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)
Thursday, 17 September 2009
UK - GP Consultations Rising
The number of GP consultations has risen from 217.3 million in 1995 to 300.4 million in 2008, according to data published by the NHS Information Centre in September 2009.
The study, conducted using the QResearch general practice database, revealed that an average patient had 5.5 consultations in 2008, compared with 3.9 in 1995. Meanwhile, the average GP surgery carried out 34,200 appointments in 2008, up from 21,100 in 1995.
The study also highlighted an increase in the number of patients seen by a nurse in primary care. In 1995, 76% of consultations were undertaken by GPs, 21% by nurses and 3% by other clinicians, whereas in 2008, 62% were carried out by GPs, 34% by nurses and 4% by other clinicians. However, this increase in proportion could be explained by an increase in patients seeing nurses in general, rather than fewer patients seeing a GP.
However, the study did not take into account the length of consultations, or the number of tasks undertaken within a consultation, which could impact on the reliability of the findings.
Further reading - A detailed analysis of the UK medical device market, including further statistics on ambulatory care, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
The study, conducted using the QResearch general practice database, revealed that an average patient had 5.5 consultations in 2008, compared with 3.9 in 1995. Meanwhile, the average GP surgery carried out 34,200 appointments in 2008, up from 21,100 in 1995.
The study also highlighted an increase in the number of patients seen by a nurse in primary care. In 1995, 76% of consultations were undertaken by GPs, 21% by nurses and 3% by other clinicians, whereas in 2008, 62% were carried out by GPs, 34% by nurses and 4% by other clinicians. However, this increase in proportion could be explained by an increase in patients seeing nurses in general, rather than fewer patients seeing a GP.
However, the study did not take into account the length of consultations, or the number of tasks undertaken within a consultation, which could impact on the reliability of the findings.
Further reading - A detailed analysis of the UK medical device market, including further statistics on ambulatory care, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
UK - Axis Shield Posts Positive Sales Performance
Scottish company Axis Shield posted positive financial performance in August 2009, following strong demands for its diabetes testing machine.
By the end of June 2009, Axis Shield had sold a total of 5,000 Afinion machines, compared to 4,000 machines sold during the whole of 2008. The company expects to sell a further 2,500 machines by the end of the year, with 50% of sales in the US.
The Afinion machine can screen blood or urine samples for diabetes indicators. The company now plans to market an Afinion test for high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), an indicator of cardiovascular disease, and has also secured rights to a new test for sepsis diagnosis.
For the six months up to 30th June 2009, pre-tax profit more than quadrupled, rising from £1.6 million to £7.5 million. Axis Shield ‘s sales amounted to £50.6 million in the same period, rising by 18.5%. The Point-of Care division’s sales amounted to £22.1 million, a rise of 27.3%, while sales from the Laboratory division rose by 23.0% to total £12.8 million.
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
By the end of June 2009, Axis Shield had sold a total of 5,000 Afinion machines, compared to 4,000 machines sold during the whole of 2008. The company expects to sell a further 2,500 machines by the end of the year, with 50% of sales in the US.
The Afinion machine can screen blood or urine samples for diabetes indicators. The company now plans to market an Afinion test for high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), an indicator of cardiovascular disease, and has also secured rights to a new test for sepsis diagnosis.
For the six months up to 30th June 2009, pre-tax profit more than quadrupled, rising from £1.6 million to £7.5 million. Axis Shield ‘s sales amounted to £50.6 million in the same period, rising by 18.5%. The Point-of Care division’s sales amounted to £22.1 million, a rise of 27.3%, while sales from the Laboratory division rose by 23.0% to total £12.8 million.
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
UK - Proton Beam Therapy to be Made Available to Cancer Patients
NHS cancer patients may soon have access to proton beam therapy, after the Health Minister Ann Keen announced on 18th August 2009 that hospitals are being invited to bid to provide such services.
Proton beam therapy is a form of radiotherapy, which attacks the tumour with ionising protons damaging cell DNA, without damaging vital organs. The Department of Health has claimed that proton therapy treatment can be more effective than radiotherapy on cancers in specific areas, such as the neck, retina, base of the skull and near the spine. It is also said to be more beneficial in children, as it precisely targets the tumour, allowing for better distribution of the dose and thus providing less risk of damage to the surrounding cells.
The Department of Health has asked the National Specialised Commissioning Team (NSCT) to identify possible providers of proton beam services in England.
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market, including some background information on cancer treatments, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Proton beam therapy is a form of radiotherapy, which attacks the tumour with ionising protons damaging cell DNA, without damaging vital organs. The Department of Health has claimed that proton therapy treatment can be more effective than radiotherapy on cancers in specific areas, such as the neck, retina, base of the skull and near the spine. It is also said to be more beneficial in children, as it precisely targets the tumour, allowing for better distribution of the dose and thus providing less risk of damage to the surrounding cells.
The Department of Health has asked the National Specialised Commissioning Team (NSCT) to identify possible providers of proton beam services in England.
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market, including some background information on cancer treatments, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Friday, 14 August 2009
UK - Foundation Trusts’ Spending Plans are Over-Optimistic
Foundation trusts were warned that their spending plans up to 2012 are overly optimistic, by Monitor, the regulator of foundation trusts, in August 2009. The trusts have been asked to also submit a downside forecast, which will give a more realistic projection of future spending growth.
Overall, 115 trusts have forecast a growth in their income of 4.2% in 2009/10, 2.1% in 2010/11 and 1.6% in 2011/12. It is known that NHS funding will increase in the next two years but funding post-2011 has not yet been finalised.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the UK medical device market, including some background information on NHS funding, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Overall, 115 trusts have forecast a growth in their income of 4.2% in 2009/10, 2.1% in 2010/11 and 1.6% in 2011/12. It is known that NHS funding will increase in the next two years but funding post-2011 has not yet been finalised.
Further reading - An in-depth analysis of the UK medical device market, including some background information on NHS funding, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Thursday, 6 August 2009
UK - Dentists’ Earnings Published
The NHS Information Centre has published the earnings of dentists in England and Wales. The 2007/08 Dental Earnings and Expenses Report, England and Wales, details the earnings and expenses of self-employed primary care dentists. The report looked at Providing-Performer dentists, who had a contract with a local health body and performed other dental services, and Performer Only dentists, who performed dental services but did not have a contract.
The report revealed that a total of 382 dentists out of 20,000 had a gross income of over £300,000 between 2007 and 2008, and 1,172 had gross earnings of more than £200,000 over the course of the year. It also highlighted a pay difference between dentists in England and Wales, with the average pay in England being £88,870 and the average in Wales being £93,924.
The key findings of the report are:
The report revealed that a total of 382 dentists out of 20,000 had a gross income of over £300,000 between 2007 and 2008, and 1,172 had gross earnings of more than £200,000 over the course of the year. It also highlighted a pay difference between dentists in England and Wales, with the average pay in England being £88,870 and the average in Wales being £93,924.
The key findings of the report are:
- The average taxable income for Providing-Performer dentists was £126,807, compared to £65,697 for Performer Only dentists. The overall average was £89,062;
- The average expenses for Providing-Performer dentists were £218,843, compared to just £33,512 for Performer Only dentists; and
- The average gross earnings for Providing Performer dentists were £345,651, compared to £99,208 for Performer Only dentists.
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market, including some background information on dentistry, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
UK - NHS Faces Bill of £400 million for Private Contracts
The NHS is facing a bill of £400 million in the next two years, when independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) contracts with private sector operators expire.
Around £200 million will be paid for operation capacity bought by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) but not used, as it is estimated that the health service only delivered around 85% of the agreed number of operations. A further £200 million will be paid to buy the premises built by the private sector operators.
Since ISTCs opened in 2005, they have cut waiting lists and introduced competition. So far, they have provided more than 1.7 million operations and other procedures, helping to cut the maximum NHS waiting time to 18 weeks.
ISTCs were originally commissioned by the Department of Health. They offered a five-year deal guaranteeing volumes of patients, with a buy-back clause on the buildings, and prices around 11% higher than NHS prices.
It will now be up to PCTs to decide if they want to renew the contracts, under different terms, most likely with no guarantees of volume and standard NHS prices.
Health Minister Mike O’Brien insisted that the initiative had been value for money, claiming it had cleared a backlog of 250,000 NHS patients who had to be treated to reduce waiting times. He told the Financial Times, “We wanted to ensure we had sufficient capacity. And if you hit your target, as we have, you have value for money.”
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market, including some background information on healthcare infrastructure, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
Around £200 million will be paid for operation capacity bought by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) but not used, as it is estimated that the health service only delivered around 85% of the agreed number of operations. A further £200 million will be paid to buy the premises built by the private sector operators.
Since ISTCs opened in 2005, they have cut waiting lists and introduced competition. So far, they have provided more than 1.7 million operations and other procedures, helping to cut the maximum NHS waiting time to 18 weeks.
ISTCs were originally commissioned by the Department of Health. They offered a five-year deal guaranteeing volumes of patients, with a buy-back clause on the buildings, and prices around 11% higher than NHS prices.
It will now be up to PCTs to decide if they want to renew the contracts, under different terms, most likely with no guarantees of volume and standard NHS prices.
Health Minister Mike O’Brien insisted that the initiative had been value for money, claiming it had cleared a backlog of 250,000 NHS patients who had to be treated to reduce waiting times. He told the Financial Times, “We wanted to ensure we had sufficient capacity. And if you hit your target, as we have, you have value for money.”
Further reading - A detailed review of the UK medical device market, including some background information on healthcare infrastructure, is available from Espicom: The Medical Device Market: United Kingdom (published June 2009)
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