Women left alone when anxious in labour, despite pledges to tackle Britain's poor maternity record

Women left alone when anxious in labour, despite pledges to tackle Britain's poor maternity record One in four women are being left alone while anxious during labour, despite pledges by ministers to tackle Britain’s woeful maternity record.

The survey by NHS watchdogs shows no progress ensuring women received support while giving birth - and worsening failings in post-natal care.

Almost half of mothers said they were not given enough support after birth, with rising numbers saying they had wanted to see a midwife more often. The Telegraph

See also:

• Almost a QUARTER of new mothers are left 'alone' during childbirth Mail Online
• Maternity services survey 2018 Care Quality Commission 

Just another day: 24 hours in the NHS – compromised care, staff shortages and serious stress

Just another day: 24 hours in the NHS – compromised care, staff shortages and serious stress UNISON - Almost half of NHS workers on the front line of patient care say there are not enough staff on their shift to ensure patients are treated safely and with compassion, according to the results of a snapshot survey of NHS staff. The report calls for an increase in NHS funding and mandatory safe-staffing levels in England and Northern Ireland. King's Fund

A model employer: increasing black and ethnic minority representation at senior levels across the NHS

A model employer: increasing black and ethnic minority representation at senior levels across the NHS NHS England - This document outlines the ambitions set by NHS England and NHS Improvement and reflected in the Long Term Plan, for each NHS organisation to set its own target for BME representation across its leadership team and broader workforce. The strategy will provide accelerated, intensive support to local NHS organisations on increasing the recruitment of BME staff at senior levels King's Fund

Patients left hunting for check-ups as number of new dentists falls by a fifth

Patients left hunting for check-ups as number of new dentists falls by a fifth Experts are warning of a growing shortage of dentists, with the number of new recruits falling by a fifth in just two years.

Researchers said the shortfalls were making it harder to find a dentist in many parts of the country, with a steep fall in levels of NHS provision.

Dentists said patients were being forced to undertake round trips of 65 miles to have a check-up, with some cases left attempting to extract their own teeth. The Telegraph

UK retirees in EU will lose free healthcare under no-deal Brexit

UK retirees in EU will lose free healthcare under no-deal Brexit Burden on NHS could increase after 29 March if pensioners return to UK for treatment. British nationals who have retired to EU countries including Spain and France will no longer have their healthcare covered by the NHS in the event of no Brexit deal, the government has said. The Guardian

NHS trust chief in no-deal Brexit medicine warning

NHS trust chief in no-deal Brexit medicine warning NHS trusts could "quickly run out of vital medicine" in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the chief executive of a leading hospital group has warned.

Dr David Rosser of University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) said that, despite NHS stockpiling, shortages would likely occur due to "unprecedented" distribution challenges.

Medicine shortages could lead to some operations being postponed, he said.

The Department of Health said planning for a no-deal Brexit was "ongoing". BBC News

Do you need antibiotics? A simple blood test could tell you in a few seconds

Do you need antibiotics? A simple blood test could tell you in a few seconds The Government’s newly announced five-year action plan for tackling antimicrobial resistance sets out an important target to reduce the use of antibiotics in the UK by 15 per cent.

Nowhere is this more important than in GP surgeries, where more than three quarters of all antibiotics are prescribed. Over half of these are for respiratory tract infections, despite there being little evidence to support their use. The Telegraph

See also:

• We can win the war on superbugs but only with the right investment The Telegraph

     

Doctors attack plan to scrap four-hour A&E target

Doctors attack plan to scrap four-hour A&E target NHS bosses are facing a backlash against plans to scrap a target to treat patients within four hours of arrival at A&E.

The body that represents A&E doctors said the move was an attempt to “bury problems” in the NHS. The proposal has sparked fears of a return to the days when some patients waited many hours in A&E to start treatment. The Guardian

England will have no new cases of HIV by 2030, Health Secretary says

England will have no new cases of HIV by 2030, Health Secretary says England will be the first country in world to have no new cases of HIV, the health secretary will today pledge.

Matt Hancock will today tell a global summit that the goal is “now within our grasp” with the capital already surpassing targets which were set by the United Nations.

The Health Secretary said medical breakthroughs, including medication to treat and prevent the spread of disease, meant Aids is no longer a death sentence. The Telegraph

See also:

• Government pledges England will become the first nation in the world to eliminate HIV by 2030 Mail Online