News – Page 1873
-
News
It was a difficult journey, but under Blair the NHS was saved
Ten years ago this week, Tony Blair told the country that it had 24 hours to save the NHS. Now that the remainder of his premiership can be measured in days, what can be concluded on whether he delivered on that bold claim?
-
News
National Patient Safety Agency appoints new medical director
The National Patient Safety Agency has announced the appointment of Dr Kevin Cleary as its new medical director.Dr Cleary will join the NPSA from West London Mental Health trust, where he is currently clinical director of adolescent forensic services and consultant child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist. He will take up ...
-
News
Trial starts to find cure for childhood blindness
A Department of Health-funded team have begun a clinical gene therapy trial to test a revolutionary treatment for blindness in children.The trial, which was given £1m by the DoH, is the first of its kind and could have a significant impact on future treatments for eye disease.Find out more here
-
News
Health visitor posts being lost daily, says Amicus
At least one health visitor job is being lost every day according to Amicus and the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association.The latest workforce statistics show a 4.5 per cent drop in the number of full-time equivalent health visitors in the year to September 2006. The union says the figures ...
-
News
BMA demands assurances over website security breaches
The British Medical Association has hit out at health secretary Patricia Hewitt's Commons statement on security breaches on the medical training application service website.BMA medical students committee chair Emily Rigby demanded 'absolute assurance' from Ms Hewitt and 'a promise that it can never happen again'.Read the press release here
-
News
New head of commercial relations at NHS Confederation
Andrew Escott will join the NHS Confederation as head of commercial relations. He will head up a six-strong commercial relations team with a remit of building links between the NHS, the commercial sector and government.Mr Escott joins the confederation after nearly six years at public relations firm APCO Worldwide, where ...
-
News
Pressure group raises infection alarm
Pressure group Health Emergency has claimed that a new healthcare-acquired infection is spreading through hospitals in the South, Wales and East Anglia.According to the organisation in the past two weeks the norovirus has caused 10 hospitals to close wards and restrict admissions and visitors.
-
News
NHS dentists down since new contract introduced
According to the British Dental Association there are approximately 1,200 fewer dentists providing NHS services than before the new dental contract was implemented in April 2006.In a letter to prime minister Tony Blair, BDA chief executive Peter Ward has called for the creation of circumstances that would make NHS care ...
-
News
Call for evidence into maternity service safety
The King's Fund has called for evidence to an independent inquiry into the safety of maternity services in England.The investigation invites professionals across maternity services to help identify obstacles to the delivery of safety improvements.For more information click here
-
News
NHS Alliance gives appointments advice
The NHS Alliance has provided advice to the NHS Appointments Commission on good practice in primary care trust non-executive director appointments.The alliance's recommendations have been prepared by the NED Network national steering committee and are based on a survey of NEDs, including those who were not reappointed after last year's ...
-
News
New way to measure impact of policies unveiled
A report published today by the Health Foundation gives a new approach to measuring the impact of healthcare policies on NHS productivity.Estimating Health and Productivity Gains in England from Selected Interventions offers a population-based model that can be applied across different disease groups.To read the report click here
-
News
Blair warns against NHS independence
Prime minister Tony Blair has warned against creating an independent NHS, saying it would stymie decision-making and be in danger of being hampered by the demands of special interest groups.
-
News
Case managers make all the difference
When my mother was near death from kidney failure in Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, US, I was amazed that she was stabilised and transferred to an excellent rehab centre in one week. I was amazed again when the rehab centre had her mobile, on a stable dialysis regime and ...
-
News
Leadership development to focus on reducing inequalities
The Health Foundation is seeking applicants for a new leadership development scheme aimed at improving the quality of healthcare for people from black and minority ethnic groups.
-
News
Blair and Hewitt defend reforms
Tony Blair and health secretary Patricia Hewitt have stressed that health reforms were hard but worthwhile once completed.Speaking at press conference at the King's Fund, Ms Hewitt also said that as primary care trusts worked with local councils to bring care services together, a bigger contribution would be needed from ...
-
News
Blueprint for social care announced
Social care minister Ivan Lewis has launched a five-point plan for developing 21st century social care. The measures follow a report commissioned by Mr Lewis from Dame Denise Platt on the state of social care.The package includes a skills academy focused on 'world-class leadership and commissioning'.Read more here
-
News
Ninety-six per cent of practices sign up to commissioning
The Department of Health has released the latest data on the uptake of practice-based commissioning.The data shows that 96 per cent of practices have signed up, making progress towards the target of universal coverage.Get the figures here
-
News
Government looks at Labour's health legacy
The Department of Health has published four reports looking at progress in certain conditions over the last 10 years.The reports cover cancer, coronary heart disease, emergency care and mental health.Download the reports here
-
News
Only 1.3 per cent pay rise for very senior managers
Basic pay rates for very senior managers will rise by 1.3 per cent. The pay rise will be backdated to 1 April and is in addition to the performance bonus scheme for executive staff.Health minister Lord Hunt has written to NHS chairs and chief executives explaining the decision and outlining ...
-
News
GP contract gave 23 per cent pay rise, updated figures show
Family doctors earned an average of £100,170 during the first year of the GP contract, according to figures from the Information Centre for health and social care. After expenses, earnings rose by 22.8 per cent in 2004-05 compared to the previous year.Click here to download the figures