Latest news with #TheNHS
Telegraph
30-03-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Wear a big hat to beat hay fever, says NHS
The NHS has told hay fever sufferers to wear a large hat, masks and wrap-around sunglasses to fight off the pollen. Some 13 million people suffering from the allergy have been advised how best to stave off hay fever this spring. The NHS website says those experiencing symptoms should 'wear wrap-around sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes'. It also says to 'put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen'. The guidance also advises taking a 'shower and changing your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off', as well as 'keeping windows and doors shut as much as possible', 'vacuuming regularly and dust with a damp cloth' and 'to try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in your vacuum cleaner'. With no cure or prevention for hay fever, the symptoms of which include sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes, sufferers have resorted to intense medical treatments or mythical intervention, according to the NHS. The UK has one of the highest rates of hay fever in the world, with one in five adults suffering from hay fever every year. There are 30 types of pollen that cause hay fever, according to the Met Office. Most people are allergic to grass pollen, which is common in late spring and early summer followed by tree pollen, which is released during the spring. Marco Petagna, from the Met Office, said: 'It's tree pollen season at the moment with pollen from hazel, yew, elm, alder and willow peaking around now. 'We have some moderate counts in northern England and Scotland today, spreading into the Midlands by Monday but mostly on the low side.' Meanwhile, the UK is set for another week of warm weather with temperatures above average for the time of year. On Thursday, temperatures could reach 20C – compared to the usual 9-14C experienced in early April. In a blow to hay fever sufferers, who rely on rain to decrease pollen concentration in the air, it will remain mostly dry with wet weather only expected in the north west of Scotland. Mr Petagna said: 'Temperatures are expected to climb to the mid to high teens, with the possibility of reaching 20C by Thursday. 'But a cooling breeze will offset the warm weather and there will be cold nights with some frost.'
Telegraph
26-03-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
NHS must stop ‘plundering' foreign countries for doctors, says Streeting
The NHS must stop 'plundering' foreign countries for doctors, Wes Streeting has said. The Health Secretary vowed to do more to train British 'homegrown talent' in the future. And he said it was 'morally unacceptable' that the country had not 'bothered' to do that in the past. The NHS traditionally recruits thousands of staff from overseas, and critics say more funding should be provided to ensure the number of British people who can receive training as doctors and nurses increases. At an event hosted by The Guardian, Mr Streeting was asked whether the UK would stop 'poaching' overseas staff. He said: 'I think your framing of the question of when are we going to stop poaching people from other countries is absolutely the right question on international recruitment. 'I'm really proud of the fact the fact the NHS is an international employer, always has been, always will be, and we're very lucky that we have people from around the world to come and work in our health and care services. 'But the continued plundering of countries that need their own doctors and nurses to plug our short-term gaps because we couldn't be bothered to train our own people, it is morally unacceptable. 'We are taking the steps needed to train our own homegrown talent and stop recruiting from red list countries on mental health.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS approve new pill that will 'transform' the treatment of endometriosis
The NHS has approved a new pill that is designed to transform the treatment of endometriosis. The combination drug will help around 1,000 women every year in England who suffer from the debilitating condition. The drug that has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is called relugolix–estradiol–norethisterone (also known as relugolix combination therapy or Ryeqo). This is the first long-term daily pill licensed to treat the condition, and works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to endometriosis, while also providing necessary hormone replacement. Unlike current injectable treatments which can initially worsen symptoms, the pill can be taken at home, works more quickly, combines hormones in one pill and cuts the need for visits to clinics. Nice initially rejected the drug, but new evidence was provided by the manufacturer Gedeon Richter to address questions about effectiveness and value for money. The drug will only be made available on the NHS for patients whose medical or surgical treatment for endometriosis has failed. Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body, such as the pelvis, bladder and bowel. A diagram of endometriosis. (Image: Getty Images) It can cause severe pain, heavy periods, exhaustion and fertility problems and can have a big impact on women's lives. Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million women in the UK but, according to Nice, diagnosis typically takes nine years from when symptoms first appear. According to the NHS website, it can take a long time to diagnose endometriosis because symptoms can be similar to other conditions, such as fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'This new treatment marks a potential step-change in how we manage endometriosis, putting control back in patients' hands while ensuring value for the taxpayer. 'Instead of travelling to clinics for injections, there is now a daily tablet that can be taken at home. 'The treatment can also be stopped and started more easily, which is particularly important for those planning to have children and for managing side-effects. 'This convenience not only benefits patients but reduces pressure on NHS services.' The charity Endometriosis UK said it noted the drug may be suitable for only a small proportion of the 1.5 million women with the disease. 'For those with a history of previous medical or surgical treatment for their endometriosis, Relugolix CT is an alternative option if treatments such as tranexamic acid, hormonal contraceptives, and intrauterine delivery systems have not worked or are unsuitable,' it said in a statement. Recommended Reading Women's health is a priority despite scrapping of key pledge, says NHS chief 'Nearly half of teenagers concerned about having children in future' 'Taking Women's Health Seriously' conference to take place 'Relugolix CT is currently the only licensed GnRH antagonist option and is an alternative secondary medical option to GnRH agonists (eg Prostap & Zoladex) which are only licensed for up to six months. 'Relugolix CT can be taken up until menopause.' Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'This first-of-a-kind treatment for endometriosis – a condition which can be extremely debilitating – will give women greater control of their own health by potentially allowing them to get the treatment they need in the comfort of their own homes, without the need to attend regular appointments.'
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
NHS ordered to make improvements to patient care while cutting costs
The NHS has been ordered to drive improvements in hospital waiting times and cancer care while at the same time cutting costs. New planning guidance for the health service in England, which sets out national priorities for the year ahead, calls on NHS providers to reduce costs by 1%. The NHS has also been challenged to raise productivity by 4%. The guidance stresses the need for the NHS to meet certain challenges in the year ahead, with a particular emphasis on getting the waiting list back on track. Specific aims set out in the 2025/26 NHS England planning guidance include: – To make sure that 65% of patients on the waiting list for routine hospital care to be seen within 18 weeks, which will help towards the Prime Minister's aim for 92% of patients to be seen within this time frame by July 2029. – To cut the number of people waiting more than a year for routine hospital treatment to 'less than 1% of the total waiting list by March 2026'. The latest figures indicate that 221,889 people had been waiting more than 52 weeks to start routine hospital treatment at the end of November. – For a rise in the proportion of people who have suspected cancer to be diagnosed or given the all-clear within 28 days – the target stands at 75% now but hospitals have been told to drive this up to 80% over the coming year – officials estimate that this will mean 100,000 more people will be seen in this time frame when the target is met. – The Mental Health Investment Standard – which ensures that funding for mental health keeps pace with overall NHS spending – will be retained. The NHS has also been given specific targets on reducing the length of stay in mental health settings and giving more access to children and young people who are trying to access services. – Hospitals have been told that at least 78% of A&E patients should be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours by March 2026. Some 71.1% of patients in England were seen within four hours in A&Es last month. The original NHS recovery plan set a target of March 2024 for 76% of patients attending A&E to be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours, with a further target of 78% set for March 2025. – Meanwhile ambulance services have been told that response times for so-called category 2 incidents – which includes heart attacks, strokes and sepsis – should improve to an average of 30 minutes. In December, ambulances took an average of 47 minutes and 26 seconds to respond to these calls. – The guidance also calls for improvements to patient access to GP surgeries, an increase to the number of urgent dental appointments and improvements in safety in maternity and neonatal services. – There are a number of demands about productivity improvements, including a call to 'reduce agency expenditure as far as possible, with a minimum 30% reduction on current spending across all systems'. The central NHS body, NHS England, plans to make £325 million in savings to reinvest in frontline services, this includes 'reducing the organisational structure by 15%' – it is thought this will lead to around 2,000 job cuts. Some 32 goals were set in the planning guidance last year but the number has been cut to 18 this year in a move designed to give local NHS bodies more freedom to deliver care to patients, officials said. Alzheimer's Society is shocked to learn that dementia ... has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance, meaning it is not considered one of England's healthcare priorities. This glaring omission is unacceptable and sends the message that dementia doesn't matter Fiona Carragher, Alzheimer's Society Some organisations and charities have expressed dismay over reports that specific priorities set out in 2024/25 guidance will not be repeated in 2025/26. Fiona Carragher, from the Alzheimer's Society charity, said: 'Alzheimer's Society is shocked to learn that dementia, including a dementia diagnosis target, has been removed from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance, meaning it is not considered one of England's healthcare priorities. 'This glaring omission is unacceptable and sends the message that dementia doesn't matter.' Meanwhile, Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability Mencap, said: 'Scrapping vital NHS targets for people with a learning disability is a dangerous step backwards and could have serious consequences.' Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, told MPs on Wednesday: 'Just because something isn't written in planning guidance doesn't mean it's not important and it doesn't mean the work won't happen.' Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'If everything is a priority, then nothing is. 'I want to empower NHS leaders to deliver the innovation and reform required to fix the NHS, rather than overload them with targets which have failed to deliver better outcomes for patients. 'This new approach will see the NHS focus on what matters most to patients – cutting waiting lists, getting seen promptly at A&E, and being able to get a GP appointment. 'We've provided significant extra investment and given clear directions to trusts on what we expect, so there is no excuse for failure. We will reward high performance and drive up standards as we deliver on our Plan for Change and build a health service fit for the future.' Together with Government, we have honed down national priorities, allowing local leaders maximum flexibility to plan better and more efficient services for their population NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard Ms Pritchard said: 'The NHS must go further and faster to improve and reform care, and today's guidance aims to deliver more timely treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients. 'In what will undoubtedly be another tough financial year, the NHS will continue its relentless focus on boosting productivity and driving efficiencies for the benefit of patients and taxpayers. 'Our main focus will always be on supporting frontline teams to deliver what matters most to patients – so it is also right that we prioritise and streamline the work of NHS England to ensure we maximise frontline resources. 'Together with Government, we have also honed down national priorities, allowing local leaders maximum flexibility to plan better and more efficient services for their population.' Responding to the guidance, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'NHS leaders will welcome the reduction in national targets and clearer priorities that are set out in the planning guidance. 'But we should be under no illusion – this is going to be one of the most challenging financial settlements of recent years and these ambitions will be unbelievably stretching for the NHS.' The plan hopes for ambitious efficiency gains to free up much-needed resources, but few people working in the NHS will think it will be delivered without harming the quality of patient care over the coming year Sarah Woolnough, The King's Fund NHS Providers interim chief executive, Saffron Cordery, added: 'This guidance is a stark reminder of the difficult decisions and tough trade-offs facing trust leaders as they brace for another challenging year providing vital health services. 'It tasks the NHS with tackling delays and improving patient care in every setting while also demanding stringent efficiency savings.' Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of The King's Fund think tank, said: 'If achieved, (this guidance) will bring improvements for many patients, but emphasis in these areas will inevitably mean other services get deprioritised. 'Achieving the target of patients being seen for planned hospital care within 18 weeks will seem like a small and isolated victory in four years' time if it meant the Government took its eye off the ball in reforming adult social care, helping the NHS to turn into a prevention-focused service that helps keep people well, and reducing health inequalities between different parts of the country. 'The plan also hopes for ambitious efficiency gains to free up much-needed resources, but few people working in the NHS will think it will be delivered without harming the quality of patient care over the coming year.' Dr Becks Fisher, from the Nuffield Trust think tank, added: 'The coming year will be particularly tough financially, with NHS trusts being asked to hit ambitious remaining targets while cutting their costs by at least 1%. 'This includes reducing the use of staff overtime, which until now has played a significant role in slowing the growth of waiting lists.'
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
What is Guillain-Barre syndrome? The deadly disease on the rise in India
One person is believed to have died in India in an outbreak of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) - a neurological disease that causes numbness, weakness and pain. The number of cases is rising, health officials said on Monday. A total of 101 cases of GBS have so far been reported in the state, most of them in and around Pune city, which lies about 180 km (110 miles) from the state capital and India's financial hub Mumbai. The state's public health department said in a statement that one person had died in the city of Solapur and 16 patients were currently on ventilators. A rapid response team visited the affected areas, it said. 'Citizens should not panic', the state's health department is prepared to implement preventive and control measures,' the statement said. A federal health ministry spokesperson said the government has sent a seven-member team to Pune to assess the situation following the outbreak. The condition, in which the body's immune system attacks nerves, can cause paralysis and even death. It affects 1,500 people in the UK every year, attacks the nerves, causing problems such as weakness, pain and numbness in the limbs. Most symptoms occur within days or weeks of a viral or bacterial infection and typically last a few weeks, according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome Accordign to The NHS Most people recover fully from even the most severe cases of GBS, although some continue to experience weakness, the global health agency says. 'The exact cause is not known behind the sudden rise in GBS cases,' said Avinash Bhondwe, the former president of the Indian Medical Association, Maharashtra, adding that GBS was a post-infective auto-immune disease. 'Auto-immune diseases are not communicable, it cannot spread from one patient to another. But the causative infection usually spreads.' Drainage water gets mixed with potable water in some affected areas in Pune where water lines and drainage lines run side by side, leading to contamination and caused the spike in GBS cases among other possible reasons, Bhondwe said. In its guidance, health authorities asked citizens to drink boiling water among other measures.
