Northern Ireland’s health service is expected to face a £600m budget shortfall, after the health minister committed to delivering a pay rise for nurses this year. Mike Nesbitt warned that financial planning would be “unprecedented” in scale and would involve “extremely difficult and painful” savings measures for Health and Social Care (HSC) trusts. “I do not want health service staff to be demoralised by inaction and another year of uncertainty on pay” Mike Nesbitt However, he further warned that by not implementing this year’s pay deal, there would be “substantial risks” for the health service including the threat of strike…
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A new study hopes to shine a light on the issue of domestic abuse against nurses and midwives. The study, led by independent researcher Dr Alison Gregory and funded by the RCN Foundation, aims to understand the extent of the problem – and what support staff need. “It saddens me that anyone experiencing domestic abuse is unable to get the support they so desperately need” Alison Gregory According to the RCN Foundation, nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic abuse, compared to the general population. Deepa Korea, director of the foundation, said that…
Less than a quarter of single and partner households age 75 and older can afford daily visits from their home health aides. A new paper published by Harvard University's Center for Housing Research shows that certain populations, including renters, people of color and people with functional difficulties, are even less likely to be able to afford care. “The majority of seniors need long-term care (LTC) services at some point in their lives, such as helping them dress, bathe, or manage complex drug therapy,” said Jennifer Morinski, director of the Senior Association program and one of the authors of the paper,…
Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) reported significant restructuring costs for the first quarter. This reviewed the healthcare business, which has experienced slower performance than expected in the home care sector. The company spent $109 million in the first quarter on restructuring costs, according to its revenue report. Costs were primarily related to asset disability. According to Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, the company has expanded its home care business in recent years, but recently encountered complications with the segment. “The business we call active aging, our lively business, or part of care in our home business, remains a very viable business…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to extend its global strategy that advises governments across the world on priorities for nursing and midwifery. Earlier this week, the WHO held its 78th World Health Assembly, at which all 194 member states came together to debate agenda items and adopt resolutions on key issues related to health. One of the resolutions passed was to extend the WHO’s Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025. It includes recommendations for international governments on how to improve the provision of nursing and midwifery care and how to bolster the workforce. The strategy is divided into four…
A long-standing leader at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has been appointed as its new executive director of strategy and insight. Emma Westcott, who has worked at the NMC since 2011, had already been acting in the role since February 2025 but will now take on the position substantively. “Emma is a much-respected colleague who will bring crucial organisational memory to our executive board” Paul Rees She stepped up to acting executive director of strategy and insight following the early departure of Kuljit Dhillon, who had been in the position on an interim basis. Seconded from the General Medical…
This article is part of the HHCN+ membership Home care is the most preferred option for patients with progressive diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the substantial costs associated with treatment and funding issues can be a barrier to care for these patients. Home care providers can take a holistic approach to care, diversify their service lines and apply for grants, providing important home services to this patient population while protecting revenue. “Simply put, ALS patients are the most comfortable at home,” Bill Shields, caregiver at Maxim Healthcare Services, told Home Health Care News. “They are in a…
Nursing academics at Cardiff University are no longer being threatened with redundancy, the university has confirmed. Earlier this month, university vice-chancellor and president Professor Wendy Larner emailed staff an update on the university’s Our Academic Future consultation. “These proposals should never have been made whilst the future of health care in Wales hangs in the balance” Helen Whyley This consultation, which closed on 6 May, was launched in January and initially included plans to cut more than 400 full-time equivalent (FTE) academic staffing posts, close some of its courses and merge schools, in order to reduce costs. It included deep…
Very few nurses in Scotland think that staffing is adequate to properly meet the requirements of the country’s safe staffing laws, according to new research. The study, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and Edinburgh Napier University, has uncovered the challenges facing Scottish health boards in implementing the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act. “The act’s overarching goal of ensuring safe staffing is not being met at the point of implementation” Eileen Lake The landmark legislation came into force in April 2024, following five years of delays, and has set out requirements for safe staffing levels across…
Home care groups have come together to express their support for the Older Americans Act (OAA) and warn Congress that disrupting the OAA could leave elderly people without compromising home care. On May 22, more than 50 healthcare providers and advocacy groups, including Addus HomeCare, the national alliance of National Caregiving and Leading Wayge, wrote to Congress to highlight the meaning of “splitting” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the OAA. “I joined Leadingage in favor of the OAA, taking into account the restructuring of the HHS, including the demolition of the OAA Living (ACL), and taking…