Pat Cullen: Nursing union calls for double-digit pay rise to restart talks

Pat Cullen: Nursing union calls for double-digit pay rise to restart talks The leader of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called on the health secretary to restart pay negotiations with a proposed rise in double digits.

Nurses in England are due to get a 5% pay rise after the majority of health unions accepted a government pay offer - but RCN members rejected the deal.

Speaking to the Times, union boss Pat Cullen praised her "courageous" members and urged ministers to reopen talks.

A source from the Department of Health told the BBC the pay offer was final. BBC News

See also:

• Nursing union leader demands double-digit pay offer and warns PM her members 'won't blink first' The Daily Mail
• Nursing union leader calls for double-digit pay offer to relaunch talks Evening Standard
• Nurses’ union head calls for double-digit pay rise in England ahead of strike ballot The Guardian
• Nursing union leader Pat Cullen calls for double-digit pay offer to avert strikes The Independent
• Nursing union leader calls for double-digit pay offer to relaunch talks ITV News

Parkinson's disease: New research could reveal early causes

Parkinson's disease: New research could reveal early causes Listening to the "conversations" of brain cells as they develop could help researchers to better understand the early causes of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer's disease.

The disease causes parts of the brain to become progressively damaged over many years.

But relatively little is known about its early stages, as much of the damage happens before symptoms appear. BBC News

Closure of Tavistock gender identity clinic delayed

Closure of Tavistock gender identity clinic delayed The closure of the only NHS gender clinic for children in England and Wales has been delayed to March 2024, about a year later than first planned.

The Gender Identity Development Service (Gids), based at London's Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, will be replaced by two regional hubs.

A southern hub will open in autumn, with the northern hub following next April. BBC News

Patient safety at risk in crumbling hospital Boris Johnson promised to replace

Patient safety at risk in crumbling hospital Boris Johnson promised to replace Patients, doctors and nurses are enduring constant ward closures and flooding in “dilapidated and unpleasant” buildings because a new hospital promised by the government has still not been delivered, one of its most senior medics has warned.

Patient safety could soon be at risk unless the replacement for St Helier Hospital, in south London, is finally confirmed by ministers, according to the outgoing chief medical officer of its NHS trust. Some of the buildings pre-date the NHS, while wards have been shut due to sinking foundations. The Guardian

See also:

• Where are the Tories’ promised 40-new-hospitals? We cannot afford to wait any more The Guardian

Medicines courier Sciensus was warned it was failing patients three years ago

Medicines courier Sciensus was warned it was failing patients three years ago The boss of a private healthcare company exposed by the Guardian for putting seriously ill children and adults at risk was warned it was failing patients three years ago.

Darryn Gibson, the chief executive of Sciensus, Britain’s biggest medicines courier, was told in November 2020 that patients with bleeding disorders were being left dangerously exposed to internal bleeding with little or no treatment at home as a result of botched, delayed or missed deliveries.

Plunge in clinical drug trials makes Britain an urgent case for treatment

Plunge in clinical drug trials makes Britain an urgent case for treatment With visions of the UK as a ‘life sciences superpower’ at risk, we report from Great Ormond Street hospital on what’s being done to give children access to new drugs. The Guardian

Patients with blood cancer can be spared chemotherapy with two daily tablets

Patients with blood cancer can be spared chemotherapy with two daily tablets Two daily tablets could soon spare some blood cancer patients from having to go through gruelling bouts of chemotherapy.

The drug, called ruxolitinib, can keep a type of blood cancer called polycythaemia vera in remission for up to three years longer than traditional methods, according to British research. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• Incurable blood cancer trial finds new drug better than current second line treatments University of Birmingham

Experts call for early stage prostate cancer to be reclassified as pre-cancer

Experts call for early stage prostate cancer to be reclassified as pre-cancer A radical rethink in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed could be on the cards – with experts calling to reclassify the earliest stage tumours as 'pre-cancer', The Mail on Sunday has learned.

Every year roughly 50,000 men in the UK are told they have the disease, and the move would effectively see this figure cut in half.

Mounting evidence suggests patients with these tiny tumours don't usually need to start treatment. Instead they can simply be monitored with regular blood tests and scans to ensure the tumours don't start to spread.

NHS performance Tracker

NHS performance Tracker The average (median) waiting time for planned care was over 14 weeks in March 2023. This is almost double the average waiting time before the pandemic, which was 7 ½ weeks in February 2020.

The total size of the waiting list for planned care increased slightly to 7.33 million in March 2023. This is the highest since records began.

A&E waiting times improved slightly in April 2023, with 1 in 4 people spending more than four hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. But this is still far from reaching the standard of only 5% of people waiting this long.

The analysis below includes the latest data on key activity and performance measures from March and April 2023, as published by NHS England on 11 May 2023. Quality Watch

See also:

• Missed target means patients continue to pay the price for NHS crisis The Health Foundation
• The King's Fund responds to the latest NHS performance stats The King's Fund
• NHS Confederation responds to the latest NHS performance statistics NHS Confederation
• NHS cuts longest waits and speeds-up response times NHS England
• NHS Activity Tracker May 2023 NHS Providers
• Trusts' waiting lists work paying off but no let-up in pressure on NHS NHS Providers
• NHS misses targets in England to tackle care backlogs BBC News
• Large push to meet NHS operations backlog falls short on hitting targets The BMJ
• NHS waiting list spirals to ANOTHER record high as the Government also misses key target The Daily Mail
• Ten NHS trusts responsible for nearly half of UK's patient backlog The Daily Telegraph
• NHS waiting list hits record 7.3 million people in England The Independent
• Children’s surgery waiting lists hits record high as NHS fails to tackle spiralling backlog The Independent
• PM struggling on pledge to cut NHS waiting times as another record broken ITV News

Latest MBRRACE-UK figures for maternal and perinatal mortality in the UK are published

Latest MBRRACE-UK figures for maternal and perinatal mortality in the UK are published The MBRRACE-UK collaboration, led from Oxford Population Health’s National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), has today published data on women who died during, or up to six weeks after, pregnancy between 2019 and 2021 in the UK. This is the first time that the data have been available ahead of the full Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care report, which is due to be published in October 2023, and responds to a recent call in the Women and Equalities Committee Black Maternal Health report for more rapid publication of data.

The report highlighted the findings from the 2018 – 2020 MBRRACE-UK Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care report that revealed an almost four-fold difference in maternal mortality rates amongst Black women and an almost two-fold difference amongst Asian women when compared with White women. The 2019 – 2021 data show that these disparities still remain and further emphasises the need for a continued focus on action to address inequalities in maternal health.

See also:

• Figures show maternal death rate race disparity BBC News
• Maternal deaths in UK remain static, despite bid to improve care The BMJ

International retention toolkit

International retention toolkit This toolkit explores actions employers can take to ensure internationally recruited staff build lasting careers in the NHS. The aim is to support the reduction in turnover of international staff by improving their experience at work. It is designed as a one stop shop to provide information, resources and best practice examples on what organisations, systems and regions are already doing to create the conditions for all international staff to thrive. It is based on four pillars: creating strong foundations, making new recruits feel welcome, building belonging, and maximising personal and professional growth. NHS Employers

See also:

• Conscious retention – creating a more secure workforce NHS Employers
• NHS: The international nurses who are crucial to West Suffolk Hospital BBC News

Independent report: The life and death of Elizabeth Dixon: a catalyst for change

Independent report: The life and death of Elizabeth Dixon: a catalyst for change Elizabeth Dixon was a child with special health needs. She had been born prematurely at Frimley Park Hospital on 14 December 2000. Following treatment and care at Great Ormond Street Hospital and a children’s hospice, she was nursed at home under a care package. As a result of a failure to clear a tracheostomy tube, she asphyxiated and was pronounced dead at Frimley Park hospital on 4 December 2001.

The investigation chaired by Dr Bill Kirkup looked at the events surrounding the care of Elizabeth and makes a series of recommendations in respect of the failures in the care she received from the NHS. Department of Health and Social Care

Executive lead roles within integrated care boards

Executive lead roles within integrated care boards The commitment was given to Parliament, during consideration of the Health and Care Act 2022, that every integrated care board (ICB) would identify members of its board which would have explicit responsibility for the population groups and functions set out in this guidance: children and young people (aged 0 to 25); children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities; safeguarding (all ages), including looked after children; people with learning disability and autism (all ages); and people with Down syndrome (all ages). These executive leads support the chief executive and the board to ensure that the ICB functions effectively, in relation to the groups mentioned previously. This guidance looks at the responsibilities of the executive lead for each group of people. NHS England

The Christie: World-renowned NHS centre downgraded by watchdog

The Christie: World-renowned NHS centre downgraded by watchdog A world-renowned cancer centre hit by whistleblowing concerns over alleged bullying has been downgraded by the health watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) told The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester it "requires improvement" in safety and leadership.

A former trust nurse told the BBC leaders had intimidated staff to stop them voicing concerns to inspectors.

The trust said it was working hard to ensure staff felt supported. BBC News

See also:

• World-leading NHS cancer centre downgraded by regulator Sky News

Hospital boss claims unfair dismissal after chairman 'bullied' her

Hospital boss claims unfair dismissal after chairman 'bullied' her A former NHS chief executive is suing her employer, saying she was "bullied, harassed, intimidated and undermined" by the hospital trust's chairman.

In legal papers, seen by BBC News, Dr Susan Gilby alleges she was effectively unfairly dismissed by the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, after she made a formal complaint.

She has also accused the chairman of putting finance above patient safety.

In a statement, the trust said it denied all the allegations. BBC News

Autistic teenager was stuck on general hospital ward for months

Autistic teenager was stuck on general hospital ward for months An autistic girl aged 16 spent nearly seven months in a busy general hospital due to a lack of suitable children's mental health services in England.

Her local health and care system said it was "very sorry" for how she was treated "when she was most vulnerable".

Campaigners describe the shortage of appropriate support for people with autism as a human rights crisis. BBC News

Artificial intelligence could ‘transform’ heart attack diagnosis, scientists say

Artificial intelligence could ‘transform’ heart attack diagnosis, scientists say Artificial intelligence (AI) could be “transformational” in improving heart attack diagnosis to reduce pressure on emergency departments, a new study suggests.

Doctors could soon use an algorithm developed using AI to diagnose heart attacks with better speed and accuracy than ever before, the research from the University of Edinburgh indicates.

It could also help tackle dangerous inequalities in diagnosing the condition, scientists suggest. The Independent

See also:

• Machine learning for diagnosis of myocardial infarction using cardiac troponin concentrations (open access) Nature Medicine

AI predicts pancreatic cancer three YEARS before it occurs

AI predicts pancreatic cancer three YEARS before it occurs A breakthrough AI model can determine a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer with staggering accuracy, research suggests.

Using medical records and information from previous scans, the AI was able to flag patients at a high risk of developing pancreatic cancer within the next three years with great accuracy.

There are currently no full-proof scans for pancreatic cancer, with doctors using a combination of CT scans, MRIs and other invasive procedures to diagnose it. The Daily Mail

See also: 

• A deep learning algorithm to predict risk of pancreatic cancer from disease trajectories (open access) Nature Medicine

Thousands of hospital doctors to be drafted into GP surgeries under new NHS plans

Thousands of hospital doctors to be drafted into GP surgeries under new NHS plans Thousands of hospital doctors could be recruited to work in GP surgeries to solve the appointments crisis.

The drastic proposal, yet to be confirmed, would see specialty and specialist (SAS) medics drafted into practices across the country.

Such doctors have not undergone the highest level of training, and don't reach the level of consultant. The Daily Mail

See also:

• GPC UK draft position on ‘SAS doctors in primary care’ BMA General Practice Committee
• SAS Doctors working in primary care Royal College of General Practitioners
• Supporting SAS doctors to fulfil their potential Royal College of Physicians
• Primary care role for SAS doctors 'not viable', BMA paper warns GPonline
• SAS doctors in general practice ‘risk exploitation’, says BMA Pulse
• NHS England planning pilots of SAS doctors in general practice in ‘abuse’ of rules Pulse

Skin complaints or skin cancer - ask an expert at new online KGH event

Skin complaints or skin cancer - ask an expert at new online KGH event Skin deep – how to manage common skin complaints and avoid skin cancer is a free online event held by Kettering General Hospital to help identify problems and answer common skin complaint questions.

It is part of the series of free Your Health Matters events run by Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KGH) governors to help demystify health conditions and provide practical health tips. Northamptonshire Telegraph

New research shows more professionals in advanced practice roles

New research shows more professionals in advanced practice roles Experienced nurses and midwives are increasingly taking on complex, autonomous and expert roles commonly referred to as ‘advanced practice’, according to independent research commissioned by the NMC. But it’s unclear whether people who use services and the public understand the advanced practitioner’s role and what it means for them. Nursing and Midwifery Council

See also:

• Independent report on the regulation of advanced practice in nursing and midwifery Nuffield Trust
• Regulation revisited: advanced practice in nursing and midwifery Nuffield Trust

Future-proofing UK Health Research: a people-centred, coordinated approach

Future-proofing UK Health Research: a people-centred, coordinated approach Act now to stop the UK from losing our exceptional strengths in health research, and the value it brings to society, says new Academy of Medical Sciences’ report.

Published today, ‘Future-proofing UK Health Research: a people-centred, coordinated approach’, details key threats to UK health research and the steps needed to protect it.

Delivery plan for recovering primary care access: what you need to know

Delivery plan for recovering primary care access: what you need to know This briefing aims to summarise the key areas relevant to integrated care boards in NHS England's delivery plan for the recovery of primary care access. NHS Confederation

Apprentice doctors considered in radical NHS plan

Apprentice doctors considered in radical NHS plan Apprentice-doctor roles may be rolled out as part of the government's plan to fill NHS staffing gaps in England.

NHS trusts will be given funding to run the five-year apprenticeship roles under the proposals.

At the end of the programme, the apprentices will become junior doctors, providing an alternative to the traditional medical-degree route.

It is part of a package of measures that could be introduced under the NHS workforce plan. BBC News

Staff shortages force pharmacies to close for 100,000 hours in a year amid plans to give them more work

Staff shortages force pharmacies to close for 100,000 hours in a year amid plans to give them more work Staff shortages forced pharmacies to shut for 100,000 hours in a year, new figures show, just as the government has unveiled plans to shift more GP work their way.

The data, shared exclusively with The Independent by the organisation which represents pharmacies in England, also showed that almost 1,000 establishments closed for good between October 2016 and November 2022.

'All bets off' for patient safety if nurses and doctors coordinate strikes, health leader warns

'All bets off' for patient safety if nurses and doctors coordinate strikes, health leader warns All “bets would be off” for guaranteeing patient safety if junior doctors and nurses co-ordinate NHS strikes, MPs have been told.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of NHS Confederation, said it would be “incredibly difficult to maintain patient services” if the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and British Medical Association (BMA) staged a simultaneous walkout over pay. Evening Standard

AI poses existential threat and risk to health of millions, experts warn

AI poses existential threat and risk to health of millions, experts warn AI could harm the health of millions and pose an existential threat to humanity, doctors and public health experts have said as they called for a halt to the development of artificial general intelligence until it is regulated.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise healthcare by improving diagnosis of diseases, finding better ways to treat patients and extending care to more people. The Guardian

See also:

• Threats by artificial intelligence to human health and human existence (open access) BMJ Global Health

Children with type 2 diabetes to be given sensors to replace finger-prick testing

Children with type 2 diabetes to be given sensors to replace finger-prick testing Hundreds of children who manage their type 2 diabetes by regularly pricking their finger can now monitor their glucose levels using automated sensors, the government’s expert health advisers have announced.

Doctors and nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been advised they can now give glucose monitoring devices to children with type 2 diabetes who currently use the more intrusive finger-prick testing methods, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said on Thursday. The Guardian

See also:

• Hundreds of children with type 2 diabetes to be offered choice of two life changing technologies National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

I’ve been an NHS consultant for decades. Here’s how to end the junior doctors' dispute

I’ve been an NHS consultant for decades. Here’s how to end the junior doctors' dispute | Stuart Bloom Of course pay is key, and a 35% rise is unlikely, but there are several measures that can smooth the path to compromise.

I love being a consultant in the NHS. Many years ago, I loved being a junior doctor. Even when I was working a 120-hour week, undeniably exhausted and a long way from what is now called work-life balance, I was sustained by a metaphorical – and occasionally real – mentor’s arm around my shoulder telling me that one day, all this could be mine. The Guardian

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: Northamptonshire Mind hosts array of events countywide

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023: Northamptonshire Mind hosts array of events countywide Mental Health Awareness Week starts next week (May 15th-May 21st), and Northamptonshire Mind is excited to announce a comprehensive schedule of events taking place across the county. These events are designed to be inclusive and open to both newcomers and existing members of our services, without the need for a referral. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Diabetes care: is it fair enough?

Diabetes care: is it fair enough? Missed checks, disrupted care and health inequalities have been revealed in our new report looking at the state of diabetes care in England.

We are calling for urgent action to address the routine diabetes care backlog and prevent avoidable deaths of people living with diabetes.  

Our new report, ‘Diabetes Care: Is it fair enough?’ reveals that less than half (47%) of people living with diabetes in England received all eight of their required checks in 2021-22, meaning 1.9 million people did not receive the care they need. Diabetes UK

• Poor diabetes care may be behind 7,000 excess deaths BBC News
• Charity sounds alarm over excess deaths linked to diabetes The Independent
• Diabetics forced to 'go it alone' as 7,000 excess deaths linked to condition, says charity Sky News

How have hospital admissions for Covid-19 and flu changed in recent years?

How have hospital admissions for Covid-19 and flu changed in recent years? The most recent winter was particularly tough for the NHS, as it dealt with continued high numbers of Covid-19 cases at the same time as much higher numbers of flu admissions. In this chart of the week, Sophie Julian takes a look at how hospital admissions for Covid-19 and flu have changed in recent years, and reveals how this past winter saw the number of hospital admissions for flu overtake those for Covid-19 for the first time during the pandemic. Nuffield Trust

Understanding Obesity as a Disease

Understanding Obesity as a Disease On this week’s episode of The Dose, host Joel Bervell talks with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford about obesity: its history, including the racist origins of the body mass index (BMI), and the flawed science, misperceptions, and stigma that people with obesity encounter. Podcast from The Commonwealth Fund

RCN announces new strike ballot dates in England

RCN announces new strike ballot dates in England The Royal College of Nursing is today announcing dates of a new England-wide strike action ballot which will ask members employed by the NHS in England if they’re prepared to take further strike action in response to the UK government’s pay offer for 2022/23 and 2023/24.

The ballot – which will include all members in England on Agenda for Change contracts – will open on Tuesday 23 May and close on Friday 23 June.

'Shocking' lack of evidence on antidepressants for chronic pain

'Shocking' lack of evidence on antidepressants for chronic pain People with chronic pain are being given antidepressants with very little scientific proof the medication helps, a major review has found.

In studies, with nearly 30,000 patients, there was "moderate" evidence for only one drug, duloxetine, and just for short-term pain relief.

And there was a "shocking" lack of long-term data, even though the pills are usually prescribed for many months.

But patients are advised to stay on medication if it works for them. BBC News

See also:

• Antidepressants for pain management in adults with chronic pain: a network meta‐analysis Cochrane Library
• Millions of Brits are prescribed antidepressants for pain every year, study claims The Daily Mail
• ‘Little evidence’ whether or not most antidepressants work for chronic pain The Guardian
• Lack of evidence on antidepressants for chronic pain, say experts The Independent
• Millions being prescribed antidepressants for chronic pain without evidence they work, scientists warn iNews
• Thousands given antidepressants for chronic pain without full proof they work ITV News
• Thousands taking antidepressants for pain despite insufficient evidence they work, say experts Sky News

Are there 2,000 more GPs than before the pandemic?

Are there 2,000 more GPs than before the pandemic? Health Minister Neil O'Brien spoke on 9 May about the state of the NHS on BBC Breakfast, which had earlier heard from a GP who said there was an urgent need for more doctors.

Mr O'Brien said: "We've got 2,000 more doctors working in general practice than we did in 2019 before the pandemic."

Is he right? BBC News

Student doctors told: Skip university to plug NHS staff shortages

Student doctors told: Skip university to plug NHS staff shortages Tens of thousands of doctors and nurses are set to be trained via apprenticeships in a major expansion of plans to help fix the NHS workforce crisis.

Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, urged school-leavers to “earn while they learn” rather than undertake a traditional university degree, as part of a radical new plan set to be unveiled by the government in the coming days.

It is understood that around one in 10 doctors and a third of nurses could qualify using this route – a fivefold increase on the 200 medical apprenticeships originally planned under NHS schemes. The Independent

See also:

• School leavers can work as doctors without a degree under radical NHS shake-up The Daily Telegraph
• School-leavers could join NHS via apprenticeships in plan to fix staff shortages The Guardian
• Tens of thousands of doctors and nurses ‘to be trained as apprentices’ The Independent
• NHS nurses will be able to train on the job under new plans Metro

First UK baby with DNA from three people born after new IVF procedure

First UK baby with DNA from three people born after new IVF procedure The first UK baby created with DNA from three people has been born after doctors performed a ground-breaking IVF procedure that aims to prevent children from inheriting incurable diseases.

The technique, known as mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), uses tissue from the eggs of healthy female donors to create IVF embryos that are free from harmful mutations their mothers carry and are likely to pass on to their children. The Guardian

See also:

• Baby born from three people's DNA in UK first BBC News
• Britain's first three-parent baby is born: Procedure 'marks biggest leap forward' since IVF created The Daily Mail
• First UK baby ‘born with DNA of 3 parents’ using IVF procedure The Independent
• First baby with DNA from three people born in the UK, fertility regulator says ITV News

Pledge to reduce NHS backlog has been broken, Steve Barclay admits

Pledge to reduce NHS backlog has been broken, Steve Barclay admits NHS in England missed target that patients waiting 18 months for an operation would be treated by April

A key government pledge to reduce the size of the NHS’s record-breaking care backlog has been broken, the health secretary has admitted.

Steve Barclay slipped out the news in a Commons statement on Tuesday about a totally unrelated area of NHS policy – his new plan to improve access to GP care. The Guardian

Seriously ill children put at risk by firm’s failure to deliver NHS medication

Seriously ill children put at risk by firm’s failure to deliver NHS medication Children with serious health conditions are getting sicker as a result of persistent failings by Sciensus, a private company paid millions by the NHS to deliver essential medication, the Guardian can reveal.

Parents of sick children say they are repeatedly let down by botched, delayed or missed deliveries, while NHS paediatric clinicians warn some are suffering avoidable harm as a result.

Urgent recall of allergy pens over fears life-saving gadgets might not work

Urgent recall of allergy pens over fears life-saving gadgets might not work Two different types of life-saving allergy pens are being urgently recalled over fears they may not actually work. 

Medical regulators have withdrawn the devices from the UK market as part of a 'precautionary recall', it emerged today. 

Evidence was found that the Emerade 300 and 500 microgram pens may in 'rare' cases 'fail to activate' if they are dropped. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Patients asked to return Emerade 300 and 500 microgram adrenaline pens for replacement Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
• Emerade adrenaline pen users urged to swap brands BBC News
• Emerade adrenaline pens recalled 'after potential faults detected' Evening Standard

Supporting elderly patients in Northamptonshire to stay well

Supporting elderly patients in Northamptonshire to stay well The integrated care system in Northamptonshire has, along with partner organisations, helped create a web of support for patients with long-term conditions, backed by co-production and collaborative working. This support extends through the time they are living in the community to when they are in hospital and are discharged. Case study from the NHS Confederation.

How chronic stress weathers our health

How chronic stress weathers our health How healthy we are in part depends on the many different exposures we've had over our life – including to physical, psychological and social factors. 

Chronic exposure to psychosocial stress – for example, poverty or other disadvantage – leads to prolonged strain on the body. This weathering can make us physically ill before our time and prematurely age us. 

So what is psychosocial stress, how does it harm our health and what can be done about it? Podcast from The Health Foundation.

Patients to benefit from faster, more convenient care

Patients to benefit from faster, more convenient care Millions of patients will receive quicker, more convenient access to NHS care from their high street pharmacy, thanks to a major expansion of services under a radical plan to improve access to primary care.

For the first time ever, patients who need prescription medication will be able to get it directly from a pharmacy, without a GP appointment, for seven common conditions including earache, sore throat, or urinary tract infections by next winter, thanks to government investment of £645 million over two years to expand community pharmacy services. NHS England

See also:

• Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care NHS England
• New plan to make it easier for patients to see their GP Department of Health and Social Care
• What the Prime Minister’s Primary Care Recovery Plan means for you Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street
• NHS Confederation responds to government and NHS plans to support primary care NHS Confederation
• Government pledges £645m investment in community pharmacy Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee
• RCGP response to government plan on GP access Royal College of General Practitioners
• New GP plan asks more patients to use pharmacies BBC News
• Scores of local pharmacies closing across England BBC News
• Number of pharmacies in England drops 160 in two years - more could close without government funding The Daily Mail
• Chemists to be given powers to hand out prescriptions for common illnesses to ease pressure on GPs The Daily Mail
• GPs to be given £240 million for new phone systems to ease chaos and lengthy waits for patients The Daily Mail
• Skip the GP for common illnesses under PM's plan to help NHS The Daily Telegraph
• Pharmacies in England to offer prescriptions for seven conditions amid surgery crisis The Guardian
• Pharmacists to offer prescriptions for these seven conditions without GP sign-off The Independent
• Government pledges £240m for GP telephony upgrades as part of 'recovery plan' Pulse

Number of repeat prescriptions ordered via NHS App up by 92% in the last year

Number of repeat prescriptions ordered via NHS App up by 92% in the last year More than 500,000 repeat prescriptions are now booked through the NHS App every week.

New figures released by NHS England show that since the NHS App’s launch in December 2018, more than 42 million repeat prescriptions have been ordered through the app.

Last month alone, the NHS App enabled 2.4 million repeat prescriptions to be ordered compared with 1.7 million in April 2022 and 393,000 in April 2021. NHS England

What the NHS is learning from Brazil

What the NHS is learning from Brazil Knocking on doors to check on people's health and catch problems before they escalate is common practice across Brazil. But could that approach work in the UK? BBC News

Covid global health emergency is over, WHO says

Covid global health emergency is over, WHO says The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a "global health emergency".

The statement represents a major step towards ending the pandemic and comes three years after it first declared its highest level of alert over the virus.

Officials said the virus' death rate had dropped from a peak of more than 100,000 people per week in January 2021 to just over 3,500 on 24 April.

The head of the WHO said at least seven million people died in the pandemic. BBC News

See also:

• Statement on the fifteenth meeting of the IHR (2005) Emergency Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic World Health Organization

Lip fillers: Call for tighter regulation after botched treatments

 Lip fillers: Call for tighter regulation after botched treatments Lip fillers have grown increasingly popular but the industry is "like the wild west", experts warn, with many patients left in pain and embarrassed by their appearance.

As Harriet Green left a salon after getting an injection to add volume to her lips, she was reassured the excess swelling would go down.

But three months later her lips were still so bloated she could not close her mouth properly. BBC News

NHS disruption warning as ambulance staff strike in south-east

NHS disruption warning as ambulance staff strike in south-east Ambulance staff in the south-east of England are to strike over pay for the second time on Tuesday, prompting warnings from hospital bosses of further pressure on overstretched emergency services.

Members of the Unite trade union employed by two ambulance trusts are striking after rejecting the government’s pay offer of a lump sum cash payment for 2022-23 and a below inflation increase of 5% for 2023-24. The Guardian

See also:

• South East ambulance workers to strike as Unite escalates industrial action Unite the Union
• NHS strikes: What is the new NHS pay offer? BBC News
• Ambulance staff to strike in south-east England BBC News
• Unite starts 'escalation' of strike action with ambulance walkout in south of England on Tuesday Sky News

NHS patients are getting CANCER because of record 7.2m-long waiting list, nation's top GP warns

NHS patients are getting CANCER because of record 7.2m-long waiting list, nation's top GP warns NHS patients are developing cancer while waiting to be treated, Britain's leading GP has warned. 

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, claimed huge delays in receiving hospital care also means Brits are left being in so much agony they can't  even climb stairs.

She wants the ailing health service to adopt an Amazon-style system so patients can track exactly where they are on the record waiting list. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Patients getting sicker as they face long waits for NHS care, says top GP The Guardian

NHS launches probe child takes records of 150 patients to school to use as 'drawing paper'

NHS launches probe child takes records of 150 patients to school to use as 'drawing paper' The NHS has launched a probe after a pupil took printed records containing details of 150 patients to school to use as drawing paper.

Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trust confirmed it is investigating how the child got hold of the personal documents.

However, it refused to say if any of the pupil’s relatives worked for the trust. The Daily Mail

Public satisfaction with A&E at an all-time low: reflections of an A&E doctor

Public satisfaction with A&E at an all-time low: reflections of an A&E doctor The results from the 2022 British Social Attitudes survey made for very difficult reading for those of us working in the NHS right now. Overall satisfaction with the NHS is at the lowest level ever recorded and similarly satisfaction with individual services is at record lows across the board, but it was satisfaction with A&E services that saw the sharpest fall in 2022. 

As an A&E doctor this is truly upsetting but in no way surprising. Just 30 per cent of those surveyed were very or quite satisfied with A&E services while 40 per cent were very or quite dissatisfied. This is the largest change in dissatisfaction in a single year since the question on A&E services was first asked in 1999. The King's Fund

Building a resilient social care system in England: What can be learnt from the first wave of Covid-19?

Building a resilient social care system in England: What can be learnt from the first wave of Covid-19? Social care in England entered the pandemic in a fragile state. With much already written about the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the social care sector, our new report in collaboration with the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre analyses the structural and systemic factors that influenced that initial national response. Covid had far-reaching impacts on social care and exacerbated many longstanding issues. This work seeks to highlight progress and identify where action is needed to create a more resilient system. Nuffield Trust

See also:

• Failure to prepare: what crucial lessons must be learnt from social care and Covid-19? Nuffield Trust
• Unaddressed weaknesses of social care sector impacted the ability to respond to Covid Nuffield Trust
• Ministers missed chances to prepare social care for a pandemic, review finds The Guardian

The preventative state: rebuilding our local, social and civic foundations

The preventative state: rebuilding our local, social and civic foundations This essay makes the case for a new paradigm in public services, that puts prevention first. It argues that there needs to be investment in foundational support for neighbourhoods, a move towards more relational public services and that reactive public services aren’t just servicing problems, but trying to prevent them from happening again. Demos

NHS Pension Scheme: proposed uplift to member contribution thresholds for 2023 to 2024

NHS Pension Scheme: proposed uplift to member contribution thresholds for 2023 to 2024 We are consulting on changes to the NHS Pension Scheme Regulations 2015 concerning uplifts to member contributions in 2023 to 2024, in line with the Agenda for Change pay deal. Department of Health and Social Care

Negotiations begin for a new medicine pricing scheme

Negotiations begin for a new medicine pricing scheme The government, NHS England and the pharmaceutical industry will begin negotiating the successor to the voluntary scheme for branded medicines, pricing and access (VPAS). Department of Health and Social Care

Parents urged to check children's MMR vaccine records following rise in measles cases

Parents urged to check children's MMR vaccine records following rise in measles cases Parents are being asked to check children are fully up to date with their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations by checking their vaccine record in their red book.

Data published today by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows there has been a rise in measles cases.

See also:

• Rise in UK measles cases causing concern BBC News
• Warning over to parents over spike in measles cases The Daily Mail
• Measles cases on the rise in England, say public health experts The Guardian
• Measles cases surge in England as experts issue warning to parents The Independent
• Mapped: Measles cases in your area as infection rates surge The Independent
• Parents warned of 'very concerning' rise in measles cases ahead of summer holidays ITV News

World not ready for next pandemic, says Bupa boss

World not ready for next pandemic, says Bupa boss Governments and healthcare bodies around the world have not learnt the lessons from Covid-19 and are not ready for another pandemic, according to the boss of private healthcare firm Bupa.

"We might face [another pandemic] soon," Iñaki Ereño said.

Hospitals must be ready to treat infected and non-infected people separately, Mr Ereño told the BBC. BBC News 

Majority of NHS trusts provide no dedicated training to prevent sexual harassment

Majority of NHS trusts provide no dedicated training to prevent sexual harassment Only one NHS trust in England provides dedicated training to prevent sexual harassment, according to research, raising concerns that the NHS is failing to adequately protect staff and patients.

According to health union figures, sexual harassment of staff is pervasive. A 2019 survey by Unison found that one in 12 NHS staff had experienced sexual harassment at work during the past year, with more than half saying the perpetrator was a co-worker. In a recent BMA survey, 91% of female doctors reported sexism, 31% had experienced unwanted physical contact and 56% unwanted verbal comments.

See also:

• A cross-sectional survey of English NHS Trusts on their uptake and provision of active bystander training including to address sexual harassment (open access) Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
• Medicine, misconduct and confronting #MeToo Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
• When we are at our most vulnerable: the sickening extent of rapes and sexual assaults in hospitals Women's Rights Network
• Majority of NHS Trusts do not offer training to prevent sexual harassment, study finds The Daily Mail

Public more supportive of nurses’ strikes after health secretary’s legal action, poll shows

Public more supportive of nurses’ strikes after health secretary’s legal action, poll shows The public is more supportive of nurses’ strikes following the Health Secretary’s legal action against them, a new poll suggests.

The poll, asking whether the high court battle launched by Tory MP Steven Barclay against the Royal College of Nursing over “unlawful” industrial action, found 49 per cent of respondents said it had increased their support for the walkouts. The Independent

See also:

• NHS publishes data following nurses strike NHS England

Patient scarred for life after botched operation left him with severe burns

Patient scarred for life after botched operation left him with severe burns  patient who was left scarred for life when a botched operation left him with horrific burns has received a payout after suing the NHS.

Paul Hickman, 44, underwent routine surgery to improve circulation in his legs when medics wrongly used a heated mattress.

He ended up with significant burns on his buttocks after an alcohol-based solution came into contact with the back of both thighs and his backside. The Independent

See also:

• Man, 44, wins NHS payout after being left with severe burns on his buttocks The Daily Mail

Hundreds forced to stand in line from 4am for place on NHS dentist list

Hundreds forced to stand in line from 4am for place on NHS dentist list Hundreds of people were forced to queue from 4am for a place on an NHS dentist list in scenes akin to lines 'outside bakeries in the Soviet Bloc'.

More than 300 people reportedly stood in line outside Smile Dental Care in Kings Lynn on Tuesday following a one-line announcement on the practice's website saying: 'We will be taking on new NHS patients from 2nd May.' The Daily Mail

Doctors perform first-ever brain surgery on baby while it was still in mom's WOMB

Doctors perform first-ever brain surgery on baby while it was still in mom's WOMB Doctors have saved an unborn baby from certain death after performing a first-of-its-kind brain surgery while the child was still in the womb.

A ten-strong team at the Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital carried out the meticulous procedure, which involved cutting into the womb, the baby's skull and then operating on the developing brain.

The baby was diagnosed with vein of Galen malformation at 30 weeks. Children born with the condition have a 30 percent chance of dying before age 11. The Daily Mail

How will a new pay settlement for NHS staff affect real-terms earnings?

How will a new pay settlement for NHS staff affect real-terms earnings? A new pay offer aiming to end NHS strikes in England has been accepted by a majority of the unions involved in talks, resulting in likely pay increases for NHS staff other than doctors. What does this settlement mean for NHS staff pay packets compared to salaries in 2010, and where does this leave discussions between government and the NHS workforce? Nuffield Trust

Specialist perinatal mental health care in the UK 2023

Specialist perinatal mental health care in the UK 2023 The MMHA’s latest report on specialist perinatal mental health (PMH) community services in the UK highlights the significant progress made in all four nations since 2013. However, access to life-saving mental healthcare for pregnant women and new mothers remains uneven, with many regions still lacking the necessary resources. Mental health-related deaths during pregnancy or up to six weeks after birth are increasing, emphasising the urgency of addressing this issue. Maternal Mental Health Alliance

See also:

• Left unchecked – why maternal mental health matters (report) Healthwatch
• Maternal mental health: The changes your feedback made possible Healthwatch
• Maternal mental health support continues to improve despite NHS strain Ipsos
• RCPsych urges new and expectant mums to seek help for mental health issues Royal College of Psychiatrists
• New mums missing out on mental health services, report finds BBC News
• Maternal mental health is in crisis and the pandemic has made things worse The Daily Telegraph
• Poor mental health support during pregnancy risks UK women’s lives The Guardian
• NHS must ‘urgently’ publish data on mental health checks for pregnant women, say top doctors The Independent
• Pregnant women ‘suffer in silence for too long’ with mental health issues The Independent
• Pregnant women 'suffer in silence' for too long with mental health issues, say experts Sky News

Waiting for NHS hospital care: the role of the independent sector in delivering orthopaedic and ophthalmic care

Waiting for NHS hospital care: the role of the independent sector in delivering orthopaedic and ophthalmic care The waiting list for planned hospital care – which stood at 7.21 million in January 2023 – has grown by 58% since just before the start of the pandemic. To help expand capacity and address this backlog the NHS has been looking to independent sector providers (ISPs) to treat more NHS patients. The Health Foundation

See also:

• Greater use of private hospitals will have ‘limited impact’ on NHS backlog The Health Foundation

Healthy New Towns four years on: the legacy of a national innovation programme

Healthy New Towns four years on: the legacy of a national innovation programme It’s often said that the NHS is good at trialling new approaches through pilot schemes but less good at locking in the benefits or spreading the learning more widely. The Healthy New Towns programme was part of a flurry of innovation in the years following the publication of the NHS five-year forward view. The King's Fund

Snowballs and eels: a rapid review of national funding for cross-sector partnership building in health and care in England from 2019 to 2022

Snowballs and eels: a rapid review of national funding for cross-sector partnership building in health and care in England from 2019 to 2022 This report considers the results of a rapid review of the national funding available for cross-sector partnership building in health and care over the last three years. Considering the longer term, it finds that since the launch of the 42 sustainability and transformation partnerships in 2016, through to the placing of integrated care systems (ICSs) onto a statutory footing in July 2022, much progress has been made. It concludes that external funding and support for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) continues to have a part in supporting local partnerships to develop and thrive and play a full role in ICSs. National Association for Voluntary and Community Action

Study launched to find out more about mpox immunity

Study launched to find out more about mpox immunity The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), supported by the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has launched a study to better understand how the body reacts to the mpox virus and produces antibodies.

People will be invited by the Trust in London to take part in the LIMIT (Longitudinal immunology of mpox virus infection) study, which involves a simple questionnaire and a series of postal antibody tests.

Independent report: COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years: JCVI advice, 9 December 2022 (updated 26 April 2023)

Independent report: COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 6 months to 4 years: JCVI advice, 9 December 2022 (updated 26 April 2023) Statement setting out the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years. Department of Health and Social Care

New Alzheimer's drug slows disease by a third

New Alzheimer's drug slows disease by a third We could be entering the era of Alzheimer's treatments, after the second drug in under a year has been shown to slow the disease.

Experts said we were now "on the cusp" of drugs being available, something that had recently seemed "impossible".

The company Eli Lilly has reported its drug - donanemab - slows the pace of Alzheimer's by about a third.

However two volunteers, and possibly a third, died as a result of dangerous swelling in the brain. BBC News

See also:

• Donanemab Significantly Slowed Cognitive and Functional Decline in Phase 3 Study of Early Alzheimer's Disease Eli Lilly
• New Alzheimer’s drug slows cognitive decline by 35%, trial results show The Guardian
• 'The Beginning Of The End' For Alzheimer’s? Experts Hail New Drug Huffington Post UK
• World ‘on cusp of first generation of treatments for Alzheimer’s’ as new drug ‘slows symptoms’ The Independent
• Alzheimer's: New drug can reduce disease symptoms by up to 35% Sky News

US drug regulator approves world's first RSV vaccine

US drug regulator approves world's first RSV vaccine The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - an illness that kills thousands of Americans each year.

The vaccine still needs approval from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before it can be rolled out to the public.

Officials say the vaccine, named Arexvy by the manufacturer GSK, is a major breakthrough that will save many lives. BBC News

See also:

• FDA Approves First Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine US Food and Drug Administration
• FDA approves first-ever vaccine for RSV virus which kills 10,000 Americans every year The Daily Mail
• ‘A good day’: FDA approves world’s first RSV vaccine Nature

Is this anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist the next Alex Jones?

Is this anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist the next Alex Jones? A film promoting an anti-vaccine conspiracy theory has been accused of helping to drive the harassment of bereaved families. In a rare interview with the BBC, the man behind it says he is "happy" about its influence - and believes the people responsible for Covid vaccinations should be executed. BBC News

Regularly using internet LOWERS risk of dementia by 50% in middle age, study claims

Regularly using internet LOWERS risk of dementia by 50% in middle age, study claims We're often told of the dangers of too much screen time, but a study suggests regularly using the internet may slash the risk of dementia.

Researchers at New York University tracked 18,000 adults aged between 50 and 65 for about eight years.

They were asked at the start of the study and then again every two years if they 'regularly' used the web to send emails, shop, browse or book vacations.

Those who answered 'yes' most of the time had a 50 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with all forms of dementia compared to those who normally said 'no' by the end of the research. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Internet usage and the prospective risk of dementia: A population-based cohort study (open access) Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

Launch of a jab to help weight loss has been paused - because suppliers fear demand will be too high

Launch of a jab to help weight loss has been paused - because suppliers fear demand will be too high The launch of a 'game-changing' jab to help weight loss has been paused because suppliers fear demand will be too high.

Weight loss services in Britain had expected Wegovy to hit shelves this week but have now been told there might be an indefinite delay.

The weekly jabs were approved by the NHS and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) had recommended the drug to tens of thousands of overweight Brits. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Weight loss jab Wegovy delayed amid concern NHS supplies can't meet demand The Daily Telegraph
• Novo Nordisk cuts Wegovy starter dose supply in U.S. to cope with demand Reuters

Headfest mental and physical festival returns

Headfest mental and physical festival returns A week-long festival exploring mental and physical health and wellbeing is returning for a second year.

The BBC Headfest will be held in and around the Royal and Derngate theatre in Northampton from 7 to 14 May.

There are also mindfulness sessions to join and information about mental health services in the county. BBC Northampton

Northamptonshire Health Charity reaches local business awards final

Northamptonshire Health Charity reaches local business awards final Northamptonshire Health Charity, the independent charity that supports local NHS hospitals and community services across Northamptonshire, has announced it has been chosen as a finalist for the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards 2023. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Value of unpaid care in England and Wales now exceeds that of NHS budget

Value of unpaid care in England and Wales now exceeds that of NHS budget  New research finds that the value of unpaid care in England and Wales is now estimated to be £162 billion, exceeding that of the entire NHS budget in England for health service spending, which by comparison was £156 billion for 2020-21.

Following analysis of the latest 2021 census data, new research from the University of Sheffield and carers’ charity, Carers UK, found that the value of unpaid care has increased by nearly a third, from approximately £105 billion in 2011. Centre for Care

See also:

• Unpaid care in England and Wales valued at £445 million per day Carers UK
• Value of unpaid care matches NHS budget, research finds BBC News
• Value of unpaid carers in England and Wales equal to NHS multi billion-pound budget, according to research Sky News

‘It feels like being seen': how can local authorities know if their mental health services are working well?

‘It feels like being seen': how can local authorities know if their mental health services are working well? This briefing describes research that focused on two core questions relating to the role of local authorities that commission and provide adult social services in assessing and meeting people’s mental health needs: what does it look and feel like when support effectively considers people’s social and psychological wellbeing as part of mainstream assessments and care planning?; and what does it look and feel like when there is good collaboration in the commissioning and planning of mental health services and support? Centre for Mental Health

Employment check standards

Employment check standards Pre-employment checking seeks to verify that an individual meets the preconditions of the role they are applying for. There are six NHS Employment Check Standards that outline the type and level of checks employers must carry out before recruiting staff into NHS positions. They cover identity checks, criminal record checks, work health assessments, professional regulation and qualification checks, right to work checks, and employment history and reference checks. A new e-learning resources has also been produced alongside the standards. NHS Employers

NHS pay deal signed off for one million staff

NHS pay deal signed off for one million staff More than a million NHS staff in England are to receive a 5% pay rise, after health unions backed the deal.

Staff including ambulance workers, nurses, physios and porters will also get a one-off sum of at least £1,655.

The pay deal was signed off at a meeting between the government and 14 health unions representing all NHS staff apart from doctors and dentists.

Ministers said it was time to bring the strikes to an end - but three unions are threatening to continue action. BBC News

See also:

• Pay offer accepted by the NHS Staff Council NHS Staff Council
• Government and Agenda for Change trade unions ‘offer in principle’ NHS Employers
• GMB members vote to accept NHS pay offer GMB
• NHS Confederation responds to NHS Staff Council meeting NHS Confederation
• NHS Employers responds to the decision of the NHS Staff Council
• Trusts welcome Staff Council vote but under-pressure NHS not out of the woods yet NHS Providers
• Letter from RCN to Steve Barclay following NHS Staff Council meeting Royal College of Nursing
• NHS pay offer for England to be implemented but RCN remains in dispute Royal College of Nursing
• Unite NHS strikes to escalate despite staff council vote Unite the Union
• NHS workers must now get their money as soon as possible UNISON
• Majority of NHS nurses don't support strikes, says ex-boss of RCN union The Daily Mail
• NHS workers WILL get a pay rise as striking unions agree to pay deal The Daily Mail
• RCN gives strike warning despite majority of unions voting to accept NHS pay offer Evening Standard
• NHS staff council votes to accept pay deal for health workers in England The Guardian
• 'Good day' after NHS staff council accepts England pay deal, says health secretary – video The Guardian
• Junior doctors’ talks with Barclay raise hopes of breakthrough in pay dispute The Guardian
• NHS unions vote to accept pay deal – but nurses could still strike The Independent
• Unite and RCN warn of escalation in NHS strikes despite 5% pay deal being accepted iNews
• Majority of NHS unions accept pay offer - now what? ITV News
• Group of unions for NHS staff - including nurses - vote to accept government pay offer Sky News

Müller recalls six Cadbury desserts over listeria concerns

Müller recalls six Cadbury desserts over listeria concerns Six Cadbury desserts, including Flake and Dairy Milk Buttons, are being recalled because of the possible presence of listeria.

The recall is described by manufacturer Müller as a precautionary measure.

Listeria bacteria, which can be found in chilled foods, can cause the rare infection listeriosis. But for most people, the infection is not serious, the NHS says.

Müller has advised people to not eat the products and return them.

No other batches of Müller or Cadbury products have been affected. BBC News

See also:

• Müller recalls various Cadbury branded dessert products because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes Food Standards Agency

‘Huge advance’ helps cancer drug reach human brain for first time

‘Huge advance’ helps cancer drug reach human brain for first time A new breakthrough ultrasound technique can help transport chemotherapy drugs to the human brain, new research has revealed.

A major hurdle in treating the deadly brain cancer known as glioblastoma has been that even the most potent chemotherapy drugs cannot permeate the blood-brain barrier to reach the aggressive tumour.

But the new advance might lead to improved treatment of such malignant tumours. The Independent

See also:

• Repeated blood–brain barrier opening with an implantable ultrasound device for delivery of albumin-bound paclitaxel in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 1 trial (abstract) The Lancet Oncology

Tiny spot under woman’s eye revealed as world’s smallest skin cancer

Tiny spot under woman’s eye revealed as world’s smallest skin cancer A team of dermatologists has identified the world’s smallest skin cancer under a woman’s eye.

Measuring just 0.65 millimetres, the tiny spot on Christy Staats’ cheek was described by the team at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) as “almost invisible to the human eye.”

Identified using state-of-the-art technology, the team was able to confirm that the spot was melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The Independent

Cannabis 'can ease cancer pain'

Cannabis 'can ease cancer pain' Medical cannabis may reduce the need for pain relief in cancer patients, a study has found. 

Researchers looked at 358 patients, all of whom were taking the drug because conventional painkillers did not fully work for them.

They reported a reduction of more than 40 per cent in how much pain affected their ability to go about daily life. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Medical cannabis is effective for cancer-related pain: Quebec Cannabis Registry results (open access) BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
• Medicinal cannabis helps cancer pain - study BBC News
• Medicinal cannabis ‘can ease cancer pain and reduce need for drugs’ The Independent
• Medicinal cannabis 'safe and effective' pain relief method for cancer patients, study suggests Sky News

6.5MILLION kids in England have not seen an NHS dentist for at least a year

6.5MILLION kids in England have not seen an NHS dentist for at least a year Over 6.5million children in England have not been seen by an NHS dentist for at least a year amid a growing access crisis, figures suggest.

The British Dental Association warns access to a dentist has 'fallen off a cliff', with some kids now waiting two and a half years for dental surgery under general anaesthetic.

The NHS recommends that adults see a dentist every two years and under-18s at least once a year because their teeth can decay faster. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Government sitting on side-lines as child oral health gap widens British Dental Association
• Millions of children have not seen a dentist in last year Dentistry