Norovirus outbreak: what to do if you feel ill
The Health Protection Agency has issued guidance on what to do if you think you have norovirus.
Hospital lifts cap on parking charges
Coventry University Hospital has lifted the £150 cap on car parking charges meaning patients with chronic conditions could pay more.
Man on motorway struck by car
A 29-year-old man suffered head and internal injuries after being hit by a car on the M69 motorway in Warwickshire.
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MPs criticise Peterborough hospital build
The decision to build a hospital in Peterborough using borrowed funds, while paying a private company to run a second hospital nearby, has been criticised by a group of MPs.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee says that both hospitals now have uncertain financial futures.
Leicestershire hospital produces video to improve patient experience
A short film has been produced by patients, volunteers and staff at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust in order to help improve patients’ experiences when they visit the hospital.
The film, which is the first of its kind in Europe, uses a simple theme ‘You are the patient experience’.
It has also been adopted by hospitals in Australia and the United States.
View the video below:
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Snow disruption at UHNS
University Hospital of North Staffordshire is cancelling routine appointments and some services because of the heavy snow. Attempts are being made to keep the City General site operational. Relatives are asked to continue to collect patients who are being discharged.
If you have a concern, please contact the relevant department on your appointment letter or visit www.uhns.nhs.uk for department numbers.
Prince Charles calls for 'human kindness' in NHS
The Prince of Wales has made a direct plea to doctors and nurses to listen to their patients and to show them “human kindness” following reports of patient neglect at a hospital in Worcestershire.
In an article in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, the prince said the industry must "listen and honour what is being said and not said by patients".
He added that a health service's vision should acknowledge "physical and social environment, education, agriculture and architecture".
'Catalogue of hospital failings' uncovered by legal action
A catalogue of failings uncovered by the mass legal action is one of the worst ever exposed at an NHS hospital, The Sunday Telegraph reported. It included:
- A former nurse whose son said she died after being left unwashed for 11 weeks.
- A 35-year-old father-of-four whose family told how he wasted away.
- A pensioner who was left screaming in pain when his ribs were broken.
- A man who could not feed himself.
- A great-grandmother left permanently unable to walk.
The hospital has paid out £410,000 in 38 separate cases, with the largest settlement at £22,500.
Most are of about £10,000 for each family for the appalling conditions endured by patients from 2002 to November 2011.
Health Secretary "disgusted and appalled" at patient neglect
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he is "disgusted and appalled" at reports of patient neglect at a hospital in Worcestershire. The worst instance of mistreatment at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch was a patient starved to death, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
– Health Secretary Jeremy HuntI am disgusted and appalled to read these accounts of what patients and their relatives went through.
These are examples of the sort of 'care' that should simply not happen in the NHS and there is no excuse for them.
We will be keeping a careful eye on this situation, and will take further action if necessary.
The health trust concerned is writing to 38 families and is to admit its failings in each case, the newspaper said. In a statement, the trust issued an apology over its "shortcomings".
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Northampton Saints spread Christmas cheer at hospital
Northampton Saints players have been out on the rounds of a hospital ward to help spread some Christmas cheer. The team face Harlequins in the Premiership tomorrow, but they took time out from preparing for that clash to see patients on the children's ward at Northampton General Hospital.
They came bearing lots of gifts for those who won't be spending Christmas at home. Saints say they're expecting a tough game tomorrow.
Norovirus outbreak: what to do if you feel ill
The Health Protection Agency has issued guidance on what to do if you think you have norovirus.
Read the full storyBirmingham City Hospital hope virus-hit ward will reopen today
Staff at Birmingham City Hospital hope that one of the four wards closed after an outbreak of Norovirus will reopen today.
The remaining wards should open by the end of next week, with visitors allowed back at the same time.
Number of wards affected by Norovirus in the West Midlands
Between the 3rd and 4th December this is the number of wards closed due to the virus.
Number of wards closed (and wards affected in brackets)
Birmingham: 5 (5)
Black Country: 3 (11)
Staffordshire: 13 (14)
Arden: 5 (8)
West Mercia: 5 (11)
West Midlands: 31 (49)
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