NHS England to publish quarterly lists of 'never events'

NHS England to publish quarterly lists of 'never events' Events that should never happen, such as surgical instruments left inside patients' bodies, will be listed by hospital trust

The NHS in England will publish quarterly lists of "never events" – so-called because they should never happen – broken down by hospital trust, it has emerged.

The admission came as part of a response to a freedom of information request from the magazineHealth Service Journal, which sought a list of serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents which are never supposed to happen in the NHS.

• Should our attitude towards 'never events' change?

2013 cancer survey: Trust level reports

2013 cancer survey: Trust level reports This survey reported the views of 116,000 cancer patients in all 155 NHS Trusts that provide treatment to patients with cancer. It showed improvements in many areas since last year, and outlined very positive experience of aspects of care such as privacy, being treated with respect, being listened to and given good information. NHS Evidence

• Trust level reports
• Survey materials and further information
• NHS England - press release

UK survey finds that social firms may help with vocational recovery for people with mental illness

UK survey finds that social firms may help with vocational recovery for people with mental illness In the UK it is a shocking statistic that around 80-90% of people with severe mental illness are not in work.  Unemployment impacts negatively not only on the individual, but is also costly to the government. Employment is now embedded in key mental health policy as a central part of recovery. However, despite this, and [read the full story...] The Mental Elf

Hospitals to be offered ‘gold standard’ mark on care for elderly patients following Mid Staffs scandal

Hospitals to be offered ‘gold standard’ mark on care for elderly patients following Mid Staffs scandal Hospital wards are to be awarded “gold standard” stamps of approval by the Royal College of Physicians if they can prove they are meeting high standards in caring for the elderly. Independent

Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers

Personal health budgets: challenges for commissioners and policy-makers This report looks at what they are, how they will work in practice, and the issues they raise. NHS Networks

Call for rare conditions drugs fund

Call for rare conditions drugs fund A group of MPs is calling for a ring-fenced fund to pay for drugs for rare conditions. BBC News

Government response: DH’s response to Sustain’s hospital food standards campaign

Government response: DH’s response to Sustain’s hospital food standards campaign The Department’s improving hospital food project, launched by the Secretary of State in 2012, was well received by its partners and welcomed by Sustain.

The project identified 8 fundamental principles that patients should expect from hospital food. Most important amongst them was that hospitals should adopt government buying standards for food and catering services (Food GBS) where practical and supported by procurement practices.