@HealthwatchNEL 
@HealthwatchNEL
News
COVID-19: Fraud and scams
03/04/2020
Information from North East Lincolnshire Council: Be alert to potential fraud and scams Be on your guard for fraudsters exploiting fears about COVID-...
COVID-19: Who to contact for help
03/04/2020
Information from North East Lincolnsire Council: Protecting everyone in North East Lincolnshire is our utmost priority, particularly the most...
Diabetes UK Message
01/04/2020
We are writing to provide a quick update on the help and support Diabetes UK is providing during the coronavirus pandemic, and hope this information...
National roll-out of electronic prescriptions
23/10/2019
In future all prescriptions will be issued electronically, with the national rollout of the existing service starting next month. The electronic prescription service (EPS) helps GPs and pharmacists prescribe and dispense medicines faster and more securely and makes it easier for patients to pick up...
Mental health support for NHS doctors and dentists
23/10/2019
All NHS doctors and dentists in England now have access to a comprehensive mental health service, the government has announced. More than 180,000 doctors and dentists can get confidential advice and support, in person or over the phone, if they’ve faced a stressful incident at work or feel they are...
NHS screening 'needs to fit with busy lives'
18/10/2019
There needs to be easier access to NHS screening programmes in England, including evening and weekend clinics, to increase uptake, a review says. The report by Prof Sir Mike Richards also called for tests to be offered in a wider variety of locations, including mobile units. And it recommended...
Rough sleepers to benefit from NHS mental health outreach
16/10/2019
Towns with high rates of homelessness are set for investment in specialist mental health care, as part of NHS services for rough sleepers across the country. The NHS-funded services in seven parts of the country will bring in new psychiatrists, psychologists and other experts to offer homeless...
NHS whistle-blower support scheme to roll out across the country
10/10/2019
The NHS in England is to roll out dedicated support for members of staff who raise the alarm on unsafe practice. Following successful pilots, the NHS will soon offer practical support to any doctor, nurse, or other worker across the country who needs additional support to build their career after...
Groundbreaking new platform launched to support mental health
08/10/2019
Public Health England (PHE), in partnership with the NHS, has launched Every Mind Matters to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others. It is increasingly recognised that taking care of our mental health is as important as...
The politics of health: what do the public think about the NHS?
07/10/2019
As we head towards another general election, what do patients and the public think of the NHS? A report from the King’s Fund explores whether the country’s views have changed since we last went to the ballot box.
25 million to be offered free NHS flu jab this winter
07/10/2019
Record numbers of people in England will be offered a flu vaccine this winter. For the first time, all primary school children will be offered the nasal spray. The health service in England has prepared for its largest ever flu protection drive to help keep people well and ease pressure on urgent...
Flu vaccination: The main things to know about the 2019 programme
04/10/2019
The main things to know about the 2019 programme > https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2019/10/04/flu-vaccination-the-main-things-to-know-about-the-2019-programme/
Mind urges NHS leaders to prioritise mental health in local plans
03/10/2019
Mental health charity Mind has written to leaders of NHS sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs) to ensure mental health is front and centre of planning for the next decade. Mind urged STP leaders to include the priorities in the national plan, including support for pregnant women and...
Taking the worry out of CQC inspection
03/10/2019
This year CQC has simplified the inspection regime so that the 96% of GP practices that are already rated good or outstanding get an annual phone call with site visits at up to five-year intervals. Even so, says former practice business manager Tracy Green, when the time comes for inspection or the...
Prescription exemption checking materials coming soon
03/10/2019
NHS England and Improvement will be re-running its campaign to ensure that only people entitled to free prescriptions receive them. The “check before you tick” campaign focuses particularly on those receiving benefits who may mistakenly believe they are automatically exempt from charges. Campaign...
Recommendations for an NHS bill
03/10/2019
The NHS long-term plan suggested changes to the law to help implement the plan. In spring 2019, NHS staff, partner organisations and interested members of the public were invited to give their views on the proposals. This document sets out the NHS response to the views it received during engagement...
Five more clinical audits published – recommendations for commissioners
24/09/2019
Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) has published five reports on mental healthcare, diabetes, maternity and perinatal weight management, ophthalmology and congenital heart disease. The reports can all be found on HQIP’s website.
People’s experience of cancer care remains positive
24/09/2019
The results of the 2018 national cancer patient experience survey revealed overall experience is very positive, with patients rating it at an average of 8.8 out of 10. This continues an improving trend from 8.74 in 2016 and 8.70 the previous year. Since 2015, 29 survey questions showed improvements...
Review of adult social care complaints 2018/19
23/09/2019
The local government and social care ombudsman has found problems in nearly two out of every three adult social care complaints it has investigated in the past year. It revealed it is investigating a greater proportion of complaints than previous years – and finding fault on average in 66% of cases...
Loneliness and mental health concerns afflict students
20/09/2019
A report by student accommodation provider Unite Students and the Higher Education Policy Institute finds that loneliness and mental health are growing issues for students making the transition to university. More than one in five (22%) admit to often being lonely. More....
Smoking rates falling faster than ever
20/09/2019
The latest data from a national smoking study shows that adult smoking rates fell 2.2% from January to July 2019 - equivalent to 200 fewer smokers every hour. Latest figures from University College London suggest that smoking rates in England are dropping at the fastest rate in over a decade. Not...
Social media sites act on NHS call for ban on ads for miracle cures
20/09/2019
Facebook and Instagram have announced that they will remove posts promoting miracle cures and get-slim-quick products, which are known to have limited benefits with possible damaging side-effects. The move follows a series of requests from health service chiefs including NHS chief executive Simon...
New parents need space to talk about their mental health
11/09/2019
A report by Healthwatch says new parents need more support to deal with mental health problems during and after pregancy. More....
Link between deprivation and dependency on prescription drugs
11/09/2019
Public Health England has published an evidence review of dependence and withdrawal problems associated with five commonly prescribed classes of medicines in England. The review finds evidence that addiction increases with deprivation of makes recommendations for better monitoring, treatment and...
NHS warning to parents as ‘asthma season’ hits
03/09/2019
The NHS is calling on parents to keep asthma medicine close at hand this week, with children up to three times more likely to need medical help as the school year starts. One in ten young people has asthma, with spikes in demand for help from GPs and hospitals in the weeks after school holidays,...
NHS cuts medicines costs by three quarters of a billion pounds
03/09/2019
The NHS has saved more than £700 million from the annual medicines bill. The NHS-wide campaign supported patients and doctors to maximise the use of ‘generic’ and best value ‘biologic’ treatments to treat conditions including arthritis and cancer. Figures show that the uptake of best value...
Medicines project delivers £11 million savings
02/09/2019
A collaboration between hospitals and pharmacies in Cheshire and Merseyside has saved the NHS £11 million and improved patient care. Pharmacies in the area are being notified by their local hospital when a patient is discharged who might need help understanding changes to their medicines. The...
More harm than good: why more isn't always better with older people's medicines
02/09/2019
A report from Age UK calls for a more considered approach to prescribing medicines for our older population. The report also provides evidence showing that prescribing more drugs isn’t always the best option.
