Tag: NHS

MPs to vote on landmark Bill to create Smokefree generation

MPs to vote on legislation to create first smoke-free generation, protecting young people turning 15 this year or younger from harms of smoking

MPs will vote today (16th April 2024) on world-leading legislation to protect future generations across the UK from the harmful effects of smoking.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009 – children aged 15 or younger today. Smoking itself would not be criminalised and anyone who can legally buy tobacco today will never be prevented from doing so in the future by the legislation.

If passed, the Bill will progress to the next stage, bringing the UK closer to creating the first smoke-free generation. 

Responsible for around 80,000 deaths annually, smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer and costs the NHS and economy an estimated £17 billion a year—far more than the £10 billion annual revenue from tobacco taxation.

It is also highly addictive – 4 in 5 smokers start before the age of 20 and remain addicted for the rest of their lives despite most smokers having tried to quit.

The legislation will cover all tobacco products, recognising that tobacco kills two-thirds of long-term users. In England alone, almost every minute someone with a smoking-related condition is admitted to hospital.

The Bill will help deliver the Prime Minister’s commitment of creating a smokefree generation which could prevent over 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other deadly diseases by the turn of the century.

Alongside action to prevent creating future smokers, the government has already announced significant additional funding for stop smoking services over the next five years, effectively doubling the money available for local initiatives that can help existing smokers to quit. The government is also rolling out an innovative financial incentives scheme to help all pregnant smokers to quit.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: “Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking, which despite significant progress remains the UK’s biggest preventable killer.

“The truth is that there is no safe level of tobacco consumption. It is uniquely harmful and that is why we are taking this important action today to protect the next generation.

“This Bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and improve the UK’s productivity.”

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would also give the government new powers to tackle youth vaping by restricting flavours and regulating the way that vapes are sold and packaged to make them less appealing to children.

While vaping can play a useful role in helping adult smokers to quit, non-smokers and children should never vape. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive.

To ensure compliance with the new rules, trading standards officers will be given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines (fixed penalty notices) to retailers unlawfully selling tobacco or vapes to children. All the money raised would be used to fund further enforcement action.

The Bill follows the government’s previously stated commitment to ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes under existing environmental legislation, which have been a key factor behind the rise in youth vaping. The ban is planned to take effect from April 2025.

Public Health Minister, Andrea Leadsom, said: “Smoking is the number one preventable cause of disability, ill health and death in this country. Once it becomes a habit, its addictive nature means that it is extremely difficult to stop.

“Because the case against these harmful products is so strong, it’s not surprising that the majority of the British public—including those who smoke and those who sell tobacco—support plans to protect the next generation from the misery of smoking.

“Our plan will save lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and ensure a brighter future for our children.”

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.

“This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact – preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.”

Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said: “The Tobacco and Vapes Bill being voted on today is radical but, hard as it is now to believe, so were the smokefree laws when they were put before parliament. Parliamentarians can be reassured that the public they represent back the Bill.

“New research just published by ASH shows that the majority of tobacco retailers and the public, including smokers, support the legislation and the smokefree generation ambition it is designed to deliver.  This historic legislation will consign smoking to the “ash heap of history.” 

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation said: “Smoking continues to devastate the nation’s health, taking 15,000 UK lives every single year due to cardiovascular disease alone. 

“Raising the age of sale for tobacco each year will be a game changer, meaning that future generations are protected from serious disease and death caused by smoking. 

“Decisive action is needed to end this ongoing public health tragedy – we urge every MP to vote for this landmark legislation at the Bill’s Second Reading.”

Professor Steve Turner, Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health President, said: “Without a doubt the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will save lives.  

“By stopping children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco we decrease their chances of developing preventable diseases later in life, and will protect children from the harms of nicotine addiction.  

“As paediatricians, we strongly urge MPs to use the important responsibility they have and support this Bill to protect children’s and our nation’s current and future health.” 

Dr Ian Walker, Executive Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK, said: “Today’s vote is a critical step towards the UK becoming a world leader in tobacco control. By voting in favour of the age of sale legislation, MPs will be putting us on the right side of history, and helping to create the first ever smokefree generation.

“Smoking is still the leading cause of cancer in the UK. Now is the time to take action, end cancers caused by smoking and save lives.”

Time will tell if Scottish Government can halt exodus from NHS

The British Dental Association Scotland has responded to new freedom of information data from the Scottish Liberal Democrats showing the number of dentists providing NHS services has fallen from pre-pandemic numbers across most health boards. 

The BDA stress this data only begins to show the risks facing the service, as the data does not capture the mix of NHS and private work dentists undertake.

The professional body says the data gives no picture of the whole time equivalent NHS workforce, and without that there is no scope for robust workforce planning.

The broken high volume/low margin model high street NHS dentists work to proved unsustainable during COVID, and while some amends to this system were rolled out in November, it remains to be seen if reforms are sufficient to give the service a sustainable future 

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “For years the broken system NHS dentistry works to has left dedicated colleagues looking to the exit.

“We’ve seen some reform, but time will tell if it’s enough to put a halt to this exodus.

“One point is abundantly clear. If this service is going to have a future there can be no complacency at Holyrood.”

A&E waiting times hit all time high in Scotland

‘UNDERFUNDED, OVERCROWDED and, at times, UNSAFE’


New data released yesterday (5 March 2024) for Scotland reveals January was the worst month on record for people waiting to be seen in A&E.

The figures published by Public Health Scotland show that, in January 2024:

  • 41,161 (38%) patients waited over four hours in major Emergency Departments, a 21% increase compared to last January (33,962) 
  • 17,077 (16%) of patients waited eight hours or more in Emergency Departments, almost 13 times higher than in January 2016 (1,338) 
  • 8,402 (8%) of patients waited twelve hours or more in Emergency Departments, the largest amount for any January since records began and 36 times higher than in January 2016 (232). 

There were 1,866 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, an increase of 53 compared to December 2023. 

Dr JP Loughrey, Royal College of Emergency Medicine Vice President for Scotland said: “This is beyond exasperating. Most people attend A&E in desperate need – to be seen by a medical professional quickly and with dignity.

“Already struggling, patients are having to endure overcrowded waiting rooms and corridors – for hours. If admission is required, they must wait for a bed – for hours.

“This latest data makes for grim reading, and it is incredibly demoralising for my colleagues to be working under such strenuous circumstances.

“They are working all out to put patients first whilst also having to carry the burden of working in an underfunded, overcrowded, and at times unsafe emergency care system. We need intervention from the Government and policy makers to ensure we never reach this nadir again.”

The data also reports:

In January 2024, there were 108,427 attendances at major Emergency Departments in Scotland. This is marginal decrease of 0.25% compared to the previous month. 

  • 62% of patients were seen within four hours at major (Type 1) Emergency Departments. This is the worst four-hour performance for any January since records began.
  • This is a decrease of 0.5 percentage points compared to December last year and a decrease of 3.2 percentage points compared to January 2023. 
  • 41,161 (38%) patients waited over four hours in major Emergency Departments. This is a 1% increase compared to December last year (40,763) and a 21% increase compared to January 2023 (33,962). 
  • The number of patients waiting more than four hours has increased by more than three times compared to January 2016 (9,808). 
  • 17,077 (16%) patients waited eight hours or more in Emergency Departments. 
  • The proportion waiting this long has increased by 2% compared to the previous month, December 2023 and has increased by 2.3% compared to the previous year, January 2023. 
  • The numbers waiting more than eight hours is almost 13 times those in January 2016 (1,338). 
  • 8,402 (8%) of patients waited twelve hours or more in Emergency Departments  
  • This is the largest amount for any January since records began. 
  • The proportion waiting this long has increased by almost 1% compared to December last year and has increased by more than 1% compared to January 2023. 
  • The numbers waiting more than 12 hours is 36 times those in January 2016 (232). 
  • There were 1,866 beds occupied due to delayed discharges, an increase of 53 compared to December 2023. 

Reduced working week for healthcare staff

Implementation of Agenda for Change recommendations

NHS Agenda for Change staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – will see a reduction of 30 minutes in their working week from 1st April this year.

The move follows a recommendation from a working group set up to implement a previous commitment to cut the number of working hours as part of the 2023/24 pay deal. It is one of a number of measures to modernise the NHS Scotland Agenda for Change system and has been agreed with trade unions.

If, due to service pressures, safe staffing or wellbeing issues, it is not possible for a staff member to receive their 30 minute reduction they will be recompensed accordingly, until such times as the reduction can be accommodated.

Other measures agreed include:

  • a consistent approach to Protected Learning Time across all NHS Scotland Boards, and
  • a defined process for undertaking a review of Band 5 nursing roles with any Band 5 nurse able to self-apply for a review of their role if they believe they meet the criteria. 

The changes will support NHS Scotland workforce recruitment, sustainability and retention.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Our Agenda for Change system recognises the value, dedication and hard work of our staff and makes NHS Scotland an employer of choice. 

“We expect NHS Boards to work in partnership with trade unions and staff to reduce the working week. This presents an opportunity to modernise how staff are rostered and work, ensuring that NHS Scotland is a leader in flexible and family friendly working practices.

“I am grateful to both Trade Union and Employer representatives for working in partnership with us to develop these reforms to help modernise our service.”

New report shows patients value NHS diagnostic services but face barriers to access

UK patients want better access to early and accurate diagnosis of health problems, according to new survey data from the Patients Association.

Many patients would consider paying to get tests done privately if they faced a long wait for NHS tests.

  • Nine in ten (90%) of UK patients say it should be more straightforward to get the diagnostic tests they need
  • Three in five (60%) said they would be willing to pay to get a test done if they faced a long wait, or the test they needed was not available
  • More than three in five (61%) believed being able to test at home could help speed up diagnosis
  • Patients want to know how to get the tests they need, why they are having them, and when they can expect results.

The survey, undertaken in partnership with Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland, represents the views of more than 1,000 patients from across the UK, who had received diagnostic support from the NHS in the preceding six months.

Nine out of ten (90%) of the people who completed the survey said it should be easier to obtain access to the diagnostic tests they need. They also wanted:

  • Better understanding of why they were being sent for a test
  • Increased speed and urgency
  • Improved access
  • A greater sense of empowerment when it comes to diagnostic tests, results, and subsequent treatment and care.

Access challenges

The findings demonstrated several challenges experienced by patients in gaining access to diagnostic tests.

  • One-third of respondents (33%) said when they tried to get a test, they found there were no appointments available locally. This reflects national data on the large numbers of patients unable to access diagnostic tests and services, even before consideration is given to any waiting lists for any treatment they may need.
  • Almost four in five (78%) patients felt testing facilities should be provided closer to patients’ homes to make access easier
  • Seven in ten (70%) wanted a clearer understanding of how to access tests. Some respondents highlighted that services are sometimes not available as advertised.

Speed and urgency of access to testing was another significant problem identified by survey. Only one in ten (11%) of respondent said they have never had any issues getting either a test or their results, or faced no consequences if they did.

For those living with long-term conditions, delays and difficulties in accessing diagnosis have had significant consequences. Nearly one in five (17%) respondents said their long-term recovery was set back significantly.

Many more reported consequences for their mental and physical health, and their wider work and family life.

Respondents were also unhappy about a lack of access to, and clear explanation of, test results. Almost nine in ten (88%) patients wanted a realistic timeline for their test results to come through and a similar number (87%) called for a better explanation of what those results meant for them and their treatment.

Patient-created solutions

The survey discovered patients are finding ways around the challenges they faced. For example, when asked whether they would be willing to pay to get a test done privately if they faced a long wait or if the test they needed was not available on the NHS, three in five (60%) of respondents said they would. This included patients who did not consider themselves to be ‘rich’.

The finding that so many patients would consider paying for tests shows the importance they place on getting a timely and accurate diagnosis, even if they had to pay.

Sustainable solutions

The survey’s results show many patients have a clear view on how diagnostic services in the UK could be improved.

Being able to test at home was seen as one way to make services more accessible. Nearly two thirds (61%) of respondents believed expanding opportunities to test at home could help speed up diagnosis.

When asked about specific examples, the numbers were even higher, perhaps building on our collective experience of testing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than three quarters (77%) said they would be happy to test themselves at home.

Investing in diagnostics and new technology was supported by most respondents. For example, more than half (57%) the respondents felt the use of new technology such as artificial intelligence could speed up diagnosis and reduce pressures on the NHS – an important factor since nearly one-third (29%) said they delayed seeking tests to avoid wasting NHS time and resources.

Looking to the future

Almost nine in ten (86%) felt testing and diagnosing conditions more quickly would help reduce the NHS backlog. While patients want to feel more empowered in taking charge of their own health, they are also keen that solutions are sought to support NHS efficiency and sustainability in the longer-term.

Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patient Association, says: “Patients value diagnostic services – that’s very clear from the survey. Frustrations about access to tests came over loud and clear.

“Those taking the survey clearly value being partners in their care. And to partner with the professionals sending them for tests, patients need and want clear communication on how to get tests, why they need a test, and when they’ll get results. Healthcare professionals can improve patient-centred care when ordering diagnostic tests by explaining how, why and when.”

Geoff Twist, Managing Director, Roche Diagnostics, UK & Ireland says: “Tests that detect or diagnose disease early, or in some cases prevent it altogether, can play a vital role in the patient journey, and in helping the health system work efficiently.

“This report shows that patients themselves see and understand the importance of diagnostic tests, and that they will proactively seek them out to find the answers they need about their health.

“The message is clear. But to realise this we need a renewed policy focus, setting out how we can speed up getting existing diagnostic tests and innovations to the people who need them. Prioritising diagnostic services can help to relieve some of the pressure on our NHS today and protect it for generations to come.”

Download Patient Experience of Diagnostics Report

Winter pressures on health and social care

Health Secretary Michael Matheson met frontline A&E staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Paisley today to see first-hand how services are coping with peak winter demand.

Mr Matheson thanked teams for their ongoing efforts and met RAH staff working to keep the flow of patients moving through the hospital to help reduce pressures building up in the emergency department, and avoid people being delayed in hospital longer than necessary.  

With hospitals across the country remaining extremely busy, Mr Matheson thanked the public for continuing to do their part to help ease pressure on A&E by considering if their condition is an emergency before attending.

Mr Matheson said: “Our health and care services are now dealing with peak winter demand. There is no doubt the situation remains very challenging so I am extremely grateful to all our highly skilled and committed NHS and social care staff for their continued hard work and dedication.

“The public have really played their part so far, by considering whether their condition is an emergency before going to A&E. To help relieve pressure on services it’s vital everyone continues to do that. Local GPs and pharmacies can be contacted during the day for non-critical care, NHS 24 is also available on 111 for non-emergencies, and the NHS Inform website is an invaluable resource.

“However, let me be clear – urgent care will always be available for those who need it. If someone needs emergency care they should call 999 or go straight to A&E.

“The NHS 24 service dealt with significant demand over Christmas and New Year and, although very challenging, the system handled the large volume of calls very well, which was down to all those involved in the implementation of months of pre-winter planning, which started in spring, to ensure services were available to those in need.

“I am especially grateful to those across health and social care who sacrificed their time and worked over the bank holidays.”

Mr Matheson remains under investigation by the Scottish Parliament’s Corporate Body over his explanation of £11,000 data roaming costs on his parliamentary i-Pad incurred during a family holiday.

NHS Greater Greater Glasgow & Clyde launches Home for Lunch initiative

As winter poses increasing demand on our healthcare system, NHSGGC is encouraging family members to help get their loved ones ‘Home for Lunch’. 
 
Almost all patients that are ready to go home are discharged on the same day, but a number remain in hospital causing flow issues throughout the health care system. 
 
Doctors are reminding families of patients who are ready to be discharged to help make the required arrangements to get them back to their own home or care setting, at the earliest opportunity. 
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ward staff and discharge teams work in parallel to create pathways for families to ensure that, when their loved ones are healthy enough to return home, they are supported in doing so.
 
As part of NHSGGC’s ABC winter campaign, the health board are attempting to ease pressure on our services and staff from the emergency department, through to patients being discharged. 
 
Dr Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services, said: “Winter places increasing demands on our health care services and families play an important role in helping to ease those pressures. 
 
“Our staff are working extremely hard to ensure we provide the best possible care for our patients and we are looking for your help to get loved ones home at the earliest opportunity. 
 
“We do not want patients spending any longer than they need to within our hospitals and want people to be in the comfort of their own home, without the risks associated with lengthy hospital stays. 
 
“I would like to thank families and members of the public who are doing their best to support our patients and staff as we continue to tackle winter pressures.” 

NHS: Right Care, Right Place

If you’re looking for health advice this Hogmanay, please read this important information: 📢

The 111 service is very busy today with almost 5000 calls already. This may mean a longer wait than usual for calls to be answered. Some mobile providers disconnect calls due to network capacity demand.

Here’s what you can do to help yourself, save time and help us care for those in the most need first.

💊If your call is related to medicines please visit https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines

Whether it is prescribed or non-prescribed medication, our guide to accessing medication can save you time. You might not need to call 111.

🤧If you need general advice about seasonal ailments remember we have a lot of information on NHS inform, including a range of symptom checkers which you can use to help you decide what to do next: https://nhs24.info/symptom-checkers

📱The NHS 24 Online app also has handy health advice and can help you source your nearest open healthcare services, including pharmacies. The app is free to download on both iOS and Android devices. https://nhs24.info/NHS-24-Online

✔️By using NHS resources wisely, we can keep well and get the care we need quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

Find out more about how to access the #RightCareRightPlace:

https://nhs24.info/RightCareRightPlace

If you are using a mobile phone to call please switch to WiFi calling and ensure your device is charged. This should help to prevent your call being disconnected by a network provider.

NHS 24’s staff are working exceptionally hard to answer as many calls as we can, quickly and safely. Please be patient and we will answer. If you can try the above options first, it could save you time. We want to help you get the right care, in the right place. 💙