Myth #1: “We already spend too much on health – and despite this our outcomes are poor”

Myth #1: “We already spend too much on health – and despite this our outcomes are poor” It has become commonplace to argue that the NHS is a ‘bottomless pit’ consuming greater amounts from the public purse than other countries. In the first in a new commentary series, Nigel Edwards untangles this and other similar claims to show that they're not quite borne out by the evidence. Nuffield Trust

What to do about dying?

What to do about dying? We don’t like to think about death. To many, death and dying have no value and are relegated to the margins of our lives.

But about half a million of us in Britain die each year, mostly in our 80s, with half of us dying in our usual place of residence – in our own bed.

With palliative care stretched and family and friends often left unsupported, what could be an enriching and meaningful phase of life can become over-medicalised, transactional and feared. Podcast from The Health Foundation

New vaccine marketing campaign urges millions to boost their immunity this winter

New vaccine marketing campaign urges millions to boost their immunity this winter A new country-wide marketing campaign urging millions of eligible people to get their flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines to top up their immunity will launch on Monday (24 October), as almost 10 million people in England have already received their boosters. UK Health Security Agency

Major reforms to NHS tech agenda accelerated

Major reforms to NHS tech agenda accelerated Patients will benefit from more streamlined care and be able to make more informed choices about how and where they access treatment after plans to transform NHS data sharing were brought forward. Department of Health and Social Care

NHS launches laser beam brain surgery to treat epilepsy

NHS launches laser beam brain surgery to treat epilepsy A world-leading, fibre optic laser therapy for people suffering with epilepsy who have not responded well to other forms of treatment will be rolled out on the NHS.

Offering hope to thousands of current and future NHS patients, the cutting-edge laser treatment, targets the part of the brain that is causing the seizures without the need for invasive surgery.

A nationwide first, the treatment will benefit up to 150 NHS patients every year with the first surgeries set to take place in early 2023. NHS England

NHS launches new online site finder for Monkeypox vaccines

NHS launches new online site finder for Monkeypox vaccines The NHS has launched a new online vaccine site finder to make it as easy as possible for eligible people to get their monkeypox jab.

Almost 50,000 people have so far been vaccinated for monkeypox since the NHS rolled out the programme at speed once the first cases were identified.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the UK Consensus Group estimate around 95,000 people in England are eligible but only half of these are in contact with sexual health services. NHS England

More than 15,000 ambulance workers to vote on 'biggest strike in 30 years'

More than 15,000 ambulance workers to vote on 'biggest strike in 30 years' More than 15,000 ambulance workers will vote today on whether to strike over pay.

Members of the GMB union from 11 trusts in England and Wales are being balloted in the coming weeks.

NHS workers in other unions, including nurses, are also being asked if they want to strike over pay. Sky News

See also:

• NHS ambulance workers begin to vote on strike in pay dispute BBC News
• Nurse strike threat continues after improved pay offer BBC News
• Winter of discontent looms: 15,000 ambulance staff begin vote on strike action TODAY The Daily Mail
• Threat of NHS consultants strike looms as emergency call handlers walk out The Daily Telegraph
• Nurse recruitment drive launched by NHS England amid acute shortages The Guardian
• When nursing staff head for the door, senior doctors are right behind  The Guardian
• Nurses still split on if to vote for strike action Nursing Notes

Health of nation study calls on millions to sign up

Health of nation study calls on millions to sign up Researchers are calling on five million UK adults to join what they hope will be one of the biggest studies in the world, to create the most detailed picture ever of the nation's health.

The aim is it to find better ways to prevent, spot and treat illnesses like cancer and dementia early on.

It will involve collecting health and genetic data and creating a long-term repository of health information. BBC News

See also:

• Let’s prevent disease together Our Future Health

Milton Keynes University Hospital tests drones for medical supplies transport

Milton Keynes University Hospital tests drones for medical supplies transport Trials have taken place of the use of drones to transport medical supplies across a hospital site.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust said the project saw test blood samples transferred autonomously from dedicated drone stations. BBC News

Will there be a Covid winter wave in the UK? Here’s what the scientists think

Will there be a Covid winter wave in the UK? Here’s what the scientists think Unlike previous waves fuelled by variants such as Alpha and Delta, the picture now is more complex.

As the UK rides a new wave of Covid, we take a look at the variants causing infections, and what the future may hold. The Guardian

See also:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, UK: 21 October 2022 Office for National Statistics
• Calls grow for health chiefs to give anti-Covid drug Evusheld green light and protect vulnerable The Daily Mail
• Worst of Covid IS over - but one in 30 people still have it, major surveillance report reveals The Daily Mail
• Britain might approve Covid vaccines for BABIES before Christmas The Daily Mail
• Autumn Covid numbers peak at lower levels – but flu cases are on the up The Guardian

‘No new HIV cases by 2030’: England hopes to become first country in the world to defeat virus

‘No new HIV cases by 2030’: England hopes to become first country in the world to defeat virus The NHS believes it will prevent all new cases of HIV by 2030 after signing a series of deals to ensure new medicines are available across England to end regional disparities.

People with HIV have access to injectable forms of cabotegravir and rilpivirine, and those with drug-resistant infections will be able to receive fostemsavir after it was approved last week. The Guardian

NHS blood supplies bounce back

NHS blood supplies bounce back NHS blood supplies are already bouncing back just days after officials began postponing ops to come with shortage.

Health chiefs last week issued their first ever 'amber alert', with just two days' of supply of O negative blood — the universal type which hospitals are reliant on in emergencies.

Levels have since doubled, however. There is now four days' worth of supplies, according to the NHS Blood and Transplant service. The Daily Mail