Merseyside’s junior doctors to go through “simulation” training before heading out onto the wards – Liverpool Echo
A Merseyside hospital is believed to be the first in England to put their junior doctors through more rigorous “simulation” testing before being allowed to work on the wards.

NHS pricing and incentives webinars
Monitor has issued three webinars which were held during July and August 2014 to inform, engage and seek views on the development of the national tariff 2015/16. The webinars can be watched ‘on-demand’ and cover the following topics:

• An introduction to the payment system and the tariff engagement document
• An in-depth look at the tariff engagement document
• Overview of national prices and currencies – a webinar for clinicians

The Friends and Family Test (FFT) – Picker Institute Europe
This policy briefing looks at the evolution of the FFT from its roots in the Net Promoter Score and briefly trace its history. It then considers why the FFT has been associated with so much controversy, reflects on the key recommendations in the latest review, and asks whether they go far enough to address the critics’ concerns.

Guidance On Implementing The Friends And Family Test (FFT) – NHS EnglandNHS England has produced guidance for NHS hospital trusts and providers of NHS funded services, helping them to implement FFT most effectively for both patients and staff. This includes advice on how to make the FFT more inclusive, allowing people of all ages and from all parts of our community to provide feedback.

NICE Bites bulletin: lipid modification
The July NICE Bites bulletin from the North West Medicines Information Service covers Lipid Modification. The aim of this publication is to provide healthcare professionals with a clear and succinct summary of key prescribing points taken from NICE guidance.  It includes recommendations on risk assessment for CVD and on the use of lipid-lowering drugs in adults.

Minority of patients are offered choice of provider, say Monitor and NHS England – Health Service Journal 
Less than 40 per cent of patients are offered a choice of provider when referred by their GP for an outpatient appointment, according to a survey report published today by NHS England and Monitor.

Survey reveals more needs to be done on choice for patients – NHS England
More than half of patients (51 per cent) were aware of their legal right to choose a hospital or clinic for an outpatient appointment, and a similar proportion (53 per cent) referred for an outpatient appointment first had a discussion with their GP about where to receive treatment. Fewer than two fifths of patients, however, said they were offered a choice of hospital by their GP when being referred for an outpatient appointment.

Francis to stop the NHS’s ‘climate of fear’ as review launches today – Health Service Journal
The role of probing claims made by NHS whistleblowers could be taken out of the hands of hospital trusts, the head of a major government inquiry has indicated in an exclusive interview with HSJ.

Berwick one year on: NHS England’s advances in patient safety – Dr Mike Durkin – NHS England
One year ago, Professor Don Berwick published A promise to learn – a commitment to act, his report on the safety of patients in England. NHS England is putting in place systems that will amplify local and national patient safety improvements, to reduce the risk of avoidable harm for every patient, whenever they come into contact with the NHS.

GP anger at ‘outrageous’ loss of patient blood samples and data – GP Online 
GPs have reacted with outrage after police confirmed a van stolen with hundreds of pathology test samples was left unlocked, with its keys inside.

What sort of nurses do we need for integrated care? – British Journal of Nursing Article
Article that identifies that there has been little sign of investment to develop a new community nursing workforce and halt the decline in district nursing that has been seen over the past 10 years. This is worrying, as it is district nurses who have been described consistently in the literature as the ‘lynchpin’ of care for older people in the community, and should be at the forefront of integrated care, as they have the right skills to give the right care in patients’ homes and other settings, such as residential care.

• Contact the Library & Knowledge Service to request this article or Phn. 01704 704202

Junior doctors raise patient care concerns – Health Service Journal
Most junior doctors do not feel they have enough time to care for patients, according to a new poll.

Survey Of Health Managers On The Future Of The NHS – Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM)
Reveals that over half (53.7%) of health and social care managers signaled doubt that greater integration of health and social care will take the pressure off the NHS. Other key concerns and issues included uncertainty on whether their organisations could deliver safe and compassionate care; an appetite for greater collaboration between the public and private sector; and increasing financial pressure inspiring greater innovation.

NHS outcomes framework review
The Department of Health is conducting an NHS outcomes framework review.  It is asking for thoughts on current proposals and long term planning for the NHS outcomes framework. The document asks specific questions on 4 main areas of the framework: mental health; children and young people; health inequalities; and patient experience/safety.  The consultation closes on 12 September 2014 and feedback will be used to update and improve the NHS Outcomes Framework.