What we know about the Covid variant EG.5 dubbed 'Eris'

What we know about the Covid variant EG.5 dubbed 'Eris' The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new sub-variant of Covid called EG.5 - unofficially named "Eris" - a variant of interest and is asking countries to monitor it as cases grow globally.

But the organisation says it poses a low risk to public health, with no evidence that it causes more severe disease than other variants circulating at the moment. BBC News

Nice recommends use of AI in NHS radiotherapy treatment in England

Nice recommends use of AI in NHS radiotherapy treatment in England Patients in England having radiotherapy are likely to have part of their treatment performed with the aid of artificial intelligence after its use to help NHS clinicians was recommended for the first time.

Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has given approval to nine AI technologies for performing external beam radiotherapy in lung, prostate and colorectal cancers, in a move it believes could save radiographers hundreds of thousands of hours and help relieve the “severe pressure” on radiotherapy departments. The Guardian

See also:

• Artificial intelligence technologies to speed up contouring in radiotherapy treatment planning National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
• AI is set to be used in NHS hospitals for the first time after health regulator gives the green light for its deployment in radiology departments The Daily Mail
• AI could be used to detect major complications of diabetes by scanning a patient's eyes The Daily Mail
• AI-powered eye test ‘could become screening tool for all diabetics’ Evening Standard
• AI platforms recommended for use to save doctors time The Independent

Record £1.5BILLION was spent on dishing out diabetes drugs last year amid ever-growing obesity crisis

Record £1.5BILLION was spent on dishing out diabetes drugs last year amid ever-growing obesity crisis A record £1.5billion was spent on diabetes drugs last year, shock figures revealed today.

Costs of prescribing medication like metformin and insulin have jumped by 50 per cent in the last five years. One in every seven pounds spent on prescriptions is now for diabetes. 

The spiraling fees to the NHS come as obesity rates have soared, with two-thirds of adults now considered fat. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Prescribing for Diabetes – England – 2015/16 to 2022/23 NHS Business Services Authority
• Pharmaceutical titan Novo Nordisk rakes in record £4.5BILLION due to success of its game-changing weight loss jabs Ozempic and Wegovy The Daily Mail 

Microplastics used in food packaging are discovered in human HEARTS for first time

Microplastics used in food packaging are discovered in human HEARTS for first time Microplastics used in food packaging and paint have been discovered in the human heart for the first time.

The particles, which are less than five millimeters long, are shed by single-use plastics such as bottles and food packaging, then released into the air, water and food around us. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Detection of Various Microplastics in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery (abstract) Environmental Science & Technology

Smear tests: 'Five minutes could save your life'

Smear tests: 'Five minutes could save your life' A woman diagnosed with cervical cancer after a smear test has urged everyone eligible to book regular screenings.

Invites are sent to women aged between 25 and 64, but NHS records showed 30% were not up-to-date with their tests.

Sophie Palmer, 35, from Northampton, was given the all-clear after a radical hysterectomy and was alarmed so many women were missing out on screening.

She said: "That's just crazy. It takes five minutes and it's five minutes that could save your life." BBC Northampton

System risk management: key considerations for evolving arrangements

System risk management: key considerations for evolving arrangements Integrated care systems (ICSs) are developing their approach to system risk management following the enactment of the Health and Care Act 2022. NHS organisations and their partners are working to understand system risks, accountability and the impact on partnership decision-making. The fundamentals of good risk management are the same for both organisations and systems. But system risk management is more complex in that it requires partners to align their strategic understanding, risk appetite and risk management processes. This joint briefing from the HFMA and the Good Governance Institute (GGI) aims to support systems as they work on system risk management. It includes two case studies and sets out the key challenges, opportunities and considerations involved in effective system risk management. Healthcare Financial Management Association

Best practice timed diagnostic cancer pathways: practical guidance for clinicians to maximise use of NHS Cancer pathways for the benefit of patients

Best practice timed diagnostic cancer pathways: practical guidance for clinicians to maximise use of NHS Cancer pathways for the benefit of patients GIRFT and the NHS England Cancer Programme have co-produced this guide, outlining how cancer alliances and constituent organisations can implement NHSE’s best practice timed pathways for cancer, with insights from the relevant GIRFT national clinical leads. The guide summarises the key guidance documents available to NHS colleagues, with links provided. Getting It Right First Time

Experts to lead AI Safety Summit preparations as new funding announced to modernise healthcare

Experts to lead AI Safety Summit preparations as new funding announced to modernise healthcare Two leading experts have been appointed to spearhead preparations for the UK to host the first major international summit of its kind on the safe use of artificial intelligence, as the Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan announces £13 million to transform healthcare research. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

See also:

• £13m allocated for research into use of artificial intelligence in healthcare Evening Standard
• UK allocates £13m to boost use of artificial intelligence in healthcare The Independent

NHS launches hospital matching platform to bring down longest waits

NHS launches hospital matching platform to bring down longest waits Thousands of patients who need NHS treatment could be quickly and easily allocated to hospitals that can take on their care thanks to a new online ‘matching’ platform.

As part of efforts to reduce the covid backlog, the easy-to-use tool allows NHS staff to view and add available surgery slots in hospitals across the country, including independent sector capacity.

Clinical teams can upload details of patients on their waiting list who are willing to travel, with other NHS and independent sector providers able to log on and ‘match’ people up to treatment. NHS England

See also: 

• Tinder for the NHS! Health chiefs will match patients with hospitals with shorter waits further from home in bid to clear record Covid backlogs The Daily Mail
• NHS patients will be able to travel to other hospitals to skip treatment queues The Daily Telegraph
• Patients who can travel given opportunity to skip NHS queues Evening Standard
• More patients to be able to skip NHS waiting lists - if they can travel for treatment Sky News

NHS braced for further disruption during latest junior doctor strike

NHS braced for further disruption during latest junior doctor strike The NHS is facing another period of significant disruption this week, with potentially thousands more appointments and procedures postponed due to the latest round of industrial action by junior doctors.

From 7am on Friday 11 August until 7am on Tuesday 15 August, junior doctors across England will be on strike, as the NHS enters the ninth month of industrial action across its services. NHS England

See also:

• NHS leaders warn that recorded cancellations as a result of industrial action are ‘the tip of the iceberg’ NHS Confederation
• End doctors' pay dispute, says Bristol's hospital boss BBC News
• Junior doctors strike August 2023: Why are they taking action? Evening Standard
• NHS leaders urge people to 'use services wisely' as junior doctors strike for 5th time iNews

NHS enforcement guidance

NHS enforcement guidance This guidance outlines how NHS England intends to exercise its enforcement powers for both integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers, by setting out how it would use these powers to direct an ICB and the licence enforcement mechanisms that apply to foundation trusts, NHS trusts, licensed independent providers of NHS services and licensed NHS controlled providers. It explains the regulatory and statutory processes in the event of enforcement action and the subsequent rights of appeal. NHS England

Weight-loss drug reduces stroke and heart risk

Weight-loss drug reduces stroke and heart risk A weight-loss drug has been proven to also reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack, according to a new trial.

The makers of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, say its latest study shows it cuts risk of a cardiovascular event in overweight people with heart disease by a fifth.

The firm hailed it a "landmark trial", saying it would change the way obesity is regarded and treated.

While the findings still have to be fully reviewed, experts agreed the results were potentially significant. BBC News

See also:

• Semaglutide 2.4 mg reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% in adults with overweight or obesity in the SELECT trial Novo Nordisk
• Wegovy: Weight loss injections can lower heart attack and stroke risk in obese people by a fifth, research suggests Sky News

COVID-19: New strain spreading across UK designated 'variant of interest' by WHO

COVID-19: New strain spreading across UK designated 'variant of interest' by WHO A new fast-spreading COVID strain has been designated a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organisation.

EG.5 is descended from the Omicron variant of coronavirus and is growing in prevalence globally, including in the UK, US and China.

It has been detected in 51 countries in total, including South Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, France, Portugal and Spain. Sky News

See also:

• EG.5 Initial Risk Evaluation, 9 August 2023 World Health Organization
• WHO declares ‘Eris’ Covid strain a variant of interest as cases rise globally The Guardian
• Everything we know about EG. 5, the Covid subvariant dominating the US The Independent
• WHO classifies EG.5 as COVID-19 'variant of interest' Reuters

Generation Sad... or Soft? Half of entire global population predicted to have a mental health condition by age 75, Lancet study

Generation Sad... or Soft? Half of entire global population predicted to have a mental health condition by age 75, Lancet study Half of the world’s population could have a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety by age 75, a major study suggests. 

Researchers drew on two decades’ worth of World Health Organization surveys representing over 156,000 adults from 29 countries to look for trends in diagnoses.

They projected that one in two people could have at least one mental health disorder by the time they reach old age, a stark increase from the 2019 estimate of one in every eight. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Age of onset and cumulative risk of mental disorders: a cross-national analysis of population surveys from 29 countries (abstract) The Lancet Psychiatry

Outrage over month-long delay to flu jab roll-out as chemists demand NHS U-turns and starts scheme like usual in September to avoid chaos for millions of patients and wasting vaccines

Outrage over month-long delay to flu jab roll-out as chemists demand NHS U-turns and starts scheme like usual in September to avoid chaos for millions of patients and wasting vaccines Britain may be forced to throw away flu jabs because of the decision to delay the drive, pharmacists fear.

Usually the NHS's annual vaccination drive begins on September 1.

But health chiefs have announced this autumn's campaign, which has been scaled back massively, won't kick off until October. Officials are trying to get more clinics ready to offer the flu jab at the same time as Covid vaccines. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Community Pharmacy England calls on Ministers to prevent delay to flu vac start date Community Pharmacy England

Upcoming Industrial Action (11 - 15 August) will have a serious impact on local NHS services

Upcoming Industrial Action (11 - 15 August) will have a serious impact on local NHS services The last round of Junior Doctors strike action had a significant impact on local services across the county with more than 1,200 appointments and procedures needing to be rescheduled.

Dr Emma Donnelly, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Northamptonshire ICB and local GP said: “Junior doctors make up half of all doctors in the NHS and are qualified doctors who have up to eight years experience working as a hospital doctor, so this action will have a significant impact on hospitals in the county." Northampton Chronicle and Echo

How can we make it easier to think long term about health and care?

How can we make it easier to think long term about health and care? After several years of research and detailed analysis, the REAL Centre’s landmark report on ageing and multimorbidity, in partnership with the University of Liverpool, has finally been published.

Our journey to get here began in 2018 when we started to think about how we could build a better understanding of what the health of England’s population would look like over coming decades. We realised that we had an opportunity to support policymakers to better prepare for the future and help create a space where policy change could lead to improved outcomes. Planning, especially in health and care, takes time and relies on high-quality evidence and insight, which is what the REAL Centre is set up to provide. The report, the first instalment from this new programme of research, has several key takeaways. The Health Foundation

Back to basics – understanding lived experience and intersectionality in health and care

Back to basics – understanding lived experience and intersectionality in health and care There is a well-established case for involving communities and people with lived experience in health and care policy, service design and delivery. NHS England guidance on working in partnership with communities highlights the financial benefits and improvements to quality and health outcomes that working with local communities brings. The King's Fund

JCVI advises on eligible groups for 2023 autumn booster

JCVI advises on eligible groups for 2023 autumn booster Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's statement on the autumn 2023 programme follows interim advice published in January.

The UK COVID-19 vaccination programme is now entering its third autumn season. Vaccination helps to protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19.

The advice for this autumn is to offer the vaccine to those at high risk of serious disease and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. UK Health Security Agency

See also:

• Health and Social Care Secretary statement on autumn booster programme Department of Health and Social Care
• Winter Covid vaccines axed for under-65s BBC News
• Major change to Covid and flu vaccine programme as jabs for under-65s will be scrapped in attempts to 'go back to normal' The Daily Mail
• NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters to be scrapped for millions The Independent
• England to deny Covid and flu jabs to under-65s despite fears for NHS this winter The Guardian
• Joint COVID and flu autumn booster vaccination programme pushed back Sky News

Why talk of a UK doctor exodus is premature

Why talk of a UK doctor exodus is premature The NHS, it is claimed, is facing an exodus of doctors. It is one of the reasons put forward to support their claims for more pay as strike action continues.

But an analysis of data by the BBC suggests this is not the case - yet.

The proportion of the medical workforce leaving the NHS has hardly changed for a decade, while figures on those seeking a move overseas do not, overall, show a clear upwards trend.

There are, however, some worrying signs - with increasing numbers of junior doctors taking a break in their training, and some evidence that aggressive marketing by authorities in Australia on social media and billboards is turning the heads of more UK medics. BBC News

Fitness: Only 5,000 steps a day needed to stay healthy, study shows

Fitness: Only 5,000 steps a day needed to stay healthy, study shows It has long been touted that 10,000 steps a day is the magic number you need to stay fit and healthy - but a new study shows fewer than 5,000 may be enough to see a benefit.

The analysis of more than 226,000 people around the world showed 4,000 was enough to start reducing the risk of dying prematurely of any cause.

Just over 2,300 is enough to benefit the heart and blood vessels. BBC News

See also:

• The association between daily step count and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a meta-analysis (abstract) European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
• Why you DON'T need to worry if you fall short of 10,000 steps a day... just make sure you get at least 4,000 The Daily Mail
• What happens when you hit a 4,000-step target each day The Independent

Antidepressants: I wasn't told about the side-effects

Antidepressants: I wasn't told about the side-effects About one in seven people in the UK now take medication to treat depression but some say they are not being given appropriate advice about the potential side-effects of the drugs they have been prescribed. BBC News

Life-saving effect of NHS bowel cancer screening scheme revealed: Cases fall 15% after roll-out of DIY kits that will be offered to ALL over-50s

Life-saving effect of NHS bowel cancer screening scheme revealed: Cases fall 15% after roll-out of DIY kits that will be offered to ALL over-50s The national bowel cancer screening programme has led to a 'critical' reduction in cases, a major study reveals.

Experts described the checks as 'life-saving' and urged people to participate when invited to do so by the NHS.

The tests identify abnormalities and help doctors find pre-cancerous polyps, which can often be removed before they develop into tumours. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Colorectal cancer incidence trends by tumour location among adults of screening-age in England: a population-based study (open access) Colorectal Disease
• Bowel cancer screening programme finds 20,000 cases in decade, study finds The Guardian

Crumbling hospitals are suffering chemical leaks and broken fire alarms as NHS repair bill passes £10billion

Crumbling hospitals are suffering chemical leaks and broken fire alarms as NHS repair bill passes £10billion Crumbling NHS hospitals are suffering chemical leaks and broken fire alarms as the cost of tackling the repair backlog passes £10billion, an investigation by the Liberal Democrats reveals.

Bosses reported 115 chemical incidents last year, including on children's wards, A&Es and maternity units.

Health leaders last night described the repair bill as 'eye-watering' and warned buildings and facilities are 'in a very bad way and getting worse'. The Daily Mail

See also:

• NHS buildings ‘in a bad way and getting worse’ Evening Standard

Air pollution is linked to a rise in antibiotic resistance that poses a significant threat to human health across the world, study claims

Air pollution is linked to a rise in antibiotic resistance that poses a significant threat to human health across the world, study claims Antibiotic resistance – one of the biggest threats to global health – could be on the rise in part because of increased air pollution, a new study has warned. 

Researchers in China have found a global correlation between the a pollutant called PM2.5 in the air and cases of bacteria becoming immune to antibiotic drugs. 

Although they're not certain what's causing the link, they speculate that antibiotic resistant bacteria are being transported on PM2.5 carried by the air. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Association between particulate matter (PM)2·5 air pollution and clinical antibiotic resistance: a global analysis (open access) The Lancet Planetary Health
• Air pollution linked to rise in antibiotic resistance that imperils human health The Guardian

Babylon Health, once the 'future of the NHS', goes into administration

Babylon Health, once the 'future of the NHS', goes into administration The UK AI health company touted by Matt Hancock was delisted by the New York Stock Exchange last month and has now called in the administrators

Babylon Health, the UK AI firm promoted as the future of the NHS by former health secretary Matt Hancock, has entered UK administration just two years after a high-profile listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Computing 

West Northamptonshire Council launches serious violence consultation

West Northamptonshire Council launches serious violence consultation A council has invited its residents to join a consultation that will shape how serious violence is tackled locally.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has asked anyone affected by serious violence in the past year to share their experiences in a survey.

Councillor David Smith said it would "improve the safety and wellbeing of people in our communities". BBC Northampton

See also:

• Tackling violence and improving lives through the Serious Violence Duty West Northamptonshire Council

How long are patients waiting for a GP appointment in England?

How long are patients waiting for a GP appointment in England? Many patients struggle to book a GP appointment in England. Once people have been successful in getting a booking to see their doctor, however, how long are they having to wait for their appointment? Charlotte Paddison looks at the latest data to reveal the answer – and argues that quick access to GP appointments is not the only factor to consider. Nuffield Trust

Health security from the ground up: 5 lessons for the future of the UKHSA

Health security from the ground up: 5 lessons for the future of the UKHSA This paper explores the shortcomings in the English response to Covid-19 and presents five policy ideas which would help strengthen the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and improve the UK’s resilience in the face of future health crises. Reform

NHS chaplaincy: meeting the religious and spiritual needs of patients and staff : guidance for managers and those involved in the provision of chaplaincy-spiritual care

NHS chaplaincy: meeting the religious and spiritual needs of patients and staff : guidance for managers and those involved in the provision of chaplaincy-spiritual care This document sets out for NHS managers of chaplaincy services in England guidance on how to run and manage a safe, effective and inclusive chaplaincy service, with some examples of how NHS bodies across the country are operating such services. NHS England

New NHS treatments helping extend survival for babies with rare muscle-wasting disease

New NHS treatments helping extend survival for babies with rare muscle-wasting disease Nearly three in four babies born with a rare muscle-wasting disease are now surviving for two years or more thanks to advances in NHS treatment, new data shows.

Around 70 children are born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) each year in the UK, a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness, progressive loss of movement and paralysis. NHS England

Senior doctors plan 48-hour strike for September in England

Senior doctors plan 48-hour strike for September in England Consultants who are part of the British Medical Association (BMA) in England will strike on 19 and 20 September.

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

The dates have been announced ahead of their next strike at the end of August.

The government has said there will be no more pay talks, after agreeing to the 6% pay increase the independent pay review body recommended. BBC News

See also:

• Consultants in England announce prospective September strike dates BMA
• Confirmed industrial action strike days NHS Employers
• BMA faces revolt within its own ranks after talk of 'indefinite walkouts' from junior doctors The Daily Mail
• Hospital consultants will strike for two days in September in pursuit of a 54 per cent pay rise as industrial action runs into its third month The Daily Mail
• Consultants in England to strike in September if government refuses talks The Guardian
• Consultants threaten further strikes in September The Independent
• Consultants to strike if government continues to 'refuse' talks and present credible offer, BMA says ITV News
• Senior doctors in England announce dates for new strikes if Government refuses deal on pay iNews
• NHS consultants threaten more strikes next month if pay talks don't reopen Metro

NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters scrapped for under 65s this winter

NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters scrapped for under 65s this winter NHS flu jabs and Covid boosters will be axed for adults under 65 this winter as the health service attempts to “go back to normal”, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is expected to set out plans on Tuesday which will mean 12 million people aged 50 to 64 are no longer eligible for free vaccines. The Daily Telegraph

Lack of nurses to replace police in mental health call-outs, warn leaders

Lack of nurses to replace police in mental health call-outs, warn leaders People experiencing a mental health crisis may have “nowhere to turn” under government plans to reduce the number of mental health call-outs dealt with by police officers, health and social care leaders have warned.

They said that new plans, which aim to give back the responsibility of mental health call-outs to health and care staff, have not taken into consideration the workforce crisis across mental health services. Nursing Times

Switching to vapes 'could save NHS more than half a billion a year study says

Switching to vapes 'could save NHS more than half a billion a year study says Half of England’s adult smokers making a switch to e-cigarettes could save the NHS more than £500 million per year, a study has claimed.

Researchers at Brunel University London used data from NHS Digital, the Royal College of Physicians and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to identify the prevalence of smoking in each region. The Independent

See also:

• Does switching from tobacco to reduced-risk products free up hospital resources? (abstract) British Journal of Healthcare Management
• NHS would save more than £500m a year if half of England's adult smokers vaped instead Brunel University London

One dead and six in hospital after mystery E.coli outbreak in UK

One dead and six in hospital after mystery E.coli outbreak in UK One person has died and six others hospitalised as health officials investigate the source of a mysterious E.coli outbreak in the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reportedly working with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to identify what led to the Shiga-toxin producing E.coli (STEC) O183 outbreak, which is believed to have begun in May.

Onset dates for patients with available information span 23 May to 2 July. The Independent

See also: 

• Urgent warning to parents over mysterious E. coli outbreak that has killed one Brit and hospitalised six - as health chiefs say it is predominantly striking kids The Daily Mail
• Rare E. coli type behind deadly UK outbreak; 2 dozen sick Food Safety News

Crisis in NHS presents ‘business opportunities’, says boss of insurer Axa

Crisis in NHS presents ‘business opportunities’, says boss of insurer Axa The growing crisis facing the NHS presents “quite a few business opportunities” for AXA to expand its private healthcare business, the French insurance group’s chief executive has said.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Thomas Buberl highlighted the mounting pressures on the health service, including record waiting lists, rising inflation pushing up costs such as the price of drugs and a crisis with recruiting and retaining staff. The Guardian

Hope of a treatment for hundreds of thousands with vascular dementia as scientists discover what could stop 'devastating condition in its tracks'

Hope of a treatment for hundreds of thousands with vascular dementia as scientists discover what could stop 'devastating condition in its tracks' Experts are one step closer to a treatment for vascular dementia after discovering what triggers the condition.

Vascular dementia, which affects hundreds of thousands in the UK and US, is caused by high blood pressure which leads to a reduced blood supply to the brain.

The brain cells become starved of nutrients and eventually become damaged and die, causing symptoms including poor memory and lack of concentration. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Uncoupling of Ca2+ sparks from BK channels in cerebral arteries underlies hypoperfusion in hypertension-induced vascular dementia (open access) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Is AI poised to boost cancer survival rates? Study finds tech can pinpoint where tumors originate - allowing docs to choose best treatment

Is AI poised to boost cancer survival rates? Study finds tech can pinpoint where tumors originate - allowing docs to choose best treatment Artificial intelligence can help work out where a patient’s cancer came from, allowing doctors to choose better treatments, a study suggests.

For a small percentage of patients – especially those whose cancer has spread – doctors can struggle to pinpoint where the tumor originated from.

This makes it much more difficult to choose a treatment for those patients, because many cancer drugs are typically developed for specific cancer types. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Machine learning for genetics-based classification and treatment response prediction in cancer of unknown primary (abstract) Nature Medicine

New Covid variant 2023 symptoms: Government issues warning as Eris variant spreads across UK

New Covid variant 2023 symptoms: Government issues warning as Eris variant spreads across UK A new variant of Covid named Eris has emerged as figures show a spike in hospital admissions this summer. The new variant is a descendant of Omicron, and is known scientifically as EG.5.1.

Eris was first classified as a UK variant on July 31 but is now thought to account for one in 10 Covid cases, making it the second most prevalent in the country. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Covid Eris symptoms: All we know about new variant driving surge in cases The Independent
• Everything we know about the Covid Eris variant as infections rise in the UK Metro

The NHS in crisis: evaluating the radical alternatives

The NHS in crisis: evaluating the radical alternatives What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of the 'radical' alternatives to the NHS? Charlotte Wickens and Toby Brown explore the main options and if they could solve problems in the health and care system. The King's Fund 

Beyond ‘bad admin’ exploring what great admin looks like and how it can be achieved

Beyond ‘bad admin’ exploring what great admin looks like and how it can be achieved Most of us know what ‘bad’ admin looks like in the NHS – appointment letters arriving late, not being able to make or change an appointment, or a referral getting lost. But what does ‘great’ admin look like? Great admin is often hard to see and tricky to describe. It's designed to be invisible – often operating behind the scenes – smoothing the processes that enable patients, staff, information and equipment to all be in the right time and place. Great admin just works, and it works for everyone. The King's Fund

NHS England fit and proper person test framework for board members

NHS England fit and proper person test framework for board members This framework was produced in response to recommendations made by Tom Kark KC in his 2019 review of the FPPT (the Kark Review). This also takes into account the requirements of the Care Quality Commission in relation to directors being fit and proper for their roles. NHS England

Guidance: Elective recovery taskforce: implementation plan

Guidance: Elective recovery taskforce: implementation plan A plan to turbocharge recovery of the COVID-19 backlog in elective care by leveraging the capacity across the whole system and empowering patients to choose where they are treated. Department of Health and Social Care

See also:

• Health Foundation comment on Elective Recovery Taskforce Health Foundation
• Interactive case study map for elective recovery NHS Confederation

UKHSA unveils VDEC in ‘step change’ for UK’s growing vaccine capabilities

UKHSA unveils VDEC in ‘step change’ for UK’s growing vaccine capabilities The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today unveiled its world-leading Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC), which is building on its pandemic legacy and helping develop life-saving new vaccines for the UK and worldwide.

The centre is situated at the UKHSA’s Porton Down site, where it is co-located with other services delivered separately by partners including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.

See also:

• Porton Down: Can this laboratory help stop the next pandemic? BBC News
• British scientists are primed to create the next pandemic vaccine in 100 days as super-lab Porton Down develops prototypes to tackle 'Disease X' The Daily Mail
• Scientists at Porton Down super-lab are preparing for bird flu to jump to humans - as secretive site is 'getting the tools ready' for an outbreak of deadly H5N1 bird flu The Daily Mail
• Huge vaccine centre opened at Porton Down to bolster UK's pandemic preparedness Evening Standard
• New vaccine research centre in UK to help scientists prepare for ‘disease X’ The Guardian
• Huge vaccine centre launched to bolster UK’s pandemic preparedness ITV News
• Inside vaccine development centre at Porton Down Sky News

Mother awake for 60 hours as son's care breaks down

Mother awake for 60 hours as son's care breaks down Families of people with complex medical needs are warning the NHS system that funds their care at home is struggling to provide sufficient support.

Despite recent significant increases in spending on Continuing Healthcare, experts say staff shortages and rising prices mean families are lacking help.

Some say at times they are so exhausted from providing care, they worry about the safety of their relatives.

The government says it has invested billions into health and social care. BBC News

US approves postpartum depression pill

US approves postpartum depression pill The US has approved the first pill for postpartum depression.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said zuranolone, sold under the brand name Zurzuvae, has been approved as a once-daily pill taken for two weeks.

Until now, treatment for postpartum depression (PPD) was available only as an intravenous injection, the FDA said. BBC News

See also:

• FDA Approves First Oral Treatment for Postpartum Depression US Food and Drug Administration
• Effect of Zuranolone vs Placebo in Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial (open access) JAMA Psychiatry

NHS must embrace robotics and AI to be fit for future, surgeons warn

NHS must embrace robotics and AI to be fit for future, surgeons warn Some NHS trusts have embraced state-of-the-art surgical robots, while others are trialling more novel solutions like androids to transport medicines. Surgeons say the health service needs to fully embrace robotics and AI to be fit for the future. Sky News

See also:

• AI cuts waiting times for cancer patients in NHS first Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Two-thirds of sexual assault support centres in England branded inadequate

Two-thirds of sexual assault support centres in England branded inadequate More than two-thirds of England’s specialist support centres for victims of sexual assault or abuse have been found to have flaws in the care they offer in their most recent full inspections, the Observer can reveal.

Almost half were found to be breaching their minimum legal obligations to victims in their last full inspection, with problems ranging from a failure to deal with suicide and self-harm risks, cleaning so bad it risked contaminating forensic evidence collected for criminal cases, and failures to do adequate background checks on the staff working with victims.

Rishi Sunak warned of concerns over NHS private sector partnerships

Rishi Sunak warned of concerns over NHS private sector partnerships Rishi Sunak has been warned his plan for more private sector partnerships with the NHS in England to cut waiting lists will amount to “reshuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic” without addressing deeper structural issues with staffing.

The recommendations of an elective recovery plan, published on Friday, were broadly welcomed by opposition parties and health experts, but said to be overdue. Critics also said they only addressed a fragment of the much wider capacity and staffing issues across the whole of the country’s health systems. The Guardian

See also:

• The King's Fund responds to DHSC announcement of 13 new community diagnostic centres The King's Fund
• New NHS and independent diagnostic centres welcome but unintended consequences must be considered Nuffield Trust

Patients risk plunging into debt by signing up to 'buy now, pay later' private healthcare

Patients risk plunging into debt by signing up to 'buy now, pay later' private healthcare Patients facing long NHS waiting lists for scans and tests are plunging themselves into debt by signing up for 'buy now, pay later' private health care deals.

In exchange for rapid treatment, patients face years of paying off debts on instalment for their medical treatment - including MRI scans, X-rays, routine surgery and hip replacements.

Firms such as MRI Plus, which offers payback deals tells patients 'Why wait in pain? Slash your waiting time for treatment on the NHS', and 'book now and pay later'. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Buy now, pay later medical loans on rise as desperate patients go private amid NHS backlogs The Guardian

England's 'disgraceful' cancer crisis laid bare

England's 'disgraceful' cancer crisis laid bare England's burgeoning cancer crisis was today laid bare by MailOnline's dossier of 'disgraceful' data.

Armed with our sobering catalogue of statistics, renowned experts and MPs from across the political spectrum have demanded urgent action to tackle the unfolding catastrophe, calling for a 'seismic shift in our approach to cancer care' to save thousands from dying prematurely.

The dire numbers – packaged into a searchable tool so you can see exactly how your NHS trust performs – come amid growing fears of a cancer timebomb. The Daily Mail

See also:

• The real victims of the 'disgraceful' cancer crisis: Sufferers tell of 8-week waits for treatment and being given 2 years to live for disease 'I should not have' The Daily Mail

Scaling innovation within healthcare systems: practical considerations

Scaling innovation within healthcare systems: practical considerations This guidance is based on extensive research and interviews with NHS Confederation members. It aims to provide practical pointers for innovators and system decision-makers on how to successfully adopt and scale proven innovations. NHS Confederation

Government response: Government boosts use of independent sector capacity to cut NHS waits

Government response: Government boosts use of independent sector capacity to cut NHS waits Thirteen new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) – including eight independently run CDCs – are being launched across the country as part of government plans to use the independent sector to cut NHS waiting lists, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay will announce today.

The government has also set out a range of new measures to unlock spare capacity within the independent healthcare sector.  Department of Health and Social Care

See also: 

• NHS to expand use of private sector to tackle waits BBC News
• NHS goes private in biggest expansion of sector since Blair The Daily Telegraph
• Let private and third sectors cut NHS waiting lists, says Steve Barclay The Guardian
• Govt turns to private sector in attempt to cut NHS waiting lists Sky News

Flu and COVID-19 surveillance report published

Flu and COVID-19 surveillance report published This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

COVID-19 case rates continued to increase this week compared to our previous report. 5.4% of 4,396 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19. This is compared to 3.7% of 4,403 from the previous report. UK Health Security Agency

Hospital to test 'interpreter on wheels' to bridge language barriers

Hospital to test 'interpreter on wheels' to bridge language barriers Two hospitals are to try using a mobile translation service in a bid to remove language barriers between patients and staff.

Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke hospitals will trial the remote interpreting service for four weeks.

The service, Interpreters on Wheels, uses iPads on trolleys and the Language Line Insight application, says Alex Papp, service coordinator for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust's linguistic and interpretation department. BBC News

£2 billion NHS digitisation implementation delayed by a year

£2 billion NHS digitisation implementation delayed by a year The NHS digitisation initiative, forecast to deliver £29.8 billion in benefits, has been moved from amber to red on the traffic-light system used by the IPA as trusts struggle to keep up.

The time scale and budget for implementing the NHS digitisation initiative ‘appears to be unachievable’, as trusts report issues with EPR implementation nationally. Open Access Government

AI could solve NHS radiologist ‘workforce crisis’

AI could solve NHS radiologist ‘workforce crisis’ Artificial intelligence (AI) could help the NHS overcome a radiologist “workforce crisis”, experts have said, although building trust in the technology is an important step in it becoming a normal part of a modern health service.

It comes after a pilot study in Surrey found AI had the power to categorise normal chest X-rays with a 99.7% accuracy, showing potential to speed up cancer diagnoses. The Independent

The risk of kidney stones could be increased by eating biscuits and drinking fizzy drinks, researchers warn

The risk of kidney stones could be increased by eating biscuits and drinking fizzy drinks, researchers warn Biscuits, cakes and fizzy drinks could increase the risk of getting kidney stones, researchers have warned.

A study suggests that a greater intake of added sugars - commonly found in processed food - raises the chance of developing the painful condition.

Kidney stones affect more than one in ten people, mostly aged between 30 and 60, and are caused by waste products in the blood forming crystals. The Daily Mail

See also:

• Association between added sugars and kidney stones in U.S. adults: data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018 (open access) Frontiers in Nutrition
• Consuming foods with added sugars may increase risk of kidney stones – study The Independent

The battle for an NHS dentist: More than 100 people queue overnight and 27,000 calls jammed phone lines to compete for just 60 NHS places at Kent dental surgery

The battle for an NHS dentist: More than 100 people queue overnight and 27,000 calls jammed phone lines to compete for just 60 NHS places at Kent dental surgery A dental practice received 27,000 phone calls after announcing it would be taking on new NHS patients - while more than 100 people desperate for an appointment spent hours queuing outside the building.

Faversham Smiles announced it would be admitting 60 new NHS patients on a first-come-first-served basis from Tuesday. The Daily Mail

See also:

• The rise in dental service recommendations from NHS 111 Nuffield Trust

Tens of thousands of people may have long Covid in Northamptonshire, new estimates suggests

Tens of thousands of people may have long Covid in Northamptonshire, new estimates suggests Tens of thousands of people in Northamptonshire could be suffering from long Covid, new estimates suggest.

The Long Covid SOS charity said more public awareness and research is needed to support those with the “debilitating” condition. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Independent body finds Corby’s Urgent Care Centre ‘very good’

Independent body finds Corby’s Urgent Care Centre ‘very good’ An independent body for health and social care has found that Corby’s Urgent Care Centre (CUCC) is ‘very good’.

Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire (HWNW) have teamed up with volunteers from Healthwatch Rutland to listen to people’s experiences of using the centre. Northamptonshire Telegraph

See also:

• Corby Urgent Care Centre Visit Report Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire 

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