Blog

Integrating care

“Integrated care systems (ICSs) represent the best opportunity in a generation for a transformation in our health and care system.” The executive summary from The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt’s review into integrated care systems leads with that bold vision of the future of health provision within the UK. However, the subsequent sentences carry a warning […]

Closing the cancer care gap

“We call on you, whoever and wherever you are, to play your part in creating a cancer-free world.” That call to action was issued by the organisers of World Cancer Day 2023 which took place on 4th February. Commenting that every individual has the ability to make a difference, whether large or small, the event’s organisers believe that when […]

Concerning excess deaths

The news that nine percent more deaths were recorded in 2022 than in 2019 (the last year before the pandemic) has naturally given rise to a fair amount of debate. It may well be that we have to wait for the results of in depth studies before we see a more definitive indication of the […]

International Universal Health Coverage Day

“When health as a fundamental human right is upheld by all countries and all sectors, we lay a strong foundation for building the world we all want and deserve.” That quote from the World Health Organisation (WHO) perfectly illustrates why in 2017 it decided to launch International Universal Health Coverage Day. The day, which is […]

Planning for winter storms

As we slide past the middle of November we have to admit that, so far, autumn has been a fairly mild affair. So much so that Armistice Day 2022 was the warmest on record. Is this warm autumn going to continue or should we be preparing for storms ahead? According to the Met Office’s long […]

Menopause: Cognition and mood

Last month we wrote about a campaign to reduce the stresses which health practitioners encounter on a daily basis. In our article we highlighted a few coping strategies suggested by the BMA. And we looked at how even simple administration changes such as sending out appointment reminders by SMS text or taking credit card details […]

It’s OK to not be OK

How are you? Three simple words which convey a wealth of meaning as expressions of enquiry, of concern, and of genuine care. Of course, in the spirit of the stiff British upper lip the instinctive answer is to say that you are OK. But there are times when giving that answer is to deny yourself […]

Responding to health staff shortages

“The National Health Service and the social care sector are facing the greatest workforce crisis in their history.” Parliament’s ongoing inquiry into workforce: recruitment, training and retention in health and social care didn’t pull any punches as it issued its latest report into the sector in July 2022. Setting out the levels of shortage across […]

Extreme heat warning

An amber extreme heat warning covering must of the country has been issued by the Met Office. Coming almost exactly one year on from the first ever amber warning, this extreme heat  warning which was originally only in force for Sunday 17th July has now been extended to take in Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th […]

Raising awareness

What week is it? Sometimes it can be hard to keep track of time, with work days merging into an endless stream punctuated by weekends or days off.  But take a look around and you might well find milestones, special events which can help to break up the pattern and inject fresh awareness and outlook. […]