All News articles – Page 1384
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Consultation on disabled facilities grants
The government has published a consultation document on its proposals to improve the disabled facilities grant programme.The report is a response to the findings and recommendations of the independent Bristol University report on the programme in 2005. The consultation period closes on 13 April.Read the document here
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DoH publishes travel expenses consultation
The Department of Health has published consultation on the hospital travel costs scheme, which allows those on low incomes to claim travel expenses.The document looks at how the scheme can be changed to reflect a shift in care closer to home.Read the consultation here
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Gerry Robinson and media coverage
The Gerry Robinson TV programme illustrated the differing systems in NHS and private hospital operating theatres. In the private sector time is money, and so the rate tha cases are moved through theatres is much greater. There are no hold-ups, such as waiting for the porter to bring a patient ...
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Survey highlights equipment funding shortage
The Information Centre for health and social care has reported 'anecdotal evidence' that health funding of integrated community equipment schemes for items such as stairlifts and hearing loops 'has been a problem, and one that is getting more acute'.The results of a survey of 51 local authority directors of adult ...
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Labour MP slams workforce planning
Labour MP and health select committee member Dr Howard Stoate has criticised a 'boom and bust' culture in NHS workforce planning and argued against local planning.Speaking at a committee hearing yesterday, he said a lack of centralised workforce planning meant the NHS was 'chasing its tail'.
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Report calls for 50pc funding boost
Spending on mental health services needs to rise by an extra 50 per cent if the government's targets in the national service framework are to be achieved, according to a leading charity.
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Letters about NEDs
I write as an non-executive director from a disbanded primary care trust. Seen from here, the appointment process to the new PCTs was a farce.
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Doctors call for more allergy specialists
There is a need for more allergy specialists and better training for health professionals, a delegation of doctors from the medical royal colleges has told the Lords' science and technology committee.The committee is overseeing an ongoing investigation into allergy and allergic diseases.Find out more here
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BMA: make targets more ambitious
The NHS should be set more ambitious targets, rather than lay off surplus staff once a maximum 18-week wait has been achieved, the British Medical Association has said.
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Managers appeal for workforce planning 'reality check'
Managers are calling for health economists to be brought in to give workforce planning a 'reality check'.
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Smoking cessation more successful in deprived areas, says report
Primary care trusts in areas of deprivation are providing the best approach to reducing smoking levels, says the Healthcare Commission in a report today.Half the PCTs rated excellent were in deprived areas where smoking is most prevalent.Read the report here
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Now Blair says ministers can fight closures
Tony Blair contradicts himself by giving his backing to Labour MPs who oppose hospital closure when he once instructed Labour politicians to give their backing to changes in local services
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NHS North West: support older patients on choice
Older patients need more support in choosing where to have their elective surgery, research by NHS North West has shown.
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A new realism needed on CJD
Surely the time has come to end the monthly issue of CJD statistics. Last year's returns showed there were only five deaths from vCJD (7.5 per cent of total) compared with 62 deaths from non-vCJD. Peak mortality from vCJD was reached in 2000 when 28 deaths (34 per cent of ...
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Data on ISTCs' clinical quality is 'extremely poor', says Healthcare Commission
National data on the clinical quality of independent sector treatment centres is 'incomplete and of extremely poor quality', according to a review by the Healthcare Commission.
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Consumers switch on to healthy eating message
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has revealed a rise in demand for fruit and vegetables in the last year as the public starts to adopt healthier lifestyles.New figures suggest people bought more fruit and vegetables in 2005-06, while buying less confectionary and soft drinks.The Expenditure and ...
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Trusts prepare for hard sell to earn picky patients' custom
DoH guidelines have opened the door for hospitals to use commercial advertising techniques. Is this necessary for healthy competition or a green light for unseemly publicity battles? Kaye McIntosh hears some early pledges of fair play
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Overweight drivers urged to detox
The RAC Foundation has called for overweight drivers to look at their habits after finding that they are twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured in road accidents.Every hour spent behind the wheel increases the risk of obesity, says the charitable foundation.www.racfoundation.org
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Gerry Robinson and the NHS
Management guru Sir Gerry Robinson's televised stint at Rotherham foundation trust to reduce waiting lists might have worked better in a trust that has not already achieved so much to place it on a more business-like footing.
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Pension guidance released
The Department of Health has produced a guide for staff leaving NHS employment but wishing to continue their membership of the NHS pension scheme.The guidance also sets out advice about employer responsibilities for pension provision where staff have to leave the scheme.Read the guide here