This week junior doctors, GP safety ratings and mental health have dominated the news.
Two junior doctors left to care for 436 patients – staff shortages reaching dangerous levels
A safety report from Derriford Hospital in Plymouth detailed how two junior doctors were left to cover 436 patients during a night shift as staff shortages in the NHS reach a critical high. The doctors in the hospital were “dangerously overworked”, which put patients at risk. Read more on The Telegraph.
CQC finds one in seven GP practices in England is failing on safety
One in seven GP practices, treating approximately seven million patients have been rated ‘inadequate’ or ‘requiring improvement’ by the CQC. The report also revealed regional disparities with London having the highest rate of failing practices – 17 per cent, whereas the north east found 98 per cent of their practices rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. Read more on The Guardian.
A quarter of 14-year-old girls are showing signs of depression
The University College London Institute for Education has released a report detailing that one in four 14-year-olds are depressed. The results show 24 per cent of girls and nine per cent of boys scored highly in a questionnaire used to screen for depression. A similar study done with children born ten years earlier found fewer children identified as depressed, with 12 per cent of girls and five per cent of boys having symptoms of depression. Read more on The Times (£).
Legal permission no longer required to end care for patients in vegetative state
Mr Justice Jackson, from the Court of Protection made a landmark ruling in a case of a 50-year-old woman, with a degenerative disease who had not shown signs of awareness in 18 months. The judge ruled legal permission should not be needed where doctors and family members agree withdrawing care for a patient is in their best interest. Read more on the BBC.
Scientists invent jab to deliver multiple vaccines together
New technology has been discovered by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which could allow doctors to deliver every childhood vaccination in one single injection. The scientists have completed successful tests on mice and are have created micro-capsules which deliver the different vaccines together. Read more on the Independent.
Quote of the week – Dr Vinod Diwakar on working in London’s NHS in the aftermath of the London Bridge attack
“The system was tested in these incidents, and many have commended the NHS for how it responded. Everyone came together as needed: from our doctors, nurses and the ambulance service, to those working in blood transfusion services and those who provide equipment and supplies. I continue to be proud to be part of London’s resilient and extraordinary NHS.”– Read more on The Guardian