All articles by Steve Ford – Page 9
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CommentMedia Watch: notes on a sandal
No single, major health story seemed to grab the attention of the national media at the start of this week – the papers instead mostly opted to write about nurses’ shoes and a missing filing cabinet.
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NewsTransfer of public health services to councils in doubt
Many local authorities are not ready to take on public health budgets and responsibility from primary care trusts, according to research exclusively shared with HSJ and sister title Local Government Chronicle.
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NewsLeading doctor calls for more clinically-led reconfigurations
Getting local clinicians to drive reconfiguration plans will reduce “overall system costs” and the number of letters sent to local MPs and newspapers, according to a hospital doctor leader.
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NewsBlood donor reforms ‘don’t go far enough’
Blood donation eligibility criteria should be based on individual behaviour, backed by advanced screening, not on sexuality, the Liberal Democrats conference has heard.
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NewsMinisters should be allowed to intervene in another Southern Cross, says Burstow
Health minister Paul Burstow has hinted the government may seek to introduce legislative changes allowing it to directly intervene in any future cases similar to the collapse of Southern Cross.
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NewsSocial enterprise loses out in £450m community services contract
A nurse and therapist-run social enterprise praised by the Cabinet Office for cutting costs has lost out to a private provider for a £450m contract.
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HSJ Local
Kent PCT sends patient data CD to the tip
PERFORMANCE: NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent accidentally sent a CD containing the personal details of 1.6 million patients to a landfill site in March.
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NewsRebecca Leighton returned to nursing register but with restrictions
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has issued Stepping Hill nurse Rebecca Leighton with an interim order allowing her to work as a nurse but restricting her practice while it carries out a full investigation into the theft of drugs.
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HSJ LocalChase Farm to remain open but loses A&E unit
STRUCTURE: The health secretary has rubber stamped plans to downgrade Chase Farm Hospital’s emergency department and take forward a possible merger with North Middlesex University Hospital Trust.
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NewsOnly two hospitals rated 'poor' in annual PEAT scores
Just two hospital sites across the NHS and private sector were rated “poor” in this year’s patient environment action team inspection results, published by the NHS Information Centre.
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CommentHandful of trusts let down South East Coast on performance checks
Two sets of national checks and balances have revealed the South East Coast’s A* performers and those that “must try harder” when it comes to issues of patient experience.
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CommentMedia Watch: onset of autumn provides a gloomy filter for health news
Maybe it was the autumnal August Bank Holiday weather that meant the national media largely looked at health through a gloomy lens this week.
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NewsSocial enterprise denies Twitter claims it is closing down
A social enterprise came under cyber attack this week in an apparent ruse designed to suggest the organisation was closing down.
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NewsPCTs told to provide accounts for cash transferred to councils
Primary care trusts have been told to report how funding transferred to councils for integrated health and social care activities is being spent.
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NewsCross-party approach 'only way' for public health policy
The only way public health outcomes can be improved in the long term is to develop a cross-party approach, according to a think-tank report.
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CommentMedia Watch: malnutrition nourishes the Mail
A mixed bag of health media coverage this week from the nationals, with the Daily Mail especially prolific.
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NewsListening exercise workstreams continue to identify concerns
Four clear areas for recommendations will take forward the NHS Future Forum’s remit to inform the government’s reforms.
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HSJ Local
Patient volume forces East Surrey to close A&E
PERFORMANCE: Patient volumes forced the accident and emergency department at East Surrey Hospital to close for five hours last month in a situation more akin to winter pressures.
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NewsMaidstone and Barts have most mixed sex breaches
Mixed sex accommodation breaches have reached their lowest level since the collection of monthly data, but 30 per cent of acute trusts are still failing to comply.
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CommentSouth Coast trusts forecast 2011-12 performance, predict £77m overspend
Trying to predict the future for the NHS is always difficult, as there always seems to be a reorganisation or a winter crisis just round the corner. However, primary care trusts in Sussex have given it a go.