Deadly tickborne virus that’s spreading in Europe ‘likely to reach UK’ A virus with a fatality rate of 30 per cent that is spreading in Europe will almostly certainly reach the UK, an expert has warned.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a disease caused by a tickborne virus, categorised as one of the nine “priority diseases” deemed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to “pose the greatest public health risk due to their epidemic potential”. The Independent
Link between hearing aids and dementia revealed Hearing aids might reduce cognitive decline in older adults, but only in people who are at higher risk of dementia, research has suggested.
The study found the devices and audiological support services did not have any impact on cognitive decline over three years in a general population of older adults.
However, treating hearing loss was found to protect against cognitive decline – loss of memory and thinking skills – in older adults at greater risk of dementia. The Independent
See also:
The 12 GP practices in Northamptonshire with the best NHS patient ratings in 2023 NHS patients in Northamptonshire have reported mixed satisfaction ratings for local doctor’s surgeries in the area, according to the latest GP Patient Survey.
Produced by Ipsos on behalf of NHS England, the 2023 GP Patient Survey asked people across the country what they think about their local GP practice. It surveyed 2.7 million people between January and April 2023 and had a response rate of 29 percent. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Genetic testing could bring in ‘new age’ of diagnostics in NHS A DNA test that looks at genetics as a risk factor in developing heart disease could usher in a “new age” of diagnostics in the NHS, an expert has said.
GENinCode was founded in 2018 and develops genomic tests and algorithms that help clinicians diagnose patients more quickly and precisely. The Independent
Diet Coke safe as long as you don’t drink 14 cans every day, WHO says after aspartame cancer fears An artificial sweetener used in thousands of products including diet fizzy drinks, ice cream and chewing gum has been ruled a “possible” cause of cancer by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
But a panel of experts has said the sugar substitute aspartame is safe in limited quantities. The Independent
See also:
Stretched to the limit: tackling the NHS productivity challenge Despite performance gains to date, the NHS is tasked with delivering yet more activity within existing resources as well as taking further costs out of the system without impacting on patient care. This will present a major challenge for providers and staff, already stretched to the limit.
In this report we explore the main barriers trusts are facing as they seek to recover performance and improve productivity. We also consider the financial impact of current pressures and the scale of the efficiency ask, which is even more stretching than in 2022/23. NHS Providers
Care watchdog sounds fresh alarm over mental health trust being investigated over 2,000 deaths The NHS safety watchdog has sounded fresh alarm over the risk to mental health patients at an Essex health trust already facing a public inquiry over 2,000 deaths.
Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust [EPUT] is being investigated over failures relating to the deaths of patients spanning two decades. The Independent
Wellingborough set to host Northamptonshire's first ever disability pride event to 'remove existing barriers and create a more inclusive society' Wellingborough is to host its first ever pride event for those with disabilities at the end of the month.
The July 29 event will be the first of its kind in Northamptonshire after being proposed by local campaigner Stephen Liney, in conjunction with Wellingborough Town Council. Northamptonshire Telegraph
National training survey results The UK health system is undergoing a period of unparalleled pressure, and the effects are being felt both by the patients in need of care and the doctors who treat them.
The national training survey, completed by more than 70,000 doctors, paints a comprehensive picture of how those workplace experiences are impacting those in training and their trainers.
That the quality of UK postgraduate training remains high, even in the face of acute stress, is testament to the hard work of trainers, trainees and education organisations. 86% of trainees were positive about their clinical supervision and 83% told us they had a good experience in their post.
Despite these positives, our data also point to troubling trends in doctors’ training experiences.
For trainees, burnout levels are once again on the rise. Across the UK, two thirds are now at high or moderate risk of burnout, the highest level since we started tracking this in 2018. General Medical Council
See also:
Researchers hopeful of treatment of Parkinson’s by 2030 with ‘dual efficacy’ drug A former diabetes trial drug could be used to treat Parkinson’s disease within years, research suggests.
The drug, which was designed to treat dyskinesia – involuntary movements that are a common side effect in Parkinson’s patients who take levodopa-based medication for several years – could also improve motor symptoms linked to the condition.
According to Parkinson’s UK, the drug – NLX-112 – offers hope that a new multi-faceted treatment could be in reach by 2030. The Independent
See also:
UK’s largest health research programme opens 15 new locations in July, including Northampton Our Future Health, the UK’s largest health research programme, will launch appointments in 15 new locations in July 2023, bringing the total to 70 clinics overall across the UK. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Dying Matters: Let’s talk about it!’ a chance to speak to end-of-life experts at Kettering General Hospital The free online event is on Tuesday, July 18, from 2pm-3pm, and is one of a series of events – open to all in the county – which has been arranged by KGH Public Governors.
The event itself is called Dying Matters – ‘Let’s talk about it’ is part of the series called Your Health Matters that aims to help demystify common health conditions and difficult subjects whilst providing practical support. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Skin cancer warning as UK cases reach record high with cheap package holidays blamed Cases of deadly skin cancer across age groups have reached a record high in the UK with 17,500 people diagnosed each year, a charity has said.
According to Cancer Research UK, the boom of cheap holiday packages in the 1960s has been linked to the rise in melanoma skin cancer among older adults.
The charity pointed to a particular rise in cases among adults aged 55 and over, with case rates among this age group rising 195 per cent since the 1990s. The Independent
See also:
