Half of premature births could be avoided with simple bacteria test

Half of premature births could be avoided with simple bacteria test Up to half of premature births could be prevented if women were simply tested for harmful bacteria, scientists say.

Researchers found that a new technique could identify the risk at routine check-ups, helping to ensure swift treatment.

Premature birth is the biggest cause of death for young children worldwide.

Scientists from a charity led by fertility expert Prof Robert Winston found that a new swab test could check if women were carrying potentially harmful bacteria in their reproductive tract. The Telegraph

Revealed: first child to be diagnosed with Internet addiction by the NHS

Revealed: first child to be diagnosed with Internet addiction by the NHS A 15-year-old boy is set to be diagnosed with internet gaming addiction in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in the NHS.

The teenager from North London has been off school for a year after becoming so addicted to gaming that he has lost confidence to leave his home.

The decision represents a potential breakthrough for his mother Miss Kendal Parmar who has battled for three years for help and to have his condition recognised and treated by the NHS. The Telegraph

See also:

• It is time for social media to protect our children The Telegraph

Most carers suffer mental health problems because they are looking after loved ones - Mirror.co.uk

Most carers suffer mental health problems because they are looking after loved ones - Mirror.co.uk Seven in 10 carers have suffered mental health problems because of caring for loved ones, a grim report has revealed.

A study to mark the start of National Carers' Week reveals how the unsung army of volunteers looking after relatives are risking their own health.

Seventy-two per cent have suffered mental ill health as a result of caring, while 61% said their physical health had worsened.

Sixty-nine per cent find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep and 54% have cut the amount of exercise they do. Mirror

See also:

• 'There's a void when the person you're caring for dies' BBC News

New report provides 'fascinating insight' into progress of GPFV, says College

New report provides 'fascinating insight' into progress of GPFV, says College Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "NHS England's GP Forward View makes more than 100 pledges, each of which, if implemented correctly should benefit general practice, and make our working lives easier, in the best interests of the care we are able to deliver for patients.

"The BMA has provided a fascinating insight on the progress of the GPFV, and we will take their report into account when we release our own comprehensive analysis, and recommendations, in the coming months. Royal College of General Practitioners

See also:

• GP Forward View 'failing to tackle GP crisis' GP Online 

Birthday Honours 2018: Health workers honoured in NHS 70th year - BBC News

Birthday Honours 2018: Health workers honoured in NHS 70th year - BBC News In the 70th year since the foundation of the NHS, health workers make up one in eight of people recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

More than 60 awards have gone to people working in the NHS.

Professor Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England, said she was "both humbled and absolutely overjoyed" to be made a dame for services to the 100,000 Genomes Project.

Midwives, nurses, psychiatrists, GPs and volunteers have also been honoured. BBC News

See also:

• GP trainee among healthcare staff recognised in Queen's birthday honours GP Online
• “Fantastic” NHS staff recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours NHS England 

NHS hands over millions to tax avoidance firms - The Times

NHS hands over millions to tax avoidance firms - The Times NHS hospital trusts are paying millions of pounds to advisers who have helped them dodge up to £1bn in tax, The Sunday Times can reveal.

Public funds have been spent on consultants who help hospitals avoid VAT on temporary medical staff. The advisers take up to 25% of the taxes that hospitals avoid.

The Independent Health Professionals Association (IHPA), which represents NHS locum staff, has submitted a dossier to the tax authorities exposing the practice. The Times

The deaf patients 'left behind' by the NHS - BBC News

The deaf patients 'left behind' by the NHS - BBC News A lack of face-to-face interpreters is meaning deaf patients are missing key operations and being informed of serious medical issues - such as a miscarriage - via a tablet computer, the Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned. Many of those affected say they want to be treated as equals by the NHS. BBC News

Practice-based occupational therapists could save NHS £200m and cut GP workload

Practice-based occupational therapists could save NHS £200m and cut GP workload Integrating occupational therapists into primary care services could save NHS mental health trusts £200m per year, a report suggests - and GP experts say the move would reduce practice workload. GP Online

FT Health: An urgent need to invest in mental health - Financial Times

FT Health: An urgent need to invest in mental health - Financial Times “Failure to invest in mental health as a matter of urgency will have health, social and economic costs on a scale that we have rarely seen before.” That's the verdict of the World Health Organization in its new Mental Health Atlas. Financial Times

NHS patient deaths to be investigated by medical examiners

NHS patient deaths to be investigated by medical examiners Health secretary makes announcement after BMA feared doctors were being criminalised for errors

Medical examiners will investigate patient deaths in the NHS as part of changes to improve patient safety and protect medical staff from being criminalised for their mistakes.

Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, announced on Monday he was rolling out the appointment of the examiners across the service. The move comes after the case of Hadiza Bawa-Garba, a trainee paediatrician, convicted of gross negligence manslaughter and struck off following the death of a child in her care, Jack Adcock. The Guardian

NHS doctors who make 'honest mistakes' to get more protection

NHS doctors who make 'honest mistakes' to get more protection

Doctors who make honest mistakes will be given more protection under NHS plans to prevent blunders being covered up.
Under the plans, launched on Monday by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, doctors accused of making errors will no longer be forced to disclose personal case notes.
The General Medical Council watchdog will also lose the power to appeal the outcomes of their tribunals.
Mr Hunt said the plans were a promise to doctors that “the NHS will support them to learn rather than seek to blame”.
Doctor will also be instructed to investigate every new death in England, as part of efforts to improve safety. The Telegraph

See also:

• Doctors who make 'honest mistakes' won't be charged under new rules announced by Jeremy Hunt Mail Online
• New measures to protect doctors after Bawa-Garba case BBC News

"Carebots" could take over from NHS medics to save £13bn a year

"Carebots" could take over from NHS medics to save £13bn a year 

Bedside robots could do swathes of the work now done by doctors and nurses, saving the NHS almost £13bn a year - a tenth of its budget - a major report says today.

The controversial study led by surgeon and former health minister Lord Darzi calls for the “full automation” of health and social services, claiming it would give staff “time to care” for patients.

Almost one third of the tasks now done by nurses, and nearly one quarter of that done by hospital doctors could be done by robots and artificial intelligence systems, it says. The Telegraph

See also:

• The robot will see you now: how AI could revolutionise NHS The Guardian

Figures reveal ‘alarming’ rise in injuries at mental health units

Figures reveal ‘alarming’ rise in injuries at mental health units Questions are being raised over the effectiveness of the government’s drive to cut use of restraint

Thousands of patients in NHS mental health units are injured every year when they are restrained by staff, according to new figures which campaigners have branded “horrifying”.

A total of 3,652 patients suffered an injury through being restrained during 2016-17 – the highest number ever – according to data from 48 of England’s 56 mental health trusts. The figures raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the government’s drive to reduce use of techniques which critics say can be traumatic for patients and even endanger their lives. The Guardian

A million NHS workers agree to pay rise worth 6.5% over three years

A million NHS workers agree to pay rise worth 6.5% over three years Members of 13 unions in England accept deal to end 1% pay cap but GMB rejects it

More than 1 million NHS workers in England are to receive a pay rise worth at least 6.5% over the next three years after the deal was accepted by 13 unions representing staff.

The rise comes after seven years of a 1% pay cap on salaries, which caused resentment among NHS workers. The Guardian

See also:

• NHS staff vote for 6.5% pay deal BBC News
• Trade unions vote yes to NHS pay deal NHS Employers