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Patient-Safety-Learning

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News posted by Patient-Safety-Learning

  1. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Liz Truss has pledged to halt the exodus of doctors from the NHS to tackle the Covid backlog and surging waiting lists.
    The frontrunner in the Conservative leadership race is planning to unveil a series of radical reforms that will stop doctors from retiring early and entice retirees to return.
    One in 10 consultants and GPs is expected to retire in the next 18 months because of pension rules that mean they are "paying to work". A source close to her said she would deal with it by “cutting red tape and dealing with issues in the pension and tax system that currently act as barriers for people wanting to return”.
    It comes amid concerns that the NHS backlog after lockdown is causing more than 1,000 excess deaths per week - more than the figure now killed each week by coronavirus.
    A source close to Liz Truss also said: “The Covid pandemic put unprecedented strain on our NHS, and the resulting backlog is seeing people struggling to get appointments and treatments. We must act to tackle it, and we will. We will make it easier for doctors and nurses who have recently left or are planning to leave the NHS but want to return or stay to do so.” 
    Read full story (paywalled)
    Source: The Telegraph (20 August 2022)
  2. Patient-Safety-Learning
    An LMC has created template letters to help practices reject secondary care workload dumping, including rejected referrals and requests to complete work on behalf of hospital trusts.
    Cambridge LMC said it developed the tools amid a growing ‘tsunami’ of secondary care workload transfer into general practices.
    One template letter tackles the rejection of a referral ‘on the basis that a proforma was not enclosed or completed in full’. It points out that the GMC requires GPs to refer when they ‘believe it is necessary to do so’ and that their ‘contractual obligations make no mention of a requirement to complete a proforma’.
    Cambridgeshire LMC chief executive Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer told Pulse that ‘we need the temperature to rise on the understanding around pressures across general practice’.
    Read full story
    For more information on the issues raised, read a blog by Patient Safety Learning about the patient safety risks of rejected outpatient referrals.
    Source: Pulse (19 August 2022)
  3. Patient-Safety-Learning
    An immunologist has warned the new strain of Covid-19 could be causing different symptoms – including one that emerges during the night.
    Omicron BA.5 is a highly-contagious subvariant prompting concern as it contributes to a fresh wave of infections across the globe, including the UK. Scientists have been finding differences with previous strains, including the ability to reinfect people within weeks of having Covid.
    “One extra symptom from BA.5 I saw this morning is night sweats,” Professor Luke O’Neill from Trinity College Dublin told an Irish radio station in mid-July.
    Read full story
    Source: The Independent (24 August 2022)
  4. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Nearly 700 doctors are likely to leave the Welsh NHS as a result of a recent 4.5% pay rise, the British Medical Association has warned.
    The warning follows a survey by BMA Cymru, in which more than half of the 1,397 respondents said they could leave and most felt morale had dropped.
    The below-inflation pay rise will apply to consultants, junior doctors and GPs. The Welsh government said it accepted the NHS pay review body's advice and was limited on how far it could go.
    Dr Iona Collins, chairwoman of the BMA's Welsh Council, said the findings resonated with what she was hearing from colleagues across Wales. "Doctors' take-home pay has reduced over several years, making the NHS an increasingly unattractive employer," said Dr Collins.
    Read full story
    Source: BBC News (23 August 2022)
  5. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Some of the country’s leading acute hospitals are not meeting a key NHS standard for mental health support in emergency departments, HSJ research suggests, with some regions faring better than others.
    Latest official estimates indicate that more than a third of EDs (36 per cent) are not yet meeting ‘core 24’ standards for psychiatric liaison – which requires a minimum of 1.5 full-time equivalent consultants and 11 mental health practitioners.
    The long-term plan target is for 70 per cent of acute trust emergency departments to have the optimum ‘core 24’ standard service by 2023-24. The NHS appears to be on track to hit this, with significant progress made, despite the pandemic.
    Annabel Price, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ liaison faculty, said tackling the workforce crisis with a fully funded plan would “prove instrumental in boosting recruitment across all acute trusts”.
    Read full story (paywalled)
    Source: HSJ, 23 August 2022
  6. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A same-day blood test that can rule out pre-eclampsia, in pregnant women is being rolled out across the NHS in England. The test, known as placental growth factor (PLGF) testing, is already being used in three quarters of maternity units in England.
    NHS clinical director for maternity and women‘s health Matthew Jolly said: “Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening condition for both mum and baby if left untreated and this is why the NHS takes every precaution possible when soon-to-be mums have some of the early signs, like high blood pressure. This new way of testing means we can rule out the condition in a much quicker and easier way - it removes the stress that comes with the uncertainty around not having a diagnosis and will reassure thousands of pregnant women every year.”
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 25 August 2021
  7. Patient-Safety-Learning
    According to reports, more than half of patients waiting for a first consultant appointment in Northern Ireland are still waiting longer than a year.
    Health Minister Robin Swann has apologised for the long waiting lists, with the Royal College of Surgeons describing the figures as "devastating". Data has revealed 348,867 people are currently  waiting for a first appointment, with fifty-three percent (184,873) found waiting 52 weeks or more. 
    "It's not where we want them to be - we don't want people waiting that long because it actually increases demand on our health service the longer people are waiting. This is about changing the direction of the underinvestment, not just in the health service but also in our workforce, so it takes time." Said Mr Swann. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News (Northern Ireland), 26 August 2021
  8. Patient-Safety-Learning
    New data from NHS Digital on the latest vacancy statistics shows as of June 2021 there were 38,952 registered nurse vacancies across the health service, with the Royal College of Nursing saying news of worsening nurse shortages should “stun” ministers into taking action. 
    RCN England director, Patricia Marquis, has said: “As health and care services head into what will be a very difficult winter, this should stun ministers to address the rising number of nursing vacancies and prevent further risk to patient care. After the pressures from the last 18 months we also know that many experienced nurses are considering leaving the profession. These are skills that cannot be replaced quickly. Unless there is an urgent investment in the nursing workforce, starting with an increase in pay that reflects their skill and professionalism, and there is accountability for workforce planning at ministerial level, we will be dealing with the fallout for years to come.”
    Read full story.
    Source: Nursing Times, 26 August 2021
  9. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Doctors have warned GPs are having to make difficult choices about which patients get blood tests because of the ongoing shortage of test tubes, describing it as a "perilous" situation. Due to the shortages, the NHS in England and Wales have told surgeries and hospitals to temporarily stop some blood testing, which includes tests for fertility, allergies and pre-diabetes. One woman, Alison Webb, has said she cannot have her yearly thyroid and cholesterol checked due to the shortages - and her tests are already overdue by four months.
    A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said, "The health and care system continues to work flat out with the supplier and stakeholders to put mitigations in place, and restore normal supply, and there continues to be stock in place."
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 30 August 2021
  10. Patient-Safety-Learning
    The Modality Partnership, one of England's biggest general practice groups told HSJ that its GPs are regularly seeing more patients each day than is safe, after the number of people going to see their GP surged in the wake of Covid-19.
    Data has shown the provider’s GPs had an average of 20 patient contacts per day during April 2020, which has now risen to to an average of nearly 50 patient contacts per day. Modality, which had drawn up a report on the situation were quoted as saying, "There is just so much to cover – I am worried about missing something.” 
    One partner at Modality who is also quoted in the report said: “An increasing number of patients I see are broken, often in tears, and seeking help to cope with the new stresses of life.”
    Read full story (paywalled).
    Source: HSJ, 31 August 2021
  11. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Glen Burley, an acute trust chief executive has said NHS England risks ‘levelling down’ safety in some maternity services by ‘disproportionately’ directing additional funding to struggling trusts.
    This comes after NHS England said the funding prioritised the trusts which needed the most support to meet the essential actions in the Ockenden Report, where in March, NHSE invited trusts to bid for a share of £96m extra funding for maternity services. 
    A spokeswoman for NHS England has said: “The NHS made an additional £96m investment in maternity services following the Ockenden Review, the majority of which will bolster the workforce by funding an additional 1,200 midwives and 100 obstetricians. While the funding for additional workforce is for all NHS trusts, it is right that those who most need the support are prioritised.”
    Read full story.
    Source: HSJ, 02 September 2021
     
  12. Patient-Safety-Learning
    The RCN has today launched a new independent and confidential help and support line for any members or staff who have been affected by the issues relating to the reports received.  
    Pat Cullen, General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: "Anyone can be affected by sexual harassment. It’s not restricted to any gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality or role. If you have been affected, it is important that you are listened to, supported, and helped to work through any actions you wish to take. This 0800 number will allow members or staff to discuss any concerns about sexual harassment related to RCN activity. 

    “All staff and members have a right to feel safe and we are taking all necessary steps to provide that security. We must tackle the issues and behaviours that have no place in our College. We must demand better, for members and for the profession.”  
    Read full story.
    Source: RCN, 02 September 2021
  13. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Gavin Williamson, despite the risk of Covid, has insisted children must return to a "normal pre-pandemic" experience in schools. The education secretary said testing could be the key to guarding against infection rates, but refused to rule out a potential rise after experts have warned surges in Covid-19 are linked to classrooms. 
    "This is why we're doing the testing programme and we're encouraging children to take part in it, parents, and of course teachers and support staff as well. This is a way of rooting out Covid. We're trying to strike that constant, sensible balance of actually giving children as normal experience in the classroom as possible, but also recognising we're still dealing with a global pandemic." He told Niall Paterson. 
    Read full story.
    Source: Sky News, 02 September 2021
  14. Patient-Safety-Learning
    NHS leaders and experts have warned healthcare staff will leave their roles in a "mass exodus" unless exhausted doctors and nurses are given better support. This comes as reports earlier this year showed many healthcare staff are suffering from burnout. 
    “From April onwards we’ve seen a significant rise in mental health cases, and it shows no sign of stopping,” Steve Carter, director of consulting services at FirstCare, told a panel of MPs and peers on Tuesday. “We need to address the mental health issue quickly if we are to get through the winter.”
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 25 August 2021
  15. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A private ambulance company, KFA Medical,  which provided patient transport services for the NHS has been deregistered by the Care Quality Commission over concerns for patient safety. Concerns included lack of basic training and Disclosure and Barring Service checks on employees were not up to date or had not been carried out and when looking at four staff files none had current basic life support training.
    Sarah Dronsfield, the CQC’s head of hospital inspection, said: “We have been working with the provider since their suspension in January, however when we carried out this inspection, we found the provider had been unable to implement and sustain the necessary improvements to assure us that people were receiving safe care. This action should send a very clear message to all providers of independent health and care services that while taking enforcement action of this nature is not something we take lightly, we will always take action where appropriate to protect the health and safety of patients,” 
    Read full story (paywalled).
    Source: 03 September 2021
  16. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Police raised concerns to the Care Quality Commission over the care at a private hospital, run by Cygnet Health Care, after being called eight times by a patient, a report has revealed.
    The CQC has now placed the hospital, which provides care for female patients with learning difficulties, in special measures and rated it inadequate.
    The CQC report, published today, said: “Staff we spoke with said they were trained in how to use de-escalation techniques. However, two told us they were anxious as a team about using restraint. As a result, police were being regularly called to respond to incidents at the hospital by both staff and patients.”
    Read full story (paywalled).
    Source: HSJ, 02 September 2021
  17. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Public Health England's medical director has said schools are not "drivers" or "hubs" of Covid infection.
    "We understand, and I understand fully, that parents may be nervous but I would stress again that schools are not the drivers and not the hubs of infection." Said Dr Yvonne Doyle.
    However, Prof Calum Semple, a government scientific adviser, said with most adults vaccinated, schools were likely to be a "greater part of the problem"
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 02 September 2021
  18. Patient-Safety-Learning
    According to reports, the government plans to raise national insurance of at least 1% to help improve social care and tackle NHS backlog. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said the government must find a way for social care to be adequately funded. 
    Labour has said the NHS and social care needed proper investment but it was wrong to raise national insurance, which would disproportionately affect people on low incomes, young people and businesses.
    "Boris Johnson still hasn't come forward with the plan for social care he promised over two years ago, and instead they're proposing a manifesto-breaking tax rise that would hit working people and businesses hard," said shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson.
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 03 September 2021
  19. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Experts have said the risk of "long Covid" in children is much lower than many had feared, with research suggesting somewhere between 2% and 14% still had symptoms caused by Covid 15 weeks later.
    However, while the research team found little evidence to showing huge number seeking help for symptoms that had left them bedridden or unable to attend school, it was still important that they received support if they had any persistent symptoms such as headaches, tiredness and breathing difficulties. 
    Prof Sir Terence Stephenson, from UCL's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, said of the development of Long Covid in children, "It is nowhere near what people thought in the worst-case scenario".
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 01 September 2021
  20. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Groups representing the NHS have warned services may have to be cut unless NHS England receives an extra £10bn in funding next year, which may put patients at risk. 
    The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers said the money was needed to cover pandemic-related costs and reduce the backlog in operations and treatments, but the government said it had already provided additional money to tackle backlogs.
    "We are committed to making sure the NHS has everything it needs to continue providing excellent care to the public as we tackle the backlogs that have built up during the pandemic. This year alone we have already provided a further £29bn to support health and care services, including an extra £1bn to tackle the backlog. This is on top of our historic settlement for the NHS in 2018, which will see its budget rise by £33.9bn by 2023-24." Said a government statement. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 02 August 2021
  21. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A new campaign to increase awareness of life-saving treatment that can reverse drug overdoses has been launched in Scotland.
    The Scottish government and Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) have joined together to help improve information about naloxone which can prevent deaths in the case of opioids overdoses.
    Drugs policy minister Angela Constance said: “Firstly, on International Overdose Awareness Day I want to pass on my sincere condolences to all those who have been affected by a drug-related death. That is why I am pleased to launch this joint campaign with Scottish Drugs Forum to encourage the public to get involved in our national mission and equip themselves to save a life."
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 31 August 2021
  22. Patient-Safety-Learning
    A new study has found stress in the workplace could be leading women suffering from warning signs of heart disease. These signs included work-related stress, sleep disorders, and tiredness - which are important but non-traditional risk factors for having a heart attack or a stroke.
    Dr Wagner, a neurology professor at the University of Zurich, said "Traditionally men have been perceived to be more affected by heart attacks and strokes than women, but in some countries, women have overtaken men. There is a gender gap and further research is needed to find out why”.
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 31 August 2021
  23. Patient-Safety-Learning
    An expensive anti-cholesterol drug called inclisiran could soon be offered to hundreds of thousands of people in England and Wales on the NHS. The drug, which would be administered as a twice-a-year injection, costs around £2,000 per dose, could save about 30,000 lives within a decade.
    "Inclisiran represents a potential game-changer in preventing thousands of people from dying prematurely from heart attacks and strokes. We're therefore pleased to be able to recommend it as a cost effective option on the NHS." Said Meindert Boysen, NICE deputy chief executive and director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation. 
    Read full story.
    Source: BBC News, 01 September 2021
  24. Patient-Safety-Learning
    New data has revealed the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is climbing rapidly, even before the latest surge in infections. These figures highlight the immense pressure the NHS is currently facing, and according to this data, there are now 585 people in hospital with the virus, up from 312 just eleven days ago, showing it to be the highest figure since early March.
    Health Secretary Huma Yousaf said the situation in A&E is being closely monitored. "Hospitals are reporting increased levels of people attending A&E who are much sicker and require higher levels of care. Weekly performance is impacted due to a range of challenges including high attendances, staffing pressures due to isolation and annual leave and the continued requirement for infection control precautions that is affecting the time people need to spend in A&E."
    Read full story.
    Source: The Herald, 01 September 2021
  25. Patient-Safety-Learning
    Government experts have said the reopening of schools next month will likely trigger an exponential rise in Covid infections among children. According to members of SPI-M-O, the governments committee on on pandemic modelling, the removal of certain measures such as face masks, and the lack of vaccinations, may mean children will be susceptible to the virus. 
    “Vaccines have amazingly weakened the link between infections and illness and hospitalisations, but not broken it. No one wants to reimpose restrictions but we face a challenging winter. I do believe we need an informed public debate on the options through 2021 and 2022. The infection is not going away, we have incredible tools (tests, treatment, vaccines). No one wants restrictions reimposed but we will have to accept some illness, hospitalisations and deaths.” Said Sage member and director of the Wellcome Trust, Sir Jeremy Farrar
    Read full story.
    Source: The Independent, 28 August 2021

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