New fathers can suffer from postnatal depression too, study suggests

New fathers can suffer from postnatal depression too, study suggests Having a baby could cause men with a history of depression to relapse, a new British study suggests. Researchers from University College London (UCL) analysed medical records of 90,000 men who had children in the previous year and compared them with those that hadn't become dads.

Men who had not taken antidepressants prior to having a child were no more likely than men without children to need the treatment. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Association of Recent Fatherhood With Antidepressant Treatment Initiation Among Men in the United Kingdom (open access) JAMA Network Open

Northampton centre to take patients to free up hospital beds

Northampton centre to take patients to free up hospital beds A rehabilitation centre designed to free up hospital beds which was set up as a pilot scheme is to remain throughout the year.

The 51-bed unit at Turn Furlong in Northampton provides short-term care for people who are not quite ready to return home after a hospital stay.

It is run jointly by the NHS and West Northamptonshire Council.

Patients are cared for by health and social care staff employed by both Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and the council. BBC Northampton

Boost for women and girls as Women’s Health Strategy turns one

Boost for women and girls as Women’s Health Strategy turns one A year on from its flagship Women’s Health Strategy, the government is today announcing a significant package of new measures to boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls. A raft of actions are also being taken to support women and their families through the unbearable and devastating impacts of pregnancy loss. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Guidance: Women’s health hubs £25 million transformation fund Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Women's health hubs: information and guidance Department of Health and Social Care

Independent report: Pregnancy Loss Review

Independent report: Pregnancy Loss Review The review looks at options to improve NHS gynaecology and maternity care practice for parents who experience a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy or termination for medical reasons.

It makes 73 recommendations, which are intended to support the government and the NHS in creating a forward-looking approach to improve the safety and care experience for all those who have a pre-24-week baby loss. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Policy paper: Government response to the independent Pregnancy Loss Review Department of Health and Social Care
• Baby loss in pregnancy: Pledge to store remains in dignified way BBC News

Some people's brain function still affected by Long COVID years after infection

Some people's brain function still affected by Long COVID years after infection UK researchers have found that people with longer-term COVID-19 symptoms including 'brain fog' showed reduced performance in tasks testing different mental processes up to two years after infection with the virus. King's College London

See also:

• The effects of COVID-19 on cognitive performance in a community-based cohort: a COVID symptom study biobank prospective cohort study (open access) eClinicalMedicine
• ‘Brain fog’ of long Covid comparable to ageing 10 years, study finds The Guardian
•  Long Covid ‘brain fog’ can last for years, scientists find The Independent

NHS discharges: Reasons for hospital departure delays revealed

NHS discharges: Reasons for hospital departure delays revealed Hundreds of patients are taking up hospital beds across England every day despite being ready to leave, according to NHS data.

Figures show the biggest obstacle to speedy discharge is lack of beds in other settings, such as care homes.

Other reasons include hold-ups in sorting transport, medicines and paperwork.

The government said it wanted to "ensure patients leave hospital as soon as they are medically fit".

It is the first time data has been published which breaks down the reasons for discharge delays. BBC News

NHS negligence claims: £2.7bn cost prompts renewed calls for system reform

NHS negligence claims: £2.7bn cost prompts renewed calls for system reform Payments for clinical negligence in the NHS in England rose by 9.5% in 2022-23 to almost £2.7bn, according to the latest report from NHS Resolution, the body that handles claims.

The increase, driven by a rise in the number of high value claims, has prompted renewed calls for reform of clinical negligence litigation.

The figure reflects the high cost of maternity claims, with lifelong support needed for babies with devastating birth injuries. Recent reports have highlighted avoidable deaths and injuries at several NHS trusts. The BMJ

See also:

• Annual report and account 2022-23 NHS Resolution 

Turnover in NHS cancer workforce highest for more than a decade

Turnover in NHS cancer workforce highest for more than a decade Staff turnover in NHS cancer services has risen significantly, with more than 4,000 leaving the workforce last year, new figures show.

Data from NHS England shows the leaver rate for the cancer workforce in hospital and community health services hit 12.1% in the year to September 2022, as 4,378 staff left. Evening Standard

Revealed: drug firms funding UK patient groups that lobby for NHS approval of medicines

Revealed: drug firms funding UK patient groups that lobby for NHS approval of medicines Drug companies are systematically funding grassroots patient groups that lobby the NHS medicines watchdog to approve the rollout of their drugs, the Observer can reveal.

An investigation by the Observer has found that of 173 drug appraisals conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) since April 2021, 138 involved patient groups that had a financial link to the maker of the drug being assessed, or have since received funding.

NHS group changes same-sex fertility rules after couple’s campaign

NHS group changes same-sex fertility rules after couple’s campaign A married lesbian couple who launched a landmark legal test case against the NHS have claimed a “victory for equality” after their local health service group agreed to change its fertility treatment rules for same-sex couples.

Megan Bacon-Evans, 36, and Whitney Bacon-Evans, 35, have formally withdrawn their case at the high court after NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) volunteered to give same-sex female couples the same access to fertility treatment as heterosexual couples, following a two-year review. Their case sparked national debate and led to a significant policy U-turn by the government last year. The Guardian

See also:

• Lesbian couple drop NHS fertility treatment legal challenge BBC News

NHS faces exodus of doctors and surgeons to foreign healthcare systems

NHS faces exodus of doctors and surgeons to foreign healthcare systems The NHS is losing senior doctors to countries including Ireland, Australia and the United Arab Emirates because they can double their salary and enjoy better working conditions.

Medical leaders are concerned about a growing exodus of hugely experienced doctors and surgeons to foreign healthcare systems, the Guardian has been told. Rising numbers of middle-aged consultants are opting for a new life abroad, which is exacerbating the NHS workforce crisis.

Worst-rated GP practices in England, as ranked by YOU: Shock NHS analysis reveals just one in 10 patients are happy at some surgeries - so use our table to see how yours fares

Worst-rated GP practices in England, as ranked by YOU: Shock NHS analysis reveals just one in 10 patients are happy at some surgeries - so use our table to see how yours fares Just one in 10 patients registered to England's worst-rated GP practices are happy with their care, damning analysis reveals today.

MailOnline crunched the data from the 2023 edition of the NHS GP Patient Survey, which assessed the performance of the nation's 6,400-plus surgeries. Hundreds of thousands of patients were asked to rank how their practice fared.

Nationally, satisfaction plummeted to an all-time low, fuelled by the appointments crisis that frustrated Brits into giving up trying to see their doctor altogether. The Daily Mail

Alarm over postcode lottery of GP surgery lung tests due 'scandalous' shortage which leaves thousands undiagnosed, charity warns

Alarm over postcode lottery of GP surgery lung tests due 'scandalous' shortage which leaves thousands undiagnosed, charity warns A 'scandalous' shortage of tests for lung disease is leaving thousands undiagnosed and missing out on vital treatment, says a leading charity.

In a report to be published next month, Asthma + Lung UK will warn of a postcode lottery for accessing a test for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a group of serious lung conditions that affect around 1.2 million people in Britain. The Daily Mail

NGH achieves international nursing quality award

NGH achieves international nursing quality award Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer for England, visited Northampton General Hospital today to congratulate its nursing teams on achieving a fantastic international quality standard.

The hospital has achieved the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Pathway to Excellence reaccreditation after becoming the first hospital in England to achieve the standard in 2018. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Concerning pressures on NHS mental health staff causing vicious cycle of staff shortages

Concerning pressures on NHS mental health staff causing vicious cycle of staff shortages The Public Accounts Committee has heard concerning evidence of increasing pressures on NHS mental health staff at a time of spiking demand. In a report published today, it warns that increased workload is leading to burnout for remaining staff, which contributes to a higher rate of staff turnover and a resulting vicious cycle of more staff shortages.

17,000 staff (12%) left the NHS mental health workforce in 2021-22, up from pre-pandemic levels of around 14,000 a year. Those citing work-life balance reasons for leaving increased from 4% in 2012-13 to 14% in 2021-22, and the percentage of days lost from the workforce due to psychiatric reasons doubled in a decade. NHS England told the PAC that, in common with all NHS staff, mental health problems are one of the biggest drivers of sickness among staff.

New financial wellbeing guide calls for strategic employee support

New financial wellbeing guide calls for strategic employee support NHS Employers has worked with the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing at Work to contribute to a new financial wellbeing guide aimed at boosting support for employees.

The guide redefines the challenge of supporting employee financial wellbeing following the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of the current cost of living crisis.

The National Forum for Health and Wellbeing at Work is urging UK employers to take immediate action to tackle this increasingly important issue.

It recommends organisations take a strategic long-term approach to support the financial health of employees and stresses an urgent need for employers to break down social taboos around talking about money.

Government acts to boost the quality of care for mothers and babies

Government acts to boost the quality of care for mothers and babies Further action will be taken on a national level to improve safety for mothers and their babies within the NHS to ensure maternity and neonatal care everywhere is of the highest standard.

The government has published its full response to an independent review - led by former Regional Director of Public Health Dr Bill Kirkup CBE - into maternity failings at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. The review was launched because of concerns about the quality of care being provided by the trust. Department of Health and Social Care

Some NHS temporary staff miss out on full pay deal

Some NHS temporary staff miss out on full pay deal Some NHS staff in England say they are not receiving an extra one-off payment awarded by the government as part of the latest pay deal for nurses and other workers such as ambulance crews.

The issue is affecting some "bank" staff, who provide temporary cover for hospital trusts to fill rota gaps.

Some say they have not received the lump sum, of at least £1,655.

It was part of the new pay agreement for more than a million NHS workers, in addition to a 5% rise. BBC News

NHS 'could save £635m by prescribing time in nature'

NHS 'could save £635m by prescribing time in nature' The NHS could save more than £635m a year by signing some patients up to nature-based health and wellbeing programmes, a report by The Wildlife Trusts says.

The study, published under the title, A Natural Health Service: Improving Lives and Saving Money, found that the amount of money saved in healthcare costs would be greater than the money invested. The Independent

See also: 

• New report proves nature-based health projects save NHS time and money The Wildlife Trusts

Concern about NHS is rising, survey suggests

Concern about NHS is rising, survey suggests Concern about the NHS is rising among the British public, a new survey has found.

The latest Ipsos Issues Index for July 2023 gathered the opinion of 1,008 adults across Britain.

Some 33% of people mentioned the health service as a concern, up six points from the previous snapshot in June. Evening Standard

Ministers urged to resolve NHS strikes that could cost ‘billions’

Ministers urged to resolve NHS strikes that could cost ‘billions’ The cost of the NHS strike action is “eye-watering” and could run into billions of pounds, a health boss has said as he urged ministers to resolve the row over pay.

Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said some NHS trusts were losing £500,000 for every day of industrial action. The Guardian

See also:

• Continued industrial action leaves the NHS adrift NS Confederation
• NHS England publishes data on latest junior doctors strike NHS England
• 'Pay restraint is having an impact on how patients receive care' Channel 4 News
• ‘Not just about pay’: NHS doctors say they are striking for future of profession The Guardian
• NHS strikes: What is happening to consultants' pay? Sky News

More than 250,000 dementia patients in England could miss new treatments

More than 250,000 dementia patients in England could miss new treatments More than 250,000 dementia patients could miss out on new treatments for the disease because they do not have a formal diagnosis, according to government figures.

NHS data published for the first time shows the prevalence of different types of dementia with which people in England have been diagnosed. The Guardian

Had Covid but never felt sick? Scientists think they've finally cracked the secret of the 'super-dodgers'

Had Covid but never felt sick? Scientists think they've finally cracked the secret of the 'super-dodgers' Scientists think they have finally cracked the secret of why some people who got Covid never became ill. 

And the answer lies in their genes.

Researchers found 'super-dodgers' have mutations in their DNA which allow their immune system to recognise the virus as being like a cold. The Daily Mail

See also:

• A common allele of HLA is associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (open access) Nature
• Had COVID but no symptoms? You might have this genetic mutation Nature

Kettering General Hospital: Skylark ward shows improvement

Kettering General Hospital: Skylark ward shows improvement An inadequate ward accused of failing children has shown improvement, according to a care regulator's report.

Kettering General Hospital (KGH) in Northamptonshire was warned over its children's and young people's services following an inspection in December.

A new Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in April, which did not re-rate the service, found the demands of that warning notice had been met.

The hospital trust's chief executive said she was "extremely proud". BBC Northampton

See also:

• 'Inadequate' KGH children's services have improved, say health inspectors Northamptonshire Telegraph

The caring penalty

The caring penalty This report outlines how unpaid carers provide a service to society, but argues that they shoulder a financial penalty in doing so. It uses data from Understanding Society and looks at the magnitude, causes, and distribution of the carer pay penalty and how policies can help mitigate it. Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Data partnerships bring benefit to patients and the NHS

Data partnerships bring benefit to patients and the NHS The NHS has a long history of data-driven research and innovation. During the pandemic, NHS data enabled us to carry out research at an unprecedented scale and find the world’s first effective treatment for Covid-19, dexamethasone, making it available across every hospital the same day it was approved. NHS data enabled us to not just deliver the first accredited Covid-19 vaccine in the world but to rollout the NHS Covid-19 vaccine programme with a combination of speed and precision unseen elsewhere. NHS England

Proposed review of the 2023 scheme to control the cost of branded health service medicines

Proposed review of the 2023 scheme to control the cost of branded health service medicines The government is proposing updates to the statutory scheme to make sure that the scheme can continue to meet its objectives from 2024 onwards, whether this is alongside a successor voluntary scheme or as a standalone scheme in the absence of this. The consultation sets out proposed amendments in three main areas: increasing the allowed growth rate which will have the effect of changing the payment percentages; revising which sales of branded medicines are exempt from scheme payments; and a new approach to control spending on older branded medicines. Department of Health and Social Care

Senior doctors to stage first strike in a decade

Senior doctors to stage first strike in a decade A 48-hour strike by senior hospital doctors in England has got under way, with NHS bosses warning of severe disruption.

Thousands of consultants walked out from 07:00 BST in their dispute over pay.

It is the first time the consultants have taken part in strike action since 2012.

Only emergency care and a small amount of routine work- so-called Christmas Day cover - will be provided.

It comes just two days after a five-day walkout by junior doctors came to an end, on Tuesday. BBC News

See also:

• Now NHS is left ‘adrift and rudderless’ as consultants go on strike for two days - leaving just a 'Christmas Day' level of service behind The Daily Mail
• Consultants strike to bring planned NHS care to 'virtual standstill' Evening Standard
• GPs face rising pressure as government rejects talks to end strikes GPonline
• ‘A heavy heart’: senior NHS doctors reflect on eve of two-day strike The Guardian
• NHS consultants’ strike in England may cancel surgery for tens of thousands The Guardian
• More than 100,000 appointments cancelled because of latest junior doctors strike The Independent
• Consultant strike will have 'biggest impact yet' on NHS The Independent
• Membership of BMA reaches record high amid pay dispute The Independent
• Doctors' strike: NHS consultants begin first major walkout in decades iNews
• Rishi Sunak blames striking NHS workers for rising waiting lists Sky News

Row over British Journal of Psychiatry abortion paper saw panel quit

Row over British Journal of Psychiatry abortion paper saw panel quit An independent panel resigned in a row over controversial research about the impact of abortion on the mental health of women, BBC News can reveal.

The research, which is still being used in US legal cases about limiting access to abortion, was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, in 2011.

Last year the panel, which was set up to investigate complaints about the paper, recommended it be withdrawn.

But journal-owner, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, overruled it. BBC News

A nation off-guard: what the UK Covid inquiry has revealed

A nation off-guard: what the UK Covid inquiry has revealed Some witnesses made tearful apologies; others defiantly denied fault. After six weeks of hearings at the UK Covid-19 public inquiry, the evidence about the UK’s preparedness for the Covid pandemic is in.

The nation was caught badly off guard. That much was probably obvious. By 1 March 2021 the UK had suffered more than 180 Covid deaths per 100,000 people; in South Korea, the number was just three. But after hearing the evidence, the bereaved families put it bluntly: we were “catastrophically unprepared”. The Guardian

See also:

• Covid Inquiry: What have we learnt so far? BBC News
• Covid Inquiry: Bodies were treated like toxic waste, says daughter BBC News
• UK Covid inquiry hears call for more cash for public health The Guardian
• Councils 'simply do not understand' evidence given by Matt Hancock, inquiry told The Independent
• Covid inquiry: LGA disputes Hancock's claim over preparedness Local Government Chronicle

Adoption of AI in the NHS should be faster, experts say

Adoption of AI in the NHS should be faster, experts say The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by the NHS should be faster, and more frameworks should be in place to get emerging technologies to as many patients as possible, experts have told MPs.

A number of senior figures from medicine and biotechnology gave evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee as part of its inquiry into cancer technology. The Independent

How strong coffee could prevent Alzheimer’s – even if it is in an espresso martini

How strong coffee could prevent Alzheimer’s – even if it is in an espresso martini Drinking an espresso - even in a cocktail - a day might protect against Alzheimer’s disease, new research has found.

A study by the University of Verona in Italy showed the dark shot of coffee destroys rogue tau proteins that gather in the brain and kill neurons, a process that is believed to be involved in the onset of the neurodegenerative disease. The Independent

See also:

• Espresso Coffee Mitigates the Aggregation and Condensation of Alzheimer′s Associated Tau Protein (open access) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
• A shot of espresso can prevent ALZHEIMER'S protein clumping in lab tests The Daily Mail

UK's dementia hotspots mapped: One in 35 people have incurable disease in parts of country and experts warn rate will double by 2050

UK's dementia hotspots mapped: One in 35 people have incurable disease in parts of country and experts warn rate will double by 2050 Up to one in 35 people in parts of England are thought to have dementia, according to data crunched into an interactive map by MailOnline.

Charities estimate approximately 950,000 people across the country suffer with the memory-robbing disorder. Yet experts believe the figure will rocket to an estimated 2million by 2050 as Brits live longer. 

It comes as scientists have urged officials to hurry in approving game-changing new drugs for Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia. The Daily Mail

The need for action to improve the nation’s health

The need for action to improve the nation’s health Many people recognise that both the NHS and the health of the nation are in deep crisis. Whether we look at life expectancy, levels of long-term ill-health, inequalities, mental health or the drivers of poor health such as obesity, England’s recent record is poor and often compares badly to its neighbours. 

Therefore, it is timely that a group has come together to set out a possible path out of this mess, publishing A covenant for health that sets out priority areas for action, which, taken together, can make England a healthier place to live and work. If this all seems to make perfect sense, what stops us, as a country, from doing it? I think there are four common myths that have stood in the way. The King's Fund

See also: 

• A Covenant for Health: Policies and partnerships to improve our national health in 5 to 10 years (report) A Covenant for Health
• Sick note Britain: Country’s ‘sickness explosion’ costing economy £15bn every year, experts warn The Independent
• UK gripped by 'sickness explosion costing economy £15 billion a year' Sky News

The costs of obesity

The costs of obesity Policies that aim to reduce the prevalence of obesity have been high on the policy agenda for many years. Understanding the costs associated with obesity is important for informing policy. Bell and Deyes (2022) have recently produced what are, to date, the most detailed estimates of the costs of adult obesity in the UK. This report puts those estimates in context, discusses what costs are missing from their analysis, and which of the costs included are most relevant for policymaking. Institute for Fiscal Studies

PPE Medpro: Awarding of contracts during the pandemic

PPE Medpro: Awarding of contracts during the pandemic The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published its report on Medpro,

There are two related ongoing investigations which significantly limit what the PAC is able to comment on or publish at this stage. They are a National Crime Agency investigation into PPE Medpro, and a House of Lords Commissioners for Standards investigation into the conduct of Baroness Mone.

There is also a civil case initiated by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) against PPE Medpro in relation to a disputed contract.

See also:

• Report on PPE deal with firm linked to Tory peer criticises ‘panic-buying’ The Guardian

The public sector needs a real pay rise

The public sector needs a real pay rise Following pay offers which amounted to real terms income cuts, public sector workers have been taking industrial action to demand higher pay increases.

Rising prices are undercutting household incomes and pay for the average public sector worker has been declining in real terms since August 2021.

In this report, we argue that demands for higher pay settlements for public sector workers are justified. Even if the average public sector worker receives a 6 per cent pay rise, they will still be £1,400 worse off this year in real terms compared to before the pandemic.

A stronger pay settlement would help to address four problems facing the public sector: declining living standards, a workforce crisis, the decreasing quality of services and the reality that pay for the UK’s public sector workers lags behind our international peers. Institute for Public Policy Research

See also: 

• Report concludes double-digit pay rise for NHS staff would not drive inflation Nursing Notes

NHS senior-doctor strike disruption warning for patients

NHS senior-doctor strike disruption warning for patients Patients can expect severe disruption to services as senior hospital doctors in England prepare to strike for 48 hours, from 07:00 Thursday, over pay, NHS England warns.

Thousands of planned appointments are being postponed.

Consultants will stop seeing many patients and will not be around to supervise the work of junior doctors.

They will provide so-called Christmas Day cover, meaning emergency care and a small amount of routine work. BBC News

See also:

• NHS Confederation warns consultants strike is 'a step into the unknown' NHS Confederation
• NHS braced for severe disruption due to first consultant strikes in a decade NHS England
• Consultants’ strike will bring NHS routine care to ‘virtual standstill’ The Daily Telegraph
• Consultants’ strike to put NHS care in England ‘at a standstill’, says top doctor The Guardian
• NHS 'at a standstill' as consultants set to strike for two days Sky News

Children waiting years in pain for NHS tooth removal

Children waiting years in pain for NHS tooth removal Children in some areas of England are waiting up to 18 months on average for dental general-anaesthetic treatment and teeth extractions, an investigation reveals.

Some have been left with prolonged dental pain, according to information shared with BBC News.

The parents of one girl who has waited three years for extractions say the pain keeps her up at night.

Removing decayed teeth is the most common reason for needing the service.

See also:

• Thousands of children in England facing ‘heartbreaking’ waits for NHS dental care The Guardian

Woman jailed for taking abortion pills after legal cut-off to be freed from prison

Woman jailed for taking abortion pills after legal cut-off to be freed from prison A mother-of-three who was jailed for obtaining drugs to have an abortion after the legal cut-off will be released from prison after winning an appeal against her sentence.

Carla Foster, 45, was sentenced last month to 28 months in prison, after illegally procuring drugs to terminate her pregnancy during lockdown when she was between 32 to 34 weeks pregnant. The Independent

More than 28,000 convicted of Covid rule breaches in England and Wales

More than 28,000 convicted of Covid rule breaches in England and Wales More than 28,000 people in England and Wales have been convicted of breaches of Covid-19 regulations, despite the government’s insistence that it never intended to criminalise people for minor infractions during the pandemic.

The convictions are for Covid-related offences, such as attendance at gatherings during lockdowns or arriving at airports without the proper evidence of a coronavirus test. Almost 16,000 of the convictions – or 55% – involved people under 30. The Guardian

See also: 

• Covid Inquiry: Bereaved families received targeted abuse BBC News
• Bereaved families give heartbreaking evidence in Covid inquiry Channel 4 News
• People who died with Covid treated ‘like toxic waste’, families tell UK inquiry The Guardian
• Woman who lost her wife to hospital-acquired Covid tells inquiry of trauma The Independent
• Covid unpreparedness left doctors thinking 'they might die', inquiry told Pulse

Gambling White Paper a 'huge miss' that will not prevent harm, MPs told

Gambling White Paper a 'huge miss' that will not prevent harm, MPs told n NHS expert has described the Government’s gambling White Paper as a “huge miss”, telling MPs he does not believe it will prevent harm or lead to a drop in referrals.

Dr Matthew Gaskell, clinical lead for the NHS Northern Gambling Service, also told the Culture, Media and Sport Committee that policy-making needs to be insulated from the influence of the gambling industry, adding: “And that’s a major concern for all of us.” Evening Standard

Breakthrough pill for Parkinson's could treat disease early and relieve symptoms without side-effects

Breakthrough pill for Parkinson's could treat disease early and relieve symptoms without side-effects A daily capsule could treat Parkinson's disease early and relieve symptoms - without the side-effects of standard treatments. It involves a combination of two Parkinson's drugs, pramipexole and rasagiline. The Daily Mail

AI could spare thousands of men with prostate cancer unnecessary treatment and side-effects

AI could spare thousands of men with prostate cancer unnecessary treatment and side-effects Advances in AI could spare thousands of men unnecessary treatment and side effects.

Men with prostate cancer which has an intermediate risk of spreading when they are given radiotherapy are currently offered six months to three years of hormone therapy at the same time.

But AI, which looks for biological patterns in the cancer cells taken from individual men's biopsies at the point of diagnosis, can identify those who would not benefit from hormone therapy. The Daily Mail

See also:

• ArteraAI Prostate Test ArteriaAI
• Could artificial intelligence help diagnose and detect prostate cancer? Prostate Cancer UK

Breaking the cycle: The case for integrating money and mental health support during the cost of living crisis

Breaking the cycle: The case for integrating money and mental health support during the cost of living crisis Breaking the cycle shows that giving people money advice alongside talking therapies could double recovery rates for people with debt and depression — and help an extra 27,000 people recover from mental health problems each year.

The report shows small changes to link up money and mental health support will make a huge difference, especially during the cost of living crisis. It could also save the government and the NHS £144m each year, by reducing demand on health services and helping more people with mental health problems thrive in work. Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

See also:

• Up to 3m UK people behind on bills have had mental healthproblems, study says The Guardian

Prevention, integration and implementation: healthcare leaders’ views on the major conditions strategy

Prevention, integration and implementation: healthcare leaders’ views on the major conditions strategy NHS leaders have identified key levers that the major conditions strategy can use to maximise its impact on healthy life expectancy and reduce inequalities. These fall under three categories: create a healthy society; make the most of existing infrastructure and policy; and implementation. NHS Confederation

High Court ruling on supply of agency workers during industrial action

High Court ruling on supply of agency workers during industrial action Legal guidance from Capsticks, our legal partner, on the High Court ruling on supply of agency workers to carry out duties of striking workers. NHS Employers

Drug donanemab seen as turning point in dementia fight

Drug donanemab seen as turning point in dementia fight A new drug, donanemab, is being hailed as a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's, after a global trial confirms it slows cognitive decline.

The antibody medicine helps in the early stages of the disease by clearing a protein that builds up in the brains of people with this type of dementia.

Although not a cure, charities say the results in the journal JAMA mark a new era where Alzheimer's can be treated. BBC News

See also:

• Donanemab in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Randomized Clinical Trial JAMA
• Results from Lilly's Landmark Phase 3 Trial of Donanemab Presented at Alzheimer's Association Conference and Published in JAMA Eli Lilly
• “Another milestone” – successful phase 3 trial of alzheimer’s drug, donanemab, confirmed Alzheimer's Research UK
• New drug donanemab is 'a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s' Alzheimer's Society
• How does donanemab fight Alzheimer's? And when will it be approved in the UK and US? Everything you need to know about game-changing new drug The Daily Mail
• Are we REALLY at a 'turning point in the fight against Alzheimer's'? Breakthrough new drugs halt cruel disease's decline... but experts warn crippling side effects (and cost) may outweigh any benefits The Daily Mail
• What impact will Alzheimer's drug donanemab have? The Guardian
• Everything we know about breakthrough Alzheimer’s drug Donanemab The Independent
• Why is this Alzheimer’s breakthrough so important? The Independent
• Alzheimer’s drug: Breakthrough medication could be available on the NHS by 2025, experts say iNews
• Alzheimer’s drug donanemab helps most when taken at earliest disease stage, study finds Nature
• Donanemab found to slow Alzheimer's and hailed a 'turning point in fight against disease' Sky News

UK cough syrup could be pharmacy-only over addiction fears

UK cough syrup could be pharmacy-only over addiction fears Cough syrup or codeine linctus could no longer be available over the counter because of concerns it is addictive and can lead to serious health problems.

Rising numbers of reports of drug abuse and dependence to codeine medicines are being made to the UK medicines safety regulator.

It now wants views on reclassifying it as a prescription-only medicine because of fears of misuse.

Pharmacists also say they are worried about the overdose risk. BBC News

See also: 

• MHRA Public consultation on the proposal to make Codeine Linctus available as a prescription-only medicine (POM) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

The doctors graduating during walkouts and record waiting lists

The doctors graduating during walkouts and record waiting lists Eighty one young people have become the first to graduate from one of the UK's newest medical schools.

With junior doctors and consultants staging a walkout over salaries - and record-high waiting lists for hospital patients - why do the graduates at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) want to brave a career in the NHS? BBC News

Deadly tickborne virus that’s spreading in Europe ‘likely to reach UK’

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

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:

• Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial (abstract) The Lancet

It looks like a toy spider, but this micro-robot is one of an army of tiny devices designed to travel INSIDE your body to spot - and even treat - disease

It looks like a toy spider, but this micro-robot is one of an army of tiny devices designed to travel INSIDE your body to spot - and even treat - disease One of them had legs and ‘to be honest, looked a little scary’ — Professor Pietro Valdastri is describing one of his designs for a miniature robot capable of navigating its way through a human body, one of 20 prototypes he has designed with the potential to diagnose or ‘even cure’ disease. The Daily Mail

The 12 GP practices in Northamptonshire with the best NHS patient ratings in 2023

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

Progress with the New Hospital Programme

Progress with the New Hospital Programme The government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP) has experienced delays and is expected to deliver 32 of the intended target of 40 new hospitals by 2030, according to a new National Audit Office report.

See also:

• NHS Providers responds to NAO verdict on government’s New Hospital Programme NHS Providers
• Response to NAO report on the New Hospitals Programme Nuffield Trust
• Government to miss 40 new hospitals target - watchdog BBC News
• The seven hospitals declared 'structurally unsound' after being made with 'aero bar' concrete The Daily Mail
• Government on track to break Boris Johnson’s ‘40 new hospitals’ promise The Guardian
• Government set to fail target of 40 new promised hospitals by 2030, watchdog says The Independent
• Promise of 40 'new' hospitals by 2030 set to be broken, report says ITV News
• Only 32 of 40 new hospitals promised by Boris Johnson to be built by 2030 - and some may be too small, audit suggests Sky News

NHS at 75: A Reality Check and New Priorities

NHS at 75: A Reality Check and New Priorities The NHS’ long anticipated workforce plan is finally here, but it won’t be enough to reverse the health spiral of decline. This pamphlet outlines ways of trying to fix some of the NHS’ problems, by proposing much more devolution of decision-making on services, both regionally and locally, and with a bigger focus on population health and prevention of ill health. The Social Market Foundation

State of maternity services 2023

State of maternity services 2023 According to this report, if the number of NHS midwives in England had risen at the same pace as the overall health service workforce since the last general election, there would be no midwife shortage. It highlights the lack of investment in maternity services and the impact of staffing shortages on women. It also describes how more complex needs, including rising levels of obesity in pregnancy and increases in the number of older women having babies, are increasing demands on maternity services. Royal College of Midwives

The birth charter for women with involvement from children’s social care

The birth charter for women with involvement from children’s social care This charter sets out how services and systems in England should support all women involved with children’s social care from conception to their child’s second birthday - the period known as the '1001 critical days'. It outlines 14 principles to help protect women’s rights to safe, fair and compassionate care, and calls for a national health and social care pathway for pregnant women and mothers of infants who are subject to pre-birth or parenting assessment, or child protection proceedings. Birth Companions

NHS consultant strikes: BMA announces two more walkouts

NHS consultant strikes: BMA announces two more walkouts NHS consultants in England have announced two more days of strikes over a long-running pay dispute.

They were already due to strike on Thursday and Friday - and now they will also walk out on 24 and 25 August, the British Medical Association (BMA) said.

The fresh dates were in response to a "derisory" 6% pay rise, said the BMA, a trade union for doctors.

The government said the rise, announced last week, was fair and called the new strike dates disappointing. BBC News

See also: 

• BMA consultants announce further strike dates BMA
• Increase in charges on migrant health workers in pay settlement "shameful" BMA
• Senior doctors announce two extra strike days next month following 'insulting' 6% pay rise The Daily Mail
• Paying doctors more won't remedy the NHS's chronic problems The Daily Telegraph
• BMA consultants announce two new August strikes in response to 'derisory' pay offer The Daily Telegraph
• How much do NHS consultants earn? Senior doctors to strike in August Evening Standard
• NHS consultants in England to stage two further strikes in August The Guardian
• NHS consultants’ strike could cause even ‘more delays’ than doctors’ action The Guardian
• NHS cannot afford to finance pay rises from existing budgets, hospitals say The Guardian
• Why are junior doctors striking – and when will it end? The Independent
• NHS strikes could continue through election year if pay does not keep pace with inflation, Rishi Sunak warned iNews

Genetic testing could bring in ‘new age’ of diagnostics in NHS

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

I was not prepared for what we came across when treating gaming disorders

I was not prepared for what we came across when treating gaming disorders - Henrietta Bowden-Jones The National Centre for Gaming Disorders, the first NHS clinic designated to treat gaming disorder, saw its first patient in early 2020 but I had been aware of the need for this type of treatment for several years prior to its opening.

The clinic was part of the much-lauded 2019 NHS long-term plan, which has only recently further expanded its network of gambling treatment clinics to a total of 15, reaching its planned national coverage a year ahead of plan. The Guardian

See also: 

• Clinic director 'was not prepared' for level of gaming disorders Evening Standard

New dementia drugs: patients to pay privately or face NHS postcode lottery

New dementia drugs: patients to pay privately or face NHS postcode lottery Groundbreaking new dementia drugs are likely to be the preserve of the rich while NHS patients will be subject to a “massive postcode lottery” when they become available for the first time in the UK, according to the co-chair of the government’s national mission to tackle the condition.

Amid multiple scientific and pharmaceutical breakthroughs – the latest of which, donanemab, is to have its full clinical trial results published at a conference in the Netherlands on Monday – more research funding and the establishment of a dedicated government taskforce, it should be a promising time for tackling the disease that affects more than 850,000 people in Britain. The Guardian

See also:

• New drug claims to slow mental decline caused by Alzheimer's The Daily Mail

New mothers who died with herpes should have been treated sooner, says coroner

New mothers who died with herpes should have been treated sooner, says coroner A coroner has criticised an NHS trust over the deaths of two new mothers with herpes and said they should have been treated earlier for their symptoms.

Kimberley Sampson, 29, and Samantha Mulcahy, 32, died in 2018 after having caesarean sections six weeks apart by the same surgeon at hospitals in Kent. The Guardian

See also:

• East Kent NHS criticised over new mother herpes deaths BBC News

ADHD timebomb fear as diagnoses rocket in the UK among adults and boys over the past two decades

ADHD timebomb fear as diagnoses rocket in the UK among adults and boys over the past two decades Britain has seen a significant rise in diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the most cases in boys aged ten to 16, a study shows.

Symptoms, such as restlessness, concentration problems and impulsive behaviour, start in childhood but are now increasingly recognised to persist into adulthood.

Research reveals both diagnoses and prescriptions for ADHD medication have risen significantly over the past two decades. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses and prescriptions in UK primary care, 2000–2018: population-based cohort study (open access) BJPsych Open
• UK children waiting 16 months on average for ADHD and autism screening The Guardian

NHS bill for botched cosmetic surgery now stands at £6 million

NHS bill for botched cosmetic surgery now stands at £6 million Taxpayers last year spent a record £1.7million on fixing Brits botched by cosmetic surgery carried out abroad, analysis suggests.

Some shocking cases of Brits who 'should never have gone under the knife' cost a whopping £100,000 to treat, experts claim. 

Cheap flights to Turkey have made it one of the top destinations for Brits desperate for the body of their dreams. On top of that, clinics dotted across the country offer cut-price surgery and enticing holiday packages. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Ops offered in Turkey but BANNED or barely done in the UK because they are so risky The Daily Mail

NHS performance tracker

NHS performance tracker The waiting list to start elective (planned) care continues to rise, now numbering almost 7.47 million.

There has been a lack of progress on reducing year-long waiters, with the number of people waiting over 52 weeks to start elective care growing from 371,000 in April 2023 to 385,000 in May.

In May, 41% of patients who had their first treatment for cancer following an urgent GP referral waited longer than two months, the third-worst performance on record.

In June 2023, 27% of people attending A&E spent more than four hours from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge, signifying minimal progress since the start of the year. Quality Watch

See also:

• NHS Confederation responds to the latest performance statistics NHS Confederation
• Significant A&E demand continues for NHS amid increasing strike pressure NHS England
• NHS Providers responds to record-high waiting list NHS Providers
• No sudden return to waiting times patients expect as NHS disruption continues Nuffield Trust
• NHS waiting lists hit record high in England BBC News
• Damning price of crippling NHS strikes laid bare: Waiting lists soar to record high of 7.47million The Daily Mail
• NHS waiting lists reach worst ever level as strikes cripple health service The Daily Telegraph
• NHS waiting list in England hits record 7.5 million The Independent
• NHS waiting lists in England hit record high with treatment delays for 7.47 million people amid strikes iNews

Fundamental reform of NHS dentistry needed to end a 'crisis of access'

Fundamental reform of NHS dentistry needed to end a 'crisis of access' Urgent and fundamental reform of NHS dentistry is needed if people are to receive the dental care they are entitled to. MPs cite frustration that recommendations for reform made by their predecessor Committee 15 years ago have still not been implemented. They brand the current contract, which pays dentists for NHS ‘units of dental activity’ (UDAs), as not fit for purpose.

The Report finds common misconceptions among the public about entitlement to NHS dental services and calls for action to address this. MPs endorse comments given by the Health Minister Neil O’Brien in evidence that it was the Government’s ambition to ensure that everyone who needs an NHS dentist can access one. The Committee calls for the Government to set out urgently how it intends to reform the dental contract to deliver on the ambition expressed by its Minister. Health and Social Care Committee

See also:

• England: A damning verdict on NHS dentistry British Dental Association
• New report calls for fundamental reform of NHS dental care Healthwatch
• NHS dentists: People having to drive hundreds of miles 'unacceptable' BBC News
• Patients are pulling out their own TEETH at home because they cannot afford a dentist, report finds The Daily Mail
• MPs demand dentistry overhaul as patients resort to DIY treatment The Guardian
• Britons are 'pulling their own teeth out with pliers' because they can't access NHS dentists Sky News

NHS staff receive pay rise

NHS staff receive pay rise Pay scales for most doctors and dentists to increase by at least a 6% this year after the government accepted the recommendations from the independent pay review bodies in full.

Around 130,000 full-time equivalent doctors and dentists, including junior doctors and consultants will see their pay rise in line with the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration’s (DDRB) recommendations. Pay for junior doctors will be increased by 8.8% on average. The agreement means pay for a first year junior doctor will increase by 10.3%. Pay for the most experienced junior doctors will increase by 8.1%. For consultants, this means a rise of 6%. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Pay uplift for doctors fails to recognise or remedy their pay cuts in real terms BMA
• Junior doctor striking over NHS 'abusive relationship' BBC News
• Public sector pay: Workers offered pay rises of around 6% BBC News
• Doctors urged to accept pay rise of up to £7,000 and end strikes The Daily Telegraph
• Sunak offers at least 6% pay rise to millions of public sector workers The Guardian
• Ministers ‘have obliterated morale’: junior doctors on first day of strike The Guardian
• Catastrophic winter pressure on NHS prompted junior doctor strike ballot, says BMA The Guardian
• BMA: Doctors' 6% pay offer 'missed opportunity' to end strikes The Independent
• Final offer: UK's Sunak seeks to end strikes with multi-billion pound pay deal Reuters
• Millions of UK public sector workers including teachers and doctors to get pay rises Sky News

Diet Coke safe as long as you don’t drink 14 cans every day, WHO says after aspartame cancer fears

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:

• Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released World Health Organization
• Aspartame advice unchanged despite cancer question BBC News
• WHO bosses admit aspartame IS safe following major safety review The Daily Mail
• Aspartame: What effects do carcinogens have on your body? The Independent

Pollutionwatch: improving air quality could ease pressure on NHS

Pollutionwatch: improving air quality could ease pressure on NHS A study shows that the impact of air pollution on GP and A&E workloads may be greater than previously thought. Put another way, improving air quality could ease pressure on the NHS.

Researchers compared the timing of 114,930 GP and 9,878 A&E respiratory visits in Bradford with air pollution measured around the city. Polluted days were followed by increased health service use for breathing problems, with impacts persisting for more than 100 days. The Guardian

See also:

• The effects of exposure to NO2, PM2.5 and PM10 on health service attendances with respiratory illnesses: A time-series analysis (open access) Environmental Pollution

Public satisfaction with GP practices plummets to an all-time low

Public satisfaction with GP practices plummets to an all-time low More patients are turning to overcrowded A&Es for basic care after finding it increasingly difficult to secure a GP appointment, official figures reveal.

Public satisfaction with their practice has fallen to an all-time low, with many giving up trying to see their doctor altogether, according to the GP Patient Survey.

Experts say the NHS poll of 759,000 people lays bare the crisis in primary care and warn patients are being left in pain, unable to work and getting sicker. The Daily Mail

See also:

• GP Patient Survey 2023 headline findings IPSOS
• GP Patient Survey 2023 national report IPSOS
• More admin staff needed to help tackle GP access issues Healthwatch
• Patient satisfaction with quality of care remains steady as general practice battles continuing high demand NHS Confederation

'Groundbreaking' two-in-one prostate cancer drug which 'halves the risk' of the disease progressing

'Groundbreaking' two-in-one prostate cancer drug which 'halves the risk' of the disease progressing A treatment described as groundbreaking could benefit hundreds of men with advanced prostate cancer if approved in the UK.

Trials have shown a combination of two drugs – enzalutamide and talazoparib – can halve the risk of prostate cancer progressing.

The treatment is part of a class of new precision medications which allow tumours to be targeted more accurately. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Talazoparib plus enzalutamide in men with first-line metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (TALAPRO-2): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (abstract) The Lancet

Stretched to the limit: tackling the NHS productivity challenge

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

Variations in the delivery of palliative care services to adults

Variations in the delivery of palliative care services to adults Palliative and end of life care is ‘variable and inequitable’ across the NHS in England.

The report sets out an investigation we undertook examining the quality and consistency of palliative care provided to adults. Since 2004, and even with a national strategy in place since 2008, numerous publications have highlighted concerns about the limitations of the delivery of palliative and end of life care. These limitations may be more noticeable in areas where funding for services is limited or where care is being delivered across wide geographical areas. Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch

See also:

• NHS end-of-life care in England ‘variable and inequitable’ says watchdog The Guardian

SAS professional development funding: application guidance

SAS professional development funding: application guidance To support the implementation of the new 2021 specialty doctor and specialist contracts and the professional development of specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors (SAS) doctors, NHS England included the SAS development funding in 2021/22 and 2023/24 within commissioner allocations. This guidance has been published in partnership with the British Medical Association to support employers to allocate SAS development funding. NHS Employers

Junior doctors begin longest strike yet in England

Junior doctors begin longest strike yet in England Junior doctors in England have begun their longest walkout yet today, in protest over pay.

They said the government's refusal to talk ahead of the five-day strike was "baffling" and "frustrating".

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said doctors' 35% pay demand was "unreasonable" and the strike would put patient safety at risk.

Thousands of planned appointments are being postponed, as emergency and urgent care are prioritised. BBC News

See also:

• Junior doctors urge Government to come back to the table as new strike begins in England BMA
• Strikes will cause major disruption over the next week, says top NHS doctor NHS England
• Junior doctors ready to begin longest strike in NHS history Channel 4 News
• Junior doctors told to use 5-day NHS strike to go on a picnic The Daily Mail
• Sunak won’t meet NHS waiting times pledge if strikes continue, warn health bosses The Guardian
• NHS strikes: who is taking part and why are they happening? The Guardian
• Warning junior doctors’ strike will top £100m as fresh walkout begins The Independent
• Junior doctors walk out on strike set to be the 'longest in NHS history' ITV News
• Upcoming industrial action will have a serious impact on local NHS services in Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Telegraph
• Junior doctors walking out for five days - the longest strike in NHS history Sky News

Call for clarity over NHS role after misdiagnosis death

Call for clarity over NHS role after misdiagnosis death The mother of a woman who died after a misdiagnosis by an NHS worker she mistakenly believed was a GP has called for better patient protection.

Emily Chesterton, from Salford, died after being seen twice by a physician associate, a role which the NHS said supports doctors in diagnosis.

The 30-year-old, who lived in London, was told her calf pain was a sprain, when she actually had a blood clot.

Her mother Marion said more regulation was needed around physician associates. BBC News

Care watchdog sounds fresh alarm over mental health trust being investigated over 2,000 deaths

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

Majority of public want digital health apps to be used in NHS

Majority of public want digital health apps to be used in NHS Sixty-eight percent of people agree that digital health apps should be used within the NHS, according to the third annual survey into public attitudes on health apps in the UK by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA).

In line with this, 60% more GPs have recommended digital health apps to their patients this year, in comparison to last year. London GPs were revealed to recommend more health apps than any other region.

In addition, nearly half (47%) of all those surveyed said they were already using a health app. Digital Health

Powerful Google tool is almost as good as human doctors in giving answers to basic ailment questions

Powerful Google tool is almost as good as human doctors in giving answers to basic ailment questions Family doctors already have patients turning to 'Dr Google' for a diagnosis.

But Google has now developed AI which could perform as well as a doctor when answering questions about ailments.

The tech giant reports in the journal, Nature, that its latest model, which processes language similarly to ChatGPT, can answer a range of medical questions with 92.6 per cent accuracy. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Large language models encode clinical knowledge (open access) Nature

Even 'SAFE' levels of air pollution can trigger heart attacks, study warns

Even 'SAFE' levels of air pollution can trigger heart attacks, study warns Even 'safe' levels of air pollution can trigger heart attacks, a study suggests.

Researchers also found people can be struck down within just an hour of breathing in dirty air.

Tougher air quality standards are now urgently needed, experts claimed. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Can traffic-related air pollution trigger myocardial infarction within a few hours of exposure? Identifying hourly hazard periods (open access) Environment International