Month: September 2020

New agreement for NHS junior doctors

Opportunities to train in the independent sector

A new agreement has been reached between independent healthcare providers and the NHS, allowing staff to train in elective surgery or diagnostic activities. Hundreds of thousands of patients are treated in independent facilities with around half a million NHS procedures each year being delivered by independent hospital. This agreement will allow the opportunity to utilise almost all available independent hospital capacity to ease the pressure off the NHS.

Professor Cliff Shearman, Vice President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England said;

We are delighted our work with NHSE, HEE and the Independent Health Providers Network has led to this agreement. It’s only right that NHS-funded treatment should help train the NHS workforce of the future. Every opportunity should be taken to provide them with access to good quality training opportunities.”

To find out more click here.

Festival of celebrations

A week celebrating our achievements over the year

Hosted by Chief Executive, Caroline Donovan and her team of directors, the festivals have focused on the improvements made since the CQC inspection and the commitment of staff during this unprecedented year. What soon became clear, was the overwhelming sense of teamwork, commitment and dedication from each and every staff member, both clinical and non-clinical.

Each day celebrated a different network including;

  • Community and well-being
  • Children and young people
  • South Cumbria
  • Mental Health
  • Corporate services

What was evident was how each team adapted to the new way of working, ensuring safety was at the forefront of everything. Even through the pandemic, support has still been offered to patients and families, providing excellent patient care each and every day. Every network has embraced the use of digital software, from attend anywhere to Microsoft Teams, allowing people and patients to stay connected.

Congratulations to all those individuals and teams who were nominated and of course to the winners. To watch the videos click here.

Speeding up the diagnosis of deadly diseases

A boost in funding for artificial intelligence (AI) for the NHS

The Government is committed to saving more lives and detect up to three quarters of all cancers at an early stage by 2028. A £50 million funding investment has been made for work involving Digital Pathology and Imaging Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence with the aim to improve the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer.

The 3 centres identified to access a share of the funding include London, Coventry and Leeds, benefiting 26.5 million patients across the UK.

National Pathology Imaging Co-operative Director and Consultant Pathologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Darren Treanor said:

“This investment will allow us to use digital pathology to diagnose cancer at 21 NHS trusts in the north, serving a population of 6 million people. We will also build a national network spanning another 25 hospitals in England, allowing doctors to get expert second opinions in rare cancers, such as childhood tumours, more rapidly. This funding puts the NHS in a strong position to be a global leader in the use of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of disease.”

To find out more click here.

Community pharmacies

Supporting the health and well-being of the local population

A NICE quality standard covering how community pharmacies can promote health and well-being. It describes high quality care in areas identified as priorities. To find out more click here.

The flowchart below outlines areas covered and associated recommendations.

Digital Transformation and Covid 19 – Online Event

Implementing quality standards and solutions

The Kings Fund are hosting a free online event next week, Tuesday 15th September 10-11am and will discuss the changes in service and delivery of healthcare over the past few months.

The event will include:

  • what an inclusive, person-centred digital revolution would look like for the NHS and social care
  • the standards from before the pandemic and what the gains from this rapid transformation should consolidate
  • what this transformation will mean for people and staff on the ground

To register your place click here.

£800 million tender for NHS

Supporting the provision of digital solutions

Launched by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) the tender covers the provision and support of IT systems for NHS Digital and other public and health care bodies.

“The framework is intended to address the evolving technical “stacks” associated within the different pillars of NHS Digital, including platforms and infrastructure; product development; and data services.” (Andrea Downey)

Up to 12 suppliers will be chosen to develop strategic relationships, provide support networks, and improve data management services. The tender is open for applications until 3pm on the 24th September 2020. To find out more click here.

Local restrictions in the North of England

What you can and can’t do

The department of Health and Social Care have released new guidelines for areas under local restrictions. It outlines; affected areas, business and venue closures, travel restrictions and childcare and social limitations.

If you live in an infected area you must NOT

  • host people you do not live with in your home or garden, unless they’re in your support bubble
  • meet people you do not live with in their home or garden, whether inside or outside of the affected areas unless they’re in your support bubble
  • socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions.
  • visit friends or family in care homes, other than in exceptional circumstances.

You CAN:

  • attend venues (pubs, restaurants, shops, places of worship, places of leisure and entertainment) with people you live with (or are in a support bubble with), but should avoid interaction with individuals or groups from other households.
  • socalise in outdoor public spaces in groups of up to 6 people
  • travel outside your area or go on holiday with people from your household
  • go to work
  • move house
  • arrange and use childcare provision

For more information and to read the whole guidance click here.

Evidence Updates

Keeping up to date with current awareness

Update on COVID-19 pandemic.
BMJ Best Practice; 2020.

Cycling to work lowers risk of illness and death compared to driving.
NIHR Evidence; 2020.
[People who cycle to work are at lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and death than those who drive. This is seen across all occupational groups and suggests that cycling to work could benefit people from all economic backgrounds. If fewer people are able to travel by public transport due to social distancing, measures to make cycling easier and safer could improve the nation’s health.]

Rehabilitation for adults with complex psychosis.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2020.
[This guideline covers mental health rehabilitation for adults with complex psychosis. It aims to ensure people can have rehabilitation when they need it and promotes a positive approach to long-term recovery. It includes recommendations on organising rehabilitation services, assessment and care planning, delivering programmes and interventions, and meeting people’s physical healthcare needs.]

Face-to-face or remote consultations: supporting you to make safe decisions about patient contact.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; 2020.
[Guidance and advice on implementation from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.This framework provides you with a pathway to interpret national guidance and adhere to the legal, regulatory and professional requirements that govern safe physiotherapy practice.]

Daily Insight: Inspectors or superspreaders?
Health Services Journal (HSJ); 2020.
[Latest stories and debate in health policy and leadership. The decision not to include CQC inspectors in regular asymptomatic covid testing could turn them into “super-spreaders,” unions have warned. The Infection and Prevention Society, however, has said inspectors are not likely to be put at significant risk.]

Remember to sign up to KnowledgeShare for research personalised to your field of work. Complete the registration form and send it to Academic.Library@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

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Kings Fund Online Event

Personalising digital tools for people with learning disabilities

The free online event will take place on Thursday 8th October, 12-1pm and will discuss examples of innovative digital solutions, considering how technology can help to personalise care for people with learning disabilities.

The event will feature:

  • practical ways of adjusting a digital tool to the individual using it, to make them feel more comfortable in their path to more independence
  • the importance of creative and empathetic attitudes in problem-solving in order to build tailored solutions
  • evidence for the benefits of using digital tools for people with learning disabilities and some cautionary tales, too
  • ways to involve the person, their family and carers at an early stage and throughout the decision-making process
  • the role of technology in promoting better health outcomes for people from disadvantaged groups and enhancing social inclusion

To book your place click here.