Tuesday 10 March 2020

What role do taxes and regulation play in promoting better health?

What role do taxes and regulation play in promoting better health? The use of regulatory and fiscal policy tools in improving public health has long generated heated debate, and is rising up the agenda once more. This briefing aims to contribute to the debate, looking at how a range of policy levers might be used effectively to reduce consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and unhealthy consumption of food and drink, and ultimately improve people’s health. The King's Fund

    Developing a plan for tech in health and care

    Developing a plan for tech in health and care NHSX is seeking views of their Tech plan and how NHSX can best support the health and care system to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan and the Department of Health & Social Care’s technology policy (The future of healthcare), as well as the forthcoming NHS People Plan. People are invited to register to participate and share their views.

      Menopause at work

      Menopause at work This guidance, (produced by the NHS Staff Council's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Partnership Group), includes principles that will help: organisations support the workforce; line managers support their staff; and employees look after themselves. NHS Employers

        Many 111 calls end in unneeded emergency visits

        Many 111 calls end in unneeded emergency visits Around one in 20 calls to NHS 111 helpline result in unnecessary emergency care visits.

        Despite advice to seek alternative options, such as the family doctor, local pharmacist, or self-care, patients are still turning up at A&E, the study reveals. OnMedica

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        Coronavirus: NHS targets fake news spreading online

        Coronavirus: NHS targets fake news spreading online The decision to delay closing schools and introduce other strict measures to combat coronavirus has been defended by England's deputy chief medical officer.

        Dr Jenny Harries said experts are assessing new cases on an hourly basis to achieve a "balanced response".

        She told BBC Breakfast new measures could follow as UK cases begin to rise rapidly over the next two weeks.

        In the UK, five people with the virus have died. There were 319 confirmed cases as of 09:00 GMT on Monday. BBC News

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        Boy stuck on acute NHS ward for a year because he has no home to go to

        Boy stuck on acute NHS ward for a year because he has no home to go to Disabled 10-year-old cannot leave until Manchester council settles his homeless family

        A 10-year-old boy has been living on an acute NHS medical ward for nearly a year despite being well enough to be discharged because the local council has failed to find appropriate accommodation for his homeless family, the Guardian has learned.

        The boy, Ahmed, has developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy and scoliosis, is fed through a tube and is registered blind. He was admitted to the Royal Manchester children’s hospital on 1 March last year with breathing difficulties. Within six weeks, he had recovered enough to be discharged, but his doctors refused to let him leave as the family were homeless and “sofa surfing” in a friend’s living room. The Guardian

        New blood test for prostate cancer could help monitor patients without invasive procedure

        New blood test for prostate cancer could help monitor patients without invasive procedure A new blood test for prostate cancer promises to help monitor patients without an invasive procedure, rapidly revealing whether a sufferer needs urgent treatment.

        The most common cancer among men in the UK, with 50,000 cases a year, is currently diagnosed and monitored through physical inspections. The Daily Mail

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