RECENT NEWS

A surgical team has become the first in the UK to perform a cutting-edge anaesthetic technique in major thoracic (lung) surgery. Anaesthetic and surgical staff at Papworth Hospital undertook a minimally invasive VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) procedure using just local anaesthetic and sedation – allowing the patient to recover quicker with minimal post-operative risks.

A team of UK researchers, led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have been awarded a £2 million National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grant to develop and test new models of care which could dramatically improve the health of patients with cystic fibrosis.

The latest census of consultant physicians in the UK, produced by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), suggests that specialist registrars value where they work over all other factors when considering a consultant post, most wanting to stay close to where they have been training.

Friends of African Nursing (FoAN) a small UK based charity is expanding its education portfolio with the launch of a series of modules of on-line education on topics designed to assist the delivery of safe care to surgical patients.

Researchers at the Montreal Heart Institute have announced results showing patients with cardiovascular disease and the appropriate genetic background benefit greatly from the new medication dalcetrapib, with a significant reduction in heart attacks, strokes, unstable angina, coronary revascularisations and cardiovascular deaths.

Plans have been announced to allow the Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland to ask for evidence of English language ability.

A new project looking at the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis has been funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership. Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition that occurs because of ‘scars’ (fibrosis) developing in the lungs. There are limited treatments for the condition and there is no cure, but previous research has shown that an antibiotic called co-trimoxazole may be beneficial.

The integration of health and social care services at patient level is taking too long to become a reality, the chairman of Monitor, recently commented at a Westminster Social Policy Forum event in London. Baroness Hanham acknowledged that the “demarcation between health and social care is beginning to disappear”, but argued that the challenges currently facing the health sector mean that care must be integrated at a quicker pace.

Boosting funding for global cancer services could save millions of lives each year, according to a global cancer organisation. The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) believes the equivalent of a £12 billion investment increase each year could result in a 30% reduction in worldwide cancer deaths; equating to three million people in low and middle income countries by 2030.

Results from a trial of a new Ebola vaccine confirm it can progress to larger scale testing. The results from the first clinical trials of the proposed new vaccine in the UK show that it does produce a response from the immune system. Trials in affected countries are now needed to see whether it is sufficient to protect against the disease. The research will also help determine the appropriate dosage for patients.

The financial health of NHS bodies has worsened over the last two years, a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report has concluded, as figures show the percentage of NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts in deficit increased from 10% in 2012/13 to 26% in 2013/14.

Researchers have discovered that the way light reacts with human cells may indicate the likelihood of a person having lung cancer. Patients who develop lung tumours may have subtle abnormalities in all cells in their lungs, mouth and nose.

Patients having cosmetic surgery should be able to make informed decisions about their treatment, including being able to check if their surgeon is listed on an approved register, according to new proposals made by the Royal College of Surgeons to improve standards of care.

The Royal Marsden has become the first hospital in England to get the newest model of the da Vinci surgical system, used in the pioneering treatment of cancer patients. The hospital’s second da Vinci surgical system (the da Vinci Xi) makes it possible for surgeons to make microscopic incisions with greater accuracy and control.

New research announced by independent health care charity, the Health Foundation, has predicted funding pressures on the NHS will increase to £65 billion above inflation by 2030/31. The findings show that the incoming government will have to face the ongoing challenge of sustaining high quality care while trying to balance the healthcare budget.

The Lymphoma Association has announced the launch of an online learning tool, developed with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), to increase GP understanding of lymphoma and improve survival and quality of life for lymphoma patients.

On March 12 and 13 2015, Endolive UK will be taking place at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham. This meeting, organised by BSG, will showcase the best of UK endoscopy.

Statistics from NHS England, on 6 January, revealed that in the three months to the end of 2014, 92.6% of patients were seen within four hours, just short of the 95% target. The performance is the worst quarterly result since the target was introduced at the end of 2004.

The Health Foundation is launching its Innovating for Improvement programme. As part of the new programme, the charity is looking for projects that aim to improve healthcare delivery and the way people manage their own healthcare.

Uptake for the first year of the new singles vaccination programme shows that almost 62% of 70 year olds and almost 60% of 79 year olds received the shingles vaccine.