Plans for new health services in Ayrshire have been put on hold in order to retain an accident and emergency unit, BBC Scotland reports.
Last month, Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon MSP overturned her predecessor's decision to close the units at Ayr Hospital and Monklands in Lanarkshire.
But due to shortfalls of public funds, this means that a new cancer centre based at Ayr is among the proposed services being suspended.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran had also planned community casualty units at Girvan, Cumnock and Irvine.
The decision to keep Ayr and Monklands A&E units open was one of the first announcements made by Ms Sturgeon when she became health secretary.
Gavin Tate, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, said he was worried that health services in Ayrshire and Arran would suffer.
"The problem will be that the health board may well, if required to maintain two full A&E departments, be unable to fulfil the other extensive plans for the improvement in cancer services, eye services, local community casualty units and other significant developments." said Mr Tate.
While responsibility for Scotland's health service has been devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and the allocation of funds is no longer decided in Whitehall, Westminster MPs for Ayr do still bear responsibility for how much public money is available to the Scottish Executive.
Clearly if planned NHS improvements are having to be abandoned to keep basic A&E services open in Ayr, then local MPs who vote to waste vast sums of public money by gifting it to the audit-failing EU will get the blame for that money not being available to improve local health services instead.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Pain relief drug ruled too costly for the NHS
Thousands of arthritis sufferers will be denied treatment with proven benefits by a decision not to pay for a new drug, reports The Times today.
In another example of how the extra £2.5bn a year that the government has unjustifiably pledged to the EU could be used to help those who need it most - rather than handed to an organisation that has failed its audit for twelve years in a row - the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is to recommend that the new drug Abtacept (Orencia) does not represent "value for money".
Yet the drug has been shown to improve dramatically the severest symptoms of arthritis in almost half of patients.
Its manufacturer, Bristol Myers Squibb, estimated in its application to NICE that around 3,500 patients a year would benefit. But other studies show that around 12,000 patients could potentially benefit.
Published data shows that in trials Abatacept produced a 50% reduction in symptoms in about 40% of the patients who used it in conjunction with an older drug, methotrexate.
Though the cost would be about £9,300 a year on average, all of those treated would be sufferers who had already been treated unsuccessfully with anti-TNF drugs, which are equally expensive.
Ailsa Bosworth, chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society said, “This is extremely bad news for people living with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
“Denying patients the option of Abatacept leaves some of them with the unacceptable choices of being put back on to treatments they have already failed on, palliative care or taking large doses of steroids, which have unacceptable side-effects over the long term.”
A NICE spokesman said: “Having examined cost-effectiveness analyses on the drug against a range of comparators, the committee concluded that Abatacept could not be considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources.”
The problems of balancing drug costs against benefits have led a growing number of patients who are denied treatments to resort to legal action.
Undoubtedly, any MPs who approve this blatant waste of public money by voting in favour of the European Communities (Finance) Bill when it comes before Parliament in the next session will forfeit any claim to be supporting the development of a modern, effective health service.
In another example of how the extra £2.5bn a year that the government has unjustifiably pledged to the EU could be used to help those who need it most - rather than handed to an organisation that has failed its audit for twelve years in a row - the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is to recommend that the new drug Abtacept (Orencia) does not represent "value for money".
Yet the drug has been shown to improve dramatically the severest symptoms of arthritis in almost half of patients.
Its manufacturer, Bristol Myers Squibb, estimated in its application to NICE that around 3,500 patients a year would benefit. But other studies show that around 12,000 patients could potentially benefit.
Published data shows that in trials Abatacept produced a 50% reduction in symptoms in about 40% of the patients who used it in conjunction with an older drug, methotrexate.
Though the cost would be about £9,300 a year on average, all of those treated would be sufferers who had already been treated unsuccessfully with anti-TNF drugs, which are equally expensive.
Ailsa Bosworth, chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society said, “This is extremely bad news for people living with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
“Denying patients the option of Abatacept leaves some of them with the unacceptable choices of being put back on to treatments they have already failed on, palliative care or taking large doses of steroids, which have unacceptable side-effects over the long term.”
A NICE spokesman said: “Having examined cost-effectiveness analyses on the drug against a range of comparators, the committee concluded that Abatacept could not be considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources.”
The problems of balancing drug costs against benefits have led a growing number of patients who are denied treatments to resort to legal action.
Undoubtedly, any MPs who approve this blatant waste of public money by voting in favour of the European Communities (Finance) Bill when it comes before Parliament in the next session will forfeit any claim to be supporting the development of a modern, effective health service.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
UK 'fails child cancer patients'
Survival rates for child cancer are worse in the UK than on mainland Europe, the BBC reports today, highlighting that more investment is required to improve treatment.
A study in Lancet Oncology highlighted the fact that diagnosis for some types of cancer is three times more likely in Germany than the UK.
The paper highlighted trials carried out on Wilm's tumour - a common childhood tumour - in Germany.
It showed that, between 1994 and 2001, 27.4% of patients had a cancer that was first identified during a visit to a health professional for an unrelated problem, or by routine surveillance.
By comparison, in the UK, just 11% of patients presenting to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and 4% of patients referred to the Newcastle Hospital or the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle were identified.
Professor Alan Craft, of the University of Newcastle, said child cancer was a low priority for the NHS, and called for urgent reforms.
He recommended routine surveillance of children as standard across the UK and that health visitors needed to be more aware of the symptoms of cancer.
He also believes that children in the UK have been receiving a different treatment protocol from those in Europe, possibly involving first-line treatment or less-intensive treatment during relapse.
Professor Craft said: "Waiting lists and hospital beds keep chief executives awake at night, but I don't think the health of children does."
A study in Lancet Oncology highlighted the fact that diagnosis for some types of cancer is three times more likely in Germany than the UK.
The paper highlighted trials carried out on Wilm's tumour - a common childhood tumour - in Germany.
It showed that, between 1994 and 2001, 27.4% of patients had a cancer that was first identified during a visit to a health professional for an unrelated problem, or by routine surveillance.
By comparison, in the UK, just 11% of patients presenting to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and 4% of patients referred to the Newcastle Hospital or the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle were identified.
Professor Alan Craft, of the University of Newcastle, said child cancer was a low priority for the NHS, and called for urgent reforms.
He recommended routine surveillance of children as standard across the UK and that health visitors needed to be more aware of the symptoms of cancer.
He also believes that children in the UK have been receiving a different treatment protocol from those in Europe, possibly involving first-line treatment or less-intensive treatment during relapse.
Professor Craft said: "Waiting lists and hospital beds keep chief executives awake at night, but I don't think the health of children does."
Saturday, 28 July 2007
Police in strike action threat
A long-running pay dispute could force London police officers to demand the right to strike, a union has warned - according to the BBC.
The Metropolitan Police Federation, representing 30,000 officers in the capital, said a Government-proposed deal means "pay cuts in real terms".
Chairman Glen Smyth said other Police Federation branches around the country were also "simmering with outrage".
The Home Office said the issue would now go to arbitration or conciliation.
Mr Smyth said: "If they continue to treat us in this cavalier fashion and this offhand way, they can expect we will challenge our ability to take industrial action."
He added that the Government's stance was a "real slap in the face".
He said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith should not think police officers would "swallow the insult" of being told their pay claims would not be met because "the Government doesn't think that their professionalism, dedication and often downright bravery is worth very much".
He added that if the dispute continued police officers would consider overturning their ban on striking.
The current pay agreement, dating from 1979, grants rank-and-file police officers index-linked increases based on pay awards to other public-sector workers, in compensation for the fact that police officers are banned from going on strike.
But the official side of the Police Negotiating Board - which represents the Home Office and police chiefs - has been trying to renegotiate the agreement.
The Metropolitan Police Federation, representing 30,000 officers in the capital, said a Government-proposed deal means "pay cuts in real terms".
Chairman Glen Smyth said other Police Federation branches around the country were also "simmering with outrage".
The Home Office said the issue would now go to arbitration or conciliation.
Mr Smyth said: "If they continue to treat us in this cavalier fashion and this offhand way, they can expect we will challenge our ability to take industrial action."
He added that the Government's stance was a "real slap in the face".
He said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith should not think police officers would "swallow the insult" of being told their pay claims would not be met because "the Government doesn't think that their professionalism, dedication and often downright bravery is worth very much".
He added that if the dispute continued police officers would consider overturning their ban on striking.
The current pay agreement, dating from 1979, grants rank-and-file police officers index-linked increases based on pay awards to other public-sector workers, in compensation for the fact that police officers are banned from going on strike.
But the official side of the Police Negotiating Board - which represents the Home Office and police chiefs - has been trying to renegotiate the agreement.
Friday, 27 July 2007
Gloucestershire: Flood costs 'could exceed £50m'
Early estimates of the cost to Gloucestershire of the recent flooding could exceed £50m, the county council has said - according to the BBC.
This includes the cost of responding to the emergency, managing the aftermath, repairs to property, infrastructure and the local economy.
Council workers have started the task of checking road surfaces, footpaths, bridges and street lighting for damage.
It is believed more than 100 sites will need significant repairs.
The cost of repairing the county's roads is estimated at £25m. The council has said the total cost could be as much as its yearly road maintenance bill.
This includes the cost of responding to the emergency, managing the aftermath, repairs to property, infrastructure and the local economy.
Council workers have started the task of checking road surfaces, footpaths, bridges and street lighting for damage.
It is believed more than 100 sites will need significant repairs.
The cost of repairing the county's roads is estimated at £25m. The council has said the total cost could be as much as its yearly road maintenance bill.
Bridlington: Axe falls on mental health wards
A mental health ward is to close at Bridlington Hospital within weeks, and a second could close in three years - reports the BBC.
The Humber Mental Health NHS Trust said it was planning to treat more patients in their homes.
Mick Pilling, who is leading a campaign to save the hospital, said it was "another nail in the coffin, another much-needed service gone."
Last November it emerged the hospital's maternity unit is to close as the local NHS trust tackles £7m of overspending.
Hospital bosses had said mothers-to-be in the town would be encouraged to opt for home births.
Now officials at the mental health trust, which runs the threatened Waters Ward in Bridlington, said home treatment for older patients would replace in-patient services.
They said the Waters Ward would close in the autumn, with beds transferring to Castle Hill Hospital at Cottingham, near Hull.
Officials said that either the Buckrose Ward at the hospital or Bartholomew House at Goole would also close, probably within three to five years.
Mr Pilling added: "Waters Ward will close in the autumn and be taken to Castle Hill by all accounts.
The mental health trust said some patients would eventually be treated at a new facility to be built in the East Riding.
The mental health trust is part of the bigger Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust which earlier this month announced it was to axe 600 jobs - a third of its workforce - at two Yorkshire hospitals.
The trust, which runs hospitals in Scarborough and Bridlington, plans to close wards and reduce non-clinical support services to save £15m.
Union officials had said the cuts would have a "devastating" impact on patients.
The trust's chief executive, Iain McInnes, said the trust needed to work "more efficiently, with fewer positions".
The Humber Mental Health NHS Trust said it was planning to treat more patients in their homes.
Mick Pilling, who is leading a campaign to save the hospital, said it was "another nail in the coffin, another much-needed service gone."
Last November it emerged the hospital's maternity unit is to close as the local NHS trust tackles £7m of overspending.
Hospital bosses had said mothers-to-be in the town would be encouraged to opt for home births.
Now officials at the mental health trust, which runs the threatened Waters Ward in Bridlington, said home treatment for older patients would replace in-patient services.
They said the Waters Ward would close in the autumn, with beds transferring to Castle Hill Hospital at Cottingham, near Hull.
Officials said that either the Buckrose Ward at the hospital or Bartholomew House at Goole would also close, probably within three to five years.
Mr Pilling added: "Waters Ward will close in the autumn and be taken to Castle Hill by all accounts.
The mental health trust said some patients would eventually be treated at a new facility to be built in the East Riding.
The mental health trust is part of the bigger Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust which earlier this month announced it was to axe 600 jobs - a third of its workforce - at two Yorkshire hospitals.
The trust, which runs hospitals in Scarborough and Bridlington, plans to close wards and reduce non-clinical support services to save £15m.
Union officials had said the cuts would have a "devastating" impact on patients.
The trust's chief executive, Iain McInnes, said the trust needed to work "more efficiently, with fewer positions".
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Thursday, 26 July 2007
Battersea: Battle to overturn "flawed" hospital closure
Wandsworth councillors are expected to meet tonight in a bid to block NHS plans to close Battersea's Bolingbroke Hospital - reports Your Local Guardian.
The council's health scrutiny committee is expected to refer the planned closure to Health Secretary Alan Johnson urging him to keep Bolingbroke open.
Referring the case to Mr Johnson would provide at least a temporary reprieve for Bolingbroke after bosses at Wandsworth Primary Care Trust and St George's Healthcare Trust decided to shut the hospital earlier this month.
Committee chairman Ian Hart said the decision to close the 104-year-old hospital was taken in the face of massive public opposition.
The council is expected to call on Mr Johnson to reverse the flawed decision by the two NHS trusts because health chiefs have not adequately responded to the deep concerns expressed by the committee.
"We will be calling on Mr Johnson to overturn this unpopular and illogical decision," Coun Hart said.
The council's health scrutiny committee is expected to refer the planned closure to Health Secretary Alan Johnson urging him to keep Bolingbroke open.
Referring the case to Mr Johnson would provide at least a temporary reprieve for Bolingbroke after bosses at Wandsworth Primary Care Trust and St George's Healthcare Trust decided to shut the hospital earlier this month.
Committee chairman Ian Hart said the decision to close the 104-year-old hospital was taken in the face of massive public opposition.
The council is expected to call on Mr Johnson to reverse the flawed decision by the two NHS trusts because health chiefs have not adequately responded to the deep concerns expressed by the committee.
"We will be calling on Mr Johnson to overturn this unpopular and illogical decision," Coun Hart said.
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