Over-65s struggling to get flu vaccine after improved batch was ordered months later than usual

Over-65s struggling to get flu vaccine after improved batch was ordered months later than usual A flu vaccine shortage has left thousands of over-65s unable to get jabs.

Patients have been repeatedly sent away by GPs and chemists until fresh stocks arrive.

Problems have been blamed on the rollout of a new, more effective jab which led to supplies being ordered several months later than usual. NHS officials insist there will be enough to go around, and another batch is expected to arrive at some GP surgeries from next week. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Guidance for GP practices in England: advice for patients aged 65 years and over regarding 2018/19 flu vaccination: Letter from Pauline Philip NHS England

Events in Kettering as part of World Diabetes Day

Events in Kettering as part of World Diabetes Day A series of events will be held in Kettering as part of World Diabetes Day. Diabetes specialists and a professional cyclist - who is living with the condition - are carrying out a series of awareness events on Wednesday, November 14.

Kettering General Hospital consultant diabetologist, Dr Mike Pierides, is amongst a team of staff from various disciplines who are supporting events that will highlight how local people can best manage their diabetes.

The team is composed of nurse specialists, dieticians, podiatrists and doctors from KGH and Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust who deal with diabetes, and who will be on hand at a number of high profile venues giving lectures, advice and answering questions. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Prevention and early action are key to positive, healthy outcomes

Prevention and early action are key to positive, healthy outcomes The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has named prevention as one of his three priorities. He talks of a ‘radical shift in approach’ towards preventive care centred around individuals, keeping people healthy, treating problems quickly, and empowering people to manage their own health. This ‘radical shift’ would bring the Health Secretary’s plans in line with the approach of many of us in the charity sector, who have been promoting prevention and early action for years. The King's Fund

Report reveals impact of discrimination on health of LGBT people

Report reveals impact of discrimination on health of LGBT people New research from Stonewall, Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, exposes alarming levels of poor mental health among LGBT people compared to the general population. Stonewall’s study also reveals a shockingly high level of hostility and unfair treatment faced by many LGBT people when accessing healthcare services.

The research, based on YouGov polling of over 5,000 LGBT people, shows more than half of LGBT people (52 per cent) have experienced depression in the last year, and three in five (61 per cent) had anxiety. This compares to one in six adults in England who faced a common mental health problem, such as anxiety and depression, according to Mind.

See also:

• LGBT IN Britain - Health (2018) Stonewall
• Quarter of LGBT+ people have witnessed discrimination from NHS staff while seeking treatment, poll finds  The Independent

Stemming the Superbug Tide: Just A Few Dollars More

Stemming the Superbug Tide: Just A Few Dollars More Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a large and growing problem with the potential for enormous health and economic consequences, globally. As such, AMR has become a central issue at the top of the public health agenda of OECD countries and beyond. In this report, OECD used advanced techniques, including machine learning, ensemble modelling and a microsimulation model, to provide support for policy action in the human health sector. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

See also:

• Antibiotic resistance will kill MILLIONS of people by 2050 The Daily Mail

Fatal heart conditions going undetected due to lack of scanning services

Fatal heart conditions going undetected due to lack of scanning services Cardiac imaging experts have warned that deadly heart conditions are being missed as patients are unable to get CT tests due to a shortage of scanners and radiologists.

New figures released today by The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) and the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (BSCI) to mark the annual International Day of Radiology reveal thousands of angina sufferers are missing out on potentially life-saving scans.

Historically, patients with chest pain are referred to rapid access chest pain clinics to have their heart function assessed by exercise tests.

Cardiac experts have long argued that exercise tests are not accurate enough to rule out underlying causes of angina, such as the plaque that causes fatal heart attacks.

See also:

• NHS scanner and radiologist shortages contributing to thousands of avoidable heart attack deaths, experts warn The Independent

District nurse education report and five year review published

Report on district nurse education The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has published its fifth annual report on education of district nurses in the UK.

The report indicates that the increase in district nurse student numbers seen in recent years has stalled and raises concerns about the sustainability of the workforce.

Comprehensive model of personalised care

Comprehensive model of personalised care The comprehensive model of personalised care helps to establish a whole-population approach to supporting people of all ages and their carers to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, build community resilience, and make informed decisions and choices when their health changes. NHS England

Can the government deliver on radical care reform?

Can the government deliver on radical care reform? Another week, another sign that the care system in England is in dire trouble.

News that Allied Healthcare - one of the biggest providers of home care in the country - is at risk of going under, sent shockwaves around the sector.

The 13,000 vulnerable people who rely on its staff for washing, dressing and help with eating now face an anxious wait to see if bosses can get the finances together to keep services going.

But Allied is not alone. The UK Homecare Association, the body which represents the firms providing care, warned only last month that providers were refusing to sign up to council contracts because of the low fees being offered. BBC News

NHS waste firm to sue health trusts over terminated contracts

NHS waste firm to sue health trusts over terminated contracts The firm at the centre of the NHS clinical waste scandal has announced it is suing 17 health trusts in Yorkshire which terminated its contracts.

North Lanarkshire-based Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) is seeking "upwards of £15m" in damages.

The company was stripped of the contracts after reports that tonnes of clinical waste piled up at its sites. BBC News

CCGs failing to offer access to ‘flash’ glucose monitoring devices

CCGs failing to offer access to ‘flash’ glucose monitoring devices Only about 3-5% of patients with type 1 diabetes in England are prescribed the FreeStyle Libre glucose sensor on the NHS as many clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are ‘paying lip service’ to offering access to the device, a BMJ investigation* has found. Experts told the report’s authors that this postcode lottery means that tens of thousands of patients are being denied the potential lifestyle and health benefits of flash glucose monitoring. OnMedica

Fall in number of NHS psychiatrists treating children in England

Fall in number of NHS psychiatrists treating children in England Latest figures are second lowest since NHS Digital began keeping records in 2009 and come as demand surges

The number of NHS psychiatrists treating troubled children and young people is falling, despite a surge in demand among under-18s who need urgent mental health care.

NHS workforce statistics show that the number of full-time equivalent psychiatrists working in child and adolescent mental health services in England fell to 942 in July – its second lowest number on record, down from 970 in January this year. The Guardian

NHS bullying isn't just toxic for staff: it's costing billions | Roger Kline, Duncan Lewis

NHS bullying isn't just toxic for staff: it's costing billions | Roger Kline, Duncan Lewis More than £2bn every year that could be used on patient care is draining away as a result of harassment in the health service

We know the shocking impact of bullying and harassment on NHS staff in England. But, until now, we haven’t known the full financial impact. The appalling truth is that the toxic behaviour of some managers and staff is costing the health service more than £2bn a year – money that could be better spent on patient care.

We have carried out the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the financial costs to the health service of bullying and harassment. It weighs up the cost of staff being sick, leaving their jobs, being less productive, working even when they are sick, and employment relations. The results should set alarm bells ringing in every trust. The Guardian

AI will make doctors 'obsolete' due to robots being 'cheaper to hire and train than medics'

AI will make doctors 'obsolete' due to robots being 'cheaper to hire and train than medics' A scientist has warned AI will eventually make doctors 'obsolete'.

Artificial intelligence has a 'near unlimited capacity' to diagnose diseases and perform surgery more accurately than medics, according to Dr Jörg Goldhahn.

Dr Goldhahn, from ETH Zurich, also argues robots may help overcome healthcare funding shortages due to them being cheaper to hire and train than humans.

But while Dr Vanessa Rampton acknowledges AI may be a useful aid to medics, she argues it will never completely replace human healthcare. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Could artificial intelligence make doctors obsolete? BMJ

Watchdog bans 'distressing' and 'misleading' antivax advert on Facebook

Watchdog bans 'distressing' and 'misleading' antivax advert on Facebook A controversial anti-vaccination advert on Facebook has been banned for claiming that all jabs have the potential to kill a child.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the paid-for post by Stop Mandatory Vaccination was 'distressing' and 'misleading'.

The post included a picture of a baby with its eyes shut, alongside claims he died 48 hours after being given eight vaccines. The Daily Mail

NHS staff in Northamptonshire victims of abuse, bullying and harassment

NHS staff in Northamptonshire victims of abuse, bullying and harassment Nearly a quarter of NHS staff at Northamptonshire Healthcare Trust experienced bullying, harassment or abuse from patients last year, figures show.

The Government has announced new measures to better protect health service staff in England, calling for a ‘zero tolerance’ approach.

Responses to the latest NHS Staff Survey show that 23% of workers at the Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust said they had experienced bullying, harassment or abuse from patients, relatives or members of the public in 2017. Daventry Express

Children of the millennium: Understanding the course of conduct problems during childhood

Children of the millennium: Understanding the course of conduct problems during childhood Children of the millennium is the report of an analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study, which follows the lives of a large sample of children born in 2000 and 2001, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Our report with UCL’s Institute of Education finds that one child in every twelve in the UK has behavioural problems from a young age into their teenage years, putting them at risk of a lifetime of disadvantage and poor health. Children with persistent problems are much more likely to have a multitude of risks early in life, including poverty and housing insecurity, parental mental illness and developmental delay. Centre for Mental Health

The Greater Nottingham Transformation Partnership

The Greater Nottingham Transformation Partnership This case study from the Core Cities Network looks at how commissioners and providers in Nottingham used the results of system-wide actuarial analysis to develop a framework that improves care, infrastructure and governance. NHS Clinical Commissioners

Understanding the performance and potential of specialist hospitals

Understanding the performance and potential of specialist hospitals This report, produced together with the Innovation Agency, outlines how high-performing specialist trusts have the potential to do more to benefit the wider NHS. A review of around one-third of England’s 21 specialist trusts looked at why they consistently score higher than their counterparts in ratings for performance and satisfaction. The review recommends seven ways in which local systems can benefit more widely from the role of specialist trusts. UCLPartners

Supermarket bakeries 'unclear on allergies'

Supermarket bakeries 'unclear on allergies' Three supermarket chains have given confusing or incorrect information on potentially lethal food allergens in their bakeries, the BBC has found.

Branches of Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco gave wrong or unclear details to Watchdog Live's undercover reporters.

It comes after a 15-year-old girl died after eating a baguette from Pret A Manger, which did not specify the presence of sesame in the sandwich.

The retailers said they would review their labelling and staff training. BBC News

Matt Hancock: GPs should prescribe concerts and mixtapes

Matt Hancock: GPs should prescribe concerts and mixtapes Doctors should prescribe song playlists as well as medication, the health secretary has said.

Patients with mental health conditions could be given dancing and music classes, under new "social prescribing" plans.

Matt Hancock has criticised the reliance of treating long-term illnesses with drugs, and said culture therapy could save the NHS money.

But the Alzheimer's Society has said that the arts is not a "silver bullet". BBC News

NHS suffering a ‘year-round crisis’ in emergency care

NHS suffering a ‘year-round crisis’ in emergency care Emergency care services are suffering a ‘year-round crisis,’ according to data published today.

The new analysis from the British Medical Association finds the summer of 2018 delivered worse levels of care to patients than five out of eight recent winters.

The finding is based on an examination of data released each month by NHS England that shows the level of pressure on emergency care services. OnMedica

NHS blocked from accessing apprenticeship levy funds

NHS blocked from accessing apprenticeship levy funds Government rules are blocking NHS trusts from accessing the apprenticeship levy funds, an NHS Improvement director has said.

Caroline Corrigan, national director of people strategy at NHS Improvement, told the Managers in Partnership summit that NHS employers can only access £20m of the £200m available funding because “they can’t get through the rules”. Health Service Journal

Nearly 10,000 older people could face medicine and home support disruption, watchdog warns

Nearly 10,000 older people could face medicine and home support disruption, watchdog warns One the country’s largest home care providers that supports thousands of older people to get dressed, prepare meals and take their medicines has been unable provide “adequate assurance” that it will be able to confirm funding beyond the end of the month, a watchdog has warned.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has written to 84 councils across England who use services from care group Allied Healthcare, which it said had announced its intention to apply for a Company Voluntary Arrangement in April to restructure its debts.

The company supports around 9,300 elderly and disabled people with managing their medication, washing, dressing, cooking and other activities. The Independent

See also:

• Update on Allied Healthcare Care Quality Commission
• The King's Fund responds to today's update on Allied Healthcare from the CQC The King's Fund
• Major home care provider 'at risk' BBC News
• Fears for 10,000 pensioners as future of major care provider 'at risk' The Daily Telegraph

Knife crime: stagger school leaving times, say London doctors

Knife crime: stagger school leaving times, say London doctors Growing numbers of children becoming victims, with under-16s most in danger between 4-6pm

A growing number of victims of the spiralling knife crime epidemic are children as young as 12 and school exit times should be staggered to reduce the risk of violence, NHS trauma doctors have warned.

According to new research on people treated for knife wounds at the Royal London hospital between 2004 and 2014, the average age of stabbing victims has fallen from the late 20s to just 18 and an increasing proportion of victims are teenagers. The Guardian

See also:

• London murders are the symptom of a knife crime ‘epidemic’ that shows no sign of ending in the UK The Independent

Five new AI medical centres to speed up disease diagnosis

Five new AI medical centres to speed up disease diagnosis Five new clinics will open in the UK next year that will use artificial intelligence to help speed up disease diagnosis.

The medical technology centres in Leeds, Oxford, Coventry, Glasgow and London will be funded by the Government as it looks to increase its investment in AI and improve patient treatment.

The centres will use AI software to digitalise scans and biopsies, and develop products to detect diseases early. The Daily Mail

Northampton residents still waiting for new GP surgery, 16 months after planning permission granted

Northampton residents still waiting for new GP surgery, 16 months after planning permission granted A doctor's surgery in Northampton that was described as urgently needed has not begun construction 16 months after the go-ahead was given.

Marsh Spinney Medical Centre in Moulton was given the go ahead in July 2017 to be built off Sandy Hill Lane. along with 84 new houses. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Prevention is better than cure – and actions speak louder…

Prevention is better than cure – and actions speak louder… Matt Hancock’s arrival at the Department of Health and Social Care was an opportunity for a refresh of the government’s priorities on health, beyond the budget settlement for the NHS secured as part of the NHS70 celebrations. All were watching eagerly then for a sign of his priorities, and many were pleased that prevention was signalled as one of them. The King's Fund

See also:

• Health Foundation response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Prevention Vision The Health Foundation
• The King's Fund responds to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's vision for prevention The King's Fund
• 'Prevention better than cure' is sensible way forward - but more funding and more GPs are needed to make it happen, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
• Matt Hancock accused of aiming for a 'nanny state' The Daily Mail
• Let me eat cake: the health secretary’s prevention talk is meaningless The Guardian

Understanding the health of babies and expectant mothers

Understanding the health of babies and expectant mothers Progress on stillbirths and neonatal and infant mortality has slowed down in the UK in recent years. This explainer from Jessica Morris looks at the possible reasons why, and what can be done about it. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Are the government’s targets for reducing stillbirths and neonatal deaths achievable? Nuffield Trust

Brexit and the Health & Social Care Workforce in the UK

Brexit and the Health & Social Care Workforce in the UK The UK’s H&SC workforce is under considerable strain to provide services for an ageing population with increasingly complex needs. While many of the problems supplying new recruits into the sector pre-date the 2016 Brexit referendum, the vote to leave the European Union (EU) has added another layer of challenge and uncertainty for planning this future workforce.

This report examines recent trends in the UK’s H&SC workforce and the critical role of EEA nationals within it. National Institute of Economic and Social Research

See also:

• Brexit: NHS nursing vacancies will top 51,000 by end of transition period in 2021, report warns The Independent

A society of readers

A society of readers Demos carried out research over the summer of 2018 to assess the potential impact of reading on several great challenges of our time: loneliness, mental health problems, dementia and social (im)mobility.

More pancreatic cancer patients could receive surgery if treated faster

More pancreatic cancer patients could receive surgery if treated faster Hundreds more early-stage patients with the quickest killing cancer could be eligible for surgery - the only potential cure - if avoidable delays to their treatment were removed according our new report.

Nearly two thirds (57 per cent) of stage one and stage two pancreatic cancer patients in England do not have surgery and the charity believes too many are being denied their only chance of survival because the extremely aggressive cancer spreads while they await treatment. Pancreatic Cancer UK

See also:

• Pancreatic cancer won't wait: policy briefing Pancreatic Cancer UK
• Pancreatic cancer won't wait: The case for faster treatment Pancreatic Cancer UK
• Hundreds of pancreatic cancer patients denied life-saving surgery because of delays The Daily Telegraph

All parents should be offered the opportunity to engage with the review of their baby’s death

All parents should be offered the opportunity to engage with the review of their baby’s death When a baby dies in hospital, a Perinatal Mortality Review (PNMR) takes place. Currently, parents are largely unaware these reviews even take place and in most cases, bereaved parents are not given the opportunity to be involved and share their perspective of their care. This PARENTS study tested the hypothesis at two UK hospitals (Bristol and Manchester) that involving parents would have the potential to answer parents’ questions and therefore support them in grieving, drive patient safety improvements, and promote an open culture within healthcare. University of Bristol

Patients facing NHS tests 'bottleneck'

Patients facing NHS tests 'bottleneck' A rising number of patients are facing long waits for key NHS tests as UK hospitals struggle with staff shortages, a BBC investigation shows.

Tests such as scans and biopsies are crucial for diagnosing illnesses.

But tens of thousands of patients are waiting weeks - sometimes months - for them, leading to potentially harmful delays before treatment can start.

Figures obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act suggest a lack of radiographers is a key cause. BBC News

'Too many children' have tonsils removed unnecessarily

'Too many children' have tonsils removed unnecessarily Thousands of children are having their tonsils removed unnecessarily, costing the NHS millions of pounds each year, according to experts.

They found seven in every eight children given tonsillectomies were unlikely to benefit from the operation.

NHS England has already said it plans to cut back on this surgery, along with other "ineffective" treatments, where the harms outweigh any gains. BBC News

Rethink study funds for nurses to bolster headcount, government urged

Rethink study funds for nurses to bolster headcount, government urged The government must prioritise funding for nursing higher education in England if it is to halt the ‘catastrophic fall’ in the nurse headcount, says the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) at the launch of its Fund Our Future campaign.

Led by RCN student members, the campaign aims to get at least £1bn a year back into nursing higher education in England to help students struggling to make ends meet. OnMedica

Google Maps lead women to fake abortion clinics

Google Maps lead women to fake abortion clinics British women seeking an abortion are being directed by Google to centres that try and persuade them not to have a termination, a Sunday Telegraph investigation has found.

Search results for abortion clinics across the country suggest addresses and phone numbers to make appointments at “pregnancy crisis centres”, which are often linked to religious organisations, across England, Scotland and Wales.

See also:

• Google Maps is directing women to fake abortion clinics The Independent

Superbugs as great a threat to health

Superbugs as great a threat to health Superbugs do as much human damage in Europe as flu, HIVand tuberculosis combined, new data has revealed.

Researchers have found that an estimated 33,000 people died from infections that were resistant to antibiotics in 2015, out of a total of 670,000 cases in Europe.

Previous estimates have put the number of deaths from AMR at around 25,000 a year in Europe. The Daily Telegraph

New study shows the seven elements improve vaccination uptake

New study shows the seven elements improve vaccination uptake A recent study by Stead et al (2018) has found that trusts who incorporated the seven elements for a successful flu campaign resource, developed by NHS Employers, in their local flu campaign achieved a higher flu vaccination uptake compared to trusts who did not.

A Fair, Supportive Society: a social determinants of health approach to improving the lives and health of people with learning disabilities.

A Fair, Supportive Society:  a social determinants of health approach to improving the lives and health of people with learning disabilities A Fair, Supportive Society highlights that some of the most vulnerable people in society – those with learning disabilities – will die 15-20 years sooner on average than the general population – that’s 1,200 people every year.

The report commissioned by NHSE reports on key facts, stats, and interventions. Much of the government action needed to improve life expectancy for people with disabilities is likely to reduce health inequalities for everyone. Action should focus on the ‘social determinants of health’, particularly addressing poverty, poor housing, discrimination and bullying. Institute of Health Equity

See also:

• Children with learning disabilities 'failed by society' BBC News
• Two in five people with learning disabilities not diagnosed in childhood The Guardian

Review ordered into 'barbaric' treatment of patients with autism and learning disabilities

Review ordered into 'barbaric' treatment of patients with autism and learning disabilities Health secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a review of the long-term treatment of people with learning disabilities or autism.

Mr Hancock has asked hospital inspectorate the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to open an urgent investigation into practices including the use of seclusion and segregation of patients within secure hospitals.

The health secretary's intervention comes after coverage of the treatment of more than 2,300 people with autism or a learning disability currently detained in secure hospitals, known as Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs), since 2015. Sky News

NHS prevention plan aims to boost life expectancy

NHS prevention plan aims to boost life expectancy People in England are being told to cut back on alcohol, sugar, salt and fat in a bid to boost the nation's life expectancy by five years.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will set out his long-term vision for the NHS on Monday - and it will focus on preventing illness.

He is expected to say 10 times more money is spent on treating disease than prevention - which "doesn't stack up".

The plan also recommends that bosses should do more to keep staff healthy. BBC News

See also:

• Prevention is better than cure: our vision to help you live well for longer Department of Health and Social Care
• People must take responsibility for own health, says Matt Hancock The Guardian
• People must take more responsibility for their own health, says health secretary Matt Hancock The Independent
• 'Prevention better than cure in healthcare' - Health Secretary will say Sky News

Somali refugees are too often left out of mental health discussions – here’s why I want that to change

Somali refugees are too often left out of mental health discussions – here’s why I want that to change Prayer is often presented as the answer to all mental health questions in the Somali diaspora, leaving a large section of its most vulnerable feeling marginalised and excluded. The Independent

White NHS doctors 'more likely to be promoted than minorities'

White NHS doctors 'more likely to be promoted than minorities' Royal College of Physicians finds black or minority ethnic doctors find it harder to get consultant posts

The NHS has been embroiled in a new racism controversy after it emerged that white doctors were much more likely than black or minority ethnic medics to be promoted to consultant level.

Research led by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) found that although white British doctors apply for fewer posts when seeking to become consultants, they were both more likely to be shortlisted than BME colleagues and also more likely to be offered a job. The Guardian

Gender identity clinic accused of fast-tracking young adults

Gender identity clinic accused of fast-tracking young adults Tavistock Centre launches review amid parents’ fears over pace of transitioning decisions

Britain’s only NHS gender identity service for children is reviewing its operations amid claims made by a senior member of staff that it is failing to examine fully the psychological and social reasons behind young people’s desire to change gender.

The views are shared by a group of parents of transgender children, who have raised their own concerns that the Tavistock Centre’s gender identity development service (GIDS) in London is “fast-tracking” young people into life-altering decisions without fully assessing their personal histories. The Guardian

NHS forced to pay compensation to 1,200 staff worried they have been infected after needle prick

NHS forced to pay compensation to 1,200 staff worried they have been infected after needle prick More than 1,200 NHS staff have won compensation after being injured by needles potentially infected with HIV or hepatitis over the past six years.

Official figures reveal an “unacceptable” picture of widespread failures to dispose of needles safely, resulting in pay-outs of at least £4,077,441 since 2012.

Hospitals are under a strict legal obligation to dispose of syringes safely, usually by means of a solid, brightly marked “sharps” bin, which doctors and nurses should ensure are close at hand before administering injections. The Daily Telegraph

Workers 'should be forced to have pay docked to pay for care in old age'

Workers 'should be forced to have pay docked to pay for care in old age' Workers should be forced to have their pay docked, and equity from pensioners’ homes taken to cover the cost of care in later life, the former head of the country's health watchdog has said.

Sir David Behan, who recently stood down from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), urged ministers to be brave in their forthcoming green paper on social care. The Daily Telegraph

Watchdogs to sweep social media for adverts that promote gambling, junk food or alcohol to children

Watchdogs to sweep social media for adverts that promote gambling, junk food or alcohol to children Watchdogs are promising a crackdown on social media adverts that promote alcohol, gambling and junk food to children.

The Advertising Standards Agency has unveiled a new plan to stop age-restricted ads making their way to phones and tablets of British children.

The regulator is looking to several new technologies, including AI, to tackle a new era of persuasive and personalised online adverts. The Daily Mail

Towns with 'unhealthy' high streets have lower life expectancy, report finds

Towns with 'unhealthy' high streets have lower life expectancy, report finds High streets stacked with betting shops, fast-food outlets and tanning salons could be significantly shortening the lives of locals, a report has warned.

Residents living in towns with lots of bookies and off-licences die younger than those with plenty of libraries and pharmacies, research by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) found.

Its ranking of 70 high streets found those living in the top 10 healthy areas lived an average of two-and-a-half years longer than those with the 10 unhealthiest high streets, like Northampton, according to Health on the High Street: Running on Empty report, which was first run in 2015. The Independent

See also:

• Health on the High Street: Running on Empty 2018 Royal Society for Public Health
• UK's 'unhealthiest' High Streets revealed BBC News
• Could your high street take two and a half years off your life? The Daily Telegraph

'We are in an experimenting epidemic' says charity as poll finds two in five Northamptonshire teens knows someone who has tried solvents or gases

'We are in an experimenting epidemic' says charity as poll finds two in five Northamptonshire teens knows someone who has tried solvents or gases New figures have revealed 40 per cent of teenagers in Northamptonshire know someone who has tried sniffing solvents such as aerosols, gases and glues. 

The data, compiled by county-based charity Solve It following a poll of 1,376 youngsters aged between 15 and 17, highlights the extent of what's been called an "experimenting epidemic". 

Figures revealed that less than half of those surveyed (46 per cent) had received education around the dangers of solvent abuse, while 94 per cent believed education on the issue should be available in schools. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Health inequalities and the NHS

Health inequalities and the NHS Many speeches have been given to mark 70 years of the NHS. They have rightly celebrated the considerable achievements of this much-loved institution. Few though have mentioned the origins of the NHS in the Welsh valleys. It was the experiences of those here, unable to afford access to doctors and medicine, which shaped the vision for today’s NHS. The King's Fund

“Windrush Generation” guidance for NHS staff and other providers of NHS funded secondary and community care services

“Windrush Generation” guidance for NHS staff and other providers of NHS funded secondary and community care services Eligibility for NHS-funded secondary care is mainly based on lawful, settled residence in the UK. This document specifically considers the ‘Windrush generation’. That is, the Commonwealth citizens who settled in the UK before 1 January 1973 and those who arrived to live here between 1973 and 1988. Department of Health and Social Care

Making feedback easier for people with a learning disability or autism

Making feedback easier for people with a learning disability or autism NHS England has published tips for health, social care and education organisations and practitioners with the aim of making feedback, concerns and complaints easier for people with a learning disability or autism.

Menopause in the workplace

Menopause in the workplace Access information which will help HR colleagues, managers and employees to support women experiencing menopause whilst at work. NHS Employers

Maternal suicide the main cause of death in new mums

Maternal suicide the main cause of death in new mums In the UK and Ireland, maternal suicide is the leading cause of direct deaths occurring within a year after the end of pregnancy.

In 2018 a report by MBRRACE found around 20 out of 120 deaths of women between the periods of six weeks and one year after pregnancy was due to suicide. BBC News

Children and adolescents 'account for half of sports A&E attendances'

Children and adolescents 'account for half of sports A&E attendances' Children and adolescents account for nearly half of A&E attendances for sporting injuries, research suggests.

An analysis of A&E data at two hospitals between 2012 and 2014 found 47% of attendances for sport-related injuries were made by under-19s.

Football, rugby union and rugby league were linked to the most injuries in boys. For girls, it was trampolining, netball and horse-riding.

Fourteen-year-old boys and 12-year-old girls were most likely to be injured. BBC News

See also:

• Results on sports-related injuries in children from NHS emergency care dataset Oxfordshire pilot: an ecological study Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

NHS Digital restructure will see 500 jobs axed across England

NHS Digital restructure will see 500 jobs axed across England About 500 jobs will be lost in a restructure of NHS Digital across England, according to the Secretary of State for Health.

It employs about 2,700 people in IT-related roles at centres across the country, with almost 2,000 of those jobs in Leeds.

The Unison union said most of the job cuts would have to be in Leeds as "80% of NHS Digital" was based in the city.

NHS Digital said it would be offering support to affected workers. BBC News

Number of people treated for crack cocaine problems rises 44% in two years

Number of people treated for crack cocaine problems rises 44% in two years Public Health England says treatment rise likely to be related to drug being more prevalent

The number of people being treated for problems related to crack cocaine use in England has increased by 44% in two years, official figures show.

There was also a small (3%) increase in people entering treatment for both crack cocaine and opiate use, statistics released by Public Health England (PHE) reveal. The rise was seen primarily in those aged 35 and over. The Guardian

See also:

• National Statistics: Substance misuse treatment for adults: statistics 2017 to 2018 Public Health England
• 'Desperate crisis' as addiction services reach fewer people The Guardian

Work-related stress and mental illness now accounts for over half of work absences

Work-related stress and mental illness now accounts for over half of work absences For the first time, work-related stress anxiety or depression accounts for over half of all working days lost due to ill health in Great Britain.

In total, 15.4 million working days were lost in 2017/18 as a result of the condition, up from 12.5 million last year. This equates to 57.3 per cent of the 26.8 million work days lost to ill health according to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Daily Telegraph

NHS hospitals will pay hundreds of thousands for visas to keep EU staff after Brexit

NHS hospitals will pay hundreds of thousands for visas to keep EU staff after Brexit NHS hospitals will pay for the visas of nearly 1,300 EU staff to keep them in London after Brexit, it has been revealed.

University College London hospitals, St George's Hospital, and Guy's and St Thomas' are among the trusts preparing to foot the bill to keep their foreign workers.

This is expected to cost UCLH alone, which has nine treatment centres in central London, more than £100,000.

More than one in ten of the capital's NHS staff are from other European countries, according to figures. The Daily Mail

102 young Northamptonshire people face future living in care homes

102 young Northamptonshire people face future living in care homes People with a learning disability and elderly parents may have to live in Northamptonshire care homes as their mums and dads struggle to cope. That is the situation facing 102 people in the county- all of whom are below the pensionable age - over the next five years if money is not allocated for them to live independently.

It comes as figures show 13 per cent of people with LD live in residential care, higher than the 10 per cent target. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Government is failing its duty of care towards prisoners

Government is failing its duty of care towards prisoners A prison sentence is a deprivation of someone's liberty, not a sentence to poorer health or healthcare, say the Health and Social Care Committee in its report on health and care in prison.

However, standards inside England's prison have deteriorated in recent years, following budget reductions and the loss of prison officers.

Many prisons are unsafe, with incidences of violence and self-harm at a record high.

Prisons, as a result of staff shortages and overcrowding, are limiting prisoners' access to healthcare and their ability lead healthy lives.

See also:

• Nuffield Trust comments on prison health report Nuffield Trust
• Maintaining and improving health in prisons ‘crucial’ to maintaining public health, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
• Government failing in duty of care to prisoners as jail sentences lead to poorer health, MPs warn The Independent

'Don't be taken in by anti-vaccine myths on social media'

'Don't be taken in by anti-vaccine myths on social media' People who believe the myths spread by anti-vaccine campaigners "are absolutely wrong", England's top doctor has said.

Prof Dame Sally Davies said the MMR vaccine was safe and had been given to millions of children worldwide but uptake was currently "not good enough".

In England, 87% of children receive two doses but the target is 95%.

The chief medical officer urged parents to get their children vaccinated and ignore "social media fake news".

Her comments come on the 30th anniversary of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine being introduced in the UK. BBC News

See also:

• 50 years of measles vaccination in the UK Public Health England
• 'Social media fake news' to blame for low MMR vaccine take up, says England's top doctor The Daily Telegraph

How antibiotic resistance could take us back to the 'dark ages'

How antibiotic resistance could take us back to the 'dark ages' Scientists are working on a new antibiotic that has produced promising results in early trials. Medicine will need more of these in coming years if increasing bacterial resistance is not to pose a very serious threat to human health.

When they were introduced, in the 1940s, antibiotics were hailed as a "wonder drug". But there are major concerns that over-prescription has led to increasing resistance to the drugs.

Last week, the Chief Medical Officer for England, Prof Dame Sally Davies, went as far as to say we were "at risk of putting medicine back in the dark ages" - but why has this happened? BBC News

Epilepsy: Calls for 'critical' funding to save lives

Epilepsy: Calls for 'critical' funding to save lives Hundreds of people with epilepsy are dying every year because "critical" checks are not taking place, campaigners have warned.

GPs used to receive money for achieving specific targets based on managing patients' epilepsy care but this was stopped in 2014.

Charity Sudep Action wants the government to commit funding so annual risk check-ups take place properly.

NHS England said GPs already carried out checks under a standard service. BBC News

French babies born with missing limbs prompt inquiry

French babies born with missing limbs prompt inquiry France has launched a national investigation into the number of babies being born with missing arms or hands - weeks after an initial inquiry closed.

The first investigation began after it emerged more than a dozen children had been born with the condition in clusters in three French regions.

It ended after health authorities failed to identify a common cause.

But now another 11 cases have emerged in the eastern region of Ain, prompting officials to open a fresh inquiry. BBC News

Third of doctors say bullying is a problem in the NHS

Third of doctors say bullying is a problem in the NHS More than a third (39%) of doctors believe there is a problem with bullying and harassment at their work in the UK, according to a report from the British Medical Association (BMA) published today.

The report details a two-year study by the BMA looking at bullying, why it happens and what can be done to tackle it. OnMedica

See also:

• NHS needs #Metoo moment to stamp out sexual harassment, doctors' union says The Daily Telegraph

Paralysed patients able to walk again as 'breakthrough' implant restores nerves in spine

Paralysed patients able to walk again as 'breakthrough' implant restores nerves in spine Patients restricted to wheelchairs for years have been able to walk entirely unaided thanks to implants which help regenerate and remap nerves in their damaged spines.

The treatment, which has been hailed as a “significant breakthrough” for paralysis sufferers, uses a surgically implanted array of electrodes mapped precisely to the spinal cord, in combination with a unit that sends electrical pulses in response to patients’ intended leg movements.

All three paraplegic individuals who took part in the Swiss study recovered voluntary control of their leg muscles and were able to walk with some weight assistance, or a frame, while the electrical stimulation was active. The Independent

‘A wall built to keep people out’: the cruel, bureaucratic maze of children’s services

‘A wall built to keep people out’: the cruel, bureaucratic maze of children’s services In a system cut to the bone, gaining access to the support we had been promised for our daughter’s special educational needs was an exhausting, soul-sapping battle. By Jake Anderson

One morning back in May 2016, my wife and I had a visit from a nurse, who had come to the house to discuss our daughter, Alice. We made coffee, put biscuits on a plate and sat around the kitchen table.

“So,” said the woman, who was part of the local community learning disabilities team, “how can I help you?” The Guardian

Tax system overhaul will be needed to fund NHS, says thinktank

Tax system overhaul will be needed to fund NHS, says thinktank Chancellor told he is gambling with public finances and will be unable to balance books

Philip Hammond has been told Britain needs to overhaul the tax system to raise more money for the NHS after using the budget to hand tax cuts to the rich while raising public borrowing.

Urging the chancellor to conduct a formal review of taxation alongside the government’s planned spending review next year, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said Hammond would be unable to balance the books in future without finding extra tax revenue. The Guardian

Loneliness is a modern illness of the body, not just the mind

Loneliness is a modern illness of the body, not just the mind | Fay Bound Alberti Healthcare that is preventive rather than reactive is key if this epidemic is to be tackled effectively

Loneliness is thought to be a universal, inevitable, even psychological affliction. Not only the United Kingdom but also vast swaths of post-industrial populations across Europe, the United States and Japan report heightened levels of loneliness, with attendant implications for public health.

The findings of a recent BBC loneliness survey – that a third of respondents (55,000 in the UK) often felt lonely, that there was shame attached, that it could affect people of all life stages, that it was connected to social media use and linked with ill health – flesh out the detail behind discussion of a “loneliness epidemic”. But neither the physicality of loneliness, nor its origins, received much emphasis in the study. And as its history makes clear, loneliness is more complex than much of the current analysis suggests. The Guardian

Britain is “medicalising” children rather than bringing them up properly, the head of the health service has said

Britain is “medicalising” children rather than bringing them up properly, the head of the health service has said Britain is increasingly “medicalising” children instead of bringing them up properly, the head of the health service has warned.

Simon Stevens said the NHS will expand its mental health services in response to rising levels of anxiety and distress fuelled by social media.

But he said that far more needed to be done to protect children, by giving them an upbringing which shielded them from some of today's pressures. The Daily Telegraph

Patients left at risk of blindness amid NHS waiting list backlogs

Patients left at risk of blindness amid NHS waiting list backlogs Patients have been left at risk of going blind amid a failure to treat thousands of people with eye conditions.

Junior doctors at University Hospital Southampton blew the whistle amid concern that patients with serious eye conditions were not being given follow-up appointments amid staff shortages.

An investigation has so far identified 38 patients who have suffered a worsening of their condition due to the situation. The Daily Telegraph

40 people died in 'barbaric' secure hospitals the government pledged would close

40 people died in 'barbaric' secure hospitals the government pledged would close At least 40 people with a profound learning disability or autism have died while admitted to "barbaric" secure hospitals the government has promised to close since 2015, a Sky News investigation has found.

The deceased, nine of whom were under-35 when they died, were being held as in-patients in assessment and treatment units (ATUs), controversial hospitals considered inappropriate for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

See also:

• Scandal of ‘barbaric’ secure hospitals: At least 40 people under 35 have died while being treated The Daily Mail

Depression is rising faster than any other condition jumping

Depression is rising faster than any other condition jumping Rates of depression in England are soaring and are rising faster than any other condition, official statistics suggest.

NHS data collected from GP surgeries shows 9.9 per cent of patients are now considered to be battling the mental health disorder.

In contrast, the rate was 9.1 per cent last year. It means it has overtaken obesity as the second most common recorded condition in the country.

MailOnline has sifted through the NHS Digital figures to reveal the prevalence of depression is three times higher in certain parts of the country than others. The Daily Mail

Hundreds of mums miss out on skin-to-skin contact with newborns at Northampton General Hospital

Hundreds of mums miss out on skin-to-skin contact with newborns at Northampton General Hospital Nearly a quarter of mums giving birth at Northampton General Hospital miss out on important skin-to-skin bonding with their newborn babies, according to NHS statistics.

Immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby has “lasting benefits” for both, according to experts, including protecting babies from infection and encouraging them to breastfeed.

But 340 mothers who had their babies at the trust last year missed out on this important bonding time. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Stronger protection from violence for NHS staff

Stronger protection from violence for NHS staff Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock is announcing the first ever NHS violence reduction strategy.

The new, zero-tolerance approach aims to protect the NHS workforce against deliberate violence and aggression from patients, their families and the public, and to ensure offenders are punished quickly and effectively. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Clampdown on violence against NHS staff BBC News
• Jail sentences for assaults on NHS staff to double, health secretary to announce The Daily Telegraph
• Violence against NHS staff in England reaches five-year high The Guardian

Spotlight on specialised services

Spotlight on specialised services These infographics show how specialised services have improved outcomes for patients over the past 70 years of the NHS. NHS England

Surgical care practitioners: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Surgical care practitioners: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust was one of the first trusts to recruit surgical care practitioners (SCPs) within England. This case study explores how the trust has successfully integrated SCPs within its orthopaedics department and developed the role, providing SCPs with support and training to extend their scope of practice. NHS Employers

Chancellor’s budget boost to NHS frontline conceals £1bn cut

Chancellor’s budget boost to NHS frontline conceals £1bn cut Funding for training doctors and nurses, buying equipment and new hospitals due to fall

Public health services and the education and training of nurses and doctors will be cut by £1bn next year as part of the government’s plan to boost the NHS’s budget by £20bn by 2023, it has emerged.

A leading expert in NHS finances warned ministers that their strategy of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” is a false economy that risks worsening already serious understaffing in England’s health service. The Guardian

See also:

• NHS funding: Is the boost worth £84bn or £20bn? BBC News
• Budget 2018: Repairs bill for crumbling NHS hospitals hits £3bn amid backlash against Chancellor's spending plans The Independent

Pharmaceutical company charged after death and illnesses of babies at hospitals across UK

Pharmaceutical company charged after death and illnesses of babies at hospitals across UK A pharmaceutical company has been charged with a number of offences following an investigation into the deaths and illnesses of a number of babies at British hospitals, Scotland Yard has said.

ITH Pharma, which is based in North West London, has been charged with seven counts of supplying a medicinal product which was not of the nature or quality specified.

The firm has also been charged with breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act in relation to allegedly contaminated products.

The charges follow a four year investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Hospital baby deaths: ITH Pharma Ltd charged over contaminated food given to newborn infants The Independent

Lethal drugs can be bought online in just five minutes, health watchdog warns

Lethal drugs can be bought online in just five minutes, health watchdog warns It takes just five minutes for anyone with a credit card to buy lethal drugs online, health watchdogs have warned, as they call for the public to take more care before buying prescription drugs from websites.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it was “hugely concerned” that people were able to access deadly drugs by going to sites which they assumed were British and regulated, but were actually operated overseas.

Peter Wyman, chairman of the CQC, urged the public to be “very cautious” over websites that aren’t regulated by UK watchdogs. The Daily Telegraph

High BMIs linked to a greater risk of death from every major cause

High BMIs linked to a greater risk of death from every major cause People who are over or underweight may be at greater risk of death than previously expected, scientists say.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine researchers analysed data from around 3.6 million people to make the conclusion.

They found having a high BMI - over 25 - is linked to a higher risk of death from every major cause, except transport accidents.

While being underweight was also found to increase the risk of death for conditions such as cancer and heart disease, according to the study. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Being too fat or too thin 'can cost four years of life' BBC News

One in ten will opt OUT of Government's radical plan to make everyone an organ donor by 2020

One in ten will opt OUT of Government's radical plan to make everyone an organ donor by 2020 One in ten patients will opt out of Government's plan to make everyone an organ donor by 2020, research suggests.

Scientists at the University of Stirling quizzed hundreds of participants over their intentions on Theresa May's radical plan.

They found 9.4 per cent plan to opt-out - meaning their organs can't be donated after their death, or are unsure of what they will do.

Mrs May announced the plans - which presumes organ donation consent unless a person chooses to opt-out - this summer. The Daily Mail

See also:

• ‘What if I'm not dead?’ – Myth‐busting and organ donation (open access) British Journal of Health Psychology

Failing to publish data from clinical trials presents risk to human health

Failing to publish data from clinical trials presents risk to human health The Science and Technology Committee has expressed concern that nearly half of clinical trials fail to publish their results. The Committee is calling for increased transparency today, as it releases a new Report.

During its inquiry into research integrity earlier this year, the Committee agreed to follow-up on work on ‘clinical trials transparency’ by its predecessor Committee in 2013.

The Research integrity: clinical trials transparency report highlights the work previously done by campaigners, which shows that a shocking 50% of clinical trials do not publish any results, presenting risks to human health and increasing research wastage.

The Committee is concerned that selective non-publication—‘or publication bias'—of results distorts the published evidence base and is a threat to research integrity.

See also:

• Unpublished medical research 'a threat to public health' BBC News

Better value and a better night's sleep

Better value and a better night's sleep At Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) we are supporting people to stay out of hospital wherever possible. And where patients do need an admission, we aim to reduce their length of stay. To support this, we have developed the concept of a ‘virtual hospital’ that adds value by both improving quality (using patient experience and outcomes as key indicators) and reducing costs. The King's Fund

Budget 2018

Budget 2018 A summary of the budget for the key points affecting the NHS and its workforce. NHS Employers

See also:

• Budget 2018 UK Government 
• The King's Fund responds to the 2018 Budget The King's Fund
• Commitments to mental health sends right message but more support for core services needed NHS Providers
• New money welcome but key services left hanging Nuffield Trust
• NHS funding boost: the need to manage expectations Nuffield Trust
• RCN responds to the Budget announcements Royal College of Nursing
• RCP calls Budget 2018 'one step forward, two steps back' for the NHS Royal College of Physicians  
• Our response to the Chancellor's Autumn Budget 2018 Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Summary of Budget 2018: Key points at-a-glance BBC News
• Budget row over ending austerity BBC News
• Budget 2018: Wages, mental health support and universal credit BBC News
• The Budget's big picture emerges BBC News
• All schools to get a dedicated mental health team as part of £2bn-a-year funding boost The Daily Telegraph
• Budget pledges on health and social care dismissed as 'sticking plaster' The Guardian
• Budget 2018: Extra £650m for social care a sticking plaster that 'only just staves off collapse', experts warn The Independent
• Budget 2018: Austerity to continue for five more years if Britain leaves EU with no deal, Philip Hammond warns The Independent
• Budget 2018: Mental health ambulances promised in drive for more dedicated treatment Sky News

New guidance on safety culture.

New guidance on safety culture Read the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Partnership Group guidance on establishing a good safety culture, and how you can support staff to create a safer culture. NHS Employers

A data-driven approach to personalised cancer care

A data-driven approach to personalised cancer care Cancer survival could significantly improve if the NHS collects and uses its data more intelligently. This report advocates that NHS leaders collect much more data on cancer patients including survival, treatment, patient experience and medical history. With better analysis there could be improvements in the prevention of cancer, earlier diagnosis and effectiveness of treatment. Reform

More students seek mental health support, analysis shows

More students seek mental health support, analysis shows The number of students seeking mental health support while studying at university has increased by more than 50% in five years, analysis suggests.

The BBC asked universities across the UK for the numbers of students seeking some form of support.

The National Union of Students said young people were under increasing pressure to perform

The Department for Education said universities needed to provide pastoral care for students. BBC News

See also:

• University students asking for mental health help up 50 per cent in five years, FOI shows, as minister says they must be 'supported not mollycoddled' The Daily Telegraph

Opt-out organ donation plan wins Commons backing

Opt-out organ donation plan wins Commons backing Hundreds of lives could be saved each year under a new opt-out system for organ donation approved by MPs.

Under the plans, passed by the Commons, adults in England will be presumed to be donors unless they have specifically recorded their decision not to be.

A high-profile media campaign to change the law was inspired by the case of 10-year-old Max Johnson, who was saved by a heart transplant.

If passed by the Lords, the measures would come into effect in spring 2020. BBC News

Government pledge to end mental health treatment gap by 2020 will actually take a 'generation' to achieve, health secretary admits

Government pledge to end mental health treatment gap by 2020 will actually take a 'generation' to achieve, health secretary admits Bringing mental health services in line with physical health services will take "a generation", the health secretary has admitted, despite the government having promised to achieve it by 2020.

Amid widespread concerns over the state of Britain's mental health services, Matt Hancock said it would take years to fulfil ministers' pledge to achieve "parity of esteem". The Independent

Build nurseries in NHS hospitals to allow elderly to mix with toddlers, health secretary Matt Hancock says

Build nurseries in NHS hospitals to allow elderly to mix with toddlers, health secretary Matt Hancock says Toddlers’ nurseries should be located at NHS hospitals caring for the older generation according to the health secretary, who says the schemes can benefit both groups.

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said campaigners looking to save their local hospitals should be lobbying to make them hubs where the young and old are cared for, alongside a range of other services.

Such intergenerational schemes have been pioneered with nursing homes hosting nurseries, such as Nightingale House in Wandsworth, London, which The Independent visited last year – but Mr Hancock is the first health secretary to suggest the NHS could host them. The Independent

Children's operations cancelled by NHS up 58 per cent since austerity began, new figures show

Children's operations cancelled by NHS up 58 per cent since austerity began, new figures show There has been a 58 per cent rise in the number of children’s operations cancelled by the NHS in the past seven years, according to figures which critics warn illustrate the “cruel toll” of pressures on the health service.

Last year, a record 18,647 under-18s had surgery cancelled or delayed, with cancer treatment, pregnancy terminations and broken bones among the procedures affected.

That compares with 11,821 cancellations since the Conservatives came to power in coalition with the Liberal democrats in 2011/2012, and the number has climbed steadily in a period where austerity policies have seen budgets fall behind rising demand. The Independent

Surgery students 'can't sew or cut' because they spend too much time on screens, warns Imperial College professor

Surgery students 'can't sew or cut' because they spend too much time on screens, warns Imperial College professor Surgery students have lost the ability to perform simple tasks like stitching and sewing up patients because they spend so little time using their hands and so much time staring at screens, a professor has warned.

Roger Kneebone, professor of surgical education at Imperial College, London, believes the quest for academic knowledge has come at the expense of physical dexterity. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Surgery students 'losing dexterity to stitch patients' BBC News

Over 90% of children breathe toxic air every day, putting health and development at serious risk

Over 90% of children breathe toxic air every day, putting health and development at serious risk The vast majority of the world’s children are breathing air so polluted that it puts their health and development at serious risk, a World Health Organization report has warned.

Over 90 per cent of all children - roughly 1.8 billion - live in places where pollution exceeds WHO guidelines. Ambient air pollution caused roughly 4.2 million premature deaths in 2016, while 600,000 children died from acute lower respiratory infections due to dirty air. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• How air pollution is destroying our health World Health Organization
• 93% of world's children breathing toxic air which 'stunts brains' and causes deadly disease, WHO warns The Independent
• Air pollution is destroying our health and we can't just hold our breath and hope for action The Independent

Northampton General Hospital improves A&E waiting times - but NHS braced for tough winter

Northampton General Hospital improves A&E waiting times - but NHS braced for tough winter  Patients are being warned to expect longer hospital waiting times during the coming winter, a new report has warned. NHS Providers, the body that represents trusts, says several factors, including A&E waiting times and staff shortages, suggest problems for hospitals in the months ahead.
Despite the grim picture, Northampton General Hospital has slightly improved its A&E waiting times since last year.Between April and September, 51,759 people attended an emergency department, with 88% being admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours. The government target is 95%.That figure is higher than the same period in 2017, when 87% of patients were seen within four hours.
Across England, the percentage of people dealt with within the time limit dropped by 1% since last year, to 84% in 2018. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Mental health services to get £2bn funding boost in budget

Mental health services to get £2bn funding boost in budget  Philip Hammond will announce a £2bn real-terms increase in mental health funding on Monday as he unveils his first budget since Theresa May told the Conservative party conference that voters needed to know austerity was over.
The commitment should lead to comprehensive mental health support being available in every large A&E department. It suggests that mental health, long seen as a neglected area within the NHS, will benefit disproportionately from the annual health funding increase of up to £6bn a year announced by the prime minister in June. Guardian

Poor healthcare in jails is killing inmates, says NHS watchdog

Poor healthcare in jails is killing inmates, says NHS watchdog Almost half England’s jails fail to provide adequate medical care to prisoners, says leaked briefing by Care Quality Commission. Almost half of England’s jails are providing inadequate medical care to inmates, whose health is being damaged by widespread failings, the NHS watchdog has told MPs in a scathing briefing leaked to the Observer.
Healthcare behind bars is so poor in some prisons that offenders die because staff do not respond properly to medical emergencies, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) says. Guardian

Record number of children's operations cancelled last year

Record number of children's operations cancelled last year Paediatric professional bodies express ‘deep concern’ over new figures obtained by Labour. A record number of 18,647 emergency and non-emergency children’s operations were cancelled last year, according to new figures which Labour described as a “shameful” indictment of the government’s handling of healthcare.
Over the last eight years 117,936 children’s operations were cancelled, according to data obtained by the party from NHS trusts under the Freedom of Information Act. Guardian