Latest news – Page 1920
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C difficile rates still on the rise
Clostridium difficile cases in hospitals rose by 8 per cent in 2006, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency. The quarterly data shows infection rates remain high, particularly in small acute trusts. There were 55,681 cases reported in patients aged over 65 years in England in 2006.Cases ...
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Britain's 'silent' stroke risk
Nearly a quarter of people in the UK are unknowingly at risk of suffering a stroke from undiagnosed high blood pressure, a charity has warned.The Stroke Association has launched a campaign to encourage people to get their blood pressure checked after a national survey revealed that 30 per cent of ...
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Research reveals students' lack of condom knowledge
Many students are heading off to university completely clueless about condoms, according to research from the Terrence Higgins Trust and the National Union of Students.THT head of policy Lisa Power said: 'Students are just as likely to believe myths about condoms and to have got more of their sex education ...
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Heart charity welcomes continued cardiac improvements
The British Heart Foundation has welcomed the news that outcomes in cardiac surgery have continued to improve over the last few years.BHF cardiac nurse Ellen Mason also urged caution over the use of 'league tables' of mortality rates: 'While working under more public scrutiny than ever before, surgeons and their ...
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Industry to regulate non-surgical cosmetic treatments
The Department of Health has asked the cosmetic surgery industry to work on improving safety in the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, Health minister Lord Hunt has announced.The Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, which count many of the major cosmetic surgery providers as members, have agreed to take ...
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Give quit smoking help at work, says NICE
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued advice on workplace support for stop-smoking schemes.NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon said: 'Smoking causes an estimated 86,500 deaths in England each year - going smoke-free is a win-win situation for employers and employees, and our advice sets out the best ...
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Hewitt announces Modernising Medical Careers review terms
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced the terms of reference of the independent review into Modernising Medical Careers, which will establish how the programme will go forward in 2008 and beyond.The review will be chaired by Sir John Tooke, dean of the Peninsula Medical School and chair of the Council ...
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Northern Ireland launches medical information scheme
Plans to distribute 80,000 bottles to older people to record basic personal and medical details in case of an emergency have been unveiled by Northern Ireland criminal justice minister David Hanson.The details will be kept in a special bottle and stored in a fridge. Those arriving to provide assistance will ...
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Committee calls for action on mental health discrimination
The Lords European Union committee has called on the government and the EU to provide greater protection from discrimination for people with mental health problems.The committee said people suffering from mental health problems often face discrimination in health services and employment.
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Junior doctors will work abroad, says BMA
Over 50 per cent of junior doctors are likely to leave the UK if their applications for jobs through the medical training application service are unsuccessful, according to the British Medical Association.The BMA is calling for an urgent meeting with the health secretary following a survey of 648 applicants.
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Unison pushes zero tolerance campaign on violence against staff
Delegates at Unison's annual health conference in Brighton have called for national action to drive forward the zero tolerance campaign against violence in the NHS.The union is campaigning for harsher penalties for those found guilty of assaulting NHS workers.
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Variations in patient care continue, says Dr Foster
Despite a year of record investment variations in standards of care remain, according to the Dr Foster Intelligence Hospital Guide, launched today.Among the findings in the 2007 guide, mortality rates are falling with 95 per cent of trusts improving over the past five years. But only 10 trusts provided robust ...
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Delayed dicharge can hinder patient safety
In response to your article on bed-blocking (12 April) Alison Moore is right to highlight the problems of delayed transfer of care, but fails to convey the problems that patients experience.
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Commissioning and clinicians
The ideals of commissioning are mocked. One may sympathise with policy-making born of frustration, but when rhetoric begets sham and folly, then challenge should be clearly heard.
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Drug dilemma
I was puzzled by David Lock's advice in NICE rulings to PCTs to have a policy to refuse to fund emerging treatments except in exceptional circumstances.
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Drug use falls, claims information centre
The number of people in contact with structured drug treatment services rose by 13 per cent from 2004-05 to 2005-06 and was more than double those in 1998-99, according to figures from the Information Centre for health and social care.The Statistics on Drug Misuse: England, 2007 report shows that drugs ...
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Committee prepares to scrutinise Mental Health Bill
The British Medical Association, Royal College of Nurses and Royal College of Psychiatrists will be among those giving evidence to a cross-party committee scrutinising the Mental Health Bill before it passes through the Commons.Peers and MPs will focus on the six areas of the bill amended after votes in the ...
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Pressure group calls for healthcare funding debate
UK healthcare is not free at the point of delivery and in perpetuating this idea politicians are stifling proper debate on future funding of healthcare, says a report from Doctors for Reform.The report, written by three doctors, including oncologist Karol Sikora, highlights 20 case studies to show how patients are ...
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Health workers to vote on strike action
Delegates at trade union Unison's health conference in Brighton will today vote on a ballot for strike action in protest at the government's proposed 2.5 per cent pay increase.Yesterday health workers voted to campaign against payment by results, set up a campaign against all forms of privatisation and marketisation, oppose ...
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Four Seasons names chief operating officer
Dr Pete Calveley has been appointed chief operating officer of independent provider Four Seasons Health Care. Dr Calveley joined Four Seasons in November 2005 as primary care medical director, while also continuing his role as a GP and primary care trust director in Lincolnshire.His new role is a full-time position. ...