Month: February 2013

Prostate Cancer Awareness month: 1-31 March 2013

prostate_cancerMarch is Prostate Cancer Awareness month and listed below are a number of useful websites, where additional information and resources may be found.  If you require assistance with researching this or any other topics, please contact the Staff Library on 01625 66 1362 or by email to ecn-tr.stafflibrary@nhs.net

eResources and websites:

 

Cancer Research UK  (Prostate Cancer)
The websites on cancer listed below are valuable sources of detailed information on cancer. This is an extract from Cancer Research UK

Prostate Cancer UK

Offers information and support to anyone with concerns about prostate cancer. Has a helpline and leaflets (send a large stamped addressed envelope please) and funds research into prostate cancer. Has a website with helpful information.

Website: www.prostatecanceruk.org
Email: info@prostatecanceruk.org
Helpline: 0800 074 8383

Prostate Cancer Support Federation
This organisation was set up by a group of men with prostate cancer in 1995. They run a helpline and a website and have local groups around the country. It use to be called Prostate Cancer Support Association (PSA).

Helpline: 0845 601 0766
Website: http://www.prostatecancerfederation.org.uk
Email: helpline@prostatecancerfederation.org.uk

Continue reading →

pile of booksIf you’re planning to call in the Library next week please make sure you don’t leave it too late, especially if you need books for study.  Packing the stock will begin next week and the drop-in IT service will be disrupted.  Please note the Library will be closed from 9-12 March. We reopen in our new space on the 2nd floor of New Alderley House on Wednesday 13 March – please come along and see us. If you need to contact us, our email and telephone numbers remain the same.  ecn-tr.stafflibrary.nhs.net or 01625 661362

 

Vast majority of NHS services must go out to tender, health minister says

Extract from BMJ
The UK government has come under fire after publishing legislation this month that compels the new clinical commissioning groups in England to place the bulk of NHS services on the open market.

The new rules, due to come into effect from 1 April 2013, will require commissioners to allow all qualified providers of services—whether they are NHS, private, or voluntary providers—to bid for NHS contracts under competitive tender, except in certain limited circumstances.

But the UK Labour Party and the new National Health Action Party, which was set up by doctors opposed to the government’s changes to the NHS,1 said that the legislation contradicted previous assurances by Conservative ministers that commissioners would not be forced to open NHS services to the market, and they urged MPs to force a parliamentary debate to try to halt the process.  Read more

Extract From Abetternhsblog

 

… regulations were laid down on 13th February and will become law on 1 April unless all MPs who care about the NHS first insist on a debate and vote, and then vote them down. Over the next few days the political parties are going to be considering their next moves.

Please take time to

a) sign this petition to call for a full debate, vote and defeat

you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/petition-to-stop-new-nhs-competition-regulations-si257-being-passed

b) urgently email your local MP to ask them to ensure these regulations are debated, voted on and defeated in parliament.  Send them the Keep Our NHS Public briefing, attached  (or at this link: http://www.opendemocracy.net/files/Section%2075%20parliamentary%20briefing%20Feb%202013_0.pdf) & use the bullet points in the briefing to help you explain to your MP why you are so concerned.  You can use www.theyworkforyou.com if you don’t have your MP’s email address.

c) ask others to do the same!  please spread this message widely to friends, colleagues, any groups you are in, and write to the newspapers using the points in the attached briefing, along with your own experience.

Additional background available here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/feb/22/lib-dems-not-stand-lies-nhs

http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/policy/government-tendering-rules-will-lead-to-big-shake-up-in-services-lawyers-warn/5055338.article?blocktitle=Latest-News&contentID=782 (subscriber only)

 

Patients to get better care from healthcare assistants

20/2/13

apronsandfeetA new independent review will look at how the training and support of healthcare and care assistants can be strengthened so they give better care to patients, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

The review will be led by Times journalist Camilla Cavendish who will report back to Government at the end of May. It will look at how healthcare assistants can have the training and support they need to provide essential services to the highest standards. Ms Cavendish will also look at how recruitment can be strengthened to place the right people, with the right values and behaviours, in the right settings.

Read more →

Healthcare assistants – are you making the most of the resources available to you in The Staff Library?   Give us a call on 01625 661362 and find out how we can help you.

Better health outcomes for children and young people

Department of Health

GP_mother_and_child_380x150This pledge aims to make improvements to the health of children and young people and is part of the government’s response to the Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum.
It commits signatories to put children, young people and families right at the heart of decision making and improve every aspect of health services – from pregnancy through to adolescence and beyond.