LaingBuisson Newsletter Archives

The Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN)) has permission from the Department of Health to collate information about patient mortality between private and NHS hospitals. Working with statistical information from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) the exercise will look at figures of patients treated in private hospitals who are then re-admitted to NHS ones. The information termed Section 251 information references Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 which re-enacted Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. The terms Section 60 and Section 251, when used in relation to use of patient information, therefore refer to the same powers. These powers allow the Secretary of State for Health to make regulations to set aside the common law duty of confidentiality for medical purposes where it is not possible to use anonymised information and where seeking individual consent is not practicable. Matt James, chief executive of PHIN says there should be some meaningful information by September and if so it is hoped that the collation of such information will become a regular exercise from next year. It could also be the case that patient permission forms could include a request for such information to be cross referenced.

ID Medical Group, the specialist staff recruitment agency, saw growth for the year ending 31 December 2012 and reported increased turnover and profits.

HMn talks to Dominic Dalli, partner at private equity firm Sovereign Capital, who about how private equity can work with the health care sector to improve services

The Lister Hospital in London has opened a unit, called The Unit, providing comprehensive acute emergency and elective care under a teaching hospital structure and governance standards’.

Rig Medical Recruit, the radiographer and occupational therapist arm of Recruitment Investment Group, saw turnover for the period 31 December 2012 increase slightly to £14.9m (2011: £14.5m). Cost of sales rose to £12.4m (2011: £11.9m) and distribution costs and administrative expenses were £587,000 and £1.9m (2011: £523,000 and £2.1m) respectively. Other operating income of £31,000 and interest charges of £18,000 (2011: £18,000) led to a profit on ordinary activities before taxation of £123,000 (2011: £21,000).

Trustervecentre Software, a healthcare focused consultancy and software development organisation, has had its dementia assessment solution adopted by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).

A study by the Saïd Business School at Oxford University showed last month that care networks are poorly linked and this can lead to poor care for older patients. The school’s Professor Louise Fitzgerald, co-author of a new book on managing networks in healthcare, warned that lack of effective coordination between clinicians, managers and officials is damaging the government’s ability to deliver its goal of fair, high quality, integrated health and social care services for elderly people.’

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is to use her legal powers to conduct a review into the quality of life and care of elderly people living in care homes in the principality. Taking on board the views of older peoples, their families and care workers, Sarah Rochira hopes to assess the quality of life in residential facilities. The commissioner and her team also plan to consult with providers, local authorities, local health boards, regulators and inspectors. Ms Rochira said: I have visited many care homes and I have seen for myself much good practice across Wales, but I have spoken many times about my concerns that this is not consistent and that we are not getting it right for everyone. We must remember that a person’s home is so much more than bricks and mortar, it is where you should feel and be safe, well cared for and happy.’

Care UK has taken charge of offender health services at HMP Isle of Wight. The contract sees Care UK take responsibility for the delivery of GP-services and primary care, mental health, pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry and podiatry services at both the Albany and Parkhurst facilities.

The Retreat York, the Quaker owned charity whose object is to provide care and relief to sufferers from mental illness, increased its income to £12.4m for the year ended 31 December 2012 from £11.2m the previous year. Total resources expended were £10.2m (2011: £9.8m) leaving, after net income of £448,000 (2011: £591,000), net incoming resources of £2.6m (2011: £1.9m). Gains on investment of £27,000 (2011: loss of £48,000), unrealised gains on investments of £563,000 (2011: £683,000) and an actuarial gain on the defined benefit pension scheme (2011: loss of £1.9m) led to a net movement in funds of £3.8m (2011: £654,000).