New ratings scale developed for assessment of ISB 21/11/08
A new measurement tool for the assessment of inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) amongst inpatients in mental health settings has been developed by charitable mental health services provider St Andrew’s Healthcare.

Profits up at Care UK 19/11/2008
Turnover increased across all of Care UK’s divisions in the year ending 30 September 2008, according to preliminary results published today (18 November) in which the company’s directors said that they are looking forward to seeing continued growth in the provision of a range of NHS services.

UK healthcare ranked 13th in Europe 14/11/2008
An annual survey of EU Healthcare has revealed that British healthcare does not make the top ten of most consumer friendly healthcare systems in Europe.

Demand for healthcare workers surges 13/11/2008
The healthcare and social work sector has seen the strongest monthly and annual growth of all sectors in the UK, according to Monster Employment Index UK.

Wellington collaborates with NHS on new burns care service 13/11/2008
HCA’s Wellington hospital in London has announced a ground-breaking collaboration with St Andrew’s burns unit in Essex to provide a highly specialised burns care service for overseas patients.

Top-ups given ministerial ‘thumbs up’ 05/11/2008
Announcing from Whitehall that the bar on patients topping up their NHS treatment with privately purchased medication is to be lifted, Health Secretary Mr Alan Johnson yesterday (4 November) achieved the admirable feat of simultaneously bowing to public pressure, masking a government u-turn and appearing to appease opponents of co-payments who fear it would mark the start of a two-tier NHS system.

Ten-fold increase in ECN activity 30/10/2008
The value of activity provided under the extended choice network (ECN) has grown ten-fold in the past year, the Department of Health (DH) has revealed.

Credit crisis could mean bleak future for the NHS, warns expert 29/10/2008
At best the NHS might expect no real growth in funding from 2011, warns John Appleby, Chief Economist at The King’s Fund, on bmj.com.

NHS meeting key commitments 23/10/2008
Statistics released today show that the NHS is making progress against two key priority areas – the 18-week wait and cutting C.difficile infections.

Senior executives in health sector call for long-term focus 16/10/2008
Findings of a survey published by the Chartered Management Institute reveal that health sector managers and leaders are calling for calm in the face of the continued economic gloom.