The Care Quality Commission (CQC) released a report on the performance of NHS trusts on 15th October 2009.
The report, carried out annually, revealed that the NHS is achieving higher standards overall, but that a significant number of trusts are failing to reach key targets.
More than half of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) achieved scores of ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ for the first time, but fewer acute trusts were given a top rating, with more receiving a ‘fair’ judgement.
In total, 20 trusts were rated ‘weak’ and a further 27 have not reached a score above ‘fair’ on both quality and financial management indicators for the past four years. However, only one trust was judged to be ‘double-weak’ for its quality of care and financial management, compared to six in 2008. This was Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust.
The CQC expressed concern that 63,000 operations were cancelled for non-clinical reasons, but a higher proportion of procedures are now being rearranged within 28 days of the original appointment.
A total of 48 acute trusts failed to meet at least one of the three standards for infection control according to the report, compared to 44 in 2008. However, progress has been made in rates of hospital-acquired infections, such as Clostridium difficile and MRSA, which have both fallen by around a third.
The report also found that 98% of the 19 million patients who visited A&E were seen within four hours of arrival, and more patients are receiving hospital treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
The CQC will soon gain new powers which will allow it to close down any under-achieving trusts. All trusts must be registered with the CQC from 1st April 2010, and must adhere to core standards or risk being refused a licence to operate. Currently, only half of trusts fully comply.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the UK medical device market, including more information on the NHS and the CQC, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published September 2009)
Monday 26 October 2009
UK - Seven Million at Risk from Diabetes
Seven million people in the UK are at risk of developing diabetes, according to a report from Diabetes UK in October 2009.
Diabetes UK warned that seven million people have prediabetes, also known as impaired glucose regulation. These people are 15 times more likely to develop diabetes, but prediabetes alone can cause long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system, among others.
However, prediabetes can be reversed and the risk can be reduced by 60% simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
In September, Diabetes UK revealed that there were 145,000 new cases of diabetes in 2008 alone (see UK - Diabetes Now Affects 5% of the Population).
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published September 2009)
Diabetes UK warned that seven million people have prediabetes, also known as impaired glucose regulation. These people are 15 times more likely to develop diabetes, but prediabetes alone can cause long-term damage to the heart and circulatory system, among others.
However, prediabetes can be reversed and the risk can be reduced by 60% simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
In September, Diabetes UK revealed that there were 145,000 new cases of diabetes in 2008 alone (see UK - Diabetes Now Affects 5% of the Population).
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published September 2009)
USA - Senate Approves Health Reform Bill
The US Senate Finance Committee approved the health reform bill with a 14-9 majority on 13th October 2009.
The bill, drawn up by chairman Senator Max Baucus, proposes a ten-year US$829 billion plan to reduce health costs and provide affordable health insurance, but does not include a government-run, universal health insurance scheme.
The bill will now go through a compromise process with the bill approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions (HELP) Committee in July 2009, before receiving a full vote on the Senate floor.
The Finance panel is the last of five Congressional committees to put forward health reform proposals.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the US medical device market, including some background information on the healthcare system and reform plans, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: USA (published September 2009)
The bill, drawn up by chairman Senator Max Baucus, proposes a ten-year US$829 billion plan to reduce health costs and provide affordable health insurance, but does not include a government-run, universal health insurance scheme.
The bill will now go through a compromise process with the bill approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions (HELP) Committee in July 2009, before receiving a full vote on the Senate floor.
The Finance panel is the last of five Congressional committees to put forward health reform proposals.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the US medical device market, including some background information on the healthcare system and reform plans, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: USA (published September 2009)
Friday 23 October 2009
UK - NHS in Wales Scrap 22 Local Health Boards
On 1st October 2009, the 22 local health boards in Wales were scrapped, and integrated with NHS trusts to form seven new local health boards. These will control all hospital and community services, in addition to GP and dentist funding. The new boards will also be responsible for meeting hospital targets on waiting times.
The new local health boards are:
The new local health boards are:
- Betsi Cadwallader;
- Hywel Dda;
- Abertawe Bro Morganwg University;
- Powys Teaching;
- Cwm Taf;
- Cardiff and Vale; and
- Aneurin Bevan.
The only NHS trusts to remain are the Welsh Ambulance Service and Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, which specialises in cancer treatment.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the UK medical device market, including some background information on the NHS, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published September 2009)UK - Diabetes Now Affects 5% of the Population
Around one in twenty people in the UK has diabetes, with around 145,000 new cases diagnosed in the past year, according to figures published by Diabetes UK in October 2009.
The data was compiled from GP practices and reveals that 2.6 million people now suffer from the condition, and around 90% of these have diabetes type II, which is linked to obesity on many occasions.
Diabetes UK warned that the increasing number of cases is putting a strain on the NHS, as diabetes already costs the health service £1 million an hour to treat. Also, diabetes can lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.
Furthermore, it is estimated that around half a million people in the UK have the condition but have not been diagnosed, as the condition can remain undetected for around 10 years. Therefore, many of these may already have complications by the time they are diagnosed.
The rise in cases of diabetes is known to be linked to rising levels of obesity, which is a factor in around 80% of cases of type II diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Further reading - A detailed analysis of the UK medical device market is available from: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published September 2009)
The data was compiled from GP practices and reveals that 2.6 million people now suffer from the condition, and around 90% of these have diabetes type II, which is linked to obesity on many occasions.
Diabetes UK warned that the increasing number of cases is putting a strain on the NHS, as diabetes already costs the health service £1 million an hour to treat. Also, diabetes can lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.
Furthermore, it is estimated that around half a million people in the UK have the condition but have not been diagnosed, as the condition can remain undetected for around 10 years. Therefore, many of these may already have complications by the time they are diagnosed.
The rise in cases of diabetes is known to be linked to rising levels of obesity, which is a factor in around 80% of cases of type II diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Further reading - A detailed analysis of the UK medical device market is available from: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published September 2009)
Friday 2 October 2009
India - Doctors Working in Rural Areas to be Given More Money
Doctors who work in rural areas will be compensated with extra money and assistance when they apply for higher study, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced on 17th September 2009.
The Indian government is also planning to set up more medical colleges, as there is expected to be a lack of medical personnel in the coming years. According to a Planning Commission report, India is facing a shortage of around 600,000 doctors, one million nurses and 200,000 dental surgeons.
Further reading - An in-depth review of the Indian medical device market, including some background information on healthcare personnel, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: India (published June 2009)
The Indian government is also planning to set up more medical colleges, as there is expected to be a lack of medical personnel in the coming years. According to a Planning Commission report, India is facing a shortage of around 600,000 doctors, one million nurses and 200,000 dental surgeons.
Further reading - An in-depth review of the Indian medical device market, including some background information on healthcare personnel, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: India (published June 2009)
Thursday 17 September 2009
UK - NHS Workforce Proposals Rejected
Proposals to cut the NHS workforce in England by up to 10% in the next five years have been rejected by the government, who claim the NHS need more staff, not less.
Consultancy firm McKinsey and Company advised the Department of Health in September 2009 that the loss of 137,000 clinical and administration posts would save around £20 billion by 2014. The report also recommended a recruitment freeze to begin within two years, with the possibility of medical school places being reduced, and also suggested an early retirement programme should be established.
However, Health Minister Mike O’Brien said, “Ministers have rejected the suggested proposals in the McKinsey report and there are no plans to adopt these proposals in the future”, claiming that certain services, particularly maternity, nursing and primary care, need more staff rather than fewer.
McKinsey also claimed that up to £3 billion a year could be saved by improving staff productivity, while nearly £2 billion could be saved on external contracts for areas such as food and waste.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the UK medical device market, including some background information on healthcare personnel, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Consultancy firm McKinsey and Company advised the Department of Health in September 2009 that the loss of 137,000 clinical and administration posts would save around £20 billion by 2014. The report also recommended a recruitment freeze to begin within two years, with the possibility of medical school places being reduced, and also suggested an early retirement programme should be established.
However, Health Minister Mike O’Brien said, “Ministers have rejected the suggested proposals in the McKinsey report and there are no plans to adopt these proposals in the future”, claiming that certain services, particularly maternity, nursing and primary care, need more staff rather than fewer.
McKinsey also claimed that up to £3 billion a year could be saved by improving staff productivity, while nearly £2 billion could be saved on external contracts for areas such as food and waste.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the UK medical device market, including some background information on healthcare personnel, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
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