Thursday 18 September 2014

The 2015 Challenge Manifesto: a time for action

The 2015 Challenge Manifesto: a time for action Coalition of 21 health organisations demands political action on health and care. NHS Confederation

Ebola trial volunteer immunised

Ebola trial volunteer immunised A trial of an experimental vaccine against the Ebola virus has begun in Oxford. BBC News

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Get serious about obesity or bankrupt the NHS – Simon Stevens

Get serious about obesity or bankrupt the NHS – Simon Stevens The health of millions of children, the sustainability of the NHS, and the economic prosperity of Britain all now depend on a radical upgrade in prevention and public health, the Chief Executive of NHS England tells the annual conference of Public Health England in Coventry. NHS England

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Dementia and risk reduction: an analysis of protective and modifiable factors

Dementia and risk reduction: an analysis of protective and modifiable factors This report critically examines the evidence for the existence of modifiable risk factors for dementia. It focuses on sets of potential modifiable risk factors in four key domains: developmental, psychological and psychosocial, lifestyle and cardiovascular conditions. The report makes recommendations to drive public health campaigns and disease prevention strategies. Alzheimer's Disease International

Euro diabetes index 2014

Euro diabetes index 2014 This report reveals where there has been improvement or standstill in the development of diabetes care in 30 countries. It concludes that while European diabetes care has developed, saving 10,000 lives every year, speedy improvement is critical to meet the growth of diabetes. Health Consumer Powerhouse

HPV urine test could screen for cervical cancer

HPV urine test could screen for cervical cancer "A simple urine test which can detect the human papilloma virus (HPV) could offer women a much less invasive alternative to [current] cervical cancer screening," The Independent reports.

Research found urine-based testing for HPV DNA showed signs it might be accurate enough to provide a viable screening method, given further research and development.

The papers report on a review of 14 diverse studies involving 1,443 women. All of the studies looked at the accuracy of using a self-administered urine test designed to detect HPV DNA. HPV is a group of viruses, some of which can cause cervical cancer in women.

The advantage of such a self-administered urine test is it may improve uptake of cervical screening. As the researchers speculate, some women may be put off by current screening methods (which involve using a tool to painlessly remove a sample of cells from the cervix) as they may find it embarrassing and time consuming.

This drop-off in women who attend screening, especially younger women, is of concern as around 3,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK.

The review findings are promising, but need to be followed up by further investigation and the standardisation of the urine testing method so the potential of using these tests as a screening tool can be assessed.

How social prescribing is cutting the NHS drugs bill

How social prescribing is cutting the NHS drugs bill Instead of prescribing medication, some GPs are offering patients access to exercise, social support and help with housing or employment

How the NHS can deal with soaring drugs prices

Research has highlighted the growing issues around antibiotic resistance and over-prescribing drugs in the NHS. Patients appear to be under growing expectation that when they enter a GP surgery, they should leave with a prescription for tablets or pills; whether drugs hold the answer to their problem or not.

Its neither the fault of patients nor GPs that this has become the norm. When people cant find an appropriate solution to their ills, they often turn to an inappropriate one, or the answer they think is best. However, where tablets and pills do not hold the key, increasingly, GPs are finding that social prescribing does. Continue reading... The Guardian

Poor NHS care kills up to 10,000 people a year, CQC chief claims

Poor NHS care kills up to 10,000 people a year, CQC chief claims David Prior, who heads the regulator, warns variable standards in the health service lead to thousands of avoidable deaths

The treatment provided by hospitals and GPs is so "dangerously" variable that poor care kills up to 10,000 patients a year, the head of the NHS regulator claims.

In a withering criticism of standards in the health service, David Prior, the chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), warns that "many patients receive poor care". Continue reading... The Guardian

Numbers of children using e-cigarettes on the rise

Numbers of children using e-cigarettes on the rise E-cigarette use among children is on the rise in the UK, but the vast majority of those using them are already current or ex-smokers, a new survey has revealed. The Independent