All articles tagged with #nhs
Oxford researchers have created an AI tool that analyzes fat around the heart on routine cardiac CT scans to predict five-year heart‑failure risk with about 86% accuracy; trained on 72,000 patients across nine NHS trusts and followed for a decade, the model outputs an absolute risk score to guide monitoring and treatment, with those at highest risk up to 20 times more likely to develop heart failure within five years.
A Jersey woman says her brain lesion was dismissed as harmless and she was misdiagnosed with epilepsy, only to be later diagnosed in England as a low-grade brain tumour. The case has prompted calls for better staffing, communication and UK liaison in Jersey's neurology service, and Health and Care Jersey has published an action plan after an independent review.
The NHS delayed alerting UK health officials about a meningitis case in Margate by about two days, despite invasive meningitis being a notifiable disease that should be reported immediately. The delay hindered contact tracing and early warnings during an outbreak that has 23 suspected/probable cases, two deaths and several in intensive care; UKHSA says a large-scale public health response followed once multiple cases emerged, while the hospital and experts condemned the delay.
Health chiefs are investigating 27 meningitis cases linked to an outbreak in Kent, including infections at Canterbury Christ Church University and a London student, with two deaths. Preventive antibiotics are being offered to visitors to a Kent club linked to the outbreak and a vaccination drive for University of Kent students is underway. Meningitis B (Neisseria meningitidis group B) can progress quickly to sepsis; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, stiff neck, rash and sensitivity to light. If meningitis is suspected, call 999 or go to A&E; vaccines exist as part of the UK schedule, with catch-up opportunities up to age 25 for those who missed school vaccination.
England's NHS will offer Veoza (fezolinetant) as a non-hormonal treatment for menopausal hot flushes and night sweats when HRT cannot be used; NICE says it’s cost-effective and could help up to 500,000 women. Not recommended for those with breast cancer, other estrogen‑dependent cancers, or liver disease; HRT remains the first-line option. The decision applies in England; Wales and Northern Ireland often follow NICE guidance, while Scotland has not yet recommended NHS use.
New Cancer Research UK data show a 29% reduction in cancer deaths since 40 years ago, offering a hopeful counterpoint to gloom about UK outcomes. But England’s cancer plan reveals serious gaps—long treatment waits and persistent inequalities—while NHS trusts have struggled to meet diagnosis and treatment targets. Brexit is linked to slower development of new therapies and tighter clinical-trial conditions. Even so, the death rate has fallen about 11% over the last decade, and advances in ovarian, stomach and lung cancers, plus a push for genomic testing, suggest progress that must be paired with stronger prevention and equity to sustain gains.
An inquest concluded that Aleisha Rochester would likely have survived if she had received the correct antibiotics for sepsis, prompting the NHS to apologise for the death.
A new UK-backed paper argues there is no robust evidence ADHD is overdiagnosed; instead, many people remain undiagnosed or untreated due to long NHS waiting times and barriers to care. While misdiagnosis can occur, especially where assessments rely on self-reporting, thorough multidisciplinary evaluation is essential. International prevalence is about 5% in children and 3% in adults, but NHS figures lag behind, highlighting unmet needs. The authors call for more funding, better workforce training, and a balanced, evidence-based public conversation to expand access to accurate diagnosis and treatment.
The Independent tells the story of Tom Frith, who spent two days on a trolley in Leighton Hospital’s overrun A&E; his wife says an MRI that could have detected a deadly brain condition was refused because it was the weekend, and weeks later he died from encephalitis, highlighting serious NHS emergency-care delays and patient-safety concerns.
A patient with Sjogren’s syndrome experienced dramatic relief from monthly injections of ianalumab during a clinical trial, with signs of improved saliva production, less dryness and renewed energy. Experts say the therapy targets the underlying immune attack and could become the first targeted Sjogren’s treatment, potentially rolling out on the NHS in coming years. While promising, the drug can have side effects such as occasional low mood, and responses may vary between patients.
Brian Kinsella, who has privately used Mounjaro since December 2024, says he has lost more than 44.5 kg (seven stone) at up to £1,000 a year, highlighting uneven access as England’s NHS rolls out weight‑loss drugs. GPs are to receive £3,000 annually to prescribe these treatments, but since a limited NHS rollout began in June last year not all practices prescribe them. Kinsella expects the new incentives won’t help much due to workload and the system’s complexity, noting the requirement for two 85‑minute consultations, a 20‑minute follow‑up every four weeks, and a 60‑minute dietitian appointment. He calls the situation a “postcode lottery” and says a mechanism is needed to widen access to this drug.
The government will include a contract clause forcing GPs in England to guarantee same-day urgent appointments, backed by about £500m extra funding to recruit more doctors. From April, practices must meet the target in 90% of urgent cases (with a 10% allowance). Urgent means cases needing same-day treatment or at risk of deterioration. Reactions vary: the BMA warns of unrealistic expectations amid stretched services, Healthwatch England sees potential improvements, and this forms part of broader NHS primary-care reforms including online booking for non-urgent cases.
Thousands of UK men with prostate cancer are reportedly being denied focal therapy, a non-invasive treatment that preserves quality of life by reducing side effects like erectile dysfunction and incontinence; despite three principal forms (HIFU, cryotherapy, NanoKnife) being available, the NHS offers access at only a few centres and doctors say patients aren’t routinely informed about this option, prompting calls for broader access amid supportive trial data and NICE approvals.
Grail's stock fell more than 45% after-hours after NHS-Galleri trial failed to meet its primary endpoint, showing no statistically significant reduction in later-stage cancers overall; however, a pre-specified group of 12 deadly cancers showed a favorable trend toward fewer stage III-IV cancers, with greater reductions in stage IV diagnoses across sequential screening rounds. The company will extend follow-up by 6-12 months to seek stronger effects, and it also reported 17% full-year revenue growth to $147.2 million, with U.S. Galleri revenue up 26% to $136.8 million.
Grail's Galleri blood test for early cancer detection failed to meet its primary endpoint in a large NHS-backed study, renewing questions about its clinical utility despite some detected benefits. Grail reported selling 185,000 tests in 2025 for $136.8 million, and its stock fell about 47% after hours following the setback.