Monday 26 September 2016

New whistleblowing protection for doctors in training

New whistleblowing protection for doctors in training Health Education England has released details of the enhanced whistleblowing protection agreement for doctors in training. NHS Employers

Illnesses associated with lifestyle cost the NHS £11bn

Illnesses associated with lifestyle cost the NHS £11bn Health problems related to poor diet, drinking and smoking are costing the NHS in England more than £11bn each year, officials say.

Public Health England (PHE) says that unless they are tackled more effectively the NHS will become unaffordable.

It warns conditions such as diabetes and smoking-related bronchitis are a new and untreatable epidemic. BBC News

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Women's mental health needs 'not considered adequately'

Women's mental health needs 'not considered adequately' Women's mental health needs are "not being considered" despite rising rates of suicide, campaigners warn. BBC News

Junior doctors' strike action called off

Junior doctors' strike action called off Junior doctors in England suspend a series of five-day strikes over the next three months, the British Medical Association announces, following concerns over patient safety. BBC News

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Andrew Lansley fails to recognise that his NHS reforms just don't work

Andrew Lansley fails to recognise that his NHS reforms just don't work Each discrete part of the Health and Social Care Act may have had virtues, but it led to massive cost and disruption

One of Andrew Lansley’s failings as health secretary was his apparent belief that the only reason he was under attack from all sides for his NHS reforms was because people had not grasped what he was trying to do. The solution was not to listen to their concerns, but for him to explain it all one more time.

Four years later he is still explaining, and still not listening. Delivering the NHS Providers’ annual lecture this week Lansley failed to demonstrate any understanding that the Health and Social Care Act he drove through created huge disruption and enduring difficulties. Continue reading... The Guardian

I've worked as a GP receptionist under a year and I'm already burnt out

I've worked as a GP receptionist under a year and I'm already burnt out I came into the job to help patients but there are just so many. Neither I nor the NHS can keep this up

It’s only 8.15am and the appointments for the day are already fully booked despite our appointment booking line opening at 8am. Less than a year ago this was an anomaly, now it’s the norm, as are queues out the door when we open. I spend the rest of the morning bearing the brunt of patient irritation, which is mostly aimed at our lack of appointments. I share their frustration because the service is substandard and it only seems to be getting worse.

The calls keep flooding in, the phone rings all day and I often finish work with a headache from the sound. The calls can be incredibly stressful one moment – talking to someone who is struggling to breathe – to mundane the next with patients who are convinced that their three-day cough constitutes an emergency. Patient anger often unfortunately comes back on to the receptionists, I wish they could see the wider picture and direct their anger at the government that is responsible for cutting their services. Continue reading... The Guardian

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Hospitals and care homes fail food safety inspections

Hospitals and care homes fail food safety inspections Data shows more than 500 places caring for vulnerable people, including nurseries and playgroups, require improvement

More than 500 care providers in the UK, including 19 hospitals and other NHS facilities, have failed hygiene and food safety inspections, Guardian analysis reveals.

Food Standards Agency (FSA) data shows that care homes fail to meet food hygiene standards more than any other type of care provider, with more than 200 residential, nursing and care homes receiving low grades at their latest food safety inspections. Continue reading... The Guardian

Boris Johnson says NHS will get substantial extra funds after Brexit

Boris Johnson says NHS will get substantial extra funds after Brexit Foreign secretary tells Andrew Marr he agrees with former health secretary’s figure of at least £5bn being available by 2020

Boris Johnson has said the NHS will get substantial extra funding after Brexit, despite Theresa May’s refusal to endorse the leave campaign’s promise of an additional £100m a week.

The foreign secretary strayed from his brief during BBC1’s Andrew Marr show to sign up the prime minister to a cash injection for health services during this parliament. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS is wasting millions on drugs for the male menopause claims new research

NHS is wasting millions on drugs for the male menopause claims new research Testosterone prescriptions have shot up 20 per cent since 2012 – costing the NHS £20 million a year. Researchers claim doctors are being increasingly influenced by drug companies. The Daily Mail

Revealed: 8,000 hospital consultants paid more than the Prime Minister

Revealed: 8,000 hospital consultants paid more than the Prime Minister Eight thousand hospital consultants earn more than the Prime Minister from the National Health Service, a health minister has admitted.

The figures are thought to be the first time that the Government has estimated how many consultants earn than the Prime Minister.

They are set to ignite a row about whether consultants should be allowed to continue lucrative private practices while taking home such large sums from the NHS. The Daily Telegraph

Just four in ten children have seen an NHS dentist in last years 

Just four in ten children have seen an NHS dentist in last years More than four in 10 children have not visited an NHS dentist in the last year, according to new figures which reveal stark differences across the country.

Experts said the official statistics were “alarming” with tooth decay now the most common reason for young children to be admitted to hospital.

The official statistics reveal for the first time the areas where children are most and least likely to be have seen an NHS dentist in the last year. The Daily Telegraph

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