Fears public health may be hit in shake-up of NHS
29/07/2010
The overhaul of the NHS may harm the public health drive, experts fear.Under government plans, primary care trusts in England will be abolished and GPs given control of the budget.The shake-up will also mean public health is handed to councils, but the King's Fund health think tank said this could lead the NHS to turn its back on issues like smoking and drinking.The government said it would be setting out detailed plans for public health in England later this year. Read more.
Read More.
Use your phone, not your feet for urgent care services
29/07/2010
If local people are unsure where to go for urgent medical care or assistance over the summer, a new telephone hotline can help. The phoneline, 01908 201222, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call the telephone response service, which is run by Milton Keynes Urgent Care Services, a call handler will take your details and ask you some questions about the reason for your call. You will be called back by a nurse, who will make a more detailed assessment. If you need further ca...
Read More.
Wiltshire Parking Strategy - CONSULTATION NOW OPEN
29/07/2010
Wiltshire Parking Strategy - consultation now open!At the Devizes Area Board Meeting on 19th July an announcement was made encouraging as many people as possible to take part in the consultation on the Wiltshire Parking Strategy.The consultation on the Local Transport Plan draft Parking Strategy is now available for viewing at http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal. Wiltshire Council would welcome your comments on this document - there is the opportunity to respond to specific questions and make...
Read More.
Hospital unveils state-of-the-art scanner
29/07/2010
A brand new, state-of-the-art, scanner has been officially unveiled, in its recently refurbished home at West Middlesex University Hospital.The ultra-modern and hi-tech MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner is one of the most advanced of its kind in the country and is faster than its predecessor and produces higher quality images, which allow more accurate diagnosis of a range of medical conditions including cancer and stroke. Dr Catherine Ramsey, Consultant Radiologist, said: “The new ...
Read More.
Met Police learn about mental health issues
29/07/2010
The West London Mental Health NHS Trust has recently begun working with the Metropolitan Police to help them understand more mental health ans what they do as a trust.The Police Familiarisation Scheme give the police the opportunity to meet staff and see where they may have to bring someone under section 136 of the Mental Health Act (removing a mentally ill person from a public place to a place of safety).Five familiarisation sessions have been run so far, educating about 60 officers. This new f...
Read More.
Ward for terminally ill patients to shut at QA
29/07/2010
The G5 ward at the Queen Alexandra Hospital is to close in September. The ward provides care to patients over 65 who are nearing the end of their lives. It has been described as the 'perfect place for palliative care' by relatives and staff. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has announced it will close in September, following a review of services provided by its medicine for older people department. When the ward closes the staff will instead form a special palliative care team which will work thro...
Read More.
Public meetings in Leamington over social care services charge hike
29/07/2010
PUBLIC meetings are being held for people to give their views over plans to increase charges for social care services in Warwickshire.Consultation meetings will be held from 2-4pm and from 5-7pm on Monday August 16 at St Peters’ Conference Centre, Dormer Place, Leamington.It is part of a three-month consultation on home, day and respite care costs. The council is considering the increases to cope with budgetary pressures. All the feedback will be presented to the council’s cabinet, w...
Read More.
Have your say on Rugby St Cross Hospital A&E downgrade
29/07/2010
NHS chiefs have launched a public consultation on plans to downgrade the A&E unit at Rugby’s St Cross Hospital.Bosses at NHS Warwickshire say the unit has been A&E “in name only” for several years and serious cases are already sent straight to Coventry.As well as changing the name bosses plan to axe the unit’s overnight emergency doctor, citing lack of demand. Instead patients can choose between a doctor led service 8am-10pm or a 24 hour team of emergency nurses.T...
Read More.
Health Seminars
28/07/2010
The membership team at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust arranges an annual programme of seminars to inform members and the public about a range of different health topics and the services the Trust provides.The next health seminar on "obesity and healthy eating" is to be held on the 22nd September at 5.00pm at the Heartlands Education Centre.To find out further information about this talk or any future ones, please contact:-Sandra White on 0121 424 1218.
Read More.
Four arm's length bodies being abolished
28/07/2010
The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, the Appointments Commission, the National Patient Safety Agency and the Alcohol Education Research Council are being abolished, it has been announced. Read more
Read More.