News about the NHS

Andrew Gregory Health editor · 2024-12-03T06:24:12+0000

Pioneering drug for rare eye cancer gets go-ahead to be offered on NHS Campaigners welcome Nice approval for use of Kimmtrak (tebentafusp) to treat patients with uveal melanoma Hundreds of patients in England with a rare form of eye cancer are to be offered on the NHS a pioneering drug that kills cancer cells and boosts the chances of survival. In guidance published on Tuesday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) gave the green light to tebentafusp for patients whose uveal melanoma cannot be removed with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. Continue reading... By Andrew Gregory Health editor Pioneering drug for rare eye cancer gets go-ahead to be offered on NHS to Continue reading... NHS...

Guardian Staff · 2024-12-02T19:24:07+0000

Whistleblowing reform must include GPs | Letters It is vital for staff in general practice to have a voice, just as it is for those in hospitals, says one whistleblower As a whistleblower within general practice, I share the concerns many of us have about confidentiality. I have faced retribution and detrimental treatment (NHS bosses who silence whistleblowers face sack under government plans, 24 November). Both I and a colleague reported serious patient safety concerns and witnessed dishonesty. Unfortunately, we have experienced what is known in whistleblower circles as the “playbook” of mistreatment, while authorities slowly gather the evidence needed to act on our reports. This abuse has included the spreading of false rumours...

Editorial · 2024-12-02T19:24:07+0000

The Guardian view on Keir Starmer’s reset: it needs a vision to tackle Britain’s challenges | Editorial The prime minister faces scrutiny as voters demand bold action, not recycled policies, to address Britain’s deepening economic and social concerns Sir Keir Starmer’s reboot is clearly a strategy to win over voters disillusioned with the government’s performance. The prime minister is personally unpopular. Labour’s standing in the polls has sunk after avoidable fights with pensioners and farmers. The public seem unimpressed by Sir Keir’s contradictory stance that Labour faces a worse inheritance than expected, yet his pre-election framing remains unchanged. If the former is true, the latter seems doubtful. Voters expect a government...

Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor · 2024-12-02T11:25:34+0000

NHS bosses reportedly worried about Starmer’s pledge to cut waiting lists PM expected to set target to carry out 92% of routine operations and appointments within 18 weeks UK politics live – latest updates NHS bosses are said to be privately concerned about Keir Starmer’s ambitious targets to cut waiting lists for routine operations, set to be announced later this week, which will also include specific targets on living standards and housebuilding. The prime minister is expected on Thursday to set a target for 92% of routine operations and appointments to be carried out within 18 weeks, one that has not been achieved in almost a decade, the Times has reported. Continue reading... By Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor NHS...

Andrew Sparrow · 2024-12-02T11:25:34+0000

UK politics live: Labour under pressure over housing and waiting list targets Health bosses reportedly concerned about government’s focus while council leaders are said to believe building targets are unrealistic The Local Government Association says councils need multi-year funding arrangements to help them deal with dangerous cladding. In response to today’s announcment from the government (see 10.08am and 10.17am), it issued this statement from Cllr Heather Kidd, chair of its safer and stronger communities board. Councils are committed to keeping tenants and residents safe, and are keen to work with government to drive the pace of remediation. However, for local government to carry out enforcement and addressing cladding issues...

Rowena Mason Whitehall editor · 2024-12-02T06:25:49+0000

Public services complaints in England soar by more than a third since 2016 – study Written complaints about DWP double, while prisons, the NHS and higher education experience big increase Complaints about public services have soared by more than a third since 2016 with substantial jumps in relation to benefits, prisons, the NHS and higher education, according to a leading thinktank. Demos, a cross-party organisation, found that between 2015-16 and 2023-24 complaints across key public services increased steadily by evermore than 100,000 from 309,758 to 425,624 – aside from a sharp drop during the pandemic. Continue reading... By Rowena Mason Whitehall editor Public services complaints in England soar by more than a third since...

PA Media · 2024-12-02T00:29:35+0000

Reforms of NHS don’t stand a chance unless recruitment is fixed, say top nurses Number of registered nurses at record high in UK but workforce is ‘increasingly inexperienced’ Top nurses have said that planned government reforms for the health service “stand no chance” if issues with recruitment and retention in the profession are not addressed. They made the warning as new figures show the number of nurses and midwives registered in the UK has grown to a record high. Continue reading... By PA Media Reforms of NHS don’t stand a chance unless recruitment is fixed, say top nurses to Continue reading... NHS Forums - For NHS Staff | Patient Forums

Denis Campbell, Jessica Elgot and Aletha Adu · Sunday at 9:01 PM

Blueprint drawn up to deliver ‘unprecedented transformation’ of end of life care Palliative care commission set up to provide high-quality, holistic support to 100,000 people in England and Wales Assisted dying bill brings critical state of palliative care into government’s focus MPs, doctors and charities have drawn up a blueprint to deliver an “unprecedented transformation” of care for 100,000 people a year in the final stages of their lives. After parliament’s historic vote last week to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, a commission on palliative care has been set up to help improve end of life care. Continue reading... By Denis Campbell, Jessica Elgot and Aletha Adu Blueprint drawn up to deliver...

Guardian Staff · Sunday at 5:22 PM

Only proper funding can rescue social care | Letters Inadequate funding of adult social care in England has a harmful knock-on effect on the NHS, writes Laura Davies The Nuffield Trust’s warning that parts of the adult social care market in England could collapse is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the sector (Large parts of adult social care market in England face collapse, thinktank warns, 22 November). Recent national insurance and minimum wage increases, which the thinktank said could drive costs up by £2.8bn for private and non-profit social care providers, could be the tipping point for organisations already under pressure following a decade of cuts and ongoing inflationary pressures. Continue reading... By...

Rachel Clarke · Saturday at 7:45 AM

Good palliative care can alleviate the pain of dying – this bill means Labour must fund it | Rachel Clarke Making dying easier is not the solution when NHS, social and palliative care are simply not there for patients The succession of former prime ministers who lined up in recent days to assert their compassion for the dying was quite something. David Cameron, Theresa May, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson – all of them wanting us to know just how much they cared. Imagine if this roll call of political powerhouses – each of whom was better placed than anyone to improve the fate of those with terminal diagnoses – had used that power, while in office, to do something concrete, tangible, to alleviate the terminal suffering that allegedly...

Editorial · Friday at 7:33 PM

The Guardian view on assisted dying debate: a first hurdle cleared – many more lie ahead | Editorial MPs advanced the proposed bill. With ethical dilemmas and practical safeguards under scrutiny, challenges still remain unresolved On Friday, MPs voted to advance legislation on assisted dying in England and Wales, reflecting polling that shows widespread public support. However, a slim majority, of less than one-tenth of the House, should temper the confidence of its proponents. This is a profound, historic decision that demands careful consideration. Parliament was at its best in putting through the proposals to the next stage of deliberation. The debate was marked by sobriety and the welcome absence of partisan bickering. MPs...

Dan Milmo and Andrew Gregory · Friday at 5:24 PM

Alder Hey children’s hospital explores ‘data breach’ after ransomware claims Screenshots purporting to be from systems of Liverpool NHS health facility have been posted on dark web A ransomware gang claims to have stolen data from the Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool, allegedly including patient records. The INC Ransom group said it had published screenshots of data on the dark web that contained the personal information of patients, donations from benefactors and procurement information. Continue reading... By Dan Milmo and Andrew Gregory Alder Hey children’s hospital explores ‘data breach’ after ransomware claims to Continue reading... NHS Forums - For NHS Staff | Patient Forums

Denis Campbell Health policy editor · Friday at 2:34 PM

Experts sink their teeth into England’s NHS dental care crisis Ideas to revive NHS dentistry include a GP-style right to register and fewer checkups for those with healthy teeth Amid renewed concern over the millions of people in England who cannot get NHS dental care, and a warning that the current “dental recovery plan” will not work, ministers are drawing up their own proposals to tackle what is widely agreed to be a crisis. Here experts set out four ideas for how to revive NHS dentistry and help patients get the care they need without paying for it privately, as many are having to do now, or undertaking “DIY dentistry”, such as pulling their rotten teeth themselves. Continue reading... By Denis Campbell Health policy editor...

Eleni Courea Political correspondent · Friday at 11:30 AM

MPs urged to give people ‘choice and dignity’ as assisted dying debate begins Critics say the bill is too flawed and question whether the NHS is ready for such an impactful change in the law UK politics live – latest updates Kim Leadbeater urged MPs to give people “choice, autonomy and dignity at the end of their lives” as she opened a landmark debate on legalising assisted dying. The backbench Labour MP, who has brought forward a bill that would apply in England and Wales, said fresh consideration of the issue was “long overdue”. Continue reading... By Eleni Courea Political correspondent MPs urged to give people ‘choice and dignity’ as assisted dying debate begins to Continue reading... NHS Forums - For NHS Staff |...

Denis Campbell Health policy editor · Thursday at 7:37 PM

Rise in number of pregnant women in England not getting help they need, survey finds CQC study found falls across a range of metrics dealing with antenatal care, labour, childbirth and postnatal care More than a third of pregnant women in England do not always get help from maternity staff during labour or childbirth, the NHS care regulator has found. Even more – almost half – do not always get help when they are in hospital after giving birth, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) survey of almost 19,000 women’s experience of maternity care found. Continue reading... By Denis Campbell Health policy editor Rise in number of pregnant women in England not getting help they need, survey finds to Continue reading... NHS Forums - For NHS...

Guardian Staff · Thursday at 6:16 PM

The truth about Wales’s 20mph speed limit? It works | Letters The Senedd’s policy saves public money, reduces accidents and lightens the load on the NHS, writes Mike Pender, while Bill Bytheway calls for England to copy it How refreshing to read an article about the Welsh government’s default 20mph speed limit policy that unemotionally sets out the facts and leaves readers to decide whether or not it has been a success (Wales’s 20mph speed limit saves lives and money. So why has it become a culture-war battlefield, 18 November?). The policy is working: it saves public money, reduces the number of serious traffic accidents and lightens the load on the NHS in Wales. The latest data vindicates Lee Waters MS who, as transport minister...

Josh Halliday North of England editor · Thursday at 2:37 PM

Lucy Letby inquiry: hospital boss ‘sincerely regrets’ not calling police sooner Former medical director of Countess of Chester hospital says he is ‘truly sorry’ if he failed bereaved families A boss at the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered babies has said he “sincerely regrets” not calling police sooner and is “truly sorry” if he failed the bereaved families. Ian Harvey, a former medical director at the Countess of Chester hospital, told the Thirlwall inquiry he wished he had contacted the police nearly a year before they were informed. Continue reading... By Josh Halliday North of England editor Lucy Letby inquiry: hospital boss ‘sincerely regrets’ not calling police sooner to Continue reading... NHS Forums - For NHS Staff |...

Andrew Gregory Health editor · Thursday at 1:11 PM

NHS trials ‘sponge on a string’ test for risk signs of oesophageal cancer Test to be offered to people with heartburn gives faster, cheaper diagnosis of precursor condition The NHS is to offer a 10-minute “sponge on a string” test to 120,000 patients with heartburn in a trial to see if it should be used to screen millions of people for one of the world’s deadliest cancers. Patients swallow a soluble pill attached to a thread which, when washed down with a glass of water, releases a sponge the size of a 50p coin to collect cells from the oesophagus as it is retrieved. Continue reading... By Andrew Gregory Health editor NHS trials ‘sponge on a string’ test for risk signs of oesophageal cancer to Continue reading... NHS Forums -...

Natalie Morris · Thursday at 1:11 PM

Both my parents died in a hospice – the decline I saw in end-of-life care in four years was terrifying | Natalie Morris This crisis is not the fault of medical professionals. If funding for hospices is cut further, more people will die in distress In September, I found myself back in a hell that was all too familiar. My mum was in a hospice, dying of cancer, while I camped at her bedside or paced the halls desperately. Four years earlier – almost to the day – I had been in the exact same position with my dad after his cancer diagnosis became terminal. How was this happening to us again? And so soon? It felt like the past had looped back on itself, trapping me in a recurring nightmare. And yet something fundamental had changed in the...

Zoe Williams · Thursday at 9:28 AM

Women are fed up with waiting – and they’re taking fertility into their own hands | Zoe Williams We’ve climbed steadily from a place of little agency – waiting for the right partner to come along – before we could have children The number of women without a partner having children by IVF or sperm donation has trebled in the past 10 years. IVF itself is not unproblematic; provision on the NHS varies wildly, with hurdles and prohibitions that range from random to downright cruel. There are trusts that won’t offer it over the age of 35, others that won’t if her partner has children from a previous relationship. Private clinics, meanwhile, can prey on people, gouging them for add-on treatments, exploiting hopes they know are unrealistic...

Robert Booth UK technology editor · Thursday at 6:39 AM

UK government failing to list use of AI on mandatory register Technology secretary admits Whitehall departments are not being transparent over way they use AI and algorithms Not a single Whitehall department has registered the use of artificial intelligence systems since the government said it would become mandatory, prompting warnings that the public sector is “flying blind” about the deployment of algorithmic technology affecting millions of lives. AI is already being used by government to inform decisions on everything from benefit payments to immigration enforcement, and records show public bodies have awarded dozens of contracts for AI and algorithmic services. A contract for facial recognition software, worth up to £20m, was...

Andrew Gregory Health editor · Thursday at 5:13 AM

One in three consultant child psychiatrist posts in England are vacant, analysis shows Child and adolescent mental health services have highest vacancy rates of any psychiatric specialism Consultant psychiatrist on why early intervention is key and why delays are unacceptable One in three child and adolescent consultant psychiatrist posts in England are vacant, according to a “shocking” analysis laying bare the workforce crisis that experts say is fuelling “unacceptable” long waits for NHS care. The number of children and young people requiring mental healthcare has soared in recent years, but many face lengthy delays before they can access treatment. Some are deteriorating to a dangerously severe state of mental ill-health while...

As told to Andrew Gregory · Thursday at 5:13 AM

Long wait for NHS mental healthcare has ‘stark consequences for children’s life chances’ Consultant psychiatrist on why early intervention is key and why delays are unacceptable One in three consultant child psychiatrist posts in England are vacant, analysis shows One in three child and adolescent consultant psychiatrist posts in England are vacant, according to a “shocking” analysis laying bare the workforce crisis that experts say is fuelling “unacceptable” long waits for NHS care. Dr Elaine Lockhart, a consultant paediatric liaison psychiatrist who works in NHS child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), describes the frustrating but rewarding daily battle to meet the soaring demand and to help those most in need. At...

Denis Campbell Health policy editor · Thursday at 1:28 AM

Prisoners denied dignity while receiving NHS care, watchdog finds Health Services Safety Investigation Body reveals difficulties inmates have when they leave jail for treatment A female inmate remained handcuffed to a male prison officer while she had a mammogram, in an example of prisoners being denied their dignity while receiving NHS care, a watchdog has revealed. The incident is highlighted in a report by the Health Services Safety Investigation Body (HSSIB) into the difficulties prisoners can face when they leave jail to see a GP or visit a hospital. Continue reading... By Denis Campbell Health policy editor Prisoners denied dignity while receiving NHS care, watchdog finds to Continue reading... NHS Forums - For NHS Staff...

Josh Halliday North of England editor · Wednesday at 2:41 PM

Former chief executive of Letby hospital denies he discouraged police inquiry Tony Chambers accepts that chances to stop nurse were missed but declines to identify any personal failures The former chief executive of the hospital where Lucy Letby murdered babies has apologised to the victims’ families but denied discouraging police from launching an investigation. Tony Chambers told the Thirlwall inquiry he “wholeheartedly accepted” that the Countess of Chester hospital’s “systems failed” and that there were missed opportunities to stop the nurse sooner. Continue reading... By Josh Halliday North of England editor Former chief executive of Letby hospital denies he discouraged police inquiry to Continue reading... NHS Forums -...

News about the NHS

Show only:

Pioneering drug for rare eye cancer gets go-ahead to be offered on NHS

Whistleblowing reform must include GPs | Letters

The Guardian view on Keir Starmer’s reset: it needs a vision to tackle Britain’s challenges | Editorial

NHS bosses reportedly worried about Starmer’s pledge to cut waiting lists

UK politics live: Labour under pressure over housing and waiting list targets

Public services complaints in England soar by more than a third since 2016 – study

Reforms of NHS don’t stand a chance unless recruitment is fixed, say top nurses

Blueprint drawn up to deliver ‘unprecedented transformation’ of end of life care

Only proper funding can rescue social care | Letters

Good palliative care can alleviate the pain of dying – this bill means Labour must fund it | Rachel Clarke

The Guardian view on assisted dying debate: a first hurdle cleared – many more lie ahead | Editorial

Alder Hey children’s hospital explores ‘data breach’ after ransomware claims

Experts sink their teeth into England’s NHS dental care crisis

MPs urged to give people ‘choice and dignity’ as assisted dying debate begins

Rise in number of pregnant women in England not getting help they need, survey finds

The truth about Wales’s 20mph speed limit? It works | Letters

Lucy Letby inquiry: hospital boss ‘sincerely regrets’ not calling police sooner

NHS trials ‘sponge on a string’ test for risk signs of oesophageal cancer

Both my parents died in a hospice – the decline I saw in end-of-life care in four years was terrifying | Natalie Morris

Women are fed up with waiting – and they’re taking fertility into their own hands | Zoe Williams

UK government failing to list use of AI on mandatory register

One in three consultant child psychiatrist posts in England are vacant, analysis shows

Long wait for NHS mental healthcare has ‘stark consequences for children’s life chances’

Prisoners denied dignity while receiving NHS care, watchdog finds

Former chief executive of Letby hospital denies he discouraged police inquiry

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