Nursing Times
September 2010

View all stories from this issue.

Egg development in older women

Clue found to why egg flaws seen in older women’, a BBC News headline announced. The website said that scientists may be closer to understanding why older women are more likely to produce abnormal eggs.
Vitamin B clue to dementia

“Vitamin B tablets could slow and even halt the devastating march of Alzheimer’s disease,” The Daily Telegraph reported. According to the newspaper, large daily doses of vitamin B can halve the rate of brain shrinkage, a process that can precede Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
£9m cancer awareness fund announced

The government will provide £9m to fund a set of local campaigns aimed at warning people about the early signs of cancer.
ADHD linked to genetic variants

Research has indicated that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a genetic condition.
Age and obesity linked to kidney transplant complications

Patients who get a new kidney are significantly more likely to develop complications if they are obese or over 50, an Iranian study has suggested.
Alcohol consumption plummets

Alcohol consumption in the UK has seen its biggest decline in 60 years, according to new industry figures.
Alcohol-related hospital admissions soar

Nearly a million people were admitted to hospital due to alcohol-related harm in England in 2008/09, researchers have found.
All pregnant women offered flu jab

For the first time all pregnant women are being offered the seasonal flu jab.
Alloys safe in surgical implants

Metal alloys used in a wide range of medical devices and implants are compatible with human bodies and should not cause health problems, a European study published in the International Journal of Immunological Studies has found.
An open letter to the leaders of the NHS

When nursingtimes.net wrote about nurses being offered immunity from redundancy if they agreed to have their Agenda for Change pay increments frozen, comments from readers came flooding in.
Anabolic steroid use rising

Government advisers have said that online imports of anabolic steroids should be banned, The Guardian and The Independent today reported.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria risk from hospital sinks

The Department of Health has issued an alert warning that hospital wash basins have been identified as a source of gram negative bacteria.
Antipsychotic drugs and blood clots

“Antipsychotic drugs taken by thousands in the UK raise the risk of dangerous blood clots,” BBC News reported.
Antipsychotic drugs linked to blood clots

Experts have warned that antipsychotic drugs could increase the risk of dangerous blood clots.
Anxiety drug linked to higher risk of dying

Patients who take drugs to treat insomnia or anxiety could be increasing their risk of dying by more than a third, according to new research.
Are you fat? Or just a victim of society?

Reports of a 16 stone woman who took the NHS to court to demand a gastric bypass did not exactly trigger an outpouring of sympathy from Nursing Times readers.
'Artificial ovary' created

An artificial ovary “can mature human eggs” outside the body, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Aspirin cuts bowel cancer risk

“Aspirin cuts bowel cancer risk by 22%: a tablet a day helps stop killer tumours forming,” read the headline in the Daily Mail.
Aspirin 'reduces bowel cancer risk'

Bowel cancer could be warded off by a low daily dose of aspirin, experts have declared.
Avandia diabetes drug suspended

The diabetes drug Avandia, also known as rosiglitazone, has been suspended by UK and European drug watchdogs.
Baby hope after womb cancer

The “contraceptive coil raises hope of delaying womb cancer”, reported the BBC.
Bariatric surgery popular in Scotland

More than a hundred gastric band operations were carried out in Scotland in the last two years, figures have revealed.
Beneficial omega-3 molecular mechanism identified

The molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective at reducing inflammation and insulin resistance has been identified by scientists.
Biology of diabetes explored

Type 2 diabetes may be caused by “a chain reaction which destroys vital insulin-producing cells”, BBC News reported.
Bipolar disorder and violent crime

“People with mental illness are no more likely to commit violent crimes than ordinary members of the public,” reported The Independent. “Substance abuse is the chief cause of violent crime and increases the risk equally in people with and without mental illness,” it added.
Bladder cancer protein offers hope for targeted therapy

Targeted therapy for patients with bladder cancer may be just around the corner after experts made a research breakthrough.
Body fat virus link still unproven

A virus “could make children obese by attacking fat cells”, according to the Daily Mail.
Bone drugs and cancer rates

Using osteoporosis drugs for long periods may double the risk of oesophagus cancer, The Guardian reported.
Brain toll of rationing studied

Extreme World War II food shortages may have affected the brains of babies in the womb, BBC News reported.
Breast cancer genes examined

The increased risk of breast cancer caused by a known genetic mutation may be altered by variations in other parts of the DNA, BBC News reported
Breast cancer radiotherapy linked to angiosarcoma

Skin lesions following treatment for breast cancer can develop into a rare and aggressive form of angiosarcoma, US researchers have warned.
Breastfeeding strengthens babies' immune system

Mothers can reduce their baby’s chances of common infections by breastfeeding for six months, according to new research.
Call for school antenatal classes

Antenatal clinics could be set up in schools to care for pregnant teenagers, the health watchdog has said.
Call to improve gestational diabetes screening

Calls for an improvement in gestational diabetes screening have been made after research indicated that having a large waistline and high triglyceride levels while pregnant could be a sign of diabetes.
Can men get the baby blues?

Depression hits one in five men after they become fathers, reported the Daily Mail.
Can my generation embrace the condom?

Nursing Times blogger Martin Jones reflects on the changing attitudes towards sexual health in middle age
Cancer sufferers' partners face mental health risk

Men are more than a third more likely to develop mental health problems so serious that they require hospital treatment if their partners have breast cancer, research has suggested.
Cannabis 'cuts pain' from damaged nerves

Smoking cannabis from a pipe can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients with damaged nerves, a study has shown.
Cannabis for nerve pain studied

“Smoking cannabis from a pipe can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients with damaged nerves,” reported the BBC. It added that improvements in sleep and anxiety were seen.
Cerebral palsy linked to post-term babies

Babies born post term, at 42 weeks or later, are at higher risk of developing cerebral palsy than those born at 40 weeks, a Norwegian study has found.
Charity surveys nurses on mobile phone use at work

Healthcare charity Devices4 is surveying nurses and other professionals about how they use mobile phones at work.
Child cardiac surgery encouraged

Repairing holes in a child’s heart, where there are few or no symptoms, may be more important than previously thought, according to a US study that used pigs as models.
Child mental health services directory published

The South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust has published a directory of its child and adolescent mental health services which are available to patients across the UK.
Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to virus

A virus relating to immune cells in the bloodstream may be the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, or ME, in children, researchers have said.
Chronic heart failure guidance updated

NICE has released updated guidance to improve diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure in primary and secondary care.
Clinicians 'should ask about erectile dysfunction'

Routinely asking patients if they have any sexual health concerns could give clinicians an early warning of other health problems, according to the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM).
Cockroaches used in fight against MRSA

Despite their unsanitary reputations, cockroaches could help scientists find a way to combat superbugs such as MRSA and E.coli, according to a UK researcher.
Cognitive function impaired by Parkinson's

People with Parkinson’s disease can perform automated functions better than people who do not have the condition but have significant difficulty switching from easy to hard tasks, according to a new study.
Colon cancer predicted to rise

“Colon cancer cases may rise 50%,” BBC News reported.
Communication needed in diabetes treatment

Communication about hypoglycaemia between healthcare professionals and patients with type 2 diabetes needs to be improved, the results of a survey suggest.
Contact lens solution recalled

Two batches of contact lens solution are being recalled by their manufacturer because they could cause eye infections, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has warned.
Continence awareness week

This year’s National Continence Awareness Week will focus on stress-related continence problems, more widely known as bladder weakness, which affects more than 2 million men and women of all ages in the UK.
Continence care criticised

People with continence problems face a “life sentence” of suffering due to poorly organised NHS care, a report said claimed.
Continence problem detector set to trial

People sufferering from continence problems could be spared the embarrassment associated with their condition if a new device proves successful.
'Continence should not be a special nursing topic'

Nursing Times blogger Gaye Kyle comments on the National Audit of Continence Care report
CQC gives nearly-all-clear to troubled foundation trust

The Care Quality Commission has lifted two of three conditions on the licence of Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Foundation Trust.
Dairy diet

“Two glasses of milk each day will help [you] lose weight,” reported the Daily Express.
Dangerous diabetes drug still prescribed despite warnings

People with diabetes are still being prescribed a potentially dangerous drug two months after safety experts recommended it should be taken off the market.
Dementia linked to PTSD in soldiers

Former soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder have a greater risk of developing dementia than those without the disorder, according to US researchers.
Depression and heart disease mortality higher when combined

Depression and heart disease combined is a more lethal than either of these conditions on their own, a study of around 6,000 British civil servants.
Depression is 'true neurological disease'

Depression is a true neurological disease associated with dysfunction of specific brain regions and not simply a consequence of bad lifestyles and psychological weakness, according to researchers.
Depression treatment for British Pakistani women developed

A treatment programme that can reduce depression in British Pakistani women has been developed by a team of researchers from Manchester University.
DH funds school infection control research

An investigation into how infection control can be improved in schools is receiving partial funding from the Department of Health.
Diabetes develops fastest in children

Children with type 2 diabetes will experience faster development of the disease than adults with the same condition, accordign to research.
Diabetes drug suspended over health fears

The controversial diabetes drug Avandia, prescribed to more than 100,000 Britons, should be withdrawn over fears it increases the chances of heart attacks and strokes, a regulator has ruled.
Diabetes 'test' needs more work

A simple blood test is being developed that could save thousands of lives every year by predicting a person’s risk of getting heart disease and diabetes, reported the Daily Mail
Does broccoli aid gut problems?

Eating broccoli and plantain could reduce bouts of Crohn’s disease,” reported The Daily Telegraph.
Dog hired as therapist

A retirement village in Scotland appointed its first dedicated therapy pet, Humphrey, a 12-week-old bulldog puppy.
Donation policy consultation announced

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has said it will begin a consultation on its donation policies in January next year.
Drug reduces alcoholism relapses

The drug acamprosate can reduce the relapse rate among patients being treated for alcoholism, according to a Cochrane Systematic Review.
Drugs 'could target asthma genes'

An international study has highlighted targets for drug treatment for people who suffer from asthma.
Epilepsy leaflet commended by BMA

A new leaflet about epilepsy and mood has been commended by the British Medical Association.
Exclusive conference discount

Registered users of Nursingtimes.net can get an exclusive discount for this year’s Mental Health Congress and a free invitation to the networking dinner.
Exercise overrides obesity genes

People who are genetically inclined to becoming obese can reduce their chances of excessive weight gain by 40% through regular exercise, a study has shown.
Extra first aid training for student nurses

First aid and management of serious incidents such as road accidents is to be formally taught to trainee nurses, as new pre-registration standards are published.
Fat waistlines linked to bowel cancer

Carrying excess fat around the waist increases the risk of bowel cancer even if the rest of the body is slim, experts have said.
Fatty acids 'may prevent diabetes'

The secret of how fish oil helps prevent heart disease and diabetes is believed to have been unlocked by scientists who now hope to develop new dietary remedies and drugs to reduce conditions such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
Fatty food and long-term weight gain

A moment on the lips really does mean a lifetime on the hips,” says the Daily Mail. The newspaper suggests that even short periods of overeating “could cause the waistline to bulge years later”.
Faulty gene 'causes migraines'

Researchers have found a faulty gene to be the trigger for migraines.
Fitness linked to lower womb cancer risk

Leading an active lifestyle can help to ward off womb cancer, research has revealed.
Flu jab 'may cut heart attacks'

“The winter flu jab may prevent heart attacks,” reported The Daily Telegraph.
Free asthma management resource

Asthma UK has launched a free, self management resource for children aged 6-11.
Free diabetes risk assessment tool

A tool designed to identify people at high risk of impaired glucose regulation (prediabetes) and type 2 diabetes is being freely offered to healthcare professionals.
Genetic clue to asthma causes

A “gene breakthrough could lead to new drugs for asthma”, according to the Daily Mail.
Genetic disease disclosure guidance

Revised guidance has been published to help healthcare professionals involved in genetic testing decide how and when to disclose genetic disease risks to potentially affected family members.
Global maternity mortality declines

The number of women dying from complications during pregnancy and childbirth has fallen by more than one third in the past 18 years, according to a report from the World Health Organisation and other bodies.
'Gorillas may be origin of malaria'

“Malaria first passed to humans from gorillas thousands of years ago,” the Daily Mail reported.
'Grapefruit diabetes cure' unproven

The Daily Mirror today hails grapefruit as a “fruity ‘cure’ for diabetes”. The newspaper suggests that the chemical naringenin found in the fruit “can do the same job as two drugs used to treat type-2 diabetes”.
Grip test predicts early death

“A strong handshake will help you hold on to life,” the Daily Mail reported today.
Handwashing routine contributes to spread of bacteria

Not drying your hands thoroughly after washing them could increase the spread of bacteria and rubbing your hands whilst using a conventional electric hand dryer could be a contributing factor, new research has found.
Healthcare for combat veterans advice issued

Guidance to support primary care clinicians identify and treat healthcare problems among combat veterans more effectively has been published by the Royal College of GPs, The Royal British Legion and charity Combat Stress.
Heart failure pill performs in trial

The lives of 10,000 patients could be saved each year by a “breakthrough pill”, according to the Daily Express.
Heart risk from working late?

Men who work more than 45 hours a week are more than twice as likely to die from heart disease if they are unfit,” The Daily Telegraph has reported.
Hepatitis C care quality condemned by MPs

Wide variations in hepatitis C treatment are contributing to a 60% rise in the number of people dying from liver disease over the past decade, MPs have warned.
HIV cases predicted to rise

The NHS is braced for a sharp rise in patients seeking treatment for HIV, figures show.
Homeopathic 'vaccinations' could leave patients vulnerable

Homeopaths in Scotland are offering alternatives to vaccinations that doctors say could leave patients vulnerable to potentially fatal diseases, according to a BBC investigation.
Hospital parking charges set to stay

Hopes that hospitals in England could be banned from charging patients for parking look set to be dashed, after ministers indicated the move appeared too expensive.
How can we change attitudes towards HIV and AIDS?

Rachel Lewis, development co-ordinator at Milton Keynes STASS, finds misinformation and prejudice still surround the issue of HIV and AIDS in the UK 25 years after it hit the headlines.
How to avoid drug errors

Chris Tyreman looks at common causes of drug errors and offers his tips on how to avoid them.
HPV linked to oral cancer rise

A new report has found that the increase in certain types of oral cancer is being fuelled by the human papillomavirus, which is already the cause of millions of cases of cervical cancer.
HPV vaccine uptake 'very encouraging'

Latest figures for the HPV vaccine, which show that more than nine out of 10 of eligible schoolgirls in Scotland have had at least one injection to help protect them from cervical cancer, have been hailed as “very encouraging” by the Scottish government.
Hygiene claims just won't wash

Using a hand dryer after washing your hands “is so unhygienic that it might be better to not wash at all”, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Hypocalcaemia drug warning issued

A warning has been issued over a drug used to treat kidney patients with hypocalcaemia – low levels of calcium in the blood.
'I can't help but wonder whether patients are being honest with themselves'

Nursing Times blogger Clare Aubrey considers how fear of their condition affects different patients and what they do to cope
'If I can’t make the theory real then how can the students take it in?'

Tarnia Taverner on teaching students and their frustration at the apparent lack of connection between theory and practice.
Immunotherapy for C difficile prevention

A new method of treating and preventing C difficile, which could be used in conjuction with antibiotics or replacement, is being developed by the Health Protection Agency.
Implications of combining wound dressings in clinical practice

Appropriate selection of primary and/or secondary dressings can lead to optimal wound management but they must be compatible. Inappropriate dressing selection can delay healing trajectory and waste valuable resources
Infant deaths prompt deep clean at UCH

A leading hospital has said it had stepped up cleaning and taken other measures after four premature babies were found to be infected with a an infection resistant to common antibiotics.
Infant pain unaffected by sugar

Sugar does not provide pain relief to infants, contrary to advice given in international clinical guidelines, according to new research sponsored by the Medical Research Council.
Infertility research in obese women breakthrough

New evidence on the reasons behind the well-known risk of infertility among obese women has been discovered by scientists.
Insulin pump therapy inequality

There are major inequities in access to insulin pump therapy among patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a recent survey.
Intermittent catheters may be best in older people

Older people recovering from hip fractures respond better to intermittent catheterisation to prevent urinary retention than those who have an indwelling urethral catheter, according to the results of a recent study.
Intrauterine device may halt cancer

An intrauterine device could be used to avoid the need for women with endometrial cancer to have a hysterectomy, scientists in Italy have claimed.
Intravenous aspirin safe for hospitalised headache patients

Patients hospitalised for a severe headache or migraine can be treated safely and effectively with intravenous aspirin, US researchers have found.
'It will be an honour to be part of the RCN student voice'

Student nurse and newly appointed RCN student member of council Stuart Young on the challenges of his final year.
IV extension set warning

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a warning about IV extension sets with multiple ports and vented caps after a patient suffered a stroke when a cap was left in place.
'I've always been interested in how nurses work in different countries'

Nursing Times blogger Becky Cridford on paediatric nursing in Sierra Leone
'Jade Goody effect' encouraged screening

Wall-to-wall coverage of celebrities’ struggles with health problems can encourage people to attend screening programmes, research has claimed.
Joint pain supplements do not work

Popular supplements taken to counter joint pain are no better than placebo, Swiss research has found.
Joint replacement patients in poorest ever health

People needing hip and knee replacements are in poorer health than ever before, with most now obese or overweight, according to a study out today.
Lack of sleep linked to diabetes and heart disease

People who sleep for fewer than six hours a night may be three times more likely to develop a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease, according to a new study.
Lung cancer risk cut by varied diet

Eating a large variety of fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk of getting lung cancer, according to a Dutch study.
Male insomniacs at increased risk of death

Men who suffer from insomnia and who sleep for under six hours a night have an increased risk of dying, according to a US study.
Managing violence and aggression - a student perspective

Nursing Times student blogger Jonathan Lyons on coping with violent confrontations and aggression at work.
Marie Curie nurses discuss roles

As part of their new website Marie Curie Cancer Care has produced a series of videos of Marie Curie nurses talking about the work they do and the importance of their roles.
May I recommend a White Lightning with your pot noodle, sir?

Bank holiday is a boozy time for a lot of us. Beyond the Bedpan loves nothing more than a lazy BBQ and a glass of wine. And we’d barely recovered from our bank holiday binge when we stumbled across two alcohol stories that seemed to contradict one another.
Meet the Marie Curie nurses

Marie Curie Nurses Lorna, Catherine and Franky discuss why they enjoy helping patients and carers and explain the qualities they think are needed for the job.
Memory problems linked to cancer

Experts believe the effects of cancer treatment on people with a history of the disease increase their risk of encountering problems with their memory, compared with those who have not had the disease.
Men more likely to suffer memory problems

A new study published has found that men are more likely to suffer problems with memory and thinking as they age compared with women.
Mental exercise may speed up dementia

Doing crossword puzzles and other mentally stimulating pursuits may hide the progress of Alzheimer’s disease rather than prevent it, meaning a crucial treatment window is missed, according to new research.
Mental health motoring warning

Motorists face hidden long-term mental health problems, new research has suggested.
Mental health patients do not know who to call in emergency

Nearly half of mental health service users do not know who to contact in a crisis outside office hours, a major Care Quality Commission survey has revealed.
Mental health services act on review

The majority of organisations which are linked to mental health services have begun implementing recommendations made by the chief nursing officer for England.
Mental health stigma unchanged

Stigma towards people with schizophrenia, depression or alcohol dependence in the US has not improved, even though people are becoming more understanding of neurobiological reasons for the conditions.
Mental illness alone not linked to violence

A new study claims that the number of violent crimes committed by mentally ill patients should not be blamed on the illness itself but rather on the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Midwife workloads too high to be safe

Midwives in some regions of England have workloads more than a third higher than hospital safety standards recommend, official figures have suggested.
Mild memory loss linked to Alzheimer's

Mild memory loss is caused by the same brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and is not simply a result of getting older, US research has found.
Milk aids weight loss

Dieters who drank milk or milk products are able to lose more weight on average than those who consumed little or no milk products according to researchers.
Minimum alcohol price 'will save £700m'

A minimum price for alcohol of 45p a unit would save Scotland more than £700m in 10 years, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Mobile phones to be allowed in Welsh hospitals

Patients will be allowed to use their mobile phones in designated parts of hospitals in Wales, it has been announced.
Morning sickness cures unproven

“Morning sickness has no cure,” The Independent reported. The newspaper said that a new review of 27 past trials found that none of the treatments examined were safe and effective.
Multiple sclerosis activity linked to seasons

Multiple sclerosis activity can alter with the seasons, increasing in spring and summer but decreasing in autumn and winter, according to US researchers.
Needlestick proceedure legality 'needs clarity'

Anaesthetists are calling for greater clarity on the legal implications of testing incapacitated patients for blood-borne viruses, after a survey found this was often done following staff needlestick injuries.
New rota system angers nurses

A new rota system that is being trialled in York Hospital has caused outrage among nurses.
NHS 'slow to manage chronic pain'

Many British patients are receiving inadequate chronic pain management, a report has revealed.
NICE rejects tumour drug

NICE has rejected imatinib (Glivec) as an adjuvant treatment for people who have had a gastrointestinal stromal tumour removed and who are at risk of the cancer recurring.
NICE seeks 'exceptional' staff for scholars programme

“Exceptional” NHS professionals are being sought by NICE for the second year of its fellows and scholars programme.
Nicola Sturgeon apologises over one hour 999 delay

An emergency call was delayed by almost an hour because of a technical problem that disrupted 999 phonecalls to the Scottish Ambulance Service, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has revealed.
'No evidence' CT scans cause cancer in babies

Researchers have found no clear evidence of an increased risk of cancer among babies exposed to radiation through maternal imaging procedures as foetuses, but say they cannot completely rule out a slight potential danger.
No reliable treatments for morning sickness

There are still no reliably safe and effective treatments for morning sickness, according to a review.
'Not everything is in the place you would expect it to be'

Nursing Times blogger Stuart Young on clinical skills training in the third year.
Nurse jailed for murdering parents

A nurse found guilty of using “extreme violence” to murder her elderly parents has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years.
Nurses mark National Play in Hospital Week

Young patients at the Children’s Hospital for Wales in Cardiff were in high spirits for the launch of a special event last week.
Nurses must tell motorists about medication dangers

Nurses must do more to warn patients on prescription drugs about the consequences of driving while medicated after a poll revealed more than one in 10 motorists said they did not know it was illegal.
Nurses respond to calls for pay freeze

Nursingtimes.net readers have been responding to proposals that could give nurses immunity from redundancy if they agreed to have their Agenda for Change pay increments frozen.
Nurses tread fine line with cannabis users

Nurses should respect and support patients who use cannabis for medicinal purposes but must stay within the law and follow professional guidance, new research has warned.
Nurses urged to monitor vitamin D levels

Sunlight in Scotland is only strong enough to create vitamin D for six months of the year, according to the Scottish government.
Nurses who suffer abuse risk long term pain

Nurses and other care home staff who are repeatedly attacked by patients and visitors are tripling their chances of suffering widespread musculoskeletal pain, research suggests.
Nursing failures led to Staffordshire death

A systematic failing to provide adequate nursing facilities, combined with low staffing levels, contributed to the death of a 66-year-old diabetic at a Staffordshire hospital, an inquest jury has ruled.
Nursing partnership programme praised

Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has met the first babies born under a pioneering new nursing project to help teenage parents.
Nursing Times seeks news reporter

Nursing Times and its sister magazine HSJ are looking for a nurse who would like to join their news reporting team.
Nutritional care for older people

This film highlights the importance of good nutritional care and hydration for older people living in residential care and in their own homes. The film promotes the use of the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) in identifying those at risk of malnutrition through a simple body mass index calculation.
Oesophageal cancer rising in men

Oesophageal cancer rates in men have risen by 50 per cent over the last 25 years, according to a study by Cancer Research UK.
Oesophageal cancer screening sponge trialled

Doctors have successfully trialled as a new screening technique for one of the most deadly forms of oesophageal cancer, according to scientists.
Oesophagus cancer link to osteoporosis drug

Long-term use of oral bisphosphonates, a drug used to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, may double the risk of developing oesophagus cancer, research suggests.
Older lovers 'oblivious' to sexual health

The over-45s are “apparently oblivious” to the need to use condoms in a new relationship, a charity warned today.
One hour TB test developed

A test for tuberculosis bacteria that should take less than one hour has been developed by the Health Protection Agency.
Oral bugs 'lead to blood clots'

Bacteria that live in the mouth can cause a far bigger health risk than dental plaque if they are able to get into the bloodstream, research has shown.
Osteoarthritis supplement study

Supplements to ease the pain of arthritis “do not work”, reported The Independent.
Osteoporosis medication 'doubles cancer risk'

People who take oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis over five years may be doubling their risk of developing oesophageal cancer, according to a UK study published online in the BMJ.
Osteoporotic fracture prevention guidance

Postmenopausal women at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures should be treated with denosumab (Prolia), if treatment with the oral bisphosphonates alendronate, risedronate or etidronate is unsuitable, according to draft guidance from NICE.
Overprotective parents linked to heart problems

Children with congenital heart disease are more at risk of developing heart focused anxiety as adults if they have overprotective parents, a Canadian study has suggested.
Pancreatic cancer treatment breakthrough

Patients suffering with one of the most severe forms of cancer could be treated with a commonly used chemotherapy drug, according to new research.
Partial success of artificial corneas

Millions of blind and partially sighted people are being given hope they will see again after artificial corneas were successfully ‘grown’ in eyes,” the Daily Express reported.
PCT asked not to claw back wage overpayment

Staff at a primary care trust who were overpaid for up to four years have been asked to pay the money back.
Pharmacists 'cut care home medication errors'

Using pharmacists to manage medication could cut mistakes in elderly care homes by 91%, according to research.
Pneumonia vaccine cuts admissions by a fifth

The number of children admitted to English hospitals with bacterial pneumonia decreased by a fifth in the two years following the introduction of a vaccine to combat the disease, according to a study.
Porn in IVF units criticised

Trusts have been criticised for supplying pornography in IVF facilities.
Poverty link to maternal healthcare unaffected by rural or urban setting

Poor women in urban areas do not necessarily have better access to maternal healthcare than those in rural locations, despite being closer to services, an English study of 30 developing countries has found.
Pre-eclampsia screening breakthrough

International researchers have said there could be way to screen for pre eclampsia, after identifying 14 metabolites associated with developing the condition.
Prison mental health report published

A new publication has been launched by the RCN which examine achievements made in mental health care for prisoners.
Prostate cancer test breakthrough

British scientists are developing a new blood test for prostate cancer after they discovered a way of significantly increasing the accuracy of a diagnosis.
Prostate screening test breakthrough

Men who are most at risk of dying from prostate cancer could be pinpointed at the age of 60 by a single blood test, according to new research.
Prostate test 'predicts death risk'

A blood test at the age of 60 could identify men likely to develop fatal prostate cancer, BBC News has reported.
Psychosis patients' art to be exhibited

The Bethlem Tapestry, featuring the work of patients at the Bethlem Royal Hospital’s Psychosis Unit, will be unveiled in an exhibition for World Mental Health Day 2010 on 10 October.
Puzzling claims over brain games

People who do puzzles and crosswords may stave off dementia longer,” according to BBC News. The website said that mentally stimulating activities may protect the brain from memory loss but also speed up mental decline once dementia takes hold.
Report seeks to limit medical intervention at birth

The National Childbirth Trust has published guidance for maternity healthcare professionals on planning service developments that increase the opportunity for mothers to give birth without major medical procedures.
Restaurants urged to supply calorie count

The government called today for more restaurants to print calorie information on their menus.
Scotland mulls obesity checks for mothers and babies

New mothers and their babies could be given “obesity checks” under plans to improve Scotland’s weight problem, it has emerged.
Scottish life expectancy improving

Life expectancy levels are increasing but Scotland still has some of the lowest rates in Europe, official statistics showed today.
Seven days in

So I’ve been the editor of Nursing Times for a whole week, and it’s been a pretty eventful one.
Short-sighted claims over glasses

Short-sightedness could soon be remedied with eye drops rather than glasses, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Shoulder mobility 'study needed'

Independent reviewers looking over studies into the best way to help breast cancer patients regain shoulder mobility and overcome lymphoedema after treatment have said more research is needed on the subject.
Sleep disorders imaging identifies brain conditions risk

The risk of developing degenerative brain conditions can be identified among people with sleep disorders by neuroimaging, European research has found.
Smoking damages babies' future fertility

Smoking during early pregnancy may have a dramatic adverse effect on babies’ fertility in later life, researchers have found.
Smoking delays puberty in girls

Drinking and smoking might delay the onset of puberty in girls, according to American researchers.
Smoking linked to ectopic pregnancy

Smokers increase their risks of having an ectopic pregnancy by up to four times, according to research.
Social cognition interventions effective against loneliness

Interventions targeting how a person feels about themselves and others are the most effective at tackling loneliness, an American study has found.
'Spiritual comfort is a large factor in many people’s lives'

Nursing Times blogger Stuart Young on the Pope’s visit and the role of religion in nursing care.
Statin drugs may block arthritis

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may also reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by over 40%, the Daily Mail reported.
Statins reduce arthritis risk

Taking statins, drugs used to lower cholesterol, may reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to new Israeli research.
Stem cells converted to liver cells

You will be able to “grow your own transplant liver in a lab within just five years,” says the Daily Mail.
Step into the Dragons' Den

For the last two days our offices here in London have donned the appearance of the Dragons’ Den studio, while we’ve been hosting the judging for the inaugural Nursing Times Product Awards.
Strange clues to pain perception

“A gentle rub really does help pain go away,” said the Daily Mail.
Stress and heart attacks

“Stress increases the chances of dying from heart-related problems by five-fold,” according to The Daily Telegraph.
Stress hormone linked to heart damage

Consistently high levels of the stress hormone cortisol can damage a person’s heart, research has shown.
Student nurses show poor skills in treating deteriorating patients

Final year student nurses have performed poorly in an experiment designed to test their understanding of and ability to deal with deteriorating patients.
Sunbathers risk cancer for perfect tan

Sunbathers are putting themselves at risk of developing skin cancer in their pursuit of the perfect tan, a survey has found.
Tea, coffee and brain cancer

“Caffeine helps cut brain cancer risk,” said the Daily Express, reporting that a daily cup of tea or coffee can stop tumours growing by restricting blood flow to the brain.
Telecare - the ethical debate

Telecare offers a range of benefits for individual users, including safety and independence. However telecare also has the potential to threaten users’ privacy, autonomy and control and could leave them socially isolated. The film explains some of these ethical concerns and offers practical advice about overcoming them and ensuring service users gain the maximum benefit offered by telecare technology.
The image of nursing: A culture of respect

In the first of our series of blogs on the image of nursing, Sandy and Harry Summers look at the portrayal of nurses in the media and the effects of these negative stereotypes.
The image of nursing: Does nursing's media image matter?

In the second of our series of blogs on the image of nursing, Sandy and Harry Summers wonder if it really matters what the media says.
The phoney war just got a bit more real

Of course it’s not really a war; this assault on public service. It’s not like there are snipers on rooftops picking off primary school teachers as they go to work.
Thigh-length surgical stockings reduce blot clots

Treating patients with thigh-length surgical stockings, rather than knee-high socks, can reduce life-threatening blood clots, according to a study published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
'This government needs to step up and stop our daughters and sons becoming statistics'

As a mother, it concerns me to know that there is a one in eight chance that my 15-year-old daughter could fall pregnant before her 19th birthday.
'This week is a big week for my daughter and I'

Nursing Times’ student nurse blogger Katrina Michelle Rowan on going back to school.
Timer helps children control continence

Programming a wristwatch to help create routine could be the solution for children who have trouble controlling their bladder, a study has shown.
Tracheostomy dressing alert

A medical device alert has been issued for a tracheostomy dressing, as fibres could come away from the dressing and enter the tracheal stoma.
Train toilet removal criticised

A decision by Southern Railways to remove the toilets from its Brighton-Portsmouth trains has been described as “a disgrace”.
Treating gum disease reduces premature births

Successful gum disease treatment may reduce women’s risk of giving birth prematurely, according to American research.
'Triage consists of a few tables tucked under the stairs'

Nursing Times blogger Becky Cridford on paediatric nursing in Sierra Leone
Trusts to be tested on dementia

NHS organisations will have to publish details about the care they provide for people with dementia to improve local accountability, the government has announced.
Tumor location breakthrough in breast cancer research

Confusion over the location of breast cancers may have led to avoidable deaths and the prescribing of inappropriate treatments, according to new research.
Type 2 diabetes drug approved by NICE

Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes will be able to benefit from an injectable drug that NICE has approved for use by the NHS.
Unison welcomes 'positive indication' on white paper legal challenge

Unison, the major public sector union, has welcomed what it says is a “positive indication” from the High Court about its challenge to the white paper reforms.
Vaccine uptake affected by culture

Older people’s cultural beliefs influence their likelihood of choosing to be vaccinated against influenza, according to a study.
Vitamin B linked to slowing Alzheimer's

Taking vitamin B could significantly slow the onset of age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s, a study has suggested.
Vitamin D deficiency linked to asthma

Increasing your vitamin D intake could help to tackle certain aspects of asthma, a new study has found.
Warning issued over baby nutrition

Biscuits and cakes are being fed to babies who are only a few weeks old when their diet should only consist of breast milk, research has claimed.
'We may have to change the way we work in order to get a job'

Nursing Times blogger Stuart Young wonders why, after listening to Andrew Lansley in conversation with the RCN, he now has more questions than answers surrounding his future.
Weight loss surgery could save NHS £56m a year

The failure to comply with NICE guidelines on offering weight-loss surgery to obese patients is costing the UK economy hundreds of millions of pounds every year, leading surgeons have said.
What are my career prospects as a nurse over 50?

Nursing Times blogger Martin Jones thinks about his pension and the career opportunities for nurses over 50.
What it's like to be a Marie Curie nurse?

Marie Curie nurses Catherine, Franky and Lorna talk about what its like to be a Marie Curie nurse and what it means to them to help people die in the place of their choice.
'When the chips are down, nurses know how to cope'

It was with some trepidation that I approached the Nursing Times Future of Nursing conference. A lot of the morning’s agenda was dedicated to the white paper and its implications for nursing, and delegates I chatted to before the day kicked off felt the same.
Why is Marie Curie nursing so important?

There is only one chance to ‘get death right’ for the patient and their family, according to Marie Curie Nurses Catherine, Lorna and Franky.
Woman wins court bid to have gastric bypass

A mother of three is believed to have become the first person in the country to use a judicial review to force the NHS to give her a gastric bypass so she can lose weight, her solicitor has said.
Women given three day alcohol free challenge

NHS Birmingham East and North is encouraging women to have at least three alcohol-free days every week by signing up to the “3 Days Booze Free” challenge.
Young adults 'confused' by contraception

Up to a quarter of sexually active young people do not use any contraception with new partners, according to a new report.
Young black women vulnerable to self-harm

Young black women in the UK are significantly more likely to self harm than people from other ethnic groups, a study has found.
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Nursing TimesSeptember 2010

Nursing Times
September 2010