According to a highly critical report by the Care Quality Commission, the UK’s biggest mental health NHS trust, which consists of units that care for the most vulnerable female patients is in turmoil following major allegations of bullying. This announcement was accompanied with the sudden resignation of its chairman. Nigel McCorkell, chairman of West London … [Read more…]
Community health services need similar levels of scrutiny as that given to hospitals if they are to succeed in helping people to live independently and provide high quality services, according to the King’s Fund. The think-tank’s report Managing quality in community health care services, said the service providers were severely hampered by the absence of national … [Read more…]
Bed-blocking is the act of remaining in a hospital bed because you have nowhere else to go. Unfortunately for the NHS, thousands of patients have been doing the aforementioned behaviour and as a result, the NHS is buckling as it runs out of room for patients. Bed-blocking is at a four-year high which is bad … [Read more…]
Leading official lays bare GP concerns GP and senior Care Quality Commission official Professor Steve Field has stated that GP’s working hours will need to be closely monitored to ensure the safety of patients and the well being of staff. The chief inspector of family doctors in England has also warned against the rising demands … [Read more…]
Payments by results initiative could be ditched NHS England and Monitor have suggested a national reform of the way emergency care is funded, in a bid to introduce changes put forward by the Keogh review. Currently, A&E departments are paid on an activity based ‘payment by results’ tariff, however this system is said to “bear little or no … [Read more…]
Dementia patients left to pay for the majority of their care themselves The Alzheimer’s Society have discovered that dementia patients in the UK pay on average £21,322 per year towards their own care, with the NHS only stumping up a third of the total costs. Figures compiled by the London School of Economics and Kings College … [Read more…]
Public speak loud and clear against privatisation of the NHS Thousands of people took part in a pro-NHS rally in London, the finishing point of a 300 mile march from County Durham. Organised by group the Darlo Mums, based in Darlington, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 marched against privatisation of NHS services, with 30 individuals taking … [Read more…]
Survey reveals post-natal needs are not being met A survey by the Royal College of Midwives has revealed that 40% of new mums may be being discharged from hospital too soon after having a baby, before they are ready. The RCM has declared that the needs of both women and babies are not being met after … [Read more…]
New figures show care complaints are on the rise The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) have revealed that the number of complaints made about NHS care in England has increased to average 480 every day. The official data showed that a total of 174,872 complaints were made over 2013/14, which is a rise … [Read more…]
Sending patients outside of local area impacts on budget NHS mental health trusts have had to reduce beds and staff available to cope with real term funding cuts, contributed to by having to send patients away from home for care. The Health Service Journal investigation of all 57 NHS mental health providers showed a 2.3% … [Read more…]