Archive for March, 2010
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Judy Viitanen and PRimage are interested to see that today the Health Committee has published its report on Commissioning. It is particularly critical of PCTs’ records, citing a lack of skills, reorganisation, high staff turnover and limited clinical knowledge as some of the weaknesses. PRimage totally agree with the HSC comment that the trusts’ perceptions of how they were performing were often removed from reality, and we believe that the MPs are right to be concerned about ‘complacency’ among NHS managers.We also feel that the purchaser/provider split and the Government’s commissioning policies need reviewing – and as such the report’s comments that they ‘may need to be abolished’ if research proves they are ‘uneconomic’ is spot-on!
Kevin Barron, Chair of the Health Committee, described commissioning as, “a disappointment” over the past 20 years. 
The report also highlights the challenges faced in moving towards more community based services. Commenting: “The weakness of commissioners faced by powerful providers means that reforms have threatened to undermine some of the Government’s key aims, such as switching care from hospitals to the community.”
The report concluded ‘whatever the anecdotal local evidence, the headline national figures suggest that PCTs made little or no in-road in 2008–09 to transferring care from hospitals into the community or in dampening demand, either in terms of investment or activity’.”
Judy has been assessing the report’s key conclusions and recommendations - in particular:
Commissioning for specialised services: Insufficient progress has been made on implementing the Carter Review of specialised commissioning for rare diseases and conditions. Many PCTs remain disengaged from specialised commissioning and the coming period of financial restraint could threaten funding in this area.
Weaknesses of commissioning: Commissioners do not have adequate levers to enable them to motivate providers of hospital and other services. The HSC recommend that the DH commission a quantitative study of what levers should be introduced to enable PCTs to motivate providers of services better and a review of contracts to ensure that rigid, enforceable quality and efficiency measures are written into all contracts with providers of health care.
Government’s attempts to improve commissioning: Commissioning cannot be improved in isolation. PCTs need to have more power in dealing with providers. It needs to be able to offer more evidence-based financial incentives to providers to improve relations. The HSC recommend that the Government institute a rigorous quantitative assessment of what levers should be introduced to enable PCTs to motivate providers of services.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Financial, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues | No Comments »
Monday, March 29th, 2010
PRimage is pleased that the Conservatives have announced they will reverse the bulk of the government’s planned increase in National Insurance by cutting £6bn of “waste” from the public sector. They estimate the change would save taxpayers earning between £7,100 and £45,400 up to £150 a year and would save employers money in reduced contributions.
We believe that this move by the Tories will set out clear dividing lines with the government as the election campaign moves apace. The Tories’ plans would mean that seven out of 10 workers will not be affected by the per cent increase in contributions for those earning more than £20,000. Top earners will still be hit.
Today’s announcement by Osborne is well timed – as he joins Chancellor Alastair Darling and Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable in a live TV debate on Channel 4. This evening’s programme will air at 8pm and should be interesting viewing. 
The 1p National Insurance rise on people earning more than £20,000, announced by chancellor Alistair Darling in 2008 and 2009, is due to come into effect in April 2011 and forms a centrepiece of the government’s programme to rein in Britain’s record deficit. But it seems that ministers had already identified in last week’s Budget £11bn in wasteful expenditure which could be cut from Whitehall departments.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Economy, Financial, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Consumers, Economy, Financial, Healthcare, Men's Health, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Any woman who has dealt with the man in their life moaning and groaning with cold symptoms knows just what a wimp they can be! It’s never just a cold … but the dreaded ‘man flu’ … PRimage has read an article in today’s Daily Mail which offers a definitive explanation of ‘why man flu isn’t his fault’ … 
It seems that the reason men are prone to taking to their beds at the first sign of a cold is not because they are wimps, wusses or mummies boys. It’s actually because of their ‘inherent masculine drive for adventure and danger’ ….
Judy’s reaction: ‘Of course it is …. Makes perfect sense!!’
Posted in Alternative therapies, Blogging, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Family, Healthcare, Humour, Lifestyles, Men's Health, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Social Issues | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Consumers, Economy, Family, Financial, Healthcare, Lifestyles, Men's Health, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Social Issues, USA, Women's Health | No Comments »
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
http://www.swom.com
PRimage recommends this great social networking site for marketers and home-based business professionals. Bookmark it and be sure to check it out … It is still in an early stage, so now is an excellent time to build a downline. Join up and reap the benefits of business networking, referalls and new business opportunities. 
Judy Viitanen and others say: “It is like facebook on steroids…” Let us know what you think.
Posted in Advertising, Blogging, Business, By the way, Communications, Consumers, Economy, Employment, Financial, Lifestyles, Marketing, Media, Social Issues | 1 Comment »
Friday, March 19th, 2010
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
PRimage has noted that some interesting divides between Labour and the Conservatives are emerging on primary care. News reports today reveal that the Tories have said they would ‘rip up’ plans by PCTs to shift huge volumes of outpatient and A&E care to GPs, claiming primary care is not equipped to cope. 
The party has pledged that if it wins power it would instead launch consultations with GPs on a local level to decide which services could be commissioned closer to home. In response Health Minister Mike O’Brien accuses the Tories of an ‘abdication of responsibility’……
Judy Viitanen believes this development indicates a huge divergence between Labour and the Tories on how to solve the NHS financial crisis. PRimage agrees with Andrew Lansley and the Tory stance on this issue.
What the two parties are saying:
Mike O’Brien, health minister
‘The key Darzi components can be summarised as localised services where possible, and centralised services where necessary. That is the process that the Conservative party is attacking.’
Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary
‘It is assumed patients denied access to hospital services will be accommodated elsewhere in the community at a lower cost. The assumptions are literally heroic.’
Posted in Blogging, By the way, Children's Health, Consumers, Healthcare, Men's Health, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
PRimage read with interest the launch of a new Self Care Campaign by a group of doctors, nurses, patient groups and primary care organisations, which was covered in the news yesterday morning - on Radio 4 Today programme, and The Times. The campaign manifesto claims that the nation’s workforce adults who have minor ailments, like coughs and colds, and overwhelming the NHS. 
It estimates that the NHS could save £10 billion over five years through encouraging increased self-care for minor ailments. The Times article quotes the PAGB’s research on the number of GP appointments for minor ailments.
PRimage, as a specialist healthcare communications consultancy, believes strongly that community pharmacists have a valuable contribution to make in self care. As medicines experts, they are highly qualified to help people manage minor ailments - thus freeing up GPs time to focus on patient’s more serious health problems. What’s more, pharmacies are very accessible, open up to six days a week and you don’t have to make an appointment to get expert advice!
Judy Viitanen has seen research which shows that substantial cost savings could be achieved if all minor ailment consultations were moved into community pharmacies and out of doctors’ surgeries. 
On average it costs £32 for a GP to treat a patient for a minor ailment while a pharmacist can perform the same task for £17.75. The savings to the exchequer could run into billions. Let’s hope that the Government and policy makers take note of this!
Here’s the link to the article in yesterday’s Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article7063249.ece
Posted in Alternative therapies, Blogging, Business, By the way, Children's Health, Communications, Consumers, Economy, Family, Financial, Healthcare, Marketing, Men's Health, NHS, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacy, Political Scene, Public Affairs, Retail, Social Issues, Women's Health | No Comments »
