NHS gave me hepatitis for 34 years, says Northamptonshire man... but I can’t praise them enough

NHS gave me hepatitis for 34 years, says Northamptonshire man... but I can’t praise them enough A pensioner from Northampton has finally been cured of hepatitis, 34 years after a faulty batch of NHS blood gave him the deadly disease. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Catalyst or distraction? The evolution of devolution in the English NHS

Catalyst or distraction? The evolution of devolution in the English NHS This report considers the potential implications of devolution on health and care outcomes in England and how policy could best evolve. It draws on analysis of the devolution deals agreed to date, relevant literature, and international experience with a focus on four European decentralised health systems. The Health Foundation

New guidance on recruiting and retaining volunteers

New guidance on recruiting and retaining volunteers New guidance for NHS employers looks at how employing volunteers can add value to your workforce, how to attract volunteers and how to effectively manage and support them. NHS Employers

See also:

• New guidance on supporting staff who volunteer NHS England

Infant death rate 'lowest ever'

Infant death rate 'lowest ever' The number of babies dying before their first birthday in England and Wales is at its lowest ever, new figures have revealed. BBC News

NHS reconsiders HIV Prep drug decision

NHS reconsiders HIV Prep drug decision The NHS in England says it will reconsider whether or not to provide a drug treatment that can prevent HIV. BBC News

GP funding cut by £250m since 2010, new figures reveal

GP funding cut by £250m since 2010, new figures reveal Real terms spending on general practice has fallen £250m since the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took power in 2010, House of Commons Library research has revealed. GP Online

New evidence confirms Zika virus transmissible by sex

New evidence confirms Zika virus transmissible by sex Genetically identical virus in man’s semen and infected woman who had never been to Zika area. OnMedica

The Guardian view on Boots: sick staff, a healthcare business and the public purse | Editorial

The Guardian view on Boots: sick staff, a healthcare business and the public purse | Editorial A recent Guardian report into Boots shed light on what happened after private equity invaded the high street. The reaction from medical professionals attests to the human toll, and the costs to the taxpayer

A week ago, the Guardian published a Long Read on Boots, a piece which has provoked an extraordinary reaction. A flood of letters from pharmacists that shows no sign of stopping. Strong concern voiced by medical professionals, from GPs to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. And the watchdog compelled to step in, so that, remarkably, Britain’s biggest pharmacy now faces the prospect of a regulatory investigation.

Our investigation reported a series of allegations from Boots’ own staff, as well as independent experts. We uncovered evidence that a senior manager at the chain was pressuring employees to milk NHS schemes for cash. Pharmacists suggested that professional ethics were being sacrificed for the sake of profit, and spoke of working conditions that threatened patient safety. All this appeared to stem from the business model adopted by Boots after its £11bn private-equity buyout in 2007. To pay back billions in loans, and to make their required returns, the investors pursued a model of “stretch and extract”: stretching finances and staff to the limit – then extracting profits. Continue reading... The Guardian

‘Burnout and depression’: the doctors struggling with their mental health

‘Burnout and depression’: the doctors struggling with their mental health Research suggests eight out of 10 doctors in England have experienced mental health issues. Here, some of those who are suffering tell their story

On his way to work one day as a first-year junior doctor, Craig felt so desperate that he considered jumping in front of a bus.

He had never experienced suicidal thoughts before. He felt helpless, as though there was too much to do and not enough time to do it. He was, it transpired, suffering from depression, partly triggered by the huge pressure he was under at work. It had become routine to put in an extra two or three hours after a 12-hour shift, because it was just too busy for him to leave. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• My nervous breakdown as a doctor made me doubt my patients' depression The Guardian
• Why doctors hide their own illnesses The Guardian

Junior doctors' strike 'unjustifiable in struggling hospitals'

Junior doctors' strike 'unjustifiable in struggling hospitals' General Medical Council updates guidance for trainee medics before two-day withdrawal of cover from all services

Junior doctors in hospitals that will be hit hard by next week’s all-out strikes should not take part in case patients end up suffering harm, the medical profession’s regulator has said.

In updated guidance for trainee medics before the total withdrawal of junior doctor cover in all areas of medical treatment, the General Medical Council said that doing so was unjustified in hospitals that would struggle to ensure safe care. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• GMC advice for doctors in the event of full industrial action General Medical Council
• GMC statement: refusing unsafe rotas General Medical Council
• Hospitals 'may struggle' in all-out strikes BBC News
• Junior doctors will call off next week's strike if Jeremy Hunt agrees to drop threat to impose a new pay deal The Daily Mail
• Junior doctors should listen to the GMC and abandon their strike The Daily Telegraph
• Jeremy Hunt tells MPs he 'can and will' impose junior doctor contract GP Online
• Harm patients? Junior doctors are striking to protect them The Guardian
• Withdrawing emergency cover crosses a line – it will damage trust in doctors The Guardian
• Junior doctors' strike: Jeremy Hunt rejects BMA offer to cancel walk-out if he halts contract imposition The Independent
• Hunt ‘never planned to insist on changes to existing contracts’ OnMedica

Mental health crisis: 'I've nearly died four times - but no one has helped me'

Mental health crisis: 'I've nearly died four times - but no one has helped me' “I’ve nearly died three or four times,” says Cristina, 23. “From overdosing to trying to commit suicide to self-harm. No one's helped me. I’ve been on a waiting list for therapy for eight months. All the GP can do is prescribe medication but it makes me worse – I don’t want to take it.

“I’ve tried to call my care worker a number of times but they tell me I have to wait. The only support I can access is from the crisis helpline, but by then I’m already thinking about killing myself. I've realised you have to help yourself because no one else will help you. It’s a waiting game.” The Daily Telegraph

Pre-drinking amongst middle-aged adults causes serious health risk

Pre-drinking amongst middle-aged adults causes serious health risk Many adults are routinely downing 14 units of alcohol - their maximum limit for the entire week - in a single evening by drinking in multiple locations, a study found. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Middle-aged drinkers 'pre-load' just like their children The Daily Telegraph