Half of European clinical trials haven’t reported results

Half of European clinical trials haven’t reported results A new interactive website, eu.trialstracker.net, shows that 49% of clinical trials on the EU clinical trials register have not reported results. EU rules say clinical trial results must be reported onto the EU register for every trial there within 12 months of the end of the trial. Only 51% of trials on the register are currently complying with this. No one has ever been sanctioned for breaking the European rules.
The EUTrialsTracker also shows that European academic institutes are lagging far behind companies in complying with the reporting rules – 68% of company-sponsored trials that are due to report results onto the register have but only 11% of academic trials have. This means that nearly 90% of the trials sponsored by European universities, governments, charities and research centres are breaking EU rules.

CQC calls for guidance to improve sexual safety on mental health wards

CQC calls for guidance to improve sexual safety on mental health wards The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is calling for new national guidance to improve the sexual safety of people and staff on mental health wards, following analysis of how mental health trusts in England report sexual incidents.
In its Sexual Safety on Mental Health Wards report published today (Tuesday 11 September) the CQC shares its findings and recommendations after reviewing patient safety incidents reported to the NHS National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS). The report follows engagement with trusts, national bodies, organisations representing people who use services and individuals with direct experience of sexual safety incidents. NHS Networks

Free flu vaccinations for social care and hospice staff

Free flu vaccinations for social care and hospice staff   NHS England will again provide free flu vaccinations for social care staff who offer direct patient care this flu season. This year, the free jab will also be extended to include health and care staff in the voluntary managed hospice sector who offer direct patient care. NHS Employers

NHS suffering worst ever staff and cash crisis, figures show

NHS suffering worst ever staff and cash crisis, figures show  The NHS’s staffing and financial problems are the worst they have ever been, official health service figures show. The number of vacancies across the NHS in England has hit a record high while NHS bosses have disclosed for the first time the service’s underlying deficit built up over recent years – £4.3bn.
At the end of June the health service had 107,743 unfilled posts, up 9,268 from the 98,475 total seen just three months earlier, NHS Improvement said in its latest quarterly report on the service’s performance.
The regulator warned that the NHS’s struggles to recruit and retain staff were so difficult that vacancies would become even more common during the rest of 2018-19. The Guardian

Hancock attacks NHS block on progress as he says all patients should be able to Skype their GPs

Hancock attacks NHS block on progress as he says all patients should be able to Skype their GPs   Every patient should be able to Skype their GP on a smartphone, the new Health Secretary says today as he attacks the NHS for blocking progress and vows to end a “postcode lottery” in access to care. Matt Hancock accused health officials of standing in the way of a healthcare revolution, as he detailed ambitions for an expansion of virtual GP services across the country.
The minister, who became Health Secretary in July, personally uses the “GP at Hand” app which is offered by the NHS in some parts of London. The Telegraph

Mental health crisis teams in England: lost in translation?

Mental health crisis teams in England: lost in translation?   Rachel Rowan Olive writes her debut elf blog about a recent national survey of mental health crisis resolution teams and crisis care systems in England: Crisis Resolution Teams (CRTs) for working-age adults have been implemented across England since 2000. Their aim is to treat those in mental health crisis at home, reducing the need for hospital admissions. A recently published national survey (Lloyd-Evans et al, 2018) produced a snapshot of the care provided by CRTs across England in late 2016, testing how far they reflect the model set out in the policy guidance for their implementation. Mental Elf

From Brexit to the birth rate: why midwives are leaving the NHS – and causing a crisis

From Brexit to the birth rate: why midwives are leaving the NHS – and causing a crisis   Almost 3,000 midwives ended their careers in England last year, and only 2,000 came out of university to replace them. Vacancy levels are set to keep rising, so why do the numbers no longer add up? So many midwives are quitting the NHS that the 2,000-plus would-be midwives coming out of university each year are making almost no dent in the profession’s longstanding and widespread workforce shortage.
Despite all those new graduates, the total number of what the NHS calls full-time equivalent midwives working in the NHS in England rose by only 67 last year to 21,601. In England last year, almost 3,000 existing midwives decided that delivering babies and caring for them and their mothers was no longer for them. The Guardian

Mumsnet is driving women to request caesarean sections, a leading midwife has warned

Mumsnet is driving women to request caesarean sections, a leading midwife has warned Horrific tales of childbirth from friends and social media forums like Mumsnet are driving women to request caesarean sections, a leading midwife has warned. Catriona Jones, a lecturer in midwifery at the University of Hull, said up to 14 per cent of expectant mothers now suffer from ‘tocophobia’, which is defined as an unreasonable dread of childbirth. Although women throughout the ages have been afraid of labour, Mrs Jones warned that harrowing accounts on TV dramas and social media were fuelling the problem and called on mothers to avoid sharing their birthing horror stories. The Telegraph

Press release: New flu vaccine available this winter for those aged 65 and over

Press release: New flu vaccine available this winter for those aged 65 and over A more effective flu vaccine is available this winter for those aged 65 and over, which could prevent deaths and reduce the burden on the NHS. Gov.UK - Public Health England
See also:

• Enhances flu jab to save 'hundreds of lives' BBC News 
• NHS admits flu jab won't stop deadly Japanese flu from killing elderly this winter as vaccination will only protect against three strains Mail Online

NHS vacancies a 'national emergency'

NHS vacancies a 'national emergency' The shortage of NHS staff in England has started worsening again, official figures show.  One in 11 posts is vacant with the situation particularly bad among the nursing workforce.
Experts described the situation as at risk of becoming a "national emergency" given the rising demands on the NHS.
It comes after sustained efforts by ministers and NHS bosses to tackle the shortages, including a new pay deal and recruitment and retention campaigns.  BBC News - Health
See also:

• NHS suffering worst ever staff and cash crisis, figures show The Guardian
• NHS loses 29 midwives for every 30 that it trains The Telegraph

Medicine isn’t a quick fix for society’s ills. Overdiagnosis can cause more harm | Zara Aziz

Medicine isn’t a quick fix for society’s ills. Overdiagnosis can cause more harm | Zara Aziz  When health problems are triggered by economic issues, they are medicalised as anxiety and depression instead of poverty

There are many patients who live on in doctors’ memories. Lily was one such patient – a widow in her 80s with a spring in her step and a ready smile. An infrequent visitor to the consulting room, she was mostly found in her garden, tending to her flowers and vegetables. An accidental fall led to a head injury. A subsequent CT scan excluded a bleed on her brain, but showed a small tumour in the temporal lobe, a part of the brain processing sensory input. “It is slow growingand unlikely to cause any foreseeable problems,” her neurosurgeon said. The Guardian

£450k announced to help patients have their say on health services

£450k announced to help patients have their say on health services A windfall of £450,000 to support practical and innovative ways to help patients improve health services has been announced. The Building Health Partnerships programme has been awarded the money from NHS England and the National Lottery – through the Big Lottery Fund.
The funding will provide tailored support for co-production to 10 areas, helping to more easily

involve patients and carers in designing the services they use. For example, previous support helped launch a new programme in Essex to get early diagnosis for people with lung diseases.

The funding will also support leadership training and develop a ‘champions’ network’ where community representatives and commissioners can share the best ways to ensure communities and patients are at the heart of Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships’ (STP) and Integrated Care Systems’ (ICS) plans. NHS England

Current and future state of nation’s health revealed

Current and future state of nation’s health revealed Public Health England has published a report giving the most comprehensive picture of the health of England today and into the future. NHS Networks

See also:

• Current and future state of nation’s health revealed Gov.UK - Public Health England

National conversation with health and care staff begins

National conversation with health and care staff begins The secretary of state for health and social care has launched a new digital platform called TalkHealthandCare, which staff can use to post ideas, questions and challenges for government. NHS Networks

KGH specialists volunteering at events for people to have moles checked

KGH specialists volunteering at events for people to have moles checked KGH’s dermatology department is teaming up with BBC Radio Northampton to enable local people to get worrying moles or skin lesions checked out. The hospital has agreed to attend three public events as part of Helen’s Big Health Check 2018 in Rushden, Daventry and Northampton to enable as many people as possible to get advice from September 19 to September 21. Northamptonshire Telegraph

NHS England wants patients to check before they tick for free prescriptions

NHS England wants patients to check before they tick for free prescriptions NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) are launching a nationwide campaign to help people understand their eligibility for free prescriptions.

The Check Before You Tick campaign will encourage patients to check whether they are entitled to free prescriptions before claiming them to help reduce the £256m annual cost to the NHS when people incorrectly claim them for free. NHS Networks

Hospitals to receive £145m to prepare for winter demand

Hospitals to receive £145m to prepare for winter demand The government is giving more than £145 million to NHS trusts across the country ahead of winter to improve emergency care.

The money will be spent on upgrading wards, redeveloping A&Es and extra beds at NHS trusts across England.

The funding from the Department of Health and Social Care’s existing budget will be spent on 81 new schemes. NHS Networks

NHS car parking charges petition handed to Number 10 - ITV News

NHS car parking charges petition handed to Number 10 - ITV News Campaigners have demanded an end to the “stealth tax” of NHS car parking charges in England by handing a petition into Downing Street.

Motoring campaign group FairFuel UK and Conservative MP Robert Halfon delivered the document, signed by more than 25,000 people, on Monday morning. ITV News

England facing 'changing health needs'

England facing 'changing health needs' England is facing changing health demands due to an ageing population and the NHS must quickly adapt, says Public Health England.

It has compiled what it calls "the most comprehensive picture" of the nation's current health and future fitness.

It shows England's population is growing in size and people are living longer but not all in good health.

While smoking rates may be decreasing, diabetes, obesity, dementia and mental health issues are on the rise. BBC News

See also:

• Connection between lifestyle factors and overall health 'remains clear', says College RCGP

Can technology save our NHS? - ComputerWeekly.com

Can technology save our NHS? - ComputerWeekly.com The NHS is in crisis. Plagued by increased demand, an ageing population, budget restraints and low staff morale, it has become increasingly clear that change is needed. According to NHS bosses, the change that will save our health service will come in the form of digital technology, which will lift a struggling health service out of its misery and deliver a new golden era.
Speaking at the NHS Expo in Manchester, NHS England’s national director for operations and information, Matthew Swindells, went as far as saying that without digitising the NHS, we are “condemning people to die”. Going fully digital, he believes, is the only way to save the NHS. Computer Weekly

Support good mental health with new digital gateway for workplaces - CIPD

Support good mental health with new digital gateway for workplaces - CIPD Last year the Farmer-Stevenson review, ‘Thriving at Work’, highlighted that an estimated 300,000 people lose their jobs each year due to mental ill health. According to Mind, employers want to make mental health a priority but a third don’t know where to go for information or guidance.

Mental Health at Work is a new, online gateway to resources, training and information that will change the way we approach workplace mental health. It’s funded by The Royal Foundation with Heads Together and developed by Mind and 11 key programme partners from the world of business and mental health, including the CIPD. CIPD

See also:

• Poor mental health at work 'widespread' BBC News

Mental health waiting times mean 75% of young people get worse before treatment, report warns - The Independent

Mental health waiting times mean 75% of young people get worse before treatment, report warns - The Independent Three-quarters of young people referred to NHS mental healthservices waited so long to be seen that their condition had deteriorated further by the time they got to a doctor, a report has found.

Young people and their parents are being left to “fend for themselves” for months on end while waiting to access child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), according to a report by charity Young Minds. The Independent

See also:

• 'Black hole' in youth mental health support BBC News

NHS care regulator says sexual incidents 'commonplace' in mental health units

NHS care regulator says sexual incidents 'commonplace' in mental health units Sexual incidents including harassment, assaults and rapes are “commonplace” in mental health units, mainly carried out by patients, the NHS’s care regulator has reported.

A total of 1,120 sexual incidents - 65 a week - occurred on mental health wards in England during April, May and June, according to the Care Quality Commission.

The figures included 29 alleged rapes. Another 457 incidents, more than a third of the total, involved sexual assault or sexual harassment of patients or staff. The Guardian

See also:

• CQC: Trusts must do more to protect mental health patients from sexual abuse The BMJ

Self harm trebles among children and young adults post-social media

Self harm trebles among children and young adults post-social media Child psychiatrists have expressed alarm over a sharp rise in self-harm among teenagers since the advent of social media.

National research shows a tripling in poisonings via paracetamol and antidepressants among those aged between 10 and 24 in the UK between 1998 and 2014.

The figures come amid concerns about "an epidemic of mental illness" among young people, with the internet fuelling insecurity, anxiety and copycat behaviour. The Telegraph

See also:

• Sharp rise in young people overdosing on painkillers and antidepressants The Guardian
• Society-wide approach needed to address 'extremely serious' self-poisoning rates in young people, says RCGP RCGP

NHS to be franchised around the globe under post-Brexit plans

NHS to be franchised around the globe under post-Brexit plans The NHS is to be exported across the world as part of efforts to boost investment in Britain post-Brexit, under controversial new Government plans.

Hospitals and heath watchdogs will be encouraged to set up franchises in dozens of countries, with profits ploughed into supporting the health service.

The NHS will be asked to target up to £7bn of opportunities a year over the next decade, in a bid to share expertise and increase investment in frontline services. The Telegraph

See also:

• Ministers risk putting money before health, BMA warns OnMedica

Corby workplaces lead the way in mental health scheme

Corby workplaces lead the way in mental health scheme  Corby Mind is hoping to roll out a successful mental health first aid scheme to more businesses in Corby. The scheme is designed to train workplace first aiders in mental health to ensure that their colleagues have access to help should they need it. Corby Mind is looking for a local company to pay for its charity workers to receive the internationally-recognised training so they can then go into the firm and deliver training to members of staff. Their aim is to identify the early stages of mental health conditions, provide help, stop self-harm, provide signposting to professional help, aid recovery and break mental health problems. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Alcohol guidelines 'set for a reason', says RCGP

Alcohol guidelines 'set for a reason', says RCGP  The RCGP has welcomed a new Public Health England public awareness campaign on alcohol. Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Any form of substance misuse can have serious, negative consequences on our patients’ health and wellbeing. Alcohol intake has been linked to a range of serious, chronic diseases including liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and some cancers.
“GPs are not killjoys, and although there is not completely safe level of alcohol intake, the upper drinking limits are set for a reason, and we would encourage everyone to try and stick to limiting their intake to a maximum of 14 units a week, with at least two alcohol-free days every week. Royal College of General Practitioners

Commissioning better oral health for vulnerable older people: guidance

Commissioning better oral health for vulnerable older people: guidance These resources are designed to support commissioners in improving the oral health of vulnerable older people in all settings.
The toolkit gives an overview of the impact of oral diseases in vulnerable older people and presents the evidence of what works to improve oral health to inform commissioning. Public Health England

Hospital staff in key areas who refuse flu jab may be redeployed

Hospital staff in key areas who refuse flu jab may be redeployed NHS bosses take decision to help cope with extra pressure on service during winter. Hospital staff in key areas of NHS care who refuse to have the flu jab will be moved to other units this winter in order to protect patients’ safety. NHS bosses have taken the unprecedented decision as part of their plans to cope with the extra pressure on the service during the coldest months. Guardian

See also:

RCGP encourages all primary care professionals to get their flu jab this winter

Amount of NHS land earmarked for sale is soaring, figures show

Amount of NHS land earmarked for sale is soaring, figures show Fears raised that underfunding has forced cash-strapped trusts to dispose of vital assets. Ministers have been accused of “selling off the NHS family silver” after figures revealed that the amount of health service land being earmarked for sale to private developers is soaring.
The NHS is seeking buyers for 718 different plots of land or buildings it owns across England, prompting fears that underfunding has forced cash-strapped NHS trusts to dispose of vital assets. Guardian

Needless waste of NHS wheelchairs leaving disabled children 'stranded'

Needless waste of NHS wheelchairs leaving disabled children 'stranded'  Disabled children are needlessly being stranded without wheelchairs because health bosses are failing to recover equipment from patients who no longer need it, users have claimed.
Recent figures revealed that more than 5,000 children with spinal injuries and other profound disabilities are being forced to wait for months due to a lack NHS wheelchairs.
However, the delays are being exacerbated because local providers allegedly lose track of the chairs they have loaned and never pick them up. Telegraph

KGH completes £5.5 million refurbishment of its main operating theatres

KGH completes £5.5 million refurbishment of its main operating theatres Kettering General Hospital has just completed a £5.5 million refurbishment of its six main operating theatres.

The investment has ensured the operating theatres – located on the first floor of the main ward block – have the highest standards of technology and safety.

The work has taken two years to complete and has been carried out on a theatre-by-theatre basis, with the final trauma theatre being completed at the end of August. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Northants councillors to look at cost of attacks on ambulance crews while on duty

Northants councillors to look at cost of attacks on ambulance crews while on duty The financial cost of attacks on ambulance crews while on duty is being investigated by a group of Northamptonshire county councillors.

A working party has been set up after the issue of large legal costs was raised by county councillor Lizzie Bowen at a health scrutiny committee meeting.

During 2017/18 there were 362 physical assaults on ambulance staff in the region, according to the East Midlands Ambulance Service trust which covers Northants. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• Bid to boost ambulance crew numbers in Northants Northampton Chronicle and Echo

The journey towards integrated care

The journey towards integrated care June 2018 marked a year since the first integrated care systems (ICSs) were announced. Over the past few months, The King’s Fund has been exploring how eight of these ‘first wave’ ICSs have developed – who has been involved, what leadership and governance arrangements have been put in place, and how the ICSs have been working with national NHS bodies. Of course, one of the most important questions for our research was – what difference are ICSs making to services? The King's Fund

Prevention must be the heart of the NHS long-term plan

Prevention must be the heart of the NHS long-term plan If we get the NHS long-term plan right, we will prevent 3 of the biggest killers, says CEO of Public Health England.

Code of conduct for data-driven health and care technology

Code of conduct for data-driven health and care technology Initial version of a code of conduct for the use of digital technology in health and care. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• New digital technology code 'will protect patients' OnMedica

Government response to the recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee’s inquiry into ‘Integrated care: organisations, partnerships and systems’

Government response to the recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee’s inquiry into ‘Integrated care: organisations, partnerships and systems’ This is a joint response reflecting the views of the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, NHS Improvement, the Care Quality Commission and Health Education England. It sets out how the government intends to address the committee’s recommendations as part of the long-term plan for the NHS. Department of Health and Social Care

Many serious surgeries cancelled on the day, study finds

Many serious surgeries cancelled on the day, study finds A significant number of patients requiring serious surgery are having operations postponed, a study suggests.

Research led by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and University College London looked at more than 26,000 cases in a seven-day period in March last year, across 245 UK hospitals.

They found one in seven operations were cancelled on the day of surgery.

However, researchers acknowledged it was likely this figure would be lower during quieter periods of the year. BBC News

See also:

• Cancelled operations: a 7-day cohort study of planned adult inpatient surgery in 245 UK National Health Service hospitals British Journal of Anaesthesia
• One in seven NHS operations are cancelled on the DAY of the surgery The Daily Mail
• Record numbers of operations cancelled at last minute thanks to A&E chaos The Daily Telegraph
• NHS cancels 14% of operations at last minute, research finds The Guardian
• One in seven major operations in UK cancelled on day of surgery, data shows The Independent

Creaky systems 'cost lives': Health secretary Matt Hancock pledges to solve NHS IT woes

Creaky systems 'cost lives': Health secretary Matt Hancock pledges to solve NHS IT woes Former Minister of Fun slams lack of interoperability and reliance on faxes.

Faltering NHS IT systems are "costing lives", health secretary Matt Hancock has said ahead of announcing a further £200m for trusts to create digital testbeds.

The former Minister of Fun will take to the stage at the NHS Expo in Manchester this afternoon for one of his first major speeches since taking over from Jeremy Hunt. The Register

See also:

• Matt Hancock: new technology is key to making NHS the world's best Department of Health and Social Care
• Pilot areas announced for NHS app to book appointments BBC News
• Patients lives are at risk because of 'downright dangerous' IT systems, Matt Hancock says The Daily Telegraph

Girls 'being pressured into FGM in UK playgrounds', survivor warns amid international crackdown

Girls 'being pressured into FGM in UK playgrounds', survivor warns amid international crackdown Girls are being pressured to undergo female genital mutilation(FGM) in British playgrounds, a survivor has warned amid an international crackdown on the practice.

Dr Leyla Hussein, who underwent the procedure when she was seven years old in Somalia, said pressure was being put on children by their peers as well as relatives.

“Some of my clients are 19-year-old girls who were children or were born in this country, and they will say they were pressured in a playground in a school in London to go and have it done,” she added, urging people in affected communities to confront the idea of FGM as a “tradition”. The Independent

Sexual health care cuts will stop me helping survivors of rape and FGM

Sexual health care cuts will stop me helping survivors of rape and FGM Women will bear the brunt of these funding shortfalls. As a doctor, I know we’re cutting off a lifeline for them

A record number of visits were made to sexual health clinics in England in 2017, the equivalent of an extra 1,500 attendances a week since 2013. It couldn’t be coming at a worse time for UK women.

But why is this bad? Surely it’s good news that more people are getting tested? The issue now is that government cuts mean we who work in sexual health can’t cope with demand. Continue reading... The Guardian

NHS bill for hiring non-UK staff could hit £500m post-Brexit, say doctors

NHS bill for hiring non-UK staff could hit £500m post-Brexit, say doctors Immigration costs for NHS workers will soar once freedom of movement ends, warns RCP

The NHS could face a bill of almost £500m a year to hire overseas staff as a result of Brexit and the government’s immigration policies, hospital doctors have said.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has calculated that the costs of recruiting EU and non-EU staff could more than triple from the current £150m a year if freedom of movement ends as a result of Brexit. Continue reading... The Guardian

Urgent action taken at NHS trust facing baby death inquiry

Urgent action taken at NHS trust facing baby death inquiry Watchdog says inspection at Shrewsbury and Telford hospital trust raised concerns

Urgent enforcement action has been taken against an NHS trust where patients have been alleged to have suffered serious harm.

An inquiry was commissioned in April last year by the then health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to look into the deaths of 23 babies and mothers at Shrewsbury and Telford hospital NHS trust. Continue reading... The Guardian

GPs should prescribe gardening, dancing and cookery, Matt Hancock says

GPs should prescribe gardening, dancing and cookery, Matt Hancock says GPs should prescribe hobbies like ballroom dancing, gardening and art classes to millions of people, because it is often better than drugs, the health secretary says.

Matt Hancock called for an increase in “social prescribing” in a bid to “shift the balance” away from automatically prescribing drugs for many illnesses.

Speaking at an NHS conference in Manchester, he urged GPs to try to encourge patients to be more sociable and active, referring them to classes and groups, in a bid to reduce reliance on painkillers and antidepressants. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• NHS should expand 'social prescribing', says health secretary The Guardian

Almost 1,000 elderly people a day needlessly admitted to hospital amid social care crisis

Almost 1,000 elderly people a day needlessly admitted to hospital amid social care crisis Almost 1,000 elderly people a day are being admitted to hospital needlessly amid a crisis in social care, Age UK has found.

Analysis of NHS figures by the charity found that there were 341,074 avoidable emergency admissions for people aged 65 and over during the year to April 2017.

The number has risen by 107 per cent since 2003 for those aged 65 to 69, and by 119 per cent for older people aged 75-79.

Among the general population of England, the number has risen by 63 per cent. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• The failing safety net Age UK

Betrayal of our nurses: Thousands have been forced to use food banks in the past year

Betrayal of our nurses: Thousands have been forced to use food banks in the past year Thousands of nurses are forced to rely on food banks because they cannot afford to eat, shocking new research suggests.

Out of a survey of more than 1,000 nurses, nine per cent admitted to having collected free food in the past year, while 38 per cent said they struggle to buy food.

Over half claim to have less than £500 to fall back on if a personal crisis were to strike, such as ill health or a relationship breakdown.

The English and Scottish government recently agreed a deal that should see basic pay for nurses rise by around 6.5 per cent over three years. Salary increases were previously capped at one per cent. The Daily Mail



See also:

• Survey reveals financial pressures faced by nurses Nursing Times

How can community involvement reduce health inequalities?

How can community involvement reduce health inequalities? Realising that people living just six miles apart in Morecambe Bay have a difference in life expectancy of more than 15 years made our Population Health Team think about how we could begin to work with communities to change this narrative.

We made a start by sharing information about health inequalities with some local headteachers. This led to some great conversations with staff and pupils about how we could create better health and wellbeing for our children and young people. The King's Fund

NMC launches new approach to resolving complaints about nurses and midwives

NMC launches new approach to resolving complaints about nurses and midwives Under the new arrangements, where nurses and midwives can show that, despite something going wrong, they have learnt from what happened and are safe to continue working, we may not seek to restrict their practice. To develop a culture of openness and honesty we will provide tailored advice and support to employers, nurses and midwives to enable professionals to learn from their mistakes. Nursing and Midwifery Council

Ethnic minority consultants 'paid less' than white colleagues

Ethnic minority consultants 'paid less' than white colleagues Senior ethnic minority doctors in the NHS are paid less than their white counterparts, research suggests.

A study in the British Medical Journal found black and minority ethnic (BME) consultants on average earned 4.9% less than white colleagues in basic pay - roughly £4,600 a year.

The gap was much smaller across other types of doctors and grades. BBC News

See also:

• NHS accused of racial discrimination on pay for senior doctors The Guardian
• Senior BAME doctors paid less by the NHS than their white colleagues, analysis finds The Independent

Nearly four million British children are too poor to eat healthily, study finds

Nearly four million British children are too poor to eat healthily, study finds The families of nearly 4 million children would struggle to afford enough fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods to meet the government’s nutritional guidelines, according to a study of food poverty in the UK.

Children living in low-income households face an increased risk of diet-related illnesses such as obesity and diabetes because they are priced out of eating healthy, the Food Foundation think tank found. The Independent

NHS to treat young cancer patients with expensive 'game changer' drug

NHS to treat young cancer patients with expensive 'game changer' drug Chief executive to announce use of CAR-T therapy drug Kymriah, which costs £282,000 per patient

The NHS is to treat children and young people with an expensive new cancer drug which has the potential to transform how the disease is treated.

Simon Stevens, the NHS England chief executive, will announce on Wednesday that a deal has been done with the drug company Novartis, which makes the immunotherapy drug under the name Kymriah. Continue reading... The Guardian

Number of doctors opting for early retirement doubles, amid pension clampdown

Number of doctors opting for early retirement doubles, amid pension clampdown The number of hospital doctors opting for early retirement has doubled in the past decade, NHS figures show.

The trend comes along side a clamp down on pensions, which cap the amount savers can amass without being taxed from £1.8m in 2012 to £1 million.

Medics blamed stress, and said they were increasingly overloaded, with the statistics also showing a rising numbers taking their pension early on grounds of ill-health. The Daily Telegraph

NHS hides true scale of superbug deaths for fear of looking like it's 'failing', Chief Medical Officer warns

NHS hides true scale of superbug deaths for fear of looking like it's 'failing', Chief Medical Officer warns The NHS is hiding the true scale of drug-resistant superbugs because hospitals are not admitting when patients die from them, the Chief Medical Officer has said.

Dame Sally Davies told MPs that relatives are often left in ignorance as to the real cause of their loved-one’s death because acknowledging that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) played a role would look bad for the health service.

AMR, where previously treatable infections become immune to antibiotics, has been identified as the single gravest threat to modern medicine and is thought currently to kill around 5,000 people a year in England. The Daily Telegraph

Leading insulin manufacturer is stockpiling FOUR MONTHS' supply to protect diabetics after Brexit

Leading insulin manufacturer is stockpiling FOUR MONTHS' supply to protect diabetics after Brexit Novo Nordisk, a Danish company which supplies more than half of the UK's insulin, says it will stash a 16 week supply to make sure the millions of diabetics who rely on the drug aren't hit by Brexit. The Daily Mail

Four in ten British women do not do enough exercise to stay healthy

Four in ten British women do not do enough exercise to stay healthy The World Health Organisation said four out of ten British women were putting their health at risk by failing to complete 150 minutes of moderate exercise during an average week. The Daily Mail

The power of health coaching

The power of health coaching On the day of John’s consultation, our new GP trainee sat in with me for the first time. Before clinic, we had been chatting about each other’s interests, and I told him my career had been transformed by using health coaching. I explained how it had enabled me to have new ‘partnership’ relationships with my patients. Hot off the medical ward, I could sense his scepticism. In walked our first patient. The Health Foundation

New HIV diagnoses across the UK fell by 17 per cent in 2017

New HIV diagnoses across the UK fell by 17 per cent in 2017 Annual HIV data published today shows new diagnoses decreased from 5,280 new diagnoses in 2016 to 4,363 in 2017. Public Health England

Artificial intelligence (AI) in health

Artificial intelligence (AI) in health The RCP's position statement on artificial intelligence (AI) in health urges industry to address real-world challenges, doctors to appraise the technology and regulators to develop guidance and evaluation methods. Royal College of Physicians 

See also:

• Guidance needed to evaluate AI used to support patient care OnMedica

International comparison of long term care funding and outcomes

International comparison of long term care funding and outcomes A report from Age UK finds that different countries have responded to the challenges and opportunities of ageing in different ways and with varying degrees of urgency.

Building the future of care to 2028

Building the future of care to 2028 This is a summary document of a technical briefing sent to policy leads and directors in NHS England. It presents a detailed account of a coherent vision for improving health and wellbeing outcomes through interlinked actions across the priority workstreams of the long term plan. Key points covered include specific clinical priorities; investment in a shift towards holistic, personalised and coordinated care; primary care networks; prevention - and secondary prevention; health inequalities; system architecture; and partnership working - including with the VCSE sector. A copy of the full technical briefing is available on request to National Voices. National Voices

Suicide rate among UK men at lowest since 1981

Suicide rate among UK men at lowest since 1981 Suicide rates among men in the UK are at their lowest for more than 30 years, official figures show.

In 2017, there were 4,383 male suicides and the rate was 15.5 per 100,000 men - down from 20 in the late 1980s, data from the Office for National Statistics reveals.

Although the male rate is falling, men still account for three-quarters of suicides in the UK.

The Samaritans said recent efforts to prevent suicides had helped.

The female suicide rate has remained stable for the past 10 years. BBC News

The hospice remembering children in birdsong

The hospice remembering children in birdsong For 19 captivating seconds, Abigail Harvey's family listen intently to the song of a robin. They're sitting in the sunshine of the memorial garden at the hospice where Abigail spent many happy hours.

Ty Hafan's children's hospice, just along the coast from Barry Island in south Wales, holds a special place in their hearts. And now, as part of a remarkable new sound installation, the names of more than 300 children who were cared for there will be celebrated in the form of birdsong. BBC News

Joined-up listening: integrated care and patient insight

Joined-up listening: integrated care and patient insight In this article, we articulate the opportunity that integrated care presents for using insight from people and populations to design services that meet their needs and reflect their priorities. This includes breaking down silos within and between organisations to listen to what patients are saying across their entire pathway of care. The King's Fund

Patterns of benign gynaecology care in English NHS hospital trusts: 2015/16

Patterns of benign gynaecology care in English NHS hospital trusts: 2015/16 This first ever national report into benign gynaecological care, carried out in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, shows some variations between NHS trusts across England. The report identifies a number of national indicators to provide an overview of benign gynaecological care in England. This includes inpatient care, emergency readmission and longer-term surgical outcomes. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

New Versius robot surgery system coming to NHS

New Versius robot surgery system coming to NHS A British company has unveiled a new robotic surgery system, which is expected to operate on patients for the first time next year.

The Versius robot, designed and built in Cambridge, is a rival to the American da Vinci system, which is used in more than 70 hospitals in the UK.

Versius is smaller, and the company behind it, CMR Surgical, believes it will be more flexible and versatile than existing robots, allowing it to perform a wider range of operations. BBC News

Doctors told to ditch Latin and use 'plain English'

Doctors told to ditch Latin and use 'plain English' Doctors are being told to adopt a new policy of writing letters that are easier for patients to understand.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges says too often correspondence contains complex medical jargon rather than plain and simple English.

Using the phrase "twice daily" to explain the dosing of a medicine is better than the Latin abbreviation "bd", for example.

Patients should ask their local hospital to comply, the academy says. BBC News

See also:

• Please, write to me. Writing outpatient clinic letters to patients. Guidance Academy of Medical Royal Colleges 
• New drive to encourage doctors to write to patients in plain English The Guardian

Prostate cancer patient who lost penis to flesh-eating bug wins six-figure NHS payout

Prostate cancer patient who lost penis to flesh-eating bug wins six-figure NHS payout A cancer patient who contracted a flesh-eating infection after a routine operation and was left with just an inch and a half left of his penis has been awarded a six-figure sum from the NHS.

Southend University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Essex has admitted that a delay in diagnosing potentially deadly necrotising fasciitis left 63-year-old Andrew Lane with life-changing injuries. The Independent

See also:

• Payout for man who lost penis to superbug at Southend hospital BBC News

Four in five adults at risk of early death, heart-age test shows

Four in five adults at risk of early death, heart-age test shows Doctors call figures for England alarming and urge people to adopt healthier lifestyles

Four out of five adults have hearts that are more damaged than they should be for their age, putting them at greater risk of early death, a major study has shown.

The disclosure prompted calls for Britons to ditch their unhealthy lifestyles and monitor their own health more closely in order to reduce their risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• How your heart age is key to heart attack or stroke risk BBC News
• How do I find out my heart age? The Guardian
• Seven ways ... to lower your heart age The Guardian
• UK health crisis: why are so many of us heading for an early grave? The Guardian
• Four in five people at risk of early death from heart attack or stroke, officials warn The Independent

Thousands of people wait overnight for ambulances including sick babies and stroke victims

Thousands of people wait overnight for ambulances including sick babies and stroke victims The number of people who phoned an ambulance and had to wait until after 6am the next day rose by more than four times between 2013 and 2017 from 440 to 2,028, according to official NHS figures. The Daily Mail

NHS's urgent appeal for families to talk after patients die waiting for transplants in Northamptonshire

NHS's urgent appeal for families to talk after patients die waiting for transplants in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire families are being urged to talk during Organ Donation Week (September 3-9) as new figures show 32 people from the area have died waiting for a transplant in the last five years.

Tragically, despite the fact more and more people are supporting donating their loved one’s organs, there is still an urgent need for more people to support donation.

NHS Blood and Transplant is now asking more people in Northamptonshire to tell their families that they want to save lives through organ donation. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Seven Northamptonshire councils vote to scrap themselves

Seven Northamptonshire councils vote to scrap themselves A plan to scrap Northamptonshire's eight councils has been backed by all but one of them.

The proposal to replace them with two unitary authorities from 2020 is to be sent to ministers on Friday and is expected to be approved.

Labour-run Corby Borough Council voted against it last night, while the seven Conservative-run authorities backed it. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Calls for transparency as Northants moves forward with unitary process Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Solving the puzzle of social care: the time for action is now

Solving the puzzle of social care: the time for action is now Social care is one of the biggest policy puzzles in English politics. A succession of reviews has suggested how the puzzle might be solved but governments of all colours have failed to find the will or the means to act. In the words of Labour’s former home secretary, Charles Clarke, social care remains firmly in the ‘too difficult’ box, seemingly resistant to the solutions put forward by some of the best brains in the land. The King's Fund

NHS performance: bad, better or both?

NHS performance: bad, better or both? Imagine you had to run to a 100m finish line in 20 seconds, for most of us this falls into the ‘challenging but doable’ category. But what if the rules of the game changed, so now each time you run that race the finish line moves further away? The King's Fund

Record demand for sexual health services amid spending cuts

Record demand for sexual health services amid spending cuts A record 3.3 million visits were made to sexual health clinics in England last year, as local councils warn over funding cuts and stretched resources.

Figures show there were 3,323,275 visits across the country in 2017, an increase of 13% from 2013.

The extra demand comes at the same time as £600m has been cut from public health spending.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is urging the government to reverse the budget cuts. BBC News

See also:

• Record demand on sexual health services putting system at tipping point Local Government Association 
• Sexual health services are at 'breaking point' after 3.3million people visit clinics in one year The Daily Mail
• Why online dating and divorce are putting a strain on sexual health clinics The Daily Telegraph

Doctors' mental health problems 'last taboo'

Doctors' mental health problems 'last taboo' Patients rely on doctors to look after their mental health but is enough being done to help the doctors when they are the ones with problems? There are concerns that some medical professionals in England are unable to get the help they need.

In 2016, 26-year-old junior doctor Sophie Spooner suffered a panic attack while working on a paediatrics ward.

Twenty-four hours later, she had taken her own life. BBC News

See also:

• Complaints against doctors pushing up suicide rates, leading medic says The Daily Telegraph
• Top GP issues mental health warning as 400 doctors die by suicide Pulse

One in four nurses drop out before graduating, new research reveals

One in four nurses drop out before graduating, new research reveals One in four student nurses dropped out of their degrees before they graduated last year, exacerbating the NHS staffing crisis, according to new research.

The revelation prompted the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) to warn that trainees were plagued by financial difficulties and exploited as “cheap labour”, leading them to quit their courses.

Of 16,544 UK nursing students who began three-year degrees due to finish in 2017, 4,027 left their courses early or suspended their studies, giving a drop out rate of 24 per cent in the UK, according to data obtained by industry publication Nursing Standard and research charity the Health Foundation. The figures were provided by 55 out of 74 universities asked. The Independent

See also:

• Why as many as one in four nursing students could be dropping out of their degrees (free but registration required) Nursing Standard
• One in four student nurses drop out of their degrees before graduation The Health Foundation
• Quarter of student nurses drop out before finishing their degree The Daily Mail
• Quarter of UK student nurses drop out before graduation, study finds The Guardian

UK's longest waiting patient for heart transplant pleads for more organ donors

UK's longest waiting patient for heart transplant pleads for more organ donors Gareth Evans, waiting almost a decade for a new heart, has asked future donors to tell their families of their wishes

The UK’s longest waiting patient for a heart transplant has appealed for potential donors to “be a hero”, as organ donation week begins.

Gareth Evans, 45, from Stockport, has been waiting for a new heart for more than nine years. His condition has deteriorated recently and he has spent the last three months in Wythenshawe hospital, south Manchester. Continue reading... The Guardian

AI can predict how cancers will progress, scientists find

AI can predict how cancers will progress, scientists find Scientists have used artificial intelligence to predict how cancers will progress and evolve, which could help doctors design the most effective treatment for each patient.

A team led by the Institute of Cancer Research London (ICR) and the University of Edinburgh developed a new technique known as Revolver (Repeated evolution of cancer), which picks out patterns in DNA mutation within cancers and uses the information to forecast future genetic changes.

They said the ever-changing nature of tumours is one of the biggest challenges in treating cancer - with cancers often evolving to a drug-resistant form. The Daily Telegraph

NHS threat to pioneering £75,000 heart transplant method which has saved more than 60 lives

NHS threat to pioneering £75,000 heart transplant method which has saved more than 60 lives NHS England’s decision not to provide the extra cash has forced Papworth Hospital in Cambridge to take £1.5 million from its charity fund so it can keep providing the treatment. The Daily Mail

Nurses' union admits communication was ‘not up to standard’ on controversial pay deal

Nurses' union admits communication was ‘not up to standard’ on controversial pay deal The Royal College of Nursing has admitted communication with its 435,000 members was not good enough after nurses were angered when they received smaller pay rises than they had expected. The Daily Mail

Number of LGSS staff to return to control of Northamptonshire County Council

Number of LGSS staff to return to control of Northamptonshire County Council A number of LGSS staff will be returning to the direct control of Northamptonshire County Council as it comes to grips with the full extent of its finances.

The professional finance and democratic services teams working for Northamptonshire will be repatriated back to One Angel Square, after councillors on the LGSS Joint Committee agreed to the changes in Milton Keynes. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Outpatient services: A more intelligent approach needed

Outpatient services: A more intelligent approach needed Following our new briefing, co-author Nigel Edwards looks at the lessons that emerged from our recent work on outpatients – arguing that improving experts’ productivity without just making them work harder is the big challenge for many systems. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Rethinking outpatient services: Learning from an interactive workshop Nuffield Trust

Diversity should be a strategic priority

Diversity should be a strategic priority Maya Angelou, the acclaimed US poet and activist said, ‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.’ Yet in my experience, discussions on diversity in health and care can often polarise people. The King's Fund

NHS could free up £480m by limiting use of temporary staffing agencies

NHS could free up £480m by limiting use of temporary staffing agencies The NHS could free up £480m to reinvest into NHS services and improve patient care if trusts filled temporary vacancies with workers from a ‘staff bank’ instead of using expensive staffing agencies.

Temporary staff, such as doctors and nurses supplied by agencies, cost on average 20% more than those from the NHS’s own ‘staff banks’ despite doing the exact same job.

Bank staff tend to come from internal pools of workers who are already employees of the NHS trust and have agreed to work flexible shifts.

As bank staff generally work within the trust, their use increases the likelihood of a patient being treated by the same healthcare professional throughout their care. NHS Improvement

See also:

• Health chiefs urge hospital trusts to only use agency staff as a 'last resort' The Daily Mail
• NHS still wasting £480m a year on temporary staffing from private agencies, watchdog says The Independent

The good childhood report 2018

The good childhood report 2018 This report examines the state of children’s well-being in the UK. It finds that one in six (16 per cent) of more than 11,000 children aged 14 surveyed reported self-harming. It looks at the reasons behind the unhappiness which increases the risk of children self-harming. The report urges the Government to make sure that every child can talk to a counsellor in their school. The Children's Society 

The Brexit White Paper on future relations and alternative proposals

The Brexit White Paper on future relations and alternative proposals This briefing paper looks at some of the proposals in the White Paper, their reception in the UK and EU, and any corresponding provisions in the DExEU ‘alternative white paper’. It discusses medicine and access to health care. House of Commons Library

Numbers of elderly in 24-hour care set to double by 2035

Numbers of elderly in 24-hour care set to double by 2035 The number of people aged 85 and over needing 24-hour care is set to double, says a new study, as an expert warns the care system is "at breaking point".

The study, published in the Lancet Public Health journal, analysed the projected health needs of the elderly in England between 2015 and 2035.

It found that the number of 65-year-olds and over needing round-the-clock care is also set to rise by a third.

The government says adult social care reforms will be set out in the autumn. BBC News

See also:

• Forecasting the care needs of the older population in England over the next 20 years: estimates from the Population Ageing and Care Simulation (PACSim) modelling study Lancet Public Health
• Modelling the growing need for social care in older people (comment) Lancet Public Health
• Carers not 'glorified bottom wipers' BBC News
• Britain faces a deepening care crisis for the elderly The Daily Mail
• Number of over-65s needing 24-hour care 'to rise by third over next 20 years' The Daily Telegraph
• Social care needs for over-85s predicted to double in next 20 years The Guardian
• Social care crisis: Over-85s needing 24 hour care set to double by 2035, major study shows The Independent

High suicide risk for 'men in construction'

High suicide risk for 'men in construction' The suicide rate among low-skilled male labourers is three times higher than the national average for men, according to figures by the ONS. BBC News

Dentists say fines deterring poor patients

Dentists say fines deterring poor patients The British Dental Association says a "huge fall" in people on low incomes going to the dentist in England is because they fear being wrongly fined when they claim for free treatment.

The most recent annual figures show almost 370,000 fines for people accused of "misclaiming" for free dental care.

But dentists say many of these are innocent confusions over paperwork and that many are overturned when challenged.

The NHS says that anyone entitled to free care should be able to access it. BBC News

See also:

• ​Low income patients turn away as ministers say 'don't run the risk' British Dental Association

'Life changing' asthma treatment that burns away muscle in airways could help 200,000 at risk of suffocating attacks

'Life changing' asthma treatment that burns away muscle in airways could help 200,000 at risk of suffocating attacks A specialist asthma treatment is to become widely available on the NHS in a move that will bring relief to patients suffering frequent "terrifying" attacks.

In changes proposed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which recommends what treatments are funded on the NHS, patients with asthma that cannot be controlled with inhaler medication will receive bronchial thermoplasty.

Nice have said the procedure is safe and can reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. The Independent

See also:

• New “life changing” procedure can be offered to adults with severe asthma on NHS NICE
• New asthma treatment set for wider NHS distribution BBC News
• New treatment for severe asthma cases gets go-ahead for use in NHS The Guardian

Women should have the same midwife throughout pregnancy – here's why

Women should have the same midwife throughout pregnancy – here's why Healthcare in the UK has been a political football for decades. Despite the constant mantra that the NHS is the “envy of the world”, everyone knows there are problems. In my clinical area – maternity care – the Morecambe Bay scandal, where midwifery was found to be seriously sub-standard, and the fact that the UK has persistently high rates of pre-term birth, reveal that all is not well. The Independent

NHS bosses urge hospitals to send patients to private firms

NHS bosses urge hospitals to send patients to private firms Warning that announcement from NHS England will waste scarce funding and prompt private providers to increase prices

NHS bosses have urged hospitals to send patients to be treated by private healthcare firms in a bid to reduce the increasing number of patients waiting for planned operations.

The move has sparked claims that it will waste scarce NHS funding and that profit-driven operators will use the service’s desperation to cut waiting lists to charge higher prices.

Between 2010-11 and 2016-17, health spending increased by an average of 1.2% above inflation and increases are due to continue in real terms at a similar rate until the end of this parliament. This is far below the annual inflation-proof growth rate that the NHS enjoyed before 2010 of almost 4% stretching back to the 1950s. As budgets tighten, NHS organisations have been struggling to live within their means. In the financial year 2015-16, acute trusts recorded a deficit of £2.6bn. This was reduced to £800m last year, though only after a £1.8bn bung from the Department of Health, which shows the deficit remained the same year on year. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• NHS bosses launch urgent drive to address 'significant under delivery of elective activity' Health Service Journal

Why modern medicine is a major threat to public health

Why modern medicine is a major threat to public health | Aseem Malhotra Most patients will derive no health improvement from medication. We should tackle the root causes of disease instead

When former airline pilot Tony Royle came to see me last year to seek reassurance that it was OK to participate in an Ironman event, having stopped all his medications 18 months after suffering a heart attack, I was initially a little alarmed.

But after talking to him, I realised he had made an informed decision to stop the medication after suffering side effects, and instead had opted for a diet and lifestyle approach to manage his heart disease. Continue reading... The Guardian

Scandal-hit NHS Trust faces calls for wider investigation into deaths on maternity unit

Scandal-hit NHS Trust faces calls for wider investigation into deaths on maternity unit A scandal-hit trust is facing calls for a wider probe into dozens of deaths at a hospital's maternity unit, it was reported last night.

The Government is already investigating Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust after former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ordered an independent inquiry in 2017 into seven deaths at the unit.

A failure to properly monitor the baby's heart rate was a contributory factor in five of the deaths

The announcement prompted a further 16 cases to come forward, and Senior midwife Donna Ockenden was appointed to review all 23 cases of alleged poor care last year. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Dozens more maternity failings exposed at scandal hit trust Health Service Journal

Disease X: China ignores UK request to share samples of flu virus with pandemic potential

Disease X: China ignores UK request to share samples of flu virus with pandemic potential Requests by UK experts to Chinese authorities for samples of the latest strain of a dangerous and evolving avian influenza virus, known as H7N9 have so far been ignored, the Telegraph has learned.

The news comes on the back of revelations earlier this week by the United States’ government that China has, for over a year, refused its requests to share lab samples of the same strain of avian influenza virus.

To date there have been 1,625 cases of H7N9 – a virus which usually circulates in poultry – in humans including a spike in cases in 2017, which prompted US researchers to request samples of the virus from Chinese authorities. The Daily Telegraph

Doctors who run GP surgeries earn £111,500 a year but patient satisfaction is at an all-time low

Doctors who run GP surgeries earn £111,500 a year but patient satisfaction is at an all-time low NHS figures have revealed the average salary for all GPs in the health service is now £92,500, but experts say difficulty recruiting new doctors means staff are having to work longer hours. The Daily Mail

Meningitis risk for millions as more than half of Britons don't know which jabs they have had

Meningitis risk for millions as more than half of Britons don't know which jabs they have had Research by British charity the Meningitis Research Foundation surveyed 2,000 people and discovered nearly one in ten think they've never had a vaccination or cannot remember having one. The Daily Mail

Government proposes energy drinks ban for children

Government proposes energy drinks ban for children  The sale of energy drinks could be banned in England to anybody under 18, amid fears they are damaging children's health, the prime minister has said. The government has launched a public consultation on its plans to make it illegal to sell the drinks to children. Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and caffeine and have been linked to obesity and other health issues.
The government is asking for views on what age the ban should apply to, but gave under 16 and under 18 as options. BBC News

NHS campaign aims to encourage patients to check free prescription eligibility - The Pharmaceutical Journal

NHS campaign aims to encourage patients to check free prescription eligibility  A nationwide campaign to help crack down on patients claiming free prescriptions when they are not eligible is to be launched on 10 September 2018.
‘Check before you tick’ is being run jointly by NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to encourage patients to check their eligibility, using a new online eligibility checker, before ticking the free prescriptions box. It will also highlight the possible consequences of making an incorrect claim. Pharmaceutical Journal

Millions miss out on vital diabetes health checks

Millions miss out on vital diabetes health checks Fewer than half of the population in England who should be receiving the preventative NHS Health Check have had one, according to a new analysis by Diabetes UK. The charity has analysed NHS Health Check data and found that less than half of over 40-year-olds eligible for an NHS Health Check in the last five years have actually received one.
Launched in England in 2009, the programme offers a five-yearly check-up to everyone aged 40 to 74 with the aim of spotting early signs of type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, heart disease and dementia. OnMedica