New laser treatment for prostate patients treated at Kettering General Hospital

New laser treatment for prostate patients treated at Kettering General Hospital Kettering General Hospital has introduced a new laser operation to help patients who need treatment for benign enlargement of the prostate. Northamptonshire Telegraph

ESPAUR report reveals continued rise in antibiotic resistant infections

ESPAUR report reveals continued rise in antibiotic resistant infections A new report from Public Health England shows that overall antibiotic resistant infections increased through 2014. Rates of bloodstream infections caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae increased by 15.6% and 20.8% respectively, from 2010 to 2014. However, Streptococcus pneumoniae bloodstream infections reduced by 23% between 2010 and 2014, which may be related to increased pneumococcal vaccination rates.

See also:

• English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR) report Public Health England
• Shared decision making reduces antibiotic use OnMedica
• Dr Maureen Baker: GPs have made real progress on antibiotic prescribing, but there's still more to do GP Online
• 'Last resort' antibiotics pose growing threat to healthcare, report warns The Guardian
• Hospitals turning to last-resort antibiotics as drug-resistant infections continue to rise The Independent

Guidance for people with dementia and carers

Guidance for people with dementia and carers Guidance for carers and people with dementia to explain what good quality services should look like. London Dementia Strategic Clinical Network

See also:

• Dementia – Immediate Post Diagnosis Support Guidance London Dementia Strategic Clinical Network

Smart dressing 'cuts antibiotic use'

Smart dressing 'cuts antibiotic use' A medical dressing that changes colour when it detects infection could cut the unnecessary use of antibiotics, say scientists at Bath University. BBC News

FPLD disappointed with government response to consultation on ‘No voice unheard, no right ignored’

FPLD disappointed with government response to consultation on ‘No voice unheard, no right ignored’ Earlier this week, the government responded to the consultation on No voice unheard, no right ignored, which was commissioned under the previous coalition government.


Addressing similar issues to the recently unveiled NHS England national plan Building the Right Support, the consultation sought to explore ways people with learning disabilities could be supported to lead more independent lives and to have more control and choices over the services they receive. However, the government’s consultation response has come as a disappointment to the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.

GP practices must deliver further efficiency savings, NHS England tells DDRB

GP practices must deliver further efficiency savings, NHS England tells DDRB NHS England has rejected BMA warnings that GP practices have delivered nearly all possible efficiency savings in evidence to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB). GP Online

Hundreds of consultants tell Jeremy Hunt they back junior doctors' strike

Hundreds of consultants tell Jeremy Hunt they back junior doctors' strike Royal Free London consultants write to health secretary saying junior doctors are integral to NHS and they will support any industrial action.

Hundreds of consultants from the Royal Free London NHS foundation trust have written to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to express their support for junior doctors and to back possible industrial action.

In a letter to the Guardian, the 505 consultants, who will bear the brunt of any potential strike, say they recognise that junior doctors are an integral part of the health service. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Junior doctors contract row: an explainer The Guardian
• NHS junior doctor contracts: UK's leading expert on patient safety Sir Robert Francis urges doctors not to strike The Independent
• Junior doctors strike: 40,000 prepare to stage mass walk-out in December The Independent

Surge in number of UK adults with diabetes

Surge in number of UK adults with diabetes On World Diabetes Day, British Heart Foundation analysis finds nearly 3.5 million British people have condition.

The number of UK adults with diabetes has risen by more than 65% since 2005, figures show. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• Diabetes cases in the UK rise by 65% in 10 years The Independent

2.5 million men 'have no close friends'

2.5 million men 'have no close friends' Stark new research shows chances of friendlessness trebles by late middle age. The Daily Telegraph