Cancer
Increased funding for NI cancer research
A cancer charity in Northern Ireland will invest £900,000 into cancer research.
Friends of the Cancer Centre, based in the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, has partnered with the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at Queen's University Belfast to provide research into clinical trials over the next three years.
The investment will be used to increase the number of staff, in order to conduct further research and development of cancer trials.
The investment will fund a number of vital posts within the clinical trials team, including a clinical research nurse, research radiographer and senior data manager, as well as dedicated pharmacy support.
More information can be found at: http://www.friendsofthecancercentre.com
Funding
Scotland increases funds to frontline services
NHS Scotland has put more than £1.1bn back into frontline services through efficiency savings over the last five years, it has announced.
The latest figures for 2012/13 show that NHS Boards have again exceeded their efficiency targets of three per cent, by saving £270m.
Scotland's health secretary Alex Neil, outlined how NHS Boards have delivered these efficiencies: they have treated patients quicker than before, delivered safer care, brought levels of MRSA to the lowest on record and seen patient satisfaction continue to rise, he explained.
Mr Neil said: 'By reinvesting this money we are able to deliver real changes for patients, like investing in our workforce to see Scotland have more qualified nurses per head of population than England.'
Networks
Search for alumni to share information
The Florence Nightingale Foundation has launched a search for past scholars in order to create an alumni association of leading healthcare professionals who have had a Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholarship.
The alumni will come together to share ideas and reflect on their experiences. It will also act as a professional support network with events hosted by the Foundation in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
To contact the foundation or for more information email alumni@florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk
QOF
Somerset GPs to develop local quality scheme
GPs in Somerset have the opportunity to develop a new way of improving patient care while being exempt from the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).
They have until March 2014 to develop the Somerset Practice Quality Scheme together with the Somerset Local Medical Committee and the NHS England Area Team for Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire. If the plan is considered a viable option it could replace the QOF from 1 April 2014.
Lucy Watson, the director of quality and patient safety of Somerset CCG, said: 'The project will focus on the lead GP role for vulnerable older people, achieving improved outcomes for people with long term conditions, integrated care and urgent care, and workforce development. This will involve practice nurses.'
Appointment
Scottish CMO taking on public health role
Sir Harry Burns is standing down as chief medical officer of Scotland to become professor of global public health at Strathclyde University. He has been chief medical officer since 2005.
The new position will see Sir Harry focusing on health inequalities, and will work closely with the International Prevention Research Institute (iPRI) in Lyon, France.
He said: 'It has been a pleasure working with the Scottish government over the past eight years, but it is time to hand over to a new chief medical officer.
'I am looking forward to being able to develop my interest in health inequalities further, and continuing to contribute towards building a better public health landscape.'
Staff Wellbeing
Support for wellbeing of staff has been increased
The NHS has improved the health and wellbeing of its staff according to a report by the Royal College of Physicians, called 'Implementing NICE public health guidance for the workplace.'
It audited 178 trusts that together employ 73 per cent of the NHS workforce. The NHS Employers organisation, which supported the audit, says the findings indicate that over 300,000 staff are being covered by health and wellbeing policies across the whole of the NHS.
Clear guidance is distributed to help organisations attend to staff wellbeing, while helping managers to be approachable, discrete and effective in resolving concerns.
To read the full report visit: http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk