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…]
Northern Ireland’s health minister concerned about NHS being “abused” Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland’s health minister, has recommended that patients who end up in A&E due to alcohol or drugs should pay a fee for their care. Mr Poots has expressed his worry about the number of the patients who use A&E services because of their … [Read more…]
Waiting time targets come under pressure as emergency departments fail Official figures show that England’s key A&E departments have now missed the four hour waiting time target for 52 consecutive weeks. Hospitals aim to see 95% of patients within the four hour time frame, however the last time A&E departments in 144 trusts hit that … [Read more…]
You need to love a fast paced and interactive environment if you are striving for a career within emergency medicine, as you will effectively be the ‘front door’ of the hospital to the public. Open all day, every day, emergency medicine doctors liaise with the acute hospital and keep tabs on other specialities in case … [Read more…]