Media Hub

12
Jun 2015

Glaucoma could be cured by simple injection

According to eye surgeons, a simple jab could cure glaucoma, a sight-robbing condition usually caused by damage to the optic nerve. Approximately 600,000 people in Britain suffer from the condition, a permanent narrowing of the vision, which results from an excessive build up of fluid in the eye. Vision narrows progressively as the nerve damage…

Read More

09
Jun 2015

Staff shortages force thousands of patients to search for new GP

New figures show that GP workload pressures and staff shortages are leading to practice closures and patients having to find a new GP. Figures obtained via Freedom of Information requests show that 61 practices have closed in England, Wales and Scotland since April 2013, and this has meant that over 160,000 patients have had to…

Read More

05
Jun 2015

Patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are less likely to be referred by GPs for cancer tests

A study has found that patients are less likely to be referred by their GP for tests to diagnose cancer if they live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and also found that, of six countries investigated, the UK has the second-worst cancer survival rates. The study, which was conducted by the International Cancer Benchmarking…

Read More

02
Jun 2015

GP representative criticises plans for seven day surgeries

The chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, has said that David Cameron needs to reconsider his “surreal obsession” with opening GP surgeries seven days a week, saying that services are already at breaking point. During the recent election campaign, the conservatives promised GP access between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm…

Read More

02
Jun 2015

Measures taken to target “rip-off” staffing agencies used by NHS

The government has announced that sanctions are being put in place to clamp down on expensive agencies being used by the NHS to plug staffing gaps. A maximum hourly rate will be set and the amount that trusts can spend is to be capped. £2bn was spent last year on agency staff by NHS foundation…

Read More

26
May 2015

NHS finances in dire state

New figures released show that the NHS deficit rose to £822m in England at the end of the last financial year, confirming the dire state of the health service’s finances. Many hospitals have been forced into overspending brought on by massive bills for expensive agency staff and rising patient demand. Labour have warned that without…

Read More