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