Nursing Times
January 2010

View all stories from this issue.

Alzheimer's nutrient drink tested

Scientists have created an “anti-Alzheimer’s milkshake” that boosts memory, according to the Daily Mail. The newspaper says that the “once-a-day miracle drink” could be available within two years.
Breast cancer screening worries

Thousands of women given breast cancer screening each year “are wrongly told that they have life-threatening cancer”, according to The Times. The newspaper says that the NHS breast screening programme does not give women enough information about the drawbacks of screening.
Concern over non-stick chemical

“A common household chemical found in everything from sofas and carpets to pots and pans has been linked to an increased risk of thyroid disease,” The Guardian said.
How to keep New Year's resolutions

Around seven million people will make a New Year’s resolution to improve an aspect of their health. NHS Choices offers practical advice on how to stick to them.
Packed lunches: just 1% are healthy

“Only one in 100 pupils’ packed lunches meets basic dietary standards,” reported The Times. The news story is based on a study that looked at what primary school children typically took to school in their packed lunches and how this compared to the nutritional standards set for school meals.
Pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients with moderate COPD

Patients with moderate symptoms of COPD may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, a randomised controlled trial conducted in the Netherlands has concluded.
Rickets on the rise

“The many hours children spend indoors playing computer games or watching television may be to blame for a resurgence of rickets,” The Times reported. Several newspapers also covered this research on vitamin D deficiency in the UK.
Running stimulates mouse brains

“Running stimulates the brain to grow fresh grey matter and has a big impact on mental ability,” reported TheGuardian.
A big bottom 'is good for the heart'

“Having a big bottom is good for you,” according to The Sun. Several newspapers have reported similar stories based on a research article that suggests that it is better for body fat to be stored around the hips, thighs and bottom than around the waist.
Adult ADHD treatment 'must improve'

Researchers from the University of London have warned that many adults do not have access to treatment for attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because of a lack of services.
Alcohol-related illness ‘unacceptably high’ as 13,000 children admitted to hospital

The number of children admitted to hospital through alcohol-related illness has dropped in the last 12 months but was still ‘unacceptably high’, a Government report has warned.
Alder Hey organ scandal ends with final burial

A grim chapter in the Alder Hey organ scandal will come to an end this month when the last human remains in the possession of the hospital are laid to rest.
Alternative to chemotherapy for leukaemia patients

A new treatment could help leukaemia patients who are too weak for chemotherapy, according to a new study.
Ambidextrous behaviour studied

Ambidextrous children are “more likely to have mental health problems and difficulties in school”, according to TheDaily Telegraph.
Andy Burnham thanks nurses for 'resilience' during big freeze

Health secretary Andy Burnham has thanked NHS and social care staff for their ‘exceptional bravery and commitment’ during Britain’s recent cold weather
Artificial arteries could reduce amputations and heart attacks

A London hospital has announced a series of human trials of a revolutionary technique which aims to create an artificial artery using nanotechnology, potentially reducing the number of amputations and heart attacks every year in the UK.
Assess all hospital patients for blood clot risk, says NICE

All patients admitted to hospital should be assessed for the risk of developing blood clots, according to latest NICE guidance.
Association for Continence Advice conference announced

The Association for Continence Advice has announced plans for its 2010 annual conference
AstraZeneca launch redesigned NebuChamber

Following a recall of the NebuChamber spacer device in April 2009, AstraZeneca has announced that a re-designed NebuChamber mouthpiece and facemask is available to order.
Baby formula as good as breast milk, claims study

Breast milk may not be best for newborn children after all, according to a Norwegian study which claims baby formula is just as beneficial.
Banning butter could save thousands of lives, says heart surgeon

A London heart surgeon has said that banning butter could save thousands of lives every year after he reported seeing patients as young as 33 in need of heart bypass operations caused by poor diet.
Basildon faces legionnaires' disease outbreak probe

Health chiefs are investigating a possible outbreak of legionnaires’ disease at a hospital that was recently under scrutiny for blood splattered equipment and an unusually high patient mortality rate.
Benefits of developing community leg ulcer services in college

In response to the Darzi Review, High Quality Care for All, ( DoH, 2008 ) Hampshire Community Health Care (HCHC) are currently undergoing exciting new changes in order to Transform Community Services, aiming to improve the quality of care and health choices, offered to service users.
Blood pressure drugs and dementia

“Millions of older people who take drugs for high blood pressure or heart problems can more than halve their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” The Guardian reported. It said that research has found that the risk is reduced by up to 50% in patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
Blood sugar and cancer risk

“One in six Britons with high blood sugar levels faces a greater danger of developing cancer,” The Observer reported.
Blood test could reduce antibiotic use

A blood test which shows when patients are responding to antibiotics will alert clinicians at the earliest possible stage when a course of the drugs should be halted.
Botox safe treatment for overactive bladder

Research suggests that repeated use of Botox (Botulinum toxin-A) appears to be an effective and safe treatment for patients with overactive bladder.
Breast cancer relapse test developed

Researchers in the US have identified a genetic test which could indicate whether breast cancer patients given a commonly used chemotherapy treatment are likely to relapse.
Bullied hospital worker awarded £150,000 compensation

A bullied NHS manager who suffered a nervous breakdown is to receive £150,000 in compensation.
C diff cases fall among over 65s

Fewer patients over 65 are contracting Clostridium difficile in hospital, although increasing numbers of people between the ages of 15 and 65 in Scotland are suffering from it.
Call to ban man-made fat

Doctors have demanded a ban on man-made trans fats, according to The Guardian.
Call to fine drunk NHS patients

A right wing think tank has called for drunk NHS patients to be fined and prescriptions for common pain killers to be scrapped.
Calls for minimum alcohol price

Minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks, mandatory health warnings on labels and a rise in tax on spirits should be introduced to stem a “shocking” rise in alcohol misuse in England, an MPs’ report has said.
Can mobile phones halt Alzheimer's?

“Mobile phone radiation ‘protects’ against Alzheimer’s,” the BBC has reported.
Cancer drug studies could benefit MS patients

Studies taking place on cancer drugs could also lead to possible new ways of treating multiple sclerosis (MS), according to experts.
Cancer survivors at risk of further illness

Cancer survivors may be facing neglect as they struggle with other serious illnesses, a charity has warned.
Cancer survivors to pilot tailored care plans

Cancer survivors in Yorkshire and Humber have been chosen to trial a new NHS “survivorship plan” that will provide care and services for those living with and beyond the disease.
Cardiovascular disease linked to high resting heart rate

A woman’s chance of dying from a heart attack increases by 18% for each 10 beat per minutes rise in her resting heart rate up to the age of 70, a study suggests.
Care home patients tube fed 'to save time'

Elderly and infirm patients may be put at risk in care homes that force them to be fitted with feeding tube in order to cut costs and save time, according to a new report.
Celebrities lend support to Cancertalk Week

Prominent male celebrities have joined forces with Macmillan Cancer Support to raise awareness of the charity’s Cancertalk Week campaign.
Cervical cancer screenings missed for practical not emotional reasons

Many women who miss cervical cancer screenings may do so for practical reasons, rather than through fear or embarrassment, according to a study.
Charity partnership to improve mental health care for traumatised soldiers

Staff from the Combat Stress charity are to work in NHS mental health trusts in a bid to improve treatment offered to traumatised soldiers, the government is expected to announce.
Charity praised for elderly care work

Care charity Brendoncare has been praised as a ‘Beacon of Quality’ for its innovative care solutions and commitment to person-centred care for older people through its care centres and social clubs.
Ciprofloxacin prescriptions increase despite C. diff risks

A Scottish health report has found that prescriptions for the commonly-used antibiotic ciprofloxacin, thought to increase the risk of infection from C. diff, have increased by 30 per cent in four years.
Cocaine linked to 3% of sudden deaths

A new study has reiterated the dangers of cocaine, with the drug causing up to 3% of sudden deaths
Comedians to star in anti-drinking adverts

Comedians have joined the battle to warn young people about the dangers of drinking by starring in a new Government campaign.
Compensation for mixed race nursing chief dismissed for being 'wrong colour and culture'

North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust has said it has “learned many lessons” after it was ordered to pay £115,000 to a nursing chief who was told she was from the “wrong colour and culture”.
Composer in residence set for nursing school role

Renowned Irish composer John Browne will swap the opera house for the Health Service in 2010 when he becomes the first ever composer in residence at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery at King’s.
Confidentiality breach as nurse tells teen's family of secret abortion

A hospital in Luton has launched an internal review following reports that an NHS nurse allegedly called the relative of a teenage girl who had been admitted to hospital with complications following an abortion.
Conservatives to divert NHS resources to deprived areas

Tory leader David Cameron is to pledge to divert NHS resources to deprived areas at the launch of the Conservative manifesto today.
COPD strategy to be unveiled next week

A long-awaited national strategy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for England could be available for consultation by the end of this month, Nursing Times has learnt.
CQC criticises hospital over death of newborn babies

A hospital that came under fire after two newborn babies died in its maternity unit has failed to implement sufficient improvements, the Care Quality Commission has said.
Darling signals pay restraint for most senior NHS nurses

Chancellor Alistair Darling has signalled that generous pay and bonus packages for top public sector posts will have to be reduced to preserve jobs.
David Seaman launches mobile cancer information unit

Football legend David Seaman officially launched a unique mobile cancer information unit in Barnsley this week.
DH announce replacement pneumococcal vaccine

A replacement pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar 13) will be introduced into the routine childhood immunisation programme later this spring.
DH appoints liver disease tsar to lead national strategy

The Department of Health has appointed Dr Martin Lombard as the first national clinical director for liver disease.
DH launch new smoking Quit Kit

A NHS Stop Smoking Quit Kit, designed by experts and smokers, has been launched to help people stop smoking in the New Year.
DH launches consultation on generic substitution

The Department of Health has launched a formal consultation into the automatic generic substitution of medicines.
DH names tsars for older people and dementia

Professor Alistair Burns and Professor David Oliver have been appointed to new clinical directorships in the Department of Health, it has been announced.
DH publishes pandemic flu guidance for ambulance services

The DH has published infection control guidance for ambulance services during an influenza pandemic. The document is for use during a pandemic and applies to lay responders as well as ambulance staff.
Diabetes and incontinence link found

Research has shown that there is a link between type 2 diabetes and continence problems.
Discount available on childhood continence resources

Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC) are running a special discount promotion on three key ERIC continence publications which provide the framework for contract negotiation, service provision, assessment and treatment
Doctor who suggested MMR-autism link to face charges

Dr Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who first suggested a link between MMR vaccinations and autism, is due to learn whether he is guilty of unethical research practices after an investigation by the GMC.
Does anyone ever answer the phone?

Nursing Times Award winner Joanne Mangnall on the pitfalls of a telephone prescription service
Does stress cause cancer?

Stress “could cause cancer”, according to The Daily Telegraph. The newspaper says that research in fruit flies provides evidence that “everyday emotional stress is a trigger for the growth of tumours”.
Doubts over Chronic Fatigue Syndrome virus link

British scientists have cast doubt on a new theory about the cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Drinking 'an unsustainable burden on the NHS'

Britain’s growing culture of heavy drinking is placing an ‘unsustainable burden’ on the healthcare system, costing the NHS £2.7bn a year, according to a report.
Duloxetine eases stress urinary incontinence

A study has shown that Duloxetine seems to be an effective treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence.
Eating bacon and eggs during pregnancy could boost a babies intelligence

Bacon and eggs could help pregnant women boost the intelligence of their unborn child, according to The Daily Telegraph. Several other papers have also made the link between the results of complex animal research and the supposed benefits of a fry-up.
End of life care must remain a priority, says King's fund

Steps must be taken to continue the existing commitment to end of life care and give patients meaningful choices about where they are to die, a report by the King’s Fund says.
Fewer cases of 'real' peanut allergy than previously thought

Thousands of children may have been wrongly diagnosed with peanut allergies after scientists developed a more accurate blood test to monitor reactions.
First 'accurate' test for post-traumatic stress disorder

Researchers believe they have developed the first accurate method for diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Flu virus may spark appendicitis

Scientists have revealed that a flu virus may be the cause of appendicitis.
Funding opportunities for quality improvement and evaluation projects

The Matching Michigan project is run by the National Reporting and Learning Service. ICUs participating in this project are eligible to apply for these funding opportunities for quality improvement and evaluation projects.
Genes 'affect cancer treatment'

“A genetic breakthrough could help tailor treatments for breast cancer to individual patients,” The Daily Telegraph reported. It said that doctors are a step closer to personalised cancer care after researchers discovered the reason why cancer in some patients responds to chemotherapy while it is resistant in others.
'Gentle and kind' nurse on trial for killing brain damaged son

A nurse is on trial for giving her brain damaged son a lethal dose of heroin.
Giving up smoking increses diabetes risk

A study has found that people who give up smoking dramatically increase their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by the subsequent weight gain that they experience after giving up.
GMC condemns 'callous disregard' of doctor who linked MMR and autism

The General Medical Council has concluded that Andrew Wakefield, the doctor at the centre of the MMR controversy, acted “dishonestly and irresponsibly” in carrying out his research.
Government challenged over £1bn spend on 'exaggerated' swine flu measures

The government spent more than £1bn in preparation for a flu pandemic, it has been disclosed.
Greater public involvement in the NHS called for

Most people would like to have their say on how health services are run but comparatively few have joined local involvement networks, set up to collect feedback on health and social care services, research has suggested.
Green tea 'lowers lung cancer risk'

Smokers may be able to lower the risk of lung cancer by drinking green tea, according to Taiwanese research.
Half of mothers unable to recognise obesity in children

A new report has revealed that the majority of parents do not even realise their four or five-year-olds are overweight or obese.
Health secretary backs calls for under-18s sunbed ban

Health secretary Andy Burnham has backed a call to ban under-18s from using sunbeds at tanning salons.
Heart drugs could prevent Alzheimer's

Heart drugs commonly used to treat high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease could delay or prevent Alzheimer’s, said Boston University researchers.
Hormones and breastfeeding

A scientist has claimed that “breast milk is no more beneficial for a child’s health than formula milk”, The DailyTelegraph reported. It said the researcher, Professor Sven Carlsen, said the child’s health is actually determined by the hormone balance in the mother’s womb, with a high level of male hormones affecting both her ability to breastfeed and the baby’s health.
Hospital lands low carbon award

A London hospital has joined Marks & Spencer, Chelsea Football Club and high street chain Pret a Manger in earning recognition for its work on reducing carbon emissions.
How to transform patient care and boost efficiency

The experience of millions of patients could be transformed and hundreds of hours of appointment time and bed days could be saved if nurses applied eight “high impact” actions across the NHS.
HPV vaccine will cut cervical cancer cases by two thirds

The introduction of the HPV vaccine will slash cases of cervical cancer in women under 30 by 63 per cent by 2025, a cancer research study has predicted.
Increased calls to NHS 24 over festive break

Scottish NHS call centres were flooded with calls over the Christmas and new year period, with tens of thousands of anxious people ringing NHS 24 and the Scottish Flu Response Centre for advice.
Increasing statin adherance could prevent cardiovascular deaths

Improving adherance to statins would prevent more cardiovascular deaths than giving the drugs to a greater number of patients with lower CVD risk, according to UK researchers.
Invest in school nurses to raise chlamydia awareness, says RCN

The Royal College of Nursing has called for greater investment in school nurses and sexual health services after the Government’s chlamydia testing programme came under fire from MPs.
Investigation launched as NHS boss accused of covering up fatal negligence

Hospital bosses at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust have launched an investigation into allegations that a senior hospital official ordered a consultant to play down failures in treatment after a young man died from an undiagnosed ruptured spleen.
Is the Daily Mail bad for your health?

If you need health advice, Beyond the Bedpan recommends the Daily Mail. Provided, of course, that you are not making it up.
Kerbside drinking project holds 'learning day' for nurses

An award winning North Tyneside project to reduce kerbside drinking among young people is holding a national ‘learning day’ to share its innovative work with others.
Leukaemia vaccine to be tested

“A vaccine for leukaemia is about to be tested on human patients for the first time, in a breakthrough which could offer hope to thousands,” The Daily Telegraph reported. It said that a treatment is being developed that could stop the disease returning after chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.
Leukaemia vaccine to be tested on humans

A vaccine to stop leukaemia reoccuring after chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant is to have its first human trial in the next few months.
Low blood sugar 'as risky as high' for type 2 diabetes patients

Lowering blood sugar levels too far when treating type 2 diabetes can be as dangerous as allowing it to remain high, according to UK researchers.
Low-carb diets and blood pressure

“A low-carbohydrate diet like Atkins is better at cutting blood pressure than weight-loss pills,” BBC News reported. It said a study has found that twice as many people on a low-carb diet had lowered blood pressure compared to those who were taking orlistat.
Lung disease and height

“People who develop chronic lung disease are more likely to be shorter in height than the general population,” BBC News reported. This story is based on a study of over a million people that investigated whether there is a link between adult height and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It found that people with COPD were 1.12cm shorter on average than the general population.
Make 2010 your best year yet!

Nursing Times’ resident Happy Nurse Claire Westwood on making the most of 2010
Mental health problems arise from prejudice

A Scottish mental health report has found that people who experience prejudice in any form are more likely to develop mental health problems than people who do not.
MHRA issue infection alert on mattresses

The MHRA have issued a medical device alert for all types of mattresses after investigations revealed that there is a widespread lack of inspection regimes to check for external damage and internal contamination.
Mid Staffs nursing director 'choked' over care failings

The new nursing director at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust was moved to tears by some of the stories about poor care standards, and has already set about making sure they will not be repeated
Midwife-developed care package shortlisted for award

A care package for early labour, which centres on midwives giving plenty of one-to-one time to women who are in the latent phase, has been shortlisted for an award.
MRI used successfully for heart valve operation

Doctors have successfully used an MRI scan to widen a valve in a patient’s heart for the first time.
MRSA tracked with DNA mapping

Scientists in Britain have developed a genetic method of tracking how MRSA is spread.
Multiple sclerosis could be treated with tablets

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) could soon benefit from tablets to treat the condition, it has been announced.
Nazi nurses and Facebook fiends

Beyond the Bedpan is left reeling by an attack on our ‘Nazi’ NHS - by a woman who advises the Conservative party on health policy.
New breast cancer treatment could stop recurrence

A new way to prevent breast cancer cells recurring has been discovered by scientists at the University of Manchester.
New disinfectant could eradicate hospital infections

A fast-acting disinfectant that can eradicate a wide range of bacteria connected with fatal hospital infections has been developed in Germany.
New pills for MS tested

“The first tablets to fight multiple sclerosis dramatically reduce the chances of symptoms returning,” The DailyTelegraph has reported.
NHS 'more efficient in England' than rest of UK

The NHS in England provides better value for money than elsewhere in the UK, a research group’s study suggests.
NHS out-of-hours care review promised by Conservatives

The Conservatives have said that they will review NHS out-of-hours care if they win the forthcoming general election, following the death of a 70-year-old Cambridge man who was given an overdose by an overtired locum.
NHS should use meditation to treat depression, says report

The NHS should offer meditation to treat long-term depression, a mental health charity has said.
NICE recommends rheumatoid arthritis drug for approval

Rheumatoid arthritis patients will be able to try a powerful new treatment for free after the NHS struck a cost-cutting deal with its manufacturer.
NMC launches pre-reg education consultation

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has launched a major consultation on the future of pre-registration education.
NMC to seek nurses' views on future practice standards

The Nursing and Midwifery Council will launch a major consultation later this week on the knowledge and skills nurses of the future will need to practice.
No evidence inhaled corticosteroids increase osteoporosis risk

A study has found that treatment with inhaled corticosteroids does not increase risk of osteoporosis in patients with COPD
No job guarantees for nurses at foundation trusts

Nurses working for foundation trusts are at risk of compulsory redundancy because of the impending public sector spending squeeze, a leaked report suggests.
Norovirus halts surgery at hospitals

The winter vomiting bug norovirus has forced three hospitals in Cornwall to cancel all non-urgent surgical operations.
Nurse gets life sentence for giving fatal heroin dose to son

A trainee nurse has been given a life sentence for administering a fatal dose of heroin to her son, who had been severely injured in a car crash.
Nurse pay rises to drop below 1%, warns NHS chief

Workers in parts of the NHS can expect pay rises below 1 per cent in coming years, NHS chief executive Sir David Nicholson has indicated.
Nurse prescribers to issue 'off label' medicines

Nurse independent prescribers are now able to prescribe ‘off label’ and unlicensed medicines
Nurse research projects shortlisted for RCN award

The Royal College of Nursing Research Society announced the shortlist for the Akinsanya Award 2010 for Innovation in Doctoral Studies in Nursing.
Nurse suspended for putting photographs of patients in surgery on Facebook

A nurse has reportedly been suspended after putting photos of patients having operations on social networking website facebook.
Nurse training 'too academic' says Cameron

The Conservatives would make nurses’ training more ‘relevant’ to the realities of working on busy wards, party leader David Cameron has said in a live webcast.
Nurses beat the cold weather - by riding to work on work on toboggans

The extreme weather conditions this week didn’t stop healthcare professionals at Scarborough and Bridlington Hospitals coming into work
Nurses better than doctors at meeting handwashing targets

Scottish hospital doctors have been criticised after new figures showed they are still failing to meet handwashing targets, while nurses exceeded targets by 5%.
Nurses can slash waits by leading on palpitation assessment

Nurse-led clinics can provide a rapid assessment for patients with palpitations, which may offer a viable alternative to the traditional cardiology outpatient service for low-risk patients, according to UK researchers.
'Nurses have become too important for basic care', and other nonsense

With a patronising nod and a proverbial pat on the bottom, nurses are put firmly in their place by an angry GP from the internet. As far as Beyond the Bedpan is concerned, this just got personal.
Nurses making too many child drug errors

Researchers have warned that hospital staff are making too many mistakes when prescribing drugs to children.
Nurses meeting out of hours challenge in rural areas

Nurses can be just as effective as GPs at providing out of hours care, especially in rural areas, says the Royal College of Nursing.
Nurses' safety critical in bad weather

Nurses have been advised to do their best to get to work during the current bad weather, but have been reminded that they should make their own safety a high priority.
Nursin' USA - Language barriers

Our resident US nurse Sara Morgan wonders would more men go into nursing in the UK if the inherently feminine titles such as ‘sister’ and ‘matron’ were eliminated?
Nursin' USA - Lessons from across the pond

In the first of a new series looking at the differences between nursing in the UK and the US, Sara Morgan talks about tricky hospital corners.
Nursin' USA - Why the furore over nurse uniforms?

Our resident US nurse Sara Morgan wonders why nurse uniforms are the subject of such heated debate in the UK
Nursing Times Awards winners visit Downing Street

Nursing Times Awards winners were invited to visit Downing Street this week to meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Obese may need larger drug doses

“Patients may have to be prescribed higher doses of antibiotics because of rising rates of obesity,” BBC News reported.
Obese patients 'encouraged to eat more' to qualify for surgery

Senior doctors have branded NHS weight-loss surgery criteria “inconsistent and unethical” after it emerged that some patients were being made to suffer further weight gain in order to be eligible for surgery.
Obese patients need higher doses of antibiotics

Obese patients may need higher doses of antibiotics to treat their symptoms effectively, doctors have said.
Off duty nurse comes to the rescue of car crash victims

A nurse has been thanked after helping victims of a car accident when two cars collided outside a salon while she was having her hair cut.
Omega-3 tested on heart patients

“Fish oil may really be an ‘elixir of youth’ because of its effects on our biological ageing,” says The Daily Telegraph.
One in five hospital patients has diabetes

The UK’s obesity crisis is putting NHS hospitals under increased strain from the number of patients admitted with diabetes-related illnesses, a study has found.
One in five New Year's babies obese by primary school

The public health minister has launched a new health campaign after warning that one in five babies born on New Year’s Day could be obese by the time they start primary school.
Online GP service to be trialled in Wales

The Welsh Assembly has announced plans for an online service that will allow patients in Wales to book appointments with their GPs and order repeat prescriptions.
Operations cancelled as heavy snow and ice hits UK hospitals

Unprecedented levels of snowfall have caused chaos for hospitals across the country.
Out of hours GP complaints pass 500

Complaints about out of hours GP care have risen by more than 50 per cent, latest figures have shown.
Patients leaving ICU offered support

Patients leaving intensive care will be offered a new support scheme under a project being pioneered by the Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust.
Playing cards used to describe emotional care needs

Five acute trusts in the north west have been piloting the use of giant playing cards to help older patients describe their emotional care needs, which can then be factored into care plans.
Primary care-based allergy clinics prove cost effective

A new NHS funded allergy clinic in North West London has proved to be a successful model for the care of people with allergic disease.
PromoCon announces training opportunities

PromoCon is holding a free seminar in London on Tuesday 9th February 2010 to discuss common toileting problems and the services PromoCon provide.
Propiverine better than oxybutynin for childhood urge incontinence

Children tolerate propiverine better than oxybutynin for treatment of urge incontinence, according to a retrospective observational study conducted by researchers in Germany.
Quitting smoking and diabetes risk

“People who give up smoking are prone to developing diabetes because they gain weight,” TheTimes reported. It said a study has found that quitters are twice as likely as smokers, and 70% more likely than non-smokers, to have type 2 diabetes.
RCN calls on nurses to join election debate

The Royal College of Nursing is encouraging the profession to join the debate on the next government’s health polices via a special 2010 general election campaign website.
RCN chief praises 'dedication, courage and professionalism' of military nurses

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, has praised the work of nurses on the front line in Afghanistan, following his five day visit.
RCN chief visits modernisation hospital

Dr Peter Carter has visited King’s Mill Hospital to meet nurses during the hospital’s modernisation programme.
RCN welcomes new standards for STI management

The Royal College of Nursing today welcomed the launch of new guidelines on sexually transmitted infections, produced by the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health (MedFASH) and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH).
Real nurses wanted for new BBC show

BBC Television is making a major new documentary series about people’s attitudes to money, and would like to talk to you.
Reinforced toilet installed for obese patients

A reinforced steel toilet which can cope with obese patients weighing up to 70 stone has been introduced at a hospital in Lincoln.
Research into using acupuncture to treat urinary incontinence

Researchers in America have carried out a pilot study to identify if acupuncture is effective in reducing urinary incontinence and to test research methods for investigating this treatment.
RNHA attacks Channel 4 over 'disrespectful' Big Brother game

The RNHA has questioned the judgement of Channel 4’s Big Brother producers for having instructed the programme’s contestants to pretend to be residents and carers in the “Last Legs Nursing Home for Retired Celebrities.”
RNHA slams 'worrying' reports of forced tube feeding in care homes

The RNHA has expressed surprise at the way the media interpreted a report suggesting that many care homes were refusing admission to new residents unless they came fitted with tubing to facilitate artificial feeding.
Scotland approves arthritis drug rejected by NICE

Scottish arthritis sufferers are to receive a powerful pain relief drug even though it may be unavailable to NHS patients in the rest of the UK.
Screening young offenders could cut STIs

Routinely screening young offenders for sexually transmitted infections could lower their long-term prevalence in society, according to the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Shingles vaccination could protect four million older people

If found to be cost-effective, a shingles vaccination programme could be rolled out protect around four million patients aged 70-79.
Shingles vaccination proposed

Millions of people in their seventies could be vaccinated against shingles, according to several newspapers. The news is based on a recommendation from the government’s independent committee on immunisation. It says there may be benefits in vaccinating the elderly against the virus that causes the painful skin condition.
Short people at higher risk of lung disease

Shorter people are more likely to develop chronic lung disease, according to researchers.
Sir Michael Parkinson announces dignity in care funding

A “bright ideas grant” to help support innovative projects that promote dignity in care has been launched by the Sir Michael Parkinson.
Slips and falls make up 23% of A&E admissions as big freeze bites

Slips and falls on icy streets and sledges have filled accident and emergency departments with injured pedestrians during Britain’s ‘big freeze’, according to hospital reports.
Smoke exposure linked to cot death

Babies exposed to smoke while in the womb may have a higher risk of cot death because they suffer circulation problems, according to research.
Smoking cessation improves lung cancer survival

Smoking cessation after diagnosis of early stage lung cancer can improve prognosis.
Snow excuse for skiving off work

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s a bit cold outside. The weather is so bad that many nurses are struggling to get to work, and Beyond the Bedpan is sympathetic to their plight. If only managers felt the same way.
Spider hair incident highlights need for good communications

The importance of effective communication between clinicians and patients has been emphasised by the rare case of a patient with suspected conjunctivitis, which turned out to be caused by hairs from his pet tarantula spider getting in his eyes.
Spiralling births leads to midwife shortage

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has said the midwifery profession is “still playing catch up” after a report warned Britain’s rising birth rate was leading to a shortage of staff.
Staff strike over pay and conditions

More than 200 cleaners, porters and cooks have staged a 48-hour strike at an NHS trust in Devon over implementation of Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
Stem cells 'restore sight'

A new stem cell treatment has restored sight to a partially blind man, reported The Guardian. The newspaper said that stem cells grown on a special membrane were used to treat the patient and seven others with sight loss.
Student nurses set for passage to India

Two intrepid trainee nurses will be travelling to India to experience life in its healthcare system.
Student nurses should quit smoking as part of training

Student nurses who smoke should be encouraged to quite as part of their training, say researchers.
Studying more samples before cancer screening may cut errors

Medical staff searching for breast and cervical cancers in test results make mistakes because they do not see examples often enough, according to scientists in the US.
Swine flu cases decreasing

New cases of swine flu in England are decreasing and have stayed below the 5,000 mark for the third consecutive week, according to the Department of Health.
Swine flu cases fall as Government abandons weekly briefings

Weekly Government briefings on swine flu have been stopped as the number of new cases plummet
Talking device could help tackle childhood obesity

A computerised device that shows how much food is being eaten in real time can help tackle obesity among young people, according to a UK study published online in the BMJ.
Test doctors' skills more often, Andy Burnham urges

Doctors’ skills should be checked as often as airline pilots’ to ensure they can perform under pressure as well as Captain Chesley Sullenberger, health secretary Andy Burnham said today.
Thefts cost Scottish hospitals £900k in two years

Items worth more than £900,000 have been lost or stolen from Scotland’s hospitals in the last two years, it has been disclosed.
'There's been a change in attitude and acceptance of the practice educators'

Nursing Times award winners on the role of practice educators in infection control
Three nurses retire after clocking up 129 years of service

The nurses, who all work at the Cragside elderly care ward at Newcastle General Hospital, have celebrated their retirement with a tea party where colleagues, friends and patients from over the years who were invited to get together for a final thank you and send off.
Tories predict impending nursing shortfall

Government figures show that nurse numbers could be cut by more than 13,000 over the next five years, the Conservatives have claimed.
Trust failings allowed nurse Colin Norris to kill, says report

A series of failings at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust in West Yorkshire allowed former nurse Colin Norris to kill four elderly patients, an independent inquiry has found.
Turn on, tune in, drop... dead?

Every hour per day spent watching television “increases risk of heart disease death by a fifth”, according to TheDaily Telegraph.
Two thirds not using condoms with new partners

Around two-thirds of people do not use condoms when they have sex with a partner for the first time, according to a survey marking the launch of a new sexual health advertising campaign.
Underage drinking worst in North East

A study of underage drinking habits in England has found wide-ranging differences in the amount of alcohol consumed by 11-15 year-olds depending on where they live.
Union issues advice over gifts

General practices should keep a register of gifts received from patients and ensure that they do not influence the care provided, according to the Medical Defence Union (MDU).
Unsolicited chlamydia tests to be sent to 25,000 18-24s

A chlamydia testing kit is to be sent to thousands of homes in the West Midlands, it has been announced.
Updated guidelines on Patient Group Directions

The National Prescribing Centre has published an updated guide on Patient Group Directions (PGDs), which provides information and guidance for registered healthcare professionals and organisations that are using or, thinking about using PGDs.
Varenicline effective for smoking cessation in patients with cardiovascular disease

A a study that examined varenicline has found that it is a safe and effective treatment for smoking cessation in smokers with cardiovascular disease.
Variations in GP training come under scrutiny

The competence of overseas GPs is to be examined by the General Medical Council.
Virus link to CFS 'in doubt'

“Serious doubt has been cast on the theory that…chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by a new retrovirus,” TheGuardian reported. The newspaper said researchers from London have failed to replicate findings from the US that suggested a possible role for a virus called XMRV in causing CFS, also known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis).
Warning over 999 calls in freezing weather

Ambulance service chiefs in Wales are urging the public only to make 999 calls for genuine life-threatening emergencies as winter pressures intensify.
WHO rejects 'fake' swine flu claims

Suggestions that swine flu was a fake pandemic created for the benefit of drug companies have been rubbished by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Will pumping iron fight dementia?

“Pensioners should start pumping iron if they want to keep Alzheimer’s at bay,” warned the Daily Mail. It said a study had found that lifting weights can improve cognitive function in those aged 65 to 75.
Your winter snow pictures

We asked you to send us your pictures of the snow and ice over the last few weeks. Here we bring you the best so far.We’d like your help to choose the best, so please vote using the comment box below. The best will win a £20 Amazon voucher.And the winner is…Picture 10, submitted by Katy Gambles!Katy wins a £20 Amazon voucher.

Nursing TimesJanuary 2010

Nursing Times
January 2010