News – Page 1901
-
News
LINks bill gets second reading
The government bill to abolish patients' forums and replace them with local involvement networks (LINks) gets its second reading in parliament today. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill also seeks to introduce 'community petitions' that can trigger service reviews.Download the bill
-
News
Gail Richards on achieving 18-week targets
Efforts to meet the 18-week target are intensifying, as the growing number of articles, tools and workshops show. Are we focusing our energies in the right place?
-
News
NHS Partners Network respond to commission report
I read with concern your article of January 18 reporting on the leaked Healthcare Commission draft report into data on clinical quality of independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs).
-
News
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
-
News
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 ...
-
News
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
-
News
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'.
-
News
Hewitt: government should have capped GP profits
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has said the government would have considered capping GPs' earning potential under their contract if it had predicted the extent of their increased profits.Information Centre for health and social care figures show that the percentage of GPs' revenue taken as profit after expenses rose from 40 ...
-
News
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 ...
-
News
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 ...
-
News
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
-
News
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
-
News
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
-
News
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
-
News
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.
-
News
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.
-
News
Labour PRs win SHA jobs
Two former New Labour PR gurus have been appointed directors of communications in strategic health authorities.
-
News
Managers appeal for workforce planning 'reality check'
Managers are calling for health economists to be brought in to give workforce planning a 'reality check'.
-
News
Unisons weighs options at troubled trust
Unions are considering industrial action in what they fear will be a bitter fight against cuts at one of the most financially troubled trusts in the UK.
-
News
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.