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Showing results for tags 'Wales'.
Found 84 results
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Content ArticleThe Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), which assesses the care provided for patients during and after they receive inpatient care following a stroke, has published its ninth annual report. Based on data from April 2021 to March 2022, the report aims to identify which aspects of stroke care need to be improved with a particular focus on changes in stroke care over the last two years and the ‘roads’ that need to be followed in order to restore the quality of care. SSNAP measures the process of care against evidence-based quality standards referring to the interventions that any patient may be expected to receive. These standards are laid out in the latest clinical guidelines and include: whether patients receive clot busting drugs (thrombolysis). interventions for clot retrieval (thrombectomy). how quickly they receive a brain scan. how much therapy is delivered in hospital and at home.
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Content ArticleThe National Audit of Inpatient Falls (NAIF) has published its latest report into the care given to patients who fell while they were in hospital and sustained a hip fracture. Based on data from 1,394 patients in 2021, the report presents information on post-fall management and tracks performance against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Standard 86, which includes checking the patient for injury before moving, using safe lifting equipment and prompt medical assessment after the fall.
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Content ArticleEstablished in 2006, the National Neonatal Audit Programme (NNAP) is commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) and delivered by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). It assesses whether babies admitted to neonatal units receive consistent high-quality care in relation to the NNAP audit measures that are aligned to a set of professionally agreed guidelines and standards. The NNAP also identifies variation in the provision of neonatal care at local unit, regional network and national levels and supports stakeholders to use audit data to stimulate improvement in care delivery and outcomes. This report summarises the key messages and national recommendations developed by the NNAP Project Board and Methodology and Dataset Group, based on NNAP data relating to babies discharged from neonatal care in England and Wales between January and December 2021.
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Content ArticleThis report by the National Medical Examiner, Dr Alan Fletcher, summarises the progress made by medical examiner offices in 2021 and outlines areas of focus going forward. It highlights that medical examiners continued to receive positive feedback from bereaved people—many said they appreciated being given the opportunity to have a voice in the processes after a death and knowing any concerns were listened to. It includes information on: The national medical examiner system Implementation Guidance and publications Training Stakeholders Increasing the number of non-coronial deaths scrutinised Feedback received by medical examiners in England and Wales
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Content ArticleWhen a loved one dies, any delay in the registration or release of a deceased patient’s body can be distressing for the bereaved. The medical examiner system is being introduced in England and Wales to provide bereaved families with greater transparency and opportunities to raise concerns, improve the quality and accuracy of medical certification of cause of death, and ensure referrals to coroners are appropriate. These good practice guidelines set out how the National Medical Examiner expects medical examiner offices to operate during the non-statutory phase of the programme.
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Content ArticleMedical records include any information about your physical or mental health recorded by a healthcare professional. This includes hospital staff, GPs, dentists and opticians. This page on The Patients Association website explains how to get copies of your medical records in England and Wales. It provides information on: How to get your GP records Using the NHS App to access records A guide to formally requesting medical records Requesting the records of someone who has died Seeing a child’s medical records Requesting the records of a vulnerable adult More information on medical records Complaints
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Content ArticleThe number of people on NHS Wales waiting lists for treatment has reached record levels. This problem has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the average wait time for treatment more than doubling since December 2019. This report by the Welsh Centre for Public Policy identifies five key areas in which policy could be developed to improve outcomes and reduce waiting times. These areas target the underlying factors causing increased waiting times, and are likely to both improve the overall performance of the health system, and to impact outcomes which matter to patients, resulting in a more patient-centred approach: Workforce capacity Digital technology Reimagining primary care Systems collaboration Follow-up care
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Content ArticleThe Francis Inquiries in 2010 and 2013 highlighted nurse staffing as a patient safety factor contributing to the care failings identified at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust. The reports and government response led to the development of national ‘safe staffing’ policy. This two-year study by the University of Southampton and Bangor University examined the impact of safe staffing policies nationally and explored variation in local responses. The authors concluded that: Policies provided leverage and raised the profile of nursing workforce issues at board level, contributing to a willingness to invest in increasing nursing numbers. However, a lack of assessment of the likely scale of investment (and human resources) required nationally to achieve ‘safe staffing’ led to financial considerations becoming a barrier to achieving the policy vision. External pressures, such as lack of workforce supply and reduced access to temporary staffing, have constrained Trusts’ abilities to fully implement policies aimed at ensuring safe staffing on acute wards.
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Content ArticleHealthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) is the independent inspectorate of the NHS and regulator of independent healthcare in Wales. This annual report highlights key findings from HIW's regulation, inspection and review of healthcare services in Wales. It demonstrates how HIW carried out its functions and outlines the number of inspections and quality checks it undertook during 2021-22.
