RECENT NEWS
A listening deficit in the NHS?
June 2013
Nearly three in ten people think the problems in Mid Staffordshire are widespread across the NHS, according to an Ipsos MORI poll.
Public remain wedded to NHS model
June 2013
The public still firmly believes in the fundamental principles underpinning the NHS but under certain circumstances could support the introduction of charges for some treatments and services, suggests a new Kings Fund and Ipsos MORI report entitled, How should we pay for healthcare in future?
Trial supports use of platelet transfusion for cancer patients
June 2013
The results of the ‘Trial of prophylactic vs no prophylactic platelet transfusions’ known as the TOPPS trial have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Prostate cancer can be best predicted by PSA screening before age 50
June 2013
Focusing prostate cancer testing on men at highest risk of developing the disease is likely to improve the ratio between benefits and the harms of screening, suggests a paper published on bmj.com Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening is widely used for the early detection of prostate cancer.
Survey reveals falling standards of care for cancer treatment in Scotland
June 2013
A survey of oncologists and haematologists in Scotland has revealed that over 39% are aware of cancer patients who have relocated to England to receive treatment.
Thalamic atrophy associated with MS
June 2013
MRI measurements of atrophy in an important area of the brain can provide an accurate predictor of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study.
Breast cancer in women under 50 on the increase
June 2013
The number of women under 50 diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK has exceeded 10,000 for the first time according to latest statistics from Cancer Research UK.
NICE takes on the functions of NTAC
June 2013
NHS England has commissioned The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to take over the work of the NHS Technology Adoption Centre (NTAC), giving it a greater role in helping the NHS to adopt innovative technologies, such as surgical implants and diagnostic and monitoring devices.
‘Life changing’ treatment approved for severe asthma
June 2013
Omalizumab (Xolair) is now available for NHS patients as an add-on treatment for severe, persistent allergic asthma in adults, adolescents and children, says NICE.
Final guidance for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
June 2013
NICE has published final guidance, which recommends pirfenidone (marketed as Esbriet and manufactured by InterMune) for people who have the chronic lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with a forced vital capacity (FVC) between 50% and 80% predicted.
111 service is unpopular with doctors
June 2013
A poll by Doctors.net.uk shows that 70% of doctors think the NHS 111 non-emergency hotline service should be scrapped.
Regional anaesthesia could improve surgical outcomes
June 2013
A new study has found that the use of regional anaesthesia in place of general anaesthesia in patients with sleep apnoea undergoing total joint replacement decreases major complications by 17%.
NICE spine treatments guidance
June 2013
NICE has published final guidance recommending two treatments – vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty – for fractured bones in the vertebrae caused by osteoporosis.
Older bladder cancer patients less likely to get curative treatment
June 2013
Older bladder cancer patients are less likely than younger patients to receive treatments intended to cure their disease such as surgery to remove the bladder or radiotherapy.
Toolkit puts NEWS at the heart of initial assessment
June 2013
A new toolkit from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) for the recognition and care of seriously ill patients recommends that patients admitted as emergencies should only transfer out of the acute medical unit to a ward area that has facilities to meet their clinical needs.
Sharps Directive education module
June 2013
Ansell, a protective solutions provider, has developed a new education module, Prevention of Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Setting, to support the European Union Directive (2010/32/EU) for implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention of sharp injuries in the healthcare sector.
Hospital comparison website
June 2013
A new public website has been launched – www.phin.org.uk – which enables patients and GPs to directly compare around 200 independent hospitals on a range of quality of care indicators.
Queen’s Award for skills training solution provider
June 2013
Limbs & Things, a designer and manufacturer of medical training simulators, has been recognised for its innovative contribution to skills training in medicine with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.
NHS Blood and Transplant sets out ambitious plans
June 2013
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has published its Strategic Plan 2013-2018.
New professional standards for bariatric practice
June 2013
The British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) has produced a new set of professionals standards aimed at helping surgeons achieve the highest possible level of conduct in bariatric practice.