What do cuts in sexual health services mean for patients? Our report Understanding NHS financial pressures looks at how the slowdown in funding growth since 2010/11 has affected four very different parts of the health system. We chose one local authority-funded public health service to look at in depth: genito-urinary medicine (GUM) services that provide sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment in hospitals and local clinics.
Despite many examples of innovation in this part of the health system, we saw financial and other pressures having a real impact on patient care.
There is no doubt that GUM services are under pressure financially. The public health grant to local authorities was reduced by 6.7 per cent during 2015/16 with further reductions planned until 2020/21. Across England, spending on STI testing and treatment decreased by almost 4 per cent between 2013/14 and 2015/16, as local authorities implemented these cuts. The situation varies at a local level: around one in seven local authorities actually increased their spending by more than 20 per cent over that two-year period, while around one in four cut their spending by this amount. However, data on future spending plans shows cuts are set to deepen. The King's Fund
Tuesday 4 April 2017
Guidance: Antimicrobial Resistance: resource handbook
Guidance: Antimicrobial Resistance: resource handbook This updated version of the handbook identifies current national policy, guidance and supporting materials in relation to the infection prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial stewardship in order to aid in the reduction of antimicrobial resistance. It is designed to assist local health and social care professionals in quickly retrieving relevant information provided by Public Health England, the Department of Health and a wide variety of key stakeholders.
GMC unveils blueprint for better medical training
GMC unveils blueprint for better medical training Rigid training that adapts too slowly needs radical overhaul to provide trainees with more flexibility and patients with doctors who can care for multiple health conditions, the GMC’s plan for training tells health leaders. General Medical Council
GP funding 'billions of pounds' short despite Forward View investment, warns GPC
GP funding 'billions of pounds' short despite Forward View investment, warns GPC General practice funding remains billions of pounds short despite an 8% real-terms rise over the past three years, the GPC has warned. GPonline
Talking about death is a part of my work – I worry I say the wrong thing
Talking about death is a part of my work – I worry I say the wrong thing It’s so important, as a doctor, to choose my words carefully as they can linger in the family’s memory
I am a NHS hospital consultant and work in a healthcare team that specialises in the care of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). This is a genetic condition that affects various organs, but primarily the lungs. It results in recurrent and severe chest infections that ultimately cause the lungs to fail. There have been considerable advancements in new therapies that we are hopeful will change the natural history of the disease. Nevertheless, it remains a life-shortening illness and coping with the death of young adults brings many challenges to the team that I work in.
Patients move to our CF centre when they are 18 years old. The doctor-patient relationship is a dichotomous and delicate balance of professional distance and empathy. But it does not fully guard against emotion when we see those we look after approach death. Over the years we develop bonds with our patients and their families and witness many life events. We share in their laughter and tears. Occasionally I am the focus, a patient recently said to me: “You’ve lost weight ... you need to look after yourself better.” That made me chuckle. Continue reading... The Guardian
I am a NHS hospital consultant and work in a healthcare team that specialises in the care of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). This is a genetic condition that affects various organs, but primarily the lungs. It results in recurrent and severe chest infections that ultimately cause the lungs to fail. There have been considerable advancements in new therapies that we are hopeful will change the natural history of the disease. Nevertheless, it remains a life-shortening illness and coping with the death of young adults brings many challenges to the team that I work in.
Patients move to our CF centre when they are 18 years old. The doctor-patient relationship is a dichotomous and delicate balance of professional distance and empathy. But it does not fully guard against emotion when we see those we look after approach death. Over the years we develop bonds with our patients and their families and witness many life events. We share in their laughter and tears. Occasionally I am the focus, a patient recently said to me: “You’ve lost weight ... you need to look after yourself better.” That made me chuckle. Continue reading... The Guardian
Talking about mental illness is no substitute for offering real help
Talking about mental illness is no substitute for offering real help The latest high-profile campaign is welcome and stigma is declining but the NHS must provide better treatment
Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry joined other notable names, including the rapper Professor Green and the former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, to record short films about modern approaches to mental illness. They all stressed that it was good to talk, or, in the terminology beloved of the mental health world, to “start the conversation”.
I agree – and salute their efforts. Talking and being listened to are therapeutic and are known to be what doctors call a “protective factor” when it comes to good mental health. They make us better able to deal with stress; talking also helps reduce stigma, which otherwise leads to discrimination and social isolation. Continue reading... The Guardian
Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry joined other notable names, including the rapper Professor Green and the former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, to record short films about modern approaches to mental illness. They all stressed that it was good to talk, or, in the terminology beloved of the mental health world, to “start the conversation”.
I agree – and salute their efforts. Talking and being listened to are therapeutic and are known to be what doctors call a “protective factor” when it comes to good mental health. They make us better able to deal with stress; talking also helps reduce stigma, which otherwise leads to discrimination and social isolation. Continue reading... The Guardian
How the NHS wastes £7.6bn a year
How the NHS wastes £7.6bn a year REVEALED: How the NHS wastes a staggering £7.6bn a year on overpriced loo rolls, lost crutches and wheelchairs and management consultants... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Daily Mail
NHS boss says prescribing homeopathy for pain is 'absurd'
NHS boss says prescribing homeopathy for pain is 'absurd' Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, made the remark after announcing a series of cost-cutting measures designed to save the health service £1 billion over the next two years. BBC News
Junior doctor who spoke of pressures of A&E work found dead
Junior doctor who spoke of pressures of A&E work found dead A "talented" junior doctor who had spoken about the pressures of working in an A&E department has been found dead at her home.
Rebecca Ovenden, 32, who worked for Devon Air Ambulance and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, was found by her husband Paul after concern was raised for her welfare. Police are not treating her death as suspicious.
Dr Ovenden is the third female junior doctor to have gone missing or been found dead in Devon in little over a year. The Daily Telegraph
Rebecca Ovenden, 32, who worked for Devon Air Ambulance and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, was found by her husband Paul after concern was raised for her welfare. Police are not treating her death as suspicious.
Dr Ovenden is the third female junior doctor to have gone missing or been found dead in Devon in little over a year. The Daily Telegraph
Terminally ill boy denied 'potentially life-saving' treatment by NHS 'would be given it in any US hospital'
Terminally ill boy denied 'potentially life-saving' treatment by NHS 'would be given it in any US hospital' An eight month old boy being denied “potentially life-saving” treatment at Great Ormond Street would be given it at any hospital in America, a court has heard.
The parents of terminally ill Charlie Gard broke down in tears as they listened to medical evidence relating to his rare genetic condition and what his doctors say is a “vanishingly small” chance of his survival.
But an American doctor who has agreed to attempt a pioneering treatment for his mitochondrial disorder, said that it was “reasonable” to attempt to save his life and if he were in a hospital in the USA his parents would have the option. The Daily Telegraph
The parents of terminally ill Charlie Gard broke down in tears as they listened to medical evidence relating to his rare genetic condition and what his doctors say is a “vanishingly small” chance of his survival.
But an American doctor who has agreed to attempt a pioneering treatment for his mitochondrial disorder, said that it was “reasonable” to attempt to save his life and if he were in a hospital in the USA his parents would have the option. The Daily Telegraph
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