In the news w/e 26 April
Your media headlines roundup, week ending 26 April…
NHSI ‘impressed’ with five pathology network launches
HSJ – 26 April 2019
NHS Improvement believes acute trusts’ efforts to create regional pathology networks have been “impressive”, despite the number of fully operational collaboratives being half of what was expected so far. Email for the full story.
Fewer people getting help in social care ‘crisis’, study finds
Epping Forest Guardian – 26 April 2019
The social care system in England is at “crisis point”, with more people asking for care but fewer receiving it, according to a report. Read the full story.
Homicide figures at highest level in a decade
Epping Forest Guardian – 25 April 2019
There were 732 homicides in England and Wales last year – the highest number in a decade, official figures show. Read the full story.
Top CEO says government sending ‘wrong signal’ on safety
HSJ – 25 April 2019
Sir David Dalton has urged health and social care secretary Matt Hancock to view patient safety as a “firm priority” for the NHS, warning progress made since the Mid Staffs scandal could quickly disappear. Email for the full story.
Missed measles jabs a ‘walking public health time bomb’
BBC News – 25 April 2019
More than half a million children in the UK were not given a crucial measles jab between 2010 and 2017, an analysis by children’s charity Unicef reveals. Read the full story.
Harlow Crime: The most dangerous areas to live in according to the latest police data
Essex Live – 25 April 2019
The areas with the most reported crimes in Harlow have been revealed with the latest data. Includes reference to the permitted development areas. Read the full story.
No sedentary screen time for babies, WHO says
BBC News – 24 April 2019
Babies and toddlers should not be left to passively watch TV or other screens, according to new World Health Organization guidelines. Read the full story.
‘Exhilarating’ implant turns thoughts to speech
BBC News – 24 April 2019
Scientists have developed a brain implant that can read people’s minds and turn their thoughts to speech. Read the full story.
Trio of trusts to outsource pathology services
HSJ – 24 April 2019
Three trusts’ pathology services look likely to be outsourced in an STP-wide procurement process. The contract is for all pathology disciplines currently serviced by Princess Alexandra Hospital, West Hertfordshire Hospitals, and East and North Hertfordshire trusts. Email for the full story.
Optometrists are warning more people will lose their sight if plans to connect to an NHS IT referral system are further delayed
HSJ – 24 April 2019
The College of Optometrists and other representative bodies from the sector want NHS England to find dedicated funding to connect community optometrists to the NHS electronic referral system. At present, optometrists can refer patients into secondary care, but they rely either on fax or writing to their patients’ GPs who then refer them on. Email for the full story.
Campaign to tackle ‘botched’ cosmetic procedures
BBC Health – 23 April 2019
A campaign to tackle “botched” cosmetic procedures is to be launched shortly by the government in England. Read the full story.
Mental health patients detained in hospital wards for up to 21 years
The Guardian – 23 April 2019
A patient locked in a secure ward for more than 21 years is among hundreds of people with mental health problems being kept in what one MP has called “old-style asylums” in NHS hospitals, an investigation can reveal. Read the full story.
Gagging orders for NHS whisteblowers to be banned, Health Secretary Matt Hancock vows
Skynews – 23 April 2019
Gagging orders used in the NHS to stop whistleblowers speaking out will be banned, the health secretary has promised. Read the full story.
Pay deal row erupts between government and NHS England
HSJ – 23 April 2019
A row has broken out between the government and NHS England over £50m funding for NHS staff pay. Email for the full story.
New scheme sees extra police deployed on M11 to stem rise in serious collisions
Saffron Walden Reporter – 23 April 2019
The Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) has funded a pilot scheme which will see additional roads policing officers deployed on the M11 at peak times, in an attempt to stem the rise in serious collisions. Read the full story.
Date set for Stansted Airport extraordinary meeting
Saffron Walden Reporter – 23 April 2019
An extraordinary council meeting will take place on Thursday (April 25) to consider whether the final approval notice for Stansted Airport’s planning application to increase passenger numbers should be delayed until after the upcoming local elections. Read the full story.
12 candidates for 4 Stansted seats on Uttlesford District Council – but no parish poll
Bishop’s Stortford Independent – 22 April 2019
Voters in Stansted go to the polls on May 2 to elect their representatives on Uttlesford District Council – but for the first time in decades there will be no parish council election. Read the full story.
Addressing antimicrobial resistance
Pharmafield (blog) – 22 April 2019
Liz Cross, advanced nurse practitioner and non-medical prescriber, is taking huge steps in reducing the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Read the full story.
Older women exploited by IVF clinics, says fertility watchdog
BBC Health – 22 April 2019
Older women are being exploited by IVF clinics “trading on hope”, the fertility watchdog has warned. Read the full story.
Parkinson’s results beyond researchers’ wildest dreams
BBC Health – 22 April 2019
A treatment that has restored the movement of patients with chronic Parkinson’s disease has been developed by Canadian researchers. Read the full story.
Bishop’s Stortford pub bosses back anti-abuse campaign for ambulance staff
Bishop’s Stortford Independent – 22 April 2019
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) initiative – Don’t Choose to Abuse – highlights the aggression faced by crews and the consequences for perpetrators. Read the full story.
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance helps first patient with life-saving blood supplies
Bishop’s Stortford Independent – 19 April 2019
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) has used blood products to help care for a critically injured patient for the first time this month. Read the full story.
Second pharmacy could be prescribed for Stansted
Bishop’s Stortford Independent – 19 April 2019
Essex County Council’s health and well-being board has agreed to further investigate the need for an additional dispensary in the village following pressure from councillors and residents. Read the full story.
Princess Alexandra Hospital offer mobile breast screening
Your Harlow – 19 April 2019
Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Epping breast unit offers mobile breast screening for women in Great Dunmow. Read the full story.
Exclusive: Moves to end A&E breaches for mental health patients
HSJ – 18 April 2019
Acute trusts are expected to be told they cannot keep mental health patients who are waiting for a bed or assessment within their accident and emergency department, HSJ has learned. Email for the full story.
