Thousands of patients in Nene are waiting at least three weeks to see GP

Thousands of patients in Nene are waiting at least three weeks to see GP Nearly 40,000 patients in Nene are waiting at least three weeks to see a GP, new figures reveal.

Doctors say it is important to treat patients early to “avoid conditions getting worse”. 

NHS Digital data shows that 37,140 people in the Nene Clinical Commissioning Group had to wait until at least 21 days to see a doctor after booking an appointment in October 2018. 

That is 11% of all patients. 

Of them, 18,800 waited more than a month. Daventry Express

Older people living alone are 50% more likely to visit A&E than those who live with others

Older people living alone are 50% more likely to visit A&E than those who live with others Research published today by the Health Foundation to look at the health care needs of older adults finds that people aged 65 and older who live alone are 50% more likely to go to A&E than those who live with someone else. They are also at increased risk of being admitted to hospital as an inpatient.

Older adults living alone are also more likely to visit their GP. Around one fifth (21%) of older people living alone visit their GP at least once a month, compared with 14% of older people living with someone else.

Older people living alone have more long-term conditions. Nearly half (49.8%) of patients aged 65 or older living alone have three or more long-term conditions, compared to 42.2% of older people living with others.

The findings also show that more than 1 in 4 older people living alone have a mental health condition, compared to 1 in 5 people living with others.

Health Education England pilot scheme ‘inspires children to work in the NHS’

Health Education England pilot scheme ‘inspires children to work in the NHS’ Children as young as six say they will now consider a career in the NHS when they are older thanks to a Health Education England (HEE) pilot scheme, which aims to promote the breadth of careers available within the health service.

Over 2,000 children from 43 primary schools from across England took part in the schemeearlier this year and were provided with a range of educational resources that highlighted the variety of roles the NHS has to offer, from nurses and surgeons, to IT professionals and scientists. Health Education England

Organ donors to be asked if they are religious

Organ donors to be asked if they are religious People who join the NHS's UK organ donation register are to be asked if they want their religious beliefs to be considered in the donation process.

The question aims to reassure people that donation can take place in line with their faith or beliefs.

It is hoped the measure can help to boost the low proportion of donors from black and Asian backgrounds.

Research has found religious and cultural beliefs are the main barrier to organ donation in these communities. BBC News

Mother’s death at NHS mental health unit was third in 15 months, sparking calls for reform

Mother’s death at NHS mental health unit was third in 15 months, sparking calls for reform The death of a young mother at an NHS mental health unit where three patients died in a 15 month period has ignited calls for a national watchdog to ensure lessons are learned and future deaths prevented.

Mother of five Emma Butler, 33, died in March 2017 from fatal injuries sustained after self-harming on a period of unsupervised leave from the Whiteleaf Centre, run by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. The Independent

NHS waiting lists for lung and bowel treatments double since Conservative-led government came to power, analysis shows

NHS waiting lists for lung and bowel treatments double since Conservative-led government came to power, analysis shows NHS waiting lists for patients in “excruciating pain” or with life-threatening conditions including lung cancers and bowel disease have doubled since the Tories came to power in 2010, analysis shows.

As the health service faces unprecedented budget squeezes and more than 100,000 jobs are unfilled, the overall waiting list has ballooned from 2.6 million in 2011 to 4 million this year.

Specialist treatment has been worst affected, with patients awaiting treatment for lung diseases – the UK’s third biggest killer – up by 128 per cent since September 2011 to almost 100,000. The Independent

Capita failure over cervical screening letters more extensive than thought

Capita failure over cervical screening letters more extensive than thought Doctors call for firm to lose contract as number of women affected exceeds 50,000

Another 3,591 women were not sent information on cervical screening as a result of errors by Capita, NHS England has said.

Last month, it emerged that 47,708 women did not receive a smear test invitation, reminder or results between January and June because of Capita’s failure to send out letters. The Guardian

Record numbers of over-65s are getting sexually transmitted infections

Record numbers of over-65s are getting sexually transmitted infections The number of old people being diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections is at an all-time high, figures have revealed.

Over-65s in England were diagnosed with 14 per cent more STIs in 2017 than in 2016.

Even people over the age of 90 are being treated for the illnesses, with dating apps, better health and drugs such as Viagra keeping them sexually active for longer.

Figures from Public Health England showed the number of over-65s who caught common STIs rose from 1,411 in 2016 to 1,608 in 2017. The Daily Mail