Acute Care – Page 444
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News
Blair and Hewitt defend reforms
Tony Blair and health secretary Patricia Hewitt have stressed that health reforms were hard but worthwhile once completed.Speaking at press conference at the King's Fund, Ms Hewitt also said that as primary care trusts worked with local councils to bring care services together, a bigger contribution would be needed from ...
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News
Government looks at Labour's health legacy
The Department of Health has published four reports looking at progress in certain conditions over the last 10 years.The reports cover cancer, coronary heart disease, emergency care and mental health.Download the reports here
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Comment
Nick Summerton and colleagues on what topics should NICE consider
Last September NICE took over the topic suggestion and selection process from the Department of Health. Six months on it is clear that the new processes are working: topics are being collected, sifted, and prioritised speedily.
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News
Only 1.3 per cent pay rise for very senior managers
Basic pay rates for very senior managers will rise by 1.3 per cent. The pay rise will be backdated to 1 April and is in addition to the performance bonus scheme for executive staff.Health minister Lord Hunt has written to NHS chairs and chief executives explaining the decision and outlining ...
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Comment
Report ignores Queen Mary's progress
I object to the description of Queen Mary's Sidcup trust as a 'struggling' organisation. In fact, we are an example of a hugely successful turnaround
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News
DoH targets deaths from clots
All hospital patients should be assessed for risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots, an expert working group has recommended.
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News
Lords a-leaping to the wrong conclusion
In the last few days two lords with fingerprints on health policy reform - one a new minister and one a former one - both criticised the NHS's attitude to innovation.
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Comment
The figures are standardised, but the care certainly is not
Research published by Dr Foster this week shows unequivocally that addressing the problem of variation in quality is one of the biggest priorities facing the service this year (see news, page 7).
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News
Open or shut case as service shake-ups hinge on SNP result
An SNP victory in next week's Scottish elections would take a hatchet to a host of Labour's NHS reforms north of the border, writes Jennifer Trueland
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News
C difficile rates still on the rise
Clostridium difficile cases in hospitals rose by 8 per cent in 2006, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency. The quarterly data shows infection rates remain high, particularly in small acute trusts. There were 55,681 cases reported in patients aged over 65 years in England in 2006.Cases ...
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News
Variations in patient care continue, says Dr Foster
Despite a year of record investment variations in standards of care remain, according to the Dr Foster Intelligence Hospital Guide, launched today.Among the findings in the 2007 guide, mortality rates are falling with 95 per cent of trusts improving over the past five years. But only 10 trusts provided robust ...
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HSJ Knowledge
Shedding light on hidden activity
Payment by results requires accurate recording of activity but, as Clive Evans reports, the system is far from flawless
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HSJ Knowledge
David Lee on tough communications
. 'Until you start getting complaints that the same message has been repeated too often, you probably aren't getting through to the masses' ...
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HSJ Knowledge
Legal briefing: St Mary's Hospital and the Freedom of Information Act
How can managers be open and.limit damage to their trust under the Freedom of Information Act? Simon White advises
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News
Pressure group calls for healthcare funding debate
UK healthcare is not free at the point of delivery and in perpetuating this idea politicians are stifling proper debate on future funding of healthcare, says a report from Doctors for Reform.The report, written by three doctors, including oncologist Karol Sikora, highlights 20 case studies to show how patients are ...
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News
Health workers to vote on strike action
Delegates at trade union Unison's health conference in Brighton will today vote on a ballot for strike action in protest at the government's proposed 2.5 per cent pay increase.Yesterday health workers voted to campaign against payment by results, set up a campaign against all forms of privatisation and marketisation, oppose ...
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News
Four Seasons names chief operating officer
Dr Pete Calveley has been appointed chief operating officer of independent provider Four Seasons Health Care. Dr Calveley joined Four Seasons in November 2005 as primary care medical director, while also continuing his role as a GP and primary care trust director in Lincolnshire.His new role is a full-time position. ...
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News
Toolkit for better hip and knee replacements
A toolkit for orthopaedic teams to improve efficiency in primary hip and knee replacements has been launched by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.It identifies the six key characteristics of high performing organisations and includes audit tools for managers and teams to improve patient care.Read the report here
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News
Hospital patients to get VTE risk assessments
Every patient should be assessed for potentially fatal blood clots on admission to hospital, chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson announced as he launched a working party report on venous thromboembolism (VTE).A national risk assessment tool is being developed for clinicians to detect the complications of VTE, which include deep ...
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News
NHS staff risk losing pay and pensions, says union
Tens of thousands of NHS staff could lose out on pay and pensions if they are transferred to privately-run social enterprises, Amicus has warned.A report from the union said social enterprises are outside the NHS and Agenda for Change pay conditions would not necessarily apply.Read the report here