as cases are 27% higher than last year Whooping cough appears to be making a resurgence across England and Wales as official data reveals the infection is on the rise.
Government statistics show 1,596 cases of pertussis – its medical name – have been reported so far this year.
In comparison, just 1,233 cases had been reported at the same time point last year, according to Public Health England. The Daily Mail
Government statistics show 1,596 cases of pertussis – its medical name – have been reported so far this year.
In comparison, just 1,233 cases had been reported at the same time point last year, according to Public Health England. The Daily Mail
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
Northamptonshire's health commissioning groups facing 'significant financial challenges'
Northamptonshire's health commissioning groups facing 'significant financial challenges' Northamptonshire’s commissioner of health services only just managed to balance its books last year and used all of its contingency reserve to do so.
There was just a £40,000 surplus on the £941m of spending carried out by the county’s two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), which say ‘they continue to face significant challenges on delivering their commissioning objectives in 2019/20’.
A huge £4m has to come out of the reserves of the larger Nene Commissioning Group to make the books balances and £561,000 has been taken from the Corby contingency reserve, which means the health commissioning groups will no longer have a financial buffer. Northamptonshire Telegraph
There was just a £40,000 surplus on the £941m of spending carried out by the county’s two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), which say ‘they continue to face significant challenges on delivering their commissioning objectives in 2019/20’.
A huge £4m has to come out of the reserves of the larger Nene Commissioning Group to make the books balances and £561,000 has been taken from the Corby contingency reserve, which means the health commissioning groups will no longer have a financial buffer. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Warehoused: seriously ill patients sent far from home to locked, private wards
Warehoused: seriously ill patients sent far from home to locked, private wards People with severe mental ill health are being routinely ‘warehoused’ in locked private wards hundreds of miles from homes for want of NHS care close to home, an investigation reveals.
Research by The Doctor magazine has found that five million people live in CCG (clinical commissioning group) areas in England with no NHS wards at all for mental health rehabilitation, a service that helps people with severe illness get their lives back on track.
While some CCGs pay for such beds in the NHS, most depend heavily on private hospitals and care homes – and increasingly so, data released under Freedom of Information laws reveals.
Hundreds of private beds are hours and hours away from patients’ homes, analysis of 2,600 journeys found. Seven hundred are sold to CCGs as ‘locked rehab’, a type not recognised in NHS guidance – raising concerns about patient care and human rights. BMA
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Research by The Doctor magazine has found that five million people live in CCG (clinical commissioning group) areas in England with no NHS wards at all for mental health rehabilitation, a service that helps people with severe illness get their lives back on track.
While some CCGs pay for such beds in the NHS, most depend heavily on private hospitals and care homes – and increasingly so, data released under Freedom of Information laws reveals.
Hundreds of private beds are hours and hours away from patients’ homes, analysis of 2,600 journeys found. Seven hundred are sold to CCGs as ‘locked rehab’, a type not recognised in NHS guidance – raising concerns about patient care and human rights. BMA
See also:
Research into the impact of pensions tax in the NHS
Research into the impact of pensions tax in the NHS NHS Employers commissioned First Actuarial to investigate the growing evidence suggesting that the changes in recent years to the annual and lifetime allowances are influencing the behaviour of NHS staff. The purpose of the research was to find out: how widespread pensions tax charges are in the NHS; the size of pensions tax charges faced by affected employees; and any impact of these charges on the working behaviour of employees – and how this impacts the objectives of the NHS and on the NHS Pension Scheme.
NHS long-term plan: legislative proposals
NHS long-term plan: legislative proposals This report welcomes, in principle, NHS England and NHS Improvement's proposals to promote collaboration, especially the proposal to repeal section 75 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and revoke the regulations made under it. The Health and Social Care Committee believes that collaboration, rather than competition, is a better way for the NHS and the wider health and care system to respond to today's challenges. Health and Social Care Committee
Child obesity drive 'stalled by Brexit'
Child obesity drive 'stalled by Brexit' The drive to tackle child obesity has stalled with a raft of measures stuck in Brexit backlog, it is being claimed.
A ban on energy drink sales to under-16s, clearer calorie labelling and a crackdown on junk food advertising were all promised by ministers when they launched the revamped obesity strategy.
But a year on none of the key measures has been introduced in England.
Both Labour and campaigners said it showed progress had stopped - but the government said it was still on track. BBC News
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A ban on energy drink sales to under-16s, clearer calorie labelling and a crackdown on junk food advertising were all promised by ministers when they launched the revamped obesity strategy.
But a year on none of the key measures has been introduced in England.
Both Labour and campaigners said it showed progress had stopped - but the government said it was still on track. BBC News
See also:
- Public and health experts give green light to new PM to push on with plans to tackle obesity Obesity Health Alliance
Judges overturn 'forced abortion' ruling
Judges overturn 'forced abortion' ruling A woman has won an appeal against a court ruling that would have seen her mentally ill daughter forced to have an abortion.
She appealed a decision made last week granting permission for specialists to end the pregnancy.
Three Court of Appeal judges in London upheld the appeal, overturning the previous decision.
Lord Justice McCombe, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson will give reasons at a later date. BBC News
She appealed a decision made last week granting permission for specialists to end the pregnancy.
Three Court of Appeal judges in London upheld the appeal, overturning the previous decision.
Lord Justice McCombe, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson will give reasons at a later date. BBC News
NHS ‘treating minority ethnic doctors as outsiders’
NHS ‘treating minority ethnic doctors as outsiders’ Bosses failing to offer support, says report into reasons for excessive disciplinary action
Doctors from ethnic minorities are too often treated as outsiders by their NHS bosses and peers and not given the support they need, according to an investigation into why they are twice as likely to face disciplinary action as white doctors.
A report commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC), the regulatory body for doctors, talks of “multiple and intricately linked” factors behind the disproportionate number of referrals of doctors from ethnic minorities by their employers. The Guardian
Doctors from ethnic minorities are too often treated as outsiders by their NHS bosses and peers and not given the support they need, according to an investigation into why they are twice as likely to face disciplinary action as white doctors.
A report commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC), the regulatory body for doctors, talks of “multiple and intricately linked” factors behind the disproportionate number of referrals of doctors from ethnic minorities by their employers. The Guardian
NHS consultants 'turning down work to avoid huge pension tax'
NHS consultants 'turning down work to avoid huge pension tax' Some doctors are even retiring early, report finds, prompting concerns over care quality
Senior doctors in the NHS are reducing their hours, turning down extra work and even retiring early to avoid being hit with huge tax bills on their pensions, a report reveals.
The findings have prompted concern that waits for treatment will grow longer, patients will receive inferior care and understaffing will worsen because hospitals have too few doctors available. The Guardian
Senior doctors in the NHS are reducing their hours, turning down extra work and even retiring early to avoid being hit with huge tax bills on their pensions, a report reveals.
The findings have prompted concern that waits for treatment will grow longer, patients will receive inferior care and understaffing will worsen because hospitals have too few doctors available. The Guardian
Medicalising everyday life doesn’t help anyone’s mental health
Medicalising everyday life doesn’t help anyone’s mental health | Adrian Massey Not all suffering is mental illness. Pretending it is raises false hopes and puts pressure on an already strained NHS
I have a growing sense of unease about the Americanisation of British society’s attitude towards mental health. In the 1980s, British audiences smiled bemusedly at neurosis-laden Woody Allen films and the normality with which American television and cinema treated notions of therapy, meds and interventions. To a British ear, the protagonists of these human melodramas could seem self-absorbed, foolish and narcissistic; figures of fun to be pitied for their inability to maintain a stiff upper lip and their ignorance of the power of a strong cup of tea. Yet now these are all concepts that have been normalised in Britain too. The Guardian
I have a growing sense of unease about the Americanisation of British society’s attitude towards mental health. In the 1980s, British audiences smiled bemusedly at neurosis-laden Woody Allen films and the normality with which American television and cinema treated notions of therapy, meds and interventions. To a British ear, the protagonists of these human melodramas could seem self-absorbed, foolish and narcissistic; figures of fun to be pitied for their inability to maintain a stiff upper lip and their ignorance of the power of a strong cup of tea. Yet now these are all concepts that have been normalised in Britain too. The Guardian
NHS trust baby deaths review uncovers hundreds of new cases
NHS trust baby deaths review uncovers hundreds of new cases A review into the deaths and injuries of babies at a scandal-hit maternity unit has uncovered hundreds of new cases.
NHS Improvement has found more than 300 new cases of concern at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SATH).
It is understood that the new cases include still births and deaths of babies in the final stages of labour. The Daily Telegraph
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NHS Improvement has found more than 300 new cases of concern at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SATH).
It is understood that the new cases include still births and deaths of babies in the final stages of labour. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
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