News
Government responds to review of maternity failures
Further action will be taken on a national level to improve safety for mothers and their babies, following a high profile investigation into maternity failings. The government has published its full response
to an independent review - led by former Regional Director of Public Health Dr. Bill Kirkup CBE - into maternity failings at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. The review was launched because of concerns about the quality of care being provided by the Trust. Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield, has announced she will now personally chair a new group overseeing maternity services nationwide. The maternity and neonatal care national oversight group will bring together key people from the NHS and other organisations. It will look across work being carried out by a range of programmes set up to improve maternity and neonatal care, including the implementation of Dr. Kirkup’s and other recommendations, to ensure they are joined up and effective. Maria Caulfield said: “I’m determined to see safety standards in maternity and neonatal care improve across the country. While this invaluable report focuses on the situation in East Kent, I want to see its recommendations implemented nationwide. This government will continue investing in the maternity workforce and working with the NHS to raise standards.” In East Kent in particular, the minister will
chair a local forum bringing together local NHS representatives, the Care Quality Commission and local MPs to share information and updates on the improvements being made to maternity services. The Minister for Women’s Health has also appointed Dr. Kirkup to lead work with healthcare partners in response to two of the key
recommendations, helping to ensure teams in maternity and neonatal care across England can work together more collaboratively so the best quality, compassionate care is provided. Organisations from across the health and
care system - including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) - have been asked by the government to support its efforts to promote and improve team-working in healthcare settings. Royal Colleges, professional regulators and
employers have also been asked to investigate how they can improve workplace culture so standards of professional behaviour in maternity and neonatal settings are high. They’ll consider what appropriate action can be taken if high standards fail to be met. Following Dr. Kirkup’s report, the below actions
are being or have been taken: l A special data taskforce has been set up by NHS England to better monitor patient safety in maternity and neonatal care nationwide.
l Relevant bodies will work with DHSC to investigate how teamwork in maternity and neonatal care spaces can be improved.
l Relevant bodies will work with DHSC to investigate how doctors in training can be better trained to improve teamworking and their own personal development.
l Trusts will have to ensure there is proper representation of maternity care on their boards.
l The government will continue to work with NHS England on its approach to poorly performing trusts and their leadership.
l East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust will continue working to address the problems identified and improve standards.
Spotlight on infection prevention
Leading healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry experts will converge at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham on the 23rd and 24th of April 2024 for the much-anticipated Infection Prevention and Control Conference. This landmark event will spotlight the most
pressing topics in the field of infection prevention, such as healthcare-acquired infections, antimicrobial resistance, pandemic preparedness, and innovative strategies for disease prevention and control. The comprehensive two-day agenda will feature thought-provoking presentations, interactive workshops, and exclusive panel discussions led
by esteemed speakers. The line-up includes sessions on the national picture of reducing healthcare-acquired infection, the current state of antimicrobial resistance, and the latest advances in rapid disease identification, among many others. A notable highlight of the conference will be
the availability of fully funded tickets for selected professionals within the healthcare sector. This initiative underscores the event’s commitment to accessible education and collaboration in the field of infection prevention. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited, and tickets are expected to be in high demand. Visit
www.infectionpreventioncontrol.net
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I September 2023
Fill rate figures for medical specialty training remain high
Figures published by NHS England show that 2023 is another strong year for recruitment to medical specialty training when compared to the same time last year. A number of different specialties have
achieved 100% or close to 100% fill rates. A further round of applications to fill specialties with expected future vacancies will open at the end of July. NHS England will work with partners to
bolster specific areas of specialty and review recruitment and retention in these training programmes as laid out in the Long Term Workforce Plan. Selections for these posts will be made between August and October with offers being made to successful candidates at the end of October, with training beginning in February 2024.
Hearing loss reversal hopes
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has successfully reversed hearing loss in mice. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used a genetic approach to fix deafness in mice with a defective Spns2 gene, restoring their hearing abilities in low and middle frequency ranges. Researchers say this proof-of-concept study suggests that hearing impairment resulting from reduced gene activity may be reversible. Mice were provided with a special enzyme at differing ages to activate the Spns2 gene. This was found to be most effective when Spns2 was activated at a young age.
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