Archive for the ‘Children's Health’ Category
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
As Health Secretary Andrew Lansley publishes further details on the NHS White Paper today, Judy Viitanen and the PRimage team had their mid-morning coffee break tuning into Mr Lansley’s live online White Paper Q&A via the Number 10 web site.
With clients in the pharmacy and healthcare sector, PRimage has been keen to know what the NHS Health White Paper would mean for pharmacists. So Judy was delighted and encouraged to hear some really positive comments from the health secretary on the value and potential of community pharmacy.
Andrew Lansley commented:
“Pharmacies are an under-used asset in delivering better health”
“ GPs have too often seen themselves and pharmacists in competition for resources. With GP-led commissioning I believe we will see a greater recognition by local consortia that pharmacy is an integral part and an effective part of how they can deliver services better, for example minor ailments and medicines’ use reviews”
“Through local authorities we will also be delivering local health improvement strategies, they can and should be developing preventative work with pharmacists, like the health check or Chlamydia screening”
“Under the pharmacy contract we had simply not seen the development of those additional services that was intended, we need to ensure that the pharmacy contract delivers what all participants wanted which is fair and transparent funding for dispensing and an increasing opportunity for pharmacy to offer health services”
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Monday, July 12th, 2010
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/LiberatingtheNHS/index.htm
Judy Viitanen believes Lansley and the Government need to factor in safeguards to ensure GPs are competent and appropriately incentivised to commission health services! A total focus on a medical model to revolutionise NHS services could risk diluting the great potential and benefits of other primary care services - community pharmacy, optical services, dentistry etc - and their valuable role in public health.
We were amused by Burnham’s quote that ‘PCTs are screwed’ in response to Lansley statement!
We are especially pleased that “Patients will be in charge of making decisions about their care.” … and their carers. 
Implications
implications for all health organisations in the NHS and very significant changes for PCTs and SHAs: PCTs will go by April 2013! Many staff will be worried … Thank God we have an end to tick-box targets! GP commissioning to be compulsory and ‘management allowances’ to fund it.
- patients at the centre of the NHS
- empowering clinicians and GPs in particular
- refocusing the NHS on outcome measurement.
The key highlights of the document, entitled Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, are listed below:
· Put patients right at the heart of decisions made about their care
· Put clinicians in the driving seat on decisions about services
· Focus NHS on delivering health outcomes comparable with, or even better than, those of our international neighbours
· Introducing an Outcomes Framework to set out what the service should achieve leaving the professionals to develop how
· General Practices responsibility for commissioning NHS services
· Real, local democratic accountability to healthcare
· Reward commissioners for delivering care in line with quality
· The Outcomes Framework will be supported by clinically established quality standards
· Reform the payment system in the NHS
· Patients will be at the heart of the new NHS. Our guiding principle will be ‘no decision about me, without me’
· Extend ‘personal budgets’, giving patients with long-term conditions real choices about their care
· An independent and accountable NHS Commissioning Board will be established
· The Care Quality Commission will safeguard standards of safety and quality
· Detailed consultation documents will enable people to comment on the implementation of this strategy
· Ensure patients’ voices are heard, so we will establish ‘HealthWatch’
· All NHS trusts will become Foundation Trusts
· Reduce the Department of Health’s NHS functions
· Phase out the top-down management hierarchy
· Publish a report setting out the future of NHS-related quangos. Meaning a reduction of at least a 1/3
· Reduce the Department of Health’s NHS functions
· Patients will have choice over treatment options
· All GPs expected to join commissioning consortia by 2012, says the white paper
Strategy:
- The government will devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services to GPs and practice teams working in consortia.
- Every GP will be a member of a ’shadow’ consortium by 2011/12.
- Consortia will start taking on duties from 2012/13 and full financial responsibility from April 2013.
- Management allowances will be available to help fund commissioning.
- An independent and accountable NHS commissioning board will allocate and account for NHS resources.
- NHS commissioning board will calculate practice-level budgets and allocate these directly to consortia and will hold practices to account.
- GP consortia will include an accountable officer.
- Each consortium will hold its constituent practices to account.
- GP consortia will agree local priorities each year, taking account of the NHS Outcomes Framework.
- GPs will need to engage patients and the public in the commissioning process.
- Over time the DoH will seek to establish a single GP contract and funding model.
- PCTs and SHAs will be phased out.
- Patients will be able to choose which GP practice they register with regardless of where they live.
- The current performance regime will be replaced with separate frameworks for public health and social care.
- A new NHS Outcomes Framework will provide the direction for the NHS.
- The government will incentivise ways of improving access to primary care in disadvantaged areas.
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Monday, July 12th, 2010
The coalition government is set to launch its much anticipated NHS White Paper later today and with it major changes to the NHS system.
Amongst the main changes and market dynamics expected in the White Paper are:
- Compulsory commissioning for GPs
- Scrapping of PCTs and PECs
- NHS Board with regional offices will be established.
- Patients to have elected positions on boards
It’s likely that the White Paper will propose that around £80 billion should be handed directly to general practitioners who will then be given the power to invest the money in patient care as they see fit.
As a specialist healthcare communications and lobbying consultancy, PRimage is keen to see a new results-driven framework – which works for the benefits of patients. Labour’s top-down targets were way over the top and frustrated many primary healthcare professionals.
In our view it is crucial that Andrew Lansley and the Government stick to their plan to cut £1bn from NHS bureaucracy and use it to improve frontline services. It’s also spot-on to allow patients to be given more choice and control of their care.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010
Day Lewis Pharmacy Group – the UK’s largest independent pharmacy multiple - is urging people to keep hydrated, following official weather forecasts of high temperatures and a possible heat wave alert - which could pose health risks. Daytime temperatures could reach 29-30 degrees C, with a night-time minimum of 15-18 degrees C.
While most people enjoy a hot summer, it is important suitable precautions are taken. The heat is especially dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses. In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse. In extreme cases, excess heat can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Peter Glover, Day Lewis Superintendant Pharmacist, comments: “Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone in hot weather and if it isn’t treated it can lead to heatstroke, which can be dangerous and even fatal. To help prevent heat related illnesses during a heat wave, it’s best to stay in the shade wherever possible, and cool yourself down and stay hydrated by having plenty of water to hand, but avoiding caffeine and alcohol.”
Remember that if you must go out into the sun, to wear sun protection and comfortable clothing. It is important we follow the health guidelines, and look after both ourselves and the more vulnerable members of our community to ensure a safe and happy season for everyone.”
Top tips for coping during a heat wave include:
· Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade where possible.
· Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.
· Shut and shade windows when it is hotter outside and open them for ventilation when it is cooler outside.
· People with serious health problems (for example heart conditions), should avoid going out in the heat, especially between 11am and 3pm.
· Drink cold drinks like water or fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.
· Stay tuned to the weather forecast and plan ahead with supplies – think of elderly neighbours who may need help with supplies.
· Identify the coolest room in the house to use as a room to cool down or sleep in.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, pale skin, and a high temperature. If you find yourself suffering from these, you should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water or fruit juice. If you can, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself down with cold water.
Contact your Day Lewis pharmacist, your doctor, or NHS Direct if you are worried about your health during a heat wave, especially if you are taking medication, if you feel unwell or have any unusual symptoms.
Day Lewis Pharmacies - Caring for our local communities
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
We’ve just finished listening to the Queen’s Speech. 
Our view: the coalition is taking on an ambitious and challenging political programme! But we wish them success. David Cameron’s Con-Lib government aims to enact 22 separate bills over an 18-month period, as it attempts to build on the early goodwill towards the coalition. Nick Clegg will preside over a range of political reforms, including fixed-term parliaments and a bill to hold a referendum on changing the Westminster voting system to the so-called “alternative vote”.
Our interest as a healthcare communications agency means that we were looking for steers on the NHS. So, particularly important for health was that the voice of patients and the role of doctors in decision-making will be strengthened, with the aim of improving public health as well as reducing health inequalities. A Health Bill is expected to begin its legislative process in 2011. So there are sure to be a number of consultations to respond to - and plenty of opportunities for engagement in the coming months as the content of the Bill is decided. PRimage is looking forward to this - and to factor in our client’s interests and viewpoints.
MD, Judy Viitanen, is pleased that the overall thrust of the programme indicates that both the Tories and LibDems share a common interest in devolving power over public services to local people. We also give a ‘thumbs up’ for the news that the legislative programme include plans to create an Office of Budget Responsibility to produce independent economic forecasts and a shake-up of City regulation, giving the Bank of England greater powers in maintaining economic stability.
As a specialist healthcare public affairs and PR consultant, Judy is reassured that the Treasury has confirmed that the Department of Health’s overall spending will not be reduced in the current financial year. 
The Chancellor has announced £6.2bn would be saved from government spending during 2010-11, but none would come from the DoH. Health will have to make additional efficiency savings but they will be reinvested within the department.
For sure there will be tough and difficult times ahead; but the PM and deputy PM are right to focus on reducing the huge deficit as the most crucial challenge. 
We will be seeing an interesting 18-months of politics ahead ……..
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Friday, May 21st, 2010
This terrible news story today – ‘Schoolboy, 15, hangs himself after ‘being plagued by bullies’ http://bit.ly/dxZhDg - highlights the urgent need for the new coalition government to take action and deal with the issue of bullying, especially in schools.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6dbJk4i0VY – Saving lives campaigning documentary is lobbying for affirmations in schools, to help deal with bullying and racism!
To find out more and to lend your support to this campaign, please contact: saving_lives@hotmail.co.uk or judy@primage.org
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Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Judy Viitanen has been reviewing the Tories election manifesto - ‘Invitation to Join the Government of Britain’ – and is liking what she reads!
As a specialist healthcare consultancy, PRimage is interested in the plans to strengthen the power of GPs as patients’ expert guides through the health system by putting them in charge of commissioning local health services and giving them power to hold patients’ budgets. It’s encouraging to learn that the Party will ensure that funding decisions are made on the basis of need, and commissioning decisions according to evidence-based quality standards, by creating an independent NHS board to allocate resources and provide commissioning guidelines.
We also think that it’s great that the Conservatives recognise the input of the UK’s millions of carers, who look after relatives. 
Their plans will support carers, and those they look after, by providing direct payments to help with care needs and by improving access to respite care.
The Tories five main headline commitments for health:
1. Give patients more choice
Putting patients in charge of making decisions about their care, including control of their health records; spreading the use of the NHS tariff, so funding follows patients’ choices; and, making sure good performance is rewarded by implementing a payment by results system.
2. Trust healthcare professionals
The Conservatives intend to scrap the politically-motivated targets that have no clinical justification. They will set NHS providers free to innovate by ensuring that they become autonomous Foundation Trusts. They will cut the cost of NHS administration by a third and transfer resources to support doctors and nurses on the frontline.
3. Increase access to vital drugs and services
They will stop the forced closure of A&E and maternity wards, so that people have better access to local services, and give mothers a real choice over where to have their baby, with NHS funding following their decisions. We will create local ‘maternity networks’ to ensure that mothers can safely access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
4. Take control of your care
They will devolve control over health budgets to the lowest possible level, “For people with a chronic illness or a long-term condition, we will provide access to a single budget that combines their health and social care funding, which they can tailor to their own needs.” They will also support carers, and those they look after, by providing direct payments to help with care needs and by improving access to respite care
5. A healthier nation
The Department of Health will become a Department for Public Health so that the promotion of good health and prevention of illness get the attention they need. They will also:
· Introduce a health premium – weighting public health funding towards the poorest areas with the worst health outcomes;
· Enable welfare-to-work providers and employers to purchase services from
· Mental Health Trusts; and,
· Increase access to effective ‘talking’ therapies.
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Friday, April 9th, 2010
As the General Election campaign gets underway, the three main political parties have outlined their key policies and targets for health. PRimage has reviewed these - and for Judy Viitanen and the team, our vote goes to the Conservatives. We totally agree with their view that the NHS under Labour has been totally target driven. This has to change! 
Read the summary below and let us know your views.
CONSERVATIVE HEALTH POLICY
The party says that “we can’t go on with an NHS that puts targets before patients”
Specific health policies and targets
Scrapping all politically-motivated process targets
Putting more detailed NHS performance data online
Improving cancer and stroke survival rates
Enabling patients to rate hospitals and doctors
Giving anyone the power to choose any healthcare provider that meets NHS standards
Opening up the NHS to new independent and voluntary sector providers
Linking GPs’ pay to the quality of the results they deliver
LABOUR HEALTH POLICY
Labour believes the NHS is its “greatest achievement”
Specific health targets if the party is re-elected:
Working to eliminate mixed sex accommodation in hospitals
Rolling out a national programme of vascular checks for everyone aged between 40 and 74.
To prevent at least 9,500 heart attacks and strokes every year and save 2,000 lives.
Extending the ages at which adults are screened so that an additional 500,000 women will be screened for breast cancer.
2 million men and women will be screened for bowel cancer
Training 3,600 more new psychological therapists to treat people with depression and anxiety.
Reduce the numbers on sick leave and benefits.
Giving every 11 to 14-year-old hands-on cooking lessons from 2011 to help reduce childhood obesity
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS HEALTH POLICY
Specific health policies:
Giving people control over their local health services
Introducing patient contracts
Improving access to GPs around the clock
Abolishing strategic health authorities
Universal care payments for those over 65 who require personal care
Closing medical wards and sending staff home during super bug outbreaks
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Thursday, March 25th, 2010
Judy Viitanen, as a healthcare lobbying and communications consultant, has been assessing the news that the Department of Health says it is to make cuts of £4.35bn over three years in an “efficiency savings” drive and as part of its contribution to slashing central Government spending. As far as PRimage can assess, NHS spending will be frozen in real terms for the foreseeable future.
However, Judy is pleased that there will be huge cuts to the beleaguered and much criticised NHS IT database. This particular scaling back move is long overdue in our view!
There will be a sweeping crackdown on NHS staff taking time off sick – with the DH estimating that these clampdowns will produce savings of £555m. And there is to be a review of NHS estates. This, PRimage believe, could run the risk of being translated as a major sell-off of hospitals.
Public sector pay deals, including those for GPs, will be capped at a 1% maximum for 2011-12 and 2012-13, saving a total of £3.4 billion a year. While the Budget makes it clear that 95% of NHS spending will be ring-fenced to rise with inflation in 2011/12 and 2012/13, which the Government claims will safeguard frontline services, the remaining five per cent is under threat.
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
So, health insurance reform finally becomes law in the United States of America. Will it help solve the healthcare crisis and inequalities in the States? Maybe. Judy Viitanen and PRimage will be watching with interest. For sure this sweeping health care reform legislation has divided voters - and caused many to doubt President Obama.
Under provisions of the health care bill which will take effect this year, small businesses will receive tax credits to help cover insurance, insurance companies won’t be able to drop people’s coverage when they get sick, and uninsured Americans and parents of children with pre-existing conditions will be able to purchase coverage.
Stop press! - PRimage has just heard that the Republicans have opened a campaign to repeal it and use it as a weapon in midterm elections.
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