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Leading North West
doctor welcomes new medical apps guidance
A leading North West doctor has
welcomed new guidance on healthcare mobile apps, the 1st time a document has
laid out the steps necessary to commission, develop and acquire a medical
app in the UK.
There are now more than 100,000 apps for healthcare in a rapidly growing
market based on the increasing use of smartphones, tablets and wearable
devices.
Guidance on which health apps to use has been sponsored by the North West
Coast Academic Health Science Network, who are an agency for innovation in
healthcare.
This guidance has lead to an app, which calculates burn area percentages,
helping to accurately prescribe treatment, becoming the 1st app to be
recognised as a medical device, called:- 'Mersey Burns.'
Mr Pritchard Jones, who is a Consultant in Burns and Plastics at St Helens
and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust worked with a former Army medic to
produce the multi award winning:- 'Mersey Burns app.'
Mr Rowan Pritchard Jones said that he thinks the guidance would be welcomed
by all busy health staff looking for ways to improve efficiency:-
"There is a lot of digital innovation in the North West and there's a lot we
can do with apps to support patient care. But we have to know that it is
keeping patient data secure and reinforcing good habits in information
governance. We need to be driving good practice. Also, clinicians need to be
at the heart of developments to make sure new apps remain clinically
relevant to patient care. If it is created for the NHS by the NHS then they
are likely to be good."
Declan Hadley, Digital Health Lead for the North West Coast Academic Health
Science Network, said:- "Apps are going to be an increasing part of
patient care in the future. This guidance will provide patients with the
opportunity to be more active participants in their health and wellbeing.
The guidance is an important part in the process to ensuring the apps we use
are developed in partnership with patients and clinicians and are safe and
secure."
The work was carried out in response to detailed research by Charles Lowe,
Managing Director of Digital Health and Care Alliance, into the reasons why
medical apps were not being recommended to patients by clinicians. Mr Lowe
told us that:- "The main reason for this was lack of confidence in the
efficacy of medical apps, underlined by the absence of any NICE guidance on
the topic. A further issue is the uncertainty and doubt among app developers
and commissioners as to the steps necessary to commission and develop
medical apps in line with the many different regulatory considerations.
Although most developers were aware of medical device legislation, the
research revealed that many were unaware of the personal data privacy
regulations, or of the need to have evidence of efficacy, before advertising
health related benefits."
The guidance now for both clinicians and patients to check before they
download, was compiled by the Digital Health and Care Alliance (DHACA.Org.UK).
It is now available
online or you can also download the
guidance from our site by clicking on
here...
National Health Singers
sing for survival of the NHS
AS plans for Junior Doctor Strikes
announced, despite ongoing talks between the UK Government and junior
doctors around proposed changes to contracts, the British Medical
Association (BMA) have announced firm plans for Industrial Action; following
the breakdown of negotiations with NHS Employers and the Department of
Health.
At a time when the National Health Service is under immense pressure, a body
of more than 37,000 Junior Doctors are taking a stand to save the NHS. A
National Choir of NHS Junior Doctors has released an anthem called:-
'NHS Yours' in order to raise awareness of the importance of the NHS
and to capture the hearts and minds of the public.
The aim of this choir is simple; to demonstrate the importance of ensuring
Junior Doctor contracts are just and fair, so that these Doctors can work to
their very best ability and provide the very best of care to patients; a job
that is fundamental in keeping the NHS operational.
The NHS Singers Choir was borne out of a desire to deliver this message
through the power of song. Originally established by 2 Junior Doctors, in
London, in conjunction with choir conductor Mark De-Lisser (The Voice, The
Naked Choir), the choir has now expanded to include several national choirs.
The BMA's decision today to impose industrial action demonstrates the
strength of feeling amongst the profession and the NHS Singers will continue
to belt out their anthem in support.
Julia Patterson, Co-Founder of the Choir, comments:- "As a body of
junior doctors we don't want to strike. We want a contract that is fair for
Doctors and safe for patients, and a contract that will enable the future of
the NHS for the millions of people whose lives have been changed because of
it. We founded our Choir and wrote this song in support of the NHS and its
Junior Doctors. We stand united as a profession, and we have a message that
needs to be heard. If you love the NHS, want your healthcare at its best,
then don't sit quietly, stand up and sing with me. 'Yours' by the National
Health Singers..."
Man arrested following a
dangerous driving incident in Bootle
MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed
that a 20 year old man, from Bootle, was arrested on, 8 January 2016, on
suspicion of dangerous driving following an incident in Bootle, where an off
road bike was driven erratically. Officers the day before, on Thursday, 7
January 2016, at around 1pm, had received reports of an off road bike being
driven erratically in Bootle Town Centre and through Bootle Strand Shopping
Centre. Patrols attended and the Police Helicopter was then used to monitor
the bike. The bike was then driven erratically and at speed, towards
Liverpool City Centre before it was dumped at the bottom of the steps in St
John's Precinct. The rider then ran off into St John's Shopping Centre
towards St George's Hall. Officers conducted a search of the area, but at
the time, they the man could not been traced. The bike was recovered and
then forensically examined, along with CCTV from the area. Inspector Ian
Jones said:- "This was completely reckless act and the driver was not
only taking his own life in his hands, but also putting innocent members of
the public at risk. Anyone who takes to the roads illegally and poses a
danger to pedestrians and other motorists, risks losing their license, their
vehicle and may face a prison sentence. I would ask anyone who has any
information about it, to contact us or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111." |
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20 year vision for the
Mersey Ferries has been endorsed
THE Merseytravel Committee, on
Thursday, 7 January 2016, endorsed a 20 year vision for the Mersey Ferries
that aims to secure their future for generations to come.
In supporting the strategy, Members have given the green light to a
framework which outlines key decisions that will need to be taken over the
next 2 decades; with a number expected to come back to the Committee during
2016; so Merseytravel can plan and invest in the ferries operations, matched
to long term ambitions.
The strategy is centred around bringing down the cost of the Mersey Ferries
to the public purse, while building on their commercial potential, ensuring
they are sustainable well into the future. It suggests a focus on growing
the local leisure market and highlights some far reaching proposals.
Proposals include the procurement of at least 1 new vessel, better suited to
the needs of the leisure and event market; a review of the terminals with a
potential reduction in number and a later start to the commuter service to
allow the ferry to be docked overnight to significantly reduce operational
costs.
Members were asked to approve the Mersey Ferries strategy subject to a
review at least every three years and to request Officers to bring back
proposals identified in the strategy to future meetings with detailed
evidence to support each approach, so informed decisions can be taken.
Members have not, at this stage taken any decisions on individual elements
outlined in the strategy.
During the meeting a motion was put forward by Cllr. Liam Robinson, and
seconded Cllr. Steve Foulkes, for an additional recommendation for Officers
to investigate options to continue a 3 terminal ferry service. This was also
approved by Members.
While their public subsidy for operational costs has been reduced by around
£1m over the past 4 years through such measures as taking The Royal Daffodil
out of service and increasing leisure sailings, the Mersey Ferries still
have to be subsidised by around £1.5m a year for day to day costs.
In addition, an average of around just under £2.5m a year of public money
has been spent on capital programmes over the past 6 years, that included
investment in maintaining the current Vessels and a new Pier Head Landing
Stage.
These costs are despite them being the most popular paid for attraction on
Merseyside.
The Mersey Ferries were also named:- 'Ferry Operator of the Year'
at the
National Transport Awards back in October 2015, recognising the success of
the 'Dazzle Ferry' initiative and the work that has gone into
making them a more efficient operation, whilst continuing to get customers
on board.
The strategy recognises that fundamental changes are needed to tackle
increasing costs and the challenges that come with an aging fleet; now
approaching 60 years of age and to go some way to reversing the trend of
falling passenger numbers.
Over a number of decades the market has changed from a buoyant cross river 1
to 1 focussed on leisure sailings, as people choose the Mersey Tunnels or
the Merseyrail service to 'short hop' across the water.
It is intended that the strategy will be reviewed every 2 or 3 years to
ensure that it remains current and takes into accounts developments and
potential opportunities in the wider Liverpool City Region (Merseyside) such
as Wirral and Liverpool Waters.
Said Cllr. Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel:- "The Mersey Ferries
are an iconic symbol of our City Region (Merseyside) and it is right and
proper that we, as their passionate guardians, take a long term view of what
we need to do to keep them on the water for all to enjoy for generations to
come. We have to balance the need for efficiency to the public purse with
their wider economic potential. This is what people would expect of us.
Approving the strategy now means we have a framework that sets out the
decisions that we as Merseytravel Committee Members will need to take. We
are clear that we want all the relevant evidence and detail to take those
decisions. We will also take into account views and feedback received. This
is already reflected in the additional recommendation, put forward and
approved by Members, to request Officers to look into options to maintain a
3 terminal service. The potential for new vessels purpose built for a
leisure market and more frequent sightseeing sailings in summer months would
take the ferries in a new sustainable direction and 1 that could support and
capitalise on new developments and investment along the water front. What we
definitely can't do is live in the past; the Mersey Ferries market has
changed dramatically from their 'short hop' hey day in the 1st part of the
20th Century to the leisure market, that really took over from the 1980's as
other cross river transport options gained in popularity. In endorsing the
strategy we are clear that it is not a static document, but 1 that will
respond to changes, developments and investment in the City region, so we
can offer a ferry service that meets demand."
Some of the key recommendations within the strategy:-
► An overall focus on building and growing the Mersey Ferries' leisure
market, not least as demand for cross river services continues to decline
and the number of leisure passengers goes up.
► Moving towards a new fleet of Vessels, recognising that the current
Vessels are over 50 years old and that introducing new ones would support a
reduction in operational costs. New vessels would also mean that we could
better cater for the leisure market. The existing ferries were built for
largely 'short hop', cross river journeys. It is hoped that the names of the
Vessels can be retained as part of this arrangement.
► Recognising the major investment needed in the terminals and landing
stages over the next 5 years and targeting that investment into 2 terminals
with the potential closure of the other.
► Considering retaining 1 of the existing vessels and operating it in the
Manchester Ship Canal only; therefore offering canal style cruises that are
not tide dependent outside of peak times.
► Considering changes to the commuter service which would remove the need to
have the Vessel on the river overnight; including starting later.
► Looking to increase our presence on the river with a second vessel during
peak times such as School holidays. Moving from an hourly river explorer to
maybe every 30 minutes.
The full report can be read
online now.
We would like to know what your views are on this matter, so please do send
us your views to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
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