After a busy week at Leading Healthcare, it’s time to round up the news you may have missed from this week.
£12m investment for Scottish non-emergency care
The Scottish Government have announced £12m worth of investment will be assigned to non – COVID related emergency care.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are acutely aware that hospitals are facing significant challenges due to a rise in non-Covid attendances and that some health boards are taking necessary measures to protect urgent and emergency care capacity. This £12 million will support them to do so. We are working closely with those Health Boards experiencing the greatest challenges to ensure the funding delivers the improvements required.
“Our NHS staff continue to work tirelessly to respond to the pandemic whilst providing vital non-Covid treatment and safe patient care. Any reductions to service will be short term to ensure those of most critical need have immediate medical attention. Urgent treatment, including vital cancer treatment, will continue during this challenging period.”
The financial package will be used to increase bed space, reduce waiting times and increase staff levels.
RCN supports nurse job title petition
The Royal College of Nursing has formally backed a petition to make the job title of “Nurse” legally enshrined in the UK law. Currently the term “registered nurse” is protected by law but “Nurse” on its own isn’t protected, meaning anyone, including those have been struck off the medical register can use the term without reproach.
The petition was started by a member of the RCN (Royal College of Nursing), Alison Leary and has reached 20,000 signatures to date.
Chair of RCN Council Dave Dawes said: “The Council meeting covered every angle on this topic and there was widespread support for the principle behind the petition. The debate in our meeting proved that this is such a crucial issue for our members that we need the wider membership to have their say on the best way to protect our professionals and those they care for.
“We’ll be asking for an emergency resolution on this topic to be debated at September’s Congress.”
New housing support for mental health patients
Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust has partnered with ForHousing, a home builder to provide accommodation for discharged patients.
The project is a result of £1.8m investment to help those without a permanent place of residence, return to the community. The project will run for 6 months initially and ForHousing have offered 10 of their homes for the trust to use, and a dedicated landlord officer to help to support the tenants throughout.
Deborah Partington, Director of Operations at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know many people with a mental health issue can live independently in their own home after an inpatient stays in hospital and as a mental health trust, we are here to provide a range of options and support to maintain this.
“Good quality housing and having settled accommodation is known to have a positive impact on mental health. It provides a basis for people to recover, receive appropriate support and to build resilience and we are pleased to be part of such an encouraging initiative with ForHousing.”
Planning permission submitted for new Gloucestershire Hospital
The planning process of a construction project that will see a new community hospital built in Cinderford, is set to begin.
Gloucestershire Health and New Forest of Dean Hospital Foundation Trust have submitted a full planning permission application, for a 24-bed hospital that is set to replace the existing Dilke Memorial Hospital and Lydney Hospital. The hospital is set to be completed by the summer of 2023.
Angela Potter, Director for Strategy and Partnerships at the Trust, said: “We are delighted that after so much hard work and preparation we are nearly ready to begin the planning and construction of a great new health facility for the Forest of Dean.
“We are committed to providing the best facilities we can for the people of the Forest, and to offer services with the best possible outcomes. A modern hospital will be a much-needed addition to the district for both residents and NHS staff.
New Chair for Derbyshire Trust
A new Chair has been announced Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and joins the Trust from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Selina Ullah, previously held the role of Non-Executive Director at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is also a board member of the Muslim Women’s Council.
Trust Chief Executive, Ifti Majid, is delighted to welcome Selina to Derbyshire, said: “Selina will be a huge asset to the Trust. She really impressed the recruitment panel with her passion for people and communities, and we saw how this commitment has led to her involvement in a wide variety of initiatives at a local, regional and national level.
“Selina has a wide range of experience from within both the NHS and local authority settings, including mental health services. She also has an in-depth knowledge of engaging diverse communities, and I am confident she will bring many strengths to our current expertise and commitment to inclusion for our staff and patients.”
