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…]
Winter has always been a notoriously difficult time within the healthcare industry. Illnesses associated with the colder weather relentlessly drive up patient demand on an already overstretched and struggling NHS service. Last winter, excess deaths related to the colder months across England and Wales totaled 31,100, which is a 29% increase on the 2011/12 figures, … [Read more…]
What doctors do the NHS need the most? August saw the influx of new junior doctors stampede through NHS trusts across the country, meaning locum doctors were in incredibly high demand, covering wards in all departments whilst new arrivals were trained and brought up to speed by permanent staff. Maintaining exceptionally high levels of patient … [Read more…]
With locum demand at its seasonal peak in the run up to and beyond the August changeover, it is more important than ever to source highly qualified and clinically experienced medical professionals, who will contribute fully to and sustain patient care, whilst the new and rotating doctors find their feet. The most important way that … [Read more…]
75% of patients require a second consultation A new study has shown that introducing GP phone consultations instead of face to face appointments does not ease pressures in hectic surgeries – in fact, it increases the workload. Researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School analysed 42 practices, where a GP or nurse phoned back … [Read more…]
Funding crisis could lead to no more free services A Nuffield Trust survey has revealed that NHS funding issues could lead to patients being charged for treatment within the next 10 years. Half of the 78 trusts reported the status quo couldn’t possibly remain with the current financial pressures, with Labour labelling NHS budgets as … [Read more…]
Survey says council-run care is unsustainable Social services chiefs have stated that council-run care systems for the elderly and disabled adults is increasingly becoming unsustainable, due to increasing funding cuts yet rising demands. The survey of 144 social care departments across England discovered that savings of over a quarter have had to be made since 2010, … [Read more…]