Latest news – Page 1888

  • News

    Campaign highlights hidden dangers of second-hand smoke

    2007-03-05T00:00:00Z

    Second-hand smoke is an 'invisible killer', according to a new advertising campaign, launched by public health minister Caroline Flint today. Nearly 85 per cent of tobacco smoke is invisible and odourless, but it causes just as much harm to people's health as the smoke that is visible, according to the ...

  • News

    Organisational energy

    2007-03-05T00:00:00Z

    I agree totally with Helen Bevan's article on organisational energy but can't help thinking about the amount of energy being wasted in primary care trusts across the country as they grapple with the Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS.reconfiguration.

  • News

    Air conditioning on the NHS

    2007-03-05T00:00:00Z

    Patients with breathing problems could soon be prescribed air conditioning on the NHS to help them cope with hot weather, health secretary Patricia Hewitt is expected to announce today. Those with a lung condition that worsens in warm weather could be given a £500 portable cooling unit for their homes.

  • News

    Payment by results and productivity

    2007-03-05T00:00:00Z

    Noel Plumridge is perplexed by the dilemma of paying for payment by results-induced productivity within a closed, cash-limited system (HSJ, 22 February). I.thought the answer to that was price. As the volumes go up so unit prices go down.

  • News

    BUPA and choice

    2007-03-05T00:00:00Z

    I would like to make it plain that BUPA Hospital Leeds does not charge a 'premium to tariff' when treating NHS patients under choose and book. It is understandable that the complex system you outlined (HSJ, 22 February) could leave readers thinking otherwise.

  • News

    Prescription charges to rise by 20p

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    Prescription charges will rise by 20p - or 3 per cent - to £6.85 from 1 April, according to health minister Lord Hunt. Revenue from prescription charges is expected to raise around £425m for the NHS in 2007-08. Dental charges will rise by an average 2.7 per cent to £15.90 ...

  • News

    Winterton slams Lords over mental health

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    The House of Lords has 'seriously weakened' the government's plans for better protection for patients and the public through its amendments to the Mental Health Bill, according to health minister Rosie Winterton.She told a conference that the Lords' amendments 'must be overturned'. They include the introduction of a treatability test ...

  • News

    Foundation regulator calls for better preparation

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    Financial problems are the reason behind three-quarters of unsuccessful bids for foundation trust status, according to the regulator. Monitor chair Bill Moyes called for 'better preparation' by those going through the authorisation process.Foundation Trust Network director Sue Slipman said strategic health authorities needed to address the issue of trusts with ...

  • News

    Hewitt defends nurses' pay offer

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has said the 2007-08 pay deal for NHS staff and GPs is 'sensible' and 'fair'. Nurses and other healthcare professionals will receive a 1.5 per cent rise in April and 1 per cent more in November; hospital doctors a flat £1,000; junior doctors 3 per cent; ...

  • News

    Day of protest tomorrow

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    Over 40 protests against health service cuts, closures and marketisation will take place tomorrow as part of the national day of action being co-ordinated by NHS Together, the campaign alliance of NHS staff unions and associations.Read more here

  • News

    Waiting-list fall contiunues

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has published performance data showing that waiting lists and cancelled operations continue to fall while the number of critical beds available is at a record high.The number of people on the inpatient waiting list from January 2007 was 774,000 - 2,000 less than the previous month ...

  • News

    Consultation on working with children launched

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    The Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Social Care Council and the General Teaching Council for England have called a consultation on working with children and young people.The councils have produced a joint statement setting out values for effective inter-professional work, and are seeking views on the statement from young ...

  • News

    New nursing officer for diversity

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    The Department of Health today welcomes Dawn Atkinson into her new role as England's nursing officer for diversity.The assistant director of nursing for quality and standards at Newham University Hospital trust will be seconded to the DoH for two days a week for a year.Read more here

  • News

    Communities for Health best practice published

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has published a report on case examples and best practice from the pilot areas of Communities for Health.Communities for Health: learning from the pilots details how communities have addressed a wide range of health issues and tackled health inequalities.Read the report here

  • News

    Research network to widen clinical studies access

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    The government has announced it will invest £2m a year in a new initiative to widen involvement in clinical studies.The Primary Care Research Network will consist of eight regional teams of specialist doctors, nurses and scientists who will work with GP practices, health centres and dental practices to raise awareness ...

  • News

    'Raise bar' on consulting

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    Trusts and strategic health authorities must 'raise the bar' on the quality of local service consultations, says Sir Ian Carruthers in his national review of current reconfiguration proposals.

  • News

    Lansley rejects beds claim

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    Conservative health spokesman Andrew Lansley has rejected Tony Blair's claim during yesterday prime minister's questions that the reductions in the number of NHS beds were an indication that the NHS was treating people faster.Mr Lansley claimed the current rate of bed closures could not be justified by the government. Read ...

  • News

    Carruthers sets reconfiguration recommendations

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    NHS South West chief executive Sir Ian Carruthers has completed a report on recommended processes for local NHS reconfigurations.The findings are outlined in a letter to strategic health authorities from NHS chief executive David Nicholson.Read the letter here

  • News

    Online survey

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    Most chief executives would cap GPs' pay, abolish clinical excellence awards for consultants and write off historic debts if they had the power.

  • News

    Brown rated best choice for NHS

    2007-03-01T00:00:00Z

    Gordon Brown would be better for the health service than David Cameron, according to NHS chief executives.