Wednesday 31 July 2019

Chief executive of county's healthcare honoured with doctorate by University of Northampton - Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Chief executive of county's healthcare honoured with doctorate by University of Northampton The chief executive of Northamptonshire Healthcare has been handed an honourary doctorate by the University of Northampton.

Angela Hillery has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Northampton’s Faculty of Health and Society. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northamptonshire social services failing to keep children safe, says Ofsted

Northamptonshire social services failing to keep children safe, says Ofsted Social services at the Tory-run Northamptonshire county council are failing to keep children safe, according to an Ofsted report that identifies weaknesses across a range of services that support vulnerable young people.

The report is the latest blow for the council, which declared effective bankruptcy last year and has spent the 18 months since then coming to terms with half a decade of chronic mismanagement and spending cuts. The Guardian

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Best-laid plans: will the NHS get it right this time?

Best-laid plans: will the NHS get it right this time? With 2019 so far seeing a few ‘plans’ for and within the NHS, Helen Buckingham takes a look at how set the health service is for success this time – and what it will take to get there. Nuffield Trust

Health inequalities: place-based approaches to reduce inequalities

Health inequalities: place-based approaches to reduce inequalities This guidance aims to reinforce a common understanding of the complex causes and costs of health inequalities and provide a practical framework and tools for places to reduce health inequalities. The accompanying documents include a slide set providing a summary and examples of how to use a place-based approach to reduce health inequalities. Public Health England

Policy paper: Better Care Fund: how it will work in 2019 to 2020

Policy paper: Better Care Fund: how it will work in 2019 to 2020 The Better Care Fund (BCF) will provide financial support for councils and NHS organisations to jointly plan and deliver local services. Department of Health and Social Care

Patient insights on cancer care: opportunities for improving efficiency

Patient insights on cancer care: opportunities for improving efficiency Almost 4,000 cancer patients and caregivers from more than ten countries across the world responded to a survey to share their experiences of cancer care. While most reported that their needs were sufficiently addressed during their care, they highlighted some specific areas where they encountered inefficiency. From the responses, four key opportunities for improvement were identified: ensure swift, accurate and appropriately delivered diagnosis; improve information-sharing, support and shared decision-making; make integrated multidisciplinary care a reality for all patients; and address the financial impact of cancer. All.Can

    Exclusive: Capital billions promised by ministers fail to reach 'front line'

    Exclusive: Capital billions promised by ministers fail to reach 'front line' Only a fraction of the £2.5bn of capital funding announced and allocated by the government for the NHS since 2017 has actually been released to the service.

    Research by HSJ suggests less than £100m has been distributed to local providers over the last two years – equating to just 3 per cent of the total funding listed in several headline-grabbing media announcements.

    The findings are supported by data in published Department of Health and Social Care accounts. Health Service Journal

    Alcohol rehab in England 'cut by £100m'

    Alcohol rehab in England 'cut by £100m' Massive cuts to alcohol rehab services mean a "national epidemic" of alcohol-related problems is not being tackled, King's College London researchers say.

    And people with drink problems in England are less than half as likely to receive the right help as those in Scotland and Wales.

    More than £100m has been cut since services in England were reorganised in 2012, the study found. BBC News

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    Is routine genetic profiling coming closer?

    Is routine genetic profiling coming closer? As genome sequencing costs continue to fall and artificial intelligence gets to work on analysing all this new data, the era of personalised medicine draws closer.

    More than half of Icelanders have now had their precise genetic make-up sequenced and analysed.

    Tens of thousands of their genomes have been fully sequenced by specialist firm Decode Genetics at a cost of around $600 (£487) a head. BBC News

    Drug-resistant superbug spreading in Europe's hospitals

    Drug-resistant superbug spreading in Europe's hospitals Superbugs resistant to emergency antibiotics are spreading in hospitals, a Europe-wide study shows.

    Drugs called carbapenems are used when an infection cannot be treated with anything else.

    The spread of resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was "extremely concerning", researchers from the Sanger Institute said. BBC News

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    UK Lyme disease cases may be three times higher than estimated

    UK Lyme disease cases may be three times higher than estimated Cases of Lyme disease in the UK may be three times higher than previous estimates, according to new research.

    After analysing the anonymous medical records of 8.4 million people from across the UK, scientists forecast that the total number of Lyme disease diagnoses in the UK could top 8,000 in 2019, compared with previous estimates of between 2,000 and 3,000 annual diagnoses. The Guardian

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    Software malfunction leaves NHS liable for huge compensation bill which left doctors underpaid 

    Software malfunction leaves NHS liable for huge compensation bill which left doctors underpaid The NHS could be forced to pay tens of millions of pounds in compensation to junior doctors after a software malfunction left them underpaid.

    Twenty staff have won a test case in the Court of Appeal, successfully arguing that the system used by nearly half of hospitals in England underestimated the hours they worked.

    Junior doctors working under the 2002 contract are entitled to half an hours’ rest for every four hours they work. The Daily Telegraph

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    Academics urged to stop submitting their papers to 'predatory journals' motivated by money

    Academics urged to stop submitting their papers to 'predatory journals' motivated by money Scientific journals which don't properly review papers before publishing them are damaging the industry's reputation, experts warn.

    The 'predatory journals' are accused of having dangerously low standards and publishing papers simply to make money.

    Although they didn't name the journals, the scientists listed red flags which should put researchers off using certain publications. The Daily Mail

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    Monday 29 July 2019

    Towards mental health equality: a manifesto for the next Prime Minister

    Towards mental health equality: a manifesto for the next Prime Minister This manifesto focuses on five key asks of the new Prime Minister: take action to prevent mental illness; create a cross-government plan for mental health and establish a ‘mental health in all policies’ approach across government; reform the Mental Health Act; ensure everyone can access the right mental health support, in the right place, at the right time; and build a mental health workforce fit for the future. NHS Confederation

      Tobacco control: how do you know that your council is doing all it can to reduce smoking-related harm?

      Tobacco control: how do you know that your council is doing all it can to reduce smoking-related harm? The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that every £1 invested in smoking cessation saves £10 in future health care costs. This paper argues that councils should implement a robust tobacco control strategy that embeds a health-in-all-policies approach. Local Government Association

        'Pack children's medicines in your hand luggage'

        'Pack children's medicines in your hand luggage' Medications for children should be placed in hand luggage on a flight in case they become ill during the journey, a new study suggests.

        US experts say most in-flight incidents involve common conditions that should be easily treated - but airlines often fail to carry children's medicines.

        They say their analysis should provide a "shopping list" for airlines.

        A UK expert said parents preparing for their summer break should ensure they had suitable medications with them. BBC News

        EU doctors and nurses worth more than £3bn to UK economy over five years, new figures show

        EU doctors and nurses worth more than £3bn to UK economy over five years, new figures show The presence of EU doctors and nurses is worth more than £3 billion to the UK economy over five years, according to new figures.

        The sum represents the taxes paid by an average of more than 11,000 doctors and 31,000 nurses as well as savings on the cost of training British replacements, said medical firm Medbelle. The Independent

        Controversial MP Nadine Dorries appointed as junior health minister

         Controversial MP Nadine Dorries appointed as junior health minister Nadine Dorries, a controversial Conservative MP who previously led calls to cut the time limit for abortions, has been made a junior minister in the Department of Health and Social Care.

        The appointment is likely to bring attention to Ms Dorries’ views on women’s reproductive rights, as she has repeatedly called for the time limit for abortions to be cut from 24 weeks to 20 and attempted to amend the law in 2011 to strip abortion providers of their role in counselling women. The Independent

        Growing number of GPs cut shifts to avoid huge pension tax

        Growing number of GPs cut shifts to avoid huge pension tax Surgeries facing workforce pressures will be forced to offer fewer appointments

        A growing number of family doctors are reducing the hours they work to avoid a huge and unexpected pension tax bill.

        The decision increasingly means already-overstretched surgeries have fewer appointments to offer patients. The Guardian

        NHS hot food suppliers claim safety concerns around frozen meals in wake of listeria cases are a 'myth'

        NHS hot food suppliers claim safety concerns around frozen meals in wake of listeria cases are a 'myth' The biggest suppliers of hot food to the NHS have spoken out against campaigners demanding fresh meals in hospitals in the wake of the listeria outbreak, claiming safety concerns are a "myth".

        Private catering firm Apetito provide around a fifth of all hot meals served at hospitals in England, Scotland and Wales, which are prepared at one factory in Wiltshire before being shipped across the country. The Daily Telegraph

        Prosecutions against unsafe care homes and hospitals rise by one third

        Prosecutions against unsafe care homes and hospitals rise by one third Prosecutions and other criminal enforcement actions against unsafe care homes and NHS hospitals have risen a third in a year, amid warnings of a growing crisis.

        Charities said older people were being put at risk by “a broken social care system and an overstretched NHS” as they urged ministers to act. The Daily Telegraph

        Government faces prosecution over human rights of autistic youngsters

        Government faces prosecution over human rights of autistic youngsters The equalities watchdog is poised to prosecute the Government and health regulator for permitting the human rights abuse of people with autism and learning disabilities locked up in secure units.

        After The Mail on Sunday exposed how people seeking help were being held in solitary confinement for years, violently restrained, pumped full of drugs and fed through hatches, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission asked the Department of Health and Social Care and the Care Quality Commission to explain what it was doing to end such practices. The Daily Mail

        Senior doctors will probe drug therapies for children who want to change gender

        Senior doctors will probe drug therapies for children who want to change gender Senior doctors are to investigate the controversial drug therapies given to children who want to change gender.

        The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has asked its ethics and law advisory committee to look into the increasing use of hormone blockers. The Daily Mail

        Friday 26 July 2019

        Northampton medical centre 'at risk' of closing finds new provider

        Northampton medical centre 'at risk' of closing finds new provider A Northampton health centre has been saved from potentially closing.

        The future of Kings Heath Practice, in North Oval, was uncertain in March this year after service provider Northants GP Alliance wrote to patients that it would no longer be responsible for the surgery. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

        Outpatients: a snapshot of the year

        Outpatients: a snapshot of the year The NHS Long Term Plan has set an ambitious aim of reducing the number of outpatient attendances by 30 million over the next 10 years. In part this is a reaction to the huge growth in appointments and attendances over the last decade, and partly due to possibly better ways of delivering care, reducing inefficiencies and improving patient experience and outcomes. Nuffield Trust

        Primary care networks and mental health

        Primary care networks and mental health The creation of primary care networks (PCNs) is one of the most significant elements of the NHS long-term plan. Around 1,300 PCNs will become the hub (or ‘dock’ to quote Simon Stevens) around which community and mental health services will organise themselves – but are services ready for this? And are PCNs ready to take on the challenge of improving mental as well as physical health in the communities they serve? The King's Fund

        NHS England annual assessment published

        NHS England annual assessment published The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has published his annual assessment of NHS England for 2017 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019. Department of Health and Social Care

        Involving patients and the public in research

        Involving patients and the public in research This learning report aims to build a better understanding of the role of patient and public involvement (PPI) in research, thereby helping ensure meaningful involvement that has tangible impacts and mitigate against undesired consequences. Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute

        Health on the Shelf

        Health on the Shelf Obesity is a complex and multi-layered issue. It needs everyone – government, health professionals and industry – to find workable ways to solve the obesity epidemic and help the millions of people it already affects.

        Retailers, and in particular supermarkets, have a hugely important role to play in tackling obesity. Supermarkets can create an environment which enables individuals and families to make healthier choices.

        The report explores the public’s perception of supermarkets and the marketing strategies retailers use to boost sales. It also showcases how supermarkets can be health promoting spaces, and nudge customers to make healthier choices. Royal Society for Public Health

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        Ovarian cancer drug olaparib 'can delay disease in newly diagnosed'

        Ovarian cancer drug olaparib 'can delay disease in newly diagnosed' A drug for advanced ovarian cancer has been approved for use in newly diagnosed patients in England, after a trial showed it could delay progression of the disease for three years.

        Up to 600 women with a hereditary type of the disease could benefit each year. BBC News

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        Strep A outbreak: Independent investigation launched

        Strep A outbreak: Independent investigation launched An independent investigation is to be launched into a deadly outbreak of an infection which has claimed 13 lives.

        Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has called in a team to probe the spread of the invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) bacterium.

        The strain has been linked to at least 31 confirmed cases, including the 13 fatalities.

        The investigation will take about six months and results "will be shared and implemented," said the CCG. BBC News

        Parkinson's disease: 'Smartwatch' tracker monitors patients at home

        Parkinson's disease: 'Smartwatch' tracker monitors patients at home A smartwatch-style device that tracks patient's movements has been hailed as "the future of Parkinson's care."

        The personal Kinetigraph (PKG) monitors tremors and other symptoms, potentially enabling doctors to spot problems remotely.

        Patients with the degenerative condition are supposed to get half-yearly check-ups but delays are common. BBC News

        ‘Game-changer’ implant that could prevent HIV infection for a year moves step closer to reality

        ‘Game-changer’ implant that could prevent HIV infection for a year moves step closer to reality In what could eventually become a milestone for HIV prevention, very preliminary tests of an implant containing a new drug suggest that it may protect against infection for a full year.

        The new implant, by the drug company Merck, was tested in just a dozen subjects for 12 weeks. But experts were quite excited at its potential to revolutionise the long battle against HIV.

        The research was described on Tuesday at an international AIDS conference in Mexico City. The Independent

        One MILLION people paid too much for NHS prescriptions last year

        One MILLION people paid too much for NHS prescriptions last year More than a million people could have saved money on their prescriptions last year by buying a 'season ticket'.

        Research has found 1,042,098 people in England paid the full price for more than 12 prescriptions, spending more than the cost of a prescription prepayment certificate. The Daily Mail

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        Millions of NHS patients will receive a free personalised health report

        Millions of NHS patients will receive a free personalised health report Millions of NHS patients will get a free personalised health report based on their DNA to help them live longer, the Government has announced.

        The Department of Health and Social Care said the move will flag which conditions people are at risk of getting before any symptoms appear.

        This will then allow people to take preventative measures to stay healthier for longer, reducing the pressure on the NHS, ministers said. The Daily Mail

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        Thursday 25 July 2019

        Patients are finding it harder and harder to see their preferred GP – does it matter?

        Patients are finding it harder and harder to see their preferred GP – does it matter? With fewer people able to see their preferred GP according to a recent survey, Charlotte Paddison explores what impact seeing the same doctor can have on a patient’s health – and what it might mean for the NHS. Nuffield Trust

        Emergency admissions to hospital from care homes: how often and what for?

        Emergency admissions to hospital from care homes: how often and what for? Reducing emergency admissions from care homes has the potential to reduce pressure on hospitals. This is a significant national policy focus, as demonstrated by a strong commitment to improve support in care homes in the NHS Long Term Plan.

        But to achieve change, we need to understand and monitor the quality of health care provided to residents, both to gauge the impact of national programmes and to help pinpoint areas of improvement. The Health Foundation

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        Guidance: Health matters: whole systems approach to obesity

        Guidance: Health matters: whole systems approach to obesity A professional resource for local authorities and their local systems partners on taking a whole systems approach to addressing obesity. Public Health England

        Carers Action Plan 2018-2020: one-year on progress review

        Carers Action Plan 2018-2020: one-year on progress review This report highlights the progress that has been made in increasing support for carers. The cross-government action plan was published in June 2018. It sets out the government’s commitment to supporting carers through 64 actions across five priorities. Department of Health and Social Care

          Patients encouraged to manage their appointments with NHS e-referral service

          Patients encouraged to manage their appointments with NHS e-referral service More referrals are being made electronically with the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). Using e-RS means practices have the chance to save time by helping patients manage their referral online. NHS Digital

          Health secretary announces £20m NHS young people careers funding - National Health Executive

          Health secretary announces £20m NHS young people careers funding The health and social care secretary has announced £20m funding to support 10,000 young people from all backgrounds to get a career in the NHS. This will be matched by £7m from the Prince’s Trust. National Health Executive

          Parents 'missing out on new baby health visits'

          Parents 'missing out on new baby health visits' About one in four new parents in England is not seeing a health visitor when their baby turns one, increasing the risk of mental health problems going unnoticed, the NSPCC says.

          The government has promised five home visits for every family - from pregnancy until the age of two.

          But cuts to local authority budgets and fewer health visitors were having an impact, the charity said. BBC News

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          Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Trust: Fake doctor medicated 164 patients

          Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Trust: Fake doctor medicated 164 patients A bogus psychiatrist prescribed medication to 164 patients at one mental health trust, the BBC has found.

          Zholia Alemi, jailed in 2018 for fraud, worked around the UK and for the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT), despite being unqualified.

          Norfolk and Suffolk mental health campaigners said it was "shocking" and called for a full external audit.

          NSFT said it carried out checks before appointing Alemi and had terminated her contract as a result of concerns. BBC News

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          CCGs 'concerned' core funding not enough to fund £1.50 for PCNs development

          CCGs 'concerned' core funding not enough to fund £1.50 for PCNs development CCGs fear they will not have sufficient resources to provide the £1.50 per head for primary care networks (PCNs), the CCG representative body has warned.

          NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC) told Pulse that some of its members 'are concerned’ their existing allocations do not go 'far enough' to deliver the £1.50 per patient as mandated in the new five-year GP contract.

          ‘It’s 70 years since Windrush and we’re still fighting for top jobs’: the programme backing BME nurses

          ‘It’s 70 years since Windrush and we’re still fighting for top jobs’: the programme backing BME nurses NHS staff from BME backgrounds are more likely to face discrimination and bullying, and less likely to land senior roles

          Six months ago Aisha Okafor (not her real name), in her 30s, was ready to quit her job as a nurse and leave the NHS.

          “I got to the point where I thought [nursing] wasn’t for me anymore, where I forgot what I was doing here – which was to care and look after the service users. I was starting to lose that motivation,” she says.

          If you have more diversity, you're more likely to have inclusive patient care. The Guardian

          ‘I don’t think Erica would still be alive without a specialist learning disability doctor’

          ‘I don’t think Erica would still be alive without a specialist learning disability doctor’ | Saba Salman The UK’s first physician for those with complex needs could help save lives and reduce health inequalities

          The first doctor specialising in profound and multiple learning disabilities in the UK is set to be recruited later this year. Hull clinical commissioning group (CCG) took the decision to employ a specialist PMLD doctor to support adults with complex needs after the condition of a patient, Erica Carlin, improved dramatically following the care she had received for serious digestive and bowel problems from a palliative care doctor trained in learning disabilities. The Guardian

          GPs are misdiagnosing patients because appointments are too short 

          GPs are misdiagnosing patients because appointments are too short GPs say they are misdiagnosing patients because appointment slots are too short.

          A survey of family doctors found more than one in three said they had failed to properly diagnose cases because they did not have enough time to fully assess them.

          Typically, the time slot to see a patient is around 10 minutes. The Daily Telegraph

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          Expansion of 'GP by Skype' service risks worsening GP crisis

          Expansion of 'GP by Skype' service risks worsening GP crisis Plans to replace traditional GP appointments with virtual online doctors could 'fatally undermine' care for elderly patients, experts have warned.

          Health Secretary Matt Hancock has pledged to roll out a controversial scheme across the NHS – but there are fears it could 'cream off' young patients and increase the 'digital divide' in healthcare. The Daily Mail

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          Hospitals accused of 'gaming the system' by moving A&E patients to new day care units

          Hospitals accused of 'gaming the system' by moving A&E patients to new day care units Hospitals may be trying to 'game the system' to make A&E waiting times look shorter by moving patients to different departments, an investigation has found.

          The NHS has for years repeatedly failed to meet its own standard of treating or discharging nine out of 10 A&E patients within four hours.

          Health bosses recently confirmed that the target is being scrapped because many hospitals are unable to meet it. The Daily Mail

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          Wednesday 24 July 2019

          Public health spending

          Public health spending The government has published its much-trailed Green Paper (now an 'open consultation') on prevention. It contains warm words, some movement on existing issues such as childhood obesity – the prime one banning sales of energy drinks to children under 16 (on which the government has been consulting for some time) and setting out further intent – re-announced steps towards a smoke-free society and re-announcing the creation of a health index to rival GDP in government decision-making. The King's Fund

          Independent report: National Health Service Pay Review Body 32nd Report: 2019

          Independent report: National Health Service Pay Review Body 32nd Report: 2019 This report sets out the NHSPRB’s analysis of evidence provided by relevant organisations and makes observations on the pay of NHS staff paid under Agenda for Change for 2019 to 2020. The UK Government responded to the report in Parliament. The NHSPRB provides independent advice on the pay of NHS staff NHS Pay Review Body

          Genome sequencing and the NHS: the views of rare disease patients and carers

          Genome sequencing and the NHS: the views of rare disease patients and carers Genomics England commissioned Genetic Alliance UK to seek the views of patients and carers around the introduction of whole genome sequencing (WGS) into the NHS. They also wanted to hear about people’s experiences of taking part in the 100,000 Genomes Project. This report will be used by Genomics England to inform the launch of mainstream WGS, as part of the new Genomic Medicine Service. Genetic Alliance UK

            Health, care and the 100-year life

            Health, care and the 100-year life A child born today has a one in three chance of living to 100. Increased longevity should be celebrated. However, it will bring a range of challenges for society. This is the first in a series of reports focusing on how the 100-year life may affect Britain’s society, economy and public services. This report focuses on health, care and medicine. Social Market Foundation

              Who are the smokers that haven't quit?

              Who are the smokers that haven't quit? In 1974, almost half of all adults in the UK smoked. For many, spending time in smoke-filled homes, pubs and workplaces was simply a part of daily life.

              Today, that figure has fallen to 15%. The government has pledged to end smoking in England altogether by 2030.

              But some people remain much more likely to smoke than others. BBC News

              ‘I had chemo for breast cancer that never existed’

              ‘I had chemo for breast cancer that never existed’ A woman who underwent a double mastectomy after doctors wrongly diagnosed her with an aggressive form of cancer has said the trauma will remain with her.

              Sarah Boyle, 28, had chemotherapy and later needed reconstructive surgery before the mistake was noticed. BBC News

              Healthcare leaders set out priority ‘to do’ list for new PM

              Healthcare leaders set out priority ‘to do’ list for new PM As Boris Johnson takes over from Teresa May as Britain’s next prime minister, healthcare leaders have set out a list of urgent priorities for the new leader to tackle straight away.

              These include the NHS pensions issue, adequate funding of the Long Term Plan ambitions, addressing the social care crisis, and avoiding a ‘no deal’ Brexit. OnMedica

              Government health plans criticised as ‘missed opportunity’

              Government health plans criticised as ‘missed opportunity’ Doctors and health experts claim government plans to boost public health are too weak to deal with problems such as obesity, smoking and alcohol misuse that are claiming tens of thousands of lives a year.

              The green paper on prevention of ill-health in England, which ministers slipped out quietly on Monday evening, includes proposals to end smoking by 2030, make food healthier and stop under-16s buying energy drinks.

              But experts criticised the package of measures as inadequate, given the number of people dying avoidably from cancer, heart attacks and strokes linked to smoking and bad diet. The Guardian

              Millions wasted in failed NHS hospital closure programme

              Millions wasted in failed NHS hospital closure programme Tens of millions of pounds have been wasted on a major failed hospital closure programme, according to an internal NHS document passed to the Guardian.

              A confidential, draft document circulated to NHS North West LondonCollaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups, which serves more than 2 million Londoners, admits the blueprint for one of the NHS’s largest planned reorganisations has failed.

              Hundreds of patients - including disabled children - at risk amid delays in supplies of intravenous nutrition

              Hundreds of patients - including disabled children - at risk amid delays in supplies of intravenous nutrition Hundreds of NHS patients - including children - who depend on intravenous nutrition - are experiencing delays in deliveries, an investigation has found.

              Senior clinical staff said they were “walking a very thin line” amid shortages of supplies of hydration and nutrition for the most vulnerable.

              The British manufacturer of the feed, known as Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), said hundreds of patients were affected by the problems, which resulted from an inspection by watchdogs. The Daily Telegraph

              Tuesday 23 July 2019

              Heat health advice: 2019

              Heat health advice: 2019 Warmer weather forecasts for parts of England have prompted advice to take care from Public Health England.

              Social workers and a new Mental Health Act: final report

              Social workers and a new Mental Health Act: final report This inquiry report is in response to the Independent Review of the Mental health Act 1983. The inquiry looks at the integration of health and social care, and how social workers’ role can be enhanced in new legislation, in order to uphold the human rights of children and adults suffering ill mental health. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Work

                UK newborn baby screening 'not good enough'

                UK newborn baby screening 'not good enough' UK babies are missing out on checks for rare but serious health conditions, putting lives at risk, according to a report from the charity Genetic Alliance UK.

                The NHS offers newborns a blood test to screen for up to nine conditions.

                Many other European countries look for 20 or more illnesses and the US screens for more than 50, the charity says.

                The UK National Screening Committee says its recommendations are based on evidence and are regularly reviewed. BBC News

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                Transgender treatment: Puberty blockers study under investigation

                Transgender treatment: Puberty blockers study under investigation England's only NHS youth gender clinic lowered the age at which it offers children puberty blockers, partly based on a study now being investigated.

                The study's full findings have not been published - but early data showed some taking the drugs reported an increase in thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

                The clinic said data was from a "small sample" and so no "meaningful conclusion" could be drawn from it. BBC News

                Mentally ill children sent hundreds of miles for NHS treatment due to lack of beds

                Mentally ill children sent hundreds of miles for NHS treatment due to lack of beds Mentally ill children are being forced to travel hundreds of miles for NHS treatment, with one child sent 339 miles from their home, an investigation has found.

                Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows that a lack of inpatient beds close to youngsters’ homes means they must be treated in units away from family and friends in other parts of the country.

                The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the charity Young Minds said this can slow down recovery and be frightening for children, some of whom are at risk of self-harm or suicide. The Independent

                Greedy parking enforcement companies are issuing hefty fines to carers and nurses

                Greedy parking enforcement companies are issuing hefty fines to carers and nurses Private companies are issuing hefty penalty charge notices – sometimes even in a hospital’s own car park

                Community nurse Gemma Hayes was on call and on a tight schedule. She left her car in the residents’ car park of a block where her last patient of the day lived and displayed her professional carer’s badge on the dashboard. When she returned she’d been charged £60.

                “I was allocated 30 minutes for the call but spent an extra 45 minutes unpaid overtime as the elderly, housebound patient had additional needs,” says Hayes, who earns £24,200 and regularly works an extra unpaid hour on top of her eight-hour shifts. “I appealed, offering confirmation that I was carrying out a patient visit. It was rejected.

                Changes in the law are unlikely to have any effect on rising charges. The Guardian

                Matt Hancock 'buries' health proposals likely to displease Boris Johnson

                Matt Hancock 'buries' health proposals likely to displease Boris Johnson Green paper on smoking and sugar tax is released late in evening without alerting media

                The health secretary, Matt Hancock, is facing questions after apparently burying important proposals aimed at tackling smoking, drinking and poor diets by releasing them on Monday evening without alerting the media.

                The government’s green paper on the prevention of ill-health appeared on the gov.uk website at 7.22pm, hours after Hancock clashed with Theresa May, who had personally championed the plans. The Guardian

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                GP receptionists will offer patients appointments at chemists, in bid to take pressure off family doctors 

                GP receptionists will offer patients appointments at chemists, in bid to take pressure off family doctors GPs’ receptionists will divert patients to see pharmacists in a bid to relieve pressure on family doctors.

                The NHS plan aims to prevent 20 million GP appointments, with many of those telephoning for help instead offered a “same day” slot at a local chemist.

                Health officials said the moves would mean more accessible and convenient access to services. The Daily Telegraph

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                One in three consultants and GPs may be hit by tax rules which are fuelling soaring waiting lists 

                One in three consultants and GPs may be hit by tax rules which are fuelling soaring waiting lists One in three senior medics could be hit by NHS pensions rules which are fuelling soaring waiting lists, health officials have warned.

                Today ministers opened a consultation on changes to the operation of the scheme, amid a growing crisis as doctors refuse to work overtime.

                Treasury rules means that high earners can end up paying tax rates of more than 90 per cent on earnings over £110,000 a year - which include rises in the value of pensions. The Daily Telegraph

                Dementia costs crisis deepens after it emerges 770,000 people have been refused state support

                Dementia costs crisis deepens after it emerges 770,000 people have been refused state support More than 770,000 elderly people have been refused state support since the Government pledged to reform the broken care system.

                The shocking figure emerged amid growing pressure on the new prime minister to tackle the social care crisis that burdens families with crippling dementia costs. The Daily Mail

                Monday 22 July 2019

                Corby mums to get continuity of care under new project

                Corby mums to get continuity of care under new project A new pilot project to provide mums-to-be with complete continuity of care with midwives they know is being launched by Kettering General Hospital.

                The Eden Continuity of Care Team consists of six midwives who will be looking after 210 pregnant women from the Lakeside Practice in Corby over the next year.

                The new team was officially launched on Friday, July 19) but since June 1 it has been working with mums who will benefit from the project. Northamptonshire Telegraph

                Northamptonshire MP leads call for Government to ensure every baby gets the best start in life

                Northamptonshire MP leads call for Government to ensure every baby gets the best start in life A Northamptonshire MP called on the Government to take 'strong and decisive action' to ensure every baby gets the best start in life after a debate in the House of Commons.

                Andrea Leadsom led the debate on early years family support after chairing the inter ministerial group focusing on improving support for parents and their babies in the 1001 'critical days' while Leader of the Commons. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

                'Second opinion saved my dad's life': Northampton man taken off end-of-life care after step-daughter's fight to save him

                'Second opinion saved my dad's life': Northampton man taken off end-of-life care after step-daughter's fight to save him Northampton General Hospital has launched a review into the care of a Far Cotton man who is recovering after being taken off end-of-life care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

                How can the English NHS attract and keep more of the international nurses it needs?

                How can the English NHS attract and keep more of the international nurses it needs? With the numbers of nurses joining the English NHS from elsewhere in the European Union decreasing, Claudia Leone takes a closer look at the current problems and suggests what can be done to help reverse the trend. Nuffield Trust

                Pay rise announced for thousands working in medicine

                Pay rise announced for thousands working in medicine The Health and Social Care Secretary has announced one of the biggest pay rises in a decade for thousands of NHS doctors and dentists. Department of Health and Social Care

                New Deputy Chief People Officer to help make the NHS the ‘best place to work’

                New Deputy Chief People Officer to help make the NHS the ‘best place to work’ NHS England and NHS Improvement have appointed Professor Em Wilkinson-Brice to the role of Deputy Chief People Officer. The new position will play a leading role in supporting delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan, by developing and implementing the NHS’ People Plan due to be published towards the end of the year.

                Failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings

                Failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings This report demonstrates where technology could play a pivotal role in reducing harm caused by failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings. The investigation also makes three other recommendations in relation to following up unexpected significant radiological findings, to The Royal College of Radiologists, NHS England and NHS Improvement, and the Care Quality Commission. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

                  UK's top doctor calls for global health effort

                  UK's top doctor calls for global health effort Countries must work together to tackle global health risks, England's outgoing chief medical officer has said.

                  In her final annual report, Prof Dame Sally Davies said focusing on domestic issues could risk failing to control global threats such as Ebola.

                  And she said learning from other countries would also ensure the NHS was not left behind. BBC News

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                  Surgeons call for breast implant illness warning

                  Surgeons call for breast implant illness warning Women who have experienced chronic pain and extreme fatigue after breast enhancement surgery have told the Victoria Derbyshire Programme they were not warned about the possible side effects.

                  Breast implant illness (BII) doesn't have an official diagnosis, but some women who believe they have the condition say they returned to full health after having their implants removed. BBC News

                  UTI home-testing app to help women trialled by NHS

                  UTI home-testing app to help women trialled by NHS A new smartphone app to help women diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) is being trialled by the NHS.

                  The app will be overseen by 37 pharmacies in a trial across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, aimed at freeing up GP appointments.

                  It guides users through a urine test and allows the results to be analysed online by a pharmacist. BBC News

                  Children under 11 should be taught about FGM, campaigners say

                  Children under 11 should be taught about FGM, campaigners say Primary school pupils should be taught about female genital mutilation(FGM) as part of relationship and health education, campaigners have said.

                  While secondary schools will teach it as a compulsory part of the curriculum from 2020, the National FGM Centre warns that for some vulnerable girls this will be too late.

                  Most girls who are subjected to mutilation are younger than 10, its research shows. The Independent

                  See also:

                  Long delays to NHS cataract operations leave elderly at risk

                  Long delays to NHS cataract operations leave elderly at risk New data reveals badly missed targets despite increased use of private sector providers

                  People with poor eyesight are being forced to wait almost six months for operations on the NHS to remove cataracts, official figures reveal.

                  Patients in Herefordshire are facing average delays of 168 days – five months and 17 days – for cataract surgery, according to data collected by NHS Digital, the health service’s statistical arm. Waiting times in Great Yarmouth and Waveney in Norfolk are the second worst in England at 163 days, while they now average 154 days in North Lincolnshire. The Guardian

                  Private firms given £9.2bn of NHS budget despite Hancock promise

                  Private firms given £9.2bn of NHS budget despite Hancock promise Record 2018 total comes after health secretary pledged no privatisation on his watch

                  The amount of the NHS budget going to private healthcare firms has reached unprecedented levels, despite the health secretary’s pledge to roll back outsourcing of patient care.

                  The Department of Health and Social Care handed a record total of £9.2bn last year to private providers such as Virgin Care and the Priory mental health group, its annual report shows. The Guardian

                  Anorexia overtakes cyberbullying as top source of online concern among ten to 16 year olds

                  Anorexia overtakes cyberbullying as top source of online concern among ten to 16 year olds Eating disorders have overtaken cyberbullying as the top source of online concern among ten to 16 year olds, a study has revealed.

                  Almost three in ten (29%) said they had viewed content encouraging anorexia compared with 22 per cent who cited cyberbullying, according to the survey of almost 2,000 children. The Daily Telegraph

                  Experts warn of 'alarming' rise of sepsis among the young as it emerges cases have doubled

                  Experts warn of 'alarming' rise of sepsis among the young as it emerges cases have doubled Hospital admissions for sepsis have more than doubled in three years – including an ‘alarming’ rise in young children being treated, figures show.

                  Experts warned that antibiotic resistance is fuelling the soaring numbers and warned parents to be extra vigilant for signs of the illness.

                  Official NHS data shows there were 350,344 recorded hospital admissions for sepsis in 2017/18, up from 169,125 three years earlier. The Daily Mail

                  See also:

                  Doctors' row over pensions 'is putting lives in danger'

                  Doctors' row over pensions 'is putting lives in danger' Cancer patients are being forced to wait weeks for scan results as thousands of doctors cut their hours over the NHS pensions crisis.

                  Waiting times have increased from one to six weeks at many hospitals – with some cases of cancer being missed as a result, a report said.

                  Top radiologists say lives are being put in danger as vital scans to determine the spread of cancer are left unread for weeks due to a backlog. The Daily Mail

                  See also:

                  Friday 19 July 2019

                  Guidance on use of data for innovation

                  Guidance on use of data for innovation The Department of Health and Social Care has issued guidance on how the NHS should engage with researchers and innovators when entering into data sharing arrangements.

                  The department has promised to set up a national centre of excellence assist in the development of data sharing agreements.

                  Music 'calms nerves before surgery' as well as sedative

                  Music 'calms nerves before surgery' as well as sedative Listening to the "world's most relaxing song" before an operation could be just as good at calming patients' nerves as medication, US researchers say.

                  The song, written to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate, performed as well as a sedative in a study of 157 people.

                  But patients said they would have preferred to choose their own music. BBC News

                  See also:

                  Capita admits further cervical screening administration errors

                  Capita admits further cervical screening administration errors Capita has admitted that correspondence relating to cervical screening was not processed properly due to an administrative error.

                  The private company, which runs the NHS's Primary Care Support England service, revealed in a statement that the error caused a delay to 16 women being invited to screening - but insisted no harm was caused. Pulse

                  Thousands go missing from mental health hospitals in England each year

                  Thousands go missing from mental health hospitals in England each year Thousands of patients went missing from mental health hospitals in England last year, NHS figures show.

                  A total of 3,462 people who had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act went AWOL - absent without leave - from facilities between April 2018 and March 2019.

                  This is a 4.4% rise on the previous year during which 3,316 patients went missing. Sky News

                  'Vaccine hesitant': a gentler label than anti-vaxxer, but just as scary

                  'Vaccine hesitant': a gentler label than anti-vaxxer, but just as scary Reluctant parents who keep their opinions on jabs to themselves have been called a global threat by the World Health Organisation

                  This week we learned that parents who are unsure whether to have their children vaccinated against dangerous diseases are in the grip of “vaccine hesitancy”, a term that first appeared in print in 2008 but is becoming distressingly more common. It is not clear whether there is a symmetrically opposed group who are “vaccine curious”, but to call such waverers “hesitant” is at least gentler than calling them “deniers”. The Guardian

                  NHS flu jabs delayed amid scramble to keep up with 'Aussie' strain 

                  NHS flu jabs delayed amid scramble to keep up with 'Aussie' strain The NHS is scrambling to get hold of the right flu jabs in time for this winter, amid fears millions of Britons will not be protected against a deadly “Aussie” strain.

                  Health officials say delays by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in selecting the vaccine for this winter mean that some jabs will not be delivered to GP practices until the end of November.

                  Normally flu vaccinations are offered by the NHS from September. The Daily Telegraph

                  See also:

                  Relaxing salt regulations in ready meals 'caused 9,9000 cases of heart disease'

                  Relaxing salt regulations in ready meals 'caused 9,9000 cases of heart disease' Relaxing salt regulations in the UK has been linked to thousands of cases of heart disease and stomach cancer that would never have otherwise occurred, research suggests.

                  A study looked at salt intake in England before and after changes to legislation were introduced in 2011.

                  The 'tragic' Public Health Responsibility Deal saw the food industry set its own salt targets, rather than being monitored by an independent body. The Daily Mail

                  See also:

                  Thursday 18 July 2019

                  Report of the survey of liaison psychiatry in England

                  Report of the survey of liaison psychiatry in England This is the fourth Liaison Psychiatry survey of England. It concerns the Liaison Psychiatry services in acute hospitals with Emergency Departments in England. NHS England

                  Enhancing the experience of doctors - new reports from HEE

                  Enhancing the experience of doctors - new reports from HEE Health Education England (HEE) has published two new reports setting out their commitment to improve the experience of doctors across the NHS through enhanced supervision and better support for transition in and out of foundation training.

                  We encourage employers to review both reports and understand the impact this will have on how they deliver training and support supervision. NHS Employers

                  Driving improvement through technology

                  Driving improvement through technology Technology in health and care services is growing in importance. Digitally-enabled care can offer significant benefits to people who use services and those who run and deliver them. These case studies illustrate some of the developments in use and testing. Care Quality Commission

                    Child mental health unit referrals 'up nearly 50%'

                    Child mental health unit referrals 'up nearly 50%' Referrals to child mental health units from UK primary schools for pupils aged 11 and under have risen by nearly 50% in three years, the BBC has learned.

                    Replies to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from 46 health trusts indicate they rose from 21,125 to 31,531.

                    Seven trusts said they had rejected an individual pupil for treatment at least five times over the last four years.

                    The government says it is "determined to improve mental health support". BBC News

                    Children with gender identity issues 'need help from all sides'

                    Children with gender identity issues 'need help from all sides' Solving gender identity issues in children is complicated, and is not always going to be the answer to everything, says NHS England's gender identity development service.

                    They need help "from all sides", say experts from the London clinic, because many of the under-18s are also dealing with mental health problems.

                    Referrals to the service have more than tripled since 2014-15 - to 2,590.

                    Fewer than half decided to have any physical treatments. BBC News

                    Trieste’s mental health revolution: 'It’s the best place to get sick'

                    Trieste’s mental health revolution: 'It’s the best place to get sick' Sara has struggled with her mental health since she was a child.

                    She lives in Trieste, where ideas from a mental health 'revolution' in the 1970s are helping her recover today. BBC News

                    Safety concerns raised about software used to triage NHS 111 calls

                    Safety concerns raised about software used to triage NHS 111 calls Coroners have linked 11 patient deaths with safety concerns about NHS Pathways, the clinical software used to triage patients calls to the NHS 111 and 999 services.

                    An investigation by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) revealed that coroners have issued ‘regulation 28’ reports calling on the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care, to take action to prevent future fatalities. Healthcare IT News

                    One in 20 patients exposed to preventable harm in medical care

                    One in 20 patients exposed to preventable harm in medical care Around one in 20 patients are exposed to preventable harm in medical care – and one in eight of these cases are severe or led to death – even though early detection and prevention of patient harm in healthcare is an international policy priority, UK-led research published today in The BMJ has revealed. The researchers behind the study called for mitigation of major sources of preventable patient harm such as drug incidents, for evidence to be properly recorded across specialties including primary care and psychiatry, and for better assessment and reporting standards. OnMedica

                    Cheap flights blamed as skin cancer rates soar by 45 per cent in a decade

                    Cheap flights blamed as skin cancer rates soar by 45 per cent in a decade Rates of melanoma skin cancers have soared by 45 per cent in the past decade as cheap international flights have fuelled a new generation of sun chasers, charities have warned.

                    Melanomas are rarer but more serious than non-melanoma skin cancers and rates have risen most steeply among men and the under-50s, a Cancer Research UK analysis found. The Independent

                    See also:

                    Cuts to study of killings by mental health patients ‘put people at risk’

                    Cuts to study of killings by mental health patients ‘put people at risk’ NHS England decision is risky and reckless, experts and victims’ families say

                    People have been put at risk because the NHS has stopped funding the automatic investigation of all killings by mental health patients, according to psychiatrists and victims’ families.

                    Experts who had looked into every such homicide for 20 years had to stop doing so last year after NHS England stopped paying the £100,000-a-year cost involved, the Guardian has learned. The Guardian

                    Obesity should be classed as a disease to remove the stigma it is 'self-inflicted' medics say

                    Obesity should be classed as a disease to remove the stigma it is 'self-inflicted' medics say Obesity should be classed as a disease to remove the stigma that it is "self-inflicted" and encourage those with weight problems to get help, medics have said.

                    Writing in the BMJ, they said that up to 70 per cent of weight variability was inherited, with 200 genes linked to it.

                    And they said the rise in obesity was due to “an altered environment” which meant cheap food was readily available. The Daily Telegraph

                    See also:

                    'Anti-vaxxer' parents face £2,000 fines as Germany makes measles vaccinations compulsory

                    'Anti-vaxxer' parents face £2,000 fines as Germany makes measles vaccinations compulsory Germany is to make measles vaccinations compulsory for all children from next year amid concern at the rise in infections.

                    Angela Merkel’s cabinet agreed on Wednesday to make vaccinations mandatory at all schools and kindergartens. As school is compulsory in Germany and home schooling is not permitted, parents will be obliged to vaccinate their children. The Daily Telegraph

                    Wednesday 17 July 2019

                    East Midlands Ambulance Service: Trust makes 'significant improvements'

                    East Midlands Ambulance Service: Trust makes 'significant improvements' A previously-troubled ambulance service has made significant improvements, a regulator has found.

                    East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust has been rated "good" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), after being told in 2017 changes were needed.

                    Inspectors found the service had new ways of call handling, which helped staff better deal with major incidents.

                    The trust was rated as outstanding for being "caring", one of the CQC's key grading areas. BBC Northampton

                    New campaign to fund Wellingborough A&E facility

                    New campaign to fund Wellingborough A&E facility 'Wellingborough needs its own A&E facility'.

                    That's the message from campaigners battling to bring urgent care provision to Northamptonshire's fourth biggest town.

                    Currently those in need of immediate medical attention in Wellingborough face a nine-mile trip to Kettering General Hospital, a 12-mile trip to Northampton General Hospital or, further afield, a 16-mile trip to Corby Urgent Care Centre. Northamptonshire Telegraph

                    Funding innovation in the NHS: Early observations of a Wave 2 Test Bed

                    Funding innovation in the NHS: Early observations of a Wave 2 Test Bed Since last September the Nuffield Trust has been evaluating Care City, a Test Bed based in north east London. Sophie Castle-Clarke describes what we’ve found so far.

                    Ensuring that the NHS can make the most of new, well-evidenced technologies is a policy priority. The Test Bed programme is an initiative that tries to do just that. It brings NHS organisations and industry partners together to test combinations of digital technologies with new ways of delivering services in real-world settings, and provides funding for them to do so. The ultimate ambition is to harness the potential of these technologies to improve the delivery of health care and the sustainability of services. Nuffield Trust

                    Can less be more? The new approach to social care in South Tyneside

                    Can less be more? The new approach to social care in South Tyneside As our new report on the Wigan Deal illustrates, local authorities are increasingly adopting approaches to social care that aim to minimise the need for formal support by focusing on the resources already available to people in their families and communities. It’s an approach that requires a closer, better understanding of the individual, their strengths, their resilience and the assets around them, and – as the report suggests – there is reason to believe it could improve not just community-based social care, but also areas such as hospital discharge. The King's Fund

                    Alzheimer's risk 'different in women and men'

                    Alzheimer's risk 'different in women and men' Scientists say they may have discovered why more women than men have Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

                    It has always been thought that women living longer than men was the reason.

                    But new research presented at an international conference suggests this may not be the whole story.

                    Differences in brain connectivity and sex-specific genes linked to risk could explain the numbers, the researchers say. BBC News

                    See also:

                    Number of stroke doctors needs to rise by a third – report - ITV News

                    Number of stroke doctors needs to rise by a third – report Stroke survivors living with a disability will rise by a third by 2035, doctors have said as they warned the UK needs far more specialists in stroke medicine.

                    The British Association of Stroke Physicians (BASP) said there is a “significant and growing shortage of stroke consultants” in the UK, with around four in 10 hospitals providing stroke care having an unfilled consultant post – compared to less than three in 10 (26%) in 2014.

                    In its report, BASP said immediate access to procedures such as intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, which dissolve clots and restore blood flow to the brain, can significantly decrease the risk of long-term disability and save millions of pounds in long-term health and social care costs. ITV News

                    Conflicting healthy eating advice leaving public ‘clueless’, poll suggests

                    Conflicting healthy eating advice leaving public ‘clueless’, poll suggests Mixed messages over “healthy” diets are causing “significant” confusion among UK fitness fanatics, according to a study.

                    Conflicting expert reports over what is right and wrong means the vast majority of regular exercisers do not know if the food they eat is really doing them any good.

                    Eight in 10 admit they are “clueless” over the nutritional benefits of different food types – and have no idea what they should be consuming in order to bulk up or slim down. The Independent

                    No, Boris Johnson, working harder is not a solution for poor mental health

                    No, Boris Johnson, working harder is not a solution for poor mental health | Arwa Mahdawi Offering tax incentives to companies who support depressed employees sounds like a step towards privatising the NHS

                    Boris Johnson is quite the renaissance man. He builds buses! He writes columns! He dabbles in politics! And now, it would appear, he fancies himself a mental health expert. On Sunday, Johnson used his Telegraph column to share his brilliant solution to Britain’s mental health crisis: drown out your inner demons with work. Yep, according to the sentient shock of hair that will probably be Britain’s next prime minister, you can rid yourself of depression by working harder. The Guardian

                    English health index to paint detailed picture of nation’s wellbeing

                    English health index to paint detailed picture of nation’s wellbeing Database will be used to assess effect of policies as focus shifts to preventing illness

                    The government is to set up the most comprehensive database yet to measure the health of people in England as part of leaked plans to improve life expectancy and boost the fight against the biggest deadly diseases.

                    Ministers intend to create a “composite health index” which will track whether the population’s health is getting better or worse and the stark difference between rich and poor when it comes to illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. The Guardian

                    People given financial rewards to quit smoking are '50 per cent more likely to kick the habit'

                    People given financial rewards to quit smoking are '50 per cent more likely to kick the habit' People are significantly more likely to quit smoking if they get money for doing so, a study has revealed.

                    Researchers found quitters who were motivated with financial rewards are 50 per cent more likely to have kicked the habit after six months.

                    They said the NHS could save billions of pounds by using these incentives, such as cash or vouchers, to halt people's deadly addictions.

                    Interestingly, the amount of money people were getting didn't seem to make a difference. The Daily Mail

                    See also:

                    Tuesday 16 July 2019

                    Meaningful measures of integration

                    Meaningful measures of integration The NHS long-term plan confirmed, once again, that collaboration is now the organising principle of the NHS, and that integrated care is the idea on which national leaders have pinned their hopes. There have been a number of initiatives to integrate services over the past decade, but the pace picked up considerably with the appointment of Simon Stevens as the Chief Executive of NHS England in 2014 and the publication of the NHS five year forward view. If anything will define his legacy when he eventually steps down, it will be the success or otherwise of this. The King's Fund

                    National training surveys 2019: initial findings report

                    National training surveys 2019: initial findings report More than 75,000 doctors in training and trainers took part in this year's GMC surveys. This initial findings report outlines the key trends across the UK. General Medical Council

                      Social care: paying for care home places and domiciliary care (England)

                      Social care: paying for care home places and domiciliary care (England) This updated briefing paper considers the current structure of the care home market in England, as well as issues facing the sector and how private clients (“self-funders”) tend to pay more than local authority funded residents (known as “cross-subsidisation”). House of Commons Library

                        Scotland's drug deaths set to top 1,000

                        Scotland's drug deaths set to top 1,000 New figures released later are expected to show that more than 1,000 people died as a result of drugs in Scotland last year.

                        Scotland already has the worst record for reported drug overdose deaths in Europe but the latest figures will show another steep rise.

                        Last week, Scottish Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick said the level of drug deaths was an "emergency".

                        He told MPs this should be a "wake-up call" over UK government policy. BBC News