text:
Health Service Journal
Helen Mooney
Innovation doesn't work in isolation so reach out to staff and patients
8-Aug-2014The NHS must grasp why good ideas and successful pilots fail to spread across the country
What you need to know about the first emergency-only hospital
23-Apr-2014The idea of major emergency care hospitals is not new, but it is definitely a shift for the NHS
The kids aren't alright: more children are going to A&E than ever before
18-Feb-2014There are more under-16s in A&E than over-65s
Winter pressures and the NHS: the story so far
21-Jan-2014How the NHS is coping with the winter surge in demand
Trusts feel the pressure to act on ulcers
18-Dec-2013Programme to go nationwide
Improving quality governance: tips from the top
3-Dec-2013Five NHS leaders share their recommendations
When an inspector calls: CQC hospital inspection programme under way
22-Nov-2013Mike Richards has started his new hospital inspections regime
Quality governance: burden or opportunity?
13-Nov-2013A good system goes far beyond regulation and the regulators
Make the connection − an HSJ ESR supplement
15-Aug-2013Time to wake up to the potential of staff records to transform care
Why we are still dying at hospital, not home
7 June 201340 per cent of patients still die in hospital, with no medical need to be there
Why we are still dying at hospital, not home: the case studies
7 June 2013How partnership working is helping patients to die at home
A grand vision for Mexico's eyecare
24-Apr-2013An innovative organisation is dedicated to restoring people's sight
A beacon of hope for coordinated care
18-Apr-2013A US model that can improve outcomes and reduce costs
Kelsey plans action on health technology education
8-Mar-2013The NHS Commissioning Board will work with a charity to offer 100,000 people access to training in online health literacy over the next year, it has announced.
Innovation through technology - an HSJ supplement
30-Apr-2012The efficiency challenge means NHS organisations are having to find new ways of working. One area ripe for innovation is technology, and this valuable HSJ supplement looks at how trusts can utilise innovation in technology to full effect.
New tools for new commissioners: an HSJ special supplement
22-Mar-2012This week's exclusive 28-page commissioning supplement brings a range of key topic articles to HSJ's audience that will help commissioners to achieve more in their role.
HSJ supplement - special finance report
2-Dec-2011This HSJ special finance report looks at the financial future for trusts eyeing foundation status, new legislation designed to stop bribery that could catch some organisations out, and why it can be difficult to find a finance director.
New ways of working: an HSJ report on Leadership and Workforce
10 November 2011What are the new skills that will be required of managers, leaders and the frontline workforce post-reform?
Why it is crucial for commissioning support to be established successfully
8 September 2011The theory behind commissioning under NHS reform is beginning to fall into place. But support for commissioners remains a concern, argues Helen Mooney, and doubts remain over whether the ideas can be successfully put into practice.
Managing the new NHS - an HSJ supplement
30-Jun-2011This bumper HSJ supplement looks at the myriad of areas where organisations will need a firm handle, to manage the transition to a new, post-reform NHS.
Connected Care model seeks to ease local service integration
8-Jun-2010Connected Care aims to allay the fears of commissioners about integrating local services, says Helen Mooney
Patient safety: falls prevention
24-May-2010Assessing patient at risk of falling should not be left to nurses and geriatricians alone but must involve professionals from across disciplines, says Helen Mooney
Patient safety: the human factors
17-May-2010'Human factors' can create gaps in systems that endanger patients. In the second part in our series Helen Mooney explains how self-knowledge is the first step to safer care
WHO surgical safety checklist: a simple list gives a sure touch
10-May-2010The World Health Organization's surgical safety checklist is a valuable communication tool in a high risk environment. Helen Mooney looks at how a simple routine can save lives
Total Place: how partnerships can maximise resources
15-Feb-2010In the final part in our series on Total Place, Helen Mooney looks at how Birmingham's Total Place pilot is focused on cutting through organisational boundaries and slashing waste while delivering better services
Total Place: why working together boosts independence
8-Feb-2010Offender management in Luton and Central Bedfordshire is cumbersome and costly. In the second article in our series on Total Place, Helen Mooney looks at how the NHS, local government and agencies are using the scheme to tackle this
Behavioural training: there's a new show in town
2-Feb-2010High-tech training at a leading foundation trust is giving staff enhanced skills to cope with stress. Helen Mooney reports
Total Place: why NHS partnerships make total sense for savings
1-Feb-2010In the first of three articles on Total Place, Helen Mooney looks at how Croydon's PCT and council are using the scheme to focus on improving child health
Major injury: how regional units take the crisis out of trauma
14-Dec-2009A group led by the Royal College of Surgeons has studied the benefits to patients and managers of a regionalised response to major injury. Helen Mooney reports
NHS managers on a mission in Sandhurst manoeuvres
8-Dec-2009The foundation trust regulator asked Sandhurst Academy to give managers an insight into the military 'chain of understanding'. Helen Mooney reports for duty
Focus funding plans on people – not processes
1-Dec-2009Councils and the NHS are being urged to make service user experience the starting point for constructing their joint financial arrangements. Helen Mooney explains
Clinical coding with confidence
9-Nov-2009Accuracy is essential in clinical coding not just to operate payment by results but to pursue quality and improvement with success, says Helen Mooney
Demystifying NHS data
2-Nov-2009Huge tables and 3D charts often baffle those who want to access information but there is a move under way to demystify the digits, writes Helen Mooney
A guide to decommissioning NHS services
27-Oct-2009World class commissioning has to include deciding when current services no longer fit the bill. Helen Mooney looks at how to decommission services successfully
Supporting long term conditions in the NHS
4-Jun-2009As the number of people living with long term conditions rises, Helen Mooney looks at the government's plans to improve their care and help them navigate the health and social services maze
Managers 'regularly ignore frontline staff concerns'
13-May-2009Nearly two-thirds of nurses have raised concerns about patient safety with their employers but more than one in three say no action was taken as a result.
GP quality: the final frontier for inspectors
16 April 2009So far general practice has remained impervious to the expanding remit of the inspectors. This week the King's Fund revealed proposals for a new GP quality inquiry that has even won backing from the profession. Helen Mooney reports
Foundation trusts: fans and critics speak out
2 April 2009Five years after foundation trusts were created, Helen Mooney talks to fans and critics about how they have fared and made use of their increased autonomy
NHS career development: moving to the private sector
19-Jan-2009The NHS offers many managers a career for life, but what is it like on the other side of the fence? Louise Hunt and Helen Mooney spoke to six long-timers who escaped their comfort zone and made the switch to the private sector
Mental health foundation trusts: F marks the spot
8-Sep-2008Just under half of mental health trusts have achieved foundation status. Helen Mooney looks at the options for those that may not be able to make the grade
NHS Counter Fraud Service: watching the detectives
28-Jul-2008The NHS loses tens of millions of pounds a year to cheating, but some observers are asking if the Counter Fraud Service is getting too tough. Helen Mooney reports
Workforce planning - six steps for success
9-Jun-2008Using national guidance to plan its whole workforce has been a trust-wide ambition for a South West PCT. Helen Mooney reports on how the work has paid off
Hospital franchises - quantum leap
12-May-2008The Royal Marsden is pioneering a satellite cancer unit at another hospital. Will the franchise model play a big part in the era of choice and competition? Helen Mooney finds out
Royal Marsden to launch cancer franchise
17-Apr-2008The Royal Marsden foundation trust is to open a unit at Kingston Hospital trust as the first step in a plan to roll out its cancer service across the South East.
Treatment centres get Treasury nod
17-Apr-2008Three more independent sector treatment centre schemes worth a total of £50m have been given the go-ahead by the Department of Health and the Treasury.
'Overburdened' staff put mothers and babies at risk
28-Feb-2008Too little focus on maternity services and safety by some trust boards is leading to problems, an independent inquiry is expected to warn tomorrow.
Tee calls for cash incentives
28-Feb-2008NHS Direct could be paid extra to focus on taking calls from patients living in deprived areas or with specific health needs, its chief executive Matt Tee has revealed.
HSJ masterclass
25-Feb-2008Trust boards should examine their governance structures and the partnerships between different agencies, according to a paper published this week.
What a carve-up: the future of SHAs
25-Feb-2008After 18 months, the role of reconfigured strategic health authorities still does not seem clearly defined. So what does that mean for the future, asks Helen Mooney
GUM target
22-Feb-2008The NHS is likely to hit next month's national target to offer patient access to a genitor-urinary medicine clinic within 48 hours, but public health experts predict there will be wide variations across the country.
Act now to avoid crisis, says RCN
21-Feb-2008The Department of Health must recognise the need to train thousands more nurses now to meet 'unprecedented' demand by 2030, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.
Cardiac target to cut deaths met early
21-Feb-2008The NHS has made 'outstanding progress' in managing cardio- vascular disease, according to two reports published this week.
Private sector deals face audit office scrutiny
21-Feb-2008The National Audit Office is to investigate the Department of Health's decision to cancel a large swathe of its independent sector treatment centre programme.
self-certification reviews
18-Feb-2008Foundation trusts must accurately "self-certify" on all healthcare targets under a system which allows them to monitor their own performance or risk "significant financial and regulatory penalites", Monitor has warned.
NHS reforms have hardly begun, claims think tank
14-Feb-2008The government's reform of the NHS remains 'embryonic' and in some cases is in 'full retreat', the think tank Reform has claimed.
Trust defends repainting to greet prince
14-Feb-2008Birmingham Children's Hospital foundation trust has defended using government funding to repaint hospital wards and a conservatory used by patients and visitors ahead of a royal visit.
Decision on ISTCs 'pivotal', says Confederation of British Industry
11-Feb-2008The Confederation of British Industry has challenged the government to give the go-ahead to a further wave of independent sector treatment centres.
Decision on ISTCs 'pivotal', says Confederation of British Industry
11-Feb-2008The Confederation of British Industry has challenged the government to give the go-ahead to a further wave of independent sector treatment centres.
BUPA wins first deal to support commissioners
7-Feb-2008Hillingdon primary care trust has signed a three-year deal with BUPA to help it commission services.
Six firms shortlisted for £80m NHS Choices contract
7-Feb-2008Six companies have been shortlisted to run the Department of Health's NHS Choices website, HSJ can reveal.
DH knew commercial director was under investigation
31-Jan-2008The Department of Health was aware its commercial director was being investigated over the alleged backdating of share options at the time of his appointment. And it emerged he is being given over £100,000 per year tax free by the government to pay for luxury London accommodation.
PCTs to fund controversial eye drugs
31-Jan-2008Primary care trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside and Norfolk have agreed to fund two controversial treatments that can prevent patients with a serious eye condition from going blind.
Pressure grows on PCTs to increase obesity services
31-Jan-2008Primary care trusts will be forced to commission more weight management services in an attempt to meet growing demand, the government has warned.
Strength in numbers - mental health partnerships
28-Jan-2008The providers of services for people with schizophrenia in Liverpool saw ISIP as a great chance to bring the NHS and local authority together, as Helen Mooney explains
Department stalls over Freedom of Information requests
24-Jan-2008The Department of Health has been failing to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. Two requests regarding senior DH civil servants made by HSJ last year have been delayed.
Lib Dems set out plans for future NHS
24-Jan-2008Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has outlined plans for a £2bn 'care guarantee' plan for elderly people, a new patient contract and directly elected health boards as part of his proposed NHS reforms.
Screening for breast cancer misses targets
24-Jan-2008Three in 10 women aged 50-70 are not receiving breast cancer screening every three years, despite government targets.
Women denied pain relief during childbirth
24-Jan-2008Women are often left alone during childbirth and denied proper pain relief according to a survey.
Managers who went from Richmond House to the NHS
21-Jan-2008Life at the top of the health service is enough to make even the toughest go-getter think of quitting, which is what our interviewees did - only to jump back in at a more grass-roots level. HSJ finds out about now and then
Ann Keen tours hospital ahead of transplant report
17-Jan-2008Health minister Ann Keen toured the dialysis unit at Hammersmith Hospital in west London ahead of publication of a report by the Organ Donation Taskforce this week.
Moyes still waiting for new Monitor contract
17-Jan-2008Bill Moyes, executive chair of the foundation trust regulator Monitor, has yet to agree a new contract with the Department of Health to guarantee his position, HSJ has learned.
NHS Alliance warning over damage caused by competition
17-Jan-2008Primary and secondary care organisations must work together to deliver the best service to patients, rather than working in 'adversarial competition', the NHS Alliance has warned.
Neonatal nurse shortage raises concerns
20-Dec-2007The National Audit Office has raised concerns over the capacity of NHS neonatal services, describing them as 'challenged'.
NHS Shared Business Services not obligatory
20-Dec-2007NHS organisations will be given incentives but not forced to use NHS Shared Business Services for back-office administration, according to Department of Health finance deputy director Peter Coates.
North West acute chiefs doubt private scheme value
13-Dec-2007North West acute trust chiefs are questioning the need for a new clinical assessment and treatment service run by the private sector.
PCT safety breaches still going unreported
13-Dec-2007Primary care trusts are continuing to under-report breaches of patient safety, the chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has warned.
Foundation trust status fails to drive improvement
6-Dec-2007Gaining foundation trust status is not yet driving sustained improvements in performance, the regulator Monitor has concluded in its review of their performance last year.
HIV/AIDS 'complacency' risks progress so far
6-Dec-2007The UK has 'entered an era of complacency' about HIV and AIDS and risks undermining the progress of the 1980s and 1990s, says a report by the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV.
Learning difficulties report slates poor care and lack of activities
6-Dec-2007The Healthcare Commission has published a damning report into the standard of residential care the NHS and private sector provide to people with learning difficulties.
Johnson hands out £50m to deep clean NHS dirt
29-Nov-2007The government has given the NHS a £50m lump sum to kick-start its 'deep clean'.
Professor urges management skills for medics
29-Nov-2007Doctors need to be better equipped with managerial skills to help improve the financial health of the organisations they work in, a Harvard business professor has said.Harvard Business School senior lecturer in business administration Professor Richard Bohmer, who runs a masters course in business administration for trainee doctors, said they should be given at least a 'basic understanding of the organisational and managerial skills they will need in the future'.
Care UK
26-Nov-2007Care UK has called on the Department of Health to 'reinforce confidence' in the market by proceeding to financial close on the outstanding independent sector treatment centre schemes.Care UK chief executive Mike Parish said that although the company had been left 'shaken' when the DoH announced earlier this month that it was scrapping the West Midlands diagnostics scheme run by Care UK ...
DoH commercial directorate to be broken up and procurement localised
22-Nov-2007The Department of Health's commercial directorate is to be scaled down and regionalised and procurement of NHS private sector capacity handed to local commissioners.
Hospitals fail to assess risks of blood clots
22-Nov-2007More than 10,000 hospital patients died last year from blood clots because the NHS has failed to implement recommendations on deep vein thrombosis, say MPs.
Most trusts breaking the law on race equality
22-Nov-2007The Healthcare Commission will launch a review of NHS trusts' compliance with race equality law, after it emerged most are not complying with the Race Relations Act.
Managers in Partnership: state of the union
19-Nov-2007Two years after its birth, the association representing NHS managers has made admirable strides but it still has a long way to go as it tries to boost their poor public image. By Helen Mooney
Commissioning: delivering better services to communities
16-Nov-2007The government plans to improve services by making trusts better commissioners. Helen Mooney explains how a framework to help PCTs access skills in commissioning from the private sector should help them ultimately deliver better fitting services to communities
Commissioning: wise buys
16-Nov-2007Helen Mooney asks the early adopters of FESC and their private sector partners what they hope to achieve from the framework
DoH man gives thousands to Bush Republicans
1-Nov-2007The Department of Health's commercial director has donated thousands of dollars to George Bush's Republican party over the past four years, HSJ can reveal.
HSJ commissioning supplement: an in-depth look at FESC
1-Nov-2007The Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners has finally arrived. Launched by the Department of Health at the start of last month after several delays, the government hopes that the framework will usher in a change in the shape and strength of commissioning in the NHS.
Media Watch: out-of-hours and overseas
1-Nov-2007Hospitals 'swamped by out-of-hours care failure' read a Daily Telegraph headline this week. It was telling readers that accident and emergency departments are being 'inundated' by patients with minor ailments because GP out-of-hours services are 'so poor'.
29-Oct-2007Hospitals'swamped by out-of-hours care failure'read the Daily Telegraph's headline earlier this week after it told readers that hospital accident and emergency departments are being'inundated'by patients with minor ailments because the out-of-hours service provided by GPs is'so poor'. ...
Media Watch: Cornwall trust achieves YouTube fame
25-Oct-2007Just when the managers at Royal Cornwall Hospitals trust thought things could not get much worse, medical staff released a video mocking its performance.
Mystery over sudden exit of Barnet chief executive
25-Oct-2007The interim chief executive of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health trust has left after less than three months in the job, HSJ has learned.
NHS paying high price for sexual health
25-Oct-2007The government's lack of commitment to sexual health is costing the NHS millions, charities have warned.
Foundation trusts applications: shape up or ship out
22-Oct-2007The deadline for all acute trusts to apply for foundation status by 2008 has proved unrealistic. What now for those that have not made the leap? Helen Mooney reports
22-Oct-2007The chief executive of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health trust has left the trust after less than three months in the job, HSJ has learnt.
Welsh trust mergers get green light
18-Oct-2007The Welsh government is set to go ahead with its reconfiguration of acute services across south east and west Wales.
Tariff delays hit specialists
16-Oct-2007Further delays to the specialist tariff under payment by results could jeopardise applications for foundation trust status, according to managers.Chief executive of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Andrew Woodhead told HSJ the Department of Health 's announcement last week to delay the publication of a list of providers eligible for specialist ...
DoH may pull private scanning schemes
11-Oct-2007The Department of Health is reviewing plans to add private sector diagnostic capacity in five of its seven proposed schemes.
Media Watch: an odd week in politics
11-Oct-2007This week kicked off in strange fashion. While prime minister Gordon Brown finally decided not to call an election, and the Conservatives cried foul, health secretary Alan Johnson revealed that he was 'not good enough' to become prime minister himself.
PCT denies new director has conflict of interest
11-Oct-2007Hampshire primary care trust has appointed a new director of commissioning - on secondment from commissioning firm Humana.
SHAs warned over weak foundation trust applications
11-Oct-2007The Department of Health has issued a stark warning to strategic health authority chiefs to send 'only the strongest' trusts to Monitor to be assessed for foundation status.
Confederation call to tackle health inequalities
4-Oct-2007Moves to tackle health inequalities must start with the most excluded, the NHS Confederation has urged.
Media Watch: GP contracts and doctored photos
4-Oct-2007As the party conference season drew to a close, the Conservatives this week came out fighting, with leader David Cameron pledging to rewrite the GP contract.
Report demands end to top-down direction and return of professional autonomy
4-Oct-2007Clinicians want the government to let them get on with 'doing the right thing for the patient'.
Monitor applicant deferrals
4-Oct-2007Aspirant foundation trusts will only be given three months to remedy inadequate foundation plans before they are pushed back to the end of the waiting list to beomce a foundation trust, according to the Monitor, the foundation trust regulator.
BUPA to help with commissioning at Hillingdon primary care trust
27-Sep-2007Hillingdon primary care trust has confirmed BUPA as the company that will help it commission services under the Department of Health's external commissioner list.
Final salary pension scheme saved after four years of negotiations
27-Sep-2007Senior managers' pension contributions will rise by 2.5 per cent as part of a new pensions deal for NHS employees finalised last week.
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre trust considers merger
27-Sep-2007Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre trust is considering a merger with the neighbouring Royal Berkshire Hospitals Foundation trust, HSJ has learned.
Public consultation to decide on the NHS's next step
27-Sep-2007Public 'juries' in 10 cities linked up live last week to kick off a huge consultation to help decide nothing less than the NHS's future. And the prime minister put in a suprise appearance. Helen Mooney reports
Health hotel: exploring inequalities
24-Sep-2007At the 'Access to all areas' event speakers will address the uneven picture of public health, and ask why - despite some progress - gaps are still widening. Helen Mooney reports
Darzi citizens' jury gives PM and Johnson wish list
21-Sep-2007The prime minister this week joined the health secretary and health minister Lord Darzi at one of a series of 'citizens' juries' on health.Gordon Brown, Alan Johnson and Lord Darzi talked to around 120 patients and selected members of the public about their priorities for the health service at an event in Birmingham.
Media Watch
20-Sep-2007The papers are again keen to expose the 'scandal' of hospital food - this time the focus is on hospital kitchens. The Observer told readers of a 'searing indictment' of their cleanliness after government inspection reports revealed 'that breaches of food hygiene laws include infestations of mice and cockroaches, kitchen staff not washing their hands, food being kept at the wrong temperature and remnants of meals becoming stuck in equipment'.
Call for comparable data across care services
20-Sep-2007All health and social care providers must publish comparable data and information, Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker has said.
Private sector 'jaded' over contracts
20-Sep-2007The private sector is growing increasingly concerned that the government will row back on its plans to use independent healthcare providers to expand its NHS choice programme.
2,000 in move to own homes
20-Sep-2007Nearly 2,000 people with learning disabilities are to be moved into their own homes after the DH announced £175m in funding for primary care trusts to close NHS institutions.
nib 1
20-Sep-2007A new chief executive has been appointed to NHS South Central. Jim Easton joins the strategic health authority from York hospitals foundation trust and replaces Mark Britnell who moved to the Department of Health in July.Mr Easton said: 'There is a real ambition across the NHS and its partners in the South Central area to continue to improve care for patients and health communities'.
nib 2
20-Sep-2007Waiting times have continued to improve, new Department of Health figures show.Those waiting 20 weeks or more stood at 10,500 a decrease of 1,900 from June while the number of patients waiting less than eight weeks increased to 93.4 per cent from 84.8 per cent in July 2006.
NICE stands firm, but the public must learn to respect rationing
20-Sep-2007When the High Court upheld NICE guidance on Alzheimer's drugs, it was seen as an endorsement of its fairness and credibility. But unless the public is better informed of resource issues, unrealistic demands for new drugs will continue to be an issue, writes Helen Mooney
PCTs assured over ICATS liability
20-Sep-2007Primary care trusts in the North West will not have to pay out if the number of patients using privately operated clinical assessment services is lower than anticipated.
Remove DoH from the NHS, says academic
20-Sep-2007The government should consider an 'alternative' comprehensive spending review which proposes new models of funding for the health service, according to a report published later this month.
BUPA expected to provide 'external support' for PCT
13-Sep-2007Hillingdon primary care trust is set to name BUPA as the company it plans to use to help it commission services under the Department of Health's external commissioner list, HSJ has learned.
Senior exodus as board seeks new status
13-Sep-2007Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health trust has seen several senior staff leave ahead of a reorganisation of its executive board as it prepares for its application to become a foundation trust.
nib 2
7-Sep-2007The Health and Safety Executive has told hospital trusts to make sure that they ensure the health and safety of their patients especially from the potential dangers of falling from windows. The warning comes after Mid Cheshire Hospitals trust was fined£14,000 after an HSE prosecution following an accident involving a mental health patient who was seriously injured after jumping from a window.
Ofcare may not cover public health
7-Sep-2007Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker has voiced concerns that the NHS's new super-regulator may be given too narrow a remit.Ms Walker insisted Ofcare, set to swallow up the Healthcare Commission in April 2009, must have the power to regulate and assess NHS organisations on health and health inequalities as well as healthcare.
Media Watch: immigrants in the news
6-Sep-2007'Immigrants with cancer 'could swamp the NHS',' read The Daily Mail's headline. It quoted Lancet Oncology editor David Collingridge, who said so many East European migrants have arrived in Britain in recent years that the NHS may struggle to cope with the subsequent rise in cancer patients.
Mixed results for public health
6-Sep-2007The Department of Health's performance chief has fired a warning shot over public health targets following 'mixed' quarterly results in sexual health and stop-smoking services.
Commissioning's stakeholders design their world-class future
31-Aug-2007Primary care trusts that demonstrate they are 'world-class commissioners' could be rewarded with foundation trust-style freedoms.
Inequalities masked at local level
31-Aug-2007Progress made towards the national target to reduce health inequalities is masking the areas that are facing the worst problems, public health experts have warned.
Exclusive: NHS gets first medical director as Sir Liam's role is scaled back
23-Aug-2007Leading cardiac surgeon and president of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery Professor Sir Bruce Keogh has been appointed as the Department of Health's medical director, HSJ has learnt.
Exclusive: NHS gets first medical director as Sir Liam's role is scaled back
23-Aug-2007Leading cardiac surgeon and president of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery Professor Sir Bruce Keogh has been appointed as the Department of Health's medical director, HSJ has learnt.
GPs urged to refer directly to the independent sector
9-Aug-2007Western Cheshire primary care trust has told doctors across its patch to refer orthopaedic patients needing hip and knee replacements directly to an independent sector treatment centre because it is under-used.
Smoking battle heats up as age law targets the cool kids
9-Aug-2007Raising the legal age for buying tobacco is the government's latest salvo in the war on smoking, and it is working hard to ensure maximum impact. Helen Mooney reports
Deferrals and delays put applications target at risk
2-Aug-2007Prospective foundation trusts are facing delays to their authorisation of up to six months, Monitor has admitted.
Aborted PFI could 'end up in court'
26-Jul-2007The collapse of a private finance initiative worth more than £900m could see both sides fighting in court to recover money.
HPA warning on sexual health target
26-Jul-2007Increasing pressure on sexual health services could undermine progress towards the target of ensuring patients have access to a genito-urinary medicine clinic within 48 hours by 2008.
'Information gap' warning over NICE guidance uptake
19-Jul-2007Primary care trusts could be 'fudging' the information they supply to the Healthcare Commission on the implementation and uptake of clinical guidance.
ISTC data is 'poor quality'
19-Jul-2007National data on the clinical quality of independent sector treatment centres must be improved, according to a review by the Healthcare Commission.
Monitor to government: do not let foundation trusts slip
19-Jul-2007The chair of foundation trust regulator Monitor has fired a warning shot at the new government, telling ministers not to 'pull back' from healthcare reform to try to 'control' the system from the centre.
MPs attack £12m 'back-room' deal
19-Jul-2007The Department of Health has been slammed by the Commons public accounts committee for 'pursuing a back-room deal' with healthcare information analysts Dr Foster.
Exclusive: HSE clears infection death managers
12-Jul-2007An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive has supported senior managers' handling of a Clostridium difficile outbreak in which 33 people died.
Healthcare Commission slams sexual health data
12-Jul-2007The Healthcare Commission has slammed the standard of data collection and information-gathering in NHS sexual health services.
Czars face the axe as policy shifts
28-Jun-2007The Department of Health looks set to phase out the 14 national czars in a move that will signal a further devolution of NHS power to the front line, HSJ understands.
Nicholson slams medics over attacks
28-Jun-2007NHS chief executive David Nicholson has rubbished claims that the financial performance of the NHS was a 'tragedy' or a 'farce' as 'factually incorrect'.
NHS Confederation rolling news: Monitor warning over foundation trust mergers
22-Jun-2007The Department of Health must clarify how failing NHS trusts can be successfully merged with foundation trusts, Monitor's chief operating officer has warned.
NHS Confederation rolling news: Nicholson slams negative unions
21-Jun-2007The negative comments of medical and staff unions are 'damaging to the public confidence and staff morale,' NHS chief executive David Nicholson told delegates at the NHS Confederation annual conference.
Leaders claim bullies thrive and middle managers are left to fail
21-Jun-2007The NHS lacks strong leadership and does not develop and support its middle managers, an NHS Confederation report has warned.
NHS Confederation rolling news: external commissioning could be optional for PCTs
21-Jun-2007Primary care trusts will not be forced to use the Department of Health's framework for procuring external support commissioning to strengthen their commissioning function, according to the commercial directorate's FESC lead.
Robinson slams NHS strategy obsession
21-Jun-2007NHS leaders must learn to lead their organisations on a 'day-to-day basis' and not get confused with a health service 'grand plan', management guru Sir Gerry Robinson has said.
Trusts face monitoring on take-up of private services
14-Jun-2007Primary care trusts in the North West risk being performance managed on the number of patients who use the private sector-operated national clinical assessment services across the patch, HSJ has learned.
Hillingdon to invite private commissioner
7-Jun-2007The first primary care trust has been given the go-ahead to invite the private sector to run part of its commissioning function.
'Damning' review slams family planning services
24-May-2007The results of a review into contraceptive services in England are a 'damning indictment of contraceptive provision' in the NHS, according to sexual health campaigners.
Minister confident delayed ISTC report will restore public confidence, despite poor data
17-May-2007The publication of the Healthcare Commission's report into the quality of care provided by independent sector treatment centres has been delayed until next month.
Senior appointments: Mascie-Taylor tipped to land new NHS medical director role
17-May-2007Leeds Teaching Hospitals trust medical director and former acting chief executive Hugo Mascie-Taylor tops the shortlist for the new NHS medical director, HSJ understands.
Reduced government funding leads to significant drop in smoking cessation efforts, FOI figures show
10-May-2007A 41 per cent cut in Department of Health funding for smoking cessation advertising last year was accompanied by a marked drop in the numbers of quitters, figures obtained by HSJ can reveal.
Media Watch
9-May-2007'Don't play god' The Sun protested last week as it quoted campaigners warning that abortions 'will soar' if parents are allowed to use a 'revolutionary' home test that can reveal the sex of their baby at six weeks.
DoH to get the measure of PCTs working with private sector
26-Apr-2007The Department of Health will measure strategic health authorities on the percentage of primary care trusts in their region that use the private sector to help them commission, HSJ has learned.
DoH compiles a hit-list of acute trusts that cannot survive under Payment by Results
19-Apr-2007The Department of Health has drawn up a list of acute trusts that will be closed, merged or broken up because they will not survive under payment by results, HSJ has learned.
Providers given open choice rules in PCTs
12-Apr-2007NHS providers must not turn down patient referrals on the grounds of a primary care trust's location, the Department of Health has warned.
PCTs delayed on audiology contract
5-Apr-2007An audiology contract has been delayed indefinitely because the provider has not been able to sign off quality and safety guarantees with the Department of Health, HSJ has learnt.
BMA pushes for referral centre rules
29-Mar-2007The British Medical Association is to call for greater clinical engagement in referral management centres run by primary care trusts, HSJ has learnt.
Poor data threatens future of PbR system, warns minister
22-Mar-2007Trusts must collect better data about patient services and involve clinicians in decisions if payment by results is to expand successfully, health minister Andy Burnham has warned.
Acute chiefs: NHS vision is lost in a political mire
1-Mar-2007Labour's sweep to power in 1997 was followed by a groundswell of NHS optimism. Ten years on, an HSJ survey of 100 chief executives suggests the glory days are over. Helen Mooney asked a group of acute trust leaders why
Monitor criticised for data demand
22-Feb-2007The foundation trust regulator Monitor must not seek to 'enhance' its regulatory role, Foundation Trust Network director Sue Slipman has warned.
PCT ditches two private hospitals over costs
22-Feb-2007A primary care trust has removed the choice of two local private sector hospitals from its choose and book list because it says it was paying too much for their services, HSJ has learned.
Trusts poach sexual health funding
15-Feb-2007Funds which should have gone to sexual health have been diverted elsewhere in almost two-thirds of primary care trusts, according to a survey by the Terrence Higgins Trust.
SHA pays £2m for firm to size up PCT commissioning
8-Feb-2007South Central strategic health authority has called in turnaround specialists PricewaterhouseCoopers to assess whether its nine primary care trusts should contract out their commissioning functions to the private sector.
Data on ISTCs' clinical quality is 'extremely poor', says Healthcare Commission
18-Jan-2007National data on the clinical quality of independent sector treatment centres is 'incomplete and of extremely poor quality', according to a review by the Healthcare Commission.
News Analysis: Is it new hope for 'No Hope' as cliffhanger reaches final reel?
11-Jan-2007Birmingham's Good Hope Hospital trust might at last put its troubles behind it if its acquisition by a neighbouring foundation trust goes ahead. Helen Mooney chronicles the hurdles that have stood in the way and asks if the move is likely to be replicated
Workforce plans predict 'bitter opposition' and 'volatility'
4-Jan-2007The NHS is facing a huge oversupply of consultants and a shortage of thousands of nurses, junior doctors and GPs, a draft government strategy has revealed.
Agency to aid foundation bids in London
1-Jan-2007London's 34 non-foundation provider organisations will be performance managed by a new agency to help them push towards foundation status.
Audit Commission calls for end to deficit penalties
1-Jan-2007NHS trusts should be reimbursed for the money they have lost under the Treasury's resource accounting and budgeting system, the Audit Commission has said.
Care UK chief urges swift ISTC take-up
1-Jan-2007Chief executive Mike Parish sounds a cautionary note that government must move quickly to ensure a local ownership care system takes route
Charity should be 'hard-wired' to reform
1-Jan-2007Charities and not-for-profit healthcare organisations need to be 'hard-wired' to the government's 'ongoing reform programmes', a government taskforce has said.
Community hospital cash depends on 'local backing'
1-Jan-2007The Department of Health wants acute and primary care trusts to use a series of 'marketing tactics' in consulting local populations on the future of community hospitals.
Controversial American set to lead commercial directorate
1-Jan-2007The Department of Health is set to draft in another American to head up the commercial directorate and oversee its merger with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.
Deficits 'symbolic' of wider trouble
1-Jan-2007Financial failure in NHS institutions reflects a wider malaise, the Audit Commission has warned.
DoH should contract out tariff-setting, says report
1-Jan-2007The Department of Health should look at 'contracting out' elements of the tariff-setting process, according to a hard-hitting report commissioned by ministers.
Good intentions could be disguising a big, bad threat
1-Jan-2007It is the much-heralded new model for 21st century healthcare provision, but could confusion over its meaning and the lack of safeguards against manipulation leave social enterprise open to abuse from profit-makers? Helen Mooney finds out
Hewitt hints at likely loss of Monitor regulatory role
1-Jan-2007Monitor is expected to lose its current regulatory role in the government's review of healthcare regulation, although a decision on its future will not be taken until the autumn.
Inside track: public health
1-Jan-2007What's on managers' minds this week
ISTCs: wave three under way despite doubts
1-Jan-2007The Department of Health is pushing ahead with wave two of its independent sector treatment centre programme despite scant evidence of value, HSJ understands.
Media watch
1-Jan-2007So we're at last going to see an end to junk food advertising aimed at children. And with the announcement came the expected outcry from companies that make their money selling bad food to kids, as well as health professionals who say the new rules will not go far enough.
Media watch
Media watch
1-Jan-2007The surrounding media coverage has led to yet another round of NHS manager bashing
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007'Ding dong as hospital bans carollers,' said The Daily Telegraphas it revealed that the Torbay Gospelaires had been banned from entering Torbay hospital wards.
Media watch
1-Jan-2007And there you were thinking he seemed like such a quiet chap, but last week health minister Andy Burnham came out all guns blazing as he took at a swipe at people who 'get out their placards' when their local hospitals face closure.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007What Gordon Brown's premiership will mean for the health service has yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: the NHS is bound for more tumultuous times.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007Another week, another government attack on fatties and smokers as The Sun told readers that the 'fatties' op' ban is 'fair'. It quoted health secretary Patricia Hewitt who said it was 'perfectly legitimate' for trusts to refuse some treatments to heavy smokers and obese patients.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007Thousands of junior doctors are to be shipped abroad, The Daily Telegraph said this week as it claimed 'up to 10,000 young doctors unable to find NHS jobs could be offered voluntary work overseas'.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007The Department of Health is the second worst-performing government department, The Times told its readers at the weekend. It reported that the review by business leaders and public sector chiefs commissioned by cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell was damning about the DoH's 'lack of direction'.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007'Sack prat Pat' urged The Sun's leader as the paper told readers at the end of last week that 'if there's any justice, Pat Hewitt is not long for this political world'.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007'The focus has well and truly turned to the NHS, as it once again becomes the battleground for the next election'
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007News emerged over the weekend that the 'inflexible' hours of GP surgeries were costing the economy an estimated £1bn a year.
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007'The Daily Express claimed nurses were 'close to working to rule', saying: 'The move comes after nurses in England were denied the full 2.5 per cent pay rise given to colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for doing exactly the same work''
Media Watch
1-Jan-2007'A Sunday Times.article quoted a survey commissioned by health insurer BUPA, which found 55 per cent of senior doctors pay for medical insurance'
Media Watch: drug company's promise
1-Jan-2007This week comes news that a drug firm has offered to refund the cost of one of its products to the NHS if it fails to work on patients.
Media Watch: earnings cap
1-Jan-2007So ministers have 'blundered' again, according to London's Evening Standard. This time it is because they have failed to cap doctors' earnings.
Media Watch: earnings cap
1-Jan-2007So ministers have 'blundered' again, according to London's Evening Standard. This time it is because they have failed to cap doctors' earnings.
Media Watch: Granger leaves
1-Jan-2007'Anger as best paid civil servant goes', The Sunday Telegraph told its readers as it emerged earlier this week that the chief executive of Connecting for Health Richard Granger would leave his £292,000-a-year post in October.
Media watch: hospital phone charges
1-Jan-2007Those unlucky enough to spend Easter in hospital also had the misfortune of paying a whopping 26p per minute if they wished to call their loved ones. Not unexpectedly the tabloids and broadsheets were up in arms last week as they bemoaned the 160 per cent increase in hospital call charges.
Media Watch: junior doctors
1-Jan-2007'How could they be so stupid?' asked the Daily Mail as it berated the government for failing to ensure junior doctors will be guaranteed jobs this summer in the Department of Health's new recruitment process.
Media Watch: NHS meddling
1-Jan-2007'We're still waiting for Mr Brown to give any indication of what he might do to the NHS. Surely he won't be able to resist some meddling'
Media Watch: 'NHS penpushers'
1-Jan-2007'NHS penpushers are paid £1.5m for doing nothing' the Daily Mail told its readers as the tabloids frothed earlier this week over news that the Department of Health is paying £1.5m to civil servants whose jobs have been made redundant.
Media Watch: Patricia Hewitt
1-Jan-2007'Hewitt should back off', moaned The Daily Express. Most newspapers reacted with some contempt to the health secretary's statement that it is 'best practice' for doctors to order individuals to lose weight or give up cigarettes before they are treated.
Merger plans for six trusts as Welsh NHS feels cash squeeze
1-Jan-2007Six acute trusts across Wales are facing mergers after the Welsh Assembly launched a consultation on reconfiguration.
Monitor concern over foundation progress
1-Jan-2007Less than half of acute and mental health trusts are likely to reach foundation status by 2008, regulator Monitor has said.
MPs find no evidence of improved value from independent treatment centres
1-Jan-2007There is no evidence that the Department of Health's independent treatment centre programme represents value for money or performs better than the NHS, according to a damning report.
NHS leaders singled out for birthday honours
1-Jan-2007A number of senior managers and leaders in the health service have been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours.
Nottingham PCT chief starts Pfizer secondment-
1-Jan-2007Nottingham City primary care trust chief executive Samantha Milbank has joined Pfizer Health Solutions on secondment as head of business development.
Number 10 summit: managers tell PM more cash is needed for 18-week target
Patient top-up fees on rise, say doctors
1-Jan-2007Patients are increasingly having to pay top-up fees for private care because of budget cuts in the NHS and long waiting times, according to a report by pressure group Doctors for Reform.
Porritt berates NHS over slow progress on sustainable future
1-Jan-2007The NHS is moving at an 'incredibly sluggish and inadequate pace' to becoming sustainable and environmentally sound, green campaigner Jonathan Porritt has warned.
Private companies to join support framework
1-Jan-2007The Department of Health is set to announce next week the list of private companies that have won a place on the government's national framework for procuring external support for commissioners, HSJ has learned.
Public health must move in 'corridors of power'
1-Jan-2007The voice of public health must become less 'fragmented', according to new Faculty of Public Health president Professor Alan Maryon Davis.
Some trusts will stay in red, MPs warn
1-Jan-2007Some NHS trusts will never get back into financial balance, one of the government's turnaround advisers has admitted.
South Staffs adds to foundation acquisitions
1-Jan-2007A mental health trust has become the second foundation trust to use its independent powers to take over provider services from another NHS organisation.
'Super agency' merger on hold
1-Jan-2007A merger between the Department of Health's commercial directorate and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has been delayed until October, HSJ has learned.
Targets in danger as London PCTs expect to spend a sixth of Choosing Health cash
1-Jan-2007London primary care trust boards are being forced to slash funding set aside to meet the targets set out in the Choosing Health white paper by more than three-quarters as a result of financial problems in the NHS, HSJcan reveal.
Chief medical officer had two hours' input into Commissioning a Patient-led NHS
7-Dec-2006The chief medical officer for England has revealed that he was given just two hours to insert a reference to public health into the Department of Health's key policy document, Commissioning a Patient-led NHS.
Audit Commission says PCTs should fine acutes for errors
7-Dec-2006The job of clinical coding should be given a higher priority within NHS trusts in order to make payment by results work, according to the Audit Commission.
Independent centre deals abandoned
4-Dec-2006The Department of Health is set to abandon a large swathe of its independent treatment centre programme more than a year after it invited providers to bid for the lucrative deals, HSJhas learned.
Cumbria and Lancashire CATS contract goes to consultation
23-Nov-2006A contract to allow healthcare company Netcare to provide clinical assessment and treatment services (CATS) across Cumbria and Lancashire has been delayed after local primary care trusts decided to consult on some details.
GP shortage procurement scheme may be abolished
23-Nov-2006The government's national procurement programme for under-doctored areas looks set to be drastically scaled back or scrapped.
Government urges quicker action on infection rates
2-Nov-2006The government has said it will urge the Healthcare Commission to move more quickly to take action against trusts with high levels of healthcare-acquired infection.
Commission says sorry for PCT score mistakes
19-Oct-2006The Healthcare Commission has apologised for sending 62 primary care trusts the wrong ratings last week. The commission was alerted to the errors by PCTs, which were given their individual scores on Tuesday, ahead of the official launch of figures for all of England on Thursday.
Healthcheck ratings: Audit Commission focuses on 37 trusts that failed in key areas
12-Oct-2006The Audit Commission has voiced concern about 37 organisations deemed to be failing in three key financial areas. It compiled findings from local auditors for 2005-06 and scored all non-foundation organisations in the category of 'use of resources', which makes up half of the healthcheck ratings.
McKinsey accused of unfair advantage on commissioning
5-Oct-2006Companies bidding to win a place on the government's list of approved commissioning support suppliers are questioning whether rival bidder McKinsey has been given an unfair advantage.
McKinsey 'PCT support' bid sparks conflict-of-interest row
21-Sep-2006Management consultants McKinsey are bidding for a place on the government's controversial list of approved primary care trust commissioning support suppliers.
Four in five spearhead PCTs fall behind on inequalities
20-Sep-2006Four in five of the government's 'spearhead areas' are not on track to meet the government's 2010 health inequalities target, the Department of Health has admitted.
Union attacks selection process for top PCT posts as 'scandalous'
14-Sep-2006Strategic health authorities have been urged to give unsuccessful primary care trust chief executives 'transparent and appropriate' feedback on the reasons they have failed to secure a top job in the newly reconfigured organisations.
Celebs lined up for nursing role
7-Sep-2006Three television celebrities are working alongside nurses at Barnsley Hospital foundation trust as part of a new TV series that highlights the role of NHS nurses.
Exclusive: Audit Commission calls for 'radical action' to plug Manchester health gap
7-Sep-2006'Concerted radical action' is required to plug the growing health inequalities gap across Greater Manchester, a damning report has warned.
Report calls for 'radical action' to plug Manchester health gap
7-Sep-2006'Concerted radical action' is required to plug the growing health inequalities gap across Greater Manchester, a damning report has warned.
Report calls for 'test action' to plug Manchester health gap
7-Sep-2006'Concerted radical action' is required to plug the growing health inequalities gap across Greater Manchester, a damning report has warned.
Report calls for 'test action' to plug Manchester health gap
7-Sep-2006'Concerted radical action' is required to plug the growing health inequalities gap across Greater Manchester, a damning report has warned.
Exclusive: 14 private firms win place on choice menu in £200m deal
31-Aug-2006The Department of Health has signed a deal worth £200m with 14 independent healthcare companies to carry out thousands of additional elective care procedures, HSJhas learned.
Exclusive: Monitor says spending cuts could slow 18-week progress
31-Aug-2006The independent foundation trust regulator has warned that progress towards the 18-week target could be slowed down by primary care trusts attempting to cut spending.
DoH warning over childbirth target
24-Aug-2006The NHS could miss its target to expand choice in childbirth, the chair of the Department of Health's choice reference group has warned.
Government consults ahead of new choice framework
24-Aug-2006The Department of Health has vowed to involve 'as many people as possible' in a national listening exercise about how to expand choice beyond elective care.
Netcare lead bidder for Manchester integrated clinical assessment and treatment services
17-Aug-2006The Department of Health has named Netcare and Partnership Health Group - in partnership with Alliance Medical - as preferred bidders for its controversial integrated clinical assessment and treatment services in Manchester, HSJhas learnt.
Moorfields' new vision for Dubai
10-Aug-2006Moorfields Eye Hospital is set to open a hospital in Dubai, HSJunderstands.
Stockport PCT denies limiting choice to independent sector
10-Aug-2006Stockport primary care trust has denied claims that it is limiting patient choice for orthopaedic patients to the local private sector.
Monitor lays down law on foundations' acquisitions and mergers
3-Aug-2006Foundation trusts will only be able to merge with, or take over, other trusts if they have a healthy financial risk rating, Monitor has said.


text:
Just Beet It! 17 Recipes for the Colorful Root
These turkey wraps are a light and easy on-the-go lunch without the monotony of sandwich stand-bys. Easy to eat and quick to prep, they're a lunch box knock out.
Recipe: Turkey and Cucumber Salad Wraps
These fully-packed chicken and rice burritos have everything your growing kid needs. Tuck the ends in when you roll them to make sure those little hands come home clean.
Recipe: Easy Chicken-Rice Burritos
Unhealthy Foods Kids Love (and Healthier Recipes for Them)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BPL Community Profile
Kai Larson (KaiPL) - BPL Forum Member
You cannot send this user a personal message (PM) because they have not specified a PM email address yet.
All Forum Posts by Kai Larson
Re: Grivel AirTech Light
I have the Grivel AirTech Light aluminum crampons. I also have the Stubai Ultralight Universal aluminum crampons. I prefer the binding and the points on the Stubai. Both are good lightwei...
Re: .Lithium
I will echo the priase of the Lithium from Marmot. A very high quality bag. The Lithium is also not cut as narrow as some of the other similar bags, so there is more room inside to wear warm ...
Nemo Meta 2P
Nemo Meta 2P is heavier than some of the tents mentioned previously, but it is very strong, roomy, and an overall excellent tent.
Buff and Hat
In winter, I have a combination approach. When I'm active, a Buff is all I need. Keeps my ears and forehead from freezing, allows heat to escape. When I am less active or when it's r...
Fan goggles
After many years of experimenting, the only solution that I found that works are fan goggles like these: http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Knowledge-Goggle-Graphite-Foundation/dp/B003BG7MUQ/ref=sr_1_2...
Pyramid is great
I use my pyramid as my main winter skiing tent, above treeline, in high winds, and have never had any issues with it. In my opinion, a pyramid is the best snow tent. The security of a pyramid ...
Columbia Drainmaker
I've been using Columbia Drainmaker water shoes. 19.2 ounces for a pair in size 11. Traction isn't great, but is adequate, and they dry out quickly.
I love my Montbell pillow. http://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_ul_comfort_system_pillow.html
Re: Depends on pot size
In my earlier post, I mentioned that any stove works well with pots under a liter. Let me be a bit more specific. I've used the following alcohol burners with the titanium ti-tri, and t...
Pyramid is best winter option.
I've used pyramids for more than 20 years for snow camping. I've been in heavy wind and temps down to 35 below. I've been in winds strong enough that the center pole was bowing and b...
All Reader Reviews by Kai Larson
Kai Larson has posted no reviews.


text:
Dr. Pandharipande practices abdominal imaging at MGH and conducts research at the MGH Institute for Technology Assessment. Her career goal is to improve the outcomes of cancer patients by defining the best roles for imaging in cancer care.
BiographyDr. Pandharipande is an Assistant Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, an Assistant Radiologist in Abdominal Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a Senior Scientist at the MGH Institute for Technology Assessment. She is a graduate of Cornell University (BA), Cornell University Medical College (MD), and the Harvard School of Public Health (MPH). She completed her residency in diagnostic radiology at NYU, and an NCI-sponsored fellowship in cancer outcomes research and abdominal imaging at MGH. Dr. Pandharipande's career goal is to improve cancer outcomes by defining the best roles for imaging-based technologies in the care of cancer patients. She is currently the Principal Investigator of an NIH/NCI K07 Award in which she is evaluating the cost-effectiveness of imaging-guided RF ablation for kidney tumors. Dr. Pandharipande is also clinically active within the Abdominal Imaging Division at MGH, where she interprets imaging studies and trains residents and fellows.
ResearchDr. Pandharipande's research integrates cancer outcomes, clinical radiology, and decision science. In the upcoming years, her primary goal is to improve guidelines for managing small, incidentally detected renal tumors. Dr. Pandharipande's research is focused on evaluating a practice that is currently considered controversial in renal oncology - the routine treatment of tumors with minimally invasive, ablative therapies instead of surgery. She is developing a computer model that simulates the natural history, treatment, and possible recurrence of renal tumors, and will use this model to predict health and economic outcomes consequent to both ablative and surgical interventions. Her preliminary decision model has been published (Pandharipande et al, Radiology, 2008), as has interval work (Pandharipande et al, Radiology, 2010), and serves as the basis for her NCI K07 grant: Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation for Incidental Renal Tumors. She has additionally pursued several other projects that integrate radiology and cancer outcomes research, both as a primary investigator and as a collaborator.
PublicationsSee my publications by searching Pandharipande PV in Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez.
Immediate health risks supersede lifetime radiation-induced cancer risk in patients undergoing CT surveillance for testicular cancer, according to a new study.
The lifetime risks of cancer from medical radiation may be overemphasized relative to more immediate health risks, according to a new study.
Phone: 617-726-8396
Phone: 617-726-8396
Call the Massachusetts General Hospital physician referral service at 800-711-4644.
Mass General accepts most health insurance plans. Find out what you need to know before coming to Mass General.
Driving to Mass General? Get driving directions or locate a parking lot on the hospital's main campus.


text:
|Anna, Jack, Joyce and Baby Tooth
|Anna, Jack, Joyce and Baby Tooth
Hi! I'm Brixie, aka Bambam.
Just a normal 19 year old who also happens to be the Guardian of Zing.
I ship Janna, Javis, Willet, Jimriel, Harmony, Peter x Wendy, Delena and a bunch of other things.
Check out my other accounts if you have the time.
Insta: HolyRabies
FF: BamBrixBam
Tumblr: GuardianOfZing
Twitter: ZingedAndFrozen
YouTube: Brixie Ann


text:
Up to 30% Off Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse + Free Shipping!
by NEWDealFinder Staff on May.10, 2010, under Amazon.com, Computer Components, Logitech
Featuring an elegantly contoured shape and a soft rubber grip, the MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse fits your hand naturally for maximum comfort. Hyper-fast scrolling lets you fly through documents and Web pages with a flick of your finger, or switch to click-to-click mode to scroll through lists and photos. The adjustable-dpi laser engine (up to 1600 dpi) provides two smooth-tracking modes for customizable precision. Logitech's advanced 2.4 GHz cordless technology delivers more robust and more reliable performance than ever before. The "stealth" thumb button—one of ten programmable buttons—gives you additional control.
Get the Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse at Amazon.com with FREE Super Saver Shipping on qualifying orders over $25.
Find Deals by Brand or Category
Apparel and Accessories Apple Asus AT&T Audio, TV and Home Theater Beach Camera Belkin Best Buy Black & Decker Blackberry Blu-ray Blue Microphones Books Bosch Brother Camera, Photo and Video Canon Car Electronics and GPS Casio Cell Phones Computer Components Computers and Office Corsair Data Robotics Deskop Computers DeWalt Drives and Storage Duracell Electronics Eye-Fi Fenix Flip Video Garmin Griffin Health and Personal Care Hitachi Home and Garden Home Appliances Home Improvement iOS App Store Jawbone JBL Kata Kensington Kindle Kitchen and Dining Klipsch LaCie Leatherman LEGO Lexar LG Linksys Logitech Lowepro Mac App Store Makita Microsoft Milwaukee Motorola MP3 and Media Players NEWDealFinder News Nikon Nokia Notebook Computers Office Products and Supplies Otterbox Panasonic Parrot Pentax Samsung Seagate Sigma Software Sony Speck Sports and Outdoors Stanley TiVo TomTom Toshiba Toys and Baby Transcend Tripp Lite Verizon Video Games ViewSonic Western Digital


text:
States with highest unemployment rates in 2005
March 06, 2006
Mississippi and Louisiana recorded the highest jobless rates among the states in 2005, 7.9 and 7.1 percent, respectively.
Three other states had rates above 6.5 percent—Alaska and South Carolina (6.8 percent each) and Michigan (6.7 percent).
Overall, 18 states and the District of Columbia registered rates above the national average of 5.1 percent.
These data are from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program. To learn more, see "State and Regional Unemployment, 2005 Annual Averages" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 06-362.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, States with highest unemployment rates in 2005 on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2006/mar/wk1/art01.htm (visited October 13, 2015).
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
New estimates of personal taxes in Consumer Expenditure Survey
In 2013, the Consumer Expenditure Survey improved its personal tax data.
Trends in long-term unemployment
Long-term unemployment reached historically high levels following the recession of 2007–2009.
Housing: before, during, and after the Great Recession
looks at consumer expenditures on household items, employment in residential construction, prices for household items, and injuries in occupations involved in building and maintaining our homes.


text:
Jared Leto Did Not Shave His Beard Into a Porntastic Mustache, But He Did Fool the Internet
Jared Leto pulled a fast one on the Internet on June 17 when he posted a picture of himself with a porntastic mustache.
"How ya like my #stash! #selfie," the Oscar winner, 42, captioned the pic on Instagram. The facial hair extended out and below his bottom lip, making it look like a cross between a '70s porn star mustache and a cowboy.
PHOTOS: Jared and more hot men in tuxes
However, the Dallas Buyers Club actor outed himself when he attended the Clear Channel Media and Entertainment: A Conversation with Benjamin Palmer + Jared Leto on June 18—with his full scruff intact.
Credit: Tony Barson/Getty Images for Clear Channel
PHOTOS: How to copy Jared's perfect waves
"Jared's mustache look is certainly bold and daring," celebrity groomer Vaughn tells Us Weekly. "I do think that mustaches are a sustaining look for men. They are a style statement and a bit nostalgic."
PHOTOS: Jared and his mom, plus more stars
If your man is inspired by Leto's look, Vaughn, who founded V76 by Vaughn grooming products, suggests keeping it trimmed off the lips for a finished look. "When you are done styling your hair with a hair wax, for example, use some of the leftover product on your fingertips to tame your mustache," Vaughn says. "Just run it through your facial hair."


text:
In case you missed ESPN's new SportsNation show, the one and only "Big Twitter", Wolves power forward Kevin Love, was on (and the very first interview of the show) to discuss Twitter, Rubio, and whether or not Bill Simmons would have made a good GM for the Wolves.
Check it out…
Also yesterday Kevin Arnovitz of ClipperBlog was able to do a quick in-game, mid-tweet, interview (or what he refers to as an exercise in postmodernism) with Kevin and got his "All-Twitter" team too. Any guesses who the starting PF was?
We'll see if he can really live up to his nickname and do a quick 5 question "Twitterview" for the Howlin' T-Wolf in the days to come.


text:
Party Pit
Get as close to the stars as possible!
BRAND NEW in 2014: Experience all that the Party Pit has to offer!
- Watch your favorite acts perform from just feet away!
- Party Pit passes are sold per act
- Festival admission is required to use a Pit Pass
- A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!!
You MUST be lined up and ready to go at least a half hour before the act is scheduled to go on-stage. If you miss the group going down to the Pit, there is nothing we can do for you.
Once the act has started, you will no longer be allowed into or out of the Party Pit.
No chairs, professional recording equipment of any kind, or bags can be brought into the Party Pit.
Food and drinks must be finished before entering the Party Pit.
Standing room only.
We reserve the right to remove anyone for acting inappropriately.
Purchase tickets here.


text:
You may also like
Rate Dr. J. Van der Zweep
Dr. J. Van der Zweep's Ratings
My surgeon was very professional, caring and thoroughly explained the procedure to me. He made me feel completely at ease and exceeded my expectations by far! Thank you Dr. Van der Zweep for making this a great experience!
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][2825476].votes_count ]]
Dr Van der ZWEEP is an amazing doctor, very helpful, he knows what he is doing and explain to you everything about your eyes, he listen to you and he is very cool. I had my cataract surgery with him with an implanted lens with my both eyes , 2011 and 2012...I will recommend him to everybody....
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][2798431].votes_count ]]
Dr. Van der Zweep is an amazing doctor and an excellent person. He explains EVERYTHING, he listens to all you have to say and answers every single question. I had two strabismus surgeries with him (adult) and after the first one didn't return the results I wanted, he accepted responsibility and immediately offered to do another operation which I accepted. Now after the second one, my problem is solved and I am oh so full of joy!
The appointments at GEM Clinic are usually pretty far behind, but he always apologises for the wait. His staff are nice and friendly, but a little disorganized, you need to follow up with them to make sure things are done.
Was this rating useful? 1 [[ userState['ratings'][2684192].votes_count ]]
Dr. van der Zweep performed my cataract surgery. Procedure described in detail. Surgery on time. No pain. Thrilled with outcome: 20/20 vision in eye (with implanted lens). Excellent caring physician.
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045435].votes_count ]]
Our son was referred to Dr. Vanderzweep from the Children's ER. He had buldging of the eye, loss of vision and and swollen eye lid. Dr. Vanderzweep immediately admitted him back to the ER where our son was hospitalized for 4 days and put on viral and bacterial antibiotics, along with steroids. It was determined that he "most likely" had a condition known as "orbital pseudotumor". A very rare condition, especially among children. The care Dr. Vanderzweep provided our son and direction he gave to all the specialists involved in our son's case was amazing. Dr Vanderzweep even came in on the weekend to the Hospital to see how our son was doing with the treatment to see if any additional care/change was required. Dr Vanderzweep answered any and all of our questions and we cannot thank him enough for all he has done. Our son has since made almost a full recovery and we are confident that he will ensure our son will always receive the best care possible if his condition returns. Thank-you.
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045434].votes_count ]]
I just got my Lasik eye surgery done by Dr. Van der Zweep at Lasik MD on Friday, November 30/12. He was amazing! He was extremely helpful, I was nervous and he helped me stay calm. He was extremely knowledgeable and answered every question I had. He walked me through what would be happening before the surgery. During the surgery he told me everything I should be feeling and everything he was doing. It is now December 2/12, I went for my follow- up yesterday and my eyes are doing well and I am already seeing 20/20 for the most part (when your eyes get dry vision gets blurry). My only complaint is I was waiting around a lot on my surgery day and even more on the day of my consult. For the most part I found all the staff friendly and knowledgeable.
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045433].votes_count ]]
Dr. Van der sweep us awesome. As he did my eye LASIK surgery. He explained ever single step I was going through during the procedure without missing a beat. It was like he was right beside me seeing what I was seeing and experiencing what I was experiencing. The LASIK staff are friendly , knowledgable and easy to talk too.
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045432].votes_count ]]
Dr. Van der Zweep spent considerable time explaining Cataract Surgery and the probable outcome I would experience (age 74) as well as describing what sensations I would feel during the operation. Maybe he overprepared me because I expected at least some pain. There was none. The first operation was done 3 days before Easter and the last thing he did was give me his private cell phone number in case I needed any help over the long weekend. Needless to say I did not need it. I have since had the other eye done. The results are far better than I expected, just unbelievable. If you are on the fence about getting eye surgery I urge you to consult with Dr. Van der Zweep. You wont get a sales pitch and his staff are excellent and show respect for all patients. You can get a free consultation from him at 894-2020. Your vision is priceless. Alda.
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045431].votes_count ]]
DOCTOR vANdER zWEEP AS PERFORm cataract in my left eye ,,my vision is coming along fine, He is a very pleasant Dr.and very polite i give him a 10 from Ross dubois St pierre,MB very knowledgelable
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045430].votes_count ]]
It was an awsome experience! Would recomend to everybody! Dr. John van der Zweep was understanding and very gentle. He was able to explain the procedure with great detail which was a great comfor to me! The surgery painless and I was healed quickly. The Doctor is top rated by my standards
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][1045429].votes_count ]]
Top Hospitals in Winnipeg, MB
Find a Doctor by Specialty
Featured Articles
You may also like
Top Ophthalmologists
#1 of 78
#2 of 78
#3 of 78
#4 of 78
#5 of 78


text:
An anonymous person, claiming to be Anonymous, recently fired off a hacking threat against Singapore's financial systems.
The threat was detailed in a video posted on YouTube, apparently under a real user's name, and came with a full transcript - a wordy one, if the truth be told - detailing what was planned and why it should be taken seriously.
The video has now been removed, as you'd probably expect if a compromised account had been used:
As I didn't save the transcript when it was available (the internet has a Murphy's Law way of retaining things you would rather remove, and vice versa, doesn't it just?), I shall have to go from memory here:
Anonymous here ... Warning to Singapore about censoring the internet ... Stop it or we'll attack your financial systems to pay you back ... You think you'll keep us out? Ha! ... Also, wear clothes in [redacted] colours on the Fifth of November to show solidarity, and change your Facebook profile picture to a giraffe! [*] ... We never forget, and the rest of our motto.
Of course, anyone can claim to be "Anonymous," and many have done so.
And there's often some sort of action proposed under the Anonymous banner for 05 November.
Anonymous uses an image of Guy Fawkes on its mask logo. Fawkes was caught underneath the parliament buildings in England, along with a huge stash of gunpowder with which he and his co-conspirators apparently planned to blow the government to smithereens, back on 05 November 1605.
That's the connection. ("Remember, remember, the Fifth of November. Gunpowder, treason and plot!")
We've already been asked, "Should this threat be taken seriously?"
Well, hackers under the guise of Anonymous have managed some admittedly fairly modest cyberattacks in the past, including:
- The 12-year-old boy who had got swept up in the excitment of it all.
- DDoSes (distributed denial of service attacks) mounted against online payment companies.
- Defacement to post protest messages on the websites of the US Department of Justice and of MIT.
So, if you're not secure against this sort of modest attack, you probably don't stand much chance against more determined cybercriminals - attackers who don't usually announce their attentions in advance with a YouTube video.
What that means is that if computer security is worth doing, it is worth doing well, with or without the posturings of unknown proponents of so-called hacktivism.
In short: I don't see any need to do anything differently because of this latest, short-lived Anonymous video, unless you weren't taking computer security seriously beforehand.
So perhaps Singaporeans should treat this video not as a threat, but simply as a handy reminder - coming as it does on the very last day of Cyber Security Awareness Month! - that computer security matters.
If you haven't done them yet, why not DO THESE 3?
That's our advice by which anyone, anywhere, can do their bit to help everyone, everywhere.
* I made up the bit about the giraffe picture. That's another story altogether, caused by a hoax about booby-trapped JPEG images of giraffes. (I don't know why giraffes and not, say, Gambian pouched rats.)


text:
Each EasySheet Set Includes
A Top Quality Fitted Bottom Sheet
Two Soft And Comfortable Pillow cases (Twin comes With One Pillow case)
The patented easy sheet fitted top sheet
This patented design is destined to change the bedding industry for the better. The EasySheet is a top sheet made to fit around the foot of the mattress, creating a pouch-like encasing, which slides up the sides of the mattress about eight inches. This pouch is held snug with elastic, however extra fabric is used to create our "zone of expansion" which allows for plenty of "foot Space" and is not confining at all when lying under the covers. The corners are finely tailored "hospital folds", and the sides hang loose to allow for kicking your feet out if that is your particular sleeping style. The EasySheet will not come off the bed, until you take it off, so you will never have to retuck your top sheet again!
EasySheet sets are sold as complete sets, the same way sheets are currently purchased, and are offered in a variety of thread counts, colors, and price points. The EasySheet design not only stays in place, but reduces bed-making time significantly. We see this as a great benefit to the hospitality industry as well as consumers who lead today's busy lifestyles. With our new patented product, why aggravate yourself with having to tear your bed down to simply remake it.
|Copyright © 2014 The Easy Sheet®
|Designed and Developed by Computree Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
|Privacy Policy | Contact Us | FAQ | Returns | Shipping Policy Blog


text: Sigh… This little one is so new to the world that, when I photographed her yesterday, she had yet to be named! She is just beautiful (with some really awesome hair!) and I wish her family all the best. Stay tuned, you'll be seeing lots of newborns as I've begun to photograph for Gaga Baby Photos, which is just so exciting! Being around so many newborns and excited moms and dads, it's an amazing feeling. You can't help but smile nonstop – which is a pretty nice thing to be doing at 'work'!


text:
Are you already planning your summer schedule? We are! Take a look at our on-line calendar and see some of the great programs we will offer this summer. Keep checking back to see the updates – printed schedules will be available around the first of May.
Sneak preview: This summer's theme is "Dream Big: Read!" Sign -up starts on Tuesday, May 22, the last day of school for Warrick County. You can sign up on that day or any day after that. More details to follow. . . . .


text:
Introduction To Rhinestone Dog Collars
There are many dog stores which are coming up and which cater to the many requirements of dogs. Dog lovers even go to extremes by building separate dog houses to house their canines, if you do not have the necessary resource to do this, you could at least buy your pet a rhinestone dog collar, which is not only smart but also has utility value.
There is a greater preference for rhinestone dog collars which are made by adding exclusive patterns and also printing the dog's name on the dog collar.
If your pet if of a well bred variety, then he would look all the more stylish, if you make him wear the special rhinestone collar.
Following are some pointers on rhinestone dog collars.
The safety of their pets is of prime consideration to dog owners who are increasingly preferring protective dog collars and not just the flashy ones.
The main idea behind purchasing a dog collar is for easy recognition, other details related to the dog can be easily traced if your dog gets lost, identification as regards to whether your dog is rabies free or not.
Care is taken while designing rhinestone dog collars so that your canine does not get away from the dog collar.
Ensure that your canine is comfortable wearing the specially designed rhinestone dog collar.
It is important that you know about your canine's neck size, so that the collar fits perfectly and is neither too loose or too tight, the collar should also be perfect as regards the shape and should look cool as well.
Small collars are hazardous, would affect his breathing and other physical condition of your pet. Also, on the other hand, you don't want the collar too be too loose, as the dog may try to chew it off, or will try and push it off from their neck.
Ideally, you need to take the measurements of your canine, before buying the rhinestone dog collar, so that it fits perfectly and is equally comfortable as well.
Visit this website for information on rhinestone dog collars or Reflective dog collars


text:
Letter: Examining empty rhetoric, scare tactics used against reasonable gun laws
Larry Gray, Stuart
Letter: Examining empty rhetoric, scare tactics used against reasonable gun laws
Let us supply some logic to the sound-bite arguments against any gun control.
"Guns don't kill people, people kill people." Of course not, but is there any way all the mass murders could have occurred if the perpetrator had no gun, only a knife? Similarly, how many fewer people would have died if the killers were limited in the number of rounds they could fire without reloading?
"They are trying to take your guns away." The NRA uses this claim to scare gun owners into donating more money and to buy to more guns from its sponsors. In 2008 the NRA said Barack Obama, was going to take away people's guns. However, no responsible person with any authority has talked about taking away the right to own guns for hunting, self protection in the home, or recreation.
"We had an automatic weapons ban and it didn't work." It didn't work well because the law was riddled with loopholes inserted by NRA lobbyists for the gun manufacturers. Also, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms has been gutted of personnel and authority to impede enforcement.
"Some cities have strong gun laws and still have high murder rates, so they don't work." Yes, but guns can easily pour in from surrounding areas and from states with weak laws. That would be why federal laws are needed. How about comparing murder rates with England and other countries with strong gun control?
I have still never heard a reasonable response to why do people other than law officers or soldiers need weapons that fire more than say 10 rounds per clip. The desire to own such weapons should be weighed against the rights of the people who might live otherwise were those weapons not available.
Subscribe to TCPalm.com and our Treasure Coast Newspapers
Need Help? Call us at 1-877-710-6180.
Monday-Friday: 6am-3pm / Saturday: 6:30am-10:30am / Sunday: 7am-11am


text:
Stromal disease (ectasia, opacities, scars, or melting) that occurs after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) can variously affect visual outcome.1,2 To date, even in the presence of healthy endothelium, this type of complication has been treated with subsequent PK.3 Instead, the selective replacement of the diseased stroma by means of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using pneumatic dissection (big bubble) has not been attempted, mainly because of the extreme likelihood of breaking the descemetic scar at the junction between the donor and host cornea. We describe a new surgical technique (small-bubble DALK) that uses pneumatic dissection to bare Descemet membrane (DM) only in a central optical zone and predescemetic manual dissection to remove the surrounding peripheral stroma.
A, Recurrent ectasia in an eye with a decentered penetrating keratoplasty (arrowheads). B, Trephination, 8.5 mm in diameter, up to 70% to 80% of peripheral corneal thickness. C, Air injection into deep stroma by means of a blunt 27-gauge cannula to achieve a bubble 5 to 6 mm in diameter. D, After removal of the superficial stroma, baring of the Descemet membrane with blunt corneal scissors. E, Manual predescemetic dissection and removal of the residual peripheral deep stroma. F, Fixation of donor tissue with 2 running 10-0 nylon sutures.
A, Preoperative slitlamp appearance. B, Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). C, Corneal topography of an eye with recurrence of ectasia 6 years after penetrating keratoplasty. D, Three months after small-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, the cornea is perfectly clear with no sign of ectasia. E, Area of peripheral manual dissection as seen with AS-OCT (arrowhead). F, Fifteen months after surgery, corneal topography reveals the presence of low-degree regular astigmatism.
Thank you for submitting a comment on this article. It will be reviewed by JAMA Ophthalmology editors. You will be notified when your comment has been published. Comments should not exceed 500 words of text and 10 references.
Do not submit personal medical questions or information that could identify a specific patient, questions about a particular case, or general inquiries to an author. Only content that has not been published, posted, or submitted elsewhere should be submitted. By submitting this Comment, you and any coauthors transfer copyright to the journal if your Comment is posted.
* = Required Field
Disclosure of Any Conflicts of Interest*
Indicate all relevant conflicts of interest of each author below, including all relevant financial interests, activities, and relationships within the past 3 years including, but not limited to, employment, affiliation, grants or funding, consultancies, honoraria or payment, speakers' bureaus, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, royalties, donation of medical equipment, or patents planned, pending, or issued. If all authors have none, check "No potential conflicts or relevant financial interests" in the box below. Please also indicate any funding received in support of this work. The information will be posted with your response.
Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.
Download citation file:
Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.
Small-Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty
More Listings atJAMACareerCenter.com >
Enter your username and email address. We'll send you a link to reset your password.
Enter your username and email address. We'll send instructions on how to reset your password to the email address we have on record.
Need assistance?
Athens and Shibboleth are access management services that provide single sign-on to protected resources. They replace the multiple user names and passwords necessary to access subscription-based content with a single user name and password that can be entered once per session. It operates independently of a user's location or IP address. If your institution uses Athens or Shibboleth authentication, please contact your site administrator to receive your user name and password.


text:
"Eucs at Moss Landing" metal print by Maralyn Miller. Ships within 3 - 4 business days and arrives ready-to-hang with pre-attached hanging wire, mounting hooks, and nails. Multiple sizes available.
Front View
Back View
Bring your artwork to life with the stylish lines and added depth of a metal print. Your image gets printed directly onto a sheet of 1/16" thick aluminum.
The aluminum sheet is offset from the wall by a 3/4" thick wooden frame which is attached to the back. The wooden frame includes a hanging wire for easy mounting on your wall (see photo on the left).
All metal prints ship within 3 - 4 business days and arrive "ready to hang" with mounting hooks and nails.
Metal prints are extremely durable. They're lightweight. They won't bend, and they're water resistant.
The high gloss of the aluminum sheet complements the rich colors of any image to produce stunning results.
For additional product photos and information, visit our metal prints product page.
a group of Eucalyptus trees at Moss Landing, California in a 3" mahogany plein air frame
A painter for over 60 years, but full time since retiring in 1989. A BFA from California College of Arts in Oakland California and many workshops since then with notables such as Daniel Green, Randall Sexton, Morgan Samual Price etc. I had three Art Supply / Picture Framing stores for 30 years in Silicon Valley CA. and have been exhibiting my work in mostly local shows for the past 50 years where I have been honored with many first place and best of show awards. My mediums are oils and pastels and my subjects are varied but mosty the landscapes of Northern California. I show my work in 4 Galleries and my paintings are in over 500 collections. I am a member of "Oil Painters of America"," National League of American Penwomen" and a...
Our return policy is very simple:
If you're not happy with a purchase that you made on FineArtAmerica.com, for any reason, you can return it to us within 30 days of the order date. As soon as it arrives, we'll issue a full refund for the entire purchase price. Please note - Fine Art America does not reimburse the outgoing or return shipping charges unless the return is due to a defect in quality.
Fine Art America sells thousands of pieces of artwork each month - all with a 100% money-back guarantee.
If you've hesitated to purchase artwork online in the past, why not give us a try? You have nothing to lose!
We take great pride in the fact that 337,301 artists have chosen Fine Art America to fulfill their orders, and we look forward to helping you select your next piece!
Customer Service: 877-807-5901
(Call Any Time - 24 Hours Per Day)
All metal prints ship from our production facility within three business days of your order.


text:
Worried about wine? Vineyard manager says cold OK
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- The Umpqua Valley is prime territory for producing wine because of the mild climate.
So what does this harsh winter weather mean for local vineyards? Local officials say hopefully not much.
Eric Dietz, a vineyard manager for Pyrenees Vineyards, says they haven't seen weather like this for several years. "The cold snap that we're experiencing doesn't happen every year," he said. "The last one was back in the Winter of 2009."
Don't worry wine lovers, Dietz says this freeze won't slow down the wine-making process. "If the grapes are still on the vine when it snows, that can cause us problems. But, we got the grapes off and the snow basically just helps shut the plants down for Winter time, it puts them into dormancy," he said.
Dietz says he welcomes the snow, because losing the leaves makes his job easier. "If it freezes this time of year, it just puts the plants to sleep for the Winter, which for me is a good thing. We do all of our pruning in the Winter time and leaves would just be in the way."
Dietz is in the process of pruning all 18 acres at the Pyrenees Vineyard to get ready for next year's harvest.


text:
Sol Contingency will return soon! Check out our FAQ in the meantime!
Community Forum
What is Sol Contingency?
Sol Contingency is a six degrees of freedom (6DOF) first person shooter in the veins of classic games of the same genre such as Descent and Forsaken. It puts you in a small fighter ship, armed to the teeth with lasers and missiles, and lets you explore underground caverns, installations and architecture inside moons and planets of our solar system. Your mission: stop an onslaught of mining machines and robots that have gone berserk (single player campaign), or go head to head against other fighters in a close combat dogfight in multiplayer! It's a fresh take on a classic formula that fans of the genre have been missing for a long time, and we bring it back.
I heard Sol Contingency was related to DESCENT; is this true? Is Interplay involved?
Sol Contingency started out as a Descent remake. The original goal was to stay close to the gameplay that Descent fans love, but also put a new story in as well as some additional ideas.
Who is making Sol Contingency?
Project lead MadMax started out coding a prototype of a 6DOF flight model in UDK, the Unreal Development Kit, in 2012. When this prototype was shown to the world, a lot of people jumped on board to help develop a full game, essentially reviving a genre that was dead for a long time. In two years, a small team was formed that includes DuderSeb (from The Ascent Project), 1/2Hawk (from R.A.T.S.), Verran and Vertigo Fox (from the Descent community), and other die-hard 6DOF fans who joined in on the project as it started getting off the ground. We are a small team with most of us being non-professionals, based in North and South America as well as Europe.
When will Sol Contingency be released?
Pretty soon! Here's how:
Because we are a small team producing the game on our free time so far, it has been a long time coming. Several release dates were set and broken, so we have decided not to set a date at all. Still, the plan is to release two versions of the game:
We have shown you several screenshots and videos from the Proving Grounds development process, and we are almost ready to release. It's probably a matter of a few weeks at this point and we will definitely set a proper date when we are sure to hit it. So keep your eyes peeled and warm up your flight sticks!
What about Kickstarter? I want to give you my money!
After the release of Proving Grounds, we will set up a crowdfunding campaign much like Descent: Underground did recently, to gather the funds we require so we can license proper software, buy some better hardware, scale back on our day-to-day jobs and focus exclusively on making the full version of the game. Because we move on to Unreal Engine 4 at that point, it will be a complete rebuild of what Proving Grounds is, and funding will allow us to spend more time on the game and less on getting by with other jobs. If you enjoy Proving Grounds and decide to give us your money, you will fund some of our lives for the duration of the game's initial development phase! Thank you :)
What will Proving Grounds include?
The demo we call Proving Grounds was meant to be very basic, showing off the gameplay more than beautiful assets, and was to be released quite a while ago. Along the way, some of our artists started building beautiful things and we decided to go the extra mile and make this first outing of our game a much more fleshed-out thing, which is why it took longer to make. As a result, while it is still an incomplete version of Sol Contingency (not having all the weapons, no single player campaign, etc.), it will give you a very good impression of the quality that we strive for.
Proving Grounds will include:
What do I need to play Proving Grounds?
A PC running Windows 7 or up (Windows 10 is compatible), a dual-core processor comparable to an Intel Core i3, 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended) and a GeForce GTX 200 series card or comparable (everything from GTX 260 up can play the game nicely). The game also works with GeForce 8 series cards, but performance may be low. Laptop graphics chipsets from Intel can run the game, but very slowly. We recommend a proper Nvidia/AMD chipset.
Generally speaking, if your rig can run Unreal Tournament 3, Gears of War or BioShock 2, it can run our game.
Linux is not supported with Proving Grounds, but the full game (made with Unreal Engine 4) may support Linux and/or MacOS.
Will Proving Grounds be released on Steam?
A Steam release is still in discussion. Regardless of this, Steam can be used to host and find game servers as described above.
What have you done to make sure it feels right?
For starters, Sol Contingency is being developed by die-hard 6DOF fans fueled by nothing but a deep passion for the genre and gameplay style. Since they were first implemented a couple of years ago, Sol Contingency's flight mechanics have been meticulously tested and tuned in order to remain true to to those of the old games we all know and love. We have involved a number of Rangers in a first round of testing and plan on involving them again in a second prior to release. Our deepest wish is that Proving Grounds' flight model and gameplay mechanics feel right at home if you are a veteran like us.
Will your game include MOBA-style multiplayer, purchaseable in-game items or subscriptions?
Can I choose from multiple ships in Proving Grounds?
No, we give you one beautiful ship, the Eclipse, which you will see soon on our media outlets. The full game may or may not have a ship selection, though.
Will Proving Grounds be mod-friendly? Can I build maps?
Mapping will be supported by us directly. We will give you advice (through tutorials and the forum) on how to set up UDK and provide you with an asset kit that you can use to create maps for Proving Grounds using the same assets we did. We want to make sure that players will keep entertained beyond the initial phase after release, and since we will be busy making the full game, we encourage community mapping! That said, modding (as in, changing the game code) will not be possible at this time. Content mods may be possible to an extent; however, we still have to figure out the technical bits behind that.
Where can I go to discuss Sol Contingency and stay up to date?
A new website will launch right here very soon, under the new domains preparetodescend.com and solcontingency.com – you can also follow our new Twitter and our Facebook page (heads up, a new page will go up soon and the old one will be discarded, so go like our new page as soon as it's up!)
See you in the mines!


text:
Service is a Tecan attitude
You can contact the nearest Tecan helpdesk, wherever you are in the world. Whether you need assistance with your Tecan equipment, or you need to order consumables, a Tecan advisor – that speaks your local language – will take control of your enquiry until it is closed, so you know exactly who to call whenever you need an update.
We have established a two-stage support process. Most enquiries to our local helpdesks are handled by the local advisor or passed on to a field service engineer. For very complex queries, the local advisor can involve our technical and application specialists from Tecan's expert lines in the respective product areas.
All enquiries are documented and closely tracked, from the initial call/email to the local helpdesk through to any other Tecan department involved in the process, until the issue has been satisfactorily resolved. It is our goal that the customer always receives a first response from Tecan within 24 hours, for any enquiry.
You can find the contact details of your nearest Tecan customer support or information related to discontinued products in the right navigation panel.