Gay rights campaigners have backed an NHS policy demanding that doctors and nurses start asking all patients from the age of 16 about their sexual orientation. NHS England has issued a new standard requiring staff to “record sexual orientation at every face to face contact with the patient, where no record of this data already exists”. It argues that the data is needed to ensure it meets its obligations under the 2010 Equality Act and will help it better tackle health problems that are more prevalent among lesbian, gay and bisexual people. These include sexually transmitted diseases, mental health problems, alcohol and drug dependency and social isolation in old age. Patients are not obliged to answer, but Conservative politicians including Jacob Rees-Mogg and the former children and families minister Tim Loughton have attacked the measure respectively as “intrusive and Orwellian” and “political correctness … gone bonkers”. The policy does not … [Read more...] about Gay rights activists welcome NHS questioning of patients over sexuality
NHS
GPs reassure patients facing questions over sexuality they won’t be judged
DOCTORS last night told patients facing questions over their sexuality: “Tell us if you’re gay — we won’t judge you.” Patients aged 16 and over will be asked if they are gay, straight or bisexual with their answers put on record under controversial rules coming in from 2019. But the move, championed by gay rights groups, was called “intrusive” and “political correctness gone bonkers” yesterday. It led Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, to reassure patients they will not be judged. She said: “It should always be a patient’s choice to disclose this information. “Any information they tell their GP is completely confidential and we are trained to have non-judgemental conversations about all issues that might affect their health and wellbeing.” But critics said the NHS had no place asking the question. Tim Loughton, a former children and families minister, said: … [Read more...] about GPs reassure patients facing questions over sexuality they won’t be judged
Hospitals in England to ban ‘super-size’ chocolate bars
Image copyright Science Photo Library "Super-sized" chocolate bars are to be banished from hospital shops, canteens and vending machines, NHS England says.Sweets and chocolate sold in hospitals should be 250 calories or under, the head of the body says.Under the plans, most "grab bags" will be banned - with hospitals given a cash boost for facilitating the change.The proposals would also see 75% of pre-packed sandwiches coming in at under 400 calories.Pre-packed savoury meals and sandwiches must also contain no more than 5g of saturated fat per 100g. 'Obesity epidemic'In April, NHS England said it would ban sugary drinks if hospital outlets did not cut down on the number they sell.Mr Stevens said the NHS was "stepping up" to combat an issue that was causing "an epidemic of obesity, preventable diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease and cancer"."In place of calorie-laden, sugary snacks we want to make … [Read more...] about Hospitals in England to ban ‘super-size’ chocolate bars
NHS set 250-calorie limit on chocolate bars in hospitals to help fight obesity
Super-sized chocolate bars will be banned in hospital shops and canteens as part of the latest drive against obesity, the head of NHS England has announced. Simon Stevens said there was a need to fight the “super-size snack culture” as he set a 250-calorie limit on sweets and chocolate sold in hospital canteens, shops and vending machines. This means that most larger packs of chocolate and “grab bags” of sweets will be taken off the shelves, with NHS hospitals given a cash boost if they facilitate the move. Hospital chiefs will need to ensure that 80% of items sold do not exceed the 250-calorie limit. In April, NHS England also said sugary drinks will be banned from hospital shops next year unless action is taken to cut their sales. Cans and bottles of sugary soft drinks are covered by that move, as well as sugary drinks made in NHS cafes and canteens such as coffees with sugar syrup. Other drinks affected are those with added sugar, including fruit juices with … [Read more...] about NHS set 250-calorie limit on chocolate bars in hospitals to help fight obesity
Young people’s unhealthy lifestyles means the NHS faces a ‘ticking time bomb’
THE NHS faces a ticking time bomb because today’s youngsters lead such unhealthy lifestyles, a report warns. Poor diets, smoking and a lack of exercise are leaving more teenagers at greater risk of lifelong ill-health, researchers say. But the health service is not set up to deal with them or the burden they will pose in the future. Child health expert Dr Rakhee Shah, who worked on the study, said: “These data show that we are witnessing a ticking young people’s health time bomb. “Although young people are frequent users of health services, they often seem invisible and their needs are often not met effectively.” The report, by the Association for Young People’s Health, identifies the late teens as the peak age for exposure to health risks with lifelong implications. Teenagers eat too much sugar, half have tooth decay and a fifth are obese. Almost all smokers start before 25. Six in ten chlamydia cases are in young adults and eating disorders are … [Read more...] about Young people’s unhealthy lifestyles means the NHS faces a ‘ticking time bomb’
MPs urge action on lengthy wait for autism diagnosis
Parents of children with suspected autism are having to wait at least 44 months for diagnoses, prompting a cross-party group of more than 140 MPs to write to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, demanding urgent action. The startling new figures, revealed in response to a freedom of information request, relate to children under the age of five who need a specialist autism assessment after being referred by a GP or other health professional. The request, submitted by a concerned member of the public, relates to an area of Teesside covered by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS foundation trust. But Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said that such “unacceptable” delays were a problem in many parts the country but varied hugely from one region to the next. Autism diagnosis is only the first step | Sally Bercow Read more “An autism diagnosis can be life-changing,” he said. “It can explain years of feeling different … [Read more...] about MPs urge action on lengthy wait for autism diagnosis
Share of European Union staff leaving NHS rises following Brexit
Image copyright sturti Image caption Experts say England does not yet produce enough home-grown staff for the NHS to meet requirements without workers from abroad The proportion of EU nationals leaving jobs in the NHS is rising, while the share of those joining is shrinking.The BBC analysed NHS Digital figures, which showed the trend in England over the past two-and-a-half years. Health experts say the UK's decision to leave the European Union in June 2016 was behind the trend.The Department of Health says new language requirements for EU nurses may have played a part.The analysis comes days after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the health system was "straining at the seams" and faced a "precarious" future, highlighting staff shortages and rising vacancy rates. What do the figures show?In … [Read more...] about Share of European Union staff leaving NHS rises following Brexit
No deal Brexit could place £500m a year added strain on NHS, health chiefs warn
A no deal Brexit could place up to a £500 million a year added strain on the NHS, health bosses have warned. A report backed by the NHS Confederation suggests that tens of thousands of British pensioners living in Europe could be forced to return home if the Government is unable to strike a deal with the EU to continue existing healthcare arrangements. It warns that patients could suffer dramatically if reciprocal rights to healthcare were scrapped because they could face huge medical bills if they fall ill while travelling abroad while the cost of travel insurance could prove prohibitive for people with existing conditions. Brussels and the UK are currently negotiating on what will happen to those rights after Britain’s point of withdrawal in March 2019. A report compiled by the Brexit Health Alliance suggests a no agreement outcome would potentially put the future of some 190,000 UK pensioners... … [Read more...] about No deal Brexit could place £500m a year added strain on NHS, health chiefs warn
NHS faces doctors’ rebellion over ‘intrusive’ sexual orientation question
The NHS faces a rebellion from doctors and nurses over new plans to ask patients “intrusive” questions about their sexual orientation. Healthcare professionals will refuse to quiz patients over whether or not they are gay despite proposals outlined by NHS England, the chairman of the College of Medicine has warned. Dr Michael Dixon, who has advised the government on clinical commissioning, fears GPs will worry that it could lead to a breakdown in long-standing relationships between them and their patients if they have to ask them if they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual or other. NHS England says it needs to record people's sexual orientation to fulfill legal duties under the Equality Act and that people do not have to answer if they do not wish to. But Dr Dixon, a GP of 35 years, said: “I think there will be some GPs that will say they simply don’t feel it’s part of their business to ask this question, and I’m sure there will be plenty that … [Read more...] about NHS faces doctors’ rebellion over ‘intrusive’ sexual orientation question
Children’s tsar savages NHS over ‘unacceptable’ mental health care
The children’s commissioner has launched a savage attack on the head of the NHS, accusing him of denigrating research that shows an “unacceptable” lack of children’s mental health provision. In a highly unusual move, Anne Longfield has published an open letter to Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, accusing him of ignoring young people’s experiences of the service and the frustrations of their parents. Laying out a list of grievances against him and his team, she also threatens to use the law to compel him to hand over data on waiting times for children’s mental health services. Longfield made the decision to go public with her complaints – published on the commissioner’s website – after Stevens rubbished many of the claims in her recent report into children’s mental health, an issue she identified as her top priority after consulting with children. “Many told me about their desperate attempts, sometimes … [Read more...] about Children’s tsar savages NHS over ‘unacceptable’ mental health care
NHS launch ban on ‘supersized’ chocolates and packets of crisps
NHS England will today announce the plan for food sold in canteens, shops and vending machines. Trusts that fail to comply face losing a share of £150million in extra funding. Health chiefs say they want to target “super-sized” snacks but the move could see chocolate, sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks outlawed in almost all hospitals in England. A standard 58 gram Mars bar contains 260 calories. Sugar is the new tobacco. Ban it Tam Fry Latest figures show more than half of 1.3 million NHS staff are overweight or obese. The diktat covers food and drink sold to staff, visitors and patients. The ban will come into force in April. Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: “A 250-calorie chocolate bar is a quite sufficient snack for anybody. Sugar is the new tobacco. Ban it.” Hospitals will have to ensure four … [Read more...] about NHS launch ban on ‘supersized’ chocolates and packets of crisps
Why exactly does the NHS need to know the details of my sexuality?
A spokesman for NHS England says that its proposal to question all patients about their sexuality “will have no impact on the care people receive”. If so, why ask it? Whenever one is questioned by the public authorities, one needs to ask oneself, “Which answer would they prefer?” In the US visa application form, for example, it says “Are you a member of a tribe or a clan?” Is the better answer “Yes”, because the US authorities have a politically correct tenderness for such peoples? Or is it “No”, because they are frightened you will try to smuggle in all your relations as well? In the case of sexuality, anyone over the age of 40 will remember a time when it could easily have been fatal to your career to admit homosexuality. Anyone of any age with any sense will note that it is a characteristic of authoritarian regimes to collect personal data and use it against citizens. In apartheid South... … [Read more...] about Why exactly does the NHS need to know the details of my sexuality?
Head of NHS attacked over ‘unacceptable’ mental health care
The chief executive of NHS England has been accused of disregarding research on the “unacceptable” lack of children’s mental health provision. In an extraordinary public spat between officials at the top of the country's care system, children's commissioner Anne Longfield listed a range of complaints in an open letter to the head of NHS England Simon Stevens. Ms Longfield noted a recent report on children's mental health provision in England - something she said was a top priority - and accused Mr Stevens of "denigrating" work on the issue. Ms Longfield also threatened to use the law to force Mr Stevens to hand over relevant data on waiting times for children’s mental health services, after the report found that only 20 to 25 per cent of children with mental health conditions received helped last year. “Many told me about their desperate attempts, sometimes lasting years, to access support, and … [Read more...] about Head of NHS attacked over ‘unacceptable’ mental health care
Patients forced to declare their sexuality to GPs as NHS bows to pressure
DOCTORS and nurses will be told to ask patients over the age of 16 if they are gay, bisexual or straight under new NHS rules. No one has to answer the question if they don't wish to and answers will be recorded to ensure "no patient is discriminated against". But the move has been blasted by MPs as an "Orwellian" invasion of privacy. Former Labour Minister Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley and Broughton, told the Mail on Sunday: "Unless it’s related to your health, your sexuality is not the NHS’s business." And Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "It sounds intrusive and Orwellian." A spokesperson for the NHS said: "All health bodies and local authorities with responsibility for adult social care are required under the Equality Act to ensure that no patient is discriminated against." They added: "This information standard is designed to help NHS bodies be compliant with the law by collecting, only where relevant, personal details of patients such as race, sex and … [Read more...] about Patients forced to declare their sexuality to GPs as NHS bows to pressure
Patients in England to be quizzed over their sexuality
Family doctors, nurses and other medical staff in England will be able to quiz patients on their sexual orientation under government plans. People over the age of 16 visiting their local GP or hospital may be asked to confirm whether they are straight, gay, bisexual or other from 2019. The NHS guidance apparently asks medical professionals to keep a record of the patient’s answer during face-to-face consultations. The health service said the move was to keep in line with equality legislation to ensure those who do not identify as heterosexual are treated fairly. Individual NHS trusts will decide whether to opt out of the move, and patients will not be forced to answer. An NHS England spokesman said: “All health bodies and local authorities with responsibility for adult social care are required under the Equality Act to ensure that no patient is discriminated against. “This information standard is designed to help NHS bodies be compliant with the law by consisting … [Read more...] about Patients in England to be quizzed over their sexuality
Patients visiting NHS will have to say if they are GAY under ‘Orwellian’ new plans
As of April 2019, anyone aged over 16 will have to say whether they are gay, straight or bisexual.NHS England refused to give details about how the information will be collected and there are fears that patients may be quizzed by GPs, nurses or even receptionists.Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “It sounds intrusive and Orwellian.”Health chiefs say NHS organisations and councils must ask so they can create better data on gay and bisexual people’s health in England.Gay rights groups have warned that failing to do so could break the Equality Act 2010.An official NHS directive published last week said sexual orientation monitoring should take place “at every face-to-face contact with the patient, where no record of this data exists”.The instructions suggest patients could be asked the personal question frequently if the records are not properly shared between different parts of the NHS.There are also fears about the … [Read more...] about Patients visiting NHS will have to say if they are GAY under ‘Orwellian’ new plans
NHS patients to be asked about sexuality
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption NHS England advises sexuality is recorded during "face to face contact" with patients Health professionals in England are to be told to ask patients aged 16 or over about their sexual orientation, under new NHS guidelines.NHS England said no-one would be forced to answer the question but recording the data would ensure that "no patient is discriminated against".The guidance applies to doctors and nurses, as well as local councils responsible for adult social care.A spokeswoman said: "It will have no impact on the care [people] receive."She added: "All health bodies and local authorities with responsibility for adult social care are required under the Equality Act to ensure that no patient is discriminated against." She said the information would help NHS … [Read more...] about NHS patients to be asked about sexuality
NHS doctors to be FORCED to ask patients their sexual preference
The measure is outlined in a new NHS document for all hospital trusts and local health authorities, doctors and healthcare professionals. A refusal to reveal sexuality will also become part of the patient’s record. But the news has angered many MPs and health campaigners who say the question is unnecessary and an invasion of privacy. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “I am very concerned about why this information is required. Under equality laws we’re all entitled to the same NHS and social care provision regardless of sexuality so why do they need to know it? And if people refuse to disclose it they will have a black mark on their record.” The NHS should be trying to get people better not delving into their private life David Davies Fellow Tory MP David Davies said: “The NHS should be trying to get people better not delving into their … [Read more...] about NHS doctors to be FORCED to ask patients their sexual preference
GPs to quiz patients on sexual orientation under NHS plans
Family doctors, nurses and other medical staff will be able to quiz patients on their sexual orientation under new Government plans. Service users over the age of 16 visiting their local GP or hospital may be asked to confirm whether they are straight, gay, bisexual or other from 2019. The NHS guidance apparently asks medical professionals to keep a record of the patient's answer during face-to-face consultations. The health service said the move was to keep in line with equality legislation to ensure those who do not identify as heterosexual are treated fairly. Individual NHS trusts will decide whether to opt out of the move, and patients will not be forced to answer. An NHS England spokesman said: "All health bodies and local authorities with responsibility for adult social care are required under the Equality Act to ensure that no patient is discriminated against. "This information standard is designed to help NHS bodies be compliant with the law by consisting collecting, only … [Read more...] about GPs to quiz patients on sexual orientation under NHS plans
Flu jabs to be free for ‘high-risk’ obese patients as hospitals fear outbreak
FATTIES will be given free flu jabs for the first time after medics made them a high-risk group. The move sees around a million morbidly obese adults qualify for vaccinations. Asthmatics, diabetics and the elderly are also eligible under Public Health England rules. NHS bosses fear hospitals will be inundated with flu cases in the coming weeks. It comes after Australia and New Zealand suffered their worst outbreak in 50 years. The seriously overweight are eligible as their immune system is weaker. The group, made up of those with a body mass index of over 40, make up four per cent of women and two per cent of men aged 16-64. It is estimated about half these people would have been given the flu jab for free previously for other health conditions. Those ineligible can pay a fiver for the jab at Asda or £12.99 at Boots. Free vaccines will also be available to those who work in care homes and to nearly 700,000 eight and nine-year-olds. NHS medics must give their line manager a reason … [Read more...] about Flu jabs to be free for ‘high-risk’ obese patients as hospitals fear outbreak
