Class divide in health widens, says thinktank

King's Fund thinktank finds those with no qualifications are five times more likely to smoke, drink, and neglect diet and exercise.

The stark social class divide in health is widening as better-off people increasingly shun damaging habits such as smoking and eating badly but poorer people do not, authoritative new research reveals.
The number of people in England who risk their health by engaging in "multiple lifestyle behaviours" such as smoking, drinking too much and physical inactivity is falling, according to a study by the influential King's Fund health thinktank, shown to the Guardian.

But it is middle-class people who are driving the trend, while the most disadvantaged remain stuck in a cycle of risky behaviour which increases their chances of developing a range of serious illnesses and will put "unavoidable pressure" on an already hard-pressed NHS, it says.

The study covered 2003-08, a period in which the Labour government embarked on a massive campaign to persuade people to live healthier lives.

Free health check gives peace of mind

ONCE you reach 40 years old, you are at greater risk of suffering from diabetes, heart and kidney diseases and a stroke.

That is why doctors' surgeries are contacting patients between the ages of 40 and 74 years old, every five years, urging them to pop in for a free health check.

health check: As part of National Heart Month, The Ashwood Surgery, on Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, held a drop-in session offering advice for patients. Practice nurse Gillian Roberts and health trainer Wayne Gould were there to help. Picture: Jon Corken

NHS Health Check – as it is known – aims to offer life-extending advice before people develop chronic illnesses.

Phillipa Hobson, programme co-ordinator for NHS Health Check, said: "There was a nationwide survey done which showed that people are at a much greater risk of developing a number of diseases when they are above 40 years old."

A special coffee morning was held at the Ashwood Surgery, on Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, offering patients the chance to have their health checked.

NHS cancer figures contradict David Cameron and Andrew Lansley's claims

The prime minister and health secretary have criticised the NHS on cancer, but new figures suggest the service is a world leader

Denis Campbell, health correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Monday 7 November 2011 18.48 GMT

Andrew Lansley and David Cameron, who have used criticisms of the NHS record on cancer to justify a planned shakeup. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/PA

David Cameron and Andrew Lansley's repeated criticisms of the NHS's record on cancer have been contradicted by new research that shows the health service to be an international leader in tackling the disease.

LINks members and The Productive Ward work together to improve patient care

LINks groups and the Productive Care national QIPP (Quality Innovation, Productivity and Prevention) workstream have been working together to improve the quality of care for patients.  

We have jointly developed a new publication for LINks members that provides valuable information about the Productive Ward (also known as the Releasing time to care) programme, the benefits that the programme is bringing to patient safety and a set of powerful actions that LINks members can take to ensure these benefits are happening in their local trusts.

'We need to alter health behaviour'

"YOUR NHS needs you."

That is the message from doctors in North East Lincolnshire as they urge people to live healthier lives to lessen the financial burden bad habits have on the local NHS.

 

 


The North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, which will be replaced by the North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), must make up to £22 million in savings by 2014.

More area GPs launch pathfinder

ANOTHER group of GPs in Lincolnshire has been announced as pathfinders for a major NHS reform.

Skegness And Coast consortium will join three other pathfinders to help test how well GPs respond to their new care commissioning role after Primary Care Trusts were scrapped.

The group will be taking on commissioning responsibilities as part of the Government's plans set out in the NHS White Paper, Liberating The NHS: Equity And Excellence.

Dr Noel O'Kelly, a member of the Skegness And Coast consortium, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for our consortium to test national policies and influence how health services will develop for the future."

Fleur Taylor, assistant director for practice-based commissioning for NHS Lincolnshire, said: "These GPs will be at the cutting edge of the NHS reforms that will see GPs responsible for the budgets of their local population."
Clusters of GPs at Lincolnshire West, East Lindsey and Wellcomm were previously announced as national pathfinders in January.

Health and Social Care Bill

Health and Social Care Bill

For some more information on the Health and Social Care Bill, please see the link below: Health and Social Care Bill

 

Agony aunt and campaigner Claire Rayner dies at 79

Agony aunt and campaigner Claire Rayner dies at 79

A look back at the life of Claire Rayner

Tributes have been paid to agony aunt Claire Rayner, who has died at the age of 79. She told her relatives she wanted her last words to be: "Tell David Cameron that if he screws up my beloved NHS I'll come back and bloody haunt him."