NMC shines spotlight on nursing and midwifery

NMC shines spotlight on nursing and midwifery The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has published the first Spotlight on Nursing and Midwifery. This new report will be published every year, sharing insights from our work to support sector wide learning and improvement for the benefit of people who receive care.

NHS to speed up diagnosis and treatment of respiratory and heart conditions

NHS to speed up diagnosis and treatment of respiratory and heart conditions Hundreds of thousands of patients could benefit from a quicker diagnosis for a range of respiratory and heart conditions, through ambitious new NHS plans for fast-tracked tests and checks.

As part of measures announced by the NHS today to speed up detection of major health problems, GP practices will be able to directly order diagnostic checks to identify a wide range of conditions, including COPD, asthma, cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

Up to one million patients could benefit from the accelerated access, reducing the need for a specialist consultation and speeding up potentially life-saving treatment and medication for patients. NHS England

See also:

• NHS diagnostic plans will only increase GP workload without adequate funding BMA
• Improved access to diagnostics will undoubtedly support GPs in their referral decisions says College Chair Royal College of General Practitioners
• GPs given freedom to order heart checks direct BBC News
• Major change to GP appointments as up to a million patients will be offered fast-track heart and lung tests under plans to combat record NHS backlog The Daily Mail
• GPs to get power to fast-track patients for heart and lung checks The Guardian
• GPs to directly order tests for respiratory and CVD diagnostics Pulse

New standards for NHS board members to strengthen leadership and governance

New standards for NHS board members to strengthen leadership and governance The NHS has published a framework and supporting resources today to help senior board members to strengthen board governance, boost leadership and improve patient safety.

Resources to support current and aspiring board members within the NHS to further develop their skills and careers will be sent to leaders today, including information on development programmes and peer support networks to develop and share good practice. NHS England

Kent NHS trust issued warning over use of rapid tranquillisation

Kent NHS trust issued warning over use of rapid tranquillisation An NHS trust has been issued with a warning notice regarding its use of rapid tranquillisation.

Inspections of hospital wards in Dartford, Maidstone and Canterbury found a decline in the quality of care.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns that staff were not always aware of the potential impact sedation had to patients' health.

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust said it was committed to improving its care and services. BBC News

Why you should go to sleep at the same time all week

Why you should go to sleep at the same time all week Small differences in sleeping habits between work and rest days could lead to unhealthy changes to the bacteria in our guts, a study suggests.

This may be partly a result of people with "social jetlag" having slightly poorer diets, the UK researchers found.

Heavily-disrupted sleep, particularly shift work, is known to have a negative impact on health. BBC News

See also:

• Exploring the relationship between social jetlag with gut microbial composition, diet and cardiometabolic health, in the ZOE PREDICT 1 cohort (open access) European Journal of Nutrition
• Irregular sleep linked to harmful gut bacteria, study suggests The Independent

Rishi Sunak blames striking doctors for pushing up NHS waiting lists

Rishi Sunak blames striking doctors for pushing up NHS waiting lists Rishi Sunak has blamed striking doctors for pushing up NHS waiting lists in a fiery exchange with an A&E worker.

The prime minister was taken to task over his pledge to cut soaring waiting lists, which last month jumped to see a record 7.5 million patients waiting to start treatment. The Independent

See also:

• Rishi Sunak blames striking NHS workers for record-high long waiting lists Evening Standard
• Rishi Sunak blames striking workers as he signals he could fail in two key pledges – as it happened The Guardian
• Rishi Sunak shakes his head in disbelief as junior doctor tells him ‘it’s your fault we’re all unhappy’ The Independent
• Prime Minister blames striking doctors for long NHS waiting lists Pulse

One in four women with suspected breast cancer waiting more than two weeks for specialist NHS appointment

One in four women with suspected breast cancer waiting more than two weeks for specialist NHS appointment One in four women with suspected breast cancer are waiting longer than the two-week target to see a specialist despite an urgent referral, figures show.

NHS England data from spring this year shows 77 per cent of women were seen by a consultant within two weeks of being referred by their GP.

That leaves almost one in four (23.2 per cent) women with suspected breast cancer waiting more than the two weeks target – and in some regions, including London, this figure was as high as almost one in three. iNews

Negligence at Lancashire hospital caused boy permanent brain damage, court rules

Negligence at Lancashire hospital caused boy permanent brain damage, court rules Midwives at Royal Preston hospital failed to accurately monitor Jayden Astley’s heart rate and fabricated notes after birth in 2012

An 11-year-old boy suffered permanent brain damage after birth because of negligence by hospital midwives who then fabricated notes, a high court judge has ruled.

Jayden Astley’s challenges in life include deafness, motor impairments, cognitive difficulties and behavioural difficulties, his lawyers said. The Guardian

Nose-picking healthcare workers more likely to catch Covid, data suggests

Nose-picking healthcare workers more likely to catch Covid, data suggests Nose-picking should be given greater consideration as a potential health hazard, researchers have said, after finding healthcare workers who engaged in rhinotillexis were more likely to catch Covid than those who refrained.

Scientists in the Netherlands say research has previously found healthcare workers who had direct contact with Covid patients were more likely to catch Covid than those who did not. The Guardian

See also:

• Why not to pick your nose: Association between nose picking and SARS-CoV-2 incidence, a cohort study in hospital health care workers (open access) PLOS One
• Picking your nose raises your risk of catching COVID, study suggests The Daily Mail

Northamptonshire Health Charity Win Non-Profit Organisation Award

Northamptonshire Health Charity wins non-profit organisation award An independent charity supporting NHS hospitals and community services throughout Northamptonshire has been announced as a winner in this year’s non-profit organisation awards.

Northamptonshire Health Charity has been chosen as ‘Most Supportive Local Hospital Fundraiser 2023 – East Midlands’. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

A guide to supporting your internationally educated workforce

A guide to supporting your internationally educated workforce This guide provides practical advice and examples of how to support the internationally educated workforce (IEW) as an essential part of promoting a more inclusive and diverse NHS. It focuses on how trusts can support the IEW by looking at the following topics: recruitment, onboarding, and induction; creating a sense of belonging; tools to address bullying and harassment; high quality training and inclusive talent management; and leadership and accountability. NHS Providers

Trans people can wait seven years for NHS initial assessment

Trans people can wait seven years for NHS initial assessment Transgender people in England have faced waits of up to seven years for an initial NHS assessment, data seen by the BBC shows.

The South West's only gender identity clinic has the longest backlog, with an average wait of 90 months.

NHS England said people should be seen within 18 weeks of referral and blamed delays on an "increase in demand".

Trans woman Kaz Self, who waited for five years for an appointment, said the system was "dysfunctional". BBC News

Warning over medical clinics using fake Google reviews

Warning over medical clinics using fake Google reviews Medical clinics are using fake Google reviews to boost their profiles online, a BBC investigation has found.

Consumer groups say fake reviews are a "significant and persistent problem" and have called on internet firms to do more to remove them and fine companies.

Which? has warned it could be a serious issue if someone chooses a treatment clinic based on reading a fake review. BBC News

Cancer breakthrough as groundbreaking pill found to ‘kill tumours’

Cancer breakthrough as groundbreaking pill found to ‘kill tumours’ Scientists at a leading US hospital have developed a “cancer-killing pill” that kills solid tumours through “targeted chemotherapy.”

Likened to a “snowstorm that closes a key airline hub, shutting down all flights in and out only in planes carrying cancer cells”, the protein was developed by a research team at the City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organisations in the US.

The AOH1996 molecule works by targeting a cancerous variant of PCNA, a protein critical to DNA replication and repair of enlarging tumours. The Independent

See also:

• Small molecule targeting of transcription-replication conflict for selective chemotherapy (open access) Cell Chemical Biology

NHS considers using AI to spot breast cancer

NHS considers using AI to spot breast cancer Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can ‘safely’ read breast cancer screening images, a preliminary study suggests.

Researchers found that computer-aided detection could spot cancer in mammograms – X-ray pictures of the breast – at a ‘similar rate’ to two radiologists.

The NHS is already examining how it can implement this type of technology in its breast screening programme. Metro

See also:

• Artificial intelligence-supported screen reading versus standard double reading in the Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence trial (MASAI): a clinical safety analysis of a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority, single-blinded, screening accuracy study (abstract) Lancet Oncology
• Now AI's good enough to assess your mammogram: Study finds computer-trained programme spots 20% more cancers than human radiologists The Daily Mail
• AI can read breast cancer screening images, study finds The Independent

Hope for thousands with ADHD as scientists say new brain treatment can 'transform' lives of sufferers

Hope for thousands with ADHD as scientists say new brain treatment can 'transform' lives of sufferers A brain treatment that eases symptoms of ADHD could 'transform' the lives of children and their families, experts say.

Scientists have discovered non-invasive brain stimulation, combined with cognitive training, can significantly improve symptoms of the disorder in youngsters.

The condition is renowned for affected people's attention, activity and impulsivity, and affects around 5 per cent of children in the UK. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Transcranial random noise stimulation combined with cognitive training for treating ADHD: a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial (open access) Translational Psychiatry
• Brain stimulation treatment could ‘transform the lives’ of children with ADHD The Independent

Scientists discover 'variant-proof' antibodies that can neutralize every strain of Covid - as virus rates tick up across US amid 'late summer wave'

Scientists discover 'variant-proof' antibodies that can neutralize every strain of Covid - as virus rates tick up across US amid 'late summer wave' Newly discovered antibodies could be the key to fighting off every strain of Covid.

Researchers have uncovered six new antibodies in the blood of patients who had survived Covid-19's early ancestor, the SARS virus of 2002, who then also received a vaccination against the coronavirus in more recent years.

The most powerful, E7, was found to neutralize newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Omicron XBB.1.16, which has caused a more than 14 percent spike in new US cases over the past month. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Potent pan huACE2-dependent sarbecovirus neutralizing monoclonal antibodies isolated from a BNT162b2-vaccinated SARS survivor (open access) Science Advances

Health Secretary Steve Barclay axes one-in-six civil service health jobs 'to free up money for frontline NHS services'

Health Secretary Steve Barclay axes one-in-six civil service health jobs 'to free up money for frontline NHS services' Steve Barclay has got rid of hundreds of civil servants to free up cash for the NHS, insiders claimed today.

The Department of Health and Social Care's workforce is now a sixth smaller than it was nine months ago, with just 3,316 mandarins now employed.

Sources close to the Health Secretary said he has 'always been interested in cutting bureaucracy'. The Daily Mail

Young people with eating disorders in England on the rise

Young people with eating disorders in England on the rise Eating disorders, such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge-eating, are serious mental health problems that can severely affect the quality of life of children and their families. In the UK, it is estimated that there are 1.25 million people with eating disorders, and a disproportionate number are below the age of 25.

Published NHS figures show a large and recent increase in the numbers of hospital admissions for young people due to eating disorders. Of the 24,300 hospital admissions (up from 13,200 in 2015-16) for those with eating disorders in 2020-21, almost half were under the age of 25 (11,700). While the large majority of those affected are young women – 10,800 women and girls admitted in 2020-21, admissions of young men have more than doubled in that time from their smaller base. Children's Commissioner

See also:

• 'Worrying' trend sees number of children with eating disorders DOUBLE in six years as experts blame social media for fuelling rise The Daily Mail
• Almost half of under-18s wait three months for eating disorder treatment Evening Standard
• Children with eating disorders not given timely access to care, NHS data shows The Guardian
• Patients ‘not thin enough’ for help as NHS battles eating disorder crisis The Independent
• Young people with eating disorders on the rise amid 'worrying' wait for treatment, analysis shows Sky News

Money Talk Toolkit for health professionals to support patients with money-related health issues

Money Talk Toolkit for health professionals to support patients with money-related health issues Developed in conjunction with the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), the Personalised Care Institute (PCI) is pleased to host the Money Talk Toolkit – created to equip health and care professionals to use personalised care approaches to identify, understand, support, and refer people with money-related health issues, in order to achieve the outcomes that most matter to them.

It follows research by the PCI and MaPS, which found that while half of health and care professionals are seeing an increase in health problems caused by money worries, nine out of 10 don’t feel equipped to discuss money matters with people.

Recognising that health needs can often arise from circumstances beyond the purely medical is a key principle of personalised care, and the Money Talk Toolkit is designed with this in mind.

Transformative, not tokenistic: the patient voice in integrated care systems

Transformative, not tokenistic: the patient voice in integrated care systems Exploring how the patient voice can embedded into system working in a meaningful and transformative way. NHS Confederation

Not by choice: the unequal impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on disempowered ethnic minority and migrant communities

Not by choice: the unequal impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on disempowered ethnic minority and migrant communities This report argues that too many of the policy decisions that were made during the Covid-19 health emergency either did not understand the evidence on inequality or ignored it, and that this was particularly true for ethnic minorities and migrants. Doctors of the World

Transfer of care

Transfer of care The information record standard for e-discharge (DAPB 4042) was first published in 2015. Despite significant investment in programme initiatives on transfers of care (e-discharge plus outpatient letters and discharge from emergency departments and mental health inpatient units) since publication, the widespread adoption and achievement of the anticipated benefits of standardised discharge summaries across the system remains disappointingly low. This review identified the challenges that have inhibited widespread adoption of the e-discharge and delivery of the anticipated benefits. Professional Record Standards Body

Court rejects appeal against NHS England over gender dysphoria treatment delays

Court rejects appeal against NHS England over gender dysphoria treatment delays ‘Extreme’ waiting times cited in case, with one claimant saying she had not received a first appointment after referral in 2017

Campaigners have lost a court of appeal challenge against NHS England over waiting times for gender dysphoria treatment.

Two transgender adults, Eva Echo and Alex Harvey, and two children, who cannot be named, brought legal action against the health service over “extreme” waiting times for a first appointment with a specialist. The Guardian

See also:

• Two transgender people who brought legal action against NHS England over 'extreme' waiting times for gender dysphoria treatment LOSE appeal bid The Daily Mail

A quarter of GPs have private medical insurance

A quarter of GPs have private medical insurance A quarter of GPs now have private medical insurance, citing concerns around waiting lists and the level of treatment available on the NHS, a Pulse survey has revealed.

The survey of 860 GPs found that 21% have their own personal private medical insurance, while 4% have it funded through employers. A further 15% said they were considering taking it out.

Respondents said that they have been compelled to take private insurance because ‘NHS waiting lists are too long’, and that they were unable to take sick days due to the intensity of the work in general practice.

GPs will be urged to refer patients to life coaches instead of signing them off sick

GPs will be urged to refer patients to life coaches instead of signing them off sick GPs may be urged to refer Brits to life coaches instead of just automatically signing them off sick, it was claimed today. 

Ministers hope the planned shake-up could help tackle the UK's sick note crisis, with a record 2.5m people now on long-term sick leave.

Fit notes — handed out by doctors, physiotherapists and pharmacists — are currently issued to patients who've been off work ill for over a week. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Evaluation of the Healthled Employment Trials Department for Work and Pensions

New role will see Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People providing support to families across Northamptonshire

New role will see Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People providing support to families across Northamptonshire Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People has a new role which will benefit people in Northamptonshire.

Karen Parsons is a clinical nurse specialist in paediatric palliative care who is employed by Rainbows but works for the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS group and Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Public open to virtual care, but lack of understanding a barrier to progress, new research warns

Public open to virtual care, but lack of understanding a barrier to progress, new research warns ‘Virtual wards’ – which allow patients to get hospital-level care at home, while still being in regular contact with health professionals – are a key element of NHS England’s plan for tackling the backlog of care. They can be used instead of admitting people to hospital or to enable patients to be discharged sooner, and in some cases are supported by technologies that help people monitor their health at home.

But new analysis suggests that while the UK public is on balance supportive of virtual wards, a lack of understanding of the term may be holding back public support for them. The Health Foundation

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan explained

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan explained On 30 June 2023, the NHS long term workforce plan (Long Term Workforce Plan) was published, setting out the long-term strategic direction for the NHS workforce in England.

In this explainer, we set out the main commitments in the plan and provide our view of what they might mean, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for the health care system as the plan is put into practice. The King's Fund

Rapid Literature Review: Improvement cultures in health and adult social care settings

Rapid Literature Review: Improvement cultures in health and adult social care settings This report presents findings from a rapid evidence review into improvement cultures in health and adult social care settings. The review aims to inform CQC’s approach to assessing and encouraging improvement, improvement cultures and improvement capabilities of services, while maintaining and strengthening CQC’s regulatory role. It also identifies gaps in the current evidence base (i.e. the body of literature focused on improvement cultures). Care Quality Commission

The hidden wait for cancer care

The hidden wait for cancer care Our research on GP referrals highlighted the frustration patients experience due to long waits and a lack of support. This latest analysis looks at people’s experience of getting a cancer referral. Healthwatch England

See also:

• Revealed: how hidden delays blight cancer care in England and Wales The Guardian

Hepatitis C prevalence falls by 45% in England

Hepatitis C prevalence falls by 45% in England The latest data published by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that there were an estimated 70,649 people living in England with hepatitis C in 2022. This is 45% lower than the number of people in 2015, thanks to improved access to antivirals that cure the infection.

NHS England has treated more than 80,000 people since 2015 as part of its national elimination programme, meaning more people have now been treated and cured of the virus than are left to treat. Of those treated, more than 80% are from the most deprived areas in England, highlighting the role of eliminating hepatitis C as a key driver of reducing health inequalities.

See also:

• Research: Hepatitis C in England and the UK UK Health Security Agency
• Research: Hepatitis D in England and the UK UK Health Security Agency

£600 million social care winter workforce and capacity boost

£600 million social care winter workforce and capacity boost The government has unveiled a £600 million package to help with recruitment and retention in social care. The fund will support the social care workforce and boost capacity in social care, in turn supporting the NHS ahead of winter and through into next year. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• The King's Fund responds to DHSC social care boost The King's Fund
• ‘Crucial to delivering care’: LGA responds to £600m social care workforce funding Local Government Association
• Confirmed funding for social care workforce will offer some much-needed stability Nuffield Trust
• Correspondence: Adult social care winter letter 2023 to 2024 Department of Health and Social Care
• Guidance: Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund - Workforce Fund Department of Health and Social Care
• Research: Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund 2023 to 2024: care provider fees Department of Health and Social Care
• Social care funding 'will relieve hard-pressed councils and struggling staff' The Independent

New NHS campaign to help spot early signs of life-threatening constipation in people with a learning disability

New NHS campaign to help spot early signs of life-threatening constipation in people with a learning disability The NHS has launched a major new national campaign to support people with a learning disability, healthcare professionals and carers to spot the early signs of potentially life-threatening constipation.

The campaign, which has been co-created with people with lived experience, launches with a new animation and posters for use in different care settings to support conversations about constipation and ensure people with a learning disability can receive treatment at the earliest opportunity. NHS England

A chilling warning from Britain’s most senior A&E doctor: Tory winter plan could kill thousands

A chilling warning from Britain’s most senior A&E doctor: Tory winter plan could kill thousands Government plans to prepare the NHS for winter have been criticised by the UK’s most senior A&E doctor, who warned that inadequate provision could see thousands of people die needlessly this year.

Dr Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), warned that plans drawn up this week are wholly insufficient, allowing for less than half of the beds needed to cope with the crisis. The Independent

See also:

• NHS in acute condition: the crisis facing the UK’s hospitals The Guardian

Hunt says bill for infected blood compensation may be very large

Hunt says bill for infected blood compensation may be very large Final compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal could end up costing "very, very large sums of money," the chancellor has said.

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt was giving evidence to the public inquiry into what has been labelled the worst treatment disaster in NHS history.

He said the government had accepted the moral case for compensation.

But he said no final decisions could be made before the inquiry publishes its findings later this year. BBC News

Exploitation of care workers in England is ‘appalling’, says government adviser

Exploitation of care workers in England is ‘appalling’, says government adviser Ministers have allowed England’s creaking social care system to become too heavily reliant on low-paid foreign workers who are vulnerable to exploitation, the government’s migration adviser has warned.

In a strongly worded intervention, Prof Brian Bell, who has just been reappointed by the home secretary, Suella Braverman, as chair of the migration advisory committee (MAC), called the government’s tacit acceptance of exploitation in the sector “appalling”. The Guardian

‘Serious failings’ contributed to baby’s death in 12-hour lone prison birth

‘Serious failings’ contributed to baby’s death in 12-hour lone prison birth Serious systemic failings contributed to the death of a newborn baby in a cell at Europe’s largest women’s prison, a coroner has concluded.

Rianna Cleary, who was 18 at the time, gave birth to her daughter Aisha alone in her prison cell at HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey, on the night of 26 September 2019. The care-leaver was on remand awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to a robbery charge. The Guardian

Spiralling sick leave is blamed on mental illness and long Covid as 36% of working-age people have a long-term health condition

Spiralling sick leave is blamed on mental illness and long Covid as 36% of working-age people have a long-term health condition Surging rates of depression and anxiety – along with the rise of long Covid – are driving up the number of Britons on long-term sick leave.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed there were more than 2.5 million people not working due to ill health in the first three months of 2023 – a rise of 400,000 since the start of the pandemic.

It comes against a background of increasing chronic illness, with 36 per cent of all working-age people reporting to be living with at least one long-term health condition – up from 31 per cent in the first quarter of 2019. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Rising ill-health and economic inactivity due to long-term sickness, UK: 2019 to 2023 Office for National Statistics

Ex-head of Government's vaccine taskforce Kate Bingham warns UK is unprepared for Covid 2.0

Ex-head of Government's vaccine taskforce Kate Bingham warns UK is unprepared for Covid 2.0 The former head of the government's vaccine taskforce has accused ministers of making 'dumbarse' decisions after the pandemic which could hit the country's ability to deal with a future virus outbreak.

Dame Kate Bingham said huge efforts were made to build manufacturing capability for vaccines, while a pioneering database was created of people willing to undergo clinical trials. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Scientists discover the 'most mutated Covid variant ever' lurking in a patient in Indonesia The Daily Mail

Who is supporting locally employed, specialty and specialist doctors? The NHS cannot afford to lose them

Who is supporting locally employed, specialty and specialist doctors? The NHS cannot afford to lose them SAS and LE doctors make up at least 25 per cent of General Medical Council (GMC)-registered doctors in the NHS.  SAS doctors are experienced specialised doctors working in the NHS under a nationally agreed contract. LE doctors have a variety of experiences. For example, they may be UK-trained doctors who have finished the first two years of foundation training or recently recruited international medical graduates, among many other options. LE doctors are employed by individual trusts with locally agreed contract terms and conditions. The King's Fund

Maternal mental health: a briefing for integrated care systems

Maternal mental health: a briefing for integrated care systems This briefing aims to help integrated care systems (ICSs) understand the role they have in ensuring every new and expectant mother receives the right mental health support at the right time, close to home. It finds that, if untreated, maternal mental health problems can cost an average-sized ICS the equivalent of £190 million per year. The briefing outlines why maternal mental health is important and explains the steps ICSs can take to provide the right support. It also suggests ten key areas in need of immediate action: universal services; NHS talking therapies; specialist perinatal mental health services; inpatient services; maternal mental health services; voluntary and community sector support; family hubs; baby loss support; tackling stigma; and reducing loneliness and isolation. Maternal Mental Health Alliance

Made in communities: the national evaluation of the Better Mental Health Fund

Made in communities: the national evaluation of the Better Mental Health Fund The Better Mental Health Fund was set up by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in 2021 to address mental health challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Funding for public mental health was given to local authorities in 40 of the most disadvantaged areas of England, which experience higher rates of mental ill health, and used to run 314 projects. This evaluation report finds that the Fund enabled local councils to support a wide range of activities to promote mental health, covering a spectrum of preventative and support-based interventions and projects for the general population. Centre for Mental Health

NHS at 75: The huge promise of technology

NHS at 75: The huge promise of technology In our series of podcasts marking the NHS’s 75th birthday, we’ve been setting out the big challenges and opportunities ahead for the health service.

In this third and final installment, we ask how the potential of technology might be unlocked to benefit patients, the public, staff and the taxpayer. We also share initial reflections on the recently published NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. Podcast from The Health Foundation

New report on 10 promising AI interventions for healthcare

New report on 10 promising AI interventions for healthcare A new NIHR Evidence Collection has identified 10 promising AI interventions addressing five key healthcare challenges.

The Collection demonstrates the potential of AI in addressing these challenges, and highlights how AI can support the NHS and transform healthcare in future. The innovations could one day benefit the NHS and patients by saving time, money, resources. They could improve care and save lives. National Institute for Health Research

See also:

• Health experts call on public to 'trust' artificial intelligence Evening Standard

GP Patient Survey 2023 Results

GP Patient Survey 2023 Results The survey assesses patients’ experiences of healthcare services provided by GP practices, including experience of access to GP practices, making appointments, the quality of care received from healthcare professionals, experience of services when their GP practice is closed and patients’ experiences of NHS dental services. The survey also captures information about patient health, including patients with long term conditions, disabilities, or illnesses, and the support they receive to manage these. NHS England

See also:

• General Practice Workforce NHS Digital
• NHS Confederation responds to the latest GP appointments and GP workforce statistics NHS Confederation
• The trends we’ve seen over the past year can’t be allowed to continue, says College Chair Royal College of General Practitioners

Allergy emergencies double in recent years in England

Allergy emergencies double in recent years in England Dangerous allergic reactions are rising in England and now cause some 25,000 NHS hospital stays a year, data shows.

Health officials say the rate has more than doubled over 20 years, prompting them to issue advice reminding people how to recognise allergies and respond.

For severe food-related allergic reactions, the rise in admissions is even greater. BBC News

Private companies take over Newcastle sexual health service

Private companies take over Newcastle sexual health service An NHS-run sexual health service in Newcastle is set to be taken over by two private companies.

New operators will take on the city's service, based out of New Croft House clinic, from October.

A new contract was put out to tender after Newcastle Hospitals Trust did not make an offer to continue its contract for Newcastle City Council.

Hospital chiefs said they were "disappointed" but had been "unable to submit a sustainable bid". BBC News

Serving-size labelling leaves many confused- Which? survey

Serving-size labelling leaves many confused- Which? survey People struggle to estimate portion sizes for food such as chocolate, crisps and cheese, a survey of 1,265 Which? subscribers suggests.

They may need more help to assess how healthy products are, the consumer group says.

Unrealistic recommended serving sizes can mislead people into thinking they are consuming fewer calories, and less fat, sugar or salt, than they actually are, Which? says. BBC News

See also:

• The problem with portion sizes Which?

Obese people on weight-loss jabs ‘should be prepared to stay on them for life

Obese people on weight-loss jabs ‘should be prepared to stay on them for life Obese people taking weight-loss jabs should be prepared to stay on them for life, experts have warned.

Studies show that people who stop injections of drugs like semaglutide – sold as Wegovy and Ozempic – can regain much of the weight they have lost. The Independent

Can the NHS recover from record waitlists and ongoing strikes before winter?

Can the NHS recover from record waitlists and ongoing strikes  before winter? There are nearly seven and a half million people waiting for hospital treatment in England – and no sign of negotiations to avert more strikes.

So even though it’s only July, health leaders are warning it will be an extremely challenging winter.

NHS England announced plans to boost capacity and get patients back home sooner. They include extra beds and more use of virtual wards. But can it afford them? Channel 4 News

Daily chores which make you huff and puff for just four MINUTES might slash your risk of cancer

Daily chores which make you huff and puff for just four MINUTES might slash your risk of cancer Short bursts of daily activity that make you huff and puff — such as playing high-energy games with children — could reduce the risk of cancer, research suggests.

According to the study, a total of just four-and-a-half minutes of vigorous activity — done in bursts of around one minute each - during daily tasks could reduce the overall risk of cancer by 18 per cent, and the risk of some cancers linked to physical activity by up to 32 per cent. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity and Cancer Incidence Among Nonexercising Adults: The UK Biobank Accelerometry Study (open access) JAMA Oncology

Pregnant women and millions of Brits with conditions like diabetes are told NOT to eat any smoked salmon over listeria fears

Pregnant women and millions of Brits with conditions like diabetes are told NOT to eat any smoked salmon over listeria fears Pregnant women were today reminded that they shouldn't eat ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured salmon because of the listeria risk.

Food safety chiefs also issued the same warning to millions of Brits with diabetes, cancer and liver disease.

Smoked salmon and trout are more likely to harbour the bug, which can be life-threating to at-risk people, as the foods are not fully-cooked during production. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Updated advice to higher risk consumers on ready-to-eat cold-smoked and cured fish following publication of a risk assessment Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland

The 11 GP practices in Northamptonshire with the worst NHS patient ratings in 2023

The 11 GP practices in Northamptonshire with the worst 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%. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Delays to NHS care: Understanding the impact

Delays to NHS care: Understanding the impact New research shows that people are currently facing multiple cancellations or postponements of care which are having a significant impact on their lives and symptoms, while further increasing health inequalities.  

We commissioned a survey of 1084 people who have seen their NHS care either cancelled or postponed this year to understand the extent of disruption to care amid rising waiting lists, workforce issues, and industrial action, and other pressures on the NHS. Healthwatch England

See also:

• NHS cancellations causing ‘catastrophic health impacts’, says watchdog The Guardian

National survey highlights decline in people’s experience of urgent and emergency care

National survey highlights decline in people’s experience of urgent and emergency care Findings from a survey of more than 36,000 people who used NHS urgent and emergency care services in September 2022 show that many people had a worse experience than in previous years – particularly those treated in an A&E type department.

Published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the survey reveals the responses from patients who attended either a major consultant-led A&E department (Type 1) or an urgent treatment centre or minor injury unit (Type 3) run directly by one of 122 acute hospital trusts in England during September 2022.

See also:

• A&E experience is now the worst on record as damning study reveals a third of NHS patients wait over an hour just to speak to a doctor or nurse while nearly a fifth wait more than FOUR hours to be examined The Daily Mail

We deserve better: ethnic minorities with a learning disability and access to healthcare

We deserve better: ethnic minorities with a learning disability and access to healthcare This five part review examines two decades of research looking into discriminatory barriers preventing equitable health care treatment. It finds that people with a learning disability from Black, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage) and minority ethnic backgrounds face shorter life expectancy triggered by poorer health care access, experience and outcomes. It also captures the lack of reasonable adjustments and failure to recognise individual needs. Other obstacles identified include language barriers, cultural and religious insensitivity, a lack of information in easy read format, and a lack of information during transitional care in hospital and home. NHS Race & Health Observatory

NHS platform a ‘major force for good’ after identifying millions of savings in its first year

NHS platform a ‘major force for good’ after identifying millions of savings in its first year A Crown Commercial Service-funded digital platform used by the NHS has identified millions of pounds of potential savings in its first year, the government has announced. Department of Health and Social Care

Agreement to support mental health care and free up police time

Agreement to support mental health care and free up police time Patients experiencing a mental health crisis will be treated by the most appropriate agency, helping free up police time and ensuring care is provided by someone with the most relevant skills and experience, as a new national agreement is signed between health and policing partners. Department of Health and Social Care, Home Office and NHS England

Junior doctors to strike for four days in August

Junior doctors to strike for four days in August Junior doctors in England are to stage a four-day strike in August - their fifth strike in this pay dispute.

The walkout will start at 07:00 BST on Friday 11 August and end on 07:00 on Tuesday 15 August.

The British Medical Association has asked for a 35% pay rise to restore pay to 2008 levels after a series of below-inflation pay rises. BBC News

See also:

• Junior doctors urge Government to come to the table as they announce fifth round of strikes BMA
• Strike action: Junior doctors in England announce fifth walkout in August The BMJ
• Junior doctors announce ANOTHER strike: Four-day August walk-out by the BMA will bring struggling NHS to standstill again The Daily Mail
• Welcome to the NHS, fancy striking? New crop of junior doctors are being urged to join August's four-day BMA walk-out (which kicks off just 9 DAYS after they join) The Daily Mail
• NHS under increasing pressure as junior doctors announce another strike The Daily Telegraph
• Junior doctors urged to strike nine days after starting work in the NHS Evening Standard
• Junior doctors in England to stage four-day strike in August The Guardian
• Junior doctors to stage fresh strike next month in bitter pay dispute The Independent
• Junior doctors to stage fresh four-day walkout despite Sunak saying negotiations over Sky News

Extra hospital beds made available for winter - NHS England

Extra hospital beds made available for winter - NHS England An extra 5,000 hospital beds will be available this winter to help the NHS in England to cope, health bosses say.

It will mean nearly 100,000 permanent beds accessible at the busiest time of the year - a 5% rise on current levels.

NHS England is also promising quicker discharge arrangements to get patients out of hospital when they are medically-fit to leave.

This will be achieved through the rollout of what have been dubbed "care traffic control centres". BBC News

Herpes deaths: Why did our daughters die after Caesareans?

Herpes deaths: Why did our daughters die after Caesareans? In 2018, two new mothers died of herpes - a common, normally mild infection - just weeks apart, shortly after giving birth by Caesarean section at the same NHS Trust. Following an inquest into both deaths, their families say they will continue their fight to find out what happened. BBC News

NHS Ambulance trusts unable to access patient records following cyberattack

NHS Ambulance trusts unable to access patient records following cyberattack Attack on Ortivus's data centre last week has left two trusts in the south of England resorting to paper-based records

Two NHS ambulance services have been unable to access electronic patient records for over a week following a cyberattack on Swedish health tech company Ortivus. Computing

See also:

• Cyber attack hits two ambulance services in England BBC News
• Cyber attack hits two ambulance trusts leaving hospitals without access to electronic patient records The Daily Mail
• Cyber attack leaves NHS ambulance trusts unable to access patient records The Daily Telegraph

‘Awful lot of nothing’: families denounce Sunak’s response to blood scandal inquiry

‘Awful lot of nothing’: families denounce Sunak’s response to blood scandal inquiry Victims and family members have expressed frustration and dismay with Rishi Sunak for not committing to a compensation framework for those affected by the contaminated blood scandal.

Before the prime minister’s appearance on Wednesday at the public inquiry into the unparalleled treatment disaster, there were protests by campaigners carrying photos of bereaved loved ones and banners saying: “Dying for Justice.” The Guardian

See also:

• Blood-inquiry families heckle PM over compensation BBC News
• Prime Minister jeered while giving evidence during infected blood inquiry Channel 4 News
• Extraordinary moment Rishi Sunak gets heckled by outraged victims of infected blood scandal as PM dodges compensation questions at inquiry The Daily Mail
• Sunak heckled at infected blood inquiry for saying government working ‘at pace’ The Guardian
• 'Betrayal': Sunak attacked over performance at infected blood inquiry ITV News
• Infected Blood Inquiry: Shifty Sunak appears evasive... again Sky News

Government likely to lose millions in dispute over PPE contract awarded via ‘VIP lane’

Government likely to lose millions in dispute over PPE contract awarded via ‘VIP lane’ The UK government appears unlikely to recover any money from a healthcare recruitment agency that allegedly failed to deliver on a multimillion-pound PPE contract awarded during the Covid pandemic.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed it is in a dispute over the £20m-plus contract awarded to SG Recruitment UK Ltd. However, the agency’s parent company has gone into liquidation, raising questions about whether the government can recoup any funds. The Guardian

Got high blood pressure? Why doing the plank or 'wall-sits' might be better than going for a swim

Got high blood pressure? Why doing the plank or 'wall-sits' might be better than going for a swim A brisk walk, cycle or swim is often the doctors' orders when it comes to high blood pressure.

But now scientists suggest doing the 'plank' or 'wall-sits' are better exercises for helping to control hypertension.

A review of clinical data found that while 'cardio', or aerobic workouts were beneficial, static exercises designed to work the muscles had the most impact. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Exercise training and resting blood pressure: a large-scale pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (free access) British Journal of Sports Medicine
•  Static isometric exercise, such as wall sits and planks, best for lowering blood pressure Canterbury Christ Church University

£1.7m surgical robot has performed 250 operations at Northampton General Hospital

£1.7m surgical robot has performed 250 operations at Northampton General Hospital A state-of-the-art Surgical Robot has now performed 250 operations at Northampton General Hospital to help improve care for patients.

The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group – which runs Northampton and Kettering general hospitals – has invested in the £1.7m Surgical Robot as part of its clinical strategy. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

First guidance published to support NHS workers after a colleague suicide

First guidance published to support NHS workers after a colleague suicide Researchers from the universities of Surrey, Keele and Birmingham have today (Tuesday) published the first guidance to support NHS workers after a colleague dies by suicide.

The recommendations are based on a two-year study identifying the impact on NHS staff who have been in this distressing situation, and the support they may need.

The guidance has been developed specifically for the NHS and for health service staff who are affected by a colleague’s suicide, and for those who will be supporting them. UNISON

See also:

• Postvention guidance: Supporting NHS staff after the death by suicide of a colleague University of Surrey
• The Impact of Colleague Suicide and the Current State of Postvention Guidance for Affected Co-Workers: A Critical Integrative Review (open access) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Building equitable primary care: a toolkit for practitioners and decision makers

Building equitable primary care: a toolkit for practitioners and decision makers The findings of two academic projects – EQUALISE and FAIRSTEPS – have been brought together to produce a toolkit for addressing unequal access to primary care. It describes what equitable primary care looks like, and provides practical steps to help local decision makers address inequalities in health and healthcare. Queen Mary University of London

Government progress on pharmacy 'requires improvement', warns Expert Panel

Government progress on pharmacy 'requires improvement', warns Expert Panel The Health and Social Care Committee’s independent Expert Panel evaluating Government commitments on pharmacy has found that overall progress ‘requires improvement’ across a number of areas.

Evidence shows that demand for community pharmacy services has increased significantly with community pharmacies struggling to deliver services within the existing funding model, or even to remain open.

Millions of children get access to life-saving defibrillators

Millions of children get access to life-saving defibrillators The government has confirmed today (25 July 2023) that all state-funded schools in England now have a life-saving defibrillator, drastically increasing the chances of surviving cardiac arrest for all state school pupils in England.

Following the government’s £19 million rollout, over 20,000 defibrillators have successfully been delivered to almost 18,000 schools since January. Department of Health and Social Care

Acute inpatient mental health care for adults and older adults

Acute inpatient mental health care for adults and older adults Guidance to support the commissioning and delivery of timely access to high quality therapeutic inpatient care, close to home and in the least restrictive setting possible. NHS England

NHS England publishes data on first consultants strike in a decade

NHS England publishes data on first consultants strike in a decade Industrial action by consultants, over the recent 48 hours between 20 and 21 July, saw 65,557 rescheduled appointments and procedures.

The cumulative total of rescheduled appointments and procedures over eight months of industrial action across the NHS now stands at 765,000. NHS England

Police in England to attend fewer mental-health calls

Police in England to attend fewer mental-health calls Police officers in England will no longer respond to concerns about mental health if there is no risk to life or crime being committed, under new plans.

The government says the policy could save a million hours of police time every year.

Senior officers say forces have "lost their way" by dealing with less serious mental-health problems.

But mental-health charities say they are "deeply worried" at what could be a "dangerous" change. BBC News

See also:

• Right Care Right Person (RCRP) national guidance launched College of Policing
• Police to save 1M officer hours with new mental health approach National Police Chiefs' Council
• Forces adopt national scheme to reduce response to mental health incidents Police Professional
• Police will stop attending mental health calls to increase bobbies on beat The Daily Telegraph
• Ministers tell police to respond to fewer mental health-related 999 calls The Guardian
• Government backs reduction in police response to mental health incidents despite safety warnings The Independent
• Plans to cut back on police attending mental health callouts ITV News
• Police in England and Wales to drastically cut back on attending mental health callouts Sky News

Infected Blood Inquiry: Rishi Sunak to give evidence

Infected Blood Inquiry: Rishi Sunak to give evidence Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will appear in front of the Infected Blood Inquiry on Wednesday.

Bereaved families want Mr Sunak to accept compensation recommendations made three months ago by the inquiry's chairman, Sir Brian Langstaff.

It is thought that 30,000 people in the UK were given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 80s.

Some victims have received financial support but not all have been fully compensated. BBC News

See also:

• Infected blood doctors accused of ‘cover-up’ amid compensation warnings The Daily Telegraph
• Infected Blood Inquiry: Minister challenged over slow compensation for victims The Independent
• Campaigners to call on PM to pay full compensation when he gives evidence at Infected Blood Inquiry ITV News

AI: Researchers train artificial intelligence to help detect breast cancer

AI: Researchers train artificial intelligence to help detect breast cancer Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that may help doctors detect cancer.

The researchers from Cardiff University say it could help improve the accuracy of medical diagnostics and could lead to earlier breast cancer detection.

The system is aimed at supporting radiologists' decision making, Hantao Liu from Cardiff University said.

Cancer charity Tenovus said AI's potential use in diagnosing cancers early was "phenomenal". BBC News

Clinics told to stop prescribing medicines as weight loss drug hits diabetes supply

Clinics told to stop prescribing medicines as weight loss drug hits diabetes supply A government alert has been sent to private weight-loss clinics instructing them to stop prescribing slimming injections as “very limited, intermittent supplies” are putting the lives of diabetes patients in danger.

The national patient safety alert was sent to both NHS and private healthcare providers by the Department of Health and Social Care, warning of shortages to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) - including semaglutide (Ozempic), dulaglutide, liraglutide and exenatide - which are used to treat diabetes. The Independent

Two-thirds of people administering cosmetic surgery injections are not qualified medical doctors, survey finds

Two-thirds of people administering cosmetic surgery injections are not qualified medical doctors, survey finds More than two-thirds of people who are administering cosmetic surgery injections such as Botox in the UK are not qualified medical doctors, a new study suggests.

The study is the first survey of who is providing cosmetic injectable services, including botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers, in the country. The Independent

See also: 

• Profiling UK injectable aesthetic practitioners: a national cohort analysis (open access) Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Sciensus’s licence partly suspended after death of cancer patient

Sciensus’s licence partly suspended after death of cancer patient Britain’s health regulator has partly suspended the manufacturing licence of Sciensus, a private company paid millions by the NHS to provide vital medicines, after the death of a cancer patient who was given the wrong dose of chemotherapy.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it had taken “immediate” action under regulation 28 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 law “where it appears to the MHRA that in the interests of safety the licence should be suspended”. The Guardian

'Dishonest' bodybuilder who sued NHS after 'lying' faces £100K bill

'Dishonest' bodybuilder who sued NHS after 'lying' faces £100K bill A bodybuilder accused of lying that a botched NHS surgery left him disabled was caught out by a Facebook video showing him lifting heavy weights.

Sean Murphy, 38, sued Wye Valley NHS Trust for £580,000 in compensation after claiming that an operation on his bicep left him unable to work or dress himself.

His claims started to unravel after photos and videos on social media emerged of the bodybuilder playing rugby and lifting weights, with one video showing him grunting while shifting a three-stone kettle bell. The Daily Mail

2.5 million more people in England projected to be living with major illness by 2040

2.5 million more people in England projected to be living with major illness by 2040 9.1 million people will be living with major illness by 2040, 2.5 million more than in 2019, according to a new report published today by the Health Foundation.

The analysis finds that 19 of the 20 health conditions studied are projected to increase in prevalence, including a rise of more than 30% in the number of people living with conditions such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease. Overall, the number of people living with major disease is set to increase from almost 1 in 6 of the adult population in 2019, to nearly 1 in 5 by 2040, with significant implications for the NHS, other public services and the public finances.

See also:

• NHS Confederation responds to Health Foundation report projecting 2.5m more people in England will be living with major illness by 2040 NHS Confederation
• Surge in ill health will have major impact on NHS BBC News
• An extra 2.5million Britons will have major illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and dementia by 2040 with soaring obesity counteracting gains made by fewer people smoking, report warns The Daily Mail
• Additional 2.5 million people will have major illnesses by 2040 Evening Standard
• ‘Catastrophic’ forecast shows 9m people in England with major illnesses by 2040 The Guardian
• Rates of major illness such as cancer and diabetes to soar by a third by 2040 The Independent
• NHS faces further pressure as report finds one in five will have major illness by 2040 ITV News
• One in five adults in England will be living with major diseases by 2040, say researchers Sky News

Getting the fundamentals right: how to better prepare for discharge pressures next winter

Getting the fundamentals right: how to better prepare for discharge pressures next winter Delayed discharges, where a patient is medically fit to leave hospital but is not discharged, were a particular problem in England last winter. In this long read, Camille Oung highlights some possible solutions to help better prepare health and care services for discharge pressures next winter. Nuffield Trust

Improving regulation for the future: regulation survey 2023

Improving regulation for the future: regulation survey 2023 This report explores NHS trust leaders' views of regulation over the past twelve months. Most trusts said that regulatory burden (52 per cent) and the number of 'ad hoc' requests (59 per cent) grew last year, at a time when services were more overstretched than many leaders can ever remember. NHS Providers

UKHSA launches new strategy to tackle national and global health hazards

UKHSA launches new strategy to tackle national and global health hazards The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today launched its 3-year strategy to combat both new and re-emerging threats and to protect health security.

The new strategy sets out UKHSA’s vision and goals for the next 3 years to prepare for and respond to health threats and build the capabilities and technologies to protect the country in the future.

Radiographers begin 48-hour strike in England

Radiographers begin 48-hour strike in England Radiographers, who perform vital scans on patients, begin a 48-hour strike at 08:00 on Tuesday in parts of England.

Staff at 37 NHS trusts are staging walkouts over pay.

The government says its offer of a 5% pay rise combined with one-off payments totalling at least £1,655 is "reasonable" and "final".

Patients can expect disruption to services - but staffing levels akin to those during bank holidays will provide "life and limb" emergency cover. BBC News

See also:

• Our members deserve better, our patients deserve better Society of Radiographers
• Radiographers' strike will hit patients hard NHS Providers
• Radiographers at 37 NHS trusts in England going on strike over pay Evening Standard
• Radiographers in England stage two-day strike over pay and staffing The Guardian
• NHS radiographers strike amid complaints of staff shortages and low pay ITV News

NHS trust to review all suicides since 2017

NHS trust to review all suicides since 2017 The deaths of dozens of people who took their own lives while patients of an NHS trust will be reviewed after concerns were raised.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) will review all 63 suicides since 2017.

It comes after the trust was accused of adding to the records of Charles Ndhlovu, 33, the day after he took his own life to "correct their mistakes".

The trust's chief Anna Hills said it "will be an important piece of work". BBC News

Reports of modern slavery double in UK care sector

Reports of modern slavery double in UK care sector The number of modern slavery cases reported within the UK care industry has more than doubled in the past year.

There were 109 potential victims, exploited for personal or financial gain, between January and March - twice as many as the same period in 2022.

BBC File on 4 obtained the figures from the government-approved anti-slavery helpline, run by charity Unseen.

Investigators trying to protect workers from being exploited say the care industry is now a "top priority". BBC News

Most NHS staff say they don’t have enough time to spend with patients

Most NHS staff say they don’t have enough time to spend with patients Most NHS staff think they have too little time to help patients and the quality of care the service provides is falling, a survey reveals.

Medical and nursing groups said the “very worrying” findings showed that hard-pressed staff cannot give patients as much attention as they would like because they are so busy.

In polling YouGov carried out for the Guardian, 71% of NHS staff who have direct contact with patients said they did not have the amount of time they would like to have to help them.

38m patients in England wait beyond 14 days to see GP despite government pledge

38m patients in England wait beyond 14 days to see GP despite government pledge More than 38 million patients in England have waited longer than a fortnight for a GP appointment since the government promised everyone would be able to get one within 14 days.

In September last year, the government said patients would be able to see a family doctor within two weeks of booking a consultation. Thérèse Coffey, the then health secretary, promised to prioritise the issue with a “laser-like focus”. The Guardian

Bisexual people ‘experience worse health outcomes than other adults’

Bisexual people ‘experience worse health outcomes than other adults’ Bisexual people experience worse health outcomes than other adults in England, a study has found.

Data from lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) patients indicates these groups have poorer health outcomes compared to those who identify as heterosexual.

The new findings indicate that bisexual people face additional health disparities within an already marginalised community. The Independent

See also:

• Bisexual People Experience Worse Health Outcomes in England: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Primary Care (open access) The Journal of Sex Research

A single pill made using magic mushroom hallucinogen could help treat anorexia that affects 100,000 Britons, study suggests

A single pill made using magic mushroom hallucinogen could help treat anorexia that affects 100,000 Britons, study suggests Could a single tablet help improve the outcome for patients with anorexia? That is the tantalising prospect offered by a study published yesterday looking at the use of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component of magic mushrooms. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Psilocybin for the treatment of anorexia nervosa (abstract) Nature Medicine
• Psilocybin may be a potential treatment for anorexia, research suggests The Independent

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