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NAPC News 7 August 2012

Trust Fined £175,000 For Putting Staff Data Online

It has emerged that an NHS trust has been handed a six figure penalty, after publishing sensitive personal details of more than 1,000 staff online.

Employees of the Torbay Care Trust in Devon found details of their sexual orientation and religious beliefs, alongside their names, dates of birth, pay scale and national insurance numbers online.

No patient or clinical data were affected, according to the trust.

Soldiers Wife Denied NHS Drugs To Save Sight

This week, a soldier’s wife was denied the NHS treatment, which is available in other parts of the country, she needs to save her sight.

The family fear they may have to sell their home to pay for private treatment if South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust continues to deny her medication she needs.

NHS Green Light For £1.40 A Day Heart Pill

A pill that costs only £1.40 a day, which could save the lives of thousands of people suffering from a common heart condition, is set to be approved for use on the NHS

The drug, ivabradine, slows heart rate and improves its pumping ability, with data showing that it cuts deaths by at least 17 per cent.

Draft guidance from NHS drug watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, said the drug was affordable.

Dr Terry McCormack, a council member of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society, said it would benefit many patients, who cannot take beta blockers, standard drugs to reduce heart rate.

Test To Spot Who Is At Risk From Statins

Researchers have found a genetic marker, which they say can identify patients at increased risk of myopathy.

The disorder, which causes pain and weakness in the muscles, is a known side effect of cholesterol lowering statins.

Studies show that statin users, who have a variation of gene, SLCO1B1, are five times more likely to suffer myopathy.

The research team at Oxford University said that a patient could be tested by their GP with a simple DNA swab from inside of the mouth.

Childhood Friends Key To Well Being

According to a study, having close relationships with friends and family as a child makes people happier in later life.

Research has shown how positive social relationships in childhood and adolescence are key to adult well being, while academic achievement has little effect.

Scientists are trying to establish how aspects of childhood and adolescent development, such as academic and social-emotional function, affect adult well being.

Dossier Lists 260 Claims Of Ill Treatment In Care Hoes

New allegations of abuse and neglect at care homes have been made today by the charity, Mencap and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, raising further concerns about the way some of the most vulnerable people in society are being looked after.

Nurses Care For 15 Patients At A Time

Nurses are being expected to look after up to 15 patients at a time and are often outnumbered by unqualified healthcare assistants.

A study, carried out by Kings College, London at 46 NHS hospitals found nurses have an average of 11 patients to look after, but as many as 15 at night and eight by day.

Honey Aids Child Coughs

Giving children with coughs a teaspoon of honey before bed can ease symptoms and help them sleep more soundly, a study has found.

The high levels of antioxidants in honey could make it better alternative to cough syrup, many of which are not proven to work, researchers reported in the journal, Paediatrics.

London Pollution Warning

London experienced its worst ozone episode for six years during the week leading up to the Olympic Games, with level exceeding the World Health Organisation Guidelines by around 80 per cent.

Whistleblower Doctor Paid £560,000 To Stay Home

Dr Raj Mattu, a leading heart specialist, who was sacked after raising concerns about dangerous post-operative care at one of Britain’s worst hospitals is at the centre of a decade long battle to clear his name that could land the NHS with a £10 million bill.

DIY Abortion Pills On Sale

Abortion medication is being sold online for just £15 to British women.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has vowed to investigate the company selling the drugs, and commented: ‘We are working with the Metropolitan Police to try to get the site shut down so UK consumers can’t access it.

Could Free School Milk Make Britain’s Children Cleverer

Experts are calling for the return of free school milk to combat brain development problems, infertility and even cancer.  Milk is rich in the mineral, iodine, essential for growth.  

Although one glass a day is enough to meet 50 per cent of daily requirements, falling consumption is thought to be the reason that rising numbers of Britons are now deficient.

Low levels of iodine in the body can result in significant health problems.   Even mild iodine deficiency in pregnant women can damage the mental abilities of a baby in the womb and, according to the report, moderate to severe iodine deficiency can reduce IQ by 10 to 15 points.

E-cigarettes A Risk

There may be a crackdown on electronic cigarettes over fears they could be harmful.  Two million Britons have tried them and 650,000 use them regularly.

Health minister, Simon Burns, said that some of the devices had been ‘found to pose a potential danger’.

A consultation has found support for having them controlled by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority, which said: ‘It’s illegal to sell e-cigarettes as a ‘quit smoking’ aid unless they are licensed as a medicine.’

Shadow health minister, Diane Abbot, said their potential to help the UK’s ten million smokers quit was being ‘held back by a lack of scientific research’ into them.

Antidepressants

Sales of antidepressants are soaring NHS figures have shown.  Last year, 46.7 million prescriptions last year were dispensed, a rise of 9.1 per cent on 2010.

While the increase looks alarming, a look at the historic data is said to be a little more reassuring.

Spending On Mental Health Care Falling

The Centre for Mental Health said NHS spending on mental health services has dropped by one per cent in real terms in 2011.

The Coalition has been urged to match its positive words on mental health with action to ensure patients suffering from mental health problems urgently receive the care they needed.

£420m Payout For Maternity Failures

The cost of mistakes made on NHS maternity wards has nearly doubled in just 12 months to more than £420 million.