CCGs expected to fund 2.3 per cent rise in emergency activity – Health Service Journal 
Clinical commissioning groups are expected to fund a 2.3 per cent increase in emergency activity this year compared to 2014-15, NHS England has confirmed.

• CCGs expected to fund 2.3pc increase in emergency activity and 2.7pc rise in elective work
• NHS England says majority of contracts now reflect predicted growth in demand
• Commissioners had been concernced about impact on non-acute services

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RCN responds to Healthwatch England report on hospital discharge – Royal College of Nursing
The RCN has responded to a report released by Healthwatch England which highlights some of the problems in the hospital discharge process, as well as some examples of good practice.

Promotional material: Integrated care: tools, resources and publications – HM Government
These resources are all from external organisations and will provide you with further information about integrated care across the sector.

Achieving world class cancer outcomes strategy

The Independent Cancer Taskforce has published Achieving world class cancer outcomes: a strategy for England 2015-2020.  This report sets out recommendations for a new cancer strategy for England.  It includes a large number of recommendations and proposes that the six strategic priorities over the next five years should be: spearhead a radical upgrade in prevention and public health; drive a national ambition to achieve earlier diagnosis; establish patient experience as being on a par with clinical effectiveness and safety; transform the approach to support people living with and beyond cancer; make the necessary investments required to deliver a modern high-quality service; and overhaul processes for commissioning, accountability and provision.

Dementia Words Matter campaign: CQC signs up

The Care Quality Commission has signed to the Dementia Words Matter campaign, jointly run by The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project and the Dementia Action Alliance. The campaign has created a special guide. Dementia Words Matter, written by people living with dementia that sets out the words and descriptions they would prefer are avoided by the media and other organisations.  

NICE shared learning: medication monitoring for people with dementia in care homes

NICE has added a new case study to its shared learning database Medication Monitoring for People with Dementia in Care Homes: Clinical Impact of Nurse-led monitoring   Published by Swansea University, this study aimed to test whether the nurse-led West Wales Adverse Drug Reaction (WWADR) Profile for Mental Health Medicines intervention improved care, and patient outcomes, for people with dementia prescribed mental health medicines (antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, benzodiazepines).   

Social care topics: NICE consultation

NICE is asking stakeholders to provide feedback on a set of proposed social care topics that are being considered for new NICE guidance and quality standards.  The eighteen topics include safeguarding in care homes, adoption in looked after children and young people, and support for carers.   Stakeholders are also being invited to suggest additional topics that have not been considered. The consultation closes on Friday 9 October 2015.

Choosing to have a caesarean section: patient information

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has published patient information relating to Choosing to have a caesarean section.  This information is aimed at those women who are considering having a baby by a ‘planned’ or ‘elective’ caesarean section when there isn’t a ‘medical’ reason to do so.  The information outlines: who they should speak to if they are thinking about having a caesarean section;  what a caesarean will mean for them and your baby; the effect it may have on future births; the benefits of having a vaginal birth and what happens if they go into labour before the planned date of an elective caesarean.

Consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services

WHO has published Consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services. It bring together existing guidance relevant to the provision of HIV testing services (HTS) and addresses issues and elements for effective delivery of HTS that are common in a variety of settings, contexts and diverse populations.