NHS staff could be prosecuted for neglect

Experts writing in the Journal of Medical Ethics have said staff should be prosecuted for such a "gross dereliction of duty", as already happens in France. The authors urge the Government to consider creating a criminal offence of willful neglect to hold individual NHS managers and workers to account.

Wide variations in NHS absenteeism

NHS staff on lower pay and junior workers are more likely to go off sick than senior colleagues, according to the study from the Audit Commission. Those working in parts of England with high deprivation are also significantly more likely to report absence than staff working in more affluent areas. There are wide variations of sickness absence around the country ranging from 1.6% to 6.8%. Mental health and learning disability trusts, as well as ambulance trusts have some of the highest rates.

MoD strengthens links with mental health charities

The MoD has promised to work closely with Service charities to deliver the best mental health care for the Armed Forces. The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, met with the Chief Executive of Combat Stress to discuss how they could work together. Last year the Government commissioned Dr Andrew Murrison to conduct a review of mental healthcare for Service personnel and veterans. Acting on the recommendations of the report, the £7.2m injection will fund a number of new initiatives such as doubling the number of therapists trained to treat veterans, the setting up of a 24 hour veterans' counselling and support line and developing a learning package to help GPs better understand the needs of the military.

MoD: Managing mental health issues in Helmand

Company Sergeant Major Stuart Potter in Helmand is helping his unit to talk through any problems they may have and overcome any mental health issues. He operates the TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) system which teaches soldiers to spot signs of mental distress in their colleagues. The aim is to encourage troops to talk about their problems and seek help at the earliest stage from the team of community psychiatric nurses and consultant psychiatrists.

Professor Munro's interim report into child protection  

The Munro Review of Child Protection: Interim Report, The Child’s Journey sets out the characteristics of an effective child protection system and the reforms that might help to create such a system. It highlights the importance of community-based multi-agency services to keep children safe and support their wellbeing, identifying children and families in need and giving help early on.

NHS Care Record Guarantee for England  

The National Information Governance Board has completed its annual review of the NHS Care Record Guarantee for England (CRG) following stakeholder consultation. The new version of the CRG (v.5) reflects the DH White Paper Liberating the NHS: an Information Revolution. Any further changes brought about by the Health Bill and Information Strategy will be considered in the next review in autumn 2011.

A route map for sustainable health

The NHS Sustainable Development Unit has published guidance which aligns the QIPP agenda with sustainability. It describes how NHS organisations can help the NHS become sustainable by taking not only financial, but also social and environmental criteria into account when making a decision.

News channel for health and social care 

A new web channel provides healthcare professionals with all the latest news on plans for health and social care. It brings together news, information, updates and resources on the changes. It puts them in context and captures the latest developments for NHS providers, GP commissioning, public health and local government.

Hospitals face fines for mixed-sex ward rule breaches  

The government has announced that hospitals will be fined £250 per patient per day for breaking rules on mixed-sex accommodation. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley put a figure on the amount Trusts will be forced to pay after data showed 11,362 patients were put in mixed-sex accommodation in December. This relates to health organisations across England and is from an estimated 1.4 million courses of completed treatment.

Invitation to become an early implementer for health and wellbeing boards  

Director General for Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships, David Behan, has written to all local authorities inviting them to join a network of early implementers for health and wellbeing boards. This will enable local authorities and their NHS partners to share learning with other local areas about how to make a success of the new and strengthened joint arrangements between local government and the NHS.

The triangle of care – carers included

This best practice guidance produced in partnership with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Acute Care Declaration Consortium sets out key elements of good practice for mental health professionals working with carers. This includes the essential role carers play, making sure that staff are ‘carer aware’ and are trained in carer engagement strategies, and that policy and practice protocols on confidentiality and sharing information are in place.

Scotland: more than half of carers have a long-term illness or disability

New evidence published by Carers Scotland has found that 57% of respondents said they suffer from a long-term illness or disability. The general consensus was that unpaid caring negatively impacts on the health of carers.

Drug-related deaths: setting up a local review process

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has published a guide to help local areas investigate and learn lessons from drug-related deaths. The guide is intended for people who commission and plan the strategic response to drug misuse. It describes working processes which commissioners and planners can draw on in developing their own systems.