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Wednesday 17 April
One in four patients says doctors talk in front of them as if they were not there, according to survey by the Care Quality Commission. A survey of more than 60,000 patients treated in NHS hospitals in England found that one in five felt they were not given enough information about their condition and treatment, and one quarter said there was no one they could talk to about their concerns. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - April 17, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Tuesday 16 April
The trust which runs Stafford Hospital is to be put into administration by the health regulator Monitor. Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust will be run by two specially appointed administrators to "safeguard the future of health services" currently provided. Dr Hugo Mascie-Taylor and Alan Bloom of Ernst and Young will take over the running of the trust on Tuesday. It will become the first foundation trust to go into administration. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - April 16, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Friday 12 April
The number of people donating organs after death has risen 50% over the past five years. More than 1,200 people in the UK donated their organs in the last year, leading to about 3,100 transplants. The increase has been largely credited to the network of specialist nurses who approach and support bereaved relatives in hospitals. Despite the rise in donations Britain still has one of the lowest rates in Europe. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - April 12, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Tuesday 26 February
The Daily Mail reports that Patients First and Cure the NHS will today deliver a letter to David Cameron criticising his behaviour in backing NHS chief Sir David Nicholson. In the letter, the campaigners argue the Government is protecting Sir David because he has 'faithfully implemented government policies'. The Daily Telegraph reports that up to 20 Conservatives MPs will today demand the resignation of Sir David Nicholson. They are expected to sign a Commons early day motion tabled by Charlotte Leslie, the Conservative MP for Bristol North West, calling for "accountability" over the deaths at Stafford Hospital in the pas...
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 26, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Saturday 23-Monday 25 February
The Daily Telegraph reports that nurses and other medical staff should be more free to voice concerns about standards of care, according to its own poll. Eight out of 10 people said nurses should be encouraged to speak out, while 69 per cent felt nurses were unable to voice concerns. The Telegraph also carries a comment piece by Dr Max Pemberton. P.9 (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 25, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Tuesday 19 February
The Daily Mail reports hospital managers at Mid- Staffordshire Trust won glowing praise from the head of the NHS. At the height of the Mid Staffordshire scandal, Sir David Nicholson toured wards and in a follow-up letter said 'well done' for 'progress in target areas'. The visit came in October 2005. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 19, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Saturday 16 - Monday 18 February
Mid-staffs police investigation Staffordshire Police announced on Friday that they would be reviewing the evidence in the Francis report, following calls from politicians and campaigners for prosecutions. A police spokesperson said they would be working with the Crown Prosecution Service to identify whether there is any potential for criminal charges. The police also confirmed that their investigation will include evidence which has not been made public. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 18, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Friday 15 February
NHS whistleblower Gary Walker, A former NHS Trust chief executive who broke the terms of a gagging order this week has been invited to give evidence about his concerns to the Commons health select committee. Chairman of the committee Stephen Dorrell has also written to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt outlining his concerns over the use of gagging clauses in the NHS. Mr Walker says he is facing financial ruin from the prospect of repaying United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (UHLT). (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 15, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Saturday 9-Monday 11 February
The Daily Mail contains a 2-part investigation into nursing at NHS hospitals. The article cities Dr Peter Carter comments that health care assistants need to be regulated and have the right training. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 11, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Wednesday 06 February
The Daily Telegraph contains a blog by Cristiana Odone discussing what can be done to avoid another situation like Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust. Christina discusses the tips Dr Peter Carter gave her recently, including greater involvement in families helping out and having more flexible visiting hours. / (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - February 6, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Saturday 26-Monday 28 January
The Independent contains an article on the Francis report into failings of care at Mid-Staffordshire Trust, which is to be published next week. The Independent interviewed Ron Street, 79, a close friend of Gillian Astbury, who died at Stafford hospital. The Sunday Times reports that relatives of those treated at Stafford Hospital, claim Labour politicians at every level ignored their calls to investigate systematic neglect. The Observer examines a report by the Patients Association, which warns that hospitals are risking a repeat of the Mid Staffordshire Trust scandal by failing to scruntise mistakes and neglect by staff ...
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - January 28, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Friday 18 January
On Monday we responded to changes announced by the NMC to their registration and fitness to practise processes. The quote welcomed the introduction of voluntary removal and consensual panel determinations, saying they will both allow the NMC to give more attention to their most serious cases. The statement added that rises in registration fees mean that the NMC needs to be as efficient as possible. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - January 18, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Wednesday 16 January
The prescription of sleeping pills and tranquillisers should be reduced and carefully monitored because of the dangers of addiction and dependency, according to a group of health professionals. The alliance, which includes the, The Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the Department of Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, is calling on doctors to prescribe drugs such as the benzodiazepine Valium only under very particular circumstances. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - January 16, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Saturday 12-Monday 14 January
Seventeen NHS hospitals are among 26 healthcare providers in England failing to operate with safe staffing levels, according to the Care Quality Commission. The health watchdog issued the hospitals with warnings in November, after carrying out inspections. About 16% of hospitals failed to come up to the necessary level. The Sunday Mirror reports that Labour has backed a campaign by the Safe Staffing Alliance, which includes the RCN and Unison calling for a minimum number of nurses in each ward. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - January 14, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

Wednesday 9 January
A report published today by the Health Select Committee has criticised the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as not being thorough enough and says that the public does not trust it as a result. The report found that inspectors were too often simply ticking boxes rather than examining the culture of organisations, and that the CQC still lacks focus. The committee did note however that there have been improvements since last year, with a better focus on patient safety. The RCN released a statement from Dr Peter Carter , saying: "We know that the culture of healthcare organisations cannot be regulated, however, we agree with th...
Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert - January 9, 2013 Category: Nursing Source Type: news