Obesity projections 'underestimated'

Obesity projections 'underestimated' Estimates that half the UK population will be obese by 2050 "underestimate" the problem, a report by health campaigners claims. BBC News

Ex-psychiatric patient speaks of repeated abuse

Ex-psychiatric patient speaks of repeated abuse A woman who says she was raped more than 50 times while at an NHS psychiatric hospital has told BBC Radio 5 live such institutions are a "playground for predators". BBC News

NHS England vision for tackling diabetes in 2014

NHS England vision for tackling diabetes in 2014 NHS England has set out a vision for how it wants the growing problem of diabetes to be tackled in 2014.

The new plan, Action for Diabetes, outlines how it would like to see better prevention of Type 2 diabetes, earlier diagnosis of all diabetes, and support for people to manage their diabetes better and improve their quality of life.

It shows how NHS England is rising to the challenge of an increasing population with long-term conditions – in particular the growing issue of diabetes, which is linked to an excess 22,000 deaths a year and sees 100 people a week lose a limb.

Will elderly patients miss out on new drugs?

Will elderly patients miss out on new drugs? Plans for NICE to take into account the benefit to wider society of new drugs licensed for use on the NHS could result in elderly patients missing out on new treatments, The Daily Telegraph has reported.

The paper reports that changes to NICE's existing appraisal system will see the Institute evolve its current methods to also take account of the wider societal benefits alongside the cost and clinical benefits of a medication.

The Telegraph then wrongly speculates that this will result in older patients missing out on treatments because they do not contribute as much to society as younger people.

Here we take a closer look at the story. NICE

Drugs for flu could be withheld under new Nice guidelines

Drugs for flu could be withheld under new Nice guidelines Drugs which do not have a profound impact on society, such as flu medication, may not be approved by Nice, its Chief Executive has suggested. The Daily Telegraph

Mental health crisis looms for gay teenagers

Mental health crisis looms for gay teenagers

More than half of young gay people have suffered mental health issues, and 40 per cent have considered suicide, according to a major report published today. The Independent

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt under pressure on meningitis vaccine

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt under pressure on meningitis vaccine

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is facing demands to ditch a medical funding formula that has prevented a life-saving vaccine from reaching children. The Independent

NHS cancer surgery U-turn boy dies

NHS cancer surgery U-turn boy dies A boy who had to go to Germany for life-saving surgery and later had his operation paid for by the NHS has passed away. BBC Northamptonshire

Nurse to get compensation after attack at Northampton mental health hospital

Nurse to get compensation after attack at Northampton mental health hospital A patient at Berrywood Hospital has been ordered to pay compensation after a nurse she attacked suffered a broken arm. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Northamptonshire Police to review Parkside tribunal evidence

Northamptonshire Police to review Parkside tribunal evidence The police are looking into evidence heard at a tribunal to see if anyone should be arrested over the deaths of five residents at a Northampton nursing home. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

NHS in England 'misses A&E target'

NHS in England 'misses A&E target' The NHS in England narrowly missed its four-hour A&E waiting time target last week, official figures show. BBC News

Myhealthapps international site launched

Myhealthapps international site launched An international health apps website has been launched, with apps recommended by patient groups and consumers. E-Health Insider

Risks of infertility treatments 'overhyped'

Risks of infertility treatments 'overhyped' “IVF births carry five times risk of complications,” the Daily Mail reports.

While this headline is essentially true, it is a classic example of a “relative risk” which sounds frightening out of context. In this case, the headline ignores the fact that the number of serious complications found, such as stillbirth and neonatal death was very small.

Life after death: six steps to improve support in bereavement

Life after death: six steps to improve support in bereavement This report outlines steps which the authors believe would bring benefits to individuals and to society as a whole: reducing the use of acute health and social care services, lessening the number of days lost to the economy, and improving the wellbeing of those facing such a significant change in their lives. It includes a call for clarity about who is responsible locally for commissioning and providing bereavement support, with better coordination and information about services. Dying Matters

Variations in outcome and costs among NHS providers for common surgical procedures

Variations in outcome and costs among NHS providers for common surgical procedures "We identify variation in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) across hospitals, assess the relationship between the cost and outcomes among NHS hospitals for these procedures, and determine the extent to which variations in outcomes and costs are due to differences in hospital performance." National Institute of Health Research

Patient involvement is still a minority sport in the NHS

Patient involvement is still a minority sport in the NHS It gives people a voice and saves money – so including patients in treatment decisions should not be an optional extra, says Richard Vize.

With increasing numbers of NHS trusts destined to slide into the financial mire this year and next, there is one resource of which hard pushed hospitals enjoy a plentiful but underused supply – patients. They are the best hope for cutting demand and transforming services.

Sugar not as bad as tobacco say nutrition experts

Sugar not as bad as tobacco say nutrition experts Claims that eating sugar is as dangerous as smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol are dismissed by nutrition experts. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• Sugar health risk cannot be compared to smoking, says Andrew Lansley The Guardian
• AUDIO: Is sugar 'worse' than tobacco? BBC News

Majority of doctors think some colleagues unfit for job

Majority of doctors think some colleagues unfit for job More than 80 per cent of hospital doctors would not want colleagues to treat their friends and family, a poll released ahead of the 10th anniversary of the death of Harold Shipman reveals. The Independent

New NHS drugs policy could see elderly denied treatment

New NHS drugs policy could see elderly denied treatment

New drugs will only be made available on the NHS if they help people deemed to be a benefit to society under proposals that prompted fears elderly people could be denied treatment. The Independent

See also:

• Fears for the elderly under new NHS drugs policy The Daily Telegraph

Cancer carers 'overlooked' by NHS

Cancer carers 'overlooked' by NHS The NHS is failing to support people who are caring for loved ones with cancer, a charity has warned. Macmillan Cancer Support said that so-called "cancer carers" are being "overlooked" by the health service. Northamptonshire Telegraph