Thursday 31 October 2019

Cliftonville corridor improvement works to start in Northampton

Cliftonville corridor improvement works to start in Northampton Work on Northamptonshire County Council’s Cliftonville corridor improvement scheme will start on Monday to ease traffic near the hospital.

Northamptonshire County Council successfully secured £1.814m from the Department for Transport’s National Productivity Investment Fund for the scheme which aims to improve congestion on this busy route, which is an important north-south link, and one of the main access routes to and from Northampton General HospitalNorthampton Chronicle and Echo

Gender equality and the 100-year life: how policymakers can ensure gender equality in the era of extreme longevity

Gender equality and the 100-year life: how policymakers can ensure gender equality in the era of extreme longevity This is the second report of the series focusing on how the 100-year life may affect Britain’s society, economy and public services. This report focuses on gender equality and how policy-makers can make the 100-year life work for women. Research conducted by Insuring Women’s Futures on risk patterns highlighted the six 'moments that matter' in the lives of British women – these are used as the basis for this research. Social Market Foundation

    National Clinical Audit of Anxiety and Depression: inpatient mental health services

    National Clinical Audit of Anxiety and Depression: inpatient mental health services This report presents the main findings of the National Clinical Audit of Anxiety and Depression in inpatient mental health services carried out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists between 2017 and 2018. Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership

    Introduction of nursing associates - year 2: evaluation report

    Introduction of nursing associates - year 2: evaluation report This report draws on three online surveys of trainee nursing associates (TNAs), which received 2,477 responses in total and 12 deep-dive enquiries. Line managers were also surveyed in the second year of the programme, with 531 responses received. It also draws on the analysis of key programme data, information from the regular TNA communities of practice events, and economic analysis of the programme and role. Health Education England

      A manager's guide to criteria-led discharge

      A manager's guide to criteria-led discharge Criteria-led discharge (CLD) is a process that empowers a competent member of the multidisciplinary team (eg junior doctor, registered nurse, therapist) to discharge a patient when they meet pre-agreed clinical criteria for discharge. This removes the need for the patient to wait for the lead clinician (eg consultant) to approve discharge. This guide to CLD supports managers to implement, sustain and spread CLD, as well as providing context and evidence around the process. NHS England and NHS Improvement

      NHS pagers are leaking medical data

      NHS pagers are leaking medical data An amateur radio rig exposed to the internet and discovered by a security researcher was collecting real-time medical data and health information broadcast by hospitals and ambulances across U.K. towns and cities.

      The rig, operated out of a house in North London, was picking up radio waves from over the air and translating them into readable text. The hobbyist’s computer display was filling up with messages about real-time medical emergencies from across the region. For some reason, the hobbyist had set up an internet-connected webcam pointed at the display. But because there was no password on the webcam, anyone who knew where to look could also see what was on the rig’s computer display. TechCrunch

      Spiders inspire double-sided sticky tape to heal wounds

      Spiders inspire double-sided sticky tape to heal wounds A double-sided tape designed to stick body tissue together after surgery has been inspired by the way spiders exude "glue" to catch their prey in the rain.

      Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology noticed how the spiders' secretion absorbed water, helping to secure their next meal.

      The sticky tape does the same and was found to work within seconds in tests on pig skin and lungs.

      The team said with more research, it could be used in place of sutures. BBC News

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      'I was treated like a leper' - Asian cancer patient

      'I was treated like a leper' - Asian cancer patient Saj Dar was pregnant with her first child when she ran her hand over her right breast and felt a lump. She knew what that hardened tissue signified. And she knew she could not delay getting tested. But the fear of being treated "like a leper" by her local Pakistani community in the Berkshire town of Slough overpowered her. BBC News

      'I didn't know if he'd recover': NHS staff on the patients they'll never forget

      'I didn't know if he'd recover': NHS staff on the patients they'll never forget From physios working with stroke survivors to radiographers identifying 7/7 victims, it isn’t just doctors and nurses who form bonds with patients. The Guardian

      Why the 2019 general election will be fought in the hospitals of England

      Why the 2019 general election will be fought in the hospitals of England Legally speaking, the 12 December general election won't be confirmed until later this week, after it's been approved by the House of Lords and then signed off by the Queen. But today's session of Prime Minister's Questions - the longest in history, stretching beyond 70 minutes - confirmed that the campaign is well and truly under way already. iNews

      Tories still to decide on approach to social care crisis that ruined Theresa May's election campaign, health secretary admits

      Tories still to decide on approach to social care crisis that ruined Theresa May's election campaign, health secretary admits The Conservative general election manifesto may not contain firm proposals to solve the social care crisis, the health secretary has admitted.

      Matt Hancock said his party was “working on a plan” – after the controversy derailed Theresa May’s campaign in 2017 – but added: “We are not ready to publish it yet.”

      He would not commit to the Tories promising a cap on social care bills, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’m not going to get into the details of it.” The Independent

      Life expectancy in England and Wales has stalled worse than 20 other wealthy countries

      Life expectancy in England and Wales has stalled worse than 20 other wealthy countries Improvements in life expectancy in England and Wales are among the worst of all wealthy countries, research shows.

      Experts believe funding cuts to NHS and social care may be fuelling the trend, as well as a rise in alcohol and drug-related deaths.

      Between 2011 and 2016, life expectancy in England and Wales improved by less than five weeks for women and fewer than five months for men.

      It means that the average boy lives to the age of 79, while girls tend to live until they are roughly 83. The Daily Mail

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      Exercising more could reduce your chances of becoming frail in old age

      Exercising more could reduce your chances of becoming frail in old age Exercising more, eating healthily and quitting smoking could reduce your chances of becoming frail in old age, a study has suggested.

      Scientists led by a team at Leicester’s De Montfort University tracked almost 9,000 participants over the age of 50 for 12 years, on average.

      Age was the biggest risk factor for frailty – but being overweight and smoking also increases the odds of becoming frail, results showed. The Daily Mail

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