Author Archives: wendy
Nurses will be given the chance to learn about Learning Disabilities
Rotation scheme boosts learning disability nurse recruitment
9 March, 2012 | By The Press Association
Newly-qualified nurses have been given the chance to specialise in learning disabilities as part of a new ‘rotation’ scheme in Hertfordshire.
The initiative has been introduced by Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) to tackle a shortage of Learning Disability Nurses (LDNs).
Through links with local higher education institutes, the scheme allows nurses to experience a number of different specialist areas in their first year of employment, before deciding to focus on just one.
Hospital consultants should consider working weekends
Hospital doctors told to rethink weekend working
By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News
Hospital consultants should consider working weekends to cut the spike in deaths, a doctors’ leader says.
Dr Mark Porter, the British Medical Association’s consultants chairman, said the mounting evidence about the problem meant it was time for doctors to put themselves forward if needed.
He said it would not be necessary for every speciality or hospital, but it needed to be looked at case-by-case.
There is a wealth of research into higher mortality rates at weekends.
At the end of last year, the research company Dr Foster found mortality rates rose by 10% at weekends. Other studies have shown similar correlations.
Staffing – and in particular the presence or absence of senior doctors – has been highlighted as a key factor.
Nurses to rally in Westminster against Health Bill
7 March, 2012 | By The Press Association
Opponents of the government’s controversial health reforms will today warn ministers that the changes represent the “biggest threat” the NHS has ever seen.
Thousands of nurses, midwives, doctors, physiotherapists, cleaners, porters and other NHS workers will attend a rally in Westminster in a last-ditch attempt to scupper the Health and Social Care Bill.
A psychiatric nurse, speech therapist, paramedic and pregnant mother will join union leaders and politicians in making speeches at the rally, as well as comedian Jo Brand, who once worked as a psychiatric nurse.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber will say: “The All Together for the NHS campaign is an unprecedented alliance of unions, royal colleges, professional groups, health service staff, patients and members of the public. Together we are speaking up for a publicly-accountable health service, for the values that make our NHS special and for the ethos of public service itself.
