As a midwife, I was interested to learn that the impact of the negative culture and poor standards at Mid Staffs extended to the maternity service. Highlighting the woeful prioritising of cost over care, the report brought to mind the marvels and frustrations I’ve encountered during the course of my 35 years working in the … Continue reading
The nursing profession is facing exceptionally difficult times. Deep cuts to frontline services, continued attacks on terms and conditions and an unrelenting degree of media scrutiny are all taking their toll on the profession. There is also, of course, the publication of the seminal Francis report, which gives nursing – and indeed anyone working in … Continue reading
In the wake of the Francis report and Mid-Staffordshire scandals, it has recently come to light that a further 14 trusts are under investigation due to unnecessary deaths and appalling mismanagement. There may be more. It is clear that our current system of healthcare regulation has failed. More importantly, this has meant that the NHS … Continue reading
The Government has taken a significant step in committing to reform adult social care funding, alongside the wider reforms contained within the Draft Care and Support Bill. This will make the system simpler and clearer and improve the individual’s experience of care and support. While no one would deny that we’re now moving in the … Continue reading
The inquiry into failings at Mid Staffordshire Hospital has finally reported. But what might it mean for management within the NHS? We know that some sort of enhanced managerial accountability is on its way. The Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, wants to consider a range of options, and our discussion paper and consultation on the … Continue reading
In recent months, the media has rightly focused on Dilnot’s proposals for how we reform the way we pay for care. But alongside those reports, the nagging problem of the under-funding of social care more generally has been bubbling away in the background. According to a recent report from London Councils, there will be a … Continue reading
Last year, when the NHS Confederation asked you, its members, what major changes were required to meet future challenges, the vast majority of you (77 per cent) cited the integration of care – more than any other change. With rapidly decreasing budgets, local authorities and health and wellbeing boards too are acutely aware of the … Continue reading
There is a commonly held view in child protection that no system, however robust, will stop people hurting vulnerable children, but early warning and good preventative services will reduce the risks. It is the basis on which much of the current system has been developed and one accepted by voluntary and statutory agencies alike. Another … Continue reading
The 21st century NHS faces the biggest challenges of a generation. So why are we still using 20th century approaches to healthcare that ignore patients’ assets and 21st century technology? Many reasons – financial flows; disjointed IT; and professional hierarchies. But perhaps the biggest barrier is in our culture – one that we must overcome, … Continue reading
A few days ago, I tweeted about a beautiful letter and said that NHS staff deserve a more balanced press. I didn’t expect 70 re-tweets, nine favourites, 50 new followers and 40 responses. One said that I was wrong and that NHS care was terrible. A couple said that poor care must be dealt with … Continue reading
