The rise and decline of the NHS in England 2000–20: How political failure led to the crisis in the NHS and social care

The rise and decline of the NHS in England 2000–20: How political failure led to the crisis in the NHS and social care Multi-year funding increases and a series of reforms resulted in major improvements in NHS performance between 2000 and 2010, but performance has declined since 2010 as a result of much lower funding increases, limited funds for capital investment, and neglect of workforce planning. Constraints on social care spending has also resulted in fewer people receiving publicly funded social care and a repeated cycle of governments promising to reform social care but failing to do so.

This paper, from former Chief Executive of The King’s Fund Chris Ham, analyses how a major public service that is highly valued by the public was allowed to deteriorate. The King's Fund

Non-accidental injuries in infants attending the emergency department

Non-accidental injuries in infants attending the emergency department Clinicians in emergency departments (EDs) will see babies and young children with injuries that may be non-accidental. If the cause of such injuries is missed, there is a risk of further harm to the child. However, making a judgement about whether an injury might be accidental or not is complex and difficult.

This investigation explores the issues that influence the diagnosis of non-accidental injuries in infants (children under 1 year of age) who visit an ED. Specifically, it explores the information and support available to ED clinicians to help them to make such a diagnosis. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also:

• HSIB report highlights A&E pressures and need for more joined-up child protection NHS Providers
• A&E staff in England struggling to spot abuse cases in infants, says watchdog The Guardian

Looking after your team’s health and wellbeing guide

Looking after your team’s health and wellbeing guide This guide, inspired by the NHS health and wellbeing framework, supports any team that is seeking to improve the health and wellbeing of members of the team, through a culture change approach. It is for all teams working in health and care, inclusive of all team forms and functions, across healthcare, primary care, social care and voluntary sectors. The guide has been co-designed with colleagues across health, social care and voluntary sectors. NHS England

Why no breakthrough in the junior doctors' strike?

Why no breakthrough in the junior doctors' strike? The government is being asked to bring in the conciliation service Acas to help end the junior doctors' strike.

The BMA, which represents junior doctors, says it believes working with ACAS gives "the most realistic chance" of ending the strike in England.

The NHS Confederation, which represents managers, has written to the BMA and the health secretary, asking them to consider this "as a matter of urgency".

The government says it remains open to involving ACAS to help end the strike. BBC News

See also:

• BMA calls upon Government to agree to go to ACAS to help settle junior doctors’ dispute BMA
• NHS Confederation responds to second day of junior doctors' strikes NHS Confederation
• Union 'misled' over Weston General Hospital junior doctor shortage BBC News
• Junior doctors' strike day two: A&Es could shut or only treat ambulance patients The Daily Mail
• BMA seeks arbitration to end junior doctor pay dispute GPonline
• NHS bosses urge Steve Barclay to accept Acas role in dispute with junior doctors The Guardian
• ‘I’m so scared’: Patients suffer as operations cancelled amid doctors’ strike The Guardian
• ‘Joining the picket line is a last stand’: junior doctors on the four-day strike The Guardian
• Junior doctors should halt strikes for Government to enter Acas talks – minister The Independent
• Junior doctors’ strike enters third day as government urged to break deadlock over pay dispute The Independent
• Junior doctors' union asks Acas to help end strike deadlock ITV News
• 'The system is broken': On the A&E frontline on second day of junior doctors' strike Sky News

Study reveals cancer’s ‘infinite’ ability to evolve

Study reveals cancer’s ‘infinite’ ability to evolve An unprecedented analysis of how cancers grow has revealed an "almost infinite" ability of tumours to evolve and survive, say scientists.

The results of tracking lung cancers for nine years left the research team "surprised" and "in awe" at the formidable force they were up against.

They have concluded we need more focus on prevention, with a "universal" cure unlikely any time soon.

Cancer Research UK said early detection of cancer was vitally important. BBC News

See also:

• The evolution of non-small cell lung cancer metastases in TRACERx (open access) Nature

Pharmacists sound the alarm over ‘devastating’ condition of community amid medicine supply issues

Pharmacists sound the alarm over ‘devastating’ condition of community amid medicine supply issues Pharmacy leaders have raised concerns that patients could be coming to harm as a result of medicine supply issues.

A new poll found that almost nine in 10 (87 per cent) believe that patient health was being put at risk because of problems with supply.

Almost all pharmacy owners (97 per cent) reported significant increases in wholesaler and medicine supply issues. The Independent

Inaction on diabetes has plunged the the UK into a wholly avoidable crisis

Inaction on diabetes has plunged the the UK into a wholly avoidable crisis The warnings about a looming, large and potentially lethal diabetes crisis in the UK have been sounded for years. Tragically, there is no longer any need for warnings.

Diabetes UK’s grim report confirms the worst: 5 million people are now living with diabetes, a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. The Guardian

See also:

• Number of people living with diabetes tops 5 million for the first time Diabetes UK
• Number of Britons living with diabetes hits highest ever level The Independent
• Diabetes in the UK at its highest level ever, with charity saying more than 5 million Britons live with condition Sky News

Arcturus, the new Covid strain sparking alarm in India, is already in UK

Arcturus, the new Covid strain sparking alarm in India, is already in UK A new Covid variant wreaking havoc in India is already in Britain, MailOnline can reveal.

Health chiefs announced 'Arcturus' had been detected in the country last month. Almost 50 cases have now been spotted.

Hospitals in India are now on red alert, with compulsory face masks being brought back in some states to curb exploding infection rates which have soared 13-fold in the last month. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Covid: Staff propped up care homes without extra pay, says report BBC News
• Warning over new Covid variant 'Arcturus' that is causing carnage in India The Daily Mail
• India increases Covid booster jab production after surge in cases The Guardian
• New Covid variant sparks fear as India sees huge surge of infections The Independent
• New Covid variant ‘Arcturus’ is even more infectious than Kraken and could push UK cases higher iNews

NHS hospitals serving up the worst food are named and shamed in new table - so how does YOURS fare?

NHS hospitals serving up the worst food are named and shamed in new table - so how does YOURS fare? The dire state of hospital food has been laid bare in a fascinating new league table which ranks every trust. 

England's worst-offending sites — located across Yorkshire and Cheshire — had an approval rate barely above 70 per cent.

The score comes from a survey of patients and staff, who were all asked to rank the offerings on a range of different factors. The Daily Mail