Boy locked in room 'endured neglect for years'

Boy locked in room 'endured neglect for years' A boy who was beaten and had to defecate on the floor "was left to endure continuing neglect and serious abuse for years" after referrals were not acted upon, a report has found.

The boy's stepfather and mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were jailed last year for child cruelty.

A school nurse's concerns did not spark child protection procedures, a serious case review in Northamptonshire said. BBC Northampton

Getting to grips with climate change

Getting to grips with climate change There’s never been a shortage of people in the NHS who care about climate change. There are countless examples of people working locally to reduce the environmental impact of the services they provide. What has been missing until recently is a clear message from national leaders that sustainability is mission critical rather than something to put on the ‘and also’ list. Thankfully this now looks like it may be set to change. The King's Fund

Research and analysis: People with learning disabilities in England

Research and analysis: People with learning disabilities in England Updates of national statistics about people with learning disabilities in England and the services and support available to them and their families. Public Health England

See also:

• Guidance: Bowel cancer screening: helping people with learning disabilities Public Health England
• Guidance: Eye care and people with learning disabilities Public Health England

Many women have a positive experience of maternity services, but for some care continues to fall short

Many women have a positive experience of maternity services, but for some care continues to fall short The majority of women who gave birth in February last year had confidence and trust in staff, felt they were ‘always’ listened to by midwives and received appropriate advice at the start of labour, according to a national survey by the Care Quality Commission.

UK health research analysis 2018

UK health research analysis 2018 This analysis consists of more than 22,500 health and biomedical research active awards from 146 organisations accounting for an estimated expenditure of almost £4.8 billion in the calendar year 2018. This report summarises the main findings from the analysis, including estimations of total UK health R&D expenditure and an assessment of international funding. Health Research Classification System

Health secretary launches £140m competition for NHS artificial intelligence projects

Health secretary launches £140m competition for NHS artificial intelligence projects The health secretary has launched a competition for companies to receive a share of £140 million to 'fast-track’ artificial intelligence (AI) to NHS staff and patients.

The new investment scheme, known as th AI Award, will see companies selected on the basis of their potential to ‘transform patient care, support staff and save lives,' according to the Department of Health and Social Care. Pulse

Coronavirus: Death toll rises as virus spreads to every Chinese region

Coronavirus: Death toll rises as virus spreads to every Chinese region The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 170, and a confirmed case in Tibet means it has reached every region in mainland China.

Chinese health authorities said there were 7,711 confirmed cases in the country as of 29 January.

Infections have also spread to at least 15 other countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will meet on Thursday to again consider whether the virus constitutes a global health emergency. BBC News

See also:

• Coronavirus: latest information and advice Department of Health and Social Care
• Coronavirus: Scientists race to develop a vaccine BBC News
• Coronavirus: The US laboratory developing a vaccine BBC News
• Coronavirus: returning Britons could be kept in quarantine for 14 days The Guardian
• Coronavirus: UK will no longer fly Britons out of virus-hit Wuhan on Thursday The Independent

Lungs 'magically' heal damage from smoking

Lungs 'magically' heal damage from smoking Your lungs have an almost "magical" ability to repair the cancerous mutations caused by smoking - but only if you stop, say scientists.

The mutations that lead to lung cancer had been considered to be permanent, and to persist even after quitting. BBC News

See also:

• Tobacco smoking and somatic mutations in human bronchial epithelium (abstract) Nature
• Lungs have a 'magical ability' to get rid of cancerous cells caused by smoking, scientists say The Daily Mail

Hospital hired fingerprint experts to unmask whistleblower, report finds

Hospital hired fingerprint experts to unmask whistleblower, report finds West Suffolk hospital downgraded after catalogue of failings and staff bullying

“Threatening” and “intimidating” tactics used against doctors at health secretary Matt Hancock’s local hospital has contributed to the biggest rating downgrade by the NHS regulator.

West Suffolk Hospital’s demand for fingerprints to track down a whistleblower – as revealed by the Guardian last month – was “unprecedented and concerning”, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

See also:

• Top hospital downgraded amid safety fears and whistleblowing inquiry The Independent

England ‘decade away’ from decent children mental health services

England ‘decade away’ from decent children mental health services Children commissioner’s report warns of postcode lottery families still face

England is “a decade away” from decent mental health services for all children despite years of government announcements, the children’s commissioner has warned.

In her third annual children’s mental health report, Anne Longfield has acknowledged there has been tangible progress, but has said there remaine “a chasm” between the services currently available and what children actually need. The Guardian

See also:

• Children’s mental health report warns ‘chasm’ remains between what services are available and what children need Children's Commissioner
• The state of children’s mental health services Children's Commissioner
• 'Decent' mental health service for children is a decade away, warns children’s commissioner The Independent

Improving home insulation and encouraging cycling and walking could save the NHS £3.7billion a year

Improving home insulation and encouraging cycling and walking could save the NHS £3.7billion a year Improving house insulation and encouraging cycling and walking would save the NHS £3.7billion a year, campaigners claim.

Reducing energy demand in transport, buildings and industry - by insulating homes and getting people out of their cars - would reduce early deaths through pollution and pneumonia, they say.

A report by the Green Alliance group accused ministers of a 'short sighted approach to energy' which is damaging people's health. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Balancing the energy equation: three steps to cutting UK demand Green Alliance

Cancer treatment with new drugs is lagging because NHS taked too long to approve them

Cancer treatment with new drugs is lagging because NHS taked too long to approve them Cancer treatment is lagging in Britain because NHS watchdogs take too long to approve some of the best new drugs, experts have warned.

An increasing numbers of medicines have been licensed since 2000 to target new mutations in cancer.

But some are taking more than 20 years to reach NHS patients because regulators are 'too risk adverse', The Institute of Cancer Research said. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Most innovative cancer drugs facing delays in reaching patients The Institute of Cancer Research
• Breakthrough cancer drugs take 22 years to reach the NHS The Daily Telegraph