News

The Care Quality Commission today published its first market report based on over 14,000 unannounced visits. The report found that over one in four locations were not meeting essential standards of care.

There is widespread coverage today on South London Healthcare NHS Trust being put under the control of a special administrator. Queen Mary's in Sidcup, Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich and the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley have become the first to be declared financially unsustainable after the NHS trust that runs them accumulated a deficit of £150m.

The Daily Telegraph reports that a survey of 60 NHS authorities has found that four-fifths are experiencing shortages of medicines because pharmaceutical companies are rationing drugs.

The Sunday Mirror has reported on proposed changes to Agenda for Change terms and conditions that could mean only nurses rated as “excellent” will receive their annual increments.

The Daily Telegraph today reports on funding cuts to care for older and disabled people. It says that according to a survey of the Association of Directors Adult Social Services this year alone budgets have been cut by £900m.

Public satisfaction with the way that the NHS performs has fallen, according to a survey by British Social Attitudes. The fall was from 70 per cent satisfaction in 2010 to 58 per cent in 2011.

A King's Fund analysis has concluded that the proportion of patients waiting more than four hours in accident and emergency departments has reached its highest level since 2004. Waiting times are reported to have increased by more than a quarter in the six months to March of this year.

The Independent and Daily Telegraph today report on the Health Select Committee’s report on education, training and workforce planning. The RCN responded to the report which echoed many concerns they have previously raised.

The Daily Telegraph today reports on new figures which show that the number of people dying in hospital while malnourished has increased in the past 10 years.

Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, was interviewed yesterday on the Andrew Marr show. He was asked about the RCN’s recent survey on patients being treated in hospital corridors and makeshift wards.