Health and care system is 'gridlocked'
The health and care system is 'gridlocked and unable to operate effectively' according to a new report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
In its annual State of Care report, the CQC says people are still receiving good care when they can access it.
However, people are not able to access the care they need and there is growing dissatisfaction among both staff and the public.
This year's report also highlights concerns about specific service areas including maternity services and those caring for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Use of core information standard extended
The Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) has extended the use of its core information standard for shared care records.
It now includes professionals working in pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, ambulance and community services.
The updated standard also includes a new logical model, alignment with other PRSB standards and updates from the social care programme.
The version one core information standard was endorsed by PIF.
Menopause impact inquiry publishes report
An inquiry assessing the impacts of menopause and the case for policy reform has published its final report.
The report outlines the debilitating impact menopause can have on the day-to-day lives of women.
In particular, it raises concerns about the 'postcode lottery' of treatment and the socio-economic divide between those able to access treatment and those who cannot.
The report makes 13 recommendations for the Government, NHS and other bodies to initiate change and dispel the 'entrenched taboo' around menopause.
Read a summary of the report here.
'You have the right to feel OK'
PIF member Mind has teamed up with Groundswell to produce a guide for people experiencing homelessness.
The short resource is designed to help people understand their rights to mental health support.
It offers information on support and treatment options as well as answering common questions, including accessing support without a phone or internet access.
HSJ Digital Awards 2023 launched
The HSJ Digital Awards 2023 are now open for entries.
The new awards are designed to celebrate excellence in 'digitising, connecting and transforming health and care'.
There are 20 categories, including 'reducing health inequalities' and 'empowering patients'.
The award ceremony will take place on 22 June, 2023.
View all categories and enter via the website here.
Study: Understanding trust and change in use after a year of the COVID-19 contact tracing app
A new study aims to understand changes in the use of the NHS Test & Trace App and explore how public trust evolved over a one-year period.
Thematic analysis found mistrust evolved from participants experiencing flaws in the app which led to concerns about usefulness.
Similarly, mistrust in the government was linked to perceived poor pandemic handling and the creation and procurement of the app.
Big tech companies, large hospitality venues and private contractors were seen as more capable but participants did not trust their intentions.
Small hospitality venues, local councils and the NHS were seen as well-intentioned but there was mistrust in their ability to handle pandemic matters.
Overall, there was a drop in compliance over time.
Access the study in full here.
Promoting Integrated Care Around the World
The International Foundation for Integrated Care has published the results of its annual survey into global integrated care.
While the survey received responses from 48 countries around the world, five countries made up 65% of all responses – Spain, Canada, UK, Ireland and Australia.
All five countries' respondents ranked ‘people-centred’ as the most important feature of integrated care.
However, respondents from the UK ranked ‘co-production’ as most important more often than any other country (16.67%).
Responses from the UK, Ireland and Canada were also more likely to encompass the third sector and other community actors in the scope of integrated care.
New online site finder for Monkeypox vaccines
NHS England has launched a new online vaccine site finder to make it as easy as possible for eligible people to get their monkeypox jab.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the UK Consensus Group estimate around 95,000 people in England are eligible for the vaccine.
However, only half of these are in contact with sexual health services.
The online service means anyone who is eligible can go online to find their nearest site and information on how they can get an appointment.
Poverty and the health and care system
A new long read from The King's Fund explores the role of data and partnerships in preventing poverty's effects on health.
Published with the Centre for Progressive Policy, the article says health and care systems can mitigate, reduce and prevent poverty’s effects on health.
However, to do this they need to be much better at sharing and acting on data.
The article sets out the data available, explores existing good practice and what needs to happen next.
Opportunity for healthcare professionals to influence future MHRA safety communications
Healthcare professionals are being asked to share their views on how they want to receive safety information from the UK medicines and medical devices regulator.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) has launched a 14-week consultation to allow healthcare professionals to have their say on:
- How they wish to receive vital safety information
- How they would like to be engaged
- The Yellow Card reporting system
Find out more about how to take part here.
Survey: Experiences of maternity and pregnancy services
The Alliance and Engender are asking people in Scotland to share their experience of maternity and pregnancy services during COVID-19.
The aim of the survey is to gather a detailed understanding of what restrictions operated at different times and in different health boards.
This will help researchers assess services across different areas and clinical settings and demonstrate how these directly impacted women during their pregnancies, labour and delivery.
Read more about the project here.
Appropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medication in dementia
A new toolkit aims to support appropriate prescribing and deprescribing of antipsychotic medication for people with dementia.
It was developed by London Clinical Networks and Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Networks, with input from stakeholders including the Royal College of General Practitioners and NHS England.
The toolkit is intended to support Integrated Care Systems working with providers including GPs, pharmacists, care home staff and community mental health teams.
It may also be useful for people living with dementia and their carers.
Event: How to manage rising energy costs
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) are holding a webinar on how to manage rising energy costs.
The webinar will offer advice on how to check your organisation's utility bills are correct, how to cut costs and where to go for further support.
It will take place via Zoom from 11.30am to 12.30pm on 30 November.