As we begin to guess what the changing face of the NHS will look like in 2018, take a look back at our top read features from last year.
1 - HB Top 10: Mental health services (21 April 2017)
At the start of the year, Prime Minister Theresa May promised to ‘transform the way we deal with mental health problems right across society’. The comment came as it emerged that one in four of us will develop a mental health problem at some point in our lives and in a climate where mental health care is facing a multitude obstacles, ranging from a lack of local support, failure to follow up after being discharged, and not forgetting a wider shortage of trained health professionals.
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place 8-14 May, Health Business looks to document a top 10 list of mental health trusts which have been working particularly hard to improve the services they provide to mentally ill patients.
2 - Preventing the preventable, simple steps to stay well this winter (17 October 2017)
The Infection Prevention Society elaborates on why effective hand washing, as well as a few other simple measures, can make all the difference in preventing winter infections.
3 - HB Top 10: achieving high in A&E services (9 June 2017)
In January this year, the National Audit Office (NAO) cautioned that emergency hospital staff were finding it increasingly difficult to cope amid unprecedented, rising demand, the recruitment crisis and wider NHS pressures.
With news that the majority of NHS A&E departments are failing to meet four hour waiting time targets and research showing significant variation across trusts, Health Business takes a closer look at those departments which are performing best
4 - Designing a better ageing experience (10 February 2017)
Chris Finnegan, communications manager at the Design Council, explains how an innovative new partnership between health and social care leaders, social entrepreneurs and the public could relieve pressure on stretched services and improve the experience of later life for everyone
5 - HB Top 10: pursuing paperless (6 October 2017)
There is no doubt that better use of data and technology can be an overwhelmingly positive move for the NHS, and is therefore unsurprising that the Department of Health and NHS England have been so keen to limit the amount of paperwork and increase the dependency on technology within UK hospitals.
When NHS England announced its ambition to be paper free at the point of care by 2020 it highlighted the potential of full digitisation to generate billions of savings, essential to keeping the health service sustainable. In our penultimate Top 10 list of 2017, Health Business recognises the UK trusts that are leading the pack in pursuing paperless ambitions
6 - Making STPs deliver in 2017 (25 January 2017)
Recently it feels like the state of NHS finance is reported on everyday with many negative messages dominating the headlines. With so many reports it can be very difficult to keep sight of what the real problems are and how to solve them.
Paul Briddock, Director of Policy at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), discusses sustainability and transformation plans (STPs)
7 - An apps library for a digital NHS (11 July 2017)
There has never been a better opportunity for people to take control of their own health and well-being through the use of digital technology. Rachel Murphy, digital delivery director of NHS.uk, writes exclusively for Health Business magazine on ambitious NHS plans to harness the power of digital healthcare apps
8 - Making changes for the better (19 June 2017)
There are very few certainties in life, but, in the public sector, there is one thing we can be certain of: work is changing. With the government’s digital agenda and the prevalence of flexible working, new ways of working are becoming the norm. Running in parallel to this, there is an increasing number of cases of poor mental health at work.
Recent Acas research sheds light on how changes to our working environment can have an impact on our mental health. Rachel Pinto, Senior Research Officer at Acas, examines what employers can do to improve the mental health and well-being of their staff, especially during times of change.
9 - Scan4Safety - one year of progress (14 February 2017)
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Scan4Safety is a world first in healthcare – and a vital part of this government's drive to make the NHS the safest and most transparent healthcare system in the world.”
Glen Hodgson, head of Healthcare at GS1 UK, discusses the progress of the Scan4Safety project one year on and the benefits of being able to quickly and easily track each patient through their hospital journey
10 - Diagnosing the future health of apps (13 June 2017)
Advanced technology is taking a bigger role in healthcare than ever before, looking to alleviate some of the burdens on our health systems and provide greater support for our well-being. Keiron Shepherd, senior security specialist at F5 Networks, discusses how healthcare will improve alongside the development of apps.
