National kidney care audit vascular access report 2011

This report presents the findings from the 2010 data collection period for patients starting dialysis between the 1st January and 30th June 2010. The central aims of this audit were to determine the performance of renal centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the use of optimal vascular access for haemodialysis, to measure the burden of vascular access and to explore operational issues in providing access.

Implementing radiographer reporting

The DoH is encouraging the training of radiographers to report on straightforward x-rays, freeing time for consultant radiologists to assess more complicated images. This suggestion could lead to an estimated saving of £7.9m per year.

Interim report on children's congenital heart services in England

This report states that concentrating surgical expertise in fewer sites and bringing non-surgical care closer to home will benefit patients.

NCPC and Dying Matters report calls for new deal for the dying

No Dress Rehearsals looks at how end of life care is measuring up three years on from the publication of the government’s end of life care strategy. The report finds that, despite many examples of excellent care, there remain serious cases of neglect and ill-treatment, and many people are not getting their end of life wishes met.

Environments for care at the end of life

This publication describes projects in 19 NHS trusts that took part in schemes to improve the environment of care at the end of life. The projects show that, even in the most uninspiring environment, it is possible to create welcoming and comfortable spaces that are fit for purpose, good value for money and can improve the quality of care and the patient experience.

NICE calls for 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in radical update to guidelines

Patients suspected of having hypertension should be sent home and told to wear a monitor for 24 hours, rather than having their blood pressure checked in clinic.

How NICE guidelines are transforming services for brain cancer patients

NICE guidance aimed at improving outcomes for people with brain and other central nervous system tumours has resulted in a “significant increase”, from 66 to 87 per cent, in the number of patients being reviewed before surgery by a consultant-led team of healthcare professionals.

Reality lags behind the rhetoric of creating the ‘largest social enterprise sector in the world’

This report from the King’s Fund has found early evidence to suggest that health care providers that have adopted the social enterprise model have benefited by reducing bureaucracy, speeding up decision-making and by allowing the reinvestment of surpluses, an effective motivator for staff. It recommends that NHS commissioners offer longer-term contracts to enable social enterprise providers to establish themselves in a more competitive environment.

Maps show where patients feel they have benefited the most from their NHS treatment

A series of maps published by The NHS Information Centre highlight clear geographical variation in the extent to which patients feel they have benefited from their care. The maps are based on 2009/10 PROMS based on the results of questionnaires completed by patients before and after they undergo surgery.