New research carried out by BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour has found that four out of five hospitals in England do not have enough maternity staff. Across the 99 Trusts that provided information, there was a total shortage of 561 midwives. The Royal College of Midwives have said that they […]

On the 4th March 2014 Unison completed its annual ‘staffing levels’ survey. Nearly 3000 nurses and midwives from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland took part in the survey which spot tests working conditions over a 24 hour period. Key Findings On the day of the survey: -48% of […]

BUPA have come under fire this week for ‘bribing’ their customers to use the NHS for complex operations. An anonymous cardiac patient showed a national newspaper a letter he received from the private health care giant offering him a ‘fixed sum amount’ if he decided to use the NHS. The […]

Last week Kettering Hospital made the news following a decision to withhold the findings of a ‘serious incident investigation’ after a 17 year girl passed away the day after an appendix operation. Victoria Harrison was admitted to the hospital with appendicitis in 2012. During surgery one of Victoria’s arteries was […]

New figures released last week have shown that in 2013 a total of 195,372 patients were moved between NHS hospital wards out of hours, a practise that senior doctors and patient groups say could further put the health of vulnerable people at risk. These ward transfers took place between the […]

During the first few days of this week, MPs debated whether or not Trust Special Administrators (TSAs) should be granted powers that would allow them to take over NHS Trusts in financial difficulties. A new clause in the Care Bill would see these TSAs able to make any ‘changes they […]