Covid inquiry: Failure to consider 'potentially massive impact' of lockdown

Covid inquiry: Failure to consider 'potentially massive impact' of lockdown The "potentially massive impact" of lockdowns on society was not thought through before the pandemic, the lead lawyer for the Covid inquiry has said.

As the probe into the government's handling of the pandemic began hearing evidence, Hugo Keith KC said the UK may not have been well prepared "at all".

It was "extraordinary" that lockdowns had received little thought, he added.

Government figures show 227,321 people have died in the UK with Covid mentioned on their death certificate. BBC News

See also:

• Covid inquiry: What is it investigating and how will it work? BBC News
• Sunak 'not worried' about Covid inquiry seeing messages BBC News
• Covid Inquiry: 'United in our grief' says relative who lost dad and sister BBC News
• Covid Inquiry: Bereaved families take centre stage as official hearings begin Channel 4 News
• Catastrophic collateral consequences of lockdowns were barely considered, Covid inquiry hears The Daily Mail
• Lockdown ‘given very little thought’ prior to pandemic, inquiry hears Evening Standard
• No-deal Brexit planning ‘crowded out’ efforts to prepare for pandemic The Guardian
• ‘A bowl of spaghetti’ : Covid inquiry opens with flowchart on UK’s pandemic planning The Guardian
• UK Covid inquiry: government accused of giving ‘very little’ advance thought to lockdown and being too focused on flu – as it happened The Guardian
• Minister refuses to back Hancock Covid claim of ‘protective ring’ for care homes The Guardian
• Heartbreak of the bereaved families who could be 'sidelined' from Covid Inquiry The Independent
• 'Carousel of chaos': UK's preparation for pandemic criticised in inquiry ITV News
• UK 'prepared for the wrong pandemic', COVID inquiry told as it opened for first time Sky News

Most early-stage breast cancer patients will become long-term survivors – study

Most early-stage breast cancer patients will become long-term survivors – study Most women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer can expect to become “long-term survivors”, according to a new study.

For some women the risk of death within five years is as low as 0.2%, according to the large-scale research.

The proportion of women who survive the disease has improved substantially since the 1990s, experts found. The Independent

See also:

• Breast cancer mortality in 500 000 women with early invasive breast cancer in England, 1993-2015: population based observational cohort study (open access) The BMJ
• Most women beat early breast cancer, study finds BBC News
• Breast cancer survival breakthrough: Death rates for women diagnosed with disease today are just a THIRD of levels logged 20 years ago The Daily Mail
• How we're winning the war against cancer: Survival rates for deadliest forms of disease have DOUBLED since the 1970s - as doctors say it is no longer always a 'death sentence' The Daily Mail

Lords to investigate private health firms used to deliver NHS drugs

Lords to investigate private health firms used to deliver NHS drugs Peers are launching an inquiry into private health companies paid millions of pounds to courier NHS medicines in England, after the Guardian exposed how sick children and adults were being harmed by botched, delayed or missed deliveries.

The House of Lords public services committee will examine “the extent of the problems in homecare medicine services”, and the impact on patients, clinicians and the wider health service. More than 500,000 patients and their families rely on private companies contracted by the NHS to deliver essential medical supplies and care to their homes. The Guardian

Vaccine to treat deadliest brain cancer found to nearly DOUBLE survival rate

Vaccine to treat deadliest brain cancer found to nearly DOUBLE survival rate A vaccine to slow the progression of the deadliest form of brain cancer has shown promise in early clinical trials by extending the average survival rate from 15 to 26 months.

The shot, called SurVaxM, targets a protein found in tumors called survivin. It is thought that if the protein is destroyed, the cancer cells will die.

Scientists are hopeful the vaccine could save those suffering from glioblastoma, one of the most fatal and treatment-resistant cancers, which can result in death in six months or less if left untreated. The Daily Mail

See also:

• SurVaxM Mimiva
• Experimental vaccine shows promise in delaying the return of aggressive brain tumor NBC News

Northampton hospital scoops top prize at national awards for the quality of care they deliver to patients

Northampton hospital scoops top prize at national awards for the quality of care they deliver to patients Staff and doctors at Three Shires Hospital in Northampton have been recognised for the quality of care they deliver to patients. The prestigious ‘Private Hospital Group of the Year’ award is presented to an organisation whose hospitals show excellence in their delivery of care, commitment to the community and innovation in healthcare. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Tackling ableism in health care – the role of primary care

Tackling ableism in health care – the role of primary care Getting a GP appointment is often a challenge at the moment, but for many disabled people, access to their GP has long been a problem. In our recent project exploring disabled people’s experiences of involvement in health and care design, people told us about their experiences accessing health and care, as well as of involvement in service design. Some participants described the significant difference a GP could make: those who made someone feel listened to and validated, compared with GPs who dismissed concerns or spoke to a person’s personal assistants rather than directly to them. The King's Fund

The post-foundation training break (“F3”): evaluating its impact on postgraduate medical training

The post-foundation training break (“F3”): evaluating its impact on postgraduate medical training An increasing number of doctors are taking a training break between Foundation Year 2 (FY2) and the start of core/specialty training (C/ST). The research aimed to understand how this break is managed and perceived, and its impact on career progression, including any equality, diversity and inclusion issues. The GMC commissioned the University of Nottingham, with partial funding from the Association for the Study of Medical Education, to research the impact of post foundation training breaks (PFTBs), often known as ‘F3’. General Medical Council

NHS policies on patient's weight and access to hip replacement surgery are inappropriate, study finds

NHS policies on patient's weight and access to hip replacement surgery are inappropriate, study find Weight and body mass index (BMI) policies introduced by NHS commissioning groups in England are inappropriate and worsening health inequalities, according to a new study published in BMC Medicine today [13 June] that analysed nearly 490,000 hip surgeries. With one in ten people likely to need a joint replacement in their lifetime, many thousands of patients are directly affected by these policies. University of Bristol

See also:

• What effect have commissioners’ policies for body mass index had on hip replacement surgery?: an interrupted time series analysis from the National Joint Registry for England (open access) BMC Medicine

Research: Safe care at home review

Research: Safe care at home review Joint review led by the Home Office and DHSC into the protections and support for adults abused, or at risk of abuse, in their own home by people providing their care.

The review drew on the experience of people who receive care in their own homes, organisations representing carers, and statutory agencies including frontline professionals. Department of Health and Social Care

Retaining doctors in late stage career guidance

Retaining doctors in late stage career guidance We have launched this guidance, and a supporting infographic, to support the retention of doctors in late stage career in collaboration with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

The guidance provides ten recommendations for systems and employers to consider when supporting doctors in late career, working in secondary care settings, to stay and stay well in the NHS. The recommendations are aligned to the NHS people promise and include holding retirement conversations, supporting flexible working and health and wellbeing. NHS England

Number of patients receiving lifesaving NHS cancer checks has doubled in a decade

Number of patients receiving lifesaving NHS cancer checks has doubled in a decade Double the number of patients are receiving potentially lifesaving NHS cancer checks in England now than they were a decade ago, new analysis shows today.

As the NHS approaches its 75th milestone birthday, the latest figures show an astounding increase in demand for cancer services with 114,108 more people checked for cancer in the last month than in the same month a decade ago. NHS England

Calls for abortion law reform after mother jailed

Calls for abortion law reform after mother jailed Parliament should debate overhauling abortion rules after a woman was jailed, the chair of the Commons equalities committee has said.

Caroline Nokes MP told the BBC the 1861 law used to prosecute mother-of-three Carla Foster was "out of date".

The 44-year-old was convicted of inducing an abortion outside the legal limit using pills at home.

Campaigners urged reform after she received a sentence of 28 months, 14 of which will be spent in custody. BBC News

See also:

• Mother jailed for taking abortion pills after legal limit BBC News
• Demands for abortion law reform after mother jailed in England Evening Standard
• Call to overhaul ‘out of date’ UK abortion laws after woman jailed The Guardian
• Woman jailed for taking abortion pills after legal cut-off in 'tragic' case The Independent
• Demands to reform 'out-of-date' 1861 abortion law used to jail mother ITV News
• Woman jailed for taking abortion pills after legal limit during lockdown Sky News

Puberty blockers to be given only in clinical research

Puberty blockers to be given only in clinical research Puberty blockers will only be prescribed to children attending gender identity services as part of clinical research, NHS England has announced.

The move comes after an interim report into children's gender services said there were "gaps in evidence" around the drugs.

Blockers are used to "pause puberty" and work by supressing hormone release.

Dr Hilary Cass's report called for a transformation in the model of care for children with gender-related distress. BBC News

See also:

• Puberty blockers will only be prescribed to young people 'as part of clinical research' The Daily Mail
• NHS will not offer puberty blockers to children suffering from gender dysphoria The Daily Telegraph
• Puberty blockers will not be routinely offered to children at new gender clinics Evening Standard
• NHS to stop prescribing puberty blockers for trans youth Pink News

Half of NHS workers will spend their pay rise on energy debts or bills

Half of NHS workers will spend their pay rise on energy debts or bills More than half of NHS workers have already earmarked their below-inflation pay rise to cover energy debts or other essential bills.

In a survey of our readers, NursingNotes asked 2,377 NHS workers how they intended to spend their non-consolidated (lump sum) pay rise.

Around a third (37%) of respondents admitted the money was already earmarked for energy debts, and another quarter (23%) said it would be used to catch up on other essential bills such as rent, council tax, water or insurance. Nursing Notes

Three-day strike by doctors in England expected to have ‘enormous impact’

Three-day strike by doctors in England expected to have ‘enormous impact’ Almost all routine NHS care in England will be disrupted for three days this week when junior doctors strike in their latest attempt to force ministers to increase their pay.

Prof Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said the stoppage would have an enormous impact and lead to huge numbers of patients missing out on planned care. The Guardian 

See also:

• Routine NHS care facing ‘enormous’ disruption with hospitals to lose tens of thousands of doctors for 72 hours NHS England
• NHS cannot cope with continued junior doctor strikes, chiefs warn The Daily Telegraph
• NHS chief warns of 'enormous' disruption as junior doctors' announce strike The Independent
• NHS chief warns of 'enormous' disruption ahead of junior doctors' strike ITV News
• 'Enormous' disruption feared throughout the NHS as doctors in England plan multiple-day strike Sky News

Twenty-four UK doctors in five years censured over medical record breaches

Twenty-four UK doctors in five years censured over medical record breaches Two-dozen doctors have been disciplined by the UK medical regulator in the last five years after accessing and using information from patients’ treatment records without good reason.

The General Medical Council (GMC) said it had struck off two of the 24 doctors it had sanctioned after finding that they had undertaken “inappropriate use” of medical records. The Guardian

More than one in 10 women struggle to bond with their baby, survey shows

More than one in 10 women struggle to bond with their baby, survey shows More than one in 10 women struggle to bond with their baby, with the majority saying they are given no support from healthcare staff, a survey has found.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of women said they received no information or advice on bonding with their baby in the first few weeks after birth, despite guidance for doctors and nurses recommending that they assist with emotional attachment to encourage healthy child development. The Guardian

People seek hay fever advice once every three seconds, says NHS England

People seek hay fever advice once every three seconds, says NHS England People sought advice for hay fever symptoms once every three seconds on Sunday, health officials have said.

It comes as the Met Office said that the pollen count was expected to be “very high” in most of England and Wales on Tuesday.

Hay fever is usually at its worst between March and September when the pollen count is at its highest and the weather can be warm, windy and humid. Evening Standard

See also:

• Weekly visits to NHS website’s hay fever advice reach 122,000 as pollen levels rise NHS England
• Hay fever NHS UK
• Number of hay fever sufferers seeking NHS advice triples BBC News
• Mapped: Pollen in your area as hay fever sufferers warned of deadly surge The Independent
• More than 120000 visits to the NHS hay fever advice page recorded ITV News

No more Dr Google! Medical student creates an AI search tool 'more reliable health information'

No more Dr Google! Medical student creates an AI search tool 'more reliable health information' Millions of us already trust Dr Google, but now there's a new online doctor in town.

A British medical student has created an AI chatbot which claims to provide 'more reliable health information' than the search engine.

BTRU — pronounced Better You — trawls through pages from the likes of the World Health Organization to give users personalised answers, just like ChatGPT. The Daily Mail

See also:

• BTRU Better You

Light drinkers are less likely to suffer heart problems, study finds

Light drinkers are less likely to suffer heart problems, study finds Having the occasional drink lowers stress, which is linked to heart attack and stroke, research suggests.

Women who drink up to one alcoholic beverage a day and men who consume a maximum of two, had a lower risk of cardiovascular problems than those who drank more or were teetotal. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Reduced Stress-Related Neural Network Activity Mediates the Effect of Alcohol on Cardiovascular Risk (abstract) Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Kettering children’s ward which inspectors said was failing has made some improvements, says health boss

Kettering children’s ward which inspectors said was failing has made some improvements, says health boss A children’s ward which inspectors said was failing has made some improvements, a health boss said.

The care regulator told Kettering General Hospital that its children and young people’s services were inadequate in April following an inspection last December. Northamptonshire Telegraph

The inbetweeners: a review of the barriers and facilitators in the process of the transition of children and young people with complex chronic health conditions into adult health services

The inbetweeners: a review of the barriers and facilitators in the process of the transition of children and young people with complex chronic health conditions into adult health services This report finds that the process of transition and subsequent transfer is often fragmented, both within and across specialties, and that adult services often sit only with primary care. The report’s recommendations highlight areas that are suitable for regular local clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives by those providing care to this group of patients. It suggests that the results of such work should be presented at quality or governance meetings, and action plans to improve care should be shared with executive boards. Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership

Finding hope: the final report of the IPPR health and care workforce assembly

Finding hope: the final report of the IPPR health and care workforce assembly IPPR recruited a workforce assembly – across the NHS, social care, and unpaid care – to define a new vision for health and care work. 

The findings from the assembly come with new analysis from IPPR which show that since 2010, England has had up to 10,000 ‘missing managers’ within frontline NHS hospital and community care services. 

Through assembly deliberations and further research, the IPPR has developed these principles into a ten-point policy plan for the future. Institute for Public Policy Research

4 million checks, tests and scans carried out by CDCs

4 million checks, tests and scans carried out by CDCs CDCs have delivered over 4 million checks, tests and scans for patients across the country since July 2021, cutting waiting lists and giving patients quicker access to care.

The government is showing progress on its promise to open 160 of the facilities by March 2025, with a further 8 due to open before the end of the year, the Health and Social Care Secretary has today confirmed. These will provide capacity for more than 742,000 extra tests a year once fully operational, bolstering access to care. Department of Health and Social Care

NHS plan to improve workforce experience

NHS plan to improve workforce experience The NHS should draw up talent management plans to reduce staff turnover, increase recruitment and improve diversity in leadership positions, as part of the NHS’s first equality improvement plan aimed to boost patient experience and support staff.

Every trust will be asked to roll out measures to improve staff experience and progression through mentoring and other development opportunities for staff by June 2024. NHS England

Covid inquiry: The questions we really want answers to

Covid inquiry: The questions we really want answers to A massive inquiry to understand the UK's response to, and the impact of, the Covid-19 pandemic, throws its doors open to the public on Tuesday, with the first evidence session. Not one of us was left untouched by the effects of the pandemic, and we all have questions. I asked a range of people who were in the eye of the Covid storm what one question each of them most wants answered. BBC News

See also:

• As COVID inquiry begins, bereaved families call for greater transparency Sky News

NHS: 'Tired' nurses and strikes see applications fall, university says

NHS: 'Tired' nurses and strikes see applications fall, university says The UK's biggest provider of healthcare courses said seeing nurses "tired" and on strike had led to a fall in applications by almost a quarter.

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) trains about 1,000 nurses a year and said a rise from the pandemic had dropped off.

The Department of Health said it was on track to recruit 50,000 nurses by March 2024, but many have come from abroad. BBC News

Unite announces further ambulance and hospital staff strikes

Unite announces further ambulance and hospital staff strikes New strikes by ambulance and hospital staff have been announced in an ongoing dispute over pay as well as safe staffing levels in the NHS.

Unite members at West Midlands Ambulance Service will take action on Monday 12 June.

Workers at Birmingham's City Hospital and Christie Hospital in Manchester are set to walk out on Wednesday.

That action is set to coincide with the British Medical Association junior doctors' strike. BBC News

See also:

• NHS cannot cope with continued junior doctor strikes, chiefs warn The Daily Telegraph
• NHS strikes must not become 'business as usual', health chief warns Evening Standard

Survey reveals ‘shocking’ levels of NHS staff shortages ‘hitting patient safety’

Survey reveals ‘shocking’ levels of NHS staff shortages ‘hitting patient safety’ A survey of NHS workers has revealed “shocking” levels of staff shortages which are impacting on patient safety, according to a leading trade union.

Half of more than 3,000 polled Unite members – working in different roles throughout the NHS in England – said staffing levels in their area have regularly reached a point where “patient care has been compromised and unsafe” in the past year. The Independent

See also:

• Full extent of NHS staffing crisis revealed Unite the Union

‘The signs are too stark to ignore’: seven reasons the NHS is in crisis

‘The signs are too stark to ignore’: seven reasons the NHS is in crisis As the NHS approaches its 75th anniversary, writers close to it – including Rachel Clarke, Jack Thorne and Henry Marsh – reflect on the numbers behind its problems, and what it will take to heal the wounds. The Guardian

Revealed: huge disparities in birth control prescriptions across UK

Revealed: huge disparities in birth control prescriptions across UK Doctors in areas of England with the fewest ethnic minorities spend more than four times as much on contraception prescriptions per 1,000 women as those with the largest ethnic minority populations, new data shows. The Guardian

NHS to deploy street mental health teams to help England’s rough sleepers

NHS to deploy street mental health teams to help England’s rough sleepers Exclusive: £3.2m plan aims to curb rise in people sleeping rough as councils cut homelessness budgets

The NHS will deploy street mental health teams in English locations from Devon to Doncaster in an attempt to curb a rise in rough sleeping in England.

Fourteen outreach teams will aim to get more rough sleepers on to a path to counselling, medication or other treatments and will seek out people “who have often been through incredibly traumatic experiences to ensure they get the help they need”, said Prof Tim Kendall, NHS England’s clinical national director for mental health. The Guardian

Brighton hospital under investigation as police probe 40 deaths

Brighton hospital under investigation as police probe 40 deaths The deaths of around 40 people at a hospital are being investigated by police.

Detectives are looking into allegations of medical negligence at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton over a five-year period.

The claims concern alleged failings in neurosurgery and general surgery. Metro

See also:

• Police investigate deaths at Royal Sussex County Hospital BBC News
• Police launch investigation into dozens of deaths at Brighton hospital The Daily Telegraph
• Police investigate dozens of deaths at hospital in Brighton The Guardian
• Police probe around 40 deaths at Brighton hospital The Independent
• Royal Sussex County Hospital patient deaths to be investigated by police Sky News

Rapid 20 minute STI test could soon be available on the NHS as diagnoses reach record highs

Rapid 20 minute STI test could soon be available on the NHS as diagnoses reach record highs An ultra-fast test for common sexually transmitted infections could soon be made available amid fresh concerns of the diseases skyrocketing.

The tool, either a vaginal swab or urine test, allows patients to get tested and treated on the same day, reducing the risk of infection spreading.

It uses sophisticated technology that can detect minuscule bacterial DNA within 20 minutes. The Daily Mail

New drug approved on NHS reduces risk of relapse of rare blood cancer by a quarter

New drug approved on NHS reduces risk of relapse of rare blood cancer by a quarter NHS patients being treated for an aggressive type of blood cancer will now benefit from a potent drug that can slash the risk of their disease returning.

Experts say that the medicine, called Polivy, could drastically improve survival rates for the 5,000 Britons who each year develop the condition, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A third of sufferers don't survive more than five years after diagnosis. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Polatuzumab vedotin in combination for untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma NICE

Toilet roll and underwear could soon come with warnings about cancer symptoms under new NHS plan

Toilet roll and underwear could soon come with warnings about cancer symptoms under new NHS plan Underpants and toilet roll could soon come with warnings about cancer symptoms.

The NHS is in talks with underwear and bathroom tissue manufacturers to give advice on cervical, bowel and other cancers.

It is also speaking with supermarkets about putting advice on underwear labels and lavatory rolls urging people to check for the most common symptoms of cancer. The Daily Mail

Northampton General Hospital nurses and midwife receive awards for outstanding compassionate care

Northampton General Hospital nurses and midwife receive awards for outstanding compassionate care Nurses and a midwife from Northampton General Hospital have received DAISY Awards for the outstanding compassionate and sensitive care they have provided for patients.

They were nominated for their awards by patients as part of an international recognition programme that honours and celebrates exceptional care. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

REVEALED: Statistics for West Northamptonshire as gonorrhoea and syphilis cases reach record highs

REVEALED: Statistics for West Northamptonshire as gonorrhoea and syphilis cases reach record highs Statistics surrounding gonorrhoea and syphilis cases in West Northamptonshire have been revealed, as the number of diagnoses, nationally, reach record highs. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Kettering General Hospital chief apologises over children's care

Kettering General Hospital chief apologises over children's care A chief executive whose hospital has been accused of failing children has admitted it has not always "got it right" and apologised at a meeting.

The care regulator has warned Kettering General Hospital (KGH) over its children's and young people's services and rated them inadequate.

Dozens of parents with children who died or became seriously ill have contacted the BBC with concerns.

Deborah Needham told a board meeting she was "here to listen" to worries. BBC Northamptonshire

Leading for all: supporting trans and non-binary healthcare staff

Leading for all: supporting trans and non-binary healthcare staff This report, developed in partnership with the LGBT Foundation, includes new data from a survey and interviews with trans and non-binary people in the NHS. It finds that 55 per cent experienced transphobia in the workplace and 47 per cent experienced negative or stereotypical assumptions about their gender identity. It aims to support leaders to become effective, active allies to their health care staff; take action to ensure working environments are inclusive; and guide decision-making when developing policies for trans and non-binary staff. NHS Confederation

Emergency care continues to face record demand as more people than ever before checked for cancer last year

Emergency care continues to face record demand as more people than ever before checked for cancer last year A&Es across the country experienced the busiest May on record with NHS urgent and emergency care staff remaining under significant pressure, new data published today shows.

Emergency departments across the country had the highest number of attendances for any May (2,240,070) – the third highest total since records began – and over 4,500 patients per day more than in April.

The monthly performance statistics also show ambulance crews attended 624,092 face-to-face call-outs last month, the highest number since May 2022 (632,625).

The high demand came after the busiest winter ever for the NHS and in a month with three bank holiday weekends, which traditionally see more people coming forward for urgent and emergency care. NHS England

See also:

• The King's Fund responds to latest NHS performance stats The King's Fund
• NHS Confederation responds to NHS performance statistics for May 2023 NHS Confederation
• Record demand piles pressure on trusts NHS Providers
• Record NHS waiting list continues to grow quickly despite government ambitions Nuffield Trust
• What the latest NHS performance figures show Evening Standard
• NHS chiefs blame staff shortages for record 7.4m people on waiting lists in England The Guardian

NHS expands high-res skin imaging to speed up cancer diagnoses and treatment for tens of thousands of patients

NHS expands high-res skin imaging to speed up cancer diagnoses and treatment for tens of thousands of patients Tens of thousands of patients are set to receive a diagnosis and treatment for skin cancer faster, with accelerated NHS rollout of ‘teledermatology’, which involves taking high spec images of spots, moles or lesions on people’s skin.

The simple technology which consists of a small lens the size of a 50p piece that can be attached to a phone camera, also called a dermatoscope, is enabling specialist dermatologists to double the number of patients they can review in a day. NHS England

MPs to examine role of pharmacy services in future NHS

MPs to examine role of pharmacy services in future NHS MPs are launching a new inquiry to examine the readiness of pharmacy services to capitalise on future opportunities as the way in which healthcare is delivered is changing.

The inquiry will also consider current challenges around funding, workforce and the digital infrastructure. Planned developments within the profession will enable future pharmacists to be independent prescribers from day one of registration, giving them a greater role within primary care teams.

The Committee will examine the status of pharmacy, focusing on community, primary care and hospital services and how they could best serve the future NHS. Health and Social Care Committee

Long Covid ‘has devastating effect on sufferers’ even more than certain cancers, finds study

Long Covid ‘has devastating effect on sufferers’ even more than certain cancers, finds study Long Covid can affect the quality of patients’ lives more than certain cancers and as much as Parkinson’s disease, a new study has suggested.

Research led by University College London (UCL) and the University of Exeter examined the impact of long Covid on the lives of 3,754 people who were referred to a clinic for the illness. The Independent

See also:

• Impact of fatigue as the primary determinant of functional limitations among patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a cross-sectional observational study (open access) BMJ Open
• Long Covid can impact fatigue and quality of life worse than some cancers University College London
• Long Covid can impair quality of life more than advanced cancers, study says The Guardian
• Long Covid Fatigue Can Be More Debilitating Than These Diseases Huffington Post UK
• Diabetes drug could reduce chances of getting long COVID, study suggests Sky News

Taurine may extend life and health, scientists find

Taurine may extend life and health, scientists find Taurine - a nutrient found in meat, fish and sold as a supplement - extends life and boosts health in a range of animal species, scientists say.

Levels of taurine decline with age in different species, including people.

Experiments on middle-aged animals showed boosting taurine to youthful levels extended life by over 10% and improved physical and brain health.

The researchers say taurine may be an "elixir of life" - but topping up levels in people has not been tested.

So the team, at Columbia University, in New York, recommend against people buying taurine pills or energy drinks packed with taurine in an attempt to live longer. BBC News

See also:

• Taurine linked with healthy aging (open access) Science
• Common energy drink ingredient taurine ‘may slow ageing process’ The Guardian
• Common energy drink ingredient could hold key to ‘fountain of youth’ The Independent
• Taurine supplements extend lifespan and health in old age in mammals New Scientist
• Deficiency in taurine amino acid may speed up ageing process, say scientists Sky News

Thirteen times as many people waiting too long for urgent cancer check-ups than in 2010, NHS figures reveal

Thirteen times as many people waiting too long for urgent cancer check-ups than in 2010, NHS figures reveal Sky News analysis of new NHS figures shows almost 600,000 people had to wait longer than the recommended two weeks to see a specialist after an urgent cancer referral, with waits for treatment little better. Cancer doctors say NHS staff shortages are to blame.

Ministers accused of neglecting 'tidal wave' of child mental ill health in England

Ministers accused of neglecting 'tidal wave' of child mental ill health in England Ministers have been accused of failing to grasp the “tidal wave” of mental ill health blighting children’s lives, after research found that only a quarter of English primaries will be able to offer vital school-based support by the end of next year.

With almost one in five pupils aged seven to 16 now thought to have a mental health disorder, specialist support teams were set up to work with children in schools, addressing early symptoms and reducing pressure on overstretched NHS services. The Guardian

Fat Britain sends NHS prescriptions bill rocketing past £10 BILLION

Fat Britain sends NHS prescriptions bill rocketing past £10 BILLION Britain's ever-bulging waistline has sent the NHS's annual prescription bill past the £10billion milestone.

Official data for the 2022/23 financial year revealed a record £10.4bn was spent on supplying drugs in England last year — up 8 per cent on the previous calendar year. 

Drugs designed to treat type 2 diabetes, a common health complication of obesity, were the biggest burden. The Daily Mail

See also:

• How obesity evolved from a lack of willpower into a disease The Daily Telegraph
• Weight-loss drugs aren’t a magic bullet for Britain’s obesity crisis The Guardian

Warning to hay fever sufferers from the Met Office

Warning to hay fever sufferers from the Met Office Sufferers of hay fever have been told their misery is nowhere near over yet, with the 'pollen bomb' set to last weeks.

Millions have been battered by the seasonal sniffles over the past month. 

And levels are forecasted to be very high across England and Wales this weekend, too. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Pollen forecast (East Midlands) Met Office

Ban disposable vapes to save youths from the 'Wild West market', Children's Commissioner says

Ban disposable vapes to save youths from the 'Wild West market', Children's Commissioner says Disposable vapes must be banned and others sold in plain packaging to end the ‘Wild West market’ in e-cigarettes, the Children’s Commissioner for England has said.

Dame Rachel de Souza fears that children feel under pressure to take part in the damaging habit. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Glastonbury: Disposable vapes added to 'what not to bring' list BBC News
• Disposable vapes should be banned to protect children, UK paediatricians say The Guardian

Northamptonshire included in first ever heat-health alert issued by Government and Met Office as temperatures set to rise

Northamptonshire included in first ever heat-health alert issued by Government and Met Office as temperatures set to rise The first ever heat-health warning has been issued – and Northamptonshire is included.

The warning from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, is in place for six regions - including the East Midlands – from 9am Friday (June 9) to 9am Monday (June 12). Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• First Heat-Health Alert of the year issued by UKHSA and the Met Office UK Health Security Agency
• UKHSA launches new alerting system in collaboration with the Met Office UK Health Security Agency
• Hot weather: New health alert as weekend temperatures to hit 30C BBC News

RCR launch 2022 workforce census reports

RCR launch 2022 workforce census reports Today sees the launch of our clinical radiology and clinical oncology workforce census reports for 2022. We secured a 100% response rate with every single cancer centre head and clinical director of radiology departments completing our survey – representing some of the most authoritative reports into the current state of diagnosis and cancer care in the UK.

The reports demonstrate the scale of workforce shortages in diagnostic and cancer departments across the country and the devastating impact on cancer patients. Royal College of Radiologists

See also:

• NHS struggling to provide safe cancer care, say senior doctors BBC News
• Cancer patients face life-threatening delays due to lack of staff, say UK radiologists The Guardian
• Cancer care pushed 'to the brink of disaster' due to NHS staff shortages, charity leaders warn iNews
• Cancer patients face worsening treatment delays due to lack of staff, report finds Sky News

Our position on complaints in the NHS and social care

Our position on complaints in the NHS and social care When people have concerns over any aspect of their care or the actions or decisions of any NHS or social care body, they have the right to make a complaint. Read our position on how health and care services should manage complaints, and our work on this issue. Healthwatch

Only 2% of carers receive financial support from local authorities

Only 2% of carers receive financial support from local authorities Recent analysis from the Health Foundation revealed the high personal and financial cost shouldered by unpaid carers; 1 in 5 report feeling socially isolated and 4 in 10 report financial difficulties because of their caring role.

Although carers have a right to an assessment to see whether they are entitled to financial support from their local authority, only a small number actually seek help. In 2021, only 8% of carers in England applied for financial support from their local authority and, of those who did, only 1 in 4 (2% of the total number of carers) ended up receiving support.

Cross-government action announced to champion carers

Cross-government action announced to champion carers Minister for Care, Helen Whately, held a reception at No 10 and announced a cross-government roundtable to meet the needs of carers in all aspects of their lives. Department of Health and Social Care

Successful NHS programme to recruit care volunteers

Successful NHS programme to recruit care volunteers Following the success of the NHS Volunteer Responders Programme scheme over the pandemic, the government has announced it will expand it into social care to form a joint NHS and care volunteering programme and allow care providers to recruit volunteers to help people in their local areas. Department of Health and Social Care

England on track to end new HIV transmissions by 2030

England on track to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 New HIV transmissions in England have fallen by almost a third since 2019, while fewer people remain unaware of their HIV status as a result of increased testing across the country, according to an update on the HIV Action Plan for England published today. UK Health Security Agency

Thousands of new HIV and Hepatitis cases identified thanks to NHS testing pilot

Thousands of new HIV and Hepatitis cases identified thanks to NHS testing pilot lmost 2,000 people living with HIV and Hepatitis who were previously undiagnosed have been identified by the NHS over the last year, thanks to a new testing pilot.

Under the NHS programme, people visiting an A&E who are having blood taken as part of their visit have an extra sample of blood taken, which is screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

If the test comes back positive for HIV or Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, the patient is offered specialist support and a treatment plan is agreed with them. NHS England

NHS backlog plan 'is working', health secretary insists - after missing target to end 18-month waits

NHS backlog plan 'is working', health secretary insists - after missing target to end 18-month waits The health secretary has insisted the plan to reduce the NHS backlog "is working" despite missing a key target to eliminate 18-month waits.

Steve Barclay admitted the goal to eliminate year-and-a-half waits for hospital treatment by April had been missed "by a very narrow margin". Sky News

Senior doctors plan 48-hour strike for July in England

Senior doctors plan 48-hour strike for July in England Hospital consultants who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) in England will go on strike on 20 and 21 July if medics vote for action.

The 48-hour walkout will affect routine services, but emergency care will be covered after the BMA promised to provide a Christmas Day level of cover.

The result of the ballot is due on 27 June, but the BMA said it wanted to give the NHS notice of the strike. BBC News

See also:

• BMA announces potential strike dates for consultants in England if ballot is successful BMA
• Militant BMA plots 48-hour strike for thousands of NHS consultants in July amid never-ending row over pay The Daily Mail
• Hospital consultants to strike in July if members vote for industrial action The Daily Telegraph
• Senior medics demand higher overtime to cover for striking Evening Standard
• Hospital consultants could strike for two days in July, BMA warns The Independent
• Steve Barclay calls for ‘movement on both sides’ in junior doctors pay row Yahoo News

Covid inquiry: What is it investigating and how will it work?

Covid inquiry: What is it investigating and how will it work? The public inquiry investigating the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will hold its first public hearing on 13 June.

Meanwhile the Cabinet Office has launched a legal challenge against the inquiry's request to see unredacted messages sent between former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and colleagues. BBC News

See also:

• I'm not worried about Covid inquiry messages, says Rishi Sunak BBC News
• Rishi Sunak 'not worried' about being 'embarassed' by Covid inquiry messages Evening Standard
• Covid inquiry heads for row with government over Google Spaces redactions The Guardian
• Ministers using ‘loophole lawyers’ to obstruct Covid inquiry, says Labour The Guardian
• Sunak insists he is being transparent with Covid inquiry despite suing it ITV News
• COVID inquiry chair insists it is for her to decide what material is 'relevant' amid row over Johnson WhatsApps Sky News
• COVID Inquiry calls for public to share stories of how pandemic affected them Sky News

Climate change is harming my mental health

Climate change is harming my mental health Until two years ago Jennifer Newall was working at the forefront of climate change research.

Her PhD on melting ice sheets and changing sea levels had taken her to Antarctica, Scandinavia and the USA but it was while leading a workshop for primary school children in Glasgow that she began to question what she was doing.

Jennifer is one of a growing number of people who have experienced "eco-anxiety" - a chronic sense of hopelessness and fear of environmental doom. BBC News

Astonishing new research shows heart condition can be reversed

Astonishing new research shows heart condition can be reversed Three men who had heart failure caused by the build-up of sticky, toxic proteins are now free of symptoms after their condition spontaneously reversed in an unprecedented case described by a team at UCL and the Royal Free Hospital. 

The condition, a form of amyloidosis affecting the heart, is progressive and has until now been seen as irreversible, with half of patients dying within four years of diagnosis. Royal Free Hospital

See also:

• Antibody-Associated Reversal of ATTR Amyloidosis–Related Cardiomyopathy New England Journal of Medicine
• Devastating heart condition spontaneously reversed in ‘unprecedented case’ Evening Standard
• Deadly heart condition spontaneously reversed for first time in major breakthrough The Independent

Fertility rates plunge to decade low as researchers find biggest dip in female graduates

Fertility rates plunge to decade low as researchers find biggest dip in female graduates Female graduates have delayed having babies later than less-educated women, University of Oxford research has found.

Women of all backgrounds had fewer children over the past decade and did so later in life than in previous years.

But a study published today in the journal Population Studies found the decline was particularly sharp among mothers with well-educated parents and who themselves went to university. The Daily Mail

See also:

• The recent decline in period fertility in England and Wales: Differences associated with family background and intergenerational educational mobility (open access) Population Studies

KGH and Tesco team up to get important organ donation message across

KGH and Tesco team up to get important organ donation message across The organ and tissue donation committee at Kettering General Hospital has worked with Tesco to increase awareness of the importance of discussing your donation wishes.

And the result is a colourful 9ft by 6ft panel near the entrance to the main Tesco store in Carina Road, Kettering, which reads: ‘Tell your family how you feel about organ donation.’ Northamptonshire Telegraph

Beyond devices and connectivity: the human factors of digital health care

Beyond devices and connectivity: the human factors of digital health care Devices and internet connectivity are essential for effective digital services but so are good design, co-development and trust. The use and beneficial impact of digital technologies and data is much more likely if technology is useable and trusted, while also meeting the needs and expectations of staff and patients. The King's Fund

Struggling to be heard: understanding the experience of disabled people in England

Struggling to be heard: understanding the experience of disabled people in England More than ever disabled people are facing barriers to living well, so it is concerning that the census might not be capturing the true picture of disability in England, and that disabled people struggle to be heard. The King's Fund

New research explores burnout and exhaustion in nursing staff

New research explores burnout and exhaustion in nursing staff Latest research from the University of Southampton has found long shifts combined with poor staffing and little choice in working patterns are likely to be behind nurses experiencing burnout and exhaustion. NHS Employers

See also:

• Shift work characteristics and burnout among nurses: cross-sectional survey (open access) Occupational Medicine
• What’s behind burnout and exhaustion in nursing staff? University of Southampton

Gonorrhoea and syphilis at record levels in 2022

Gonorrhoea and syphilis at record levels in 2022 New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows record levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses in 2022.

Gonorrhoea diagnoses increased to 82,592 in 2022, an increase of 50.3% compared to 2021 (54,961) and 16.1% compared to 2019 (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic) – this is the highest number of diagnoses in any one year since records began in 1918

Infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022, up 15.2% compared to 2021 (7,543) and 8.1% compared to 2019 – this is the largest annual number since 1948.

See also:

• Gonorrhoea and syphilis sex infections reach record levels in England BBC News
• How rife is gonorrhoea in YOUR area? Map reveals where the clap is most prevalent The Daily Mail
• Syphilis cases at highest level for 75 years in England last year The Guardian
• Syphilis and Gonorrhoea hit record levels in England The Independent
• Gonorrhoea and syphilis STI diagnoses in England hit record levels, latest figures show Sky News
• Syphilis and gonorrhoea: What are the symptoms, how do you catch the STIs and how are they treated? Sky News

New drugs pilot to tackle obesity and cut NHS waiting lists

New drugs pilot to tackle obesity and cut NHS waiting lists More people living with obesity will have access to the newest and most effective obesity drugs to help cut NHS waiting lists, following the announcement of a £40 million two-year pilot today [Wednesday 7 June].

The £40 million pilots will explore how approved drugs can be made safely available to more people by expanding specialist weight management services outside of hospital settings. This includes looking at how GPs could safely prescribe these drugs and how the NHS can provide support in the community or digitally - contributing to the government’s wider ambition to reduce pressure on hospitals and give people access to the care they need where it is most convenient for them. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Plan for GPs to offer NHS patients Wegovy weight-loss jab BBC News
• Rishi Sunak announces that thousands of NHS patients could receive 'game-changing' weight-loss drug The Daily Mail
• £40m pilot to expand availability of weight loss drugs on NHS Evening Standard
• Ministers launch £40m pilot scheme to trial wider access to slimming jab The Guardian
• £40m pilot scheme launched to increase access to weight-loss drugs and cut NHS waiting lists Sky News

Complaints upheld against Coventry NHS boss

Complaints upheld against Coventry NHS boss The chair of Coventry's NHS integrated care system has been found not to have always acted with honesty and integrity in the past by an independent inquiry.

The investigation into Danielle Oum's conduct whilst she was chair at Birmingham and Solihull Mental health trust was published last September.

In all, 16 complaints against her were upheld. BBC News

The NHS is 'failing women', says women's health ambassador

The NHS is 'failing women', says women's health ambassador The Government’s women’s health tsar has said the NHS is “failing” some women.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan, the women’s health ambassador, said women “do not have a fair deal”.

The professor of obstetrics and gynaecology was appointed last year to “drive system-level changes to close the gender health gap”. Evening Standard

See also:

• Adenomyosis: NHS failing women, health ambassador says BBC News

Ministers seek volunteer social care army to speed up hospital discharges

Ministers seek volunteer social care army to speed up hospital discharges Health ministers are to recruit a new volunteer army for social care to ferry medical equipment and drugs to people’s homes in a bid to free up congested hospital wards.

Volunteers will also be sent to, though not into, people’s homes to tackle loneliness and carry out shopping and other errands. The Guardian

Fire crews in England deal with obesity callouts every four hours

Fire crews in England deal with obesity callouts every four hours Fire services in England had to help police and ambulance crews move people living with obesity once every four hours in what health organisations called a failure by government to fight the condition.

Figures published by the Home Office show firefighters were called 2,319 times to help police or ambulance services with “bariatric assistance” – coming to the aid of people who are otherwise unable to leave their homes due to serious obesity. This marks an 11% rise on the previous year and a 58% increase on 2020. The Guardian

Promising vaccine could treat two deadliest and fastest-rising forms of cancer, early study shows

Promising vaccine could treat two deadliest and fastest-rising forms of cancer, early study shows An off-the-shelf cancer vaccine could help prevent relapse in patients with two of the deadliest and fastest-rising cancers in the world.

The shot is designed for patients whose cancers are caused by the KRAS mutation, which accounts for up to nine in 10 cases of the disease. 

An early trial tested the effects in people with colon and pancreatic cancers. The first-in-human study found the vaccine, developed by the small firm Elicio Therapeutics, showed the potential to lower the risk of relapse in 100 percent of patients who had surgery to remove their tumors but still had cancer markers in their blood. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Elicio Therapeutics Announces Positive Interim Data from the Phase 1 Study of an Investigational Therapeutic Cancer Immunotherapy, ELI-002, in Patients with High Relapse Risk Pancreatic and Colorectal Cancer at the ASCO Annual Meeting Elicio Therapeutics

Urgent warning over FAKE oxygen supplied to dentists as health chiefs launch criminal probe

Urgent warning over FAKE oxygen supplied to dentists as health chiefs launch criminal probe Hundreds of dentists across Britain have been given 'falsified' oxygen supplies, it was revealed today.

'Approximately 500' practices have been told to immediately stop using a batch of tanks and replace them with 'legitimate stock'.

Tricodent Limited, the Sussex-based firm which supplied the oxygen, is now under criminal investigation, health watchdogs said today. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Class 3 Medicines Recall: Tricodent Limited (supplier), Medical Oxygen B.P (MEDIGAS OXYGEN B.P), EL (23)A/20 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

World's first baby is born from a transplanted uterus implanted by a robot

World's first baby is born from a transplanted uterus implanted by a robot A baby boy carried in a uterus implanted into his mother by a robot was born in a world first.

The youngster, who has not been named, weighed six pounds and 13 ounces when he was born via planned C-section in Sweden last month. Both the child and his 35-year-old mother are doing well.

The pregnancy was made possible when a family member agreed to donate their uterus to the mother, who then had a fertilized egg implanted into it via IVF. The case marks the first time robots have been used for the procedure. The Daily Mail

Kettering Skylark ward: Mum alarmed at 'out-of-depth' admission

Kettering Skylark ward: Mum alarmed at 'out-of-depth' admission The mother of a seriously ill boy said she was "very alarmed" when a doctor at an under-fire children's ward admitted they were "out of their depth".

In October, Carys's five-year-old son Charlie was discharged from Kettering General, but she returned him the next day in a "sort of lifeless" state.

She said it seemed "quite chaotic" on Skylark ward before he was transferred to another hospital for further tests.

The hospital said it had undergone a "comprehensive improvement programme". BBC Northampton

Austerity and the pandemic: How cuts damaged four vital pillars of pandemic resilience

Austerity and the pandemic: How cuts damaged four vital pillars of pandemic resilience Real terms cuts and underinvestment in public services from 2010 to 2020 undermined the UK’s ability to provide an effective and coherent response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This briefing looks at four pillars of pandemic preparedness:

1. Safe staffing levels in health and social care
2. Public service capacity and resources
3. A strong safety net - social security system
4. Robust health and safety

For each pillar we summarise the history of austerity, it impacts on the UK’s resilience and preparedness in the years before the pandemic, and the consequences for the UK’s pandemic response. And we suggest the lessons that must be learned before the next pandemic happens. The TUC

See also:

• Cameron-Osborne austerity years cost UK dearly when Covid struck, says TUC The Guardian
• Cameron-Osborne austerity left UK ‘hugely unprepared’ for Covid, says report The Independent
• Years of austerity left UK 'hugely unprepared' for COVID pandemic, report says Sky News

Ghana patients in danger as nurses head for NHS in UK - medics

Ghana patients in danger as nurses head for NHS in UK - medics The recruitment of nurses by high-income countries from poorer nations is "out of control", according to the head of one of the world's biggest nursing groups.

The comments come as the BBC finds evidence of how Ghana's health system is struggling due to the "brain-drain".

Many specialist nurses have left the West African country for better paid jobs overseas.

In 2022 more than 1,200 Ghanaian nurses joined the UK's nursing register.

This comes as the National Health Service (NHS) increasingly relies on staff from non-EU countries to fill vacancies. BBC News

Major NHS hospital investigated over 'gross negligence' following baby’s death

Major NHS hospital investigated over 'gross negligence' following baby’s death One of the NHS’ largest hospital trusts is being investigated over “possible gross negligence manslaughter” after a baby died 24 hours after her birth.

Polly Lindop died at St Mary’s Hospital on 13 March and Greater Manchester Police have now launched a probe into her death. The Independent

See also:

• Manchester baby death investigated over 'possible manslaughter' BBC News

Covid inquiry chair ‘may have to quit’ if denied access to Johnson WhatsApps

Covid inquiry chair ‘may have to quit’ if denied access to Johnson WhatsApps The chair of the UK Covid-19 public inquiry may have to resign if the government succeeds in its high court attempt to block the unredacted disclosure of ministers’ WhatsApp messages, the lawyer representing thousands of bereaved families has said.

Elkan Abrahamson, who represents the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, which is a core participant at the inquiry, said the dispute between the government and the inquiry over texts and other documents had become “an existential struggle”. The Guardian

See also:

• Government willing to enter mediation with Covid inquiry over WhatsApps, minister says The Daily Telegraph
• Covid WhatsApps used for coffee orders not big decisions, says ex-health minister The Guardian
• What is the UK government hiding from the Covid inquiry? (podcast) The Guardian
• Covid inquiry legal challenge over WhatsApp messages to be heard ‘very soon’ The Guardian
• Covid inquiry chairwoman expected to address ministers' High Court challenge The Independent
• COVID inquiry chair Baroness Hallett 'may have to resign if ministers win WhatsApp battle' Sky News

Global ‘silver tsunami’ of older cancer patients is coming, experts warn

Global ‘silver tsunami’ of older cancer patients is coming, experts warn The world must urgently prepare for a global “tsunami” of millions of older cancer patients or risk healthcare systems being unable to cope, leading doctors have warned.

With life expectancy increasing and a rapidly soaring population of older people, a looming increase in elderly patients with cancer was now a “serious public health concern”, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) said in a report. Cancer centres must prepare for “the silver oncologic tsunami”, the experts added. The Guardian

See also:

• Cancer Centers Must Adopt Geriatric-Based Care Models to Prepare for the Incoming ‘Silver Oncologic Tsunami’ American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Warning that NHS will be hit by 'silver tsunami' of older cancer patients with cases set to surge by a THIRD in next 2 decades due to ageing population The Daily Mail
• 'Silver tsunami' of elderly cancer patients could overwhelm NHS The Daily Telegraph

New drug could help thousands with chronic heart disease in England

New drug could help thousands with chronic heart disease in England A first-of-its-kind treatment targeting a chronic heart disease could offer a “greater hope” to thousands of people living with the condition.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has approved the use of mavacamten in draft guidance to the NHS. It would be used to treat those with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), with about 7,000 people expected to benefit. The Guardian

See also:

• First treatment to target heart condition set to benefit thousands as NICE draft guidance approves NHS use National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Fresh drug combination promises to hold back the Ovarian cancer for FIVE YEARS

Fresh drug combination promises to hold back the Ovarian cancer for FIVE YEARS There's good news for women living with incurable ovarian cancer, thanks to a fresh drug combination that can hold back the disease for up to five years, according to a new study.

Around 7,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the UK. As it causes few symptoms in early stages, it's picked up at a late stage in the majority of cases. The Daily Mail

Disposable vapes like Elf and Geek bars should be BANNED entirely, say top paediatricians

Disposable vapes like Elf and Geek bars should be BANNED entirely, say top paediatricians Ministers should ban disposable vapes because they are increasingly used by children and are harmful to the environment, doctors say.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has warned that 'youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic' and more must be done to tackle the crisis.

In response to the Government consultation on e-cigarettes, which closes today, the College says the devices 'are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes'. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Children’s doctors call for an outright ban on disposable e-cigarettes Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
• Children's doctors call for ban on disposable vapes BBC News
• UK government endorsed e-cigarette firm accused of fuelling underage vaping The Guardian
• Vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children, warn doctors The Independent
• Urgent call to ban disposable vapes after NHS data reveals one-in-five children smoke e-cigarettes iNews
• Doctors call for ban on disposable vapes amid 'epidemic' among children ITV News
• Youth vaping 'fast becoming epidemic', children's doctors warn as they call for ban on disposable vapes Sky News

Number of Brits undergoing gender-changing ops doubles in a decade, fascinating stats reveal

Number of Brits undergoing gender-changing ops doubles in a decade, fascinating stats reveal NHS medics performed one gender-changing procedure nearly every day last year, figures show.

The record number (355) — obtained by MailOnline analysis — illustrates the growth of Britain's trans community.

Just 146 procedures were carried out annually a decade ago, for comparison. The Daily Mail

Why we need a new ‘Beveridge moment’ for social care in the 21st century

Why we need a new ‘Beveridge moment’ for social care in the 21st century 2023 is not only the 75th anniversary of the National Assistance Act, it is also the 45th anniversary of the beginning of my career. In June 1978 I began working as a social worker for Wakefield Council. I have held roles as a director of social services, as a senior civil servant advising on social care reform, as a regulator of the quality and safety of health and care services and more recently as a non-executive working in health education and as a member of the NHS England board.

In all those roles I have often asked myself ‘How did we get here?’ The King's Fund

Costs of expensive new drugs threaten financial sustainability of NHS

Costs of expensive new drugs threaten financial sustainability of NHS New figures show that the total cost of prescription medicines to the NHS in England reached a new high of £17.2 billion in the financial year 2021 –2022, according to a new independent report.

The report, from a team at the University of York, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), shows that since 2018 NHS spending on branded medicines has been increasing by over five per cent annually - this excludes expenditure on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

See also:

• Costs of expensive new drugs threaten financial sustainability of NHS while pharma industry lobbies for increase on medicines spending London School of Economics and Political Science

Final four weeks to get spring booster with more than half protected

Final four weeks to get spring booster with more than half protected The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their spring booster ahead of the seasonal campaign coming to a close at the end of June. The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has provided more than 3.6 million people with a spring booster to date, which is more than half of those eligible. NHS England