Schools sign up for Healthier Child scheme
Children will benefit from a new initiative aimed at improving their health and wellbeing. Northampton Evening Telegraph
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Made to measure
Made to measure
Hospitals should set radiation doses in CT scans to the lowest possible levels, because of the increased cancer risk to patients. EHI Insight
Hospitals should set radiation doses in CT scans to the lowest possible levels, because of the increased cancer risk to patients. EHI Insight
Bacteria found in honeybee stomachs could be used as alternative to antibiotics, scientists claim
Bacteria found in honeybee stomachs could be used as alternative to antibiotics, scientists claim
Bacteria found in honeybees could be used as an alternative to antibiotics and in the fight against antibiotic-resistant strains of MRSA, scientists have claimed. Independent
Bacteria found in honeybees could be used as an alternative to antibiotics and in the fight against antibiotic-resistant strains of MRSA, scientists have claimed. Independent
Fat shaming 'makes people eat more rather than less'
Fat shaming 'makes people eat more rather than less'
Branding people fat "is part of the obesity problem and not the solution", experts warn, as a study shows that weight discrimination in everyday life prompts overweight people to eat more. Telegraph
Branding people fat "is part of the obesity problem and not the solution", experts warn, as a study shows that weight discrimination in everyday life prompts overweight people to eat more. Telegraph
Call for lung cancer screening in UK
Call for lung cancer screening in UK
Delays bringing in screening for lung cancer in the UK could cost tens of thousands of lives, warns a leading cancer expert. BBC News
Delays bringing in screening for lung cancer in the UK could cost tens of thousands of lives, warns a leading cancer expert. BBC News
Healthcare funds distribution unfair, audit finds
Healthcare funds distribution unfair, audit finds
Report says some areas are struggling because of an unfair Whitehall system to allocate £79n in resources
Some local healthcare services in England have been underfunded because of an unfair Whitehall system to allocate £79bn in resources, a report by the government's auditors has concluded.
The government is making slow progress towards a proper and accurate distribution of money to local commissioners of healthcare, the National Audit Office said. Many decisions are being made on individual civil servants' judgments instead of being based on evidence, the report found. Guardian
Continue reading...
Report says some areas are struggling because of an unfair Whitehall system to allocate £79n in resources
Some local healthcare services in England have been underfunded because of an unfair Whitehall system to allocate £79bn in resources, a report by the government's auditors has concluded.
The government is making slow progress towards a proper and accurate distribution of money to local commissioners of healthcare, the National Audit Office said. Many decisions are being made on individual civil servants' judgments instead of being based on evidence, the report found. Guardian
Continue reading...
Daily walk is 'like a magic pill' to slow ageing
Daily walk is 'like a magic pill' to slow ageing
Walking half an hour a day can prevent obesity and diabetes, lower the risk of some cancers, relieve depression and anxiety, scientist say. Telegraph
Walking half an hour a day can prevent obesity and diabetes, lower the risk of some cancers, relieve depression and anxiety, scientist say. Telegraph
NHS England Chief Executive committed to improving dementia diagnosis
NHS England Chief Executive committed to improving dementia diagnosis
NHS England is committed to pushing up dementia diagnosis rates, Chief Executive Simon Stevens has told the Alzheimer’s Society Conference today.
The pledge comes as NHS England publishes a new Dementia Toolkit aimed at helping GPs make more timely diagnosis of the crippling condition and, importantly, what they can do in terms of vital post-diagnostic support.
The support covers many areas and is mainly directed at the person with the diagnosis or their carer. It relates to both emotional support and practical task-based help including specific interventions such as cognitive stimulation therapy.
NHS England is committed to pushing up dementia diagnosis rates, Chief Executive Simon Stevens has told the Alzheimer’s Society Conference today.
The pledge comes as NHS England publishes a new Dementia Toolkit aimed at helping GPs make more timely diagnosis of the crippling condition and, importantly, what they can do in terms of vital post-diagnostic support.
The support covers many areas and is mainly directed at the person with the diagnosis or their carer. It relates to both emotional support and practical task-based help including specific interventions such as cognitive stimulation therapy.
Mental health: New Guardianship cases increase slightly after three year decline
Mental health: New Guardianship cases increase slightly after three year decline
•Wide regional variation in numbers of Guardianship cases
IC QOF
•Wide regional variation in numbers of Guardianship cases
IC QOF
Prescription sleeping pills linked to Alzheimer’s risk
Prescription sleeping pills linked to Alzheimer’s risk
“Prescription sleeping pills … can raise chance of developing Alzheimer's by 50%,” reports the Mail Online.
This headline is based on a study comparing the past use of benzodiazepines, such as diazepamand temazepam, in older people with or without Alzheimer’s disease. It found that the odds of developing Alzheimer’s were higher in people who had taken benzodiazepines for more than six months.
Benzodiazepines are a powerful class of sedative drugs. Their use is usually restricted to treating cases of severe and disabling anxiety and insomnia. They are not recommended for long-term use, because they can cause dependence.
It’s also important to note that this study only looked at people aged 66 and above, therefore it is not clear what the effects are in younger people. Also, it is possible that the symptoms these drugs are being used to treat in these older people, such as anxiety, may in fact be early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The researchers tried to reduce the likelihood of this in their analyses, but it is still a possibility.
Overall, these findings reinforce existing recommendations that a course of benzodiazepines should usually last no longer than four weeks.
“Prescription sleeping pills … can raise chance of developing Alzheimer's by 50%,” reports the Mail Online.
This headline is based on a study comparing the past use of benzodiazepines, such as diazepamand temazepam, in older people with or without Alzheimer’s disease. It found that the odds of developing Alzheimer’s were higher in people who had taken benzodiazepines for more than six months.
Benzodiazepines are a powerful class of sedative drugs. Their use is usually restricted to treating cases of severe and disabling anxiety and insomnia. They are not recommended for long-term use, because they can cause dependence.
It’s also important to note that this study only looked at people aged 66 and above, therefore it is not clear what the effects are in younger people. Also, it is possible that the symptoms these drugs are being used to treat in these older people, such as anxiety, may in fact be early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The researchers tried to reduce the likelihood of this in their analyses, but it is still a possibility.
Overall, these findings reinforce existing recommendations that a course of benzodiazepines should usually last no longer than four weeks.
Hundreds report waking up during surgery
Hundreds report waking up during surgery
“At least 150, and possibly several thousand, patients a year are conscious while they are undergoing operations,” The Guardian reports. A report suggests “accidental awareness” during surgery occurs in around one in 19,000 operations.
The report containing this information is the Fifth National Audit Project (NAP5) report on Accidental Awareness during General Anaesthesia (AAGA) – that is, when people are conscious at some point during general anaesthesia. This audit was conducted over a three-year period to determine how common AAGA is.
People who regain consciousness during surgery may be unable to communicate this to the surgeon due to the use of muscle relaxants, which are required for safety during surgery. This can cause feelings of panic and fear. Sensations that the patients have reported feeling during episodes of AAGA include tugging, stitching, pain and choking.
There have been reports that people who experience this rare occurrence may be extremely traumatised and go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, as the report points out, psychological support and therapy given quickly after an AAGA can reduce the risk of PTSD.
“At least 150, and possibly several thousand, patients a year are conscious while they are undergoing operations,” The Guardian reports. A report suggests “accidental awareness” during surgery occurs in around one in 19,000 operations.
The report containing this information is the Fifth National Audit Project (NAP5) report on Accidental Awareness during General Anaesthesia (AAGA) – that is, when people are conscious at some point during general anaesthesia. This audit was conducted over a three-year period to determine how common AAGA is.
People who regain consciousness during surgery may be unable to communicate this to the surgeon due to the use of muscle relaxants, which are required for safety during surgery. This can cause feelings of panic and fear. Sensations that the patients have reported feeling during episodes of AAGA include tugging, stitching, pain and choking.
There have been reports that people who experience this rare occurrence may be extremely traumatised and go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
However, as the report points out, psychological support and therapy given quickly after an AAGA can reduce the risk of PTSD.
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