Patients could be able to Skype with their GP under new proposals

Under new proposals announced by Prime Minister David Cameron, patients will be able to see GPs seven days a week in and out of office hours - with the introduction of email, Skype and phone consultations.

Other services to be introduced from 2014-15 include electronic prescriptions, online appointment bookings and online registrations.

Full Article on Computing

OFFER: Free osteopath consultations: 7th - 11th October 2013

You may be aware that October 7th to 11th is BackCare Awareness week and that the theme this year is "caring for the carers".

During this week, osteopaths Stephen Hudson and Lucy Osborne-Kirby would like to offer FREE initial consultations at the Ashfield Practice (Chippenham) for carers registered with Carer Support Wiltshire who are suffering from musculoskeletal problems (joint/muscle strains etc).

Osteopaths can provide rapid, drug free, relief from pain caused by the types of stresses that carers often subject themselves to when caring for others. Of the UK’s 6.5m unpaid carers more than 80% said that their physical health had been affected by their caring responsibilities and 70% now suffer with back pain and are at a greater risk of developing chronic pain. As holistic therapists, osteopaths deliver a combination of manual therapy and advice for carers on how to prevent injury through exercise, good technique and a healthy lifestyle.

Consultations are by appointment (just call the practice) and are on a first-come-first served basis.  The initial consultation would normally cost £50; it lasts for 1 hour and includes treatment and any appropriate advice regarding posture/exercises/lifestyle.

Please be aware that, should any further treatment be required/desired, normal fees (£36 per 30 minute session) would apply.

To get more information about osteopathy and about the Ashfield Practice, including directions and opening hours, please visit their web-site www.ashfieldpractice.co.uk

For more information about BackCare Awareness week, please visit www.backcare.org.uk

Debate held about health in Devizes

DEVIZES MP Claire Perry is inviting residents to attend health care forums and raise any issues of concern they may have.

Mrs Perry held health forums last year and said the format would remain the same, with people able to question health professionals about local health care provision.

Panellists at the meetings will include representatives from Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS trusts, GPs and Wiltshire Council.

Mrs Perry said: “Health care matters are one of the most frequently raised topics with me by my constituents and, following the success of the 2012 health care forums, I am delighted that local health professionals have once again agreed to join me at open meetings to discuss health care issues.

“I hope as many constituents as possible will come along.”

The forums are at Wellington Academy, Tidworth, on Monday, September 23, from 6.30pm to 8pm; St John’s School, Marlborough, on Thursday, September 26, from 7.30pm to 9pm and Devizes School on Thursday, October 3, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

Article from Gazette & Herald

Devizes MP to launch new series of health forums

Devizes MP Claire Perry is once again hosting local healthcare meetings in Tidworth, Marlborough and Devizes to enable people across the Devizes Constituency to question health professionals about local healthcare provision and issues.

Panellists at the open meetings will include senior representatives from the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group and local NHS Trusts and service providers, GPs and Wiltshire Council.

Mrs Perry said: "Healthcare matters are one of the most frequently raised topics with me by my constituents and following the success of the 2012 healthcare forums I am delighted that local health professionals have once again agreed to join me at open meetings to discuss healthcare issues.

"I hope as many constituents as possible will come along – everyone is welcome and entry is free of charge."

Article from Gazette & Herald

People with learning disabilities still face unacceptable inequalities in healthcare

Far more needs to be done across health and care services to improve the treatment that people with learning disabilities receive.

Far more needs to be done across health and care services to improve the treatment that people with learning disabilities receive, Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb made clear today.

Two new publications from the Department of Health, the responses to the Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities and the Six Lives Progress Report on Healthcare for People with Learning Disabilities, show that whilst some improvements have been made, people with learning disabilities are still experiencing poor care, and face unacceptable inequalities in health and social care.

Full Article on Gov.uk

GPs 'should take control of personal health budgets'

GP practices should be put in charge of administering direct payments to patients as part of the personal health budget scheme, a leading think-tank has recommended in a report launched by the care minister overseeing the initiative.

Under proposals suggested by 2020health, which were launched today by health minister Norman Lamb, GPs would be subcontracted by CCGs in certain cases to make ‘small discretionary payments’ to patients as part of the personal health budget scheme, with the practices taking responsibility for the administration of the budgets. In the pilot, the GP role was limited to making referrals and recommendations.

The authors, who looked at the DH’s analysis of the pilot results published last year as well as at data stemming directly from the pilot areas, came out strongly in support of personal budgets for mental health patients and those requiring continuing care. They also said it should in future be rolled out for arthritic patients, for haemodialysis transport and falls prevention.

Full Article on Pulse Today

Carers putting their own health at risk, census shows

New analysis of the 2011 census from the Office for National Statistics shows a link between juggling a full-time job while caring for relatives and having deteriorating health.

It found that those who provide 50 hours or more care a week while trying to hold down a full time job are three times more likely themselves to be struggling with ill health than their working counterparts who are not carers.

The ONS said there appeared to be a “uniform pattern of deteriorating health” the more unpaid care people provide.

Full Article on Telegraph

Health and care system 'struggling with dementia'

The health and care system in England is "struggling" to look after people with dementia, according to the regulator. 

The Care Quality Commission said both hospitals and care homes were failing in key areas as the number with the condition rose as people lived longer.

It found dementia patients in hospital were more likely to face longer stays, be readmitted and die there.
Meanwhile, care homes were not doing enough to keep patients well, it added.

Full Article on BBC News

Wiltshire GPs examine ways to make savings

Minor injury services and hip and knee replacements in Wiltshire are being reviewed by GPs who will be taking over the responsibility of organising and buying local health services.

Details of the reviews emerged at a public meeting in Devizes on Saturday, held to explain the changes in the NHS that begin to take effect in April.

The main change will be that NHS Wiltshire (the Primary Care Trust) will be abolished and replaced by Wiltshire Clinical Commiss-ioning Group (CCG), comprising mainly GPs, which will have a budget of about £500million.

Full Article on Wiltshire Times

EVENTS: Free Health Fair to help get healthy for 2013

An exciting week-long series of events taking place at County Hall, Trowbridge starts on 1 February 2013 this week highlighting the benefits and importance of good health.

The interactive Health Fair, run by Wiltshire Council working with partner organisations, will be launched on 1 February 2013 with a visit from Duncan Selbie the Chief Executive of the new national organisation Public Health England. The public are encouraged to attend the launch event, which starts at 10am, where they can take part in a range of interactive Public Health activity stands. There is no need to book, people can just turn up on the day and join in.

Full Details on Wiltshire Council

Wiltshire one of lowest counties in country for health funding

Wiltshire councillor Keith Humphries says he is satisfied with the amount of money allocated for public health by the Government, despite the county being one of the lowest funded.

Of the 152 councils in England only ten have received less money than Wiltshire.

Councils take over running public health services in April from the NHS. The Government has allocated budgets to councils for the next two years with more money for areas with the worst health outcomes.

Full Article on Wiltshire Times

CONSULTATION: Wiltshire's joint health and wellbeing strategy

From April 2013, Wiltshire will have a new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The strategy will set out the areas on which the different organisations in Wiltshire will be working together so that people have the support they need to live longer, healthier lives.

The Wiltshire-wide response on improving the health of the public and providing care to children and adults will need to be in line with the strategy. As will the work of the Clinical Commissioning Group (the organisation led by a group of GPs, responsible for buying the healthcare we need) and the NHS Commissioning Board (the national body responsible for sourcing specialist healthcare, including the services provided to patients by GPs). Joint commissioning plans will be developed to provide more detail on how the outcomes will be delivered.

The work on the strategy will be overseen by a new Health and Wellbeing Board. The Board members will work together to understand Wiltshire’s needs, agree local priorities and encourage commissioners (those responsible for designing and paying for services) to work in a joined up way. The Board will involve leading councillors as well as patient representatives (through Healthwatch Wiltshire) and will bring these together with local commissioners from health, public health, and children and adults’ social care sectors. By working in this way the Board aims to significantly strengthen the democratic basis of decisions, as well as offering a way of involving local people.

• Wiltshire's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy - Draft for Consultation 1mb
• Wiltshire's Joint Healh and Wellbeing Strategy - Consultation survey - Closing date 14 February 2013

Taken from Wiltshire Council's website

PICTURE: What the health & care system will look like from April 2013

This diagram gives an overview of the new health and care system from April 2013. It illustrates the statutory bodies that will make up the new system, oriented around people and communities and where they receive their local health and care services. The illustration of local health services is indicative of a range of familiar settings for health and care services and is not intended to be comprehensive – the range of services available and the way in which they are delivered will vary according to local priorities.

Health and care system from April 2013 from Department of Health

 

Cabinet reshuffle: Jeremy Hunt replaces Andrew Lansley as Health Secretary

Andrew Lansley, the architect of the Coalition’s controversial NHS reforms, has been demoted from his job as health secretary in David Cameron’s government reshuffle.

He will be replaced by Jeremy Hunt, who as culture secretary oversaw the Olympics and faced controversy over his links with Rupert Murdoch’s empire.

Chris Grayling, a champion of the Conservative Right, becomes Justice Secretary, replacing Kenneth Clarke. Mr Clarke, 72, becomes a minister without portfolio, advising Mr Cameron on issues including the economy.

Mr Lansley, who had held the health post since May 2010, will become Leader of the House, a post vacated by Sir George Young.

Full Article on Telegraph

Health checks for carers in QOF from 2014/15

Annual health checks for carers could be added to the QOF from 2014/15 after provisional targets were approved by a NICE expert panel.

The move would see GPs earn points for keeping a register of patients who care for people with dementia and for assessing their health annually.

The panel also backed ambulatory BP monitoring for hypertension diagnosis, as revealed by GP (GP, 6 June). But proposals to screen for alcohol abuse were put on hold as GP experts warned about workload impact and lack of clinical evidence.

Full Article on GP Online

 

Britain's army of unpaid carers 'being pushed to breaking point'

Britain's army of unpaid carers are isolated, depressed, physically exhausted and broke as they struggle to cope with caring for sick and disabled relatives without adequate support.


A poll carried out by the Carers Trust has revealed nearly 60 per cent of adult carers reported suffering mental health problems due to the strain of caring and juggling other responsibilities.

Just over a quarter experienced both physical and mental health problems, with muscular strains, insomnia and exhaustion common complaints. Almost 60 per cent said caring had damaged their careers.

Full Article on Independent

How can health and social care be encouraged to integrate?

Older people are the biggest users of the NHS, accounting for 75% of activity. They occupy 60% of hospital beds, according to figures from the charity Age UK, and it is estimated that their health and social care needs alone account for most of the £70bn spent each year on patients with long-term conditions.

With the number of people aged over 85 expected to double in the next 25 years, it is crucial that the NHS of the future has the capacity to cope with the increased demands that this group of patients will bring. But do the planned changes for England outlined in the government's health and social care reforms offer older people the prospect of improved services in the new-look NHS? And will the reforms produce a more integrated health and social care landscape, which encourages more holistic and seamless care for these elderly and vulnerable patients?

These were some of the issues at the heart of a roundtable debate hosted by the Guardian and sponsored by the independent care home provider Barchester Healthcare, which looks after more than 10,000 older people across England, Scotland and Wales. The event was held under the Chatham House rule, which allows comments to be reported without attribution to encourage free debate.

Full Article on Guardian Social Care Network

Emergency Care Assistants replace paramedics for 999 calls as cuts hit amublance trusts

The assistants are being used as 'first responders' and put in charge of ambulances attending a range of potentially life-threatening situations including heart attacks, chest pains and breathing difficulties.

However, the Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs) only have basic first aid training, unlike paramedics who are trained for three years, and are unable to administer life-saving drugs or give injections.

They were introduced four years ago to ease the burden on paramedics by taking patients into hospital and driving ambulances. Official guidance states that they should be "guided by a qualified clinical practitioner". Their role is similar to that of PCSOs who support police officers.

Full Article on Telegraph

Universal flu vaccine to end annual jabs

The new universal flu vaccine, which researchers say will only need to be administered once, has been found to be effective against a number of different types of influenza virus, including the deadly avian flu and pandemic swine flu strains.

Flu viruses are highly changeable so elderly people and pregnant women, who are particularly vulnerable to the illness, are currently given new vaccinations each year to ensure they are protected.

Small-scale clinical trials on the new vaccine – known as Flu-v – have shown that it can significantly reduce infection and also cut the severity of symptoms.

Full Article on Telegraph

Help carers to better look after their own health, GPs advised

GPs need to take a more proactive approach with patients who are carers, because they are at increased risk of psychological and physical ill health, says the Royal College of General Practitioners.

The College has published a guide today to help family doctors more effectively spot and manage these patients who make up one in 10 GP visits. Carers are at particular risk of ill health as a result of their caring duties, but often neglect their own wellbeing, says the College.

Full Article on OnMedica