Wednesday 26 August 2015

Corby has 40th worst rate for mesothelioma deaths in England and Wales

Corby has 40th worst rate for mesothelioma deaths in England and Wales Campaigners are urging more help for sick and dying workers, with latest figures revealing that 14 people in Corby died from the asbestos-related lung cancer mesothelioma between 2010 and 2014. Northamptonshire Telegraph

‘Health services must improve’ inspectors order Northamptonshire NHS Trust

‘Health services must improve’ inspectors order Northamptonshire NHS Trust NHS services for people with mental health problems require improvement, inspectors have found. Northamptonshire Telegraph

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Northamptonshire hospital launches country’s first community police surgery

Northamptonshire hospital launches country’s first community police surgery Kettering General Hospital and Northamptonshire Police have joined forces to launch the country’s first hospital-based community hub. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Five million people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes

Five million people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes Five million people in England have blood sugar levels indicating a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new report published today by Public Health England.

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People with diabetes suffer 200,000 complications

People with diabetes suffer 200,000 complications People with diabetes suffer 200,000 devastating complications such as amputation, heart attack and stroke, according to new analysis..

The analysis, based on National Diabetes Audit data , shows that in 2012/13 there were 199,537 cases of debilitating diabetes-related complications in England and Wales. Diabetes UK

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VIDEO: Civilian amputees 'face discrimination'

VIDEO: Civilian amputees 'face discrimination' Treatment for amputees varies greatly for patients, included injured veterans returning to civilian life, according to charities. BBC News

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Researchers 'a step closer' to universal flu vaccine

Researchers 'a step closer' to universal flu vaccine "Universal flu vaccine comes closer, scientists say," BBC News reports after two independent teams of researchers each found ways to target multiple strains of the influenza virus – but, as yet, the research has only involved animals.

Because there are many different strains of flu and they constantly change, people need to be vaccinated with a different flu vaccine every flu season. Scientists would like to be able to develop a universal flu vaccine that would be active against all strains of the virus.

The studies developed two different vaccines. Both vaccines were able to protect mice against what would usually be a lethal dose of flu, and one vaccine reduced fever symptoms in monkeys. Both vaccines were based on the principle of attacking specific sites on the virus that are less likely to mutate as new strains come along.

This analysis focuses on the second study, which advanced as far as testing on monkeys, as these results are more likely to apply to humans.

We can't yet be certain that the vaccines will be effective or safe until they are tested on humans, and more animal and lab research will be needed before this can be started. NHS Choices

Fatal heart attacks strike 200 people every week

Fatal heart attacks strike 200 people every week Almost 10,000 working people in the UK had a fatal heart attack last year. OnMedica

UK teenage pregnancies fall to lowest level on record

UK teenage pregnancies fall to lowest level on record The latest teenage pregnancy rate for the three months to June last year stands at 23.3 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 17, down from 47.1 in 1969 when records first began. The Daily Mail

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People would use the NHS less if they knew the true price tags | The Secret Doctor

People would use the NHS less if they knew the true price tags | The Secret DoctorA survey shows people vastly underestimate NHS costs. If they understood the real expenditure, they might use the service more responsibly

I first learned about the value of equipment in my early years at A&E. A woman had a laceration to her hand and I was happily stitching away and moving on to the second pack of kit. A male nurse from Nigeria obligingly brought me what I needed but he politely commented on my liberal use. “Back home we have to make it last – we don’t have enough to waste.” That has stayed with me ever since.

One of the first steps in saving the NHS has got to be increasing patient understanding of the price tag on treatments Continue reading... The  Guardian

Ebola: Did experimental drug used on British patients stop them developing the virus?

Ebola: Did experimental drug used on British patients stop them developing the virus? A drug used to treat British healthcare workers who came into contact with Ebola-infected blood may have protected them from the disease, UK doctors have said, and has the potential to help contain any future outbreaks. The Independent