Hysteria
The Guardian suggests there are
…news organisations so determined to nail ministers in certain policy areas, such as health, that even the choicest of fruits served up by press officers and advisers are turned into rotten tomatoes to be hurled back at their superiors.
I cannot comment on why the press behave the way they do. But I am sceptical because I have seen a number of headlines that sound good but have little or no detail behind them to back them up. And the press have been complicit in this, being taken in by spin over the protestations of professionals. I can give any number of examples but MTAS will do. Unquestioning cheerleaders is too kind a sobriquet.
After all we were told by ministers that there would be few job losses.
A range of views on the social care framework.
The Telegraph catches up on the Scottish pay increases.
I’m glad to see that mobile phones will now be permitted in hospitals, having last year discussed this with the team from NHS Estates at the DoH.
And can someone tell me why, when one arm of the NHS is spending money to advertise smoking cessation services on TV, another arm as exemplified by PCT’s are having to cut those very same services?
A humorous look at other smoking cessation strategies.
But to me, this is the situation that needs to be highlighted.
Age Concern wants an army of volunteers to feed elderly patients who might otherwise go hungry because nurses are too busy to sit with them at mealtimes.
The Government is considering introducing a “red tray” system for patients who need help with their feeding. It would signify that the tray should not be removed until a patient had finished eating or has had help to finish a meal.
The plan is being considered at an emergency meeting on malnutrition in hospitals today but Age Concern say it is not enough and hospitals must also launch large-scale volunteering programmes in which vetted members of the public would feed patients.
A spokesman said: “A lot of hospitals don’t have the staff to feed patients properly, and volunteers are the way to support assistance with feeding.”
Over the years the fragmented nature of society has meant that the NHS has taken on more & more of the role that used to be the purview of the family or social services. Who can say these days where healthcare ceases & social care begins? The pressure on the health service can be appreciated from the fact that nurses do not appear to have time to make sure the elderly eat properly & we are asking for volunteers to help do the same. Has a decision been taken that this is not a duty of staff anymore? If so, make it formal but if not do it properly.
Speaking of social care, the bill for the game of pass the parcel between NHS organisations & social services departments is now due.