Friday 29 November 2013

More than 700 people in Northampton living with HIV

More than 700 people in Northampton living with HIV More than 700 people in Northamptonshire are living normal lives despite having the HIV virus, latest figures have shown. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Patient stories 2013: time for change

Patient stories 2013: time for change The aim of this report is to amplify the voices of individual patients to highlight wider trends, with particular reference to the key themes of the Francis Inquiry report. The Patients Association

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Footballers 'no more likely' to get Alzheimer's disease

Footballers 'no more likely' to get Alzheimer's disease “Footballers and boxers are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s,” is the entirely spurious claim from the Mail Online.
The study it reports on did not involve footballers, or boxers, or indeed, any living humans.

Learning disabilities: good practice project

Learning disabilities: good practice project This report gives people who commission, design and deliver services a better understanding of how to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities. Department of Health

Black and minority ethnic communities and dementia: where are we now?

Black and minority ethnic communities and dementia: where are we now? This briefing looks at developments in the UK since the launch of the National Dementia Strategy in 2009.  It considers the extent to which the Strategy is addressing the information, support and care needs of those in black and minority ethnic communities and ensuring that they are supported in 'living well’ with dementia. Better Health

We still need to talk: a report on access to talking therapies

We still need to talk: a report on access to talking therapies This report finds that more than one in ten (12%) people with mental health problems are stuck on waiting lists for over a year before receiving talking treatments and over half (54%) wait over three months. The survey of over 1,600 people who have tried to access talking therapies such as counselling and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy on the NHS in England over the last two years also shows how some people are paying for private therapy to get the help they desperately need. One in ten said that they had faced costs for private treatment because the therapy they needed was not available on the NHS. 

Caring for an ageing population

Caring for an ageing population We looked beyond our own system to examine how Japan has tried to address the conundrum of providing sufficient and appropriate services for an increasing number of frail older people in an affordable and equitable way. The Nuffield Trust

Lack of GP appointments prompted almost 2 million A&E visits last year

Lack of GP appointments prompted almost 2 million A&E visits last year Survey indicates this could have cost the NHS £120m, estimates Network Locum OnMedica

NHS hospitals 'are where people go to die', says former health boss

NHS hospitals 'are where people go to die', says former health boss Mike Farrar, the former CEO of the NHS Confederation, has attacked the health service for failing to offer any alternatives to hospital to critically ill patients. The Daily Telegraph

'Disturbingly poor care is too common in NHS', says chairman of Mid-Staffs inquiry

'Disturbingly poor care is too common in NHS', says chairman of Mid-Staffs inquiry Reports of "disturbing, poor and unsafe care" in the NHS are too common, says Robert Francis QC, as he vows to champion the rights of patients. The Daily Telegraph

New government website to name and shame doctors over who have poor rates of dementia diagnosis

Thursday 28 November 2013

New look at uniform cigarette packs

New look at uniform cigarette packs The government is to announce an independent review of cigarette packaging amid continuing calls for action to discourage young smokers. BBC News

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Patients 'wait too long' for therapy

Patients 'wait too long' for therapy Mental health experts say there are still problems accessing talking therapies such as counselling, despite wide recognition of their benefits. BBC News

New patients' champion for the NHS

New patients' champion for the NHS The man who led the public inquiry into the Stafford Hospital scandal is to become president of the Patients Association, promising to do all he can to rid the NHS of bad care. BBC News

Why cancer costs as much as a mortgage

Why cancer costs as much as a mortgage The financial hit can be as much as a mortgage. BBC News

RCN and Carers Trust develop ‘Triangle of Care’ to improve dementia care

RCN and Carers Trust develop ‘Triangle of Care’ to improve dementia care The RCN and Carers Trust have today published a new guide to improve the care of people with dementia by ensuring the support and involvement of their carers. The RCN

High salt levels in soluble drugs may raise heart risk

High salt levels in soluble drugs may raise heart risk “High sodium levels in drugs 'putting patients at risk',” The Guardian reports. A study in the BMJ highlights the often overlooked fact that 'everyday' soluble drugs such as painkillers, contain high levels of salt (sodium) which may cause health problems if taken on a long-term basis.

Failing to care: NHS continuing care in England

Failing to care: NHS continuing care in England This report follows an inquiry into NHS continuing care and finds that people with Parkinson's are often left to cover the cost of care themselves. It also found that 59% of NHS continuing care assessments don't involve a professional with specialist expertise or knowledge in the applicant's condition, leading to inaccurate and incorrect decisions on funding. Parkinson's UK

The NHS atlas of variation in diagnostic services

The NHS atlas of variation in diagnostic services This publication features 69 different maps of England and identifies local variations for a wide range of diagnostic services covering imaging, endoscopy, physiological diagnostics, pathology, and genetics. It shows that patients in certain areas are hundreds of times less likely to be offered some tests than in other parts of the country.

Improving patient flow across organisations and pathways

Improving patient flow across organisations and pathways "This scan compiled research about the methods used to improve patient flow across organisations or pathways." The Health Foundation

NHS to launch Tripadvisor-style website

NHS to launch Tripadvisor-style website Following a three month trial involving 20 hospital trusts, the scheme is to be rolled out nationally next year.

Charities attack treatment delays for mental health patients

Charities attack treatment delays for mental health patients Ministers urged to act quickly as survey finds 12% of people are forced to wait more than a year to be seen.

Revealed: the financial impact of cancer

Revealed: the financial impact of cancer Cancer is costing sufferers an average of £7,000 a year - the equivalent of an extra mortgage - in travel and lost income, a think tank report has disclosed. The Daily Telegraph

NHS told to ban smoking near hospitals

NHS told to ban smoking near hospitals

NHS hospitals have been advised to ban smoking on their premises and prohibit staff from facilitating patients who want to smoke, according to new guidance. The Independent

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Wednesday 27 November 2013

County’s NHS launches pilot to reduce pressure on A&E

County’s NHS launches pilot to reduce pressure on A&E A pilot scheme at accident and emergency services in Northamptonshire are being put in place to help alleviate pressures on the departments. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Press release: Equivalent of up to 3,000 extra doctors and nurses, and thousands more beds made available to support NHS

Press release: Equivalent of up to 3,000 extra doctors and nurses, and thousands more beds made available to support NHS Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the plans today to make sure the NHS is better prepared for winter than ever before.

NHS told to get tough on smoking

NHS told to get tough on smoking The NHS must stop turning a "blind eye" to smoking and ban it in all hospital grounds in England, according to new guidance. BBC News

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Boots recalls cough and cold remedies

Boots recalls cough and cold remedies Pharmacy giant Boots recalls tens of thousands of bottles of cough and cold medicines over fears that plastic might have got into the liquid. BBC News

Patient safety reporting overhaul

Patient safety reporting overhaul The NHS is developing the National Reporting and Learning System to become an integrated reporting route for patient safety incidents. E-Health Insider

Are private patients 'too posh to push'?

Are private patients 'too posh to push'? "Well-off mothers really are 'too posh to push'," the Mail Online reports after an Irish study found that mothers who use private healthcare services had twice the odds of having a planned caesarean section as women using state-funded care.

Self-harm: half of inpatient cases dealt with by hospitals involve existing mental health service users

Self-harm: half of inpatient cases dealt with by hospitals involve existing mental health service users A third of all service user cases involve intentional self-harm with prescription drugs. Health and Social Care Information Centre

Francis report: Jeremy Hunt has prioritised blame over support

Francis report: Jeremy Hunt has prioritised blame over support The government's response fits in with the wider political strategy of blaming individuals for shortcomings in the system.

More transparency needed in hospitals

More transparency needed in hospitals Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer, says openness will help drive up standards for patients. The Daily Telegraph

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Bitter conditions linked to deaths of additional 31,000 people last winter - a rise of almost one third

Bitter conditions linked to deaths of additional 31,000 people last winter - a rise of almost one third

There was a 29 per cent increase in deaths linked to the cold weather last winter, new figures have revealed. The Independent

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Tuesday 26 November 2013

Invitation to talk health in Corby

Invitation to talk health in Corby Healthwatch Northamptonshire is inviting people to a meeting about health and social care at the Corby Cube on Thursday, December 5. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

The Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles Results published across six papers in The Lancet give the most detailed picture yet of the British population’s sex lives over the last 10 years, as part of the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles survey (Natsal).

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Child-on-child abuse 'shocking'

Child-on-child abuse 'shocking' "Shocking" sexual violence is being carried out by children against other children as young as 11, according to an official report. BBC News

Solving a game of hospital Tetris

Solving a game of hospital Tetris Can tracking technology help fill hospital beds? BBC News

AUDIO: Carers 'paid less than minimum wage'

AUDIO: Carers 'paid less than minimum wage' Some care workers are being paid less than the minimum wage, a report has found. BBC News

Tough decisions needed on NHS pay says Dean Royles

Tough decisions needed on NHS pay says Dean Royles It is the same every year. The annual planning cycle means that each September, we submit our written evidence to the NHS Pay review bodies – independent bodies that recommend pay awards for NHS staff. They will decide in spring 2014 whether or not to accept our recommendations. The review body asked us for evidence …NHS Voices 

Waiting times for GPs predicted to worsen this winter, as result of emerging £10.2bn funding black hole

Waiting times for GPs predicted to worsen this winter, as result of emerging £10.2bn funding black hole According to new research by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), funding has drifted away from primary care towards hospitals over the last eight years – with the result that general practice now receives £2.4bn less a year than if funding had kept pace with secondary care.

Steroid use in premature babies linked to ADHD

Steroid use in premature babies linked to ADHD "Steroid injections for premature babies could raise ADHD risk," reports The Daily Telegraph after a Finnish study found a link between steroid use (corticosteroids) in premature babies and developmental conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Still ignoring the risks? An interim review of health and wellbeing boards

Still ignoring the risks? An interim review of health and wellbeing boards Earlier this year, the Campaign to End Loneliness published Ignoring the health risks?, which tracked whether the newly established health and wellbeing boards across England had prioritised the public health issues of loneliness and isolation within their strategies. This review updates the research and finds that more than half of boards  have included some reference to loneliness or isolation in their strategies.

Improve access to support for domestic abuse, BMA demands

Improve access to support for domestic abuse, BMA demands GPs have key role in spotting signs of abuse, but often lack confidence in how best to handle it. OnMedica

Obesity crisis: more than one third of 60-70 year olds now dangerously overweight

Obesity crisis: more than one third of 60-70 year olds now dangerously overweight People are growing fatter in old age with waist sizes rising faster than body mass index. The Daily Telegraph

Monday 25 November 2013

Fire crews treated patients 387 times in three months

Fire crews treated patients 387 times in three months Hundreds of patients who dial 999 and ask for an ambulance are now being sent firefighters or, on some occasions, police officers. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Speech: Secretary of State for Health: message to NHS staff

Speech: Secretary of State for Health: message to NHS staff This week was a major milestone for the NHS, with our final response to the Francis report. It comes on the back of a challenging year of unprecedented scrutiny and transparency. It has not been easy, but I am confident the result will be a profound change in culture that will make our NHS the safest health system in the world.

Friendship line for elderly launched

Friendship line for elderly launched Esther Rantzen launches a free 24-hour dedicated helpline for older people that aims to provide friendship and combat loneliness. BBC News

Delayed hospital discharges examined

Delayed hospital discharges examined NHS figures have highlighted the growing impact of delays in discharging patients in England once they are fit to leave hospital. BBC News

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'Fat gene' could make you 'eat more and move less'

'Fat gene' could make you 'eat more and move less' "Do YOU have the fat gene?" the Mail Online asks, saying that, "90% of obese people could have mutation that means they're programmed to eat more and move less". Its report is based on a genetic analysis of a multigenerational Arab Israeli family in which it appeared that morbid obesity "ran in the family".

The UK strategy for rare diseases

The UK strategy for rare diseases This strategy contains over 50 commitments to ensure people living with a rare disease have access to the best evidence-based care and treatment that health and social services, working with charities, researchers and industry, can provide.

Hospitals scramble to prevent crisis in NHS's 'toughest ever' winter

Hospitals scramble to prevent crisis in NHS's 'toughest ever' winter NHS deputy chief executive says service 'pulling out all the stops' to deal with impact of bad weather, flu and vomiting bug.

Hundreds of convicted doctors still practising

Hundreds of convicted doctors still practising Medical chiefs say they cannot automatically ban convicted doctors because it may breach their human rights. The Daily Telegraph

'Stealth' pay rises for NHS staff costing £1bn a year

'Stealth' pay rises for NHS staff costing £1bn a year The NHS is spending almost £1 billion a year on a stealth system of automatic pay rises, which have seen earnings rise by up to a third in five years. The Daily Telegraph

NHS hospitals send overseas for nurses before winter crisis

NHS hospitals send overseas for nurses before winter crisis

Hundreds of Spanish nurses will start work across Britain this week, having been fast-tracked to work at NHS hospitals in what the Royal College of Nursing is describing as a “crisis in workforce supply”. The Independent

Reactor closure puts medical scans at risk as shortage of radioactive material could jeopardise patients’ health

Reactor closure puts medical scans at risk as shortage of radioactive material could jeopardise patients’ health

A worldwide shortage of radioactive material vital for the operation of medical scanners could jeopardise patients’ health in the UK, say senior doctors. They are calling on the Government to prevent a shortage of a radioactive isotope used to diagnose cancers and heart defects. The Independent

Friday 22 November 2013

‘Legal high’ cases on the rise at Northampton General Hospital

‘Legal high’ cases on the rise at Northampton General Hospital One person a week is being taken to Northampton General Hospital suffering from the effects of ‘legal highs’, an accident and emergency consultant has warned. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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The state of health care and adult social care in England 2012/13

The state of health care and adult social care in England 2012/13 This year’s State of Care report looks at the pressures on A&E services due to an increase of admissions for ‘avoidable’ conditions. It also brings together the findings of more than 35,000 inspections to try and give a picture of the quality of health and social care services in 2012/13.
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Elderly emergency admissions rising

Elderly emergency admissions rising Urgent action is needed to stem the rise in avoidable emergency admissions among the elderly, regulators say. BBC News

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Concern at brain haemorrhage delays

Concern at brain haemorrhage delays Experts warn of delays in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with brain haemorrhages, especially at weekends, which they say is causing 'unnecessary harm'. BBC News

A question of behaviours: why delivering care integration and managing acute demand depends as much on changing behaviour as new systems

A question of behaviours: why delivering care integration and managing acute demand depends as much on changing behaviour as new systems This report from iMPOWER addresses two connected challenges: the increasing dependency on acute settings and urgent care, particularly for the elderly and the positive agenda to integrate care in home and community settings.

Health at a glance 2013: OECD indicators

Health at a glance 2013: OECD indicators This report provides the latest comparable data on different aspects of the performance of health systems in OECD countries. It provides evidence of large variations across countries in the costs, activities and results of health systems. Key indicators provide information on health status, the determinants of health, health care activities and health expenditure and financing in OECD countries.

NHS wastes millions each year on utilities

NHS wastes millions each year on utilities The NHS in England could have saved £41.4m by simply paying the average tariff for energy and water OnMedica

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Middle managers can bridge gap between ward and board

Middle managers can bridge gap between ward and board The NHS doesn't always encourage sharing information across the tiers – but it is essential to improving patient safety.

Britain's rates of cancer and stroke survival on par with Eastern Europe, study finds

Britain's rates of cancer and stroke survival on par with Eastern Europe, study finds Britain's rates of cancer and stroke survival are on a par with Eastern Europe, despite Government pledges to improve care, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development finds. The Daily Telegraph

Thursday 21 November 2013

Labour demands health bosses hold meetings over possible cuts

Labour demands health bosses hold meetings over possible cuts Northamptonshire’s Labour Party says health bosses in the county have gone back on their pledge to hold public meetings over plans which could see a reduction in funding for services. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Hunt for Northampton General Hospital poster girl

Hunt for Northampton General Hospital poster girl A search has begun for a girl who appeared in a charity fund-raising film for Northampton General Hospital almost 80 years ago. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

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The role of rules and regulation in patient safety

The role of rules and regulation in patient safety The concrete steps we should take in making progress towards Berwick’s noble vision are unlikely to involve dispensing with rules and regulation altogether, says Karen Yeung, the question is how to design them so that they promote behaviour deemed desirable without thwarting the very conduct we seek to encourage. The Health Foundation  

NHS electronic prescribing 'patchy'

NHS electronic prescribing 'patchy' Better use of electronic prescribing in NHS hospitals would improve patient safety, a study suggests. BBC News

A&Es get extra money as winter bites

A&Es get extra money as winter bites The government is expected to make an extra £150m available for A&E units in England as they gear up for what looks set to be a tough winter, the BBC understands. BBC News

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Analysing your staff survey results

Analysing your staff survey results A useful analysis tool which can assess links between staff and patient experience. NHS Employers

Aspirin at bedtime 'cuts' morning heart attack risk

Aspirin at bedtime 'cuts' morning heart attack risk “Take aspirin before bed to cut morning heart risk,” is the advice in The Daily Telegraph today. It’s prompted by a presentation that explained research that found a night-time aspirin helped thin the blood in the morning.

Dementia carers ‘close to breaking point’

Dementia carers ‘close to breaking point’ Charities say better support will save costs in both short and long term. OnMedica

NHS doctors spend 10 hours a week on bureaucracy

NHS doctors spend 10 hours a week on bureaucracy NHS doctors and nurses spend up to 10 hours a week on bureaucracy - a third of which is unneccesary, a Government review has found. The Daily Telegraph

Patient care and choice is at risk, say senior NHS figures

Patient care and choice is at risk, say senior NHS figures The National Health Service is undergoing its biggest shake-up in decades, but its own directors and board members, as well as those across the health sector, are concerned that patient care is deteriorating, that the NHS is worse equipped to deliver value-for-money, and that patient choice and satisfaction is going to get worse. The Independent

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry: government response

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry: government response These documents build on the government’s initial response: Patients First and Foremost, which was published in March 2013. They explain the changes that have been put in place since the initial response was published, and set out how the whole health and care system will prioritise and build on this. Volume 2 outlines the responses to each of the 290 recommendations made by the public inquiry.
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How to ensure the right people, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time: a guide to nursing, midwifery and care...

How to ensure the right people, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time: a guide to nursing, midwifery and care... this guidance, published by the National Quality Board, aims to support providers and commissioners to make the right decisions about nursing, midwifery and care staffing capacity and capability. It outlines expectations related to staffing; signposts tools and resources to support this; and explains what national organisations will do to underpin the expectations

Hospital self-harm care 'lacking'

Hospital self-harm care 'lacking' Many hospitals in England are failing to provide adequate care for people who have self-harmed, despite a national drive to improve services, research suggests. BBC News

Challenging bureaucracy

Challenging bureaucracy In February 2013, the Secretary of State for Health commissioned the NHS Confederation to complete a review of the bureaucratic burdens on providers of NHS care from national bodies. NHS Confederation

General practice funding at a nine-year low

General practice funding at a nine-year low New figures published by the RCGP and the National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) show funding for general practice at a nine-year low. Royal College of General Practitioners 

The cost of our health: the role of charging in healthcare

The cost of our health: the role of charging in healthcare This report examines the funding of health and care and the role of user charging in healthcare. It argues that new charges could raise nearly £3 billion per year to fund NHS services.

Evidence submission: Health Select Committee's inquiry into public expenditure on health and social care

Evidence submission: Health Select Committee's inquiry into public expenditure on health and social care This submission considers the financial pressures the NHS is currently under and will continue to face in the coming years. It analyses the progress being made in the attempt to meet the Nicholson Challenge target of making £20 billion of savings.

NHS 'privatisation': what's the mood among independent providers?

NHS 'privatisation': what's the mood among independent providers?
Private sector providers continue to increase their presence, despite a widespread feeling that political support for them has expired.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Hospitals to publish staffing levels

Hospitals to publish staffing levels Hospitals in England will be made to publish monthly details of whether they have enough nurses working on their wards, from next April. BBC News

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Call to raise prescriptions to £10

Call to raise prescriptions to £10 Prescription charges in England should be increased to £10 to fund cash-strapped NHS services, a centre-right think-tank says. BBC News

Care of brain injury victims 'poor'

Care of brain injury victims 'poor' BBC Newsnight has been shown secretly-filmed footage that shows poor treatment of patients with brain injuries who need specialist rehabilitation. BBC News

VIDEO: How does the NHS plan for winter?

VIDEO: How does the NHS plan for winter? Doctors have described life inside accident and emergency units as "always winter but never Christmas" and The College of Emergency Medicine has warned that this year could bring the "worst crisis on record". BBC News

A place for parity: health and wellbeing boards and mental health

A place for parity: health and wellbeing boards and mental health This report is the result of a study which reviewed 100 strategies and found that nine did not include mental health in their priorities at all. It looks at how much focus the boards have given to mental health in their strategies, which areas of mental health they focus on and what factors helped or hindered the agenda of mental health during the development of the strategies.

Seven day consultant present care: implementation considerations

Seven day consultant present care: implementation considerations This report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges argues that most patients in hospital over a bank holiday or a weekend would benefit from a daily review of their care led by a consultant. It also argues that for seven day care proposals to succeed, strong links between hospitals and community care need to be in place, particularly for frail, elderly and vulnerable patients.

Will a duty of candour provoke a culture change in the NHS?

Will a duty of candour provoke a culture change in the NHS? Health and social care professionals must be able to speak out about failings within the NHS without fear of sanctions.

Survival rates increase for children beating cancer

Survival rates increase for children beating cancer The number of children beating cancer has risen to more than eight in 10, figures show. The Independent

Monday 18 November 2013

Antibiotics are 'not for snot'

Antibiotics are 'not for snot' Running noses and green phlegm do not mean patients need antibiotics, say doctors and public health experts. BBC News

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Infection control concerns highlighted by RCN and IPS

Infection control concerns highlighted by RCN and IPS The RCN and the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) are working together to highlight concerns over ongoing infection prevention and control arrangements in England.