The latest news from the patient's perspective
This theme looks at the issues that relate to partnership working and shared decision making. It covers people’s human rights including the right to privacy and confidentiality.
CQC
Research reveals that young people (age 16 to 24) do not raise concerns about their care. They fear they will be seen as a troublemaker, or they don’t think it’ll make a difference. More young people have also experienced poor care when using mental health services.
Centre for Mental Health
This is an economic evaluation of the baby loss charity Petals, which provides counselling to women who have experienced the death of a baby and their partners. The report highlights that specialist baby loss counselling is inexpensive, effective and reduces government expenditure. This is a rare instance where fiscal prudence and compassion converge.
Guardian
A NHS body urged hospitals to work with the credit reference agency Experian to check whether patients could receive free treatment, in an effort to tackle health tourism. Documents show NHS Improvement admitting it had not carried out its own assessment of whether the move would break data protection rules.
Health Service Journal
Few people have campaigned more energetically for patient-led healthcare services than David Gilbert, who also practises what he preaches as the first person to be appointed as a patient director at a healthcare provider.
House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts
Penalty charge notices (PCNs) are supposed to discourage people from claiming free prescriptions or dental treatment when they are not entitled to do so. This report finds that the current PCN process penalises those who fail to navigate the complex exemption criteria and neglects clear evidence of abuse by repeat offenders. It concludes that the system requires a fundamental overhaul and is not fit for purpose.
National Cancer Patient Experience Survey
The results of the 2018 national cancer patient experience survey revealed overall experience is very positive, with patients rating it at an average of 8.8 out of 10. This continues an improving trend from 8.74 in 2016 and 8.70 the previous year.
NHS England
Diabetic retinopathy accounts for 4% of an estimated 1.93 million people living with sight loss in the UK and 10% of an estimated £2.99 billion of direct healthcare expenditure.
NHS England
This letter has been sent to all hospital eye services encouraging them to identify patients in local health economies who would like to tell their story of using hospital eye services since April 2018.
NHS England
To mark the International Day of Older Persons, the National Clinical Director for Older People and Person-Centred Integrated Care looks at the need to reduce inequalities for the frail and elderly.
NHS England
The Chair of the British Thoracic Society’s Board calls for concerted action to reduce the health inequalities of lung disease.
NHS England
NHS hospitals are going back to the future to help patients with dementia by decorating their wards, rooms and corridors in 1940s and 1950s style – creating a calming, familiar environment which can help jog memories, reduce anxiety and distress.
NHS England
To mark National Eye Health Week the Programme Lead for EyesWise discusses the need for promoting the importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all.
NHS England
A member of the NHS Youth Forum explains why listening to the views of young people is crucial to shaping the National Health Service.
NHS England
Michael Wood, the Head of Health Economic Partnerships at the NHS Confederation discusses the links between population health and economic growth.
NHS Improvement
NHS Improvement has updated guidance to reflect current patient pathways, including further definition of what is and is not a mixed-sex accommodation breach and circumstances in which mixing may be justified.
NIHR
Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) is a national NIHR programme that funds research on a regional level through eight regional advisory panels. Panel members are recruited on an ongoing basis, and nurses are encouraged to apply.
NIHR Signal
A new shorter test for delirium appears helpful in assessing older people in hospital who may have the condition. For high-risk patients and those with sudden-onset confusion, these early results show that the 4 A’s test is a practical tool for initial assessment in time-pressured environments. It will need further testing in other settings.
Patient Information Forum
This survey looks at how health literacy and digital literacy needs are being addressed. The success of the NHS UK plan depends on all sectors providing information which support health and digital literacy needs. Patient Information Forum’s new survey asks how these needs are being addressed and what is needed to improve.
Professional Record Standards Body
PRSB is ‘passionately committed’ to giving a voice to patients and carers. It is eager to know what health and social care information and believe should be collected and shared to help address their personal health and wellbeing goals. That’s why this year’s AGM had such a strong person focus, showcasing a range of patient views and putting them centre stage.
