Tuesday 29 March 2016

Blood test to detect concussion could prevent use of radiation-exposing scans

Blood test to detect concussion could prevent use of radiation-exposing scans


The test will minimise the need for computerised tomography (CT) scans, which emit radiation.
Independent

Retention of nurses on the shortage occupation list

Retention of nurses on the shortage occupation list


The government has accepted a recommendation made by the Migration Advisory Committee to retain nurses on the shortage occupation list.
Latest NHS Employers News

Britain hit by worst spring flu outbreak in five years

Britain hit by worst spring flu outbreak in five years


In the last two weeks, reports of flu have been four times the normal figure.
Independent

New online test predicts skin cancer risk

New online test predicts skin cancer risk


Experts have created a simple quiz to identify a person's chance of developing the disease.
Independent

Campaign credited with fall in antibiotic prescribing

Campaign credited with fall in antibiotic prescribing


The number of prescriptions for antibiotics made by GPs and others in primary care fell by nearly 8% last year, following a national campaign to reduce avoidable prescribing.
NHS Networks

Cash for faster mental health training

Cash for faster mental health training


The Department of Health is giving £10m to a fast-track scheme training graduates to become social workers in community mental health teams.
BBC News

Countdown to lift-off begins for Britain’s first space doctors

Countdown to lift-off begins for Britain’s first space doctors


The first generation of UK doctors specially-trained to work as part of the space programme has moved a step closer, with the General Medical Council (GMC) set to approve the curriculum later this year.
General Medical Council

Ministers and NHS bosses criticised over use of overseas nurses

Ministers and NHS bosses criticised over use of overseas nurses


Chief of government’s migration advisory committee says there is ‘no good reason’ why nurses cannot be found in UK

Health ministers and NHS bosses have been criticised for using overseas nurses as a “get out of jailfree” card to ease hospitals’ recruitment crisis.

The government’s migration advisory committee (MAC) says it has “reluctantly” recommended to the home secretary that up to 5,000 overseas nurses from outside of the European economic area (EEA) be given visas each year for the next three years.
Guardian

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Acupuncture for low back pain no longer recommended for NHS patients

Acupuncture for low back pain no longer recommended for NHS patients

New advice represents a u-turn in treatment for back pain, which affects one in 10 people, after evidence review showed acupuncture no better than a placebo

Acupuncture is no longer recommended as a treatment for low back pain on the NHS, according to new draft guidelines released today by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

The u-turn comes after a review of scientific evidence found that the practice was no better than a placebo in treating those living with low back pain and sciatica.