Welfare Reform on the Web (January 2005): National Health Service - Primary and Community Care

COUNCILS AND NHS TRUSTS TO BE FREE TO SET LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH TARGETS

C. Kenny

Community Care, Dec.2nd-8th 2004, p.15

The public health white paper encourages the NHS, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations to form partnerships to improve public health and reduce health inequalities. Partnerships will be given the freedom to set their own local targets to improve public health.

DOCTORS FAILING 3M PATIENTS

S. Boseley

The Guardian, Dec. 18th 2004, p.1

Three million people in the UK have doctors who are not fit to practice, according to the former president of the General Medical Council, which registers and disciplines doctors. Sir Donald Irvine says that far too many people have doctors who are incompetent or just not good enough at their job. The really bad doctors may be bought to book because of their mistakes and struck off the medical register but there are many others whose failings will only be detected through the revalidation process, a five-yearly check on the their fitness to practice.

HAPPY EVER AFTER

A. Dix

Health Service Journal, vol.114, Dec. 9th 2004, p.28-31

Presents Unique Care which is being promoted as an alternative to the Evercare model for managing older people with long term conditions in the community. The Unique Care approach is distinctive in that it is a practice-based model in which a nurse and a social worker work together in a GP practice to co-ordinate the care and support of patients.

NURSE-LED CASE MANAGEMENT: DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE

L. Whitfield

Health Service Journal, vol.114, Dec.2nd 2004, p.16-17

The government is proposing intensive case management of patients with complex long-term conditions to reduce emergency hospital admissions. However, recent research by the King's Fund has found only weak evidence that case management actually reduces emergency admissions. There is even less evidence for its cost effectiveness, and no evidence for the superiority of any particular model of case management.

SHOULD WE STOP COPYING THE US?

B.Middleton and B. Hakin

Health Service Journal, vol.114, Dec.2nd 2004, p.20-21

Authors debate the pros and cons of adopting US models for the management of patients with long-term conditions in the community.

TRAVELLERS' TALES

J. Bowers

Health Service Journal, vol.114, Dec.16th 2004, p.26-28

A Sheffield University report found gypsies' health problems to be two to five times worse than those of other communities. Anecdotal evidence suggests that NHS staff prejudice often denies travelling communities access to healthcare. The appointment of gypsy traveller health visitors has made solid progress with a hard-to-reach population.