National Health Service

[SteveH]

A row has broken out between the first minister and NHS bosses after she said she would hold them to account over long waiting lists.
Eluned Morgan said on Sunday that she wanted to pressure health board chief executives, "who are paid significant sums of money", over the care they provide.

But a body which represents Wales' NHS leadership said it is like "trying to run the NHS with one hand tied behind your back" when so many patients cannot be discharged into social care.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8vv4kexyjo



Junior doctors accept 22% pay rise to end strikes
Members of the British Medical Association backed the deal with 66% voting in favour. Nearly 46,000 took part in the online ballot.

It brings to an end the 18-month dispute, which saw junior doctors take part in 11 separate strikes.

But the BMA warned it expected more above-inflation pay rises in future years or there would be "consequences"
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5yy13ng33o

[SteveH]

There are 21% fewer nursing students starting courses at universities across the UK than three years ago.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service figures show 23,800 students have been accepted on to nursing courses for this academic year – 340 fewer than last year and 6,350 fewer than in 2021.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called the situation “critical” and “as bad as it's ever been”.

Across all subjects, there has been a 0.9% rise in the number of students going to university this year compared with 2023 - the first increase in four years.

But nursing courses have seen a 1.4% drop over the past 12 months.

The 21% UK drop breaks down by nation:

22% in Wales
21.6% in England
19.8% in Scotland
10.3% in Northern Ireland
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdje34m1k8xo


Many pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could cut their opening hours in protest over government funding, if a "work-to-rule" ballot passes.

The National Pharmacy Association says its unprecedented ballot of members could mean chemists keeping strictly to the 40 hours a week they are required to open in the government contract.

The NPA, which represents about half UK community pharmacies, some 6,000, says 1,500 have closed since 2016 because of workloads and budget cuts.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1e8755xv01o

[SteveH]

The UK and Welsh governments will collaborate on health care for the first time - which could see more cross border working by trusts. They will unveil the move at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

The governments said it "help drive down waiting lists on both sides of the border and improve patient care". They said they would learn from best practice on both sides of the border.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/more-cross-border-healthcare-cards-29986355

[DVT]

I am puzzled by the Welsh Health Minister seemingly claiming that this is a new idea. 

Earlier this year I had to go to a London Hospital to have a kidney removed.  It could not be done locally due to "lack of resources".  I was told by someone at the London hospital that there is an average of 3 patients per week from Wales.

This was at a time when Conservatives were in charge of the UK.  Labour were (and still are) running the NHS in Wales and were responsible for the lack of resources.  Yet the Wales NHS were prepared to pay for three taxi runs to take me to London (pre-op, admittance and discharge).

Welsh Labour claim this is now possible due to both governments being Labour.

So, how was it happening before?

[SteveH]

'The more the better' - your view on cross-border collaboration to tackle NHS backlog
The UK and Welsh governments have agreed to collaborate on healthcare to try to improve waiting times

North Wales Live readers have been sharing their views on a new collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments. The two governments plan to work together on health care, potentially leading to increased cross-border cooperation by trusts.

Commenter LEE11 asks: “Since when did we vote for the NHS to become separate organisations depending on where it is in the UK? It was never set up to operate that way and so much money is wasted. As my parents say, they paid their stamp to support the NHS, that's one NHS and it would be far better for patients if it was operated as one.

more https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/health/the-more-better-your-view-29995210

[SteveH]

Welsh dentist crisis slammed as a 'cruel joke' as minister praises system

People in Wales have been sharing their views on the country's dental crisis, which was laid bare after the Welsh Secretary made comments about the state of the service

North Wales Live readers have been reacting to the recent comments made by the Welsh Secretary about dental healthcare in Wales. Politicians from Anglesey and Gwynedd have criticised the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, after she lauded dental healthcare in Wales as a model to emulate.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/welsh-dentist-crisis-slammed-cruel-30011011

[SteveH]

Medical school that's 'key' to attracting and retaining doctors is officially opened
The North Wales Medical School is based at Bangor University

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/medical-school-thats-key-attracting-30065480

[SteveH]

Campaigners battling to stop the closure of two air ambulance bases have won the right to put their case before the High Court.

Plans to reorganise the Wales Air Ambulance service would lead to the closure of the bases at Welshpool and Caernarfon, with one new base opening.

The reorganisation was approved by the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (JCC) - a group comprising of the seven health boards in Wales - in April.

Solicitors acting on behalf of campaigners have said a full hearing could be heard within two months.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vk6p4e4d9o

[SteveH]

A North Wales surgery had just 'one GP for over 6,300 patients'
The medical centre in Penrhyn Bay had an increased patient list but two new doctors have now been appointed to the surgery

A GP surgery in Penrhyn Bay, North Wales was operating with just one doctor for over 6,300 patients. The detail emerged in a Conwy Council cabinet meeting about how population growth could affect health care services.

The report was one of several background papers to inform the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP), which details what can be built and where and how it impacts on local infrastructure. Over the RLDP period the population is expected to grow by 4,950 residents between 2018 and 2033.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-surgery-just-one-30108138?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The first minister of Wales has pushed for a "significant" boost to NHS finances to be announced in the UK government's Autumn Budget.

Eluned Morgan said she was "really keen" to see investment in the NHS in England, as that will trigger extra funds for the Welsh government to spend on its health service.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqy241yjg3o

[SteveH]

BBC InDepth
How close were hospitals to collapse in Covid?

Five times Prof Kevin Fong broke down in tears in a nondescript hearing room in West London, while giving evidence to the Covid inquiry.

The 53-year-old has the kind of CV that makes you pay attention: a consultant anaesthetist in London who also works for the air ambulance service and specialises in space medicine.

In 2020, as Covid spread around the world, he was seconded to NHS England and sent out to the worst hit areas to support other medics.

We’ve long been told that hospitals were struggling to cope during the pandemic. In January 2021, then prime minister Boris Johnson warned the NHS was “under unprecedented pressure”....................https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78dl0xv7y2o

[SteveH]

The government has announced more details of what is in this week's Budget for the NHS - including £1.57bn for new surgical hubs, scanners and radiotherapy machines.

The funding is part of the government's overall pledge to increase the number of NHS hospital appointments and procedures in England by 40,000 per week.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Budget will help to "start fixing the foundation" of the NHS - but warned it "will take time to turn the situation around".

Health experts have welcomed the new funding but cautioned there were many unanswered questions about future policy with the government’s 10-year NHS plan not published until next spring..................https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cde7kll9j46o

[SteveH]

PLANS for a new “Energy Centre” building at Llandudno General Hospital have been approved, just months after being turned down.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board had originally lodged proposals to Conwy County Borough Council’s planning committee in April, with the application rejected in June.

However, fresh plans have been given the green light, and will see the construction of a new “Energy Centre” building.

The building will house two Generator Rooms, two LV Switch Rooms, two HV Switch Rooms, two HV Transformers and a SPEN Room to provide vital support the development of the existing hospital.................https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24688763.plans-energy-centre-llandudno-general-hospital-approved/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

GPs, care homes and hospices have voiced concerns about the impact of the rise in employer National Insurance contributions announced in the Budget.

The NHS and rest of the public sector are exempt from the tax rise - but that does not cover private care homes or hospices which provide NHS services.

There is also confusion over the impact on GPs, many of which are run as small businesses.

The Department for Health and Social Care said further details for GPs will be confirmed in due course - but a Treasury minister told the BBC they will have to pay the tax hike............... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl409gww1go

[SteveH]

GPs are calling on the government to protect them from tax rises for employers announced at the Budget, warning it could hit services for patients.

The NHS and rest of the public sector are due to be shielded from a hike in National Insurance (NI) contributions from April next year.

But GP practices, which deliver NHS services but are mostly run as small businesses, are currently due to be hit by the rise.

The government has suggested that the extra cost of higher national insurance contributions paid by GP practices will be taken into consideration when GP contracts are renegotiated later this year................. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79z87wzv2no