News – Page 1867

  • News

    Cataract surgery oversubscribed

    2007-05-25T00:00:00Z

    The NHS is performing too many cataract operations, according to new research. Procedures have increased 10-fold over the past 40 years in England and trusts are now oversupplied. Analysis published in the British Journal of Opthalmology showed wide variation in admissions, ranging from 172-548 people per 100,000 of the population. ...

  • News

    Warning on drinking while pregnant

    2007-05-25T00:00:00Z

    Pregnant women and those trying to conceive should avoid alcohol, according to revised government guidance. The advice is not a result of new scientific evidence but has been introduced to provide a stronger, more consistent message for the whole of the UK, said the Department of Health. The last DoH ...

  • News

    Midwives vote to consider industrial action

    2007-05-25T00:00:00Z

    The Royal College of Midwives has unanimously decided to ballot its 37,000 members on whether to take industrial action over the government's below-inflation 2.5 per cent pay award. The call was made at an RCM conference in Brighton yesterday.

  • News

    200 extra training places for junior doctors

    2007-05-25T00:00:00Z

    Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has promised an extra 200 long-term specialist training places for junior doctors in England and an unspecified number of extra temporary posts, following the judicial review of the medical training application service. The British Medical Association has warned that up to 12,000 doctors may not ...

  • News

    Quitters drop by 10 per cent

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    The number of people giving up smoking fell by 10 per cent last year, according to the latest statistics from the Information Centre for health and social care. Figures covering April 2006 to December 2006 show that 188,162 people successfully gave up for at least four weeks using NHS quit ...

  • News

    Hi-tech healthcare at home

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced new sites that will use hi-tech home healthcare to help older people, and those with long-term conditions, to lead more independent lives - helping to prevent emergency or unexpected admissions to hospital.Telehealth monitoring devices help people with long-term conditions, such as heart disease or ...

  • News

    £1m funding for new community projects

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Health minister Rosie Winterton has announced new funding of over £1m for 40 new community engagement projects across England. It is part of the government's drive to build stronger links between local mental health services and black and minority ethnic communities.The new sites will raise awareness of mental health issues, ...

  • News

    Judicial Review finds in favour of DoH

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    The judicial review of the medical training application service has not found in favour of the claimant, pressure group, Remedy UK. The High Court ruled that the review group set up to make improvements to MTAS did not act unlawfully. Remedy UK has decided not to appeal.Responding to the decision, ...

  • News

    PCTs grapple with grey areas of GP-led commissioning

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    PBC has the potential to increase the quality and range of services available to patients, but PCTs must exercise caution to avoid conflicts of interest. Alison Moore reports

  • News

    Choose and book incentives continue after poor uptake

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Incentives for choose and book will be extended for another year as GP practices missed uptake targets.

  • News

    Mental Health Alliance divided over clinical roles

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    The Mental Health Alliance, which was formed to oppose the Mental Health Bill, has split following a dispute over planned changes to staff roles.

  • News

    NAO names inefficient prescribers in £200m drug waste

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    GPs squander more than £200m a year on overpriced prescriptions and drugs that go unused, a National Audit Office report has revealed.

  • News

    Resignation over MTAS row 'could weaken' BMA

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    The resignation of British Medical Association chair James Johnson could weaken the power of the doctors' union, according to the NHS Confederation.

  • News

    Private slow-down expected as service prepares for Brown

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Less emphasis on the use of the private sector and a slow-down in market-based reforms could be the hallmark of Gordon Brown's premiership for the NHS, according to health experts.

  • News

    NICE committee meetings will be open to the public

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    The public is to be allowed to attend committee meetings at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in a bid to make the body more transparent.

  • News

    Blocked psychiatric beds cost £110m a year

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Around 2,500 patients at any time are stuck on psychiatric wards when they should be getting some form of community care. A Department of Health report leaked to HSJ reveals poor planning and liaison between health and social care are responsible for the delayed discharges.

  • News

    'Damning' review slams family planning services

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    The results of a review into contraceptive services in England are a 'damning indictment of contraceptive provision' in the NHS, according to sexual health campaigners.

  • News

    Men face greater risk of cancer

    2007-05-24T00:00:00Z

    Men are nearly twice as likely as women to develop and die from all types of cancer that can affect both sexes, according to a report published by cancer organisations.

  • News

    Children with fever guidance launched

    2007-05-23T00:00:00Z

    Guidelines on the assessment and management of children with fever have been launched by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the National Collaborating Centre for Women and Children's Health. The guidance includes the use of a traffic light system tool to predict the risk of serious illness.The ...

  • News

    Workforce planning in good shape, claims DoH

    2007-05-23T00:00:00Z

    The NHS has not experienced large job reductions and workforce demands are now in balance with need, according to the Department of Health. The claims are in response to an earlier health select committee report on workforce planning.To read the response click here