Midlands ambulance services 'in merger talks'

Midlands ambulance services 'in merger talks' Troubled East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is struggling financially and has some of the worst response times in England.

It is thought the trust's non-executive directors want to merge with West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Both trusts said discussions on a "range of options" had taken place but talks were at an early stage. BBC News

Invisible and In Distress: Prioritising the Mental Health of England’s Young Carers

Invisible and In Distress: Prioritising the Mental Health of England’s Young Carers Caring roles taken on by children and young people can be a risk factor for their mental health. We know from the 2011 Census that for young carers doing more than 50 hours of care a week they are five times more likely to report that their health is ‘not good’ and there is evidence that they have significant levels of mental health need that are not being addressed.

This report sets out recommendations based on discussions with young carers, sector leaders and young carers services in the Carers Trust network.

See also:

• The lives of young carers in England Department for Education

National congenital heart disease audit

National congenital heart disease audit The NHS is achieving very good outcomes for congenital heart surgical operations as well as improvements in antenatal detection of infant heart problems, according to the national congenital heart disease audit. NHS England

Mental Health: times they are a changing – Professor Tim Kendall

Mental Health: times they are a changing – Professor Tim Kendall In the latest of a series of blogs introducing a number of senior appointments within NHS England, the newly appointed National Clinical Director for Mental Health looks at what he sees as his main challenges. NHS England

CQC tells Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust to take urgent action to improve governance arrangements to ensure patient safety

CQC tells Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust to take urgent action to improve governance arrangements to ensure patient safety Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has been told that it must make significant improvements to protect patients who are at risk of harm while in the care of its mental health and learning disability services. Care Quality Commission

See also:

• Southern Health inspection reports Care Quality Commission
• NHS Improvement intends to take further action at Southern Health Monitor
• Criticised NHS trust 'must improve' BBC News 
• VIDEO: Southern Health boss 'won't resign' BBC News
• NHS trust bosses worried patients are exposed to 'longstanding risks' The Daily Mail
• Inspectors warn Southern Health Trust to make "urgent improvements" ITV News

NHS eating disorder care waits revealed

NHS eating disorder care waits revealed Wide discrepancies exist in waiting times for mental health treatment for eating disorders in England, a BBC investigation finds. BBC News

Deadly diabetes in 'unrelenting march'

Deadly diabetes in 'unrelenting march' The world is facing an "unrelenting march" of diabetes which now affects one-in-11 people, the World Health Organization has warned. BBC News

See also:

• Global Report on Diabetes World Health Organization 
• World Health Day 2016: WHO calls for global action to halt rise in and improve care for people with diabetes World Health Organization  
• Soaring obesity sees to see people with diabetes QUADRUPLE to 422m in 35 years The Daily Mail

Warning over DIY teeth whitening kits

Warning over DIY teeth whitening kits Councils in England and Wales are calling for tougher penalties for "rogue" beauticians who offer teeth whitening using dangerous kits. BBC News

UK toddlers’ diet cause for concern’

UK toddlers’ diet cause for concern’ Young kids getting too much energy, protein and salt, but not enough iron or vitamin D. OnMedica

NHS expects 'difficult' second day of doctors' strike

NHS expects 'difficult' second day of doctors' strike Hospitals are readying themselves for challenges as the walkout over seven-day working continues.

NHS officials are bracing themselves for a “difficult” second day of strike action by junior doctors.

Junior doctors are on strike in a bitter dispute with the government over a new contract. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• NHS England update on industrial action by junior doctors NHS England
• NHS braced for 'difficult' strike day BBC News
• Junior doctors go on strike AGAIN forcing another 5,000 operations to be cancelled   The Daily Mail
• Junior doctors' strike: fourth 48-hour walk out leaves 5,100 procedures postponed The Daily Telegraph
• Junior doctor contract 'worse than feared', say GP trainees behind £100,000 legal action GP Online
• Junior doctors strike for fourth time around the UK – video The Guardian
• Junior doctors strike again as government analysis stokes anger The Guardian
• Junior doctors make legal challenge to Jeremy Hunt's 'misconceived' contract The Guardian
• Green Wing cast join latest junior doctors' strike The Guardian
• Get back round negotiating table, junior doctors urge government OnMedica

Birth defect and paralysis may just be tip of the Zika iceberg

Birth defect and paralysis may just be tip of the Zika iceberg Top global Zika experts have now linked the mosquito-borne virus to encephalitis, meningitis and myelitis, as well - serious infections that can cause paralysis and permanent disability. The Daily Mail

NHS spends £15m a year on TAXIS to ferry patients to and from hospital appointments

NHS spends £15m a year on TAXIS to ferry patients to and from hospital appointments Some trusts are spending more than £700,000 annually - £2,000 a day - figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre show. The Daily Mail