Every week, we round up five top stories in health and social care that are likely to be of interest to professionals working in the field.

Proteins in blood could identify cancer seven years earlier

Findings from two new studies suggest that proteins detected in the blood could help to diagnose cancer seven years before symptoms appear. The researchers identified 618 proteins linked to 19 types of cancer, 107 of which were present in people’s blood seven years before they were diagnosed. Cancer Research UK says, in the future, these warning signs could be used to treat cancer much earlier.

NHS budget ‘drained’ by delays to 40 new hospitals programme

A new report from NHS Providers reveals that more than £1 million a month is being drained from NHS budgets due to delays to a government scheme which promised 40 new hospitals in England by 2030. Trust leaders have warned that despite some progress in building work, uncertainty over funding and shifting timetables risks putting their promised buildings ‘further out of reach’.

BMI not always accurate at measuring obesity, study suggests

A new study has highlighted that BMI is not always an accurate measure for overweight and obesity. The study, led by the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, found that just 38% of men and 41% of women had a BMI above 30 (within the range for obesity) – but when their body fat percentage was calculated using scans, 71% and 64% were found to be obese. “If we continue to use the WHO standard for obesity screening, we will miss many middle-aged and older adults who are at risk for obesity-related diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers,” said co-author, Prof Antonino De Lorenzo.

Government announces 10-year plan to reduce opioid deaths

The government has announced a new 10-year plan to reduce drug deaths and support people with recovery. The plan aims to expand and improve the drug and alcohol workforce and allow police officers, probation workers, paramedics, nurses and other professionals to provide take-home supplies of naloxone, an opioid overdose treatment. The government says this new legislation will help to save lives in the event of an overdose.

MPs urge government to improve maternity services following damning report

MPs are calling on the government to publish a National Maternity Improvement Strategy after a damning report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Birth Trauma revealed hundreds of “harrowing” stories from women who have given birth at NHS hospitals. The report, which included the stories of more than 1,300 women, found that some women have been left with PTSD and too incapacitated to go back to work due to traumatic births. “In many of these cases the trauma was caused by mistakes and failures made before and during labour. Frequently these errors were covered up by hospitals who frustrated parents’ efforts to find answers,” the report says.

Lauren Nicolle

Lauren is a qualified journalist who writes primarily across the health and social care sectors. She is passionate about exposing the injustices faced by people with a learning disability, with a particular focus on equal access to healthcare.

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