Tory strategist Lynton Crosby in new lobbying row

Tory strategist Lynton Crosby in new lobbying row Exclusive: Firm he founded, Crosby Textor, advised private healthcare providers how to exploit NHS 'failings'

The lobbying firm founded by the Tories' chief election strategist, Lynton Crosby, advised private healthcare providers on how to exploit perceived "failings" in the NHS, according to a leaked document obtained by the Guardian.

Lonely lives of the rural elderly

Lonely lives of the rural elderly Shop closures and bus service cuts causing social isolation says report which found half of over 75s living alone. The Daily Telegraph

Four in five sufferers of skin cancer now survive

Four in five sufferers of skin cancer now survive

More than 80 per cent of people diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will now survive the disease, scientists have said. Yet British sunbathing habits mean the number of cases continues to rise. The Independent

NHS Nene CCG Shaping your local healthcare prospectus published

NHS Nene CCG Shaping your local healthcare prospectus published NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has published its prospectus for 2013/14, ‘Shaping your local healthcare'. 

MPs meet minister over 'unfit' A&E

MPs meet minister over 'unfit' A&E A health minister agrees to look at a bid to expand an A&E department deemed "unfit for purpose" at Kettering General Hospital. BBC Northamptonshire

Warning over cancer health issues

Warning over cancer health issues Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK face poor health or disability after being treated for cancer, says a report from Macmillan Cancer Support. BBC News

See also:

• Cured, but at what cost? MacMillan Cancer Support

Five ways the NHS landscape is changing

Five ways the NHS landscape is changing What has the last week taught us about the NHS? BBC News

Alcohol deaths 'up' in young women

Alcohol deaths 'up' in young women Deaths from alcohol-related disease in women born in the 1970s are rising, contrary to the overall trend, a study suggests. BBC News

See also:

• Numbers of young women dying due to alcohol increasing The Daily Telegraph

Survey on female leaders in healthcare

Survey on female leaders in healthcare This survey, conducted in conjunction with the HSJ, suggests that women are still facing barriers to becoming senior leaders in the NHS. Just under half of the respondants thought having children put their career at a disadvantage, and two thirds felt a greater pressure to prove themselves than their male counterparts. Other respondents said that they struggled with a culture of an old boys’ network and attitudes to women leaders. Over a third said they had encountered sexual discrimination and over half said they had been bullied in the workplace.

Please note: in order to view the results of this survey, free registration with the HSJ is required.

• Survey results
• Related blog
• Pinterest board of inspiring women in healthcare
• The King's Fund - press release

NHS 111 inquiry slams providers, commissioners and NHS England

NHS 111 inquiry slams providers, commissioners and NHS England A damning report into failings with NHS 111 found local commissioners lacked necessary skills and tried to cut costs, providers lacked capacity and capability, and NHS England failed to provide proper central oversight and support. GP Online

See also:

• Full 111 rollout put back to 2014 BBC News

'Jaw-dropping' rise in NHS claims after scandals

'Jaw-dropping' rise in NHS claims after scandals Claims against the NHS for medical negligence have risen by more than 20 per cent in just one year after a succession of hospital scandals, official figures show. The Daily Telegraph

While dubious mortality rates grab headlines, NHS privatisation gallops on | Polly Toynbee

While dubious mortality rates grab headlines, NHS privatisation gallops on | Polly Toynbee The ferocity of the battle over 'dangerous' hospitals was not synthetic. The future of the NHS itself is under attack.

How the NHS can build external partnerships

How the NHS can build external partnerships Successful partnerships can offer benefits to both the public and private sectors.

Bain buys £230m stake in UK blood plasma supplier

Bain buys £230m stake in UK blood plasma supplier The government has sold a majority stake in Plasma Resources UK, the Department of Health's blood plasma supplier, to private equity firms Bain Capital for £230m.The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Bain Capital buys majority stake in Plasma Resources UK The Guardian

Elderly patients wait up to a year for dementia tests

Elderly patients wait up to a year for dementia tests

Elderly patients are waiting up to a year for a dementia diagnosis and face delays getting the help they need, even after diagnosis, an investigation has revealed. The Independent

See also:

• Dementia patients wait a year for diagnosis The Daily Telegraph
• National Audit for Dementia Care in General Hospitals 2012-13 Second report Royal College of Psychiatrists

Health warning as temperature soars

Health warning as temperature soars As the hot weather continues, NHS Corby and NHS Nene clinical commissioning groups are reminding people to take simple steps to stay safe and well. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Two perfect babies. But you've just paid Bernice £44,000 compensation for having them

Two perfect babies. But you've just paid Bernice £44,000 compensation for having them Bernice met the directors of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust last March, after she had her dummy implant removed at four months pregnant. She had been promised an investigation and an explanation as to why the contraception... The Daily Mail

The Keogh Report: reacting to reactions

The Keogh Report: reacting to reactions Yesterday's high octane ding-dong in the House of Commons over the Keogh report was an example of the unacceptable face of political interference in the delivery of healthcare, says Stephen Thornton. The Health Foundation

Hospital inspections 'to be tougher'

Hospital inspections 'to be tougher' he new chief inspector of hospitals in England promises more robust and broader inspections, as he acknowledges previous methods were "flawed". BBC News

See also:

• 'Whistleblower-in-chief' reveals plan to fix NHS: make you the inspector The Independent
• Army of patients to be recruited to inspect NHS The Daily Telegraph
• NHS care watchdog CQC to overhaul hospital inspection system The Guardian
• 'Stigma associated with raising concerns must be removed' The Guardian
• Patients, not bureaucrats, will be on new inspection teams to sort out NHS hospitals The Daily Mail

Minimum alcohol price plan shelved

Minimum alcohol price plan shelved The government will not introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol in England and Wales but will stop it being sold below the cost of duty plus VAT. BBC News

'Cancer sniffing' knife designed

'Cancer sniffing' knife designed An "intelligent" knife that can sniff out tumours to improve cancer surgery has been developed by scientists. BBC News

See also:

• VIDEO: 'Intelligent' knife detects cancer BBC News
• Magic scalpel that sniffs out tumours in an instant is set to revolutionise cancer surgery The Daily Mail

Why not... privatise the NHS?

Why not... privatise the NHS? Arguments for and against the biggest taboo in UK politics. BBC News

Community nursing insulin chart

Community nursing insulin chart The risks associated with the administration of insulin are well known and the maladministration of insulin is now a never event.

An insulin chart has been developed by experienced community health services pharmacists and includes a number of safety features within the chart design, for example it is pre-printed with the word “units”. NHS Networks

Dementia rates dropping

Dementia rates dropping “Dementia rates fall as public health improves,” is the good news story greeting readers of The Daily Telegraph.

The news comes from UK based research published in The Lancet medical journal. The research showed the number of people with dementia in the UK in 2011 was much lower than researchers predicted based on trends two decades earlier.

Surgery deferred. Sight denied. Variation in cataract service provision across England

Surgery deferred. Sight denied. Variation in cataract service provision across England This report from the RNIB reveals the variation in rates of cataract operations across England. The analysis also reveals a national decline in the rate of second eye operations taking place which the report highlights as an area of concern. Research indicates that patients who have early access to second eye surgery may experience fewer falls and fractures compared to those who waited for 12 months.

• Report
• Executive summary

NHS staff: social indicators

NHS staff: social indicators This briefing note provides overview statistical information on the NHS workforce in England.

• Briefing
• House of Commons library - publications

Patients are twice as likely to die in some NHS hospitals because they lack proper equipment and resources, new study finds

Patients are twice as likely to die in some NHS hospitals because they lack proper equipment and resources, new study finds A study by Imperial College London found that hospital that made the most of medical equipment like ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scanning had lower mortality rates. The Daily Mail

Elderly care revolution as state-backed insurance scheme announced

Elderly care revolution as state-backed insurance scheme announced Government shakeup planned to cap costs for one in eight poorer pensioners and cut bills for the wealthy by up to a fifth.

Care cap will only help small minority of elderly, officials admit

Care cap will only help small minority of elderly, officials admit Only one in eight elderly people will ever qualify for the long-awaited cap on the cost of care, Government officials have acknowledged for the first time.The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Care cap to benefit 'one in eight' BBC News
• Press release: New fairer capped funding system to help everyone plan for the cost of care Department of Health

Hospitals rely increasingly on income from fee-paying patients, warns BMA report

Hospitals rely increasingly on income from fee-paying patients, warns BMA report

Hospitals in England are increasingly relying on income from fee-paying patients, as NHS budget pressures continue to mount. The Independent

The Keogh Mortality Review

The final report of the Keogh Review into 14 NHS trusts has now been published:

• Review into the Quality of Care and Treatment Provided by 14 Hospital Trusts in England

See also:

• Press release: Jeremy Hunt sets out plans to tackle mediocrity and inadequate leadership in the NHS Department of Health
• Keogh review on hospital deaths published NHS Choices
• Keogh announces new mortality measure E-Health Insider
• 'Trapped in mediocrity': The damning verdict on the NHS as report reveals 14 hospitals had higher than expected mortality rates The Independent
• Analysis: Hospital mediocrity isn't the problem - it's the failure to address it The Independent
• NHS inquiry: trust by trust, the Keogh Report's findings The Daily Telegraph
• Jeremy Hunt accused of turning NHS deaths into 'political capital' The Guardian
• Jeremy Hunt: inspectors found evidence of poor care at NHS hospitals The Guardian
• Another NHS crisis? This is no way to run a public service The Guardian
• Keogh Review: 'ostrich approach' not an option NHS Confederation
• RCN responds to Keogh review RCN
• Our reponse to Sir Bruce Keogh's review of hospitals with high mortality rates The King's Fund
• Failing hospitals: Are there more out there? BBC News

Whither public health policy: conspiracy or cock-up?

Whither public health policy: conspiracy or cock-up? Whilst Public Health England has been busy releasing useful tools to help local areas benchmark their performance against others, Whitehall has been largely quiet on the public health policy front (with the exception of the Secretary of State’s welcome focus on reducing premature mortality). 

NHS hospitals expanding private work

NHS hospitals expanding private work One in six hospitals in England have introduced new private treatment options this year, an investigation reveals. BBC News

More care, less pathway: a review of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP)

More care, less pathway: a review of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) This report sets out recommendations regarding the LCP and end of life care following an independent review chaired by Baroness Julia Neuberger. The recommendations include phasing out the LCP and replacing it with an individual end of life care plan; an end to incentive payments for use of the LCP and other similar approaches; and a new system-wide approach to improving the quality of care for the dying.

• Report
• Rapid evidence review
• Snapshot review of complaints in end of life care
• Department of Health - news

Resources for commissioners of women's health services

Resources for commissioners of women's health services This new new e-resource aims to support CCGs and NHS England in the commissioning of women’s health services. It brings together standards for hospital-based obstetric and gynaecological care with community-based sexual and reproductive healthcare advice. It is also accompanied by a digital booklet, which provides a brief introduction to the medical specialties and highlights examples of best practice and innovation in UK health organisations.

• Commissioning resource
• Digital booklet
• RCOG - news

Named GP for people dying in the community

Named GP for people dying in the community GPs should give dying patients their phone number for OOH emergencies. OnMedica

What questions should we be asking about end-of-life care?

What questions should we be asking about end-of-life care? The Liverpool care pathway was one element in a system that needs refocusing on how, rather than just where, people die

With the current focus on the Liverpool care pathway (LCP), there is a lot of talk about how people's end-of-life wishes are taken into account.

This is a very specific example of where a tool designed to improve co-ordination between professionals has sometimes been poorly implemented to the detriment of patients and their families.

But focusing on the LCP alone means we fail to see the wood for the trees.

Researchers cut 130,000 from number of UK dementia sufferers

Researchers cut 130,000 from number of UK dementia sufferers

The number of people with dementia in the UK could be significantly lower than previously thought, according to new research. The Independent

See also:

• Dementia rates fall as public health improves The Daily Telegraph
• Risk of developing dementia down 25% in two decades, but caseload still rising because we are living longer The Daily Mail
• Dementia rate has fallen by a quarter in 20 years OnMedica
• Dementia risk 'reducing', figures show BBC News

High hospital death rates exposed

High hospital death rates exposed Standards of care at 14 hospital trusts with the worst death rates in England are to be laid bare in an official report later. BBC News

See also:

• Thousands may have died because of Labour NHS failings, Tory MPs claim Daily Telegraph
• Andy Burnham: The Coalition failed to act on my concerns about the NHS Daily Telegraph
• Keogh's review of mortality rates in the NHS is a blueprint, not a red alert Guardian

National audit of dementia care in general hospitals 2012-13

National audit of dementia care in general hospitals 2012-13 This second report of the National Audit of Dementia has identified continuing problems in the quality of care received by people with dementia in hospitals in England and Wales. It shows that less than half of hospital executive boards are routinely involved in reviewing hospital performance data on quality of care received by people with dementia, and two in five hospitals do not provide dementia awareness training to new staff. Problems with the quality of information and communication are also an issue. It also shows that several aspects of care have improved since the first report in 2011.

• Audit report
• RCPsych - press release

What's the best way to teach care and compassion?

What's the best way to teach care and compassion? Sheffield Hallam University has introduced augmented reality when teaching students clinical and non-technical skills.

Following the publication of the Francis report earlier this year, healthcare professionals across the service faced heightened scrutiny over their ability to show empathy and care to their patients.

Pricing scandal sees NHS pay £89 for cod-liver oil capsules

Pricing scandal sees NHS pay £89 for cod-liver oil capsules Taxpayers are being charged up to 40 times the usual cost for common over-the-counter products being prescribed by NHS doctors.The Daily Telegraph

Calls to mental health helpline rise by 50%

Calls to mental health helpline rise by 50% The number of calls to mental health charity Mind’s helpline has increased by 50 per cent in the past year with many callers now presenting “acute and complex” problems stemming from severe financial worries. The Independent

Research shows Northamptonshire veterans are seeking help for mental health support more quickly

Research shows Northamptonshire veterans are seeking help for mental health support more quickly New research has shown there has been a dramatic fall in the time taken for Northamptonshire veterans to seek mental health support. Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph

Chance to tell the council why we are obese

Chance to tell the council why we are obese Northamptonshire County Council wants to know what county residents think are the reasons the population is becoming increasingly overweight. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Guidance: Introduction of shingles vaccine for people aged 70 and 79 years

Guidance: Introduction of shingles vaccine for people aged 70 and 79 years From 1 September 2013, we plan to:

• offer routine vaccinations to people aged 70 years old to provide protection against shingles
• introduce a catch-up immunisation programme for people aged 79 years

The effectiveness of the vaccine declines with age and so it is not recommended for people aged 80 years or older. Department of Health

See also:

• Guidance: Shingles (herpes zoster): the green book, chapter 28a Department of Health

• Guidance: Shingles vaccination: training slideset for healthcare professionals Department of Health

• Guidance: Vaccination against shingles for adults: Q&As for healthcare professionals Department of Health

Government delays decision on plain packaging of tobacco products

Government delays decision on plain packaging of tobacco products The government has decided to delay any decision on introducing plain packaging for tobacco products in England until it has more evidence on how successful the move has been in Australia, which rolled out the policy in January this year. OnMedica News

See also:

• Downing Street denies claims Tory party adviser influenced U-turn on plain cigarette packets The Daily Telegraph
• David Cameron told to sack strategy chief over link to tobacco giants The Guardian
• Tory strategist Lynton Crosby chaired tobacco meeting last year, says Labour The Guardian
• Tories dismiss tobacco link 'smears' BBC News
• AUDIO: Plain cigarette packets 'will work' BBC News
• Press release: Consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco products Department of Health
• Consultation outcome: Standardised packaging of tobacco products Department of Health

NHS failings 'being suppressed'

NHS failings 'being suppressed' An independent expert on mortality rates suggests that ministers have suppressed details of NHS failings to avoid losing votes. BBC News

See also:

• 13,000 died needlessly at 14 worst NHS trusts The Daily Telegraph
• Labour's 'denial machine' over hospital death rates The Daily Telegraph
• Andy Burnham rejects Tory criticism over past NHS failings The Guardian
• NHS braces for onslaught from Jeremy Hunt in run-up to report on care failure The Guardian

Diabetes kidney damage test 'missed'

Diabetes kidney damage test 'missed' A quarter of people with diabetes do not get the kidney checks they need to detect early signs of damage, a charity suggests. BBC News

80 per cent of major disease deaths are avoidable

80 per cent of major disease deaths are avoidable The difference in life expectancy between the richest and poorest parts of England is now 17 years Public Service

NHS England gets £200,000 fine

NHS England gets £200,000 fine NHS England has been issued with a £200,000 fine from the Information Commissioner's Office after a former PCT was found to have breached the Data Protection Act. E-Health Insider

See also:

• NHS Surrey fined £200000 after losing patients' records BBC News
• ICO fines NHS Surrey £200000 after 3000 patient records sold on eBay Computing
• Patient records sold online – NHS fined £200k Public Service

Six lives: progress report on healthcare for people with learning disabilities

Six lives: progress report on healthcare for people with learning disabilities This progress report finds that whilst some improvements have been made, people with learning disabilities are still experiencing poor care, and face unacceptable inequalities in health and social care.

• Report
• Department of Health - news

See also:

• No review board into early deaths of patients with learning disabilities The Guardian

British child death rates are 'a major crisis', says paediatricians' leader

British child death rates are 'a major crisis', says paediatricians' leader Lack of specialists and GPs with paediatric skills mean preventable deaths twice as high as in other western nations.

NHS faces repeat of A&E winter crisis if plans not drawn up, hospitals warn

NHS faces repeat of A&E winter crisis if plans not drawn up, hospitals warn The NHS faces a repeat of last winter's crisis in accident and emergency units because health officials have yet to draw up plans to cope with rising patient admissions and find the money to help struggling hospitals, it has emerged.

Jeremy Hunt to send 'hit squads' to hospitals where thousands died needlessly

Jeremy Hunt to send 'hit squads' to hospitals where thousands died needlessly Health Secretary will this week send in "hit squads" to as many as 10 hospital trusts where thousands of patients died needlessly. The Daily Telegraph

Neighbourhood watch groups should provide care to 'miserable and lonely' pensioners, says health minister

Neighbourhood watch groups should provide care to 'miserable and lonely' pensioners, says health minister Neighbourhood watch groups should be responsible for providing care to more than a million "miserable and lonely" pensioners, the health minister has said. The Daily Telegraph

Liverpool Care Pathway: Controversial 'end-of-life' regime for dying patients 'to be replaced'

Liverpool Care Pathway: Controversial 'end-of-life' regime for dying patients 'to be replaced' The use of a controversial end-of-life regime should be phased out, an independent review is likely to say. The Independent

See also:

• Treatment of every Liverpool Pathway patient to be reviewed The Daily Telegraph
• Liverpool Care Pathway to be axed in favour of individual treatment plans The Daily Telegraph
• Liverpool care pathway for dying patients to be scrapped after review The Guardian
• Catalogue of abuse that killed off the Care Pathway: Ministers acted after inquiry found vulnerable patients were so dehydrated they had to suck on sponges The Daily Mail
• Death pathway 'should be phased out' BBC News

Flying medics called to nearly 400 incidents in six months

Flying medics called to nearly 400 incidents in six months Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance attended 380 accidents and emergencies during the first six months of the year. Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph

Why do people find it so hard to speak out in the interests of patients?

Why do people find it so hard to speak out in the interests of patients? Health care staff are usually motivated to enter their professions by a desire to make a difference for patients and service users. Why then, do they find it so hard to speak up for patients when they see care that does not meet satisfactory standards? And when they do, why do they find it so hard to be heard? asks Bev Fitzsimons. The Health Foundation

Cigarette packaging plans on hold

Cigarette packaging plans on hold The government is to postpone plans for standardised plain cigarette packaging, to spend more time studying a similar scheme in Australia. BBC News

Dementia patients 'miss key tests'

Dementia patients 'miss key tests' Many dementia patients fail to have the proper checks when they are in hospital, an audit of care has found. BBC News

See also:

• Elderly dementia patients receive poor hospital care, audit finds The Guardian

Medicines watchdog recalls drugs

Medicines watchdog recalls drugs The UK's medicines watchdog is recalling 16 prescription medicines made at an Indian factory which failed a routine inspection. BBC News

See also:

• Precautionary recall MHRA

Abortions down in England and Wales

Abortions down in England and Wales Abortions in England and Wales fell slightly in 2012 and the abortion rate for under 18s was also down, show figures from the Department of Health. BBC News

See also:

• Record high number of abortions which are 'repeats' The Daily Telegraph
• Abortions show overall downward trend Public Service
• Statistics - national statistics: Report on abortion statistics in England and Wales for 2012 Department of Health

Junior doctors withdrawn at hospital

Junior doctors withdrawn at hospital Junior doctor training is stopped after concerns at a major hospital in Bedfordshire and an MP calls for an inquiry. BBC News

Flu fighter webinar: Improving ambulance service, mental health and community care trust vaccination uptake

Flu fighter webinar: Improving ambulance service, mental health and community care trust vaccination uptake Join us for our flu fighter webinar taking place on 7 August. NHS Employers

IT can fill £30 billion gap - Kelsey

IT can fill £30 billion gap - Kelsey Technology can fill a "large part" of the £30 billion funding gap facing the health service, NHS England's director of patients and information has claimed. E-Health Insider

RCN publishes guidance on uniforms and work wear

RCN publishes guidance on uniforms and work wear The RCN has published updated guidance for nursing staff and their employers on selecting, wearing and decontaminating uniforms or other clothing worn when caring for patients.

NHS buildings: obstacle or opportunity?

NHS buildings: obstacle or opportunity? There has been little real attention given to how the NHS estate could help to improve efficiency, move more care out of hospitals and exploit new technologies. This perspectives piece demonstates how models of care are still designed around buildings, and asks whether re-thinking the way that the NHS uses its estate could catalyse change.

• Discussion paper
• The King's Fund - publications

The NHS structure and mental health

The NHS structure and mental health This chart illustrates changes to mental health services in the new NHS structure.

• Chart
• Centre for Mental Health - publications

Why NHS 111 has to stay 'risk-averse' – and thus doesn't save money | Colin Leys

Why NHS 111 has to stay 'risk-averse' – and thus doesn't save money | Colin Leys The new telephone line has non-medical staff doing computerised triage. So it has to err on the side of caution, which just shifts the strain to other parts of the NHS.

The practical, spin-free guide to funding the NHS | Jacky Davis

The practical, spin-free guide to funding the NHS | Jacky Davis The NHS needs another 'significant shake-up' as it faces a £30bn shortfall. But we need to challenge the marketisers' myths.

Dying NHS patients not treated with dignity, relatives say

Dying NHS patients not treated with dignity, relatives say Almost half of bereaved relatives of NHS patients say their loved ones were shown a lack of dignity and respect by hospital staff before their death, while a fifth were given treatment they would not have wanted, a new survey has found. The Daily Telegraph

Obesity bankrupting the NHS, warns peer

Obesity bankrupting the NHS, warns peer Britain's "obesity epidemic" is bankrupting the NHS, a former consultant surgeon has warned in the House of Lords.The Daily Telegraph

Healthwatch Northamptonshire raises concerns about respite care - Northampton Herald and Post

Healthwatch Northamptonshire raises concerns about respite care HEALTHWATCH Northamptonshire, has made its first referral to Northamptonshire County Council’s Health & Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding provisions for people with neuro-degenerative conditions in the county – which includes conditions such as motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Northampton Herald and Post

See also:

• Statement from Nene and Corby CCGs on the end of Podiatry and Neuro-degenerative consultations

NHS 'heading for £30bn funding gap'

NHS 'heading for £30bn funding gap' The NHS in England risks "sleepwalking" into poorer quality care unless hospital and GP services are reorganised, according to its leaders. BBC News

See also:

• Special report: ‘This can’t go on’ - NHS chiefs urge new debate on health reforms The Independent
• NHS will 'sleepwalk' into more Staffords without radical change The Daily Telegraph
• NHS chief executive: muddling along will result in more Staffords The Guardian
• NHS cannot rely on pay cuts to reduce costs, says BMA expert GP Online
• The NHS belongs to the people: a call to action NHS England
• The King's Fund's response to the publication of NHS England's national call to action

Organ donor wish 'must be honoured'

Organ donor wish 'must be honoured' The NHS is considering whether to stop families from overriding the consent of people who have signed the organ donor register. BBC News

See also:

• Registered organ donors could be given priority for transplants The Daily Telegraph
• NHS organ transplant service presses for big change of attitude over donation The Guardian

Air pollution linked to lung cancer and heart failure

Air pollution linked to lung cancer and heart failure Air pollution, chiefly from traffic exhaust fumes in cities, is having a serious and sometimes fatal effect on health, The Guardian reports.

This follows the publication of two studies in The Lancet that examined the effects of short- and long-term exposure to pollutants on the risk of developing lung cancer or heart failure.

These were both well conducted studies that collected a large body of evidence. Researchers looked at observational studies examining the impact of air pollution on long-term health outcomes.