NHS faces ‘test to the limit’ to deliver savings
By Peter Wozniak The savings being asked of the NHS and social care are “unprecedented” and will stretch service provision “to the limit”, according to MPs. The health select committee today released its report on public expenditure on both the NHS and local authority provision of social care services – and challenged the government’s optimism […]
NHS soon ‘may reach breaking point’
By Peter Wozniak Over-regulation and a lack of new specialist posts are set to put the NHS under ever-incresing strain, warn the UK Royal College of Physicians (RCP). The RCP’s 2009 census of physicians raised concerns that although the number of consultant posts increased by 10.2%, this will not continue as funding becomes less forthcoming […]
NHS horror stories revealed
By politics.co.uk staff Firsthand accounts of elderly patients’ terrible treatment have been published by the Patients’ Association (PA). Serious failings of nursing care, poor communication with relatives and an ineffective complaints handling system are outlined by the document, Listen For Patients, Speak Up For Change. Chief executive Katherine Murphy said it was a “scandal” and […]
Comment: The potential disaster of NHS closures
Smaller hospitals and surgeries are at risk from elements in the NHS concerned with financial motivation rather than patient care. By Anne McIntosh MP People greatly value their GP and care very passionately about their local community hospital. Any threat, therefore, of closure or rumour of closure automatically sets alarm bells ringing for patients and […]
Cameron midwives promise ‘broken’
By Peter Wozniak David Cameron and Nick Clegg have gone back on promises made to increase the number of midwives, the Royal College of Midwives has claimed. Speaking on the BBC this morning, RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick accused the government of reneging on the pledge after a meeting with health secretary Andrew Lansley. She […]
‘Wake-up call’ for elderly care
By politics.co.uk staff Only one-third of elderly patients are receiving good treatment in hospital, a report has claimed. The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) investigated the care given to 820 patients over 80 years of age, who died within 30 days of surgery being performed on them. The report found that […]
Campaigners seek answers as Stafford inquiry begins
By Alex Stevenson A full public inquiry into failures at Stafford hospital begins its work today. Health secretary Andrew Lansley ordered the inquiry after agreeing with campaigners Cure The NHS that previous probes backed by Labour ministers had not gone far enough in exposing the failures of management at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust. “We want people […]
Comment: We cannot afford to get maternity care wrong
For too long, maternity care has been neglected in the NHS. Protecting health spending is a necessary step to providing services we deserve. By David Amess MP There can be no more personal, emotional or exhilarating experience than watching a baby being successfully delivered. I had the privilege of watching each of my five children […]
Union loses court battle against Lansley
By Ian Dunt Unison’s attempt to challenge Andrew Lansley’s NHS reforms in court hit a brick wall today after its judicial review failed. Unison argued that the failure to properly consult on the reforms breached the partnership agreement between the Department of Health (DoH), the NHS constitution and section 242 of the NHS Act. While […]
Loophole allows NHS doctors ‘bonuses for life’
By politics.co.uk staff Top-level NHS consultants can exploit a loophole which allows them up to £75,000 of bonus payments, regardless of the quality of their work. Of NHS doctors, 36,000 consultants are eligible for the bonuses – on top of their £89,400 salary. Although the size of bonuses, of which there are 16 greadations, theoretically […]
