Wednesday, 19 September 2018
The health and well-being of men in the WHO European Region: better health through a gender approach
The health and well-being of men in the WHO European Region: better health through a gender approach This first ever WHO report on men’s health and well-being in the 53 countries of the WHO European Region reveals men are living healthier and longer lives than ever before. But despite progress, many of them die far too young from preventable causes, and the reasons behind this go beyond biology. The new findings are prompting calls to use a gender approach to get men’s health on the agenda of health policy-makers in the European Region. World Health Organization
Meeting pathology demand: histopathology workforce census
Meeting pathology demand: histopathology workforce census This workforce census finds that only three per cent of NHS histopathology departments have enough staff to meet clinical demand. The report highlights the intense pressures that histopathologists face from increased workloads, such as new NHS screening programmes. In addition, services are facing more complex work as personalised medicine develops and guides new therapies. Outdated IT systems compound these pressures. Royal College of Pathologists
Clinical radiology: UK workforce census 2017 report
Clinical radiology: UK workforce census 2017 report This annual radiologist workforce report highlights the UK’s current and predicted future shortage of imaging doctors and urgently calls for more funding for trainees and better NHS retention and recruitment. The report shows that 10.3 per cent of UK radiologist jobs remained empty in 2017, with nearly a fifth of posts (18.4 per cent) in Northern Ireland unfilled. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of unfilled NHS radiologist posts have been vacant for a year or more. Royal College of Radiologists
Pregnancy weight gain 'going unmeasured'
Pregnancy weight gain 'going unmeasured' Midwives are calling for official guidance on how much weight is healthy for women to put on during pregnancy.
One in five women in the UK are obese when they start pregnancy, yet there is no national target for what constitutes normal pregnancy weight gain.
Regular weigh-ins fell out of favour in the 1990s when it was suggested that they cause pregnant women unnecessary anxiety for little or no clinical gain.
Officials say they are considering whether to reintroduce them. BBC News
One in five women in the UK are obese when they start pregnancy, yet there is no national target for what constitutes normal pregnancy weight gain.
Regular weigh-ins fell out of favour in the 1990s when it was suggested that they cause pregnant women unnecessary anxiety for little or no clinical gain.
Officials say they are considering whether to reintroduce them. BBC News
Air pollution: ‘Toxic’ school run poses health risk to thousands of children, experts warn
Air pollution: ‘Toxic’ school run poses health risk to thousands of children, experts warn Children are most exposed to dangerous air pollution on the school run and in the playground, experts have warned.
While children only spend 40 per cent of their time on the school run and at school, they receive 60 per cent of their exposure to tiny particles of black carbon during those times, a study has found.
Peaks in children's exposure to the pollution were recorded while they travelling to and from school and during breaktime when they were likely to be in the playground, the report by Unicef UK and Queen Mary, University of London showed. The Independent
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While children only spend 40 per cent of their time on the school run and at school, they receive 60 per cent of their exposure to tiny particles of black carbon during those times, a study has found.
Peaks in children's exposure to the pollution were recorded while they travelling to and from school and during breaktime when they were likely to be in the playground, the report by Unicef UK and Queen Mary, University of London showed. The Independent
See also:
NHS fees for maternity care 'putting migrant mothers at risk'
NHS fees for maternity care 'putting migrant mothers at risk' Vulnerable women becoming distressed by legacy of ‘hostile environment’, report says
Migrant mothers and their babies are being put at risk because they are too frightened of incurring large debts and falling victim to the so-called hostile environment immigration policy to access vital medical care, a report has found.
Mothers who are not settled in the UK are not eligible for taxpayer-funded treatment, and are charged 50% more than the normal tariffs for antenatal care, births and postnatal care. Some with secure immigration status have also been mistakenly charged for treatment. Attempts at debt collection launched shortly after new mothers leave hospital can trigger mental health issues among some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in the UK, the research found. Continue reading... The Guardian
Migrant mothers and their babies are being put at risk because they are too frightened of incurring large debts and falling victim to the so-called hostile environment immigration policy to access vital medical care, a report has found.
Mothers who are not settled in the UK are not eligible for taxpayer-funded treatment, and are charged 50% more than the normal tariffs for antenatal care, births and postnatal care. Some with secure immigration status have also been mistakenly charged for treatment. Attempts at debt collection launched shortly after new mothers leave hospital can trigger mental health issues among some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in the UK, the research found. Continue reading... The Guardian
Number of children getting the MMR jab declines for the fourth year in a row
Number of children getting the MMR jab declines for the fourth year in a row The number of children being given the MMR vaccine has fallen for the fourth year in a row, with immunity now at its lowest since 2011.
The jab protects against measles, mumps and rubella, and children are expected to have their first dose before their second birthday.
But only 91.2 per cent of children across England are meeting this target, meaning thousands have no protection against the three killer infections.
The number is down from 92.7 per cent in 2014 – the highest level of the past decade years – and from 91.6 per cent in 2017, NHS Digital data has revealed. The Daily Mail
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The jab protects against measles, mumps and rubella, and children are expected to have their first dose before their second birthday.
But only 91.2 per cent of children across England are meeting this target, meaning thousands have no protection against the three killer infections.
The number is down from 92.7 per cent in 2014 – the highest level of the past decade years – and from 91.6 per cent in 2017, NHS Digital data has revealed. The Daily Mail
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Tuesday, 18 September 2018
New guidance to help you with reflection
New guidance to help you with reflection New guidance has been published to support doctors to be ‘reflective practitioners’.
It has been developed in partnership with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMED), the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Medical Schools Council (MSC).
A reflective practice toolkit includes a number of templates and examples for use with the guidance.
It has been developed in partnership with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMED), the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Medical Schools Council (MSC).
A reflective practice toolkit includes a number of templates and examples for use with the guidance.
Preventing suicide in community and custodial settings
Preventing suicide in community and custodial settings This guideline covers ways to reduce suicide and help people bereaved or affected by suicides. It aims to: help local services work more effectively together to prevent suicide; identify and help people at risk; prevent suicide in places where it is currently more likely. It does not cover national strategies, general mental wellbeing, or areas covered by other NICE guidance such as self-harm or mental health conditions. NICE
Private provision of publicly funded health care: the economics of ownership
Private provision of publicly funded health care: the economics of ownership This briefing aims to improve understanding of how economics can or cannot help to resolve the question of whether the private ownership of health care provision is good or bad. The economics literature that informs this overview includes: the theory of the organisation of production; theories of behaviour and motivation and the role of incentives and payments in influencing decisions. Office of Health Economics
Hiding my psychosis for 10 years from the age of 12
Hiding my psychosis for 10 years from the age of 12 Luke Watkin was in year eight at school and alone in a corridor when he first heard a strange noise.
"I heard what sounded like a train brake, followed by a metal on metal noise.
"It was just something completely out of the ordinary. It was a bit of a shock to the system, something I just couldn't understand or really process.
"My experience at the time was quite terrifying."
It was his first experience of the mental health condition, psychosis. Luke was 12 years old. BBC News
"I heard what sounded like a train brake, followed by a metal on metal noise.
"It was just something completely out of the ordinary. It was a bit of a shock to the system, something I just couldn't understand or really process.
"My experience at the time was quite terrifying."
It was his first experience of the mental health condition, psychosis. Luke was 12 years old. BBC News
Targeted treatment for melanoma to be free on NHS
Targeted treatment for melanoma to be free on NHS Hundreds of patients with a type of aggressive skin cancer will be offered a targeted therapy on the NHS in England and Wales, which reduces the risk of it returning.
At present, they have to hope their cancer will not return after surgery.
The drug has been shown to improve the survival of people with stage III melanoma, with a particular mutation.
A skin cancer charity said making the treatment available on the NHS was "a huge step forward". BBC News
At present, they have to hope their cancer will not return after surgery.
The drug has been shown to improve the survival of people with stage III melanoma, with a particular mutation.
A skin cancer charity said making the treatment available on the NHS was "a huge step forward". BBC News
NHS smacks down hundreds of staffers for dodgy use of social media, messaging apps
NHS smacks down hundreds of staffers for dodgy use of social media, messaging apps More than a thousand NHS staffers have been slapped down for their use of social media and apps since 2013, with some even posting about patients.
According to figures released under Freedom of Information laws, at least 65 workers in the UK's National Health Service have lost their jobs because of the incidents.
The Times reported more than 1,200 employees had been disciplined for various unwise activities online, such as sharing patients' information, complaining about colleagues and gossiping about drinking. The Register
According to figures released under Freedom of Information laws, at least 65 workers in the UK's National Health Service have lost their jobs because of the incidents.
The Times reported more than 1,200 employees had been disciplined for various unwise activities online, such as sharing patients' information, complaining about colleagues and gossiping about drinking. The Register
The government must be clearer with the public about how it shares NHS data
The government must be clearer with the public about how it shares NHS data Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, has established himself as a passionate advocate of technology in the National HEalth Service. In a series of speeches over the summer, he has shown his frustration at the fact that the NHS is “one of the largest purchasers of fax machines on the planet”. He has promised almost £700m for its neglected technology division and warned that where a new service challenges the system “the right response isn’t to reject the new service but to change the system”.
This is welcome news. But new technology alone is not enough. The rules on the handling of data in the NHS urgently need reform, too. They are arcane, outdated and not fit for purpose. iNews
This is welcome news. But new technology alone is not enough. The rules on the handling of data in the NHS urgently need reform, too. They are arcane, outdated and not fit for purpose. iNews
UK heatwave caused hundreds of extra deaths this summer, figures suggest
UK heatwave caused hundreds of extra deaths this summer, figures suggest Hundreds of extra deaths were recorded in England as a result of a heatwave during spring and early summer, official statistics show.
In the last week of June, when temperatures rose above 30C, 382 more deaths occurred than the average.
During an earlier period of unseasonably warm spring temperatures in April, 243 more deaths were observed than the five-year average. The Independent
In the last week of June, when temperatures rose above 30C, 382 more deaths occurred than the average.
During an earlier period of unseasonably warm spring temperatures in April, 243 more deaths were observed than the five-year average. The Independent
Early gender tests 'leading to selective abortions of girls in UK'
Early gender tests 'leading to selective abortions of girls in UK' Blood tests used to reveal a baby’s gender are leading to the abortion of unwanted girls in the UK, MPs and charities have warned.
Labour MP Naz Shah, shadow women and equalities minister, said the government must act now to stop the misuse of Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) to abort pregnancies based on gender. The Independent
See also:
Labour MP Naz Shah, shadow women and equalities minister, said the government must act now to stop the misuse of Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) to abort pregnancies based on gender. The Independent
See also:
- Call to ban early baby gender tests BBC News
- Labour calls for ban on early foetus sex test The Guardian
Health Secretary Matt Hancock backs 'second pension' plan for care
Health Secretary Matt Hancock backs 'second pension' plan for care Health Secretary Matt Hancock has endorsed proposals for every adult in England to pay into a second 'pension' that will be used for funding their old age care.
Mr Hancock said he wants people take more 'personal responsibility' for their health and care by regularly saving from their salary. The Daily Mail
Mr Hancock said he wants people take more 'personal responsibility' for their health and care by regularly saving from their salary. The Daily Mail
Struggling ambulance trust will force patients to SHARE vehicles
Struggling ambulance trust will force patients to SHARE vehicles A struggling ambulance trust may get patients to share vehicles in a bid to improve response times under a controversial new policy.
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAT), which looks after almost six million people, is one of the slowest at responding to emergencies.
In a desperate attempt to improve its performance statistics and drag it off the bottom of the league table, it implemented the new policy last month.
However, the scandal-hit trust's move has been branded 'crazy', 'desperate' and even a 'mess' by outraged politicians and senior staff. The Daily Mail
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAT), which looks after almost six million people, is one of the slowest at responding to emergencies.
In a desperate attempt to improve its performance statistics and drag it off the bottom of the league table, it implemented the new policy last month.
However, the scandal-hit trust's move has been branded 'crazy', 'desperate' and even a 'mess' by outraged politicians and senior staff. The Daily Mail
Monday, 17 September 2018
Corby health body manages to balance its books
Corby health body manages to balance its books Corby’s health chiefs have said they have managed to balance their £110m books with some spare change at the end of the last financial year.
Corby Clinical Commissioning Group - the country’s smallest CCG - had a spending budget of £110.097m with £2.002m of savings to make. They managed it with £71,000 to spare.
Although the full accounts have not yet been signed off so are not available to view, interim chief financial officer Stuart Rees who joined Corby CCG on April 1, said that there was lots of work to do to ensure the organisation stayed in the black. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Corby Clinical Commissioning Group - the country’s smallest CCG - had a spending budget of £110.097m with £2.002m of savings to make. They managed it with £71,000 to spare.
Although the full accounts have not yet been signed off so are not available to view, interim chief financial officer Stuart Rees who joined Corby CCG on April 1, said that there was lots of work to do to ensure the organisation stayed in the black. Northamptonshire Telegraph
Northampton-based charity spent £4 million on failed projects
Northampton-based charity spent £4 million on failed projects St Andrew's Healthcare spent millions of pounds on two projects that brought no benefit to its patients or staff, its latest accounts show.
The registered charity that runs St Andrew's Hospital has disclosed in its 2017/2018 annual report that £2,1 million was spent looking into whether it should expand its Birmingham operation, a venture which never transpired. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
The registered charity that runs St Andrew's Hospital has disclosed in its 2017/2018 annual report that £2,1 million was spent looking into whether it should expand its Birmingham operation, a venture which never transpired. Northampton Chronicle and Echo
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