Microsoft NHS Resource Centre: news round up
Welcome to the Microsoft NHS Resource Centre’s seven day round up of the latest news from the NHS and the healthcare IT sector.
NHS chief executive publishes annual report:
NHS chief executive David Nicholson has paid tribute to the NHS for meeting its waiting time commitments, reducing hospital associated infections and extending GP opening hours in his third annual report. But he has warned that “unprecedented” cost savings of up to £20 billion will have to be made in the three years after 2011, as the public finances are squeezed to reduce government borrowing. Mr Nicholson said the NHS must meet this financial challenge by pursing the quality and innovation agenda set out by Lord Darzi in his Next Stage Review of the NHS.
• Read The Year 2008/09 on the Department of Health website
Watchdog orders information security clampdown:
Information commissioner Richard Thomas has demanded an overhaul of data security in the NHS and warned that his office is planning to send inspectors to see how hospitals and health workers and protecting confidential information. Mr Thomas told the Independent newspaper he planned to act after issuing enforcement notices to 14 NHS organisations for breaching the Data Protection Act in just six months; suggesting the NHS had a “cavalier” attitude to protecting sensitive records.
• Read more on the Independent’s website
Impact of shorter hours to be investigated:
Health secretary Alan Johnson has announced a review of the impact of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on junior doctors. The EWTD has been reducing the hours that junior doctors can work over a number of years but is due to cut them to a maximum of 48 per week this summer. Mr Johnson has asked Medical Education England (MEE) to commission a review of the impact on training and to advise on any changes that might be needed. Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has warned that many hospitals are still not ready to implement the directive.
• Read Alan Johnson’s press release on the government’s News Distribution Services website
• Browse the British Medical Association website
Heatwave plan published:
The Department of Health has published its heatwave plan for 2009. This year’s plan, which will operate from 1 June to 15 September, contains new advice for people who suffer from respiratory problems; advising them to stay in shaded rooms with closed windows during the hottest part of the day. It also contains advice for people running hospitals and care homes; saying they should prepare special cool areas and make sure residents have access to water and ice. The heatwave plan was first drawn up in 2004, following the 2003 heatwave that caused 2,000 excess deaths, mainly among people over 75.
• Read the Heatwave plan for England 2009 on the Department of Health website