Artificial intelligence 'as good as cancer doctors' Artificial intelligence can identify skin cancer in photographs with the same accuracy as trained doctors, say scientists.
The Stanford University team said the findings were "incredibly exciting" and would now be tested in clinics.
Eventually, they believe using AI could revolutionise healthcare by turning anyone's smartphone into a cancer scanner.
Cancer Research UK said it could become a useful tool for doctors. BBC News
Thursday, 26 January 2017
Half the public back a national NHS tax
Half the public back a national NHS tax Half the public would be willing to pay an additional ‘NHS tariff’ through national insurance to support the health service, with only a quarter opposing the idea, according to consultants PwC.
A poll of more than 2,000 UK adults found twice as many people supported a national tax as opposed it, while 31% of the public would be supportive of a local tax for their local services.
The survey also found a majority of the public (76%) think clinical quality should take precedence over balancing the books – an increase from 68% in April 2016 - challenging some fundamental policy commitments, including the Department of Health’s drive to wring £22bn in efficiency savings from the NHS. Pulse
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A poll of more than 2,000 UK adults found twice as many people supported a national tax as opposed it, while 31% of the public would be supportive of a local tax for their local services.
The survey also found a majority of the public (76%) think clinical quality should take precedence over balancing the books – an increase from 68% in April 2016 - challenging some fundamental policy commitments, including the Department of Health’s drive to wring £22bn in efficiency savings from the NHS. Pulse
See also:
- Chron readers debate whether we should be made to pay a special NHS tax Northampton Chronicle and Echo
GP full-time workforce numbers dropped last year
GP full-time workforce numbers dropped last year The number of full-time equivalent GPs working in England last year fell by almost 100, according to new statistics released today by NHS Digital.
The figures show the full-time equivalent number dropped by 96* (0.3%) from 34,592 in September 2015 to 34,495 in September 2016.
Over the same period, the headcount decreased by 12 from 41,877 to 41,865.
Although this represented a small decline, it is exactly the reverse trend that the government is keen on under its plans in the General Practice Forward View to have 5,000 more GPs in place by 2020. OnMedica
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The figures show the full-time equivalent number dropped by 96* (0.3%) from 34,592 in September 2015 to 34,495 in September 2016.
Over the same period, the headcount decreased by 12 from 41,877 to 41,865.
Although this represented a small decline, it is exactly the reverse trend that the government is keen on under its plans in the General Practice Forward View to have 5,000 more GPs in place by 2020. OnMedica
See also:
- Everything that can be done must be done to reverse GP workforce trends, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit could mean the end of free medical treatment for travellers to the EU
Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit could mean the end of free medical treatment for travellers to the EU British citizens may lose their right to free or subsidised medical treatment when they visit the EU after Brexit, the Health Secretary has admitted.
Jeremy Hunt told MPs he could give no guarantees that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will survive EU withdrawal.
Giving evidence to a Commons committee, Mr Hunt agreed that the card was “a very positive thing” but warned any decision on its future must await the final Brexit deal. The Independent
Jeremy Hunt told MPs he could give no guarantees that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will survive EU withdrawal.
Giving evidence to a Commons committee, Mr Hunt agreed that the card was “a very positive thing” but warned any decision on its future must await the final Brexit deal. The Independent
Mentally ill patients face 'double whammy' of poor hospital care
Mentally ill patients face 'double whammy' of poor hospital care Most people with mental health issues do not receive good treatment at A&E, leading to repeated visits, report finds
More than half of people with mental health problems receive a “double whammy” of poor care in general hospitals which increases patients’ risk of dying, according to a major new NHS inquiry.
Only 46% of patients with serious mental health conditions were well looked after when they attended hospital with a physical ailment such as heart trouble, a group of independent experts found. Continue reading... The Guardian
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More than half of people with mental health problems receive a “double whammy” of poor care in general hospitals which increases patients’ risk of dying, according to a major new NHS inquiry.
Only 46% of patients with serious mental health conditions were well looked after when they attended hospital with a physical ailment such as heart trouble, a group of independent experts found. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- Mental Health in General Hospitals: Treat as One National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death
Jeremy Hunt's hospital food revolution has failed, campaigners say
Jeremy Hunt's hospital food revolution has failed, campaigners say Department of Health study shows almost half of hospitals in England have not implemented key improvements
Jeremy Hunt has been accused of failing to deliver his promised revolution in hospital food after the health secretary’s own department found that many hospitals have still not improved patient catering.
A Department of Health study shows that almost half of hospitals in England have failed to implement key improvements almost two and a half years after Hunt’s crackdown. Continue reading... The Guardian
Jeremy Hunt has been accused of failing to deliver his promised revolution in hospital food after the health secretary’s own department found that many hospitals have still not improved patient catering.
A Department of Health study shows that almost half of hospitals in England have failed to implement key improvements almost two and a half years after Hunt’s crackdown. Continue reading... The Guardian
Disabled people are to be ‘warehoused’. We should be livid
Disabled people are to be ‘warehoused’. We should be lividNew rules could see 13,000 people with disabilities and long-term health needs forced into care homes. This is treating people as objects to be stored
The inescapable logic of austerity is looking likely, once again, to reduce people with disabilities to objects – and in doing so to reduce their independence, options and enjoyment of life. According to the Health Service Journal, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from campaign group Disability United found that 37 NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England were introducing rules about ongoing care that could force up to 13,000 people with health conditions into care homes. The CCGs will essentially begin saying to people with disabilities and long-term health needs: if you haven’t got the cash for homecare, then it’s off to a care home for you.
As a country we have been brutalised into accepting that each year the porridge pot gets smaller and our belts tighter Continue reading... The Guardian
The inescapable logic of austerity is looking likely, once again, to reduce people with disabilities to objects – and in doing so to reduce their independence, options and enjoyment of life. According to the Health Service Journal, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from campaign group Disability United found that 37 NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England were introducing rules about ongoing care that could force up to 13,000 people with health conditions into care homes. The CCGs will essentially begin saying to people with disabilities and long-term health needs: if you haven’t got the cash for homecare, then it’s off to a care home for you.
As a country we have been brutalised into accepting that each year the porridge pot gets smaller and our belts tighter Continue reading... The Guardian
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
How St Andrew's want to make Northampton the mental health care capital of the world
How St Andrew's want to make Northampton the mental health care capital of the world The new FitzRoy House, at St Andrew's Hospital, is now the largest adolescent mental health facility in Europe. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
'Nurse bank' campaign shortlisted for healthcare efficiency award
'Nurse bank' campaign shortlisted for healthcare efficiency award A campaign to recruit nurses onto its staff bank has seen Northampton General Hospital shortlisted for a communications award in the health sector. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Defining and measuring unmet need to guide healthcare funding: identifying and filling the gaps
Defining and measuring unmet need to guide healthcare funding: identifying and filling the gaps Budget allocations to CCGs include adjustments for meeting unmet health care needs and tackling health inequalities. This literature review aims to identify and understand the available evidence regarding unmet health need. The study found that whilst there was evidence to support identifying unmet health need, there was a gap in the evidence on how budget allocations are best used to reduce unmet need. Centre for Health Economics
Obesity and the public purse: weighing up the true cost to the taxpayer
Obesity and the public purse: weighing up the true cost to the taxpayer This report analyses the cost of obesity to public services and estimates that the net cost is less than £2.5 billion a year or 0.3 per cent of government spending. The report argues that the economic burden of obesity has been exaggerated and that the health care costs of an ageing population should be the focus for public service efficiency savings. Institute of Economic Affairs
Bed-blocking patient evicted after two years 'did not want to stay'
Bed-blocking patient evicted after two years 'did not want to stay' A patient who was evicted from a hospital after spending more than two years in a bed said he did not want to stay and "tried to get out of there".
Adriano Guedes, 63, who suffers paralysis after a stroke in 2008, was admitted to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, in 2014.
The hospital obtained a court order and evicted him two weeks ago, saying he had occupied the bed "unnecessarily".
"I didn't want to stay, and they forced me to stay," Mr Guedes told the BBC.
"It's very bad to occupy a place which should be used by someone in need, but I didn't cause the situation. On the contrary - I tried to get out of there." BBC News
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Adriano Guedes, 63, who suffers paralysis after a stroke in 2008, was admitted to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, in 2014.
The hospital obtained a court order and evicted him two weeks ago, saying he had occupied the bed "unnecessarily".
"I didn't want to stay, and they forced me to stay," Mr Guedes told the BBC.
"It's very bad to occupy a place which should be used by someone in need, but I didn't cause the situation. On the contrary - I tried to get out of there." BBC News
See also:
- 'I was forced to stay': Man hits back after eviction The Daily Mail
- 'Bed blocker' evicted after two years says he begged to leave hospital The Daily Telegraph
- Patient who spent two years in hospital evicted under court order The Guardian
Compensation payouts for poor out-of-hours care top £30m
Compensation payouts for poor out-of-hours care top £30m A doctor's indemnity organisation has paid out well over £30 million in compensation and legal costs on behalf of GPs working in out-of-hours and unscheduled care settings over a three-year period. This included a number of high value cases settled for over £1 million.
The Medical Defence Union (MDU) said the most common reason for a claim was a delay or failure to diagnose a condition, which accounted for almost three quarters of cases (71%). In 18% of cases, there were allegations about a failure to make a referral or an incorrect referral. OnMedica
The Medical Defence Union (MDU) said the most common reason for a claim was a delay or failure to diagnose a condition, which accounted for almost three quarters of cases (71%). In 18% of cases, there were allegations about a failure to make a referral or an incorrect referral. OnMedica
More help needed for people with learning disability and dementia
More help needed for people with learning disability and dementia A partnership of voluntary sector organisations has today launched a new report* calling for the needs of people with learning disabilities, who have also developed dementia, to be better addressed.
People with learning disabilities are five times more likely than those in the general population to develop dementia, according to the largest ever study** into the health and care of people with learning disabilities, by NHS Digital, published in December. OnMedica
People with learning disabilities are five times more likely than those in the general population to develop dementia, according to the largest ever study** into the health and care of people with learning disabilities, by NHS Digital, published in December. OnMedica
Cervical cancer screening attendance hits 19 year low
Cervical cancer screening attendance hits 19 year low Cervical screening tests are a vital method of preventing cancer through the detection and treatment of abnormalities in the cervix, but new research shows that the number of women using this service has dropped to a 19 year low.
Charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has found that the number of women attending potentially life-saving cervical screening tests in England is falling.
The research, obtained by a series of Freedom of Information requests sent to every local authority in England, found that over 1.12 million women did not attend a cervical screening test in the last year. The Independent
Charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has found that the number of women attending potentially life-saving cervical screening tests in England is falling.
The research, obtained by a series of Freedom of Information requests sent to every local authority in England, found that over 1.12 million women did not attend a cervical screening test in the last year. The Independent
NHS hands over patient records to Home Office for immigration crackdown
NHS hands over patient records to Home Office for immigration crackdown Number of government requests to access confidential non-clinical details rises threefold since 2014 in drive to track down immigration offenders
The confidential patient records of more than 8,000 people have been handed over by the NHS to the Home Office in the past year as part of its drive to track down immigration offenders.
A memorandum of understanding, published for the first time on Tuesday, makes clear that NHS digital is required by law to hand over non-clinical patient details including last known addresses, dates of birth, GP’s details and date registered with doctor. Continue reading... The Guardian
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The confidential patient records of more than 8,000 people have been handed over by the NHS to the Home Office in the past year as part of its drive to track down immigration offenders.
A memorandum of understanding, published for the first time on Tuesday, makes clear that NHS digital is required by law to hand over non-clinical patient details including last known addresses, dates of birth, GP’s details and date registered with doctor. Continue reading... The Guardian
See also:
- NHS patient data handed to Home Office in immigration crackdown The Independent
Tackling mental health stigma will require more than just goodwill
Tackling mental health stigma will require more than just goodwill Delivering the PM’s pledge should not rest on the shoulders of overstretched staff, it must be backed with appropriate resources
The prime minister, Theresa May, has pledged to tackle mental health stigma as part of her vision for her “shared society”. May announced plans to transform the way mental illness is dealt with not in our hospitals but in classrooms, at work and in our communities. The initiative has been largely welcomed, although there is concern that this is yet another governmental policy that hinges on goodwill rather than identifiable resource.
Given the stakes, we cannot afford to be sceptical or dismissive about any initiative on stigma. Continue reading... The Guardian
The prime minister, Theresa May, has pledged to tackle mental health stigma as part of her vision for her “shared society”. May announced plans to transform the way mental illness is dealt with not in our hospitals but in classrooms, at work and in our communities. The initiative has been largely welcomed, although there is concern that this is yet another governmental policy that hinges on goodwill rather than identifiable resource.
Given the stakes, we cannot afford to be sceptical or dismissive about any initiative on stigma. Continue reading... The Guardian
NHS could force chronically-ill patients into care
NHS could force chronically-ill patients into care Some British health trusts are refusing to pay for carers to visit patients at home if it works out significantly cheaper to place them in residential care. The Daily Mail
GPs seek rule change to earn private cash from patients in spare time
GPs seek rule change to earn private cash from patients in spare time Family doctors want to change NHS rules so they can earn cash from their patients in their spare time, a leading medic has said.
Currently, GPs are banned from charging their own patients for any services.
The rules were drawn up to avoid conflicts of interest and stop family doctors from denying patients treatment on the NHS, so they could profit from treatment privately.
Now local medical committees are in talks about introducing a new structure, which would allow GPs to charge fees for providing services if they were not covered in their NHS contract. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Currently, GPs are banned from charging their own patients for any services.
The rules were drawn up to avoid conflicts of interest and stop family doctors from denying patients treatment on the NHS, so they could profit from treatment privately.
Now local medical committees are in talks about introducing a new structure, which would allow GPs to charge fees for providing services if they were not covered in their NHS contract. The Daily Telegraph
See also:
Tuesday, 24 January 2017
Smart TMS Announces rTMS alliance with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Smart TMS Announces rTMS alliance with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust London-based Smart TMS has announced that it will be working in partnership with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) to explore the provision of rTMS treatment for depression. The alliance will see Smart TMS working with NHFT for provision of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for both NHS and private patients in London and Northamptonshire.
rTMS, or Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an innovative alternative to medication for treating depression. It is a clinically proven, non-invasive treatment which utilises the power of magnetic energy to directly stimulate precisely targeted areas of the brain.
The treatment was approved by NICE in 2015 for treating depression; yet as a new treatment, is not widely available in the UK, with just 3 NHS trusts and a handful of private clinics offering the service.
rTMS, or Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an innovative alternative to medication for treating depression. It is a clinically proven, non-invasive treatment which utilises the power of magnetic energy to directly stimulate precisely targeted areas of the brain.
The treatment was approved by NICE in 2015 for treating depression; yet as a new treatment, is not widely available in the UK, with just 3 NHS trusts and a handful of private clinics offering the service.
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