Weekend admission higher risk

Admissions to hospital on the weekend mean patients are more likely to die, a new study suggests. The Weekend Hospitalisation and Additional Risk of Death: an Analysis of Inpatient Data report highlights lack of senior staff and inability to conduct diagnostic tests as reasons for the extra...<<Read More>>

Focus on human issues for mental health

A new mental health tool, the ‘Recovery Star’ shows early promise, according to researchers from St Andrew’s Healthcare, writing in the journal The Psychiatrist. The tool, recommended for use by Government, supports service users to recovery by...<<Read More>>

Sustainability important for NHS

Sustainability should be a key consideration for the NHS, health service leaders and the public, according to a new report by the NHS Sustainable Development Unit (SDU). ‘Sustainability in the NHS’ considers the NHS’s carbon footprint, views from health professionals and...<<Read More>>

NICE rejects cancer drug

A new drug that prolongs the life and reduces suffering of men with prostate cancer has been judged too expensive for use on the NHS. NICE found that while abiraterone was clinically effective, it did not provide good value for money for the NHS. The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)...<<Read More>>

Asthma project to save lives

A new project has been launched to investigate the causes of asthma deaths, with the aim to reduce preventable deaths in the future. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is leading the 12-month National Review of Asthma Deaths (NRAD). Three people die from asthma...<<Read More>>

Circle promises revolution at Hinchingbrooke

Circle has launched a 16-point improvement plan as it takes over fully at Hinchingbrooke hospital from today.Circle chief executive, Ali Parsa, said: “Today, an ambitious programme will be unveiled, to turn a hospital, once labelled as 'a basket...<<Read More>>

Health Secretary will have ultimate control

The Government is publishing scores of amendments to the Health & Social Care Bill ahead of its return to the House of Lords, promising that the health secretary will retain ultimate responsibility for delivering, or securing the delivery...<<Read More>>

Fake drugs testing system for patients using internet

A new IT-based traceability service has been launched to let patients check the authenticity of their medicines over the internet. The eTACT service is part of the Council of Europe’s global strategy to counter fake drugs, launched by its European Directorate...<<Read More>>

Competition can improve NHS – OHE

Competition in the NHS can improve some individual health services, but should not be used throughout the organisation, a report from the Office of Health Economics (OHE) research group suggests. The Commission on Competition in the NHS considered the expansion of...<<Read More>>

Burnout found in GPs

High levels of burnout have been found in family doctors, a study of GPs in south-east England suggests. A survey of 564 GPs assessed whether they were in danger of burnout using a validated measure, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The doctors were evaluated...<<Read More>>