Tuesday 28 February 2023
Northampton mental health service four times told to improve after staff caught asleep four times
Northampton mental health service four times told to improve after staff caught asleep four times A mental health hospital’s service where staff members fell asleep on four separate occasions has been told to improve by inspectors. The men's service at St Andrew's Healthcare in Northampton was visited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October 2022. Northants Live
I just want to be me: trans and gender diverse communities’ access to and experiences of palliative & end of life care
I just want to be me: trans and gender diverse communities’ access to and experiences of palliative & end of life care This report, based on first-hand research with the trans and gender diverse community and those working in end of life care, explores the barriers faced by trans and gender diverse people when accessing end of life, hospice, and palliative care and sets out recommendations for how to tackle them. Hospice UK
Progression of parents in NHS medical and nursing careers
Progression of parents in NHS medical and nursing careers In this report, we examine how the length of parental leave and rates of progression after having children vary by specialty, gender and other staff characteristics among doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives in the English NHS. Career progression has a direct impact on pay and can affect other job characteristics, such as shift pattern and location stability. Institute for Fiscal Studies
20-hour cap removed - NHS Employers
20-hour cap removed The Home Office has announced that from today (Monday 27 February), Health and Care Visa holders will be able to work an uncapped amount of additional hours for a second employer. NHS Employers
Campaign to help parents with introducing babies to solid food
Campaign to help parents with introducing babies to solid food Parents are being supported to safely introduce their babies to solid food through a government campaign that promotes NHS advice on weaning.
Weaning is a key milestone within the first 1,001 critical days. It teaches babies to move food around their mouth, chew and swallow, and influences children’s eating habits and their health later in life.
The campaign highlights there are three clear signs that mean your baby is ready for solid food, such as if they can stay in a sitting position, holding their head steady. Department of Health and Social Care
Weaning is a key milestone within the first 1,001 critical days. It teaches babies to move food around their mouth, chew and swallow, and influences children’s eating habits and their health later in life.
The campaign highlights there are three clear signs that mean your baby is ready for solid food, such as if they can stay in a sitting position, holding their head steady. Department of Health and Social Care
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NHS launches ad campaign as just one in five would visit high-street pharmacy for minor illnesses
NHS launches ad campaign as just one in five would visit high-street pharmacy for minor illnesses Just one in five people aged 18-40 would visit their local pharmacy first for expert advice with a minor illness, new polling has found. The NHS has today launched a new campaign to highlight how high-street pharmacies can support patients with non-urgent health advice for minor conditions including coughs, aches and colds. NHS England
Covid inquiry: Race should be at its core, say campaigners
Covid inquiry: Race should be at its core, say campaigners Race should be made a central part of the UK's independent public inquiry into the pandemic, campaigners say.
A letter seen by BBC News, sent to the chairwoman of the Covid-19 inquiry, calls for it to look at "racism as a key issue" at every stage.
Ethnic minorities were significantly more likely to die with Covid-19, according to official figures.
An inquiry spokesperson said the unequal impacts of the pandemic would be at the forefront of its work.
A letter seen by BBC News, sent to the chairwoman of the Covid-19 inquiry, calls for it to look at "racism as a key issue" at every stage.
Ethnic minorities were significantly more likely to die with Covid-19, according to official figures.
An inquiry spokesperson said the unequal impacts of the pandemic would be at the forefront of its work.
A&E delays linked to tens of thousands of patient deaths, top doctors claim
A&E delays linked to tens of thousands of patient deaths, top doctors claim A&E delays may have led to more than 20,000 patient deaths last year, top emergency doctors have claimed.
“Hidden data” analysed by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said 1.65 million people waited more than 12 hours for treatment after arriving in A&E departments in 2022 - with 23,003 of these later dying as a result.
The RCEM warned that long waiting times can have “catastrophic consequences for patient safety and mortality”. The Independent
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Patients losing out amid slump in NHS clinical trials, warn top clinicians
Patients losing out amid slump in NHS clinical trials, warn top clinicians UK falls from fourth to 10th place in phase III trials amid ‘ossified’ bureaucracy and stretched health service
The state of clinical trials in the NHS is “much worse than it has been in years” with patients losing access to cutting-edge cancer and dementia treatments, one of the UK’s most senior clinicians has warned.
Sir John Bell, the regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford and a government life sciences adviser, said the UK’s approach needed “a full overhaul, top to bottom” to prevent a collapse in the number of clinical trials being conducted in the NHS. The Guardian
Will DIY smear tests save lives? As research indicates 80 per cent more women will get screening
Will DIY smear tests save lives? As research indicates 80 per cent more women will get screening Using a 'DIY' test for cervical cancer could spare women embarrassment — and potentially save lives.
Rather than going to a clinic or their GP's surgery for a smear test, women would test themselves in the privacy of their own home.
They would then post their samples back to the lab to be examined for signs of the virus that causes the cancer. The Daily Mail
See also:
- Self-Sampling for Human Papillomavirus Testing: Increased Cervical Cancer Screening Participation and Incorporation in International Screening Programs (open access) Frontiers in Public Health
Monday 27 February 2023
Northampton: Maternity unit needs 37 more midwives
Northampton: Maternity unit needs 37 more midwives A criticised maternity service needs 37 more midwives, about a fifth of its total midwifery workforce.
The care regulator has said Northampton General Hospital did not always have enough qualified and experienced staff to keep women safe from avoidable harm.
Figures obtained by the BBC show that 49 serious incidents have occurred in its maternity services in four years.
The hospital said it had undertaken "a lot of work" in the past 18 months and a recruitment process was under way. BBC Northampton
The care regulator has said Northampton General Hospital did not always have enough qualified and experienced staff to keep women safe from avoidable harm.
Figures obtained by the BBC show that 49 serious incidents have occurred in its maternity services in four years.
The hospital said it had undertaken "a lot of work" in the past 18 months and a recruitment process was under way. BBC Northampton
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What caused the UK’s elective care backlog, and how can we tackle it?
What caused the UK’s elective care backlog, and how can we tackle it? The latest statistics on elective (non-emergency) care in England are making headlines for all the wrong reasons – the waiting list is over seven million, and over 400,000 have waited more than a year. Why is this? And what can be done about it? The King's Fund
Interim report explores impact of staff wellbeing on patient safety
Interim report explores impact of staff wellbeing on patient safety HSIB have published a third interim report for this investigation which focuses on staff wellbeing across the urgent and emergency care systems and the impact that this has on patient safety.
The investigation team spoke to staff working across the urgent and emergency care system in the NHS including in emergency departments, NHS 111 call handling centres and ambulance services. As conversations progressed, we saw that there was ‘significant distress’ from staff as they expressed that not being able to help the sickest of people had an impact on their personal health and wellbeing. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch
See also:
- NHS staff cried in safety interviews, says watchdog BBC News
- ‘How many people will we kill today?’: Shocking reality facing NHS ambulance workers The Indepedent
Urgent action needed to prevent eating disorder deaths
Urgent action needed to prevent eating disorder deaths The UK’s Health Ombudsman has warned that people with eating disorders are being repeatedly failed by the system and radical changes need to be made to prevent further tragedies.
Little progress has been made in the six years since the publication of a report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) which highlighted serious failings in eating disorder services.
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NHS pilots artificial intelligence software to cut missed hospital appointments
NHS pilots artificial intelligence software to cut missed hospital appointments Artificial intelligence (AI) that predicts likely missed appointments and offers back-up bookings will be piloted by the NHS in a bid to maximise resources and potentially save billions.
Through algorithms and anonymised data, the technology breaks down the reasons why someone may not attend an appointment – using a range of external insights including the weather, traffic and jobs.
The appointments are then arranged for the most convenient time for patients – for example, it will give evening and weekend slots to those less able to take time off during the day. NHS England
Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust prosecuted after three patients died
Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust prosecuted after three patients died A mental health trust is to be prosecuted after three patients died in its care.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is bringing charges against the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Trust.
It is thought they relate to the deaths of Christie Harnett, 17, Emily Moore, 18, and a third person.
The trust is said to have failed "to provide safe care and treatment" which exposed patients to "significant risk of avoidable harm". BBC News
Abortion UK: Women 'manipulated' in crisis pregnancy advice centres
Abortion UK: Women 'manipulated' in crisis pregnancy advice centres Women are being misled and manipulated about abortion by some crisis pregnancy advice centres in the UK, according to evidence from a Panorama investigation.
The centres operate outside the NHS and tend to be registered charities.
Most say they don't refer women for abortions, but offer support and counselling for unplanned pregnancies.
But the BBC's investigation reveals more than a third of these services give misleading medical information or unethical advice, and sometimes both. BBC News
Campaigners demand inquiry into treatment of ethnic minority NHS staff
Campaigners demand inquiry into treatment of ethnic minority NHS staff The partner of a nurse who set himself on fire outside Kensington Palace has staged a protest on the steps of Downing Street to demand an independent inquiry into the treatment of BAME staff within the NHS.
Amin Abdullah, 41, an award-winning NHS nurse, took his own life in 2016 after being dismissed from his job at Charing Cross Hospital and suffering a mental breakdown because of his treatment. Evening Standard
Regular cannabis consumption could give you a heart attack, new study reveals
Regular cannabis consumption could give you a heart attack, new study reveals Whether you smoke or eat cannabis, regular consumption could give you a heart attack, according to a new study.
People who smoke marijuana or eat weed-laced edibles daily are a third more likely to develop coronary artery disease (CAD.)
One of the largest studies of the long term toll of the drug on the heart revealed that the more you smoke the higher the risk. The Independent
UK spent only £15m on brain tumour research after promising £40m
UK spent only £15m on brain tumour research after promising £40m Ministers have spent only £15m in five years on research into tackling brain tumours, the biggest killer of adults and children under 40, while boasting about delivering £40m, MPs have found.
The revelation emerged in a damning report seen by the Guardian that is due to be published this week by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on brain tumours after a two-year inquiry.
Depth of NHS crisis is revealed by coroners’ courts reports
Depth of NHS crisis is revealed by coroners’ courts reports NHS waiting times, staff shortages and service backlogs have been flagged as concerns in relation to dozens of patient deaths across England and Wales since the start of last year, the Observer can reveal, with coroners facing a succession of inquests concerning ambulance delays.
Coroners issue prevention of future deaths reports (PFDs) when they believe preventive action should be taken, and send them to relevant individuals or organisations, which are expected to respond.
NHS needs are long-term, complicated and challenging
NHS needs are long-term, complicated and challenging Since the pandemic respiratory services have been flat out and there is no end in sight. More than seven million people are waiting for elective care in England. A list that was too long before the pandemic and has only become longer. Sky News
New AI blood test for bowel cancer could save lives by slashing huge backlog of cases
New AI blood test for bowel cancer could save lives by slashing huge backlog of cases Scientists are rolling out a new ‘artificial intelligence blood test’ for bowel cancer that they hope will save lives by prioritising those who need a check-up straight away.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a huge backlog of patients awaiting a colonoscopy – the ‘gold standard’ examination for bowel cancer in which a tiny camera is inserted into the body to look for tumours. The Daily Mail
Friday 24 February 2023
Northampton: Maternity unit's staffing levels concerns regulator
Northampton: Maternity unit's staffing levels concerns regulator A maternity unit did not always have enough qualified and experienced staff to keep women safe from avoidable harm, inspectors have said.
The care regulator found the Northampton General Hospital (NGH) unit "did not always control infection risk well".
It rated the service as requiring improvement but said staff managed safety incidents well.
The hospital said it had undertaken "a lot of work" in the past 18 months. BBC Northampton
See also:
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust maternity services remain rated requires improvement by CQC Care Quality Commission
- Northampton General Hospital's maternity services told to improve after inspection Northants Live
- Northampton General Hospital’s maternity services rated ‘requires improvement’ for second time in four years Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Dying well at home: commissioning quality end-of-life care
Dying well at home: commissioning quality end-of-life care Increasingly people are dying at home rather than in hospital and this trend is set to continue. This report from The King's Fund, and accompanying policy brief, offer recommendations for commissioners, integrated care boards and national bodies who want to improve care for those dying at home.
MHRA safety review of medicines containing pseudoephedrine
MHRA safety review of medicines containing pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine is used for the symptomatic relief of coughs, colds and allergies. Pseudoephedrine has been used in the UK for decades in millions and millions of people.
We are reviewing the available evidence relating to the very rare risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) associated with pseudoephedrine-containing medicines. PRES and RCVS are rare, reversible conditions, and most patients fully recover with appropriate treatment. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
See also:
- PRAC starts safety review of pseudoephedrine-containing medicines European Medicines Agency
- Nasal decongestant safety review due to rare brain risk BBC News
- The deadly conditions behind Sudafed safety review which may see flu remedies pulled from shelves The Daily Mail
- Are THESE what spooked health chiefs into a safety review of Sudafed? The Daily Mail
- Regulator reviewing cold and flu decongestants containing pseudoephedrine over rare brain risk ITV News
- MHRA to review evidence of harm linked to pseudoephedrine-containing medicines The Pharmaceutical Journal
UKHSA update on avian influenza
UKHSA update on avian influenza The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its latest technical briefing on avian influenza. UKHSA continues to work with partners including the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to assess the risk to human health from avian influenza and improve our understanding of the virus. While the very high levels of transmission in wild birds present a constant risk, there is no evidence so far that the virus is getting better at infecting humans or other mammals.
See also:
- H5N1: Cambodian girl dies in rare bird flu case BBC News
- H5N1: Governments should invest in vaccines for all flu strains, says incoming WHO chief scientist The BMJ
- Health chiefs are modelling worst-case bird flu scenarios in case killer virus jumps to humans The Daily Mail
- Bird flu ‘cluster’ in Cambodia sparks global alarm The Daily Telegraph
- UK health chiefs modelling scenarios for bird flu pandemic Evening Standard
- Bird flu: 11-year-old girl in Cambodia dies after being infected The Guardian
- Flu experts gather with H5N1 risk on the agenda Reuters
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published Coronavirus (COVID-19) activity increased in most indicators in week 7.
The COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 7 was 9.38 per 100,000 population, an increase from 7.92 per 100,000 in the previous week.
Hospital admission rates for COVID-19 are highest in the South East, with a rate of 12.47 per 100,000 population. UK Health Security Agency
NHS cuts elective backlog with longest waiters down a quarter in one month
NHS cuts elective backlog with longest waiters down a quarter in one month NHS staff across England have reduced the number of patients waiting more than a year and a half by over a quarter in just one month, despite the busiest winter ever.
The total number waiting more than 18 months has fallen by 27% from 54,382 on 15 January to 39,903 as of 12 February.
Over 70 NHS trusts in England now have fewer than 100 patients waiting more than a year and a half, ahead of the ambition to virtually eliminate these waits by April. NHS England
Speak Up Review of ambulance trusts in England
Speak Up Review of ambulance trusts in England The National Guardian’s Office has published Listening to Workers – the report following its Speak Up review of NHS ambulance trusts in England. The review found the culture in ambulance trusts did not support workers to speak up and that this was having an impact on worker wellbeing and ultimately patient safety.
The National Guardian’s Office undertook this Speak Up review as the speaking up culture in NHS Ambulance Trusts appeared be more challenged compared to other trust types.
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Record levels of NHS staff seek mental health help in crisis deemed ‘worse than pandemic’
Record levels of NHS staff seek mental health help in crisis deemed ‘worse than pandemic’ Record levels of NHS staff are seeking mental health help as clinicians warn the “crisis” facing workers is “worse than the pandemic”.
Hundreds of staff are being referred to the specialist mental health service, NHS Practitioner Health, with 842 workers referred in October 2022 – up from 534 in the same month the year before and 371 in 2020.
Around 40 per cent of the staff seeking the service are GPs and 50 per cent are hospital doctors. The Independent
See also:
- Doctors like me are leaving the medical profession – this is why The Independent
Fact Check: why are junior doctors striking, could industrial action make NHS backlogs worse, and nurse pay talks – explained
Fact Check: why are junior doctors striking, could industrial action make NHS backlogs worse, and nurse pay talks – explained Junior doctors in England are set to take part in a 72-hour walkout after voting in favour of striking over pay.
This comes as nursing strikes have been paused while talks over pay take place between the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and ministers.
But why are junior doctors striking, could industrial action make current NHS backlogs worse, and could nurses still walkout?
Here’s what we know so far. Channel 4 News
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Draft of NHS workforce plan calls for doubling of medical school places
Draft of NHS workforce plan calls for doubling of medical school places Britain could double the number of doctors and nurses it trains under NHS plans to tackle a deepening staffing crisis, according to reports.
The proposal to increase the number of places in UK medical schools from 7,500 to 15,000 is contained in a draft of NHS England’s long-awaited workforce plan, which is expected to be published next month. The Guardian
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'We've cut out the middleman': How NHS virtual wards mean acute patients are now being treated at home
'We've cut out the middleman': How NHS virtual wards mean acute patients are now being treated at home Elizabeth Simpson, 80, was anxious when she found out she might need to go to hospital because she didn't want to be separated from her family. However, a virtual ward has allowed her to be treated at home - with benefits for both her and the health service. Sky News
Government urged to introduce prostate cancer screening
Government urged to introduce prostate cancer screening Prostate cancer screening could soon be offered to all middle-aged men after trials showed new techniques slashed the chances of overdiagnosis.
Experts have long argued that only a national screening programme will significantly reduce deaths from the leading cancer in men.
Until now, tests have been too unreliable to pass the threshold, with the potential for unnecessary harms deemed to outweigh the benefits. The Daily Mail
World-first vaccine could be rolled out in MONTHS for baby killer winter bug RSV
World-first vaccine could be rolled out in MONTHS for baby killer winter bug RSV A vaccine to prevent severe cases of the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus in babies could be coming as soon as August.
Pharmaceutical behemoth Pfizer has developed an RSV vaccine that is administered to expectant mothers to confer antibody protection from severe disease to their unborn babies through six months of age. The Daily Mail
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Thursday 23 February 2023
Fewer cancelled operations at Northampton General Hospital than last year, figures reveal
Fewer cancelled operations at Northampton General Hospital than last year, figures reveal Northampton General Hospital cancelled fewer elective operations at the last minute in the three months to December 2022 than across the same time period the year before, new NHS figures show. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Public perceptions of the NHS: a winter of discontent
Public perceptions of the NHS: a winter of discontent The NHS is under extreme strain and debate about the future of the health system is growing louder. As political parties look ahead to the next general election, understanding what the public thinks should help inform thinking on NHS funding and reform.
This long read examines public perceptions and expectations of the NHS. We present findings from the third wave of our programme of polling research with Ipsos that tracks the public’s views on health and social care in the UK every 6 months. The Health Foundation
See also:
- Public support for government’s handling of the NHS reaches new low, polling finds The Health Foundation
- Public support for Government’s handling of the NHS in England falls to new low Evening Standard
- Just 10% of Britons think ministers have right policies on NHS, study shows The Guardian
New figures show NHS workforce most diverse it has ever been
New figures show NHS workforce most diverse it has ever been The NHS workforce is more diverse than at any other point in its history, according to an annual report into race equality across the health service.
Published today, the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard shows Black and minority ethnic (BME) staff make up almost a quarter of the workforce overall (24.2% or 383,706 staff) – an increase of 27,500 people since 2021 (22.4% of staff).
The analysis shows more than two fifths (42%) of doctors, dentists, and consultants, and almost a third (29.2%) of our nurses, midwives, and health visitors are from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. NHS England
See also:
- NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) 2022 data analysis report for NHS trusts NHS England
- NHS Confederation responds to WRES 2022 report NHS Confederation
- On the day briefing: Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) NHS Providers
- Record NHS diversity levels, new report finds National Health Executive
- WRES report warns of ‘disadvantage’ facing Black nurses Nursing Times
Ethnic minority Covid death gap closes – ONS
Ethnic minority Covid death gap closes – ONS People from ethnic minority backgrounds are no longer significantly more likely to die of Covid-19, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows.
Analysts looked at mortality rates for different ethnic communities between January and November 2022, when Omicron was the dominant Covid variant.
Early in the pandemic, deaths involving coronavirus were higher among black and Asian people than white people. BBC News
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Nitrous oxide: Laughing gas users risk spine damage, say doctors
Nitrous oxide: Laughing gas users risk spine damage, say doctors Doctors at an east London hospital say they are seeing so many risky cases of laughing gas misuse that they have drawn up treatment guidelines for colleagues in the UK.
Nitrous oxide, sold in metal canisters, is one of the most commonly used drugs by 16 to 24-year-olds.
Heavy use can lead to a vitamin deficiency that damages nerves in the spinal cord.
The Royal London Hospital team say medics need to be on alert. BBC News
See also:
- Nitrous oxide-induced subacute combined degeneration of the cord: diagnosis and treatment (open access) Practical Neurology
Derby maternity deaths may have been prevented - report
Derby maternity deaths may have been prevented - report Three women who died under the care of a hospital's maternity unit may have survived if earlier recommendations had been implemented, a report has said.
The cases occurred at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) NHS Foundation Trust over 16 months.
A review by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) also found a culture of intimidation and bullying and made safety recommendations. BBC News
Hospital patients with learning disabilities developed diabetes after being fed treats and lack of exercise
Hospital patients with learning disabilities developed diabetes after being fed treats and lack of exercise Vulnerable patients who have been detained in hospitals for years developed diabetes due to a lack of exercise and an over-reliance on treats, a national NHS review has warned.
NHS England looked into the care of almost 2,000 patients with learning disabilities and autism and found that the physical health of many had significantly declined during their stays because of poor care. The Independent
Up to 32,000 Unison NHS staff in England to strike on 8 March
Up to 32,000 Unison NHS staff in England to strike on 8 March The health union Unison has announced new strike action and warned there could be no “pick and mix solution” to the NHS dispute, after it was excluded from talks between the health secretary, Steve Barclay, and the Royal College of Nursing.
Unison said up to 32,000 of its members across the NHS in England, including ambulance staff, paramedics and some nurses, would strike on 8 March, in what it called a “serious escalation” of the dispute. The Guardian
See also:
- Fresh strike by NHS workers across England next month Evening Standard
- Ministers could offer one-off payments as way to end public sector strikes The Guardian
- Fresh strike by NHS workers across England next month as pay dispute escalates ITV News
- Urgent NHS pay talks potentially limited to just nursing staff Nursing Notes
GPs are outnumbered by RECEPTIONISTS at practices
GPs are outnumbered by RECEPTIONISTS at practices Receptionists now outnumber GPs at practices in England, MailOnline can reveal today amid the never-ending appointment crisis.
Only a quarter of all 143,000-plus staff working at surgeries across the nation are family doctors, according to our analysis.
Nurses, healthcare assistants and admin staff, including receptionists, secretaries and call handlers, make up the rest of the workforce. The Daily Mail
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Why it's NEVER too late to start exercising
Why it's NEVER too late to start exercising Exercising just once a month at any age can help stave off dementia in later life, a study found.
Keeping active throughout adulthood is the best bet for good brain health in retirement but even taking up exercise in your 60s is beneficial, research suggests.
In the first study to look specifically at age, exercise and brain health in retirement, researchers from University College London wanted to see whether timing of active lifestyles had an impact. The Daily Mail
See also:
- Timing of physical activity across adulthood on later-life cognition: 30 years follow-up in the 1946 British birth cohort (open access) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
- Staying fit and active throughout life ‘best way to stave off dementia’ The Independent
- Could exercise be a potent weapon against neurodegenerative conditions? Medical News Today
Wednesday 22 February 2023
Parents of 20-year-old criticise NHS over death
Parents of 20-year-old criticise NHS over death The parents of a 20-year-old amateur footballer have criticised the NHS over the sudden death of their son.
Luke Abrahams, from East Hunsbury, in Northampton, died on 23 January from a bacterial infection and a flesh-eating disease.
His parents Richard Abrahams and Julie Needham said his condition was initially wrongly diagnosed, which might have led to his death.
Integrated Care Northamptonshire said a review into the case was under way. BBC Northampton
See also:
- Footballer dies after flesh-eating virus mistaken for tonsillitis The Independent
- Amateur footballer died of flesh-eating virus that was mistakenly diagnosed as tonsillitis by NHS doctors Northampton Chronicle and Echo
- Grieving parents of 20-year-old amateur Northampton footballer who died suddenly of 'infection' demand answers from NHS Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Norovirus cases increase significantly in England
Norovirus cases increase significantly in England National surveillance data shows laboratory reports of the virus are 66% higher than the average at this time of year. The biggest increase in laboratory confirmed norovirus has been seen in the group of those aged 65 years and over. While high numbers of cases in this age group is expected at this time of year, these levels haven’t been seen in over a decade. UK Health Security Agency
Safe and wellbeing reviews: thematic review and lessons learned
Safe and wellbeing reviews: thematic review and lessons learned As part of the NHS response to the safeguarding adults review concerning the deaths of Joanna, Jon and Ben at Cawston Park, a national review has been undertaken to check the safety and wellbeing of all people with a learning disability and autistic people who are being cared for in a mental health inpatient setting.
This document sets out the themes emerging from the review findings. NHS England
The NHS workforce in England
The NHS workforce in England This briefing covers the NHS workforce in England, including key targets, recruitment and retention issues, workforce planning and Government policy. House of Commons Library
Nurses to suspend 48-hour strike as talks with government start
Nurses to suspend 48-hour strike as talks with government start Intensive talks are due to start later between ministers and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) after the union halted next week's 48-hour strike in England.
Health Secretary Stephen Barclay will sit down with RCN leader Pat Cullen to discuss a compromise deal to end the stand-off over pay.
The talks are likely to focus on next year's pay rise, which is due in April.
One option is to backdate it by several months, effectively giving nurses an extra pay boost for part of this year. BBC News
See also:
- Joint Government and RCN statement Department of Health and Social Care and the Royal College of Nursing
- Matthew Taylor responds to government negotiations with the Royal College of Nursing NHS Confederation
- Danny Mortimer responds to government negotiations with the RCN NHS Employers
- NHS Providers responds to statement from the government and RCN on pay talks NHS Providers
- Pay proposal will worsen the NHS dispute UNISON
- Government recommends 3.5% pay rise for nurses and other workers BBC News
- Nurses in England to pause strike action ahead of ‘intensive’ government talks Channel 4 News
- What could the nurses’ breakthrough with the government mean for other striking unions? Channel 4 News
- Devastating NHS nursing strikes are PAUSED as ministers finally agree to 'intensive talks' over pay The Daily Mail
- Nurses in England pause strike action to enter ‘intensive’ pay talks The Guardian
- Nursing union pause strike to hold ‘intensive talks’ with government to over pay The Independent
- Tories hope U-turn on nurses’ pay will boost poll numbers The News Statesman
- In first breakthrough of long-running dispute, nurses to begin 'intensive talks' with govt today Sky News
Suicidal NHS staff lose mental health support in ‘irresponsible’ cuts
Suicidal NHS staff lose mental health support in ‘irresponsible’ cuts Suicidal NHS staff will be left in “dangerous” situations without support when national funding for mental health hubs ends next month, health leaders have warned.
The hubs, set up with £15 million of government funding for NHS workers following Covid, are being forced to close or reduce services as neither the department for health and social care nor the NHS has confirmed ongoing funding for 2023-24.
This will leave thousands of NHS staff, some of whom are described as “suicidal” in “complete limbo”, The Independent has been told.
Patient safety put 'at risk' by crumbling NHS hospitals in need of repair
Patient safety put 'at risk' by crumbling NHS hospitals in need of repair Patient safety put 'at risk' by crumbling NHS hospitals in need of repair.
An investigation by ITV News found raw sewage, collapsing floors and ageing walls among the structural problems facing staff at hospitals in England.
Police in England and Wales dealing with more mental health crises than ever
Police in England and Wales dealing with more mental health crises than ever The police are dealing with increasing demands to intervene with people suffering mental health crises, freedom of information requests have revealed.
Some forces across England and Wales have experienced a tripling in mental health requests between 2019 and 2021, data shows. Suffolk police have recorded an increase of 342%, Norfolk 260%, Northamptonshire 90%, and Leicestershire 54%. The Guardian
Death rates 'are NOT higher among Covid-vaccinated Brits'
Death rates 'are NOT higher among Covid-vaccinated Brits' Death rates are not higher among people vaccinated against Covid, according to official data.
Leading statisticians tasked with tracking deaths from all causes in England found rates are 'consistent' between the unjabbed and fully-jabbed.
Mortality levels were actually higher among the unvaccinated, the figures showed. The Daily Mail
See also:
- Deaths involving COVID-19 by vaccination status, England: deaths occurring between 1 April 2021 and 31 December 2022 Office for National Statistics
Tuesday 21 February 2023
Kettering Hospital ward accused of traumatising children may close
Kettering Hospital ward accused of traumatising children may close Children's services could be forced to close at a hospital that is accused of leaving young patients traumatised and sick through poor care.
The care regulator said it had taken action to "ensure people are safe" on Skylark ward at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) in Northamptonshire.
Thirteen parents with serious concerns after their children died or became seriously ill have spoken to the BBC.
The hospital said it was "very sorry" to families who felt let down. BBC Northampton
Kettering General Hospital's diagnostics test wait times among worst in the country
Kettering General Hospital's diagnostics test wait times among worst in the country KGH bosses say they’re working to clear a backlog after the trust’s diagnostics test wait times were revealed to be among the country’s worst.
NHS targets say 95 per cent of patients should have their tests – which include those such as MRI scans and non-obstetric ultrasounds – within six weeks.
But newly-published data from NHS England showed that the Rothwell Road hospital was nowhere near hitting that figure in December 2022. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Fixing the foundations: why it’s time to rethink how we support older people with health problems to stay well at home
Fixing the foundations: why it’s time to rethink how we support older people with health problems to stay well at home This report provides a first-hand account of older people’s difficulties in getting the good, joined up health and social care they need to manage at home, leaving them at risk of crisis which often results in being admitted to hospital. Yet the evidence is clear that with the right care at the right time many of these admissions could have been avoided. Age UK
Hundreds of thousands of women experiencing menopause symptoms to get cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hundreds of thousands of women experiencing menopause symptoms to get cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy Around 400,000 women across England will get better access to menopause support – saving hundreds of pounds and making treatment more accessible. Department of Health and Social Care
Improved system of organ use to save lives
Improved system of organ use to save lives Patients waiting for organs will benefit from changes to organ transplant services designed to better match donated organs with recipients, increase the number of transplants and improve the patient experience.
The Organ Utilisation Group has produced the report ‘Honouring the gift of donation - utilising organs for transplant’ which includes a number of recommendations - accepted by the government - designed to make sure as many donated organs as possible are used to save the lives of patients on the waiting list. Department of Health and Social Care
Big rise in long-term sick hitting UK workforce
Big rise in long-term sick hitting UK workforce The UK risks a shrinking workforce caused by long-term sickness, a new report warns.
Pensions and health consultants Lane, Clark and Peacock (LCP) says there has been a sharp increase in "economic inactivity" - working-age adults who are not in work or looking for jobs.
The figure has risen by 516,000 since Covid hit, and early retirement does not appear to explain it.
The total of long-term sick, meanwhile, has gone up by 353,000, says LCP. BBC News
See also:
NHS crisis: Why are so many staff leaving the health service?
NHS crisis: Why are so many staff leaving the health service? Chronic staff shortages are raising the pressure on NHS staff, with long working hours and high anxiety driving more staff to quit. Sky News analysis shows that a surge in resignations due to work-life balance cost the NHS 10,000 staff last year. Sky News
See also:
Junior doctors in England to strike for 72 hours in March
Junior doctors in England to strike for 72 hours in March Hundreds of thousands of operations and medical appointments will be cancelled in England next month and progress in tackling the huge care backlog will be derailed as the NHS prepares to face the most widespread industrial action in its history.
Junior doctors are poised to join nurses and ambulance workers in mass continuous walkouts in March after members of the British Medical Association (BMA) voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action. The Guardian
See also:
- Junior doctors vote yes to industrial action BMA
- Industrial action NHS Employers
- Supplementary FAQs on support during strike action of junior doctors NHS Employers
- Juniors doctors vote for strikes in England BBC News
- Junior doctors set for three-day walkout as huge majority back strikes GPonline
- Junior doctors vote by 98% for unprecedented strike that will hit every hospital The Independent
- Junior doctors’ strike: Why are they taking action and what are their demands? The Independent
- NHS staff met with ‘wall of silence’ says union as pay dispute widens in England Nursing in Practice
Revealed: record number of households in UK depending on food banks
Revealed: record number of households in UK depending on food banks More people are depending on food banks than ever before in Britain, new figures show, as “ever-increasing” numbers of households – including pensioners, NHS staff and teachers – seek help amid the cost of living crisis.
New research by the Independent Food Aid Network (Ifan), shared with the Observer, found that almost 90% of food banks surveyed reported increased demand in December 2022 and January 2023 compared with a year earlier. Half of the 85 organisations running 154 food banks that responded said if demand rose further they would either have to cut support or turn people away.
New type of CPR ‘could save more patients in cardiac arrest’
New type of CPR ‘could save more patients in cardiac arrest’ More heart patients could be saved thanks to a new type of “advanced” CPR which involves hooking up patients to an artificial lung machine.
People who suffer cardiac arrest – when the heart stops pumping blood around the body – could be offered the advanced form of resuscitation if they do not respond to traditional CPR thanks to a new service in the Thames Valley region. The Independent
Children's surgery backlog grows as NHS prioritises adult waiting lists
Children's surgery backlog grows as NHS prioritises adult waiting lists Hundreds of thousands of children are waiting for surgery as new figures show the backlog has spiralled by almost 50 per cent in two years.
The latest NHS data for December lays bare the parlous state of paediatric medicine, with NHS leaders and doctors warning that adult care is being prioritised over children’s. The Independent
Number of mental health service users rose by 16% this year, data shows
Number of mental health service users rose by 16% this year, data shows The number of people accessing NHS mental health services in England has risen year on year, even as overall numbers of mental health nurses across hospital and community services has fallen, data has shown.
Data released by NHS Digital today reveals that 16% more people accessed NHS-funded secondary mental health, learning disabilities, and autism services in 2021-2022 compared with 2020-21. Nursing in Practice
Over 1,000 chemists and clinics have shut since 2015, study shows
Over 1,000 chemists and clinics have shut since 2015, study shows More than 1,000 GP practices and pharmacies have closed over the past seven years - forcing patients to travel further for care, a damning study reveals.
A major audit of official data on new openings and permanent closures from 2015 to 2022 today lays bare the tragic demise of primary care in England.
It found there has been a net loss of 670 pharmacies and 343 GP practices over this period, with the most deprived areas hit hardest. The Daily Mail
Pharmacists warn of further vital drug shortages
Pharmacists warn of further vital drug shortages Britain's medicines shortage crisis is deepening, with an unprecedented 70 commonly taken drugs now out of stock, according to the latest data.
Over the past 12 months, supply problems have hit crucial antibiotics, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, painkillers and over-the-counter cold and flu remedies – but now certain antidepressants, stop-smoking pills and a sleeping tablet taken by millions have been added to the list. The Daily Mail
Monday 20 February 2023
Nurses in Northants to strike next month with union warning of ‘absolute minimum’ services
Nurses in Northants to strike next month with union warning of ‘absolute minimum’ services Nurses at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will join tens of thousands of others on strike next month in the largest NHS strike in history.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) voted to strike for 48 hours between March 1-2 in an ongoing dispute with the government over pay and conditions. The union has warned that services will be an "absolute minimum” at the 120 NHS trusts affected. Northants Live
Improving staff experience and staff engagement at QEH
Improving staff experience and staff engagement at QEH The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is a rural district general hospital in West Norfolk. In 2019, QEH had the worst NHS Staff Survey results in the country. This case study explores what the organisation did and how it applied staff engagement methods to improve its NHS Staff Survey scores. NHS Employers
NICE says evidence that COVID-19 treatment Evusheld is effective in protecting vulnerable adults against current variants is lacking as it announces new rapid update process for COVID-19 medicines
NICE says evidence that COVID-19 treatment Evusheld is effective in protecting vulnerable adults against current variants is lacking as it announces new rapid update process for COVID-19 medicines The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued draft guidance for public consultation which does not recommend Evusheld for preventing COVID-19 in adults who are unlikely to have an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, or who can’t be vaccinated.
See also:
- Tixagevimab plus cilgavimab for preventing COVID-19 (draft guidance) NICE
- Evusheld European Medicines Agency
- Covid-19: Evusheld is unlikely to prevent infection with current or future variants, NICE concludes The BMJ
- AstraZeneca sends updated Covid drug Evusheld to regulators for approval The Daily Mail
- U.S. FDA pulls authorization for AstraZeneca's COVID-19 treatment Evusheld Reuters
Plans to bolster patient safety and boost support for frontline staff by streamlining the system for healthcare regulators
Plans to bolster patient safety and boost support for frontline staff by streamlining the system for healthcare regulators The government has reaffirmed its commitment to streamline the system, improve patient safety and expand the role of medical support staff in the NHS to relieve pressure on GPs and improve access to services.
A new consultation will be launched today seeking views on draft legislation to provide the General Medical Council (GMC) with powers to regulate physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) for the first time. Department of Health and Social Care
See also:
- Regulating anaesthesia associates and physician associates (consultation open until 16th May 23) Department of Health and Social Care
- Consultation outcome: Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public Department of Health and Social Care
- NMC welcomes milestone on journey to better, safer regulation for people and communities across the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council
Hundreds of junior doctors in England announce March strike
Hundreds of junior doctors in England announce March strike Hundreds of junior doctors in England have said they will strike for the first time in the union’s history next month in a dispute over pay.
Around 45,000 junior doctors who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) have also been balloted on strike action – with the result due at the end of February. ITV News
Members of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) voted to strike in March, following a ballot.
See also:
- BMA warns of huge escalation of strike action in England if Government continues to refuse to talk BMA
- NHS dispute widens to cover most parts of England UNISON
- British Medical Association calls government reckless over pay talks BBC News
- Strikes update: How Monday 20 February’s walkouts will affect you BBC News
- Around 144,000 appointments and procedures postponed due to strikes, says NHS Confederation director of policy Channel 4 News
- Fresh strike hell for NHS: More than 11,000 ambulance workers walk out TODAY - on same day ballot of 45,000 junior doctors will down tools for the first time in their union's history The Daily Mail
- Junior doctors’ mass strike expected as they threaten to leave NHS ‘for better-paid jobs’ The Daily Telegraph
- Nurses’ leader and Unison call on Rishi Sunak to help resolve pay disputes The Guardian
- Nurses’ pay squeeze and Tory tax cut ambitions: can they perhaps be related? The Guardian
- NHS leaders urged not to cancel operations during strikes in March The Guardian
- Ambulance workers’ strike goes ahead after government’s ‘reckless’ refusal to negotiate The Independent
- Junior doctors to strike next month in dispute over pay The Independent
- Thousands of ambulance workers go on strike today - as junior doctors announce when they will stage walkout Sky News
Breast cancer: Living life after treatment
Breast cancer: Living life after treatment BBC News editor Carly Appleby was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2017. At that time, she had no idea how gruelling treatment was going to be. Now looking back - and to the future - she reflects on how it has changed her life.
New racism targets introduced for hospitals just as NHS scraps top race roles
New racism targets introduced for hospitals just as NHS scraps top race roles The NHS is to bring in new racial equality targets, but insiders fear hospital trusts will not be held to account because specialist roles set up to tackle racism are facing the axe.
A leaked document has revealed that NHS England will require trusts to gather data on how diverse their hospital hiring panels are, and they will be measured on the rates of General Medical Council (GMC) misconduct referrals of Black and minority ethnic doctors compared with those of white staff. The Independent
NHS' 'slapdash' cost-cutting leaving thousands without vital treatment
NHS' 'slapdash' cost-cutting leaving thousands without vital treatment Thousands of children and adults are being forced to live with a debilitating condition after the NHS cut funding for its treatment, The Independent can reveal.
Leading surgeons have voiced their concerns that an estimated 3,000 children and adults in England living with the rare congenital condition pectus are missing out on life-changing surgery following “slapdash” cuts to the service.
High court judge ‘deeply frustrated’ by NHS delays in suicidal girl’s care
High court judge ‘deeply frustrated’ by NHS delays in suicidal girl’s care A high court judge has expressed her “deep frustration” at NHS delays and bureaucracy that mean a suicidal 12-year-old girl has been held on her own, in a locked, windowless room with no access to the outdoors for three weeks. The Guardian
‘There may still be surprises’: Jeremy Farrar warns of pandemic perils ahead
‘There may still be surprises’: Jeremy Farrar warns of pandemic perils ahead As the former Sage adviser leaves Wellcome to join WHO, he talks about exhausted health workers, the UK’s sluggish response to Covid and the danger of conspiracy theories. The Guardian
Barclay orders urgent investigation into woke NHS guidelines telling staff to not use 'he' or 'she'
Barclay orders urgent investigation into woke NHS guidelines telling staff to not use 'he' or 'she' Steve Barclay last night ordered an urgent investigation into new guidelines that tell NHS staff to treat all patients as gender-neutral.
The Health Secretary demanded answers after learning taxpayers had funded the guide to ‘inclusive communication’.
It instructs doctors and nurses not to use phrases such as ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ or ‘he’ and ‘she’ until a patient has confirmed their gender identity. The Daily Mail
ChatGPT will see you now! How AI chatbot that's gripped the world REALLY fares compared to a doctor
ChatGPT will see you now! How AI chatbot that's gripped the world REALLY fares compared to a doctor Move over Dr Google, it's Dr ChatGPT's time to shine.
Or is it?
The AI chatbot has quickly become an online sensation due to its ability to rapidly research complicated topics, provide clear answers, and converse with its users in a human-like manner. The Daily Mail
Friday 17 February 2023
Northampton hospital praised for its 24-hour restaurant for staff and patients
Northampton hospital praised for its 24-hour restaurant for staff and patients Northampton General Hospital has been praised for its round-the-clock restaurant for patients and visitors by campaigners and NHS bosses during a recent visit. One campaigner said the NHS Trust in Northampton was "leading the way for other NHS Trusts to follow.” Northants Live
KGH nurses receive awards for outstanding care
KGH nurses receive awards for outstanding care Nurses from Kettering General Hospital have received DAISY Awards for the outstanding compassionate and sensitive care they have provided for patients.
ICU staff nurse Jessica Flowers, Naseby A registered nurse Brenda Mgijima, Deene B registered nurse Neethu John, and Skylark Ward staff nurse Tatiana Ururu were nominated for their awards by patients or close family members. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Addressing social care workforce challenges: what can England learn from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Addressing social care workforce challenges: what can England learn from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland? All parts of the UK are struggling with social care staffing pressures, but England has been particularly singled out for its inaction. Alongside the latest explainers in our series on adult social care across the UK, Camille Oung and Nina Hemmings look at what England can learn from social care workforce reform in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Nuffield Trust
Why can't I get care? Older people's experiences of care and support
Why can't I get care? Older people's experiences of care and support It’s been more than three years since Boris Johnson promised he would “fix care for good”. Since then, our underfunded care system has come under even greater pressure and millions of older people are paying the price.
This short report aims to explain the answer, drawing on older people’s experiences, as well as on what we know about how the social care system is supposed to work, and how it actually works in cash-strapped 2022. Age UK
See also:
Government progress on digitising the NHS rated ‘inadequate’ by Expert Panel
Government progress on digitising the NHS rated ‘inadequate’ by Expert Panel The Government is making inadequate progress on vital commitments to digitise the NHS, an independent panel of experts has found in a new report. The digitisation of health and social care is essential to deliver the promise of improved and better integrated health and social care services, said the Government in a policy paper published in 2022.
Despite some encouraging progress, the Expert Panel found that key Government commitments on workforce and the use of patient information were either not met or were not on track to be met. The Panel found that overall progress towards improving the digital capabilities of the NHS was too slow, and often lacked support and funding. The experts concluded that social care was often missed out in commitments, stifling progress across the health and care system. House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee
See also:
Access to critical patient information at the bedside
Access to critical patient information at the bedside This investigation report aims to improve patient safety by supporting staff to access critical information about patients, at their bedsides, in emergency situations.
The investigation involved engagement with hospitals across England, experts in fields associated with human factors and the display of information, and national bodies with the remit of policy and strategy in the NHS. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published In week 6, swab positivity for flu decreased to 2.0% compared to 2.8% in week 5, with the highest positivity seen in those aged 15 to 44 years at 4.8%, a decrease from 5.2% in week 5.
Hospital admission rates decreased in the last week and have returned to the baseline activity range. Influenza ICU admissions slightly decreased in week 6 and remained within the baseline range of activity. UK Health Security Agency
Nurses to stage 48-hour strike as dispute escalates
Nurses to stage 48-hour strike as dispute escalates The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced its biggest walkout of the pay dispute in England.
Its members at half of hospitals, mental health and community services will take part in the 48-hour strike from 1 to 3 March.
The union will also ask members working in key areas such as critical care and chemotherapy to take part in strike action for the first time.
Ministers accused the union of putting patients at risk. BBC News
See also:
- RCN announces biggest strike to date: no services will be exempt Royal College of Nursing
- BMA expresses solidarity with nurses as RCN escalates strike action BMA
- NHS recovery or more strikes: Prime Minister must decide NHS Confederation
- NHS Confederation responds to RCN announcement on most disruptive strikes to date NHS Confederation
- Industrial action – planning for future Royal College of Nursing strikes NHS England
- Nurses strike escalation ‘most worrying yet’ NHS Providers
- Cancer and A&E nurses join biggest NHS strike so far with 48-hour walkout The Daily Telegraph
- Nursing union chief says she ‘hasn’t met with Health Secretary for a month’ Evening Standard
- Nurses to stage 48-hour strike in March as dispute escalates Evening Standard
- Tens of thousands of A&E and intensive care nurses to join 48-hour NHS strike The Guardian
- Nurses And Rail Workers To Strike Again As Winter Of Discontent Rumbles On Huffington Post
- RCN warns fresh strike will have ‘significant impact’ on NHS The Independent
- Nurse strikes escalate as A&E and cancer care staff to join new 48-hour walkout The Independent
- Nurses announce new strike action - is your area affected? The Independent
- As more ambulance workers strike, further walkouts by nurses and rail staff loom ITV News
- Tens of thousands of nurses to stage 48-hour strike Sky News
Bristol scientists develop quicker way to detect papilloedema
Bristol scientists develop quicker way to detect papilloedema Bristol scientists are developing new guidelines to speed up the diagnosis of patients with a potentially dangerous eye condition.
Papilloedema is caused by increased pressure inside the head and could be the first sign of a brain tumour.
But half of people with a brain tumour have no symptoms, and optometrists may be the first to notice a problem. BBC News
Watchdogs issue safety warnings after junior doctors left unsupervised on maternity wards
Watchdogs issue safety warnings after junior doctors left unsupervised on maternity wards Two health watchdogs have issued safety warnings after junior staff were left to work unsupervised on maternity wards previously criticised after a baby’s death.
Training regulator, Health Education England (HEE), criticised the “unacceptable” behaviour of consultants who left junior doctors to work without any superiors at South Devon and Torbay Hospital Foundation Trust’s wards.
The maternity safety watchdog Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) also raised “urgent concerns” over student midwives and “unregistered midwives” providing care without supervision. The Independent
The NHS is “a sickness service, not a health service,” say MPs
The NHS is “a sickness service, not a health service,” say MPs MPs have scrutinised the Department of Health and Social Care’s decision to prioritise the NHS backlog over prevention health services, such as tackling issues like smoking or sedentary behaviour.
The Health and Social Care Committee questioned Helen Whately, the social care minister, in Parliament on the future of integrated care systems (ICSs) – the new structure within the NHS where organisations work together to provide health and care services for a local area. Forty-two ICSs were set up in England last year. The New Statesman
Sewage leak figures prompt warning over state of England’s hospitals
Sewage leak figures prompt warning over state of England’s hospitals Hospitals in England have recorded more than 450 sewage leaks in the last 12 months, data shows, putting patients and staff in danger and prompting warnings that the NHS estate is “falling apart” after a decade of underinvestment.
Freedom of information requests to NHS trusts by the Liberal Democrats found alarming examples of sewage leaking on to cancer wards, maternity units and A&E departments. The investigation also uncovered multiple cases of urine and faeces flowing into hospital rooms and on to general wards. The Guardian
See also:
- Hundreds of sewage leaks in England’s hospitals Liberal Democrats
- NHS battles sewage leaks as repair backlog grows BBC News
- Sewage warning casts shadow over England’s hospitals The Independent
NHS ambulance delays improving - but norovirus levels 'significantly higher' than last year
NHS ambulance delays improving - but norovirus levels 'significantly higher' than last year An increase in norovirus cases is putting pressure on the NHS, even as ambulance delays ease.
Handover times from ambulances remain above NHS targets.
But the share of ambulance handovers in England taking more than 30 minutes averaged 20% in the week to 12 February. This was pretty much identical to the same time last year when they averaged 20.1%. Sky News
See also:
- Official Statistics: National norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2022 to 2023 season UK Health Security Agency
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