RECENT NEWS

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.

Only a minority of gout sufferers in England receive the recommended treatment to cure their condition, according to a new study.

A recent report suggests that encouraging people to adopt a healthy lifestyle may prevent around 80,000 cases of dementia in the UK each year. The report is being presented at the World Innovation Summit for Health, chaired by former health minister, Lord Darzi. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Lord Darzi argues that while ‘the most urgent task remains finding a cure’, lifestyle changes play an important part in reducing the risk of dementia.

Patients at risk of recurrent blood clots can now be offered an alternative to warfarin, which some patients find inconvenient due to the need for careful monitoring and regular visits to clinics for blood tests.

Spire Healthcare, the private hospital group, has taken a significant step towards the development of a major new cancer centre in Chelmsford, Essex. After the successful build, opening and popularity of its Specialist Care Centre in Bristol, Spire submitted a request on December 12 for planning permission next to Baddow Hospital at the Essex Healthcare Park in Chelmsford, with the view to build a similar facility to serve the city and wider Essex and adjoining counties areas.

The NHS Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF)has published the outcome of its review of drugs included in the Fund. The budget for the CDF will grow from £200 million in 2013/14, to £280 million in 2014/15, and an estimated £340 million from April 2015. This represents a total increase of 70% since August 2014.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a new quality standard which sets out priorities for healthcare professionals on the use of antibiotics to prevent and treat infections in newborn babies.

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new way to selectively insert compounds into cancer cells – a system that will help surgeons identify malignant tissues and then, in combination with phototherapy, kill any remaining cancer cells after a tumour is removed. The findings, published in the journal Nanoscale, have shown success in laboratory animals.

Long-term survival rates following laparoscopic surgery for bladder cancer are comparable to those of open surgery, according to a study published in BJU International.The findings, which come from the largest study to date with long-term follow-up after this type of minimally invasive surgery, indicate that prospective randomised trials comparing these two bladder cancer surgeries are warranted.