DDT pesticide exposure may up Alzheimer's risk

DDT pesticide exposure may up Alzheimer's risk "DDT: Pesticide linked to Alzheimer's," BBC News reports. A US study found that levels of the now banned pesticide DDT were almost four times higher in people with a confirmed diagnosis ofAlzheimer's disease.

DDT was widely used as a pesticide during much of the 20th century, but is now banned in most countries because of concerns that it contaminates the environment and the food chain. The UK was relatively late in banning the pesticide, which did not come into force until 1984.

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2012/13

Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2012/13 This annual report into the use of the Mental Health Act provides an insight into the experiences of patients who received care under the act throughout 2012/13. It highlights five key areas which CQC will examine following the results of this report: community care; reporting on death; emergency and mental health crisis; involving people who use services; and investigating complaints relating to the use of the Mental Health Act. Care Quality Commission

• Report
• Infographic

See also:

• Concern over record numbers detained for mental health treatment The Guardian
• Mental Health Act detentions up 12% BBC News

NHS failing in its duty to look after the health of its staff, doctors say

NHS failing in its duty to look after the health of its staff, doctors say
The NHS in England is not doing enough to look after the health of its staff, doctors have warned, as a report found that nearly half of NHS trusts do not have a mental wellbeing policy in place for their employees. The Independent

See also:

• 300,000 additional NHS staff are benefiting from health and wellbeing programmes NHS Employers

MPs outraged at £1m redundancy payments for three NHS managers

MPs outraged at £1m redundancy payments for three NHS managers

Three NHS managers reportedly received redundancy payments totalling nearly £1m - even though they continued to work for the health service. The Independent

See also:

• NHS under fire over redundancy payment to health chiefs The Daily Telegraph

Good outcomes? Bad outcomes? Let patients define value

Good outcomes? Bad outcomes? Let patients define value When it comes to value in healthcare, who defines value? Who creates value? Value to whom? asks Jeremy Taylor. The Health Foundation

Are your medical records in danger?

Are your medical records in danger? Should we be concerned about plans to share information? BBC News

'Good' cholesterol can turn 'bad', study finds

'Good' cholesterol can turn 'bad', study finds  "Good cholesterol also has a nasty side that can increase the risk of heart attacks," BBC News reports after a US study has suggested that labelling cholesterol either "good" or "bad" is oversimplifying a complex situation.

The segment tool: segmenting life expectancy gaps by cause of death

The segment tool: segmenting life expectancy gaps by cause of death This tool aims to help local authorities identify causes of death that contribute most to their life expectancy gaps and, therefore, enable them to target interventions appropriately. It provides charts and tables which segment the life expectancy gap from January 2009 to December 2011 by the major causes of death. A summary report is also available for each upper tier local authority. Public Health England

NHS to axe 300 support jobs

NHS to axe 300 support jobs  Managers alarmed at downsizing of recently set-up clinical support units, as NHS confirms plans for 3% staff reduction.

Elderly care loans could bankrupt councils after 'massive cost underestimate', claim

Elderly care loans could bankrupt councils after 'massive cost underestimate', claim Council chiefs warn flagship care loans scheme could leave them facing crisis within a decade to meet costs of more than £1 billion. The Daily Telegraph

Anger over NHS 'U-turn' on prostate cancer drugs

Anger over NHS 'U-turn' on prostate cancer drugs NHS rationing body accused of "playing fast and loose" with the lives of cancer sufferers. The Daily Telegraph

See also:

• NICE consults again on decision to recommend new prostate cancer drug NICE

Throat-grabbing nurse struck off

Throat-grabbing nurse struck off A nurse who held the throat of a brain-injured patient and would not let go is struck off the register. BBC Northamptonshire

New hospital unit for A&E patients

New hospital unit for A&E patients The pressure on Kettering Hospital’s accident and emergency department has been relieved with the opening of a new unit. Northamptonshire Telegraph

Five residents removed amid concerns at Northampton care home

Five residents removed amid concerns at Northampton care home A care home in Northampton being investigated by police over the death of an elderly resident, failed all its core care standards in an inspection, it has emerged. Northampton Chronicle and Echo

Shifting from counting what is measured to measuring what counts

Shifting from counting what is measured to measuring what counts The primary purpose of a health service is to improve health of the population and add value to its customers - the customer has to be actively involved in defining that value. We need to get better at measuring the softer side of the care experience, says Kallur Suresh. The Health Foundation

Hull creates real-time A&E waits app

Hull creates real-time A&E waits app Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has created a first of kind app which shows patients real-time A&E and outpatient clinic waiting times and attendance. E-Health Insider

Liverpool Care Pathway 'wrongly blamed'

Liverpool Care Pathway 'wrongly blamed' Should a controversial end-of-life care pathway have been scrapped? BBC News

E-cigarette ban for under-18s

E-cigarette ban for under-18s Under-18s are to be banned from buying electronic cigarettes, ministers announce, amid fears the quitting aid could be encouraging nicotine addiction. BBC News

See also:

• VIDEO: E-cigarette ban for under-18s BBC News
• E-cigarette to be banned for under-18s in England The Independent
• E-cigarettes to be banned for under-18s The Daily Telegraph

Daily Mail admits 'champagne bar' story was wrong

Daily Mail admits 'champagne bar' story was wrong Editors at the Daily Mail have stated that a story alleging that NICE staff misspent public money on corporate credit cards was wrong. NICE

Lingonberries claimed to prevent weight gain

Lingonberries claimed to prevent weight gain “Lingonberries ‘could prevent weight gain’,” says The Daily Telegraph, reporting on the so-called “superberries” from Scandinavia. But before rushing your local Swedish grocer, it’s worth noting that these tests were done on mice.