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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.
1. MNSI publish national report on safety in midwifery services
The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations (MNSI) has published a new report which highlights key issues impacting safety in maternity units across the UK. It found that inadequate staffing and high workloads are having a negative impact on the safety of care and there was ‘limited evidence’ that unit-level prospective risk assessments are happening regularly. Sandy Lewis, MNSI Director said she hopes the report will prompt “discussion and reflection” among professionals across the sector.
2. NHS agency staff paid up to £2,000 per shift
An investigation by BBC News has revealed that an agency providing last-minute freelance nurses to NHS hospitals is routinely charging up to £2,000 a shift, with roughly £800 of this fee going directly to the agency. Glen Burley, chief executive of an NHS trust, said that Thornbury Nursing Services is “profiteering” from an overstretched NHS.
3. New data shows some ‘positive signs’ of improved waiting times for cancer care
Data published by NHS England reveals that the health service has met its Faster Diagnosis Standard target for the second month in a row. In total, 77.3% of people were diagnosed, or had cancer ruled out, within 28 days of an urgent referral in March 2024. The target is 75%. Tim Gardner, Assistant Director of Policy at the Health Foundation, has welcomed the progress but warns the overall waiting list in March 2024 remained “broadly flat”, with significant pressures seen in A&E and general practice.
4. Cost of smoking in England up by 25%
New figures from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reveal that smoking is costing England nearly £22 billion every year. This includes costing the NHS £1.9 billion and social care £1.2 billion, with £18.3 billion lost to economic productivity. Deborah Arnott, chief executive at ASH says the figures demonstrate how smoking is ‘seriously damaging’ the nation’s productivity, as well as our health and care systems.
5. AstraZeneca announces worldwide withdrawal of its Covid-19 vaccine
AstraZeneca has announced that it will withdraw its Covid vaccine due to a “surplus of available updated vaccines” since the pandemic. While the pharmaceutical company says it is “incredibly proud” of the vaccine, it made the commercial decision to cease production. In a statement, AstraZeneca said: “According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone. Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic.”
