A new initiative allowing optometrists to make direct patient referrals to specialist neuroscience services is leading to earlier diagnosis of brain and central nervous system tumours in the north east of England. Opticians that detect specific changes in patients’ neural pathways during routine eye examinations, including swelling of the optic nerve or changes in vision, […]
A Manchester lung cancer pilot, offering smokers and ex-smokers free health checks and on-the-spot scans, has proved so successful it is being rolled-out more widely. A pilot programme that scanned more than 2,500 people in three deprived areas of Manchester, where lung cancer is more prevalent, discovered 46 cases of cancer. Of these, 80% were […]
Research set to revolutionise prostate cancer treatment A pilot programme that uses high-definition magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is reducing average prostate cancer diagnosis time to around 7-10 days after biopsy. . The new process sees patients receiving a multi-parametric MRI scan and report, a clinical review and, if necessary, a targeted biopsy all on […]
Delivering the NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer Cancer survival rates have never been higher, and there has been an increase in the number of patients reporting a very good experience of their care. In delivering the NHS Long Term Plan for Cancer, we are working to ensure that patients with cancer are diagnosed early […]
New ‘one stop shops’ designed to speed-up cancer diagnosis and help save lives are being rolled out across the country. Rapid diagnostic and assessment centres are being piloted in ten areas as part of NHS England’s drive to catch cancer early and speed up diagnosis for people with cancer. Each of the centres will operate […]
The Chief Professions Officers’ Medicines Mechanism Programme Lead at NHS England explains why allowing advanced paramedics new prescribing responsibilities is so vital: I am elated that changes to legislation will enable paramedics to independently prescribe medicines. This is great news for patients, the profession and the NHS. It has taken a number of years to […]
Patients with a chronic lung condition are set to benefit from a “life-changing” procedure that uses tiny balloons to inflate and compress blockages in the blood vessels, as it will now be routinely available on the NHS. NHS England is funding a pioneering procedure, called balloon pulmonary angioplasty, for patients who suffer from Chronic Thromboembolic […]
Hundreds of military veterans are set to benefit from a nationwide scheme to tackle the most complex mental health needs of ex-armed forces personnel, launched today (Sunday 1 April) by NHS England. The Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service has been designed after veterans and their families from across England were invited to tell the […]
Forecast Issued on Saturday, 31 March 2018 at 08:07 There is a 70% probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and snow between 0000 on Sunday 01 Apr and 0900 on Tuesday 03 Apr in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please […]
The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for England welcomes the announcement that Paramedics will be able to train to be independent and supplementary prescribers: I am very proud to represent the Paramedic profession and this development is a significant step forward in ensuring that people receive timely medicines. Prescribing responsibilities for paramedics will make a […]