Difficult headlines – more troubled times ahead for the NHS?

Difficult headlines – more troubled times ahead for the NHS? Restrictions on operations, an overnight closure of A&E, more missed targets and record numbers of patients unable to get discharged - it's been a week of difficult headlines for the NHS in England.

It has to be said that the moves by a Lancashire commissioning group to cancel routine surgery for four months and a Lincolnshire hospital trust to close a local A&E unit overnight were still subject to consultation. The Lancashire decision has since been reversed.

But it's hard to escape the impression that they are not the only health organisations facing financial and staffing stresses. BBC News

See also:

• NHS meltdown continues: A&E departments busier than ever as bed-blocking hits record high The Daily Mail
• Rising numbers could face 'crippling pain' as NHS rationing spreads The Daily Telegraph
• NHS misses key targets in June as service faces increasing demand The Guardian
• After Brexit, turning around the NHS is Theresa May’s most urgent task The Independent
• June was busiest ever for NHS OnMedica

Easy access to online porn is 'damaging' men's health, says NHS doctor

Easy access to online porn is 'damaging' men's health, says NHS doctor An NHS doctor is warning about a surge in the number of young men suffering sexual health problems because of online pornography. BBC News

Hundreds of transplant patients given organs from dead cancer sufferers

Hundreds of transplant patients given organs from dead cancer sufferers Rigorous checks are made to ensure the organs are safe and the risks must be balanced against the need for the transplant. The Independent

See also:

• Organ transplants: Hundreds helped by former cancer patients BBC News
• Hundreds given transplant organs from donors with cancer history The Daily Telegraph

NHS cancer patients missing out on innovative drugs

NHS cancer patients missing out on innovative drugs Review of availability of drugs for breast and prostate cancer concludes UK approach is not fit for purpose

Thousands of NHS cancer patients in the UK are missing out on innovative treatments available in countries of comparable wealth partly because of a failure by medicines regulators to negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry on the price of drugs, charities have said.

Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK have reviewed different drug systems and the availability of drugs for breast and prostate cancer and concluded that the UK approach is not fit for purpose. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• International comparisons of Health TechnologyAssessment Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK
• Thousands of NHS patients missing out on cancer treatments available in other countries – as UK appraisal systems lack power to negotiate drug prices Breast Cancer Now

I'm a new junior doctor and I already hate my job

I'm a new junior doctor and I already hate my job I knew it was going to be a baptism of fire, but I don’t want to risk people’s health for the sake of my own education

I’m scared, I’m exhausted, and I hate being a doctor.

This was not the plan. Sat on the kitchen floor of our flat, tears poured down my face as my partner looked on, stunned and worried. My third day on the wards was over, and I never wanted to go back. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• 'I prick my finger while taking blood': my first week as a junior doctor The Guardian

Murder investigation launched at care home after six deaths

Murder investigation launched at care home after six deaths Police have launched a murder investigation following the deaths of six residents over a two week period at a care home.

Two employees at Springwater Lodge Care Home at Calverton, Nottinghamshire, have been questioned by police and suspended from duty.

Detectives are treating the deaths of two residents in the space of 24 hours as suspicious.

It follows the deaths of four other elderly people at the residential home in the weeks leading up to it. The Daily Telegraph

Junior doctors threaten 'trade union dispute of the century' with rolling strikes from September

Junior doctors threaten 'trade union dispute of the century' with rolling strikes from September Junior doctors have threatened the "trade union dispute of the century" as they pledge to "ratchet up" strike action with rolling strikes from September.

The junior doctors committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) is to ask its full council to back strikes in opposition to a controversial new contract for medics.

Despite divisions within the union, no fresh ballot of members will be required to support more strikes, if the council backs the plan.

The new contract for doctors, which is due to be imposed from autumn, was rejected by the BMA last month after 58 per cent of medics opposed it in a poll, with a 68 per cent turnout. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Junior doctors set to mount further strikes after rejecting Jeremy Hunt's proposal The Daily Mail
• New strikes loom as junior doctors seek to 'escalate' action GP Online
• Junior doctors consider further strikes in contract dispute The Guardian
• More junior doctors strikes possible from September OnMedica