Asylum failings damage lives, says immigration watchdog – The Guardian 9th February 2010

“Parliamentary ombudsman says UK Border Agency is not managing its workload or resolving applications in time”

tags: Asylum Seekers, Work Load, Health, News, UHN, The Guardian

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Restless Legs Syndrome might sound trivial – but far from it – The Guardian 9th February 2010

“Ekbom’s disease is a debilitating disorder and treatment is difficult”

tags: Neurology, Pain, Health, News, UHN, The Guardian

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Make STD testing mandatory – The Guardian 8th February 2010

“Legal and financial disincentives stop people getting checked. Compulsory testing would halt the spread of chlamydia and HIV”

tags:  Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual Health, Health, News, UHN, Diagnosis, The Guardian

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Brown unveils plan to give over-65s post-hospital home care – The Guardian 8th February 2010

“Offering up to six weeks of support means people could stay at home for longer, says PM”

tags: Patient Discharge, Domiciliary Care, Older People, Health, News, UHN, The Guardian

Additional Stories

1. Elderly to be helped to return home from hospital, says Gordon Brown – The Independent 8th February 2010
2. More people ‘fear losing independence in old age than death’, survey finds – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

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Errant gene may make some people age faster: study – The Independent 9th February 2010

“Certain people carry a genetic variant that could shave three or four years off their life, according to a new study.

It is the first time that a gene has been directly linked to the ageing process, scientists from Britain and The Netherlands reported in the journal Nature Genetics.”

tags: Ageing, Genetics, Health, News, UHN, The Independent

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British pub fights get safer with new design glasses – The Independent 9th February 2010

“Drunken pub fights in Britain are set to get safer with the invention of a strengthened beer glass that health authorities hope will cut the huge bill for treating inebriated brawlers.

The traditional pint glass – which holds just over half a litre of beer and is favoured by drinkers across Britain – has been redesigned so it is harder to smash, said Design Bridge, the company behind two prototypes.”

tags: Violent People, Alcohol, Health and Safety, Accident and Emergency Departments, Health, News, UHN, The Independent

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Hospital gowns get Ben de Lisi makeover to cover patients’ dignity – The Times 9th February 2010

“The end is in sight for hospital gowns that force patients to wander the wards with their dignity hanging out.

The traditional gown — backless, draughty and secured by only a couple of ties — is already being shed by hospitals in Bristol. Now this humiliating staple of slapstick comedy is to get a Hollywood-style makeover. “

tags: Privacy, Dignity, Hospitals, Health, News, UHN, The Times

Additional Story

1. New look covers fundamental gap in the market – The Times 9th February 2010

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Complacent middle-aged women match teenagers for unplanned pregnancy – The Times 9th February 2010

“Complacency about contraception and fertility in middle age is resulting in similar rates of unplanned pregnancies among over-40s as in the under-16s, fertility campaigners warn.

Data for England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics shows abortion rates in the 40-44 age group are four per 1,000 women — the same as for girls under 16. “

tags: Contraception, Health, News, Ageing, UHN, Human Fertility, The Times

Additional Story

1. Unplanned pregnancy warning to older women over 35 – BBC Health News 9th February 2010

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Shortage of hospital pharmacists ‘putting patients at risk’ – Daily Telegraph 9th February 2010

“A critical shortage of hospital pharmacists is putting patient safety at risk, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, has warned. “

tags: Pharmacy, Hospitals, Staff Supply, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Doctor says stem cell treatment for MS was ‘worth a try’ despite no evidence it worked – Daily Telegraph 9th February 2010

“A doctor alleged to have administered a stem cell therapy treatment in a ”wholly illegitimate, misleading and dishonest” way to multiple sclerosis sufferers today told a disciplinary hearing the process in principle was ”worth a try”. “

tags:  Professional Discipline, Ethics, Jurisprudence, Genetics, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Depressed people do not feel blue – they feel grey – Daily Telegraph 9th February 2010

“Depressed people do not feel blue, they feel grey, a new study shows. “

tags: Depression, Mental Health, Health, News, UHN, GMHN, Daily Telegraph

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Pre-school children should live as they did 25 years ago – study – Daily Telegraph 8th february 2010

“Young children should live as they did a generation ago to help prevent obesity, a new study shows. “

tags: Sleep, Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, Children, Obesity, UHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Family meals can ‘cut risk of child obesity by 40%’ – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

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Primary schoolgirls getting pregnant aged 10 – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“Primary schoolgirls as young as 10 are getting pregnant, according to new figures released under the Freedom of Information Act. “

tags: Pregnancy, Schools, Young People, Children, UHN, Health, News, Freedom of Information, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Schoolgirls aged just ten falling pregnant as underage pregnancies continue to rise – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

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You really can be bored to death, study shows – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“It really is possible to be bored to death, scientists have found, after research showed those who live tedious lives are twice as likely to die young. “

tags: Psychology, Mortality, UHN, Health, News, Heart Diseases, Stroke, Daily Telegraph

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Gene test to be offered to couples planning children – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“Couples planning to have children will be able to take a test to see if they are at risk of having a baby with a genetic disease, it has been reported. “

tags: Genetics, Ethics, Diagnosis, Health, News, UHN, Obstetrics, Daily Telegraph

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Supermarkets discounting alcohol despite calls for curbs – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“Supermarkets are offering more discounts on alcohol despite calls to end special deals. “

tags: Alcohol, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Women in the Armed Forces ‘more likely to suffer mental problems’ – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“Women serving in the Armed Forces are twice as likely to suffer from mental health issues as men, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Defence. “

tags: Armed Forces, Health, News, UHN, Mental Health, Womens Health, Daily Telegraph

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Funding of Labour home care cancer plan questioned by critics – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“A Labour plan for every cancer patient to have one to one care in their homes has been called into questioned by opposition parties who said the Government has failed to explain how it will be funded. “

tags: Personalisation, Financial Management, Health Economics, Personal Budgets, Cancer, Nursing, NHS, Health, News, Politics, UHNs, UHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Cancer nurses funding row – BBC Health News 8th February 2010

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Does vCJD still pose a major public health threat? – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“As families who lost loved ones attempt to renegotiate their compensation in the courts we look at the latest information on mad cow disease “

tags: Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Jurisprudence, UHN, Health, News, Daily Telegraph

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Eugenics fear as British couples are offered online gene test for 100 inherited diseases – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

“Couples are to be offered a simple test to stop them passing on any of more than 100 genetic diseases to their children.

The £700 kit, which could be available in weeks, is billed as having the power to eliminate illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia. “

tags: Genetics, Ethics, Diagnosis, Health, News, UHN, Obstetrics, Disabilities, Daily Mail

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British patients left in lurch as lifesaving medicines are sold abroad – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

“Fury as 48 key medicines run out because of shameless profiteering by drug companies

Breast cancer patient Marion Wilkes was naturally a little anxious when she couldn’t get her prescription drugs. Marion, a human resources specialist from Thame in Oxfordshire, was diagnosed with cancer three years ago. After two operations followed by radiotherapy, she was prescribed Arimidex – a once-a-day tablet – for five years. “

tags: Pharmaceutical Industry, Ethics, Health, News, Health Economics, Financial Management, UHN, Daily Mail

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Air conditioning made my sinuses so bad I thought my head would explode – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

“Millions of Britons suffer from chronic sinusitis, which causes pain, difficulty breathing and loss of smell and taste. David Clamp, 38, a data centre technician from London, underwent a new, less invasive operation to cure it. “

tags: Sinus, Surgery, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Under the microscope: Marie Helvin on her secret alternative to Botox – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

“In this week’s health quiz, the model and author, 57, talks pills, depression and her fear of falling flat on her face”

tags: Physical Activity, Drug Therapy, Vitamins, Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Would you pass the male MOT? Take our health test – and find out whether you need a major overhaul – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

“Most men take better care of their car than their body, and their health suffers as a result.

Men’s life expectancy is almost six years shorter than women’s – they’re four times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and have higher death rates for almost every form of cancer (by the time they seek help, the cancer has spread). “

tags: Mens Health, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Gordon Brown eats up to NINE bananas a day to look ‘radiant’ for General Election – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

“When it comes to politics, bananas can cause a whole bunch of trouble.

David Miliband never fully recovered his status as a serious politician after waving one in front of TV cameras during his botched leadership coup in 2008.

And if he’s not careful, Gordon Brown could also fall foul of the fruit.”

tags: Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Good Health VIEWPOINT: Too many of us GPs care more about money than patients – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“When the new GP contract was under negotiation six years ago, doctors’ representatives could not believe that the Government turned out to be such a pushover. In essence, GPs were offered more money in return for fewer responsibilities.

One negotiator from the British Medical Association, the doctors’ professional body, said that he and his colleagues were so stunned at the terms proposed that they thought it was ‘a bit of a laugh’. “

tags: Primary Care, Health, News, UHN, Pay, Complaints, Quality, Medical Staff, Daily Mail

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Yes, Bea, boxing is a knockout way to get fitter – even at 70! – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“People’s reaction does not vary much. ‘You’re doing what?’ they gasp. ‘Learning to box.’ ‘You’re crazy!’ Here I am, a woman just turned 70, a writer with chronic fatigue syndrome.

‘And you’ve just had a heart operation.’ My friends shake their heads. “

tags: Physical Activity, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail, Ageing

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Let’s hear it for the 21st century ear trumpet – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“Eight million Britons suffer from hearing loss. Many don’t need a hearing aid, but require something to help make conversation clearer, which is where hand-held ‘amplifiers’ come in. But how good are they? “

tags: Hearing, Deafness, Health, News, UHN, Disabilities, Daily Mail

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The great food allergy myth: Many are just fantasies that can wreck the way you eat and end up giving you a REAL illness – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“A generation of Britons could be putting their health at risk by wrongly self-diagnosing a food allergy or intolerance, one of the UK’s leading experts warns.

‘Instead of having their condition medically diagnosed and treating the root cause of their symptoms, millions of people are needlessly cutting whole food groups out of their diet,’ says Dr Carina Venter, allergy specialist at the University of Portsmouth. “

tags: Hypersensitivity, Psychology, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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ASK THE DOCTOR: The pill that can banish the mystery of restless legs – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“I have suffered with restless legs syndrome for several years. Every doctor I’ve consulted tells me that there is no cure, but can this possibly be correct? I spend several hours almost every nightwalking about unable to lie still in bed, which of course causes extreme tiredness during daytime hours. I would be so grateful for your advice. “

tags: Diagnosis, Pain, Dermatology, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Mother diagnoses toddler’s brain tumour on internet after GP dismisses symptoms – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“When little Bella Flint fell ill, a GP ruled the child was probably just attention seeking after becoming unsettled by the arrival of a baby sister.

Luckily, the four-year-old’s mother was not so quick to dismiss her symptoms and set about diagnosing Bella herself, with the aid of the internet. “

tags: Brain Tumours, Diagnosis, Primary Care, Quality, Internet, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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‘Dead for 18 minutes’: The miracle father revived by paramedics who refused to give up – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“A young father has amazed doctors by surviving for 18 minutes after his heart stopped beating.

Heart attack victim Rob Waggett, 31, had stopped breathing and his wife Dianna had given up all hope that he would come round.”

tags: Myocardial Infarction, Ambulance Services, Resuscitation, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Surgeons flown in by NHS operated on the wrong toe, leaving me crippled – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“When Karen Saunders was offered a foot operation on the NHS a year earlier than expected, she gratefully accepted.

What she hadn’t been told, however, was that she would be in the hands of a French team drafted in to help meet Government waiting list targets. “

tags: Surgery, Negligence, Health, News, NHS, UHN, Orthopaedics, Daily Mail

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Exercise ‘cuts risk of developing painful gallstones’ – BBC Health News 8th February 2010

“Doing lots of exercise drastically cuts the risk of developing painful gallstones, UK researchers have found.

Gallstones are common but only 30% of cases have symptoms and complications. “

tags: Physical Activity, Gallstones, Health, News, UHN, BBC Health News

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GPs make population rise warning – BBC Health News 8th February 2010

“New GP practices should be set up in areas of Scotland which are likely to see population increases, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.

The organisation said the country’s population was predicted to rise by 7% within the next 23 years. “

tags: Primary Care, Population Dynamics, Health, News, UHN, BBC Health News

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Study confirms link between older mothers and autism – The Independent 9th February 2010

“Women over 40 are nearly twice as likely to give birth to an autistic child than a mother under 30, researchers said Monday in a study that found more evidence of links between autism and maternal age.

The father’s age had nearly no impact on the child’s risk of autism unless the father is older and the mother is younger than 30, according to the 10-year study, which examined 4.9 million births in the 1990s.”

tags: Autism, Human Fertility, Health, News, Obstetrics, Disabilities, IHN, The Independent

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Help stop 500,000 women dying in childbirth this year – The Independent 8th February 2010

“With over 500,000 women around the world expected to die from complications with pregnancy this year, Britons are being urged to raise money to save their lives.

Tabita Koroma from Sierra Leone lost her baby after being in labour for three days and has since been ostracised from her community because she is suffering from fistula, a humiliating physical ailment caused by labour. “

tags: Maternal Mortality, Health, News, IHN, Mortality, The Independent

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Popular antidepressant ‘cancels out’ effect of breast cancer drug – Daily Telegraph 9th February 2010

“Breast cancer sufferers have been warned against taking a popular antidepressant as it interferes with cancer drug, researcher said. “

tags: Breast Cancer, Drug Therapy, Anti Depressants, Adverse Effects, Health, News, IHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Anti-depressant linked to breast cancer deaths – Daily Mail 9th February 2010

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Soft drink consumption may increase risk of pancreatic cancer – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“Drinking two or more soft drinks a week can double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, a new study claims. “

tags: Pancreatic Cancer, Diet, Nutrition, IHN, Health, News, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Two fizzy drinks per week ‘can raise your chance of getting pancreatic cancer by 87%’ – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

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Dr Greg Pearson’s AcneApp uses 420 nanometer blue light and 550 nanometer red light to help kill bacteria and promote collagen growth. “

tags: Dermatology, Mobile Telephony, Health, News, IHN, Daily Mail

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Patients with amygdala injury ‘unafraid’ to gamble – BBC Health News 9th February 2010

“Californian scientists think they may have discovered the part of the brain which makes people fear losing money.

The study, reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at two patients who had damaged their amygdala, deep within the brain. “

tags: Neurology, Health, News, IHN, BBC Health News

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‘Third-hand smoke’ could damage health – BBC Health News 9th February 2010

“Lingering residue from tobacco smoke which clings to upholstery, clothing and the skin releases cancer-causing agents, work in PNAS journal shows.

Berkeley scientists in the US ran lab tests and found “substantial levels” of toxins on smoke-exposed material. “

tags: Smoking, Cancer, Air Pollution, Health, News, IHN, BBC Health News

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Royal Liverpool wants to become Foundation hospital – Liverpool Daily Post 8th February 2010

“LIVERPOOL’S main hospital has announced plans to become a foundation trust.

The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospitals Trust has begun a consultation which will run until April 29.”

tags: Hospitals, Governance, NHS, News, CMHN, Liverpool Daily Post

Additional Story

1. Liverpool hospital asks public opinion in bid to become a Foundation Trust – Liverpool Echo 8th February 2010

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NHS Warrington given £300m budget – Warrington Guardian 7th February 2010

“NHS Warrington has received Government funding of more than £306m to set out its priorities for the next year.

The total, £306.6m, will go towards the PCT’s operating framework for 2010/11 and is almost 11 per cent higher than the £290.6m granted in 2009/10. “

tags: Priorities, Primary Care, Financial Management, Health, News, NHS, CMHN, Warrington Guardian

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Cumbria leading way in out-of-hours GP care – North West Evening Mail 8th February 2010

“CUMBRIA is one of the country’s leading areas for out-of-hours GP care.

National news reports in recent weeks have highlighted concerns about the adequacy of out-of-hours care in parts of the UK.”

tags: Out of Hours, Primary Care, Quality, Health, News, CLHN, North West Evening Mail

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Furness General Hospital £155,000 car parking windfall – North West Evening Mail 8th Februaruy 2010

“FURNESS General Hospital raked in more than £150,000 in one year charging patients and visitors to park on its site.”

tags: NHS Estates, Financial Management, Hospitals, Health, News, CLHN, North West Evening Mail

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New children’s respite centre to open in Workington – Carlisle News & Star 8th February 2010

“A doomed children’s respite centre is to finally close following a lengthy campaign to save it – but services will be relocated elsewhere.”

tags: Respite Care, Organisational Design, Health, News, CLHN, Carlisle News & Star

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Vomiting bug under control say East Lancashire hospitals – Lancashire Telegraph 8th February 2010

“HOSPITALS in East Lancashire believe they have overcome the winter vomiting bug norovirus, with no new cases in the past three weeks.

Health chiefs have thanked patients, visitors, GPs and carers for helping them control the virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea. “

tags: Norovirus, Infection Control, Hospitals, Health, News, CLHN, Lancashire Telegraph

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Response times: The real facts – Lancashire Telegraph 8th February 2010

“AFTER the article (LET, February 1), I wonder just how stupid Hazel Harding thinks the people of East Lancashire are.

The shake-up of A&E services in this area has been an unmitigated disaster. Even the appalling figures published don’t tell the true story.

The increasing use of single- manned, fast-response vehicles by the ambulance service is just a way of covering up the true response times. How many of the public are aware that as soon as a fast response vehicle arrives at the scene of an emergency, the clock stops and that is counted as the response time? “

tags: Ambulance Services, Health, News, CLHN, Waiting Times, Accident and Emergency Departments, NHS, Hospitals, Organisational Design

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

M.E.N. demands probe into Tameside Hospital – Manchester Evening News 8th February 2010

“The M.E.N. today calls for an independent investigation into the crisis-hit Tameside General Hospital.

Nicknamed Shameside, it has been at the centre of a catalogue of damning incidents.”

tags: Hospitals, Quality, NHS, News, GMHN, Manchester Evening News

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A long term plan needed for elderly – The Bolton News 8th February 2010

“Here in our town, NHS Bolton expects the number of people aged 85 and over to rise from 5,000 in 2009 to just under 10,000 by 2031.

Jan Hutchinson, director for public health at the local Primary Care Trust, is obviously right when she says planning needs to start now to cope with the challenge ahead. “

tags: Older People, NHS, Demand, Health, News, GMHN, The Bolton News

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Family so proud of dad’s gift of life – The Bolton News 8th February 2010

“FOUR people across Britain have been given a new lease of life after a Bolton man, who died aged just 46, donated his organs.

The family of John Whittle, including his 18-year-old daughter, Samantha, last night spoke of their pride after learning how he had given the gift of life to three other people — and helped one man to see again. “

tags: The Bolton News, Transplantation Services, Health, News, GMHN

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Depressed people do not feel blue – they feel grey – Daily Telegraph 9th February 2010

“Depressed people do not feel blue, they feel grey, a new study shows. “

tags: Depression, Mental Health, Health, News, UHN, GMHN, Daily Telegraph

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

British Journal of Healthcare Management 2010 (Volume 16 Issue 1) Contents Page

Fade Fave: Involving local people to improve services

Fade Skinny: Presents a model for stakeholder engagement being launched by NHS Bournemouth and Poole, who are keen to ensure that local people have the chance to become engaged at a variety of different levels, and in ways and at times that suit them. The model aims to create more opportunities for people, which will then encourage people to take a shared responsibility in their own health, the health of others, and in the provision of improved, more efficient and effective, value-for-money health services.

(NHS Athens is required to access this article online)

Gilderdale’s trial was horrific but necessary to retain a vital principle – The Guardian 8th February 2010

“It is dangerous, especially for the vulnerable, to think that assisted dying is the only way to take control of death”

tags: Suicide, Euthanasia, Legislation, Jurisprudence, Health, News, UHN, Ethics, The Guardian

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Gordon Brown: All cancer patients to get home care – The Observer 7th February 2010

“Prime minister promises to make NHS treatment more personalised and of a standard equal to private healthcare”

tags: Cancer, Nursing, Personalisation, NHS, Health, News, Politics, UHN, The Observer

Additional Stories

1. Brown promises ‘a revolution’ in healthcare – The Independent 8th February 2010
2. Revealed: Gordon Brown’s manifesto pledge to give the country’s 1.6m cancer sufferers their own nurses – Daily Mail 7th February 2010
3. PM Brown to pledge one-to-one cancer care in England – BBC Health News 7th February 2010

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Founders of British obstetrics ‘were callous murderers’ – The Observer 7th February 2010

“William Hunter and William Smellie commissioned a regular supply of corpses so they could study the physical effects of pregnancy, argues a respected historian”

tags: Obstetrics, History, Homicide, UHN, Health, News, The Observer

Additional Story

1. Pioneers of modern childbirth medicine ‘were callous serial killers who murdered 40 women for research’ – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

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Me and my doctor: Fegus Henderson, Emma Thompson, Ruby Wax and Max Stafford-Clark – The Observer 7th February 2010

“When Fergus Henderson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he risked losing much more than his career as one of the country’s top cooks. Then he met Professor Marwan Hariz, who drilled into his skull and rebooted his brain. Here, Fergus, Emma Thompson, Ruby Wax and Max Stafford-Clark talk about their relationships with the doctors and therapists who’ve transformed their lives”

tags: Neurology, Parkinsons Disease, Neurosurgery, Surgery, Complementary Therapies, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Stroke, Depression, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Health, News, UHN, The Observer

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Sharp rise in number of people with fatal allergies – The Observer 7th February 2010

“Worrying trend sees increasing numbers of older adults developing allergies for the first time”

tags: Hypersensitivity, Health, News, UHN, Older People, The Observer

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Video: Campaigners survive homeopathy mass overdose in Oxford – The Guardian 6th February 2010

“Protesters in Oxford take massive overdoses of homeopathic remedies such as ‘belladonna’ and ‘arsenic’ as part of the 10:23 campaign”

tags: Complementary Therapies, Evidence Based Practice, Health, News, UHN, The Guardian

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Anthrax-laced heroin batch emerges in London – The Guardian 6th February 2010

“Deadly concoction is known to have killed 10 people since its emergence in Glasgow”

tags: Anthrax, Health, News, UHN, Drugs of Abuse, Mortality, The Guardian

Additional Stories

1. Heroin user infected with anthrax – The Independent 6th February 2010
2. Health Protection Agency issues an alert to drug users after a heroin user in London tests positive for anthrax – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

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Treating consciousness with caution – The Guardian 5th February 2010

“We should be wary of building ethics around patients in permanent vegetative states, as this is a relatively new science”

tags: Ethics, Neurology, Health, MRI, News, UHN, Communication, The Guardian

Additional Story

1. The ethical dilemma of vegetative states – The Guardian 5th February 2010

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How do you make children eat healthily? Lock them in – The Independent 8th February 2010

“The newly appointed school food tsar will today urge headteachers to bar pupils from leaving the premises at lunchtime in an effort to promote healthy eating habits.

Rob Rees, a former chef who now runs a private cookery school and his own food consultancy, has taken over from the television cook Prue Leith as chairman of the School Food Trust, which was set up by the Government to promote healthy school dinners.”

tags: Diet, Nutrition, Children, Health, News, UHN, Schools, The Independent

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Better trauma care management ‘could save 600 lives a year’ – The Independent 5th February 2010

“Road accident, stabbing and shooting casualties receive “unacceptable” variations in care depending on the hospital they are taken to, a damning report said today.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said between 450 and 600 lives a year could be saved by improving the management of trauma cases. “

tags: Road Accidents, Trauma, UHN, Health, News, NHS, Quality, The Independent

Additional Story

1. Car crash victims ‘more likely to die if they are injured at evenings or weekends’ – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

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UK couples offered Counsyl gene tests for 100 inherited diseases – The Times 8th February 2010

“British couples are to be offered a groundbreaking genetic test that would virtually eliminate their chances of having a baby with one of more than 100 inherited diseases.

The simple saliva test, which identifies whether prospective parents carry genetic mutations that could cause life-threatening disorders such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy or sickle-cell anaemia in their children, is to be launched within weeks in Britain, The Times has learnt.”

tags: Genetics, Ethics, Diagnosis, Health, News, UHN, The Times

Additional Stories

1. Case study: forewarned is forearmed — I would have certainly taken the test – The Times 8th February 2010
2. How a community stamped out Tay-Sachs disease with genetic screening – The Times 8th February 2010
3. New test Counsyl focuses on classic genetic diseases – The Times 8th February 2010

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Genetic variant means some people are predisposed to age quicker – The Times 8th February 2010

“Scientists have identified a genetic variant that appears to make some individuals age more quickly. They could be at increased risk from age-related diseases, and an unhealthy lifestyle could accelerate the process.”

tags: Ageing, Genetics, Health, News, UHN, The Times

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Test-tube boys may inherit fertility problems – The Sunday Times 7th February 2010

“DOCTORS have uncovered the first evidence that fathers of test-tube babies may be passing on their infertility to their sons.

A new study has found that boys conceived through IVF treatment involving a single sperm being directly injected into a female egg often inherit shorter fingers, a trait known to be associated with infertility. “

tags: Human Fertility, In Vitro Fertilisation, Mens Health, Health, News, UHN, The Sunday Times

Additional Story

1. Boys born through IVF method face infertility problems – The Sunday Telegraph 7th February 2010

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Locum Krzysztof Robak is paid £100,000 after patient died – The Sunday Times 7th February 2010

“AN agency doctor who was suspended after the death of a patient has been paid more than £100,000 in lost earnings by the NHS.

Krzysztof Robak received the six-figure sum from an NHS trust in Surrey, even though he had never worked for it and was employed by a privately run out-of-hours agency in West Yorkshire at the time of the elderly patient’s death.”

tags: Out of Hours, Mortality, Health, News, Primary Care, Quality, UHN, Staff Supply, Human Resources, Regulations, The Sunday Times

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Autism and Asperger syndrome underdiagnosed in women, researchers say – The Times 6th February 2010

“Autism and related conditions are being underdiagnosed in women and teenage girls, with many cases being confused with eating disorders or other problems, researchers say.

With symptoms such as social isolation, communication difficulties or a fanatical interest in categorising objects or obscure mathematical problems, autism has previously been seen as a male preserve. “

tags: Autism, Diagnosis, Womens Health, Health, News, UHN, The Times

Additional Story

1. Case study: Autistic symptoms of girl were ignored for five years – The Times 6th February 2010

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Sir Terry Pratchett wants to win control of how his own story ends – The Times 6th February 2010

“Friday lunchtime at The Queen’s Head in the village of Broad Chalke outside Salisbury. A few locals sit with Badger ale and sausage and mash. On one side of the log fire a couple speculate on the fate of the England football captain. On the other, Sir Terry Pratchett is ruminating on his own death and the upside of Alzheimer’s. “

tags: Suicide, Euthanasia, Alzheimers Disease, Ethics, Health, News, UHN, The Times

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Hospitals can keep charity donations as Treasury defers rule change – The Times 6th February 2010

“A change in accounting rules that would have forced hospitals to put all charitable donations in the general NHS budget has been dropped by the Government, amid concern that it would make it easier to slash health budgets. “

tags: Financial Management, Hospitals, Health, News, UHN, The Times

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Iain Duncan Smith think-tank looks at tax breaks for granny flats – The Times 6th February 2010

“Families who build flats for their grandparents could get tax breaks of up to £20,000 under proposals being considered by a centre-right think-tank closely linked to David Cameron, The Times has learnt.

Iain Duncan Smith, who is expected to head a new Department for Children and Social Justice under a Conservative Government, will announce an inquiry into caring for the growing elderly population on Monday”

tags: Taxation, Ageing, Older People, Health, News, UHN, The Times

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Ageing gene found by scientists could be key to longer lifespans – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

“A longevity gene has been identified for the first time in a breakthrough that could eventually help people live longer, a new study suggests. “

tags: Ageing, Genetics, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Genes reveal ‘biological ageing’ – BBC Health News 8th February 2010

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Is the fertility time bomb really ticking? – The Sunday Telegraph 7th February 2010

“According to new research, by the age of 30, a woman’s chances of conceiving have dwindled dramatically. But it’s not just about statistics, says Julia Llewellyn-Smith. “

tags: Human Fertility, Womens Health, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Steep rise in complaints against GPs – Daily Telegraph 6th February 2010

“The number of complaints against GPs has soared since changes which increased their pay and cut their workload. “

tags: Primary Care, Complaints, Quality, Health, News, NHS, UHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Complaints about GPs soar 12 per cent in ONE year – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

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Nurses became ‘immune to the sound of pain’ – Daily Telegraph 6th February 2010

“The “extraordinary” failings at the NHS hospital where hundreds died needlessly are today exposed. “

tags: Pain, Nursing, Ethics, Professional Discipline, Hospitals, Quality, Clinical Governance, NHS, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Acupuncture ‘lessens pain in brain not body’, scientists discover – Daily Telegraph 6th February 2010

“Acupuncture works by making the brain, rather than the body, no longer experience pain, according to new research”

tags: Pain, Acupuncture, Neurology, Health, News, UHN, Complementary Therapies, Daily Telegraph

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Wii Fit players have suffered breaks and dislocations, report doctors – Daily Telegraph 6th February 2010

“A 14-year-old girl broke her foot falling off her Nintendo Wii Fit balance board while other players have been left with dislocations and head injuries, doctors have reported. “

tags: Wounds and Injuries, Information Technology, Health, News, Accident and Emergency Departments, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Daniel Ubani inquest: NHS failings allowed killer doctor to work – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

“Systemic failings in the way the National Health Service provides out-of-hours care led to the death of a pensioner at the hands of “incompetent” German locum Daniel Ubani, a coroner ruled. “

tags: Out of Hours, Mortality, Health, News, Primary Care, Quality, UHN, Staff Supply, Human Resources, Regulations, Daily Telegraph

Additional Stories

1. Daniel Ubani inquest: consultant had concerns 35 years ago – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010
2. Dr Daniel Ubani inquest: widow Iris Edwards died after visit from doctor – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

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Hospital kept samples of brain and blood for four years – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

“A hospital kept samples of brain, blood and bone that were removed during post mortem that it should have disposed of, a watchdog has disclosed. “

tags: Pathology, Ethics, Health, News, UHN, Hospitals, Daily Telegraph

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New device literally smells out stomach bugs – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

“A device that sniffs out stomach bugs within minutes could save the NHS millions, it has been revealed “

tags: Clostridium Difficile, Diagnosis, Health, News, UHN, Infection Control, Daily Telegraph

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‘Artificial’ pancreas offers hope for type 1 diabetes – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

“Hope of end to daily insulin injections for children with type 1 diabetes after the creation of an artificial’ pancreas, a study conducted by Cambridge University has found. “

tags: Diabetes, Medical Technology, Health, News, UHN, Daily Telegraph

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Depression while pregnant ‘linked to violent behaviour in children’ – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

“Mothers who suffer from ‘baby blues’ while pregnant are four times as likely to have children who become violent teenagers, a new study shows. “

tags: Violent People, Depression, Pregnancy, Mental Health, Health, News, UHN, Psychology, Daily Telegraph

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Trouble afoot: Killer heels don’t just ruin our feet – they ruin our backs and brains too – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

“They were one of the biggest fashion trends of the last decade, but now it seems killer heels, like the 6in Louboutins loved by Posh, are killing our feet.

Last week, the former Spice Girl was photographed in fit-flops, with grosslyswollen and reddened bunions protruding from the side of her feet. “

tags: Podiatry, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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My dad’s brain cancer is back, reveals Olympic diving hopeful Tom Daley – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

“Britain’s teenage Olympic diving hopeful Tom Daley has revealed that his father’s brain tumour has returned – four years after an operation to remove it.

The 15-year-old world champion last night said a routine scan on his father Robert had shown fresh signs of the cancer.”

tags: Brain Tumours, Neurology, Cancer, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Want to boost your health? Then keep your finger on the pulses – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

“An extract from white kidney beans that promotes weight loss by blocking the absorption of carbohydrates has just been launched. Called DEcarb, the new supplement shows that the simple bean has more health benefits than most of us realise. But the entire pulse family has an array of health benefits. Here we explain why beans, peas and pulses should be high up on your menu. “

tags: Diet, Nutrition, Obesity, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Saved by the £2m CyberKnife… and it’s coming to the NHS – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

“It’s the latest, very expensive and most advanced form of radiotherapy and its name is suitably impressive: the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System.

When actor Patrick Swayze was trying to treat his incurable pancreatic cancer, he turned to the CyberKnife. And while the treatment did not cure the star of smash-hit movies Dirty Dancing and Ghost – who died last year – it is thought to have prolonged his life. “

tags: Surgery, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Five of the best… vision boosters – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“In clinical trials, antioxidant vitamins and other nutrients found in certain foods have been linked with eye health. They help to maintain healthy cells and tissues in the eye. However, studies have shown it is hard to obtain the high levels needed of many of these nutrients from diet. Fortunately, there are numerous eye-health supplements on the market. Here are five options that may help boost your vision. “

tags: Diet, Nutrition, Vision, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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The stress of my dad’s divorce brought on my Crohn’s disease, reveals RICK PARFITT JNR – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“When Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt collects his OBE from the Queen this week, his eldest son, also Rick, will not be far from his thoughts. For although he was invited to Buckingham Palace, the 35-year-old will be cheering his father on from a hospital bed as he recovers from radical surgery to remove a complete section of his gut.

He hopes the operation will be the last he has to endure in a lifelong battle against Crohn’s disease, the debilitating condition that affects 90,000 people in the UK. “

tags: Crohn’s Disease, Surgery, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Hepatitis timebomb – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“Actress Kaye Wragg is the first to admit she loves taking on no-nonsense tough roles – such as Diane Noble in ITV’s The Bill – but in real life, she is far from physically robust. For years, Kaye has been living in the shadow of autoimmune hepatitis.

In her teens Kaye, now 37, suffered three bouts of the disease, a condition affecting one in 10,000 people. Autoimmune disorders are the result of the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues, identifying them as foreign substances – and autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the immune system attacks the liver, resulting in severe inflammation. “

tags: Hepatitis, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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How we dropped 20 stone: Diet secrets of the women who had everything to lose – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“While the average new-year dieter cracks after 78 days, these four women stayed the course following their 2009 new year’s resolution and lost more than 20 stone between them – the equivalent of 127 bags of sugar! Here they open their weight-loss diaries to Andréa Childs”

tags: Diet, Nutrition, Obesity, Psychology, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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The flight of angels: saving lives in Afghanistan’s airborne A&E – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“The most traumatic nursing station in the world is in an RAF Chinook over the skies of Afghanistan. In a unique exercise, the MOD granted Live access to photograph their work – the agonies, the triumphs and the bloody heroism”

tags: Accident and Emergency Departments, Armed Forces, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Patient dies in hospital after ‘do not resuscitate’ form is mistakenly put in his files – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“A patient who suffered a heart attack on a hospital ward died because clerical staff had mistakenly inserted a ‘Do Not Attempt Resuscitation’ form into his medical notes.

Peter Clarke was not treated by doctors after going into cardiac arrest as a nurse had spotted the form in his files and, even though it was blank and had not been filled in, told other ward staff he should not be revived.”

tags: Resuscitation, Ethics, Negligence, Medical Records, Health, News, UHN, Hospitals, Daily Mail

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Record 134,000 went bankrupt in 2009 as recession battered Britain – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“Record numbers of pensioners were plunged into insolvency last year amid warnings the number will climb even higher in 2010.

Disturbingly, the number of ‘ penniless pensioners’ becoming insolvent is rising faster than any other age group. “

tags: Financial Management, Older People, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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The men who made a killing out of swine flue while we wasted £1bn and were exposed to harmful drugs – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“Only in her bedroom can Samantha Millard find some relief from the almost constant pain that racks her skeletal frame.

Her blistered skin is so sore that she has to moisturise it up to ten times a day, and her eyes are so painful and her vision so blurred that she can barely see. “

tags: H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Young mother jailed for biting midwife during childbirth – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

“A young mother was jailed yesterday for deliberately biting a midwife who was helping to deliver her baby.

Leanne Pennington, 26, was in the final stages of labour when she sank her teeth into the forearm of experienced midwife Carolyn Burden.”

tags: Midwifery, Violent People, Jurisprudence, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Better child-diabetes care urged – BBC Health News 8th February 2010

“A “shocking” number of children are being rushed to hospital each year with potentially fatal complications of diabetes, according to a charity.

Many of the 3,300 cases in England in 2008/9 could have been prevented by better care, says Diabetes UK. “

tags: Diabetes, Emergency Admissions, Accident and Emergency Departments, Children, Young People, Health, News, UHN, BBC Health News

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Kidney transplant first for sisters – BBC Health News 5th February 2010

“A pioneering procedure has allowed a British woman to get a new kidney from her sister – even though the organ would normally be rejected.

Maxine Bath had been kept alive by dialysis, and had no matching donors in her family.”

tags: Kidney Diseases, Transplantation Services, Health, News, UHN, BBC Health News

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Hair extensions ’should be banned’ – BBC Health News 5th February 2010

“Hair extensions should be banned, according to one of the biggest hair science groups in the UK.

The Trichological Society says a growing number of salons are offering to do them at a cheap price and some hairdressers don’t have the qualifications to put them in properly. “

tags: Trichology, Health, News, UHN, BBC Health News

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Drinking beer could help prevent weak bones – The Guardian 8th February 2010

“A new study claims that certain types of beer are a rich source of dietary silicon, and can help prevent osteoporosis”

tags: Alcohol, Osteoporosis, Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, IHN, The Guardian

Additional Stories

1. Beer can strengthen bones, study suggests – The Independent 8th February 2010
2. Beer boosts bones and fends off osteoporosis – Daily Telegraph 8th February 2010

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Parents will raise happier children ‘if they put them second to their marriage’ – The Observer 7th February 2010

“US therapist David Code argues that an over-focus on kids creates demanding offspring and anxious, exhausted parents”

tags: Parenting, IHN, Health, News, Relationships, The Observer

Additional Story

1. Want happy children? Spend less time trying to be perfect parents and prioritise own relationship instead, says book – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

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Obama says he’s not giving up on health reform – The Guardian 6th February 2010

“President Barack Obama says he’s committed to pushing through a health care overhaul and isn’t giving up.

Obama spoke to party activists Saturday at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee. He says he knows the debate over fixing the health care system has been difficult and the easiest solution might be to just give up. “

tags: Health Services, Health, News, IHN, Politics, The Guardian

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Experience: We survived the bubonic plague – The Guardian 6th February 2010

“It has been a long, slow recovery, but we feel pretty macho. We survived the plague. That’s a big deal’”

tags: Plague, Health, News, IHN, The Guardian

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International Potato Center opens Asia branch in China – The Independent 8th February 2010

“The International Potato Center, repository of the largest potato gene bank in the world, has opened a regional office in China to help boost Asian production of the ubiquitous tubers, the Peru-based center said Thursday.”

tags: Diet, Nutrition, IHN, Health, News, The Independent

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Rupert Cornwell: The incredible story of the most important woman in the history of modern medicine – The Independent on Sunday 7th February 2010

“Out of America: Millions of tons of immortal cells – all grown from a single tissue sample taken from Henrietta Lacks before her death from cancer in 1951 – are used by researchers around the world, amid a debate about ethics, race and the rights of donors and their families”

tags: Cervical Cancer, IHN, Health, News, History, Research, The Independent on Sunday

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Australian researchers put paid to “baby brain” myth – The Independent on Sunday 7th February 2010

“Australian researchers said on Friday they had debunked the myth that a women’s ability to think was impaired by pregnancy and mothering a newborn — a condition commonly referred to as “baby brain”.”

tags: Pregnancy, Neurology, Psychology, Health, News, UHN, The Independent on Sunday

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Get thin by getting high – The Independent 6th February 2010

“The latest in obesity research, by Florian Lippl and his team at Ludwig Maximilian University, published February 4 in the journal Obesity, shows that going to high altitudes increases leptin, a protein hormone that signals to the body satiation and regulates energy.”

tags: Obesity, Health, News, IHN, Metabolism, Lifestyle, The Independent

Additional Story

1. Overweight? Try living in the mountains if you want to slim down – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

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China’s Olympic swim centre to become water park – The Independent 6th February 2010

“Beijing’s Olympic aquatic centre will be reborn as a water park with slides and a wave machine, state press said Thursday, as the city struggles to prevent its 2008 Games venues becoming white elephants.

The revamp of the Water Cube, where superstar Michael Phelps swam to eight Olympic gold medals and which is famed for its distinctive bubble-wrap skin, will cost 200 million yuan (29 million dollars), the China Daily reported.”

tags: Physical Activity, IHN, Health, News, The Independent

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Only in America: Legal duel over heart attack burger joints – The Independent 6th February 2010

“The owner of the “Heart Attack Grill” in Arizona is suing “Heart Stoppers Grill” in Florida, accusing the outlet of plagiarizing his death by burger brainchild, lawyers said Thursday.

Jon Basso, the owner of the original Arizona joint, is fiercely defending the intellectual property rights of his medically-themed restaurant, which boasts death-defying meal options such as the quadruple bypass burger.”

tags: IHN, Health, News, Diet, Nutrition, Intellectual Property, Jurisprudence, The Independent

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Saffron curry spice ’stops people going blind’, Australian study claims – Daily Telegraph 6th February 2010

“Saffron, the herb used in many curries and Mediterranean dishes, could help stop people going blind in old age, claim Australian scientists. “

tags: Vision, Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, IHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Curry spice saffron ‘could stop you going blind’ – Daily Mail 6th February 2010

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Common condition in women may double risk of stillbirth – Daily Telegraph 6th February 2010

“A common medical condition that a fifth of women may have without knowing it can double the chances of stillbirth, scientists have warned. “

tags: Stillbirths, Fibroids, Obstetrics, Health, News, IHN, Daily Telegraph

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Playing football better for your health ‘than going for a run or lifting weights’ – Daily Telegraph 5th February 2010

“Playing football is better for your health than going for a run or lifting weights, researchers have said. “

tags: Physical Activity, Health, News, IHN, Daily Telegraph

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The daily pill that can reverse the effects of osteoperosis – Daily Mail 8th February 2010

“An easily administered, once-a-day drug that makes brittle bones strong again has been discovered by scientists.

Given daily for six weeks, it fully cured osteoporosis in some cases and stopped it developing in others.”

tags: Osteoporosis, Drug Therapy, Health, News, IHN, Daily Mail

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The SUPER-TOMATO that can reduce the risk of prostate cancer – Daily Mail 7th February 2010

“Is there nothing the humble tomato can’t do? Not satisfied with being a hangover cure, a good source of vitamin C and great for your skin, the little red fruit is now tackling cancer. “

tags: Prostate Cancer, Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, IHN, Daily Mail

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Premature birth gene clue found – BBC Health News 5th February 2010

“DNA differences which appear to affect the risk of giving birth early have been found by US scientists.

The US National Institutes of Health study found the variants in both babies and mothers, a US conference was told. “

tags: Genetics, Obstetrics, Health, News, IHN, BBC Health News

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Surge in injuries from Wii console in Liverpool – Liverpool Daily Post 6th February 2010

“HEALTH centres in Liverpool have seen a surge of Wii related injuries since Christmas.

Children and adults are going into walk-in centres in the city with muscle strain, aches and pains after overdoing it on the interactive Nintendo consoles.

Veronica Bellis, from NHS Liverpool Community Health, says workers at city health centres have noticed injuries resulting from the console.”

tags: Information Technology, Wounds and Injuries, Health, News, CMHN, Liverpool Daily Post

Additional Story

1. Surge in injuries from Wii console in Liverpool – Liverpool Echo 6th February 2010

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Maghull dad tells of heart and kidney transplant joy – Liverpool Daily Post 6th February 2010

“A DAD-OF-ONE who was weeks away from death before having a heart and kidney transplant today spoke of his new lease of life.\n\nKevin Wainwright, 48, from Maghull, was given six months to live in 2005 but, just as he thought time had run out, a double transplant gave him a second chance.”

tags: Heart Diseases, Lung Diseases, Health, News, Transplantation Services, Surgery, CMHN, Liverpool Daily Post

Additional Story

1. Maghull dad tells of heart and kidney transplant joy – Liverpool Echo 6th February 2010

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Southport Hospital miracle spray could beat superbugs – Southport Visiter 5th February 2010

“A ‘MIRACLE’ spray being trialled at Southport hospital has been touted as the remedy to healthcare superbugs.

The invisible non-toxic solution – which is said to protect almost any surface against dirt and bacteria – is set to revolutionise cleaning in hospitals.”

tags: Infection Control, Hospitals, Health, News, CMHN, Southport Visiter

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Answers to organ concerns – Southport Visiter 5th February 2010

“DR Bickerstaffe dispels the most commons myths surrounding organ donation:

But how do they know you are really dead?

“Organs are removed for transplantation after a person has died. Death is confirmed by doctors at consultant level who are entirely independent of the transplant teams. Death is confirmed in exactly the same way for people who donate organs as for those who do not.””

tags: Transplantation Services, Health, News, CMHN, Southport Visiter, Ethics

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Countess of Chester Hospital must make £6m savings per year – Chester Chronicle 4th February 2010

“THE chief executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital says “difficult decisions” must be taken to meet the serious financial challenge ahead.

But Peter Herring, writing in his web blog, says plans to improve efficiency were already in place before the recession started to bite.”

tags: Hospitals, Financial Management, Health, News, CMHN, Chester Chronicle

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NHS bosses sign off plans for super surgery in Frodsham – Chester Chronicle 4th February 2010

“SCORES of services will be made available at a super-surgery in Frodsham after NHS bosses gave the project their final approval.

Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust board members signed off on the project at a meeting last week, securing the future of the site and guaranteeing funding the for the multi-million pound integrated resource centre on the grounds of the former Frodsham High School.”

tags: NHS Estates, Primary Care, Health, News, CMHN, Chester Chronicle

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Help is at hand for carers – Warrington Guardian 5th February 2010

“A WOMAN who looks after her disabled husband full time has stressed the importance of giving support to more than 13,000 ‘hidden’ carers across the borough.

Wyn Higham, aged 66, has been caring for husband Colin, also 66, who has been a wheelchair user since he had a brain haemorrage and stroke in 1991. “

tags: Carers, Disabilities, Health, News, CMHN, Warrington Guardian

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Dementia care cuts seem to be the norm – Carlisle News & Star 6th February 2010

“I am pleased Tim Farron is asking about dementia care in Cumbria as cuts in care in west Cumbria seem to be the norm, although the spokesman from NHS Cumbria insists it is improving.

At the day hospital and the ward both assessment units for patients with dementia have closed, losing essential services to dementia sufferers and their carers.”

tags: Alzheimers Disease, Dementia, NHS, CLHN, Carlisle News & Star, Financial Management

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Ex-Cumbria health boss faces disciplinary hearing over race case – The Cumberland News 5th February 2010

“A former director of north Cumbria’s hospitals is facing a disciplinary hearing over her role in a high-profile racial discrimination case.

Shirley Chipperfield, who was human resources director of the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, was criticised by a tribunal judge over her conduct during a long-running series of complaints by a senior nurse.”

tags: Racism, Jurisprudence, Employment, Ethics, Nursing, Health, News, CLHN, Human Resources, Violent People, The Cumberland News, Professional Discipline

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Dementia support service to open in Brampton – The Cumberland News 5th February 2010

“A support service for people with dementia and their carers is to be launched in Brampton this month.

The Brampton dementia peer support group will meet at Brampton Community Centre on February 18 with a focus on getting together carers and sufferers.”

tags: The Cumberland News, Dementia, Alzheimers Disease, Health, News, CLHN

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Hospital’s thousands on beds for 71-stone patients – Manchester Evening News 5th February 2010

“SOARING levels of obesity have forced Greater Manchester hospitals to to buy beds that can support up to 71 stone.

All 500 of Tameside General Hospital’s 20-stone capacity beds and mattresses have been replaced to accommodate patients weighing up to 37 stone. And, for patients who weigh even more, two specialist beds have been sourced to cope with 71stone – almost a ton”

tags: Obesity, Financial Management, Hospitals, Health, News, GMHN, Manchester Evening News

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Fresh warning over swine flu – The Bolton News 6th February 2010

“SWINE flu could be back with a vengeance later this year, health chiefs have warned.

Bosses at NHS Bolton are renewing their calls for anyone eligible to be vaccinated against the virus to come forward. “

tags: H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic, Immunisation, Health, News, GMHN, The Bolton News

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Town’s ‘health MOT’ set to go nationwide – The Bolton News 5th February 2010

“THE BIG Bolton Health Check is being rolled out across the country after proving a huge success.

Primary care trusts across the UK are now following Bolton’s example after tens of thousands of people had a free “health MOT”. “

tags: Primary Care, Health Education, Health Promotion, Mass Screening, Health, News, GMHN, The Bolton News

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Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Standard Podcasts [00:34m]

Title: General practice out of hours services: project to consider and assess current arrangements

Skinny: Review of the local commissioning and provision of out-of-hours services in primary care.

Requires:

• reviewing the existing National Quality Requirements in order to develop a stronger set of national, minimum standards with which all out-of-hours providers will be required to comply;

• developing a new national model contract for out-of-hours provision, based on the new national minimum standards, to be introduced by the end of the year to reflect the characteristics of existing high quality provision

• stronger performance management by SHAs, tightening existing controls to ensure PCTs are meeting their legal obligations through commissioning and contracting arrangements and that providers are employing competent clinicians to practice as GPs in primary care out-of-hours. Directs PCTs to review their current procedures and to ensure that they have a clear policy in place for assessing the language knowledge of persons applying for inclusion on the local Perfomers List.

• PCTs to involve GPs much more in ensuring high quality provision of out-of-hours services through, for example, Local Medical Committees, RCGP groups, Faculties, clinical executive groups, local and with practice-based commissioning consortia.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 47p.

Published: 04/02/2010

Dear Colleague Letter: From David Nicholson to PCT Chief Executives

Title: Children’s community equipment: proposals for funding and DH workshop

Skinny: Dear Colleague letter inviting each strategic health authority to submit proposals for funding for innovative activities within and across PCTs to help achieve transformation of children’s community equipment and related services, taking account of the findings of a recent consultant’s report.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 94p.

Published: 03/02/2010

Title: Delivering Quality in Primary Care: Performers Lists – Language Knowledge

Skinny: Interim guidance to PCTs in England to assist in making decisions about whether or not a doctor has sufficient knowledge of English to be included on the local performers list.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 11p.

Published: 04/02/2010

Title: Models and options for children’s equipment and related services: CSED consultant’s report

Skinny: Independent report for the Department of Health that identifies in many areas the commissioning and provision of children’s equipment is poor. It analyses the various factors underlying this, concluding that mainstreaming transformation of children’s community equipment services would require change in four major areas: governance, pathways, sourcing strategies and management of equipment once bought (equipment stores).

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 94p.

Published: 03/02/2010

Link: IDeA Partnerships and places library: Sharing learning and innovation to transform localities

The Skinny: IDeA’s library of case studies about partnerships.

Title: Enabling effective delivery of health and wellbeing

Skinny: Report on how better to enable the delivery of improved health and wellbeing. Assesses current opportunities and barriers in delivery systems, to identify where practical changes could be made to improve effectiveness.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 45p.

Published: 01/02/2010

Title: Influencing public behaviour to improve health and wellbeing

Skinny: Builds on current approaches, using the latest evidence from areas such as behavioural economics and psychology, to suggest ways in which the Government could become more effective in this area, to help people to make healthier choices where they wish to do so.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 40p.

Published: 01/02/2010

Title: A liberal dose? Health and wellbeing: the role of the state

Skinny: This report:

• sets out evidence for what the public think about this question;
• explores the key issues at stake and clarifies principles for state intervention;
• suggests a new framework to guide decision making; and
• proposes a new narrative for future state intervention.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 51p.

Published: 01/02/2010

Title: Framework for quality accounts: a response to consultation

Skinny: Official response to the consultation The Framework for Quality Accounts – a consultation on the proposals. It informs the regulation and DH toolkit for 2009–2010 Quality Accounts. Identifies responses on the:

1. Content of quality accounts;
2. Publication of Quality Accounts; and
3. Which organisations will be required to produce a Quality Account.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 49p.

Published: 05/02/2010

Title: Does the experience of staff working in the NHS link to the patient experience of care?: An analysis of links between the 2007 acute trust inpatient and NHS staff surveys

Skinny: Links the results of the 2007 acute inpatient and staff surveys using a series of statistical analyses intended to highlight the most important relationships between the two surveys. Key findings are:

• The more staff who have had health and safety training, the better the patient perceptions of greater conscientiousness and availability of staff.
• Organisations where staff have clear, planned goals are more likely to have patients who report positive experiences of communication; in particular around patients being involved in decisions on care/treatment, family members being able to speak to doctors, the medical information patients were given, and doctors acknowledging the presence of the patient directly when talking about their case with others.
• When employees are considering leaving their organisation, it is more likely that there are poor levels of communication with patients, particularly around medicine.
• Patient perceptions of staffing levels and the respect and dignity shown towards them are correlated to employee’s feelings of work pressure and staffing levels
• Prevalence of discrimination against staff is related to several areas of patient experience, particularly their perceptions of nursing staff.
• High levels of bullying, harassment and abuse against staff by outsiders relates to many negative patient experiences.
• Staff views on the confidentiality of patient information are mirrored by patient views of the privacy they are given.

Publisher: DH

Size of Publication: 56p.

Published: 04/02/2010

Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010 (Volume 67 Number 2)

Fade Fave: Respiratory health effects of ultrafine and fine particle exposure in cyclists

Fade Skinny: Study to investigate the acute respiratory health effects of air pollution related to commuting by bicycle. Finds substantial differences in ultrafine particle number and soot exposure between two urban cycling routes. Exposure to ultrafine particles and soot during cycling was weakly associated with increased exhaled NO, indicative of airway inflammation, and decrements in lung function 6 hours after exposure. A limitation of the study was the relatively small sample size.

(NHS Athens is required to access this article online)

Journal of Medical Screening 2009 (Volume 16 No 4) Contents Page

Fade Fave: Perceived barriers to flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer among UK ethnic minority groups: a qualitative study

Fade Skinny: Evidence from existing UK screening programmes indicates disparities in uptake rates between UK ethnic minorities and the white majority population. Looks at beliefs about bowel cancer, perceived barriers to the test and ideas about ways to increase uptake. Finds most barriers were shared by all ethnic groups but health educators should supplement approaches designed for the majority to incorporate the specific needs of individual minority groups to ensure equitable access.

(NHS Athens is required to access this article online)

Heart 2010 (Vol. 96 No. 3) Contents page

Fade Fave: Comparison of mass and targeted screening strategies for cardiovascular risk: simulation of the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and coverage using a cross-sectional survey of 3921 people

Fade Skinny: Suggests that cardiovascular primary prevention should be targeted at those with the highest global risk. This studies aim was to compare mass and targeted screening strategies in terms of effectiveness, cost effectiveness and coverage. It finds targeted screening strategies are less costly than mass screening, and can identify up to 84% of high-risk individuals. Additional resources required for mass screening may not be justified.

(NHS Athens is required to access this article online)

Heart 2010 (Vol. 96 No. 2) Contents page

Fade Fave: Preoperative 6-minute walk test adds prognostic information to Euroscore in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement

Fade Skinny: Investigates the additive prognostic value of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to Euroscore in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). It finds that the 6MWT is safe and feasible to carry out in patients with severe aortic stenosis before AVR, and provides potentially important functional and prognostic information to clinical assessment and the Euroscore risk score.

(NHS Athens is required to access this article online)

Annals of Rheumatic Diseases 2010 (Vol. 69 No. 2) contents page

Fade Fave: Postpartum onset of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic arthritides: results from a patient register linked to a medical birth registry

Fade Skinny: Identifies proportions of incident cases with onset 0–24 months after delivery were not different between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatoid arthritis (OCA). A peak in incidence during 0–24 months was seen in the RA group, both when considering all pregnancies and only the first pregnancy.

(NHS Athens is required to access this article online)

Title: Giving children a healthy start

Skinny: Assesses the local implementation of national policy from 1999 to 2009 on the health of children from birth to five years of age in England.    It considers local service planning and delivery, including priority setting, and how local bodies can improve service delivery and access for vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, lone and teenage parents.  The impact of government funding on health outcomes for the under-fives; how effectively local bodies manage their resources; and the extent to which they are providing good value for money are also considered.

Publisher: Audit Commission

Size of Publication: 60p

Published: 03/02/2010

Title: Major trauma care in England (Executive Summary)

Skinny: National Audit Office report that finds unacceptable variation in major trauma care in England.  Care for patients who have suffered major trauma, for example following a road accident or a fall, has not significantly improved in the last 20 years despite numerous reports identifying poor practice, and services are not being delivered efficiently or effectively.

Survival rates vary significantly with a range from five unexpected survivors to eight unexpected deaths per 100 trauma patients, reflecting the variable quality of care. The NAO estimates that 450 to 600 lives could be saved each year in England if major trauma care was managed more effectively.

Best outcomes are delivered by services led by consultants experienced in major trauma; major trauma is most likely to occur at night and at weekends, when consultants are not normally in the emergency department. Only one hospital has 24-hour consultant care, seven days a week.

Major trauma care is not coordinated and there are no formal arrangements for taking patients directly for specialist treatment or transferring them between hospitals. CT scanning is very important for major trauma patients; however, a significant number of patients that need a scan do not receive one. Not enough patients who need a critical care bed are given one.

Access to rehabilitation services, which can improve patients’ recovery, quality of life and reduce the length of hospital stay, varies and patients are not always receiving the care that they need. Costs of major trauma care are not well understood. Annual lost economic output from deaths and serious injuries from major trauma is estimated between £3.3 billion and £3.7 billion.

Publisher: NAO

Size of Publication: 41p. (8p.)

Published: 05/02/2010

Title: Department of Health: Progress in improving stroke care (Executive Summary)

Skinny: National Audit Office Report on the Department of Health’s strategy for stroke care.  It finds that it increased the priority and awareness of the condition and started to improve patients’ care and outcomes.

The strategy has been underpinned by strong national leadership and performance indicators as well as £59 million of central funding over the first two years, £30 million of which was allocated to local authorities specifically to provide support services to stroke patients and their carers. With this clear focus from Ministers and the Department, the NHS is now starting to deliver better care from stroke services, and outcomes for patients are also improving. The NAO estimates that stroke patients’ chances of dying within ten years have reduced from 71 to 67 per cent since 2006.

It identifies that treated in a specialist stroke unit are more likely to survive, have fewer complications and regain their independence, and all relevant hospitals in England now have such a unit, although the services provided and time spent in the unit vary. Stroke patients should be immediately admitted to a specialist stroke unit; however in 2008 only 17 per cent of stroke patients reached the stroke unit within four hours of arrival at hospital. Brain imaging is also very important for stroke patients but many patients are not given a scan quickly enough and access at weekends and evenings is significantly more limited.

It is clear that there is better awareness of the symptoms of stroke, and that it is a medical emergency, following the Department’s ‘Stroke: Act FAST’ advertising campaign, launched in February 2009. The number of calls categorised as being a suspected stroke during April to June 2009 increased by 54 per cent in comparison with the same period in 2008.

However health and social care services are not working as well together as they could. A third of patients are not getting a follow-up appointment within six weeks and only a half of stroke survivors in the NAO’s survey said that they were given advice on further stroke prevention when leaving hospital.

Publisher: NAO

Size of Publication: 48p. (10p.)

Published: 03/02/2010

Late night emergency consultants ‘could save up to 600 lives a year’ – The Guardian 5th February 2010

“Six hundred lives a year could be saved if hospital services for those who suffer life-threatening injuries in accidents were better managed, the National Audit Office will say tomorrow.

Many accidents and injuries happen at night and weekends, often to young people, when emergency consultants are not often at work. Without rapid diagnosis and treatment, people suffer serious disabilities and lives are lost.”

tags: Road Accidents, Trauma, UHN, Health, News, NHS, Quality, The Guardian

Additional Story

1. NHS trauma services in England ‘not good enough’ – BBC Health News 5th February 2010

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Overdose inquest finds German doctor Daniel Ubani incompetent – The Guardian 4th February 2010

“Out-of-hours locum was ‘not of an acceptable standard’, coroner rules at end of inquest into death of patient David Gray”

tags: Out of Hours, Mortality, Health, News, Primary Care, Quality, UHN, Staff Supply, Human Resources, Regulations, The Guardian

Additional Stories

1. Dead patient’s son to sue locum – The Guardian 4th February 2010
3. Doctor Daniel Ubani unlawfully killed overdose patient – The Guardian 4th February 2010
4. Out-of-hours GP services face overhaul as minister accepts report – The Guardian 4th February 2010
5. Out-of-hours GP services ‘lamentable’ – The Independent 5th February 2010
6. Locum overdose patient ‘unlawfully killed’, says coroner – The Independent 4th February 2010
7. Health chiefs blast language test loophole – The Independent 4th February 2010
8. Doctor who made fatal error was wealthy and popular in his home town – The Times 5th February 2010
9. David Gray ‘unlawfully killed’ by German locum Daniel Urbani – contains video – The Times 4th February 2010
10. NHS confused over language testing of foreign doctors – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010
11. Ubani inquest should not mean return to ‘bad old days’: GP expert – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010
12. Family of patient ‘unlawfully killed’ by foreign doctor call for him to stand trial in UK – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010
13. Overseas doctor Daniel Ubani ‘incompetent’ coroner rules – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010
14. Foreign doctor Dr Daniel Ubani unlawfully killed grandfather – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

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When the sleeper wakes – The Guardian 4th February 2010

“Doctors have found a way to communicate with some patients in a vegetative state. What are the implications of this discovery?”

tags: Neurology, Health, MRI, News, UHN, Communication, The Guardian

Additional Stories

1. From the age of 12 to 26, Martin was frozen in his body, unable to move or speak. But just look at him now… – Daily Mail 5th February 2010

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Woman receives ‘incompatible’ kidney with ground-breaking operation – The Times 5th February 2010

“A British woman has undergone a life-saving kidney transplant after having her blood plasma frozen and filtered to ensure that the organ was not rejected.

Maxine Bath, 41, is the first person in the world to have the groundbreaking operation, which allowed her to receive an “incompatible” donor kidney from her sister despite having dangerously low blood pressure.”

tags: Kidney Diseases, Transplantation Services, Health, News, Surgery, UHN, The Times

Additional Story

1. Donors given a better chance – The Times 5th February 2010

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Artificial pancreas hope for children with diabetes – BBC Health News 5th February 2010

“Scientists in Cambridge have shown that an “artificial pancreas” can be used to regulate blood sugar in children with Type 1 diabetes.

A trial found that combining a “real time” sensor measuring glucose levels with a pump that delivers insulin can boost overnight blood sugar control.”

tags: Diabetes, Children, Medical Technology, Health, News, UHN, BBC Health News

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Britain to close swine flu unit as pandemic fades – The Independent 4th February 2010

“Britain announced Thursday the closure of a crisis unit set up to deal with the swine flu pandemic last year, as new cases of the virus continue to dwindle.

Britain, which was the hardest hit country in Europe by the A(H1N1) virus, will “stand down” the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) from next Thursday, February 11, said Health Minister Gillian Merron”

tags: H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic, Internet, Health, UHN, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Swine flu panic over as national website and helpline shut down – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

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Girls as young as 13 to be given pregnancy tests at school – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

“Education officials have been condemned for giving pregnancy tests to thousands of schoolgirls.

Girls as young as thirteen are to be offered routine tests in high schools in Liverpool and Wirral as part of a teenage health drive on Merseyside.”

tags: Young People, Pregnancy, Diagnosis, Schools, School Nursing, Ethics, Health, News, CMHN, Daily Mail, UHN

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Girl, 3, recovers from brain tumour after it simply disappears – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

“When Liberty Rose Finn’s little body could take no more gruelling chemotherapy to fight her inoperable brain tumour, the three-year-old’s parents feared the worst.

The benign growth behind her eyes threatened to leave the toddler blind and carried the risk of brain damage and stunted development.”

tags: Cancer, Brain Tumours, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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Patient in a vegetative state ‘talks’ to scientists – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

“British scientists are hailing a world-first ‘ conversation’ with a man diagnosed as being in a permanent vegetative state.

They say the breakthrough has enormous implications for the care and treatment of vegetative patients. “

tags: Neurology, Health, MRI, News, UHN, Communication, Daily Mail

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Drink-driver claims Atkins diet caused her body to produce its own alcohol – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

“A motorist caught drink driving claimed she was over the limit because the Atkins diet she was following caused her body to produce its own alcohol.

Medical experts disproved Jaqueline Wilcox’s explanation for why she was three times over the drink drive limit and she changed her not guilty plea.”

tags: Alcohol, Health, News, UHN, Diet, Nutrition, Daily Mail

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MPs accuse BBC of promoting euthanisa in ‘biased’ coverage of topic – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

“A group of MPs have accused the BBC of promoting euthanasia after it aired a speech by Sir Terry Pratchett calling for assisted suicide to be legalised.

The cross-party group of MP called on the Government to threaten to cut off public funding to the broadcaster.”

tags: Suicide, Euthanasia, Mass Media, Health, News, UHN, Daily Mail

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China imposes media ban over new milk scandal: watchdog – The Independent 5th February 2010

“Chinese officials have banned independent reporting on the latest toxic food scandal involving melamine, a chemical blamed for the deaths of six babies in 2008, a press watchdog said Thursday.

The International Federation of Journalists, citing local sources, said censors in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong had ordered that media outlets “must only use information formally released by the authorities”.”

tags: Mass Media, Diet, Nutrition, Infants, Food Hygiene, Food Poisoning, IHN, Ethics, Health, News, The Independent

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Low serotonin linked to infants’ sudden cot death: study – The Independent 4th February 2010

“After struggling for years to explain why some apparently healthy babies die suddenly in their sleep, a study published Tuesday singles out serotonin deficiency as a key culprit in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death.

“

tags: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Endocrinlogy, IHN, Health, News, The Independent

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Obese people struggle with their genes – The Independent 4th February 2010

“Debate over the obesity epidemic sweeping parts of the world has focussed on whether lifestyle — too much junk food and couch-potato living — is the big culprit or whether genes are also to blame.”

tags: Obesity, Genetics, IHN, Health, News, The Independent

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Remember to eat blueberries to remember – The Independent 4th February 2010

“A research study published in January in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry concluded that blueberries could improve memory in the elderly. It is never too early to boost your memory, simply incorporate blueberries into your daily diet.”

tags: Memory, Diet, Nutrition, Health, News, IHN, The Independent

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Molecule that controls the speed of sperm found by scientists – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010

“An “accelerator pedal” that controls the speed of sperm has been discovered, in a breakthrough that could be used to boost male fertility or come up with a new form of contraception. “

tags: Human Fertility, Health, News, IHN, Contraception, Daily Telegraph

Additional Story

1. Sperm sprint secrets ‘may lead to new contraception’ – BBC Health News 5th February 2010

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Genes ‘can double the risk of premature birth’ – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010

“Genes which can double the risk of suffering a premature birth have been identified by doctors. “

tags: Genetics, Obstetrics, IHN, Health, News, Daily Telegraph

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Hyperactivity disorder ‘helps fuel creative genius’ – Daily Telegraph 4th February 2010

“A hyperactivity disorder can fuel creative genius, a psychiatrist has claimed. “

tags: Hyperactivity, History, IHN, Health, News, Daily Telegraph

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Liverpool people debate whether bosses were right to ban North West paramedics from wearing novelty socks – Liverpool Echo 4th February 2010

“Ambulance bosses were right to ban novelty socks.

All uniformed staff will be stopped from wearing socks decorated with cartoon characters, jokes and garish patterns because bosses say they are unprofessional.”

tags: Ambulance Services, Ethics, Health, News, CMHN, Liverpool Echo

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Stigma fears over Liverpool school sexual health clinics – Liverpool Echo 4th February 2010

“TODAY an anti-bullying charity said it feared offering pregnancy tests at school would “stigmatise” those brave enough to use the service.

Kayte Eaton, co-ordinator of Liverpool-based Bullybusters, said schools would be better advised to flag up community- based services rather than offer things like pregnancy testing within school walls.”

tags: Bullying, Young People, Pregnancy, Diagnosis, Schools, School Nursing, Ethics, Health, News, CMHN, Liverpool Echo

Additional Story

1. Girls as young as 13 to be given pregnancy tests at school – Daily Mail 4th February 2010

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Cancer Support Centre on Alforde Street, Widnes, expands services thanks to NHS Halton and St Helens PCT support – Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News 4th February 2010

“A CANCER support service which had been facing a bleak future is on the up again.

The Widnes and Runcorn Cancer Support Centre on Alforde Street, Widnes, had been rocked by a loss of Lottery funding which bosses feared would damage vital services.”

tags: Cancer, Primary Care, Complementary Therapies, Health, News, CMHN, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

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Campaign launched to ensure region’s ambulances are used for emergencies only – Warrington Guardian 4th February 2010

“Toothache? Aching knee? Failed contraception? These are just some of the types of 999 calls received by the North West Ambulance Service that are affecting its ability to respond to urgent calls. “

tags: Ambulance Services, Health, News, CMHN, Warrington Guardian

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Helping drug addicts back to normal life – North West Evening Mail 4th February 2010

“CUMBRIA’S top health chief claims the key to beating drug and alcohol addiction is finding every child’s passion before they are 18.

Professor John Ashton, director of public health in the county, says the focus must shift from treating addicts to finding out why people turned to drink and drugs in the first place.”

tags: Public Health, Children, Young People, Addiction, Drugs of Abuse, Alcohol, Health, News, CLHN, North West Evening Mail

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£32million flagship centre in Burnley will provide “best care” for mums and babies – Lancashire Telegraph 4th February 2010

“A NEW £32 million flagship centre will ensure mums and babies get the “very best care”, health bosses have said.

Parents-to-be will soon be able to use facilities that were pledged to East Lancashire residents following a major public consultation four years ago. “

tags: Maternal Care, NHS Estates, Obstetrics, Health, News, CLHN, Lancashire Telegraph

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Pregnant East Lancashire mums still smoking – Lancashire Telegraph 4th February 2010

“PREGNANT women in East Lancashire are ignoring pleas to quit cigarettes and help the health of their unborn babies, health experts say.

Disappointing numbers of smokers are taking part in smoking cessation services across the region, NHS East Lancashire officials have said. “

tags: Pregnancy, Health, News, CLHN, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, Lancashire Telegraph

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