Bringing you a round up of the week's healthcare news and events

Vale Healthcare - bringing you a round up of the week's national and local health news:

Week beginning 7th May 2012

This week ministers vetoed the demand to publish the risk register for the Health and Social Care Reforms. The Information Commissioner ordered for the register to be released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act but the decision was made to prevent this due to fears that publishing the list would deter experts from giving future advice. Instead, Andrew Lansley is to publish a short document detailing key information from the register with details on how Government has tackled them. Read more in the Independent and the Guardian.

New research from the International Agency for Research on Cancer this week shows that one in six cancers are caused by preventable infections. The majority of these are cervical, liver and gastric cancer. The scientists who conducted the study are calling for more effort to be made not only in tackling the avoidable instances of cancer but also for greater recognition of cancer as a communicable disease. More can be read at the BBC.

Also announced today is news that NICE has given the go-ahead for Botox to be used for treating migraines. Only patients who have been diagnosed as having chronic migraines will be eligible for the treatment on the NHS. Further details in the Telegraph and the Guardian.

Finally, paralysed ‘Bionic Woman’ Claire Lomas finished the London Marathon this week after 16 days walking in a robotic suit. If that doesn’t inspire us all to get some exercise this weekend then nothing will.

Week beginning 30th April 2012

News this week that a study by the Teenage Cancer Trust shows that thousands of young people are being put at risk as GPs are missing signs of cancer in the young. A quarter of the young people (aged 13 to 24) surveyed reported that they had to visit their GP four times or more before their symptoms were taken seriously. The Teenage Cancer Trust researchers stated that their findings emphasis the “serious issue of delayed diagnosis” in the young. The patients surveyed are calling for better education in schools regarding cancer symptoms.

Also widely reported this week is news that a simple blood test could be available within the next five years that will be able to predict breast cancer risk up to 11 years before the disease develops. The tests, developed by scientists at Imperial College London, works by looking for molecular changes in a white blood cell gene called ATM. Read more in the Telegraph or at the BBC.

A new study for the WSFF (Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation) has shown that more than half of girls are put off sports and exercise by PE classes at school due to the ‘unfeminine’ sports on offer, body embarrassment in front of their male classmates and ‘dirty’ changing facilities. The WSFF is writing to schools offering them advice on how to make sports more attractive to girls, such as by offering a wider variety of activities and single sex sporting opportunities. More in the Independent and the Mail.

Finally, news this week that drinking red wine prolongs life expectancy!

Week beginning 23rd April 2012

Reported widely today was news that workers were more stressed since the economic downturn. In a survey by Nuffield Health where 1,500 workers were asked about everything from their family life to exercise habits, found that most people are not only exercising less, but also spending less time with their family. MD for Corporate Wellbeing, Marcus Powell said “We would encourage every worker to think about how they can improve their wellbeing at work and at home.” Read the full story here.

The initial findings of new research linking ovarian stimulating drugs and childhood leukaemia were published this week. The relatively small study, carried out by researchers in Paris, found that the risk of these children developing the most common form of leukaemia increased, but found no link between leukaemia and the fertility procedures themselves. Dr Jeremie Rudant, researcher at French institute INSERM, said: "The findings indicate that more research is now needed to investigate more closely the link between specific types of fertility drugs and what role the underlying causes of infertility may play in the potential development of childhood leukaemia." More can be read in the Telegraph and the Guardian.

The results of the biggest review into the link between mobile phones and cancer were published this week showing no “convincing” link between the use of handsets and cases of tumours in both adults and children. The chairman of the Health Protection Agency’s Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation stated that the only risk of using a mobile phone was to do so whilst driving. Despite this the World Health Organisation have ruled that there is insufficient evidence to state conclusively that there is no mobile phone radiation risk to the brain as some cancers can take longer than fifteen years to develop. Read more at the BBC and the Telegraph.

Week beginning 16th April 2012

This week results of a new study into breast cancer were released showing that what we currently consider to be breast cancer is in fact ten different diseases. Although it will still be three to five years until patients can start benefiting from tailored treatment it could eventually revolutionise breast cancer diagnosis and care. More can be read at the BBC and in the Telegraph.

Doctors have attacked the Government’s obesity strategy this week claiming obesity is a “huge crisis waiting to happen” and that partnering with food and drink firms to tackle it may be “counter-intuitive”. A spokesperson from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has suggested that it should be tackled in the same way as the anti-smoking drive. Read more in the Mail and at the BBC. Nuffield Health agrees that current measures to manage the obesity crisis in the UK are not sufficient, we believe a joined up approach to healthcare is crucial for success and that is why we provide integrated services to support people’s health and fitness development across our Hospitals and Fitness and Wellbeing Centres. It is about small positive steps to improved health, that are built up over time, not just a one-off attempt to lose weight, this is where many people need the support to stay motivated and on track.

Hospitals in England have also been told this week to stop the practise of discharging patients overnight to free up beds. Figures obtained by the Times show that over 200,000 patients were discharged between 23:00 and 6:00 in 2011. The NHS medical director has written to Strategic Health Authorities informing them it is an unacceptable practise. More can be read in the Telegraph.

Lastly, news this week that having a “rainbow on your plate” can ward off health and beauty problems. Skittles for dinner all round?

Week beginning 9th April 2012

This week, a report by the Times newspaper found that hospitals were sending patients home in the middle of the night to 'free up beds’. The findings have prompted the Government to order an investigation. The Patients Association said it received several calls a week from distressed relatives whose loved ones had been sent home in the middle of the night. Figures obtained from NHS Trusts, through Freedom of Information requests, show that 239,233 patients were recorded as being discharged between 11pm and 6am last year. You can read more about this on the BBC.

“What can and should be done about nursing?” has been a special feature this week carried out by The Independent. Over the week, they have talked about the nursing reforms, the standard of nursing and how there are no quick fixes. In their leading article the paper writes ‘We try to pinpoint here not just what has been going so wrong – about which there is, when it comes down to it, much agreement – but what is going right, and how the best experience can be replicated.’ You can read all of the articles here.

Lung cancer cases in women are continuing to rise, according to figures released by Cancer Research UK. It says more than 18,000 UK women were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, compared with fewer than 8,000 in 1975. Cases of lung cancer reflect smoking rates two to three decades earlier, as more than 80% of cases are linked to tobacco. The Telegraph covers the story.

In a separate study, researchers found women are far less likely to exercise for 30 minutes every day than men. A team from Oregon State University analysed the fitness regimes of a wide-ranging sample of participants. While men got an average 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day, women only achieved 18 minutes. You can read more about the story here.

Week ending 1st April 2012

PIP implants were back in the news this week, following a report by the House of Common’s Health Select Committee which noted it was only when problems with the implants hit the headlines last December that most women affected became aware of the issue – this was 21 months after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority first learned they were substandard. MPs were also unhappy with the response of the MHRA. When asked if PIP implants could have been used in surgery after March 2010, Sir Kent Woods said in evidence that he could not give the Committee an assurance on that point. More can be read about this in the Telegraph.

Our medical advances were highlighted this week with the most extensive face transplant ever performed in the USA. The operation at the University of Maryland gave Richard Norris a new face, including jaw, teeth and tongue. Richard, 37, lived as a recluse for 15 years following a gun accident and wore a mask whenever he went outside. The surgery was funded by the US Navy, which hopes the techniques will be used to help casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan. Read more and see the transformation in the Independent.

The Office for National Statistics published the results of their wellbeing initiative which highlighted what we do in work and leisure activities and looks at the balance between them. These were common themes in the national debate on measuring national wellbeing. The report includes an examination of work and leisure activities and the concept of obtaining the best possible lifestyle balance for each individual. In addition, Nuffield Health highlighted the link between exercise and salary, which was reported by the Mail. For the full findings of the well-being initiative are here.

Finally, as it’s the weekend and you may treat yourself to one, a spicy curry could be the key to a healthy heart according to the Express.

Week ending 23rd March 2012

The Budget was delivered this week, including several points of interest to the health and wellbeing sector. Anomalies in VAT on some food and drinks (including sports drinks) will be eradicated and tobacco duty has been increased with immediate effect. There was no change to alcohol duty. A point by point review of the budget can be read at the HM Treasury.

The Health and Social Care Bill was approved by parliament this week after more than a year of debate around the proposed changes. It is likely to become law as early as next week. The new law means doctors will be able to set up clinical commissioning groups and GPs will take charge of what treatment their patients receive. All NHS hospitals will become semi-independent trusts and these hospitals will compete against each other, private firms and other qualified providers for contracts from the GP groups. More can be read in the Guardian and the Telegraph.

Also reported this week was news of three long term studies into the use of aspirin. The results show that taking a daily dose of aspirin can cut the risk of cancer by 37% by thinning blood platelets which spread cancer around the body. It also helps combat heart disease and strokes. Read more at the BBC and in the Mail.

Breast cancer has also been in the news this week with reports that tamoxifen, a drug taken by breast cancer sufferers, may also help to prevent it from occurring in women with a family history of the disease. Trials are being conducted at the moment. New research from Holland reveals breast screening reduces cancer deaths more effectively than drug treatment. The NHS screening programme is currently undergoing review to establish if it remains worthwhile. More can be read in the Mail and the Telegraph.

Finally, news today that Usain Bolt, who currently holds the world 100 metres record, has admitted that he has a fondness for Skittles and Pringles. It’s not yet known if there’s a direct correlation between his food choices and athletic ability.

Week ending 18th March

PIP breast implants have been back in the news this week with concerns that those used before January 2001 may also have included non-medical grade silicon. The MHRA is still advising that there is no evidence to support routine removal but Andrew Lansley has stated that any women who have been unable to get help from their private clinics will be able to see their GP to receive assistance. Nuffield Health will continue to support the women who had PIP implants prior to January 2001 in the same way as those who had implants post 2001. Read more in the Telegraph and at the BBC.

Today it has been reported that the head of the World Health Organisation has spoken out claiming that the world is heading into a post-antibiotic era due to rapidly evolving resistance among microbes responsible for common infections. The scare stories being used in the media say that in future a grazed knee could kill and routine operations would become too dangerous to carry out. Dr Chan has called for measures to be taken to combat the over-prescription of drugs by doctors as well as a reduction in the use of antibiotics in animals to prevent “an end to modern medicine as we know it”. More can be read in the Independent and the Mail.

Finally, reports this week that one in twelve people think items such as Terry’s chocolate orange and strawberry ice cream count towards their five-a-day. Also reported was a new weight loss technique that involves tapping your face to aid weight loss. So next time your friend is moaning about their weight whilst tucking into a chocolate orange just give them a tap on the head, they may thank you for it in the long run.

Week beginning 5th March 2012

This week health news has been focused on the Health and Social Care Bill with claims from PCTs that it will cause fragmentation of organisations and damage child protection policy. The Public Health for the NHS network, which is made up of more than 50 directors of public health, are also claiming that by handing health funds over to councils, services such as immunisation programmes, cancer screening, mental health and smoking cessation will be threatened.

The Department of Health rejected calls to publish risk assessments regarding the health reforms, stating that doing so could cause “distorted and wildly speculative interpretation of risk”. In addition, thousands of NHS workers attended a ‘Save our NHS’ rally at Westminster’s Central Hall and The Royal College of Surgeons passed a motion stating that the Bill would damage the NHS, although they rejected a call to scrap the Bill entirely. More can be read in the Guardian and the Telegraph.

An investigation by Pulse magazine this week also revealed that smokers and obese patients are being denied treatments in more than a quarter of PCTs. Critics are claiming that this practise is discriminatory and has lead to a second-class national health service for those whose lifestyle the NHS disapproves of. The Department of Health has stated that all decisions on treatment are made by clinicians and based on what is best for the patient. Read more in the Mail.

Also in the news this week were reports that Ivabradine, a new heart drug, has been approved by the European Medicines Agency and is now available to British patients. The drug costs just £1.40 a day and has been shown to reduce the number of deaths from heart failure by 39%. More can be read in the Telegraph and the Express.

Finally, scientists have claimed that although there are no provable health benefits in eating five portions of fruit and veg a day, although it apparently has an effect on how you look.

Week beginning 27th February 2012

Yet again it’s been a news week dominated by discussion of the Health and Social Care Bill. A former NHS Chief Executive branded the reforms “a mess”, stating they will set the NHS back and are unnecessary. The Liberal Democrats, with the support of Nick Clegg, proposed changes to the reforms to avoid the NHS becoming a “US-style market”. Lansley has agreed to ‘significant changes’. The Liberal Democrats are to vote at their spring conference next weekend on if they should drop the bill entirely and if the majority vote in favour then Lib Dem MPs will be left with the choice of voting against their own policy or defying the coalition. The BMA have contacted 20,000 GPs calling for them to take an “active stand” against the reforms, stating they will be “irreversibly damaging to the NHS”. Cumbria’s director of public health also spoke out, claiming the government attempted to silence him after he publicly denounced the bill. More can be read in the Independent, Telegraph, and the Guardian.

Nearly 50,000 patients who have had ‘metal-on-metal’ hip replacements have been told this week that they will need to undergo annual blood tests because of fears that metal particles shearing off the joint could be harmful. In response to a Newsnight piece, the MRHA issued an alert on Tuesday stating that there was a ‘small risk’ they could cause complications in patients. Nuffield Health had already written to patients in June 2010 following an earlier alert, reassuring them that the decision to use these hip replacements is made jointly between the patient and the surgeon and is always in the best interest of the patient. We continue to monitor the progress of these patients on an annual basis. Read more in the Mail and the Guardian.

The issue of sleep has also been widely discussed this week, beginning with research showing that people taking even the lowest doses of sleeping tablets are almost four times more likely to die prematurely. Research reported later in the week shows that after taking into account depression and health problems, sleep quality improves with age. Read more via the BBC.

And finally, research from the Office of National Statistics released this week shows that 75% of British people are happy. The unhappiest group of people were shown to be childless, unemployed, divorced, middle-aged men living in London. If you’re looking for happiness then you’re advised to get married, move to Northern Ireland, have two or four children and work part time.

Week beginning 13th February 2012

There has been a strong focus this week on the ever growing obesity epidemic after reports that the world’s fattest man lives in England. A quarter of all adults in the UK are now classed as clinically obese and it’s thought that by 2030 this figure will rise to more than half of the population. Business papers covered a story that orders from hospitals for heavy-duty trolleys and wheelchairs have increased by 20% over the past year and there are concerns that the growing costs of special equipment, the extra staff required to move the overweight, treatment of obesity related illnesses and bariatric procedures to try and combat obesity issues will end up being too much for the NHS to bear. Read more in the Express.

The proposed Health and Social Care Bill has been under continued scrutiny with doctors and other health experts claiming it will endanger patient safety, lead to staffing cuts and do lasting damage to the reputation of the NHS. Several groups, including the Royal College of GPs, Royal College of Psychiatrists, British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, have announced fears that opening up the health service to any qualified provider will lead to fragmentation of care. More can be read in the Telegraph.

On Monday there was a large piece in the Times business section featuring David Mobbs discussing Nuffield Health’s stance on the OFT enquiry highlighting the importance of decisions about hospital care being made on clinical excellence alone, not loyalty deals, price or restrictive networks.

Also in the news were reports of the development of wireless medicine. Fingernail sized microchips containing multiple doses of a drug have been created and can be implanted under the skin so that doctors can either schedule the dosages in advance or remotely trigger them at the appropriate time. The makers are claiming that it could revolutionise treatment for countless patients with a variety of illnesses. Read more about it in the Independent.

Finally, three separate stories this week were published about dementia, claiming that baking, eating curry and walking fast help to stave it off. Hopefully not all at the same time…