Woman who miscarried fined by NHS for claiming free prescription while pregnant

Woman who miscarried fined by NHS for claiming free prescription while pregnant A woman who suffered a miscarriage has been fined by the NHS for claiming a free prescription during her pregnancy.

Sadie Hawkes lost her baby before she had received the maternity exemption certificate that entitled her to free prescriptions throughout her pregnancy and the first year after birth. She has now been sent a demand for £56.10 for medication issued the week before her miscarriage. She’s been told that she can’t apply for a certificate retrospectively as she is no longer pregnant. The Guardian

Regulator to review safety concerns over medicines courier used by NHS

Regulator to review safety concerns over medicines courier used by NHS The care regulator has launched a review of serious and significant concerns raised by patients, clinicians and health groups about the safety and reliability of the services of Britain’s biggest medicines delivery business, the Guardian can reveal.

Sciensus is paid millions of pounds each year by the NHS to transport vital drugs and medical items to the homes of about 200,000 people with conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and HIV.

Gonorrhoea IS spread by kissing: Game-changing study overturns decades of medical advice

Gonorrhoea IS spread by kissing: Game-changing study overturns decades of medical advice Gonorrhoea really can be spread by kissing, leading scientists now claim. 

For decades, sexual health experts have insisted 'the clap' couldn't spread through snogging, and is instead transmitted through unprotected sex.

But researchers say the evidence is now clear enough that the guidance should be changed. The Daily Mail

See also:

• A systematic review of kissing as a risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea or chlamydia (abstract) Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Worried about a mole? Here's where you can get it checked out at drop-in Kettering skin cancer sessions

Worried about a mole? Here's where you can get it checked out at drop-in Kettering skin cancer sessions Those worried about a mole or skin lesion will be able to have them checked by a doctor or nurse at drop-in Kettering sessions next month.

Kettering General Hospital is holding a three-day skin surveillance event to help identify problems like skin cancer as early as possible. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Understanding and supporting mental health in infancy and early childhood: a toolkit to support local action in the UK

Understanding and supporting mental health in infancy and early childhood: a toolkit to support local action in the UK This resource aims to support service leaders, commissioners and policy teams to develop a whole-system approach to support the mental health of babies and young children, and to enable them to develop the capacities to be mentally healthy throughout their lives. Evidence shows that the mental health needs of babies and young children – which present differently than in older children and young people – are not well understood and often overlooked. 

This toolkit acknowledges that it can be harder for professionals to work together to promote and protect mental health at this life stage, as understanding varies across sectors. It suggests practical steps to help all services play their role and work together and will facilitate shared understanding, and constructive discussions about the needs of babies and young children in local communities. UNICEF UK

Living (and dying) as an older person in prison

Living (and dying) as an older person in prison Tough conditions in prison disproportionately affect older prisoners, and they tend to be in poorer health than the general population. This new Nuffield Trust report funded by The Health Foundation uses hospital data to look at the health care needs of those older people in prison. It finds significant health care needs associated with frailty, which has implications for the prison service in managing increasing numbers of older people as the population continues to age.

See also:

• What does it mean to be an older person in prison? Nuffield Trust

NHS Data - Maximising its impact for all

 NHS Data - Maximising its impact for all There is more that can be done to make the most of NHS healthcare data. By maximising the opportunity to use data-driven innovations to improve healthcare, people in the UK and the NHS will benefit, says a new white paper from Imperial College London.

NHS delivery and continuous improvement review: recommendations

NHS delivery and continuous improvement review: recommendations This report contains the findings and recommendations of the delivery and continuous improvement review conducted by Anne Eden. It looked at how improvement-led delivery can enhance the quality of outcomes for our patients, communities and our health and care workforce. It recommends establishing a national improvement board to agree a small number of shared national priorities on which NHS England, with providers and systems, will focus improvement-led delivery work. It also recommends launching a single, shared ‘NHS improvement approach’ and co-designing and establishing a Leadership for Improvement programme. NHS England

Millions wait more than a fortnight to see a GP in England

Millions wait more than a fortnight to see a GP in England Nearly five million patients each month in England wait more than a fortnight for a GP appointment, NHS figures show, which Labour is calling "unacceptable".

The government says it expects all patients needing a GP appointment to be seen within two weeks.

The Royal College of GPs says 85% of appointments happen within two weeks and nearly half on the same day. BBC News

See also:

• Appointments in General Practice, February 2023 NHS Digital
• Millions waiting more than a fortnight for GP appointments each month The Independent
• Almost five million patients wait over two weeks for a GP appointment each month, claims Labour Pulse

Herpes deaths: NHS trust lied about virus links, inquest hears

Herpes deaths: NHS trust lied about virus links, inquest hears The mother of a young woman who died with herpes said she was "disgusted" with an NHS trust which "lied" about the potential cause of the virus.

Kim Sampson and Samantha Mulcahy died with herpes after the same obstetrician at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust carried out their Caesareans.

Yvette Sampson's daughter had been "fit and healthy" until she gave birth on 3 May 2018, an inquest has heard.

She said the trust had lied about links between the two mothers' deaths. BBC News

NHS threatens legal action to block second day of nurses’ strike

NHS threatens legal action to block second day of nurses’ strike The NHS has launched a legal challenge that could end in the high court to block the second day of an upcoming strike by tens of thousands of nurses.

Officials at NHS Employers wrote to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on Wednesday saying the union’s plans for a two-day strike were unlawful. The Guardian

See also:

• Strike action in England: RCN strongly resists NHS legal threat Royal College of Nursing
• Patient safety at risk without exemption of key mental health services from next wave of nursing strikes NHS Confederation
• NHS threatens legal action to BLOCK second day of May Day nurses' strike The Daily Mail
• Nurses told their next strike is illegal The Daily Telegraph
• NHS threatens legal action to block second day of nurses’ strike Evening Standard
• NHS mental health leaders call for nurses’ strike staff exemption The Guardian
• NHS tells nurses that planned strike is illegal The Independent
• RCN says it will ‘forcefully resist’ any attempt to derail strike action Nursing Notes

Funding and mental health staff retention go ‘hand-in-hand’ – NHS chief

Funding and mental health staff retention go ‘hand-in-hand’ – NHS chief Boosting the mental health workforce to improve services goes “hand-in-hand” with the funding available, the chief executive of NHS England has said.

Amanda Pritchard told MPs support services had significantly improved under plans to give mental health parity of esteem with physical health, but said bolstering staff recruitment and retention was key to further progress. Evening Standard

MPs told of long wait before response to child eating disorders improves

MPs told of long wait before response to child eating disorders improves It will take at least two years for guidance aimed at saving the lives of children and young people with acute eating disorders to be consistently followed, a senior NHS official has admitted.

Campaigners have warned that people are dying because guidance on medical emergencies in eating disorders (Meed) introduced last year is not regularly being implemented by specialists. Evening Standard

Catching Covid can trigger deadly side effect months later, study finds

Catching Covid can trigger deadly side effect months later, study finds Patients with severe Covid who require mechanical ventilation are likely to develop a potentially life-threatening disease within six months of getting the infection, according to a study.

Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation are 16 times more likely to develop ventricular tachycardia than those who did not have a severe infection, according to research by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The Independent

See also:

• Severe COVID-19 linked with 16-fold risk of life-threatening heart rhythm within 6 months European Society of Cardiology
• National flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports published UK Health Security Agency
• Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 - 20 April 2023 World Health Organization
• First person dies with new Covid variant as cases rise globally The Independent

Diet high in fruit and vegetables can slash miscarriage risk by almost two-thirds, study finds

Diet high in fruit and vegetables can slash miscarriage risk by almost two-thirds, study finds Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can slash the chances of miscarriage by up to 61 per cent, research suggests.

Women who ate a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, seafood, dairy products, eggs and grain had a lower miscarriage risk than those who ate the least.

And those with a diet high in processed foods – such as many breakfast cereals, junk foods and anything altered from its natural state – had double the risk. The Daily Mail

See also:

• The association between dietary patterns and risk of miscarriage: a systematic review and meta-analysis (open access) Fertility and Sterility

The old wives' tale really IS true! Major review rules drinking cranberry juice can prevent UTIs

The old wives' tale really IS true! Major review rules drinking cranberry juice can prevent UTIs It's the old wives tale that has divided opinion for decades.

Cranberry juice really can help stop urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to the largest review of evidence to date.

A global study looking at the benefits of cranberries found cranberries – in juice or taken as supplements — cut the risk of repeat UTIs in women by more than a quarter. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections Cochrane Library

Kettering hospital ward accused of failing children inadequate

Kettering hospital ward accused of failing children inadequate The safety of a ward accused of failing children has been rated as inadequate by inspectors.

The care regulator warned Kettering General Hospital (KGH) in Northamptonshire over its children's and young people's services.

Inspectors' worries include sepsis treatment, staff numbers, dirt levels and not having an "open culture" where concerns can be raised without fear.

The trust's chief executive apologised to those who felt let down. BBC Northampton

See also:

• Kettering General Hospital Services for Children and Young People Care Quality Commission
• KGH is undertaking a significant review of the way it delivers children’s services following an inspection by the CQC Kettering General Hospital
• Warning notice for KGH's children's services as they are rated inadequate by CQC Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Children's services at Kettering General branded 'inadequate' after out-of-date medicine and equipment left lying around Northants Live

Patients’ artwork brightens Berrywood Hospital in Northampton thanks to charity

Patients’ artwork brightens Berrywood Hospital in Northampton thanks to charity Eye-catching artwork, to reinvigorate the communal areas of a Northampton hospital, has gone on display as part of creative project involving inpatients.

The striking creations have been introduced at the Wheatfield Unit, at Berrywood Hospital, through inpatient occupational therapy sessions which supports people whose health, environment or social circumstances make it difficult for them to take part in the activities that matter to them. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Postcode lottery for FGM provision in largest UK study of survivor experiences of healthcare

Postcode lottery for FGM provision in largest UK study of survivor experiences of healthcare Survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM) have expressed concern over deficiencies in healthcare provision in many parts of the UK, in the largest study of its kind.

Newly published research produced by the Institute of Applied Health Research at the University of Birmingham reveals how survivors of FGM highlight a ‘postcode lottery’ of inconsistent healthcare provision across the UK.

See also:

• Views of female genital mutilation survivors, men and health-care professionals on timing of deinfibulation surgery and NHS service provision: qualitative FGM Sister Study National Institute for Health and Care Research

Junior doctors' strike: Medical chiefs call on third party to broker talks

Junior doctors' strike: Medical chiefs call on third party to broker talks An independent organisation should be brought in to help broker a deal in the pay dispute between junior doctors and the government, medical leaders say.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which brings together leading doctors and surgeons, said prolonged industrial action was having a "serious impact".

Last week's strike by junior doctors resulted in nearly 200,000 cancelled appointments and operations. BBC News

See also:

• Junior doctors' industrial action - Academy Council statement update Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• Unite announces further NHS strikes at ambulance trusts and hospitals Unite
• Official death data doesn’t tell us whether junior doctors’ strikes cost lives Full Fact
• More ambulance workers to strike after early May bank holiday BBC News
• Striking nurses 'put cancer patients at risk': Royal College of Nursing comes under growing pressure The Daily Mail
• Junior doctors call for co-ordinated strikes with nurses minutes after rejecting government offer The Daily Mail
• Ambulance workers to strike alongside teachers and nurses The Daily Telegraph
• Health workers announce fresh strikes in pay row Evening Standard
• Medical leaders call for arbitration to resolve junior doctors’ dispute The Guardian
• Medical leaders call for third party to 'rapidly engage' junior doctors and government in strike negotiations Sky News

‘Failure at every level’ led to children’s homes abuse, report says

‘Failure at every level’ led to children’s homes abuse, report says Ofsted was warned on more than 100 occasions about incidents at children's homes whose residents faced "horrific" abuse, a report has revealed.

An expert panel criticised inadequate leadership at the Hesley Group, which ran the homes, as well as failures of regulation.

The review lead said a "major overhaul" of the safeguarding system was needed.

BBC News revealed children were reportedly punched, kicked and fed chillies at homes Ofsted rated "good".

See also: 

• Safeguarding children with disabilities in residential settings Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel
• Experts demand major overhaul of safeguarding system to protect children with disabilities from abuse at children’s homes Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel
• Statement on Phase 2 of the review into alleged abuses against disabled children in residential settings Children's Commissioner
• Urgent calls for reform after horrific abuse of young people at private care homes The Guardian
• England’s most vulnerable children needlessly put at risk in residential ‘institutions’, investigator warns iNews
• BBC investigation reveals more abuse at Hesley Group care homes Learning Disability Today

‘Healthy’ doctor died after reaction to Covid vaccine, inquest rules

‘Healthy’ doctor died after reaction to Covid vaccine, inquest rules A “fit and healthy” doctor died of “unintended consequences of vaccination” after a rare reaction to the AstraZeneca Covid jab, a coroner has ruled.

As an NHS clinical psychologist and frontline health worker, Dr Stephen Wright, 32, of Sevenoaks, Kent, was among the earliest groups of people to be given the vaccine during the pandemic. He died 10 days later. The Independent

See also:

• Doctor's death due to AstraZeneca Covid vaccine reaction - inquest BBC News
• 'Healthy' doctor died after rare AstraZeneca Covid jab reaction Evening Standard
• Doctor died from rare reaction to AstraZeneca Covid jab, UK coroner rules The Guardian
• 'Healthy' doctor, 32, died after rare severe reaction to AstraZeneca COVID jab, coroner concludes Sky News

Campaign launched to encourage more Black people to give blood - with data showing they only make up 1% of donors

Campaign launched to encourage more Black people to give blood - with data showing they only make up 1% of donors People of Black heritage are more likely to develop diseases such as sickle cell, which is the fastest growing genetic condition in the UK, and doctors say the best treatment is using blood that is an ethnic match. Sky News

Type 2 diabetes really can be REVERSED by losing weight: Effects last five years, trial confirms

Type 2 diabetes really can be REVERSED by losing weight: Effects last five years, trial confirms A soup and shake diet being rolled out on the NHS can reverse type 2 diabetes for at least five years, new research has shown.

Almost a quarter of people in remission from diabetes two years after starting a low-calorie diet were still free of the condition three years later.

Experts say it is further evidence that lifestyle changes rather than medication can help beat the disease, described last week as a ‘rapidly escalating crisis’ in the UK. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Weight loss can put type 2 diabetes into remission for at least 5 years, direct study reveals Diabetes UK

Suspected cancer patients are having to wait up to 6 MONTHS to see a doctor and a year for treatment

Suspected cancer patients are having to wait up to 6 MONTHS to see a doctor and a year for treatment Suspected cancer patients face an agonising wait of up to two years for a diagnosis and a year to start treatment, damning figures reveal. 

The ‘unacceptable’ delays could give tumours time to spread, slash survival chances and make treatment more expensive, charities warn.

The NHS should offer people a first appointment with a specialist within two weeks of receiving an urgent referral from a GP. The Daily Mail

Public health expert says ministers are 'not behaving as if they want to preserve the NHS'

Public health expert says ministers are 'not behaving as if they want to preserve the NHS' The Government is 'not behaving as if it wants to preserve the NHS', according to a world-renowned public health expert.

Sir Michael Marmot, a former advisor to No10 when Labour was in power , said the data supported claims that ministers were wanting to 'destroy' the ailing service. The Daily Mail

Northampton: Autistic woman praises 'amazing' crisis house renovation

Northampton: Autistic woman praises 'amazing' crisis house renovation A woman who is autistic says a renovated crisis house that she helped design is "amazing".

Northamptonshire Health NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) has refurbished The Warren in Northampton and The Martin in Rushden to provide more facilities for people who are autistic.

Kirsty Pope and another service user chose new colours and sensory lighting at The Warren.

The work includes a new sensory garden for the site in Northampton. BBC Northampton

Delapré Wellbeing partnership programme shortlisted for national award

Delapré Wellbeing partnership programme shortlisted for national award The partnership programme designed to support people across Northampton make positive choices to take control over their health and wellbeing has been shortlisted for ‘Partnership of the Year’ in the Museums + Heritage Awards 2023.

Delapré Wellbeing partnership was created during the pandemic by local organisations across the town. Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust in partnership with Action for Happiness Northamptonshire, The General Practice Alliance Federation, Northampton Leisure Trust, Northamptonshire Sport, and the University of Northampton have worked together over the past year to put communities at the heart of public health. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Striking images: What caused the NHS crisis and can it be fixed?

Striking images: What caused the NHS crisis and can it be fixed? From unsolved pay disputes to record backlogs, abandoned social care reforms and now accusations of sexual harassment of female surgeons, finding a good news story about health and care services in the UK is nigh on impossible.

So just how bad is the crisis facing the NHS? Who, or what, can be blamed for the pile-up of problems? And is there any way that Rishi Sunak – or maybe Keir Starmer – can fix the crisis? Podcast from Institute for Government

Delaying second doses of vaccine reduced COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths

Delaying second doses of vaccine reduced COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths Delaying people’s second COVID-19 vaccine dose likely prevented tens of thousands of hospitalisations and thousands of deaths in England.

These are the findings of a retrospective analysis from the Imperial College London COVID-19 Response Team which aimed to quantify the impact of delaying the delivery of second vaccine doses on the epidemic in England.

Their analysis estimates that this may have prevented an average of 58,000 hospital admissions and 10,000 deaths between 8th December 2020 and 13th September 2021. Imperial College London

See also:

• Quantifying the effect of delaying the second COVID-19 vaccine dose in England: a mathematical modelling study (open access) The Lancet Public Health

Troubled hospital trust given warning about staffing levels

Troubled hospital trust given warning about staffing levels A troubled hospital trust, blighted by reports of bullying, has been issued a warning about staffing levels at one of its hospitals.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an unannounced inspection at Good Hope in Sutton Coldfield.

Heartlands Hospital, also part of University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB), was also inspected amid concerns about children's services.

The trust said it fully accepted the inspectors' findings. BBC News

See also:

• Good Hope Hospital Care Quality Commission
• Warning to Good Hope Hospital over unsafe staff shortages which saw one nurse caring for 26 patients Birmingham Live
• Patients left waiting on trolleys for four days due to 'unsafe' staffing levels, report finds The Independent
• Birmingham NHS Trust handed warning notice for staffing levels ITV News

NHS criticised for sending patients to children's hospital despite 1,600 ‘sexual safety incidents’

NHS criticised for sending patients to children's hospital despite 1,600 ‘sexual safety incidents’ The NHS has been criticised for sending vulnerable patients to a children’s hospital despite receiving reports of more than 1,600 “sexual safety incidents” at the 59-bed unit.

A series of investigations by The Independent have exposed allegations of systemic abuse across a group of children’s hospitals run by the former Huntercombe Group. The Independent

Sickness drags down UK economy as job vacancies go unfilled

Sickness drags down UK economy as job vacancies go unfilled Unwelcome though it is for a government facing strikes by doctors and nurses in the months ahead, the message from the latest labour market figures is clear: Britain is already the sick man of Europe.

More than 2.5 million people who are economically inactive cite long-term sickness as the reason why they are not looking for a job – and the number is rising sharply. The Guardian

Nanny statism fears behind UK’s 30-year failure to tackle obesity, report says

Nanny statism fears behind UK’s 30-year failure to tackle obesity, report says Fears of “nanny statism” have led to a failure by every UK government of the last 30 years to tackle the obesity crisis, a report claims, as it emerged that the condition now costs the NHS £6.5bn a year.

Labour and Conservative governments have displayed a similar reluctance to get too closely involved in a subject widely seen as a minefield, according to the Institute for Government (IfG). The Guardian

See also:

• Tackling obesity: Improving policy making on food and health Institute for Government
• Ministers afraid to tackle obesity over fears of promoting 'nanny-statism' The Daily Mail
• How UK governments from Major to Johnson tried to tackle obesity The Guardian
• The primary cause of Britain’s childhood obesity emergency is clear: poverty The Guardian
• Government ‘squeamishness’ over tackling obesity ‘will lead to higher taxes’ The Independent

Patients are having to wait nearly 100 MINUTES just for their 999 calls to be answered

Patients are having to wait nearly 100 MINUTES just for their 999 calls to be answered People dialling 999 for an ambulance have been forced to wait up to 1 hour 37 minutes for call handlers to pick up the phone, an investigation reveals.

Patients were also made to wait up to 3 hours for their NHS 111 calls to be answered in December, according to Freedom of Information responses from ambulance trusts.

Meanwhile, those using the 111 service whose symptoms required a call back from a nurse have been waiting more than a day to hear from the service. The Daily Mail

Number of NHS patients placed onto mixed-sex wards reaches all-time high of nearly 5,000

Number of NHS patients placed onto mixed-sex wards reaches all-time high of nearly 5,000 The number of NHS patients being forced to endure the indignity of banned mixed-sex wards has reached a record high.

Almost 5,000 people were placed on wards with the opposite sex in January, the worst recorded figure since the Government first cracked down on the practice. The Daily Mail

Treating depression using CBT therapy could help cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Treating depression using CBT therapy could help cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes Treating depression through talking therapy could help cut the risk of heart attack and stroke in later life, a study suggests.

Previous research has found those suffering with the mental health condition are significantly more likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems.

Now scientists believe that successful treatment of depression through treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could not only help the brain but also improve heart health. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Psychological therapies for depression and cardiovascular risk: evidence from national healthcare records in England (open access) European Heart Journal

New chair will 'reset group model' across three trusts

New chair will 'reset group model' across three trusts Three Midlands hospital trusts with a combined turnover of more than £2bn are moving to share a single chair, who wants to drive further collaboration and partnership between them, HSJ can reveal.

John MacDonald, who is chair of University Hospitals of Leicester Trust, will now take on the same role for Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital Trust. (Log in required) Health Service Journal

See also:

• New Position for John MacDonald Joined Up Care Derbyshire

MPs call for Government target to eliminate maternal health disparities

MPs call for Government target to eliminate maternal health disparities The Women and Equalities Committee has called on the Government to set a definitive target to eliminate “appalling” disparities in maternal deaths. Black women are almost four times more likely to die from childbirth than white women. Maternal death rates in deprived areas are on the rise, with women in the most deprived areas 2.5 times more likely to die than those in the least deprived areas.

In a new report, MPs conclude the current Government and NHS measures to address the disparity in maternal deaths are “necessary but insufficient”. The Committee is “concerned” that the Government and NHS leadership have “underestimated” the extent to which racism plays a role in perpetuating inequalities.

See also:

• End racial disparities in maternal deaths - MPs BBC News
• MPs condemn failure to tackle ‘glaring’ racial inequalities in UK maternal health The Guardian
• MPs condemn ‘appalling’ stats showing Black women almost four times more likely to die in childbirth The Independent

AI in health care: hope or hype?

AI in health care: hope or hype? News of artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. We seem to be on the cusp of a revolution in how the latest AI models will change our lives – and health and care could be at the centre of those changes. 

AI will transform medicine, AI will allow doctorless screening and personalised prevention, AI will boost productivity, AI will make thousands of jobs redundant – so go all the claims. 

But is this hype or real hope? How will AI transform health and care services and the experiences of staff and patients? What’s been the progress so far? And how best to move forward safely? And with growing demand, staff shortages and a public spending squeeze, could AI be a key answer to sustaining the NHS itself? (Podcast) The Health Foundation

Is it time for a different approach to thinking about the GP partnership model?

Is it time for a different approach to thinking about the GP partnership model? The debate about whether general practice should be organised through an independent contractor model (GP partnerships) or whether it should be provided by staff salaried within an NHS organisation is as old as the NHS itself. The King's Fund

GP referrals: part 1 – the referrals black hole

GP referrals: part 1 – the referrals black hole HealthWatch commissioned Panelbase to carry out an online survey covering two distinct groups who had an appointment with their GP practice in the past 12 months. Firstly, those who either expected or requested a referral for tests, diagnosis, or treatment, but didn't get one, and secondly, those who were referred for tests, diagnosis or treatment. Panelbase heard from 2,144 people overall. The figures quoted in this briefing are based on the 626 patients who fall into the first group. Fieldwork was completed October 2022. The survey was also shared via the Healthwatch network (1,825 respondents overall, of which 357 respondents were in the “not referred group”) and comments from both surveys are used to support the analysis and provide quotes for this briefing. The briefing shares people’s experiences and the impact behind these figures.

See also:

• GP referrals: part 2 – the hidden waiting list HealthWatch

How primary care physicians experience telehealth: an international comparison

How primary care physicians experience telehealth: an international comparison This report sets out the findings from the 2022 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians. It explores the uptake and impact of telehealth across ten countries (including the United Kingdom). The majority of primary care physicians in half of the surveyed countries see some patients in a typical week via telehealth, whether through video or audio. In more than half the countries most physicians believe telehealth has improved timeliness of care and enabled them to perform mental and behavioral health needs assessments. Commonwealth Fund

Hundreds of thousands set to receive spring Covid jabs this week

Hundreds of thousands set to receive spring Covid jabs this week There are more than 725,000 chances to grab a jab this week as the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme opens up its spring offer to all those eligible.

More than 320,000 people have already booked an appointment and the first of these will begin receiving their vaccinations from today.

Around five million people in total are eligible in line with JCVI advice, which includes over 75s, those aged five and over with a weakened immune system, and older adult care home residents. NHS England

More people could have hidden bowel condition

More people could have hidden bowel condition Many people may be suffering from an undiagnosed and misunderstood bowel condition, according to the charity Guts UK.

Microscopic colitis is an inflammation of the large bowel and causes frequent watery diarrhoea, stomach pain, faecal incontinence, fatigue and weight loss.

About 17,000 people are diagnosed each year in the UK, but experts say the real number is likely to be higher.

Some standard tests for inflammatory bowel conditions do not spot it.

But despite misdiagnoses, cases have risen in the UK in recent years. BBC News

See also:

• Microscopic colitis: Thousands could be suffering from little-known condition mistaken for IBS The Independent

How artificial intelligence is matching drugs to patients

How artificial intelligence is matching drugs to patients Dr Talia Cohen Solal sits down at a microscope to look closely at human brain cells grown in a petri dish.

"The brain is very subtle, complex and beautiful," she says.

A neuroscientist, Dr Cohen Solal is the co-founder and chief executive of Israeli health-tech firm Genetika+.

Established in 2018, the company says its technology can best match antidepressants to patients, to avoid unwanted side effects, and make sure that the prescribed drug works as well as possible. BBC News

The primary cause of Britain’s childhood obesity emergency is clear: poverty

The primary cause of Britain’s childhood obesity emergency is clear: poverty | Camilla Kingdon No wonder type 2 diabetes is surging among young people – chicken nuggets and chips are cheaper than vegetables

Historically, seeing a child with type 2 diabetes would have been almost unheard of for a paediatrician like me. Data now shows that is no longer the case, with the number of children being treated at paediatric diabetes units in England and Wales jumping by more than 50% in the last five years. The Guardian

Nurses in England are on weaker ground with new strikes – and ministers know it

Nurses in England are on weaker ground with new strikes – and ministers know it Steve Barclay and Rishi Sunak are gambling that nurses’ appetite for a fight is waning – and ballot results back them up

Everyone loves nurses, don’t they? They are near the top of the list of the nation’s most admired and trusted workers. They inspired a TV drama called Angels. And when they were striking in December, January and February, they were the NHS staff group that the health secretary, Steve Barclay, most wanted to make peace with.

But since the Royal College of Nursing decided to launch a new series of strikes in England after its members rejected a pay deal their leadership had recommended, the government is playing hardball with the union. The Guardian

See also:

• Rishi Sunak says he WON'T offer NHS workers a better pay deal after nurses' union rejects offer The Daily Mail
• 'Minority' of nurses who voted to strike will put patients at risk, Rishi Sunak says The Daily Telegraph
• NHS strikes make waiting list promise ‘more challenging’ – Sunak Evening Standard
• No Improved Pay Offer For Nurses, Says No.10 Huffington Post
• Nurses strikes: Union splits over NHS pay offer won’t stop us striking, say RCN sources iNews
• RCN won't coordinate strikes with junior doctors' walkouts - but warns of more action ahead ITV News

200,000 operations and appointments were postponed because of 4-day junior doctors' walk-out

200,000 operations and appointments were postponed because of 4-day junior doctors' walk-out More than 200,000 NHS procedures and appointments were postponed because of the devastating four-day junior doctors' strike. 

It means the historic walk-out — organised to coincide with fragile hospital staffing rotas around the Easter holidays — caused more carnage than any other during the ongoing pay dispute.

Tens of thousands of junior doctors took to picket lines in pursuit of a whopping 35 per cent pay rise between April 11-15. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Long-term impact of strikes as 531,000 appointments hit NHS Providers
• Junior doctor strike led to 195,000 cancellations BBC News
• Junior doctors’ April strike led to 195,000 NHS hospital cancellations The Guardian

Who is being hit hardest by the NHS' waiting list of SEVEN MILLION people

Who is being hit hardest by the NHS' waiting list of SEVEN MILLION people Seven million people in England are currently waiting for treatment on the NHS.

That's more than the entire populations of some countries, including Denmark and New Zealand.

For many, the delays will be adding to their existing anxieties over having a serious — even life-threatening — illness. The Daily Mail

Moderna's cancer vaccine may be a 'major breakthrough', scientists say

Moderna's cancer vaccine may be a 'major breakthrough', scientists say An experimental vaccine nearly halves the risk of skin cancer returning in high-risk patients, final study results show.

A phase two clinical trial found the shot — developed by Moderna — combined with an immunotherapy drug made by Merck slashed the risk of melanoma coming back by 44 percent compared to those receiving the drug alone. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Adding a Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccine to Immunotherapy May Prolong Recurrence-free Survival in Patients With High-risk Melanoma American Association for Cancer Research

One in six patients at Northampton General Hospital's A&E waited more than 12 hours to be seen

One in six patients at Northampton General Hospital's A&E waited more than 12 hours to be seen Almost one in six patients took longer than 12 hours to be seen in the A&E department at Northampton General Hospital in February, the latest NHS data shows. The statistic places the hospital in the top 20 for the highest percentage of patients waiting more than half a day. Northants Live

Standing back from The Hewitt Review: six key take-aways

Standing back from The Hewitt Review: six key take-aways The much-anticipated Hewitt Review into the oversight, governance and accountability of integrated care systems (ICSs) landed last week, to surprisingly little fanfare and a somewhat muted reception. To anyone that has followed the path of the review since its launch in November 2022, it will come as no surprise that it is both comprehensive in its breadth and that it draws on extensive engagement with the sector and key partners, for which the review team and its leadership should be given due credit. Reflecting this, the final document weighs in at a hefty 89 pages. So, standing back from the detail, what are the key take-aways? The King's Fund

Understanding unpaid carers and their access to support

Understanding unpaid carers and their access to support Unpaid carers play a substantial and vital role in meeting social care needs. The care they provide has enormous value, both for the people they care for and for wider society. Many carers experience great satisfaction from their role, and through the help and support they provide to friends and family members they may also reduce the costs of formal social care provision. The Health Foundation

The Retained EU Law Bill creates an uncertain future for health

The Retained EU Law Bill creates an uncertain future for health Some of the biggest Brexit-related challenges for the NHS come from poorly planned changes to domestic law, regulation or administrative practice. In this blog, Tammy Hervey and Mark Dayan argue that the number of problems the Retained EU Law Bill may create for health in the UK is difficult even to assess. Nuffield Trust

RCN nurses to strike on May bank holiday in England as pay offer rejected

RCN nurses to strike on May bank holiday in England as pay offer rejected Nurses in the Royal College of Nursing union have rejected the government's pay offer in England and will now go on strike over the first May bank holiday.

The 48-hour walkout from 20:00 BST on 30 April to 20:00 on 2 May will involve NHS nurses in emergency departments, intensive care, cancer and other wards.

This will be "hugely concerning" for patients, the government says. BBC News

See also:

• RCN announces further strike action as members in England vote to reject NHS pay offer Royal College of Nursing
• RCN members vote to reject NHS pay offer for nursing staff in England Royal College of Nursing
• Letter from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to the General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing: 16 April 2023 Department of Health and Social Care
• NHS Confederation responds to RCN and UNISON ballot outcomes NS Confederation
• RCN announces further industrial action dates NHS Employers
• Trusts urge government to find a way to avert fresh nurse strikes NHS Providers
• Decisive outcome as UNISON members vote to accept NHS pay offer in England UNISON
• NHS Unison members accept pay deal offer in England BBC News
• Can we avoid a summer of strikes? BBC News
• Fears of CHAOS if doctors and nurses strike together as nursing union rejects pay offer The Daily Mail
• Nursing union REJECTS 5% pay offer and announces new strike dates The Daily Mail
• NHS backlogs will be 'impossible' to bring down if there are any more strikes, health chief warns The Daily Mail
• More than half of patients have had appointments cancelled as a result of NHS strikes The Daily Telegraph
• NHS strikes: when are they, and what will happen? The Guardian
• Nurses will strike again in England after voting to reject government pay deal The Guardian
• Why NHS in England appears destined for months of further strikes The Guardian
• Further England nurses’ strikes present ‘severe challenge’ to NHS The Guardian
• Rishi Sunak appears ready to try to tough out further wave of NHS strikes The Guardian
• Nurses reject 5% pay deal and vote for all-out strike - with no exemptions for emergency care The Independent
• Nurses’ walk outs could last until Christmas as union plans ‘mega strike’ The Independent
• The Government says it has made its 'full and final' pay offer to nurses ITV News
• 'Full and final' pay offer made to nurses in England, as NHS leader warns escalation of action would 'endanger patient safety' Sky News

Million-year-old viruses help fight cancer, say scientists

Million-year-old viruses help fight cancer, say scientists Relics of ancient viruses - that have spent millions of years hiding inside human DNA - help the body fight cancer, say scientists.

The study by the Francis Crick Institute showed the dormant remnants of these old viruses are woken up when cancerous cells spiral out of control.

This unintentionally helps the immune system target and attack the tumour.

The team wants to harness the discovery to design vaccines that can boost cancer treatment, or even prevent it. BBC News

See also:

• Antibodies against endogenous retroviruses promote lung cancer immunotherapy (open access) Nature

Gel nails: Investigation launched into gel polish allergic reactions

Gel nails: Investigation launched into gel polish allergic reactions The government is investigating reports that growing numbers of people are developing life-changing allergies to some gel nail products.

Dermatologists say they are treating people for allergic reactions to acrylic and gel nails "most weeks".

Dr Deirdre Buckley of the British Association of Dermatologists urged people to cut down on gel nail use and stick to "old-fashioned" polishes.

She is now urging people to stop using DIY home kits to treat their nails. BBC News

See also:

• Dermatologists reiterate artificial nails warning and risk of at-home kits British Association of Dermatologists

Arcturus: What do we know about the new Covid variant?

Arcturus: What do we know about the new Covid variant? A new Covid strain behind a surge of infections in India has sparked fears it could also lead to a rise in cases in the UK.

Research indicates Arcturus could be one 1.2 times more infectious than the last major sub-variant.

Also known as Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, the strain was first identified in January and has been monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 22 March. The Independent

See also:

• Top scientists warn ‘the next pandemic is coming and we’re not ready’ The Independent
• Why the world is unprepared if new Covid variant Arcturus proves deadly The Independent
• What is the Arcturus Covid variant causing cases to surge in India? ITV News

One in eight Britons pay for private health services, survey shows

One in eight Britons pay for private health services, survey shows One in eight Britons have paid for private health services in the last year, amid frustration with delays in getting NHS treatment and a growing willingness to buy care using salary or savings.

New research by YouGov found that another 27% of people had considered going private, for themselves or a loved one, but decided against it, often because they couldn’t afford it.

33% of those who had used private healthcare instead of the NHS had done so for the first time. The Guardian

‘Buckling’ NHS fails to treat 250,000 children with mental health problems

‘Buckling’ NHS fails to treat 250,000 children with mental health problems A quarter of a million children in the UK with mental health problems have been denied help by the NHS as it struggles to manage surging case loads against a backdrop of a crisis in child mental health.

Some NHS trusts are failing to offer treatment to 60% of those referred by GPs, the research based on freedom of information request responses has found. The Guardian

See also:

• Revealed: the postcode lottery in child and adolescent mental health care The House

The NHS is spending more than £1 million a week hiring private ambulances

The NHS is spending more than £1 million a week hiring private ambulances The NHS is spending more than £1million a week hiring private ambulances to attend emergency calls, according to research by a trade union.

Unison said its figures were based on responses from two thirds of ambulance trusts in England that pay commercial companies to provide cover for critically ill patients. The Daily Mail 

See also:

• 'Shocking waste': NHS is spending £1m a week on private ambulances for emergencies, union says Sky News

UK approves first new antibiotic in over 20 years that kills superbugs causing UTIs

UK approves first new antibiotic in over 20 years that kills superbugs causing UTIs The first new antibiotic in more than 20 years that is capable of treating agonising bladder infections is set to be approved in the UK after a groundbreaking study revealed it was highly effective.

The drug, called gepotidacin, outperformed one of the antibiotics currently used to treat NHS patients suffering from the infections, curing more than half the participants who took it. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Gepotidacin’s positive phase III data shows potential to be the first in a new class of oral antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in over 20 years GSK

Staff treat clients with ‘compassion and kindness’ at Northampton abortion clinic rated ‘good’ by CQC

Staff treat clients with ‘compassion and kindness’ at Northampton abortion clinic rated ‘good’ by CQC A Northampton abortion clinic has been rated ‘good’ in all areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in their first ever inspection.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) Northampton central abortion clinic, in St Giles Terrace, has been rated good in safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness to people’s needs and leadership. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

See also:

• BPAS Northampton Central Care Quality Commission

The role of regions in health and care: what can be done between systems and the centre?

The role of regions in health and care: what can be done between systems and the centre? The advent of integrated care systems (ICSs) has driven a renewed focus on the role of local places within health and care. While ICSs themselves are large and typically cover populations of more than 1 million people, the key building blocks that sit underneath them are much smaller in scale. The King's Fund

Are integration and innovation enabling better mental health provision?

Are integration and innovation enabling better mental health provision? As demand for mental health support increases, organisations are working in new and different ways to meet demand. In this long read we explore how. NHS Confederation

Offline and isolated: the impact of digital exclusion on access to healthcare for people seeking asylum in England

Offline and isolated: the impact of digital exclusion on access to healthcare for people seeking asylum in England This report finds that people seeking asylum in England are at risk of missing out on basic healthcare services because they have limited access to the internet and digital tools. Using a peer research approach, where refugees who have been through the asylum process interviewed people seeking asylum, the report provides a detailed picture of the barriers to online healthcare services. It highlights several barriers, including the affordability of devices and mobile data, a lack of Wi-Fi in asylum accommodation, and a lack of confidence in using technology and navigating websites in English. British Red Cross

NHS progress on waiting list despite busiest winter on record

NHS progress on waiting list despite busiest winter on record The number of people waiting longest for elective treatment has dropped for the third month in a row as services dealt with the busiest winter on record, new figures show.

The NHS has continued to progress against its elective recovery plan, with the number of people waiting more than 18 months for elective care dropping by a third between January and February to 30,000 (29,778), while the number of patients waiting more than one year dropped by 17,000 to 362,498. NHS England

See also:

• A&E Attendances and Emergency Admissions 2022-23 NHS England
• NHS Activity Tracker April 2023 NHS Providers
• NHS waiting lists reach record levels, but what about the 'hidden waiting list'? Healthwatch
• The King's Fund responds the latest NHS performance data The King's Fund
• NHS under severe and unsustainable pressure NHS Providers
• NHS Tracker: Find out about hospital waiting times in your area this winter BBC News
• 125,000 Brits had 12-hour A&E waits in February as true scale of crisis is laid bare for first time The Daily Mail
• NHS waiting list hits new record high though longest waits continue to fall Evening Standard
• One in 10 A&E patients in England face ‘dangerous’ 12-hour waits The Guardian
• Crowdfunding for medical care doubles amid record NHS waiting lists The Guardian
• 10% of A&E patients waiting more than 12 hours, NHS data shows The Independent
• NHS waiting times hit new record high as junior doctors' strikes continue ITV News
• NHS continues to cut elective waiting lists despite record strike and winter pressures National Health Executive
• NHS waiting list hits all-time high - with one in 10 waiting 12 hours in A&E Sky News

Cancer survival rates improve by almost 10%

Cancer survival rates improve by almost 10% Three in every four people survive their cancer the first year after being diagnosed with rates of survival for some cancers even higher, according to figures out today.

NHS England has published a one year cancer survival index which looks at survival rates in 2020 compared to 2005. The index also breaks down the figures by types of cancer and where patients live. Department of Health and Social Care

Thousands receive diagnosis after 60 new diseases found

Thousands receive diagnosis after 60 new diseases found Thousands of children with severe developmental disorders have finally been given a diagnosis, in a study that found 60 new diseases.

Children, and their parents, had their genetic code - or DNA - analysed in the search for answers to their condition.

There are thousands of different genetic disorders. BBC News

See also:

• Genomic Diagnosis of Rare Pediatric Disease in the United Kingdom and Ireland (open access) New England Journal of Medicine

Psychiatrists warn gamblers ahead of Grand National

Psychiatrists warn gamblers ahead of Grand National Problem gamblers are being encouraged to take preventative steps, such as putting blocks on betting websites, ahead of the annual Grand National horse race which runs on Saturday.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists says this weekend will be challenging for many gamblers who struggle to control their betting habit.

Government proposals for tougher gambling laws are expected imminently. BBC News

Sunak backs greater role for private sector in providing NHS care

Sunak backs greater role for private sector in providing NHS care Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suggested there should be a greater role for the private sector in the NHS as he set out how he wanted to win voters’ trust on the issue.

Mr Sunak, who has made cutting waiting lists one of his five priorities, was speaking as official figures showed an estimated 7.22 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment at the end of February – the highest total since records began in 2007. Evening Standard

New nurses’ strikes likely in England if RCN members reject pay offer

New nurses’ strikes likely in England if RCN members reject pay offer Nurses in England will go back on strike this month if RCN members reject ministers’ latest pay offer, with officials saying the result of the three-week ballot is too close to call.

The Royal College of Nursing will announce the results of its vote on Friday after a lengthy consultation period in which many members have opposed the recommendation of union leaders to accept the government’s proposed deal. The Guardian

See also:

• Fears of further crippling NHS strikes as insiders claim nurses are set to reject latest pay rise The Daily Mail
• Nurses' strikes could persist as union prepares for members to vote against pay offer ITV News

Hearing aids may lower risk of dementia, Lancet study suggests

Hearing aids may lower risk of dementia, Lancet study suggests Wearing a hearing aid slashes the risk of dementia in people who are hard of hearing, a study suggests.

In a study published in the Lancet today, researchers looked at health data of hundreds of thousands of people with varying levels of hearing loss.

Results showed those who did not use hearing aids had a 42 percent higher risk of developing dementia within 12 years compared to those who used the device. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Association between hearing aid use and all-cause and cause-specific dementia: an analysis of the UK Biobank cohort (open access) The Lancet Public Health

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

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

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

Non-accidental injuries in infants attending the emergency department

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

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

See also:

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

Looking after your team’s health and wellbeing guide

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

Why no breakthrough in the junior doctors' strike?

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

Study reveals cancer’s ‘infinite’ ability to evolve

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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

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

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

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

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

See also:

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