All News articles – Page 1297

  • News

    A million Londoners have problems accessing mental healthcare

    2007-03-13T00:00:00Z

    Over a million Londoners have a mental health problem but access to treatment is inadequate, according to a report by the London Assembly.The report said long waiting lists, confusing referral procedures and a lack of information can make treatment and support difficult to access.Read the report here

  • News

    Review reveals shortcomings in medic recruitment

    2007-03-12T00:00:00Z

    The review into the Modernising Medical Careers recruitment and selection process for specialist training has recommended applicants should be allowed to provide CVs and portfolios to support their applications after finding shortcomings in the process.Junior doctors who fear they have had applications overlooked in the first round will have their ...

  • News

    Outcomes measures tools

    2007-03-12T00:00:00Z

    The Care Services Improvement Partnership is developing a compendium of outcomes measures tools to improve the quality of mental health care and establish best practice.

  • News

    Healthcheck consultation launched

    2007-03-12T00:00:00Z

    The Healthcare Commission is to consult on plans to drive a culture of safety through the NHS, using its annual assessments of NHS organisations to monitor rates of healthcare-acquired infection and compliance with the hygiene code.The proposals also include a stronger focus on clinical effectiveness and commissioning.Find out more here

  • News

    Over a million dental check-ups not being provided

    2007-03-12T00:00:00Z

    Dental contacts statistics have shown that over 1.5 million units of dental activity (each worth one check-up) have not yet been provided under the new contract.The Department of Health said the amount of dental activity commissioned by the NHS continued to rise and more have been recommissioned than were lost ...

  • News

    Neil Goodwin on apologising

    2007-03-12T00:00:00Z

    The two most important words in organisational life may be 'I apologise', but saying sorry can be counterproductive unless the sentiment is backed with service delivery changes

  • News

    Commission to look at learning disabilities accusations

    2007-03-12T00:00:00Z

    The Healthcare Commission has said it will review six cases highlighted by learning disability charity Mencap of people with learning disabilities who died from physical illnesses.Mencap has accused the NHS of institutional discrimination against people with learning disabilities, saying their physical health needs are ignored.Meanwhile the Department of Health has ...

  • News

    Northern Ireland infection rates published

    2007-03-09T00:00:00Z

    More than 5 per cent of patients in Northern Ireland hospitals have a healthcare-acquired affection, a survey by the Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety has found.1.1 per cent of patients at 15 acute hospitals surveyed had Clostridium Difficile and 0.9 per cent had contracted MRSA.www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

  • News

    Nurses encouraged to complain over pay

    2007-03-09T00:00:00Z

    Nurses have been encouraged to write to their MPs to complain about this year's pay settlement.The Royal College of Nursing is urging its members to point out to their MP that this year's pay deal will mean an effective pay cut for nurses, when the rate of inflation is taken ...

  • News

    Call for NICE reviews of complementary therapy

    2007-03-09T00:00:00Z

    Complementary therapies should be evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, the chairs of the NHS Alliance and the King's Fund have said.In a letter to the BMJ, Dr Michael Dixon and Professor Sir Cyril Chantler argued that the efficacy and value of complementary therapies that are ...

  • News

    Bird flu measures lifted

    2007-03-09T00:00:00Z

    Avian flu control measures introduced to tackle the outbreak at a Suffolk turkey farm are to be lifted from Monday, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced.The surveillance and restriction zones will be lifted, assuming there is no further outbreak reported.Read full details here

  • News

    PCTs have 'taken their eye off the ball' on audiology

    2007-03-09T00:00:00Z

    Some primary care trusts and strategic health authorities have 'taken their eye off the ball', and allowed waiting times for audiology services to lengthen, health minister Ivan Lewis has told the Commons health select committee.Mr Lewis told the committee's investigation into audiology services that the provision of hearing aids had ...

  • News

    Renal overhaul needed, say physicians

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    Major changes are needed in the way hospitals organise care for kidney patients, say the Royal College of Physicians and the Renal Association in a report launched to mark World Kidney Day. It calls for the creation of two types of unit - renal units at district general hospitals and ...

  • News

    Flu vaccine success

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    General practice staff delivered excellent levels of flu vaccination this winter despite vaccine deliveries being delayed by several weeks, health secretary Patricia Hewitt said in a written statement this morning. Figures from the Health Protection Agency showed that at the end of January 2007, vaccine uptake in those aged 65 ...

  • News

    United on the streets in day of protests

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    With placards, banners and, in some cases, daffodils, campaigners took to the streets on Saturday to protest over, well, just about everything. NHS job cuts, service closures, marketisation - all were targets of the day of action which saw rallies and marches take place across England and Northern Ireland.

  • News

    MPs quiz Dr Foster's 'cosy relations' with Whitehall

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    The Department of Health struck a £12m deal with healthcare analyst Dr Foster without talking to any of the firm's rivals, it emerged this week.

  • News

    Diabetes care improving

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    Diagnosis of diabetes is improving and the NHS must step up to the challenge of providing high-quality care for everybody, according to a new report looking at the delivery of diabetes services. The Way Ahead: the local challenge, published today, looks at the progress made in improving diabetes care four ...

  • News

    Government envisions a budget for every patient

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    Individual budgets as piloted in social care could be used in healthcare, according to the government's Commissioning framework for health and well being.

  • News

    London centre set for foundation status bid

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    Two London NHS trusts have agreed to set up a new academic health science centre that will bid to become a foundation trust. Hammersmith Hospitals and St Mary's trust boards formally agreed to the plan to set up the new academic health science centre that will bring together hospitals, medical ...

  • News

    Commissioner demands a better deal for children

    2007-03-08T00:00:00Z

    Children's hospital services are woefully inadequate, a Healthcare Commission review has shown. Children's commissioner Al Aynsley-Green said was the verdict was 'disappointing but not surprising'.