Latest news with #DepartmentForHealth
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Every baby in England will get new health test under £650million NHS plan
EVERY newborn baby in England will receive a fresh health test following a hefty £650million investment. The scheme will see babies' DNA mapped in order to assess their risk of contracting hundreds of diseases. 1 More than half a billion pounds will be pumped into the move, The Telegraph reported. Gene technology will be instrumental in "leapfrogging disease, so we're in front of it rather than reacting to it", Health Secretary Wes Streeting said. The tests will sequence newborn's DNA by extracting blood samples from their umbilical cords shortly after they have been born. The move is part of a 10-year health plan, due to be published early next month, which will put an emphasis on personalised medicine. It is hoped that the change will catalyse the end of blanket screening for issues including high cholesterol and blood pressure after the problem has become entrenched in patients. The Department for Health and Social Care said that genomics - the study of genes - and AI would be used to "revolutionise prevention" and provide faster diagnoses and an "early warning signal for disease". Mr Streeting said: 'The revolution in medical science means that we can transform the NHS over the coming decade, from a service which diagnoses and treats ill health, to one that predicts and prevents it. 'Genomics presents us with the opportunity to leapfrog disease, so we're in front of it rather than reacting to it. 'With the power of this new technology, patients will be able to receive personalised health care to prevent ill health before symptoms begin, reducing the pressure on NHS services and helping people live longer, healthier lives. 'Our 10-year plan will build on the founding promise of the NHS, so that it provides health care free at the point of risk, not just need.' Mum shares heartbreaking photo of baby boy fighting for life as a warning - after she found him coughing and drooling It comes after hospitals began screening of newborn babies for genetic illnesses in a world-first NHS study last year. Thirteen clinics in England now carry out blood tests on more than 500 infants, ahead of plans to roll it out to 40 hospitals nationwide. Heel-prick tests check for nine rare but serious illnesses. The new DNA study aims to identify 200 more. NHS chief exec Amanda Pritchard said: 'If we can diagnose and treat children for rare genetic conditions years earlier, we have the power to help stop debilitating conditions. "This will be life-changing for families.' Plus, a new test could detect prostate cancer in 15 minutes or less, experts have claimed. The 'breakthrough' blood test was able to diagnose men with prostate cancer with 90 per cent accuracy in a new study. Scientists from Aston University, Birmingham, developed a new method that analyses crystal-like structures in dehydrated blood. Professor Igor Meglinski said the non-invasive technique can detect prostate cancer before symptoms appear with up to 90 per cent accuracy. "This breakthrough opens new avenues for cancer diagnosis and monitoring, representing a substantial leap forward in personalised medicine and oncology," he said.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Morrisons & Sainsbury's told to make major change to stores as government warns supermarkets ‘stop promoting' product
SAINSBURY'S and Morrisons have received a stern warning from the government in relation to a popular product. The two major chains have been instructed to stop 'promoting' the item as they could be in breach of the law. 2 2 According to the BBC, the two supermarkets received a letter instructing them to remove any adverts which displayed heated tobacco products. Heated tobacco differs from cigarettes and vapes as it uses an electrical current to directly warm up the tobacco. This produces a vapour which can be inhaled. Smoking advertisements were banned in 2002 by the then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. The ban covered any products which could be "smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed". Since the heated tobacco products produce a vapour - not a smoke - advertising laws are much murkier. Speaking about the letter, a spokesperson for Sainsbury's said: 'We offer a range of age-restricted products under our strict Think25 policy, including this heated tobacco device which is advertised. 'This is an alternative to cigarettes and is fully compliant with current legislation. We recognise the deeply complex and emotive nature of this topic. 'We remain in close contact with the Government and industry partners and are planning our transition to ensure we also comply with planned incoming legislation." A spokesperson for Morrisons said: "We only received a letter at the end of May. "We are just in the process of reviewing it and will respond back to the Department for Health and Social Care in due course." The Department of Social Care have been approached for comment by The Sun. Starmer CONFIRMS smoking ban plan with cigarettes to be banished from pub gardens Previously, a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson told the BBC: "In May, we wrote to supermarkets reiterating that the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002… applies to all tobacco products currently on the market, and formally requested they stop advertising and promoting heated tobacco products in stores. "All tobacco products are harmful to health." The proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill will tighten existing advertisement laws and has received the backing of prominent Labour politicians, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Baroness Meron. So far, the bill has passed in the House of Commons and awaits the approval of the House of Lords. Another key component of the bill is a proposed ban on the sale of tobacco to people born on or after 1 January 2009. It is hoped that this will create a "smokefree generation', driving down cancer rates and other health problems. The move was aimed to prevent young people from buying the single-use devices and becoming addicted to tobacco. Traders who continue selling the product face a £200 fine and repeat offenders face prison time.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Four London hospitals to get state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines, ministers announce
Cutting-edge radiotherapy machines will be rolled out in 28 hospitals across England, four of those being based in London to speed up cancer treatment, ministers have announced. A £70 million Government investment will see linear accelerator (Linac) machines rolled out at hospitals across the nation from August. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new technology would "free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time". The Linac machines are being prioritised in hospitals where existing machinery is over a decade old. The latest technology is safer for patients than older radiotherapy machines, and can more closely target tumours and cause less damage to health tissue. The machines are particularly effective with harder to reach areas of the body, like the chest and pelvis. READ MORE: High cholesterol doctor shares three 'smell symptoms' which are 'early red flags' READ MORE: 'I'm a doctor - weight loss jabs like Mounjaro can come with 3 big side effects' The Department for Health and Social Care claims the new Linac machines could reduce the number of hospital visits patients have to make for radiotherapy treatment. It says that by March 2027, up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62-days of referral. Mr Streeting said: "There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients. But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of under-investment under the previous government. "Thanks to the investment this Government is making in our NHS, we will provide more cancer patients with world-class, cutting-edge care." He added: "By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time. As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our plan for change." NHS national clinical director for cancer Professor Peter Johnson said: "Radiotherapy is essential for many cancer patients, so it's great news that the investment in new machines means that some will need fewer rounds of treatment, as we bring in more sophisticated techniques. These machines will deliver more precise treatment for patients, which helps them to recover sooner, as well as enabling the NHS to treat people more efficiently as we continue in our efforts to catch and treat more cancers faster." Charity Macmillan Cancer described the announcement as an "exciting step forward for cancer treatment in England". Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at the charity, added: "Many people across the country are facing long delays for care but today proves that better is possible. "Investment in cutting-edge technology is essential to bring down waiting times and help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are." Shadow health secretary Edward Argar said: "This capital investment in new radiotherapy machines should be welcomed by everyone. It builds on previous investment in diagnostics by the previous Conservative government, with upgrades to provide more state-of-the-art new CT and MRI scanners. Today's announcement mirrors this in treatments, with new equipment to improve access to radiotherapy after diagnosis. "But ensuring an early diagnosis remains key to tackling cancer, being able to access the treatment these machines can provide, and to getting better outcomes for patients, so alongside investment in new kit, it is vital the Government reinstates the early cancer diagnosis targets they dropped recently." The 28 hospital trusts receiving an upgraded scanner are: – Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust – Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust – United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust – University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust – Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust – Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust – Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust – Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust – Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust – University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust – South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – The Christie NHS Foundation Trust – Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust – Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust – The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust – University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust – Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust – University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Barts Health NHS Trust – Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Looking for more from MyLondon? 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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
28 hospitals to get state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines, ministers announce
Cutting-edge radiotherapy machines will be rolled out in 28 hospitals across England to speed up cancer treatment, ministers have announced. A £70 million Government investment will see linear accelerator (Linac) machines rolled out at hospitals across the nation from August. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new technology would 'free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time'. The Linac machines are being prioritised in hospitals where existing machinery is over a decade old. The latest technology is safer for patients than older radiotherapy machines, and can more closely target tumours and cause less damage to health tissue. The machines are particularly effective with harder to reach areas of the body, like the chest and pelvis. The Department for Health and Social Care claims the new Linac machines could reduce the number of hospital visits patients have to make for radiotherapy treatment. It says that by March 2027, up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62-days of referral. Mr Streeting said: 'There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients. 'But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of under-investment under the previous government. 'Thanks to the investment this Government is making in our NHS, we will provide more cancer patients with world-class, cutting-edge care.' He added: 'By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time. 'As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. 'These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our plan for change.' NHS national clinical director for cancer Professor Peter Johnson said: 'Radiotherapy is essential for many cancer patients, so it's great news that the investment in new machines means that some will need fewer rounds of treatment, as we bring in more sophisticated techniques. 'These machines will deliver more precise treatment for patients, which helps them to recover sooner, as well as enabling the NHS to treat people more efficiently as we continue in our efforts to catch and treat more cancers faster.' Charity Macmillan Cancer described the announcement as an 'exciting step forward for cancer treatment in England'. Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at the charity, added: 'Many people across the country are facing long delays for care but today proves that better is possible. 'Investment in cutting-edge technology is essential to bring down waiting times and help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.' Shadow health secretary Edward Argar said: 'This capital investment in new radiotherapy machines should be welcomed by everyone. 'It builds on previous investment in diagnostics by the previous Conservative government, with upgrades to provide more state-of-the-art new CT and MRI scanners. Today's announcement mirrors this in treatments, with new equipment to improve access to radiotherapy after diagnosis. 'But ensuring an early diagnosis remains key to tackling cancer, being able to access the treatment these machines can provide, and to getting better outcomes for patients, so alongside investment in new kit, it is vital the Government reinstates the early cancer diagnosis targets they dropped recently.' The 28 hospital trusts receiving an upgraded scanner are: – Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust– Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust– United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust– University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust– Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust– Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust– Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust– Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust– Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust– Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust– Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust– University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust– South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– The Christie NHS Foundation Trust– Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust– Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust– The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust– University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust– Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust– University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust– Barts Health NHS Trust– Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Woman with autism left 'scarred' by secure hospital detention
A woman with autism who was repeatedly detained in secure hospitals as a teenager has said proposed changes to a mental health law do not go far enough. Lucy Bowerman, from Witney, Oxfordshire, said being sectioned at 12 years old, before being diagnosed with autism, left her mentally "scarred".She is part of a campaign that has called for an end to the detention of people with autism or learning difficulties. The Department for Health and Social care said its "proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act [would] ensure people get the support they need in the community". Miss Bowerman told BBC Radio Oxford's Sophie Law she was first sectioned after suffering from "autistic burnout" and attempting to take her own life. "I had a feeling they saw that as depression at the time, whereas we realise now that I was just very, very deep into autistic burnout and struggling to cope," she said. "[Secure hospitals] weren't very pleasant places to be. I was only 12 and most of the other patients were 15 or 16 plus. "That was quite scary being surrounded by some very, very unwell people at such a young age."Miss Bowerman is co-chair of Oxfordshire charity My Life My Choice, which is run by people with learning disabilities. The group took part in a protest in Westminster in April against proposed changes in the government's Mental Health government wants to change the law so that disabled and autistic people cannot be detained under the act in most circumstances, unless they have a co-occurring mental health disorder. 'Justice for my younger self' Miss Bowerman said the changes do not go far enough and more support should be available in the community so people can live in "good homes".She said: "The reason I'm involved... is partly to get justice for my younger self, who shouldn't have been put through what I was put through. "But most importantly, for the people who are still locked up in these places because this should not be happening in this day and age."In December the BBC reported that the current wait for people seeking a diagnosis for autism in Oxfordshire is 18 years. Miss Bowerman said: "If we're unable to effectively diagnose people and support them, there are going to be more people ending up in burnout... and ending up in these institutions."A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The number of autistic people and people with a learning disability in mental health hospitals is unacceptable."Through our proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act, we will ensure people get the support they need in the community, closer to home, improving care and keeping people out of hospitals."We welcome stakeholders' contributions, including through the public consultation, and will engage further as the bill progresses through Parliament." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
