News – Page 1787

  • News

    No to elected boards in Scotland - BMA

    2008-02-21T11:56:30Z

    The BMA is urging Scottish MPs to vote against the government’s proposal to introduce direct elections to health boards. NHS Scotland should instead focus on improving public involvement structures, the BMA says.

  • News

    Improvements for smear tests

    2008-02-21T11:54:12Z

    There has been a 55 per cent drop in the rate of unsatisfactory smear tests in Wales since the introduction of liquid-based cytology, a report by the National Public Health Service has found. Liquid-based cytology brings significant improvements over the wooden spatula method, the report said.

  • News

    Ministers vs GPs: how did it come to this?

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The GP contract talks have been played out for the public, with both sides taking to the airwaves. Ingrid Torjesen explores why a couple of extra hours a week has created such a conflict

  • News

    Hospitals gain ground in acute services battle

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    Three West Sussex hospitals have moved a step closer to retaining many of their acute services.

  • News

    Act now to avoid crisis, says RCN

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The Department of Health must recognise the need to train thousands more nurses now to meet 'unprecedented' demand by 2030, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.

  • News

    Doctors move to vote yes, under protest

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    GPs will be persuaded to vote yes to the government's offer on extended hours, according to a poll of GPs.

  • News

    Councils given chance to offload burdens

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    An independent review body has launched an investigation into the factors that hinder partnership work between health and social care services.

  • News

    Private sector deals face audit office scrutiny

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The National Audit Office is to investigate the Department of Health's decision to cancel a large swathe of its independent sector treatment centre programme.

  • News

    Ambulance services deny claims of patient stacking

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    Ambulance services and the Department of Health have hit back at claims that patients are being deliberately detained in ambulances to ensure hospitals hit accident and emergency waiting-time targets.

  • News

    Cardiac target to cut deaths met early

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The NHS has made 'outstanding progress' in managing cardio- vascular disease, according to two reports published this week.

  • News

    Basic data 'should be free'

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The chief executive of the Information Centre has promised to 'put right' the perception that Dr Foster has Intelligence unfair access to NHS data.

  • News

    Accounting change could strain PFI

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has refused to say whether or not it has set aside any resources to help trusts cope with a major change to private finance initiative schemes later this year.

  • News

    Trust plans to scrap jobs and shelve units

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    Trafford Healthcare trust has launched a turnaround plan in a bid to avoid a £7m deficit next year.

  • News

    Ministers press for more child palliative care

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    Ministers have made it clear they expect primary care trusts to spend more on children's palliative care.

  • News

    Johnson irks committee as he ducks careers queries

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    Health secretary Alan Johnson has rankled MPs by refusing to answer questions at a health select committee inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers.Mr Johnson batted off a series of questions about junior doctors' training, saying he could not comment before the Department of Health's formal response to the Tooke report.

  • News

    Unions warn nurses will be jack of all trades

    2008-02-21T09:00:00Z

    Nurses will become mere 'handmaidens' who lack leadership skills under planned changes to nursing careers, unions have warned.

  • News

    Gill Morgan to leave NHS Confederation

    2008-02-20T12:45:38Z

    Gill Morgan is to step down as chief executive of the NHS Confederation to become permanent secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government.The confederation announced today it will be seeking a new chief executive to replace Ms Morgan when she leaves in May. Steve Barnett, director of NHS Employers, will be ...

  • News

    NHS 'failing skin disease patients'

    2008-02-20T12:22:01Z

    Patients with the chronic skin disease psoriasis are experiencing sub-standard levels of care, according to a survey by the British Association of Dermatologists and Royal College of Physicians.

  • News

    New guidance on sexual health targets

    2008-02-20T12:00:00Z

    The Department of Health has published new best practice guidance to help primary care trusts hit targets designed to ensure swift access to sexual health services.

  • News

    Doctors struggle as numbers in temporary cells grow

    2008-02-20T09:00:00Z

    Doctors are struggling to care for the growing number of prisoners housed in temporary cells, the British Medical Association said today.