Third of hospitals hit capacity over winter, figures show
Almost a third of NHS hospitals in England hit maximum capacity at least once this winter, figures show.
Health
Specialist prescribing of all mental health drugs impossible: senior medic
It would be impossible to have all medications for mental health problems prescribed by a specialist, a senior doctor has said.
Cancer trial making ‘real changes’ to survival rates for patients
A pancreatic cancer trial that aims to match patients with more targeted and effective treatments for their tumours has recruited its 100th patient.
Use technology to reduce loneliness among older people, report suggests
GPs and health service practitioners should be able to prescribe technology such as wearable devices and monitoring systems to tackle loneliness among older people, a report has recommended.
Potent cannabis strongly linked to psychosis
Smoking potent forms of cannabis greatly increases the risk of serious mental illness, a major study has found.
Private companies should pay towards medical cannabis trials, health chiefs say
Private companies should pay for trials into medical cannabis because they stand to make the profits, England’s top doctor has said.
Coffee compounds may slow growth of advanced prostate cancer – study
Compounds found in coffee may combat drug-resistant prostate cancer, research suggests.
Long-serving veterans live longer, study suggests
Veterans who have served for a long time in the armed forces are more likely to live longer, according to a new study.
Cancer patients could suffer ‘due to lack of consultants’
A desperate shortage of clinical oncologists in the NHS is likely to have a detrimental impact on cancer patients, a report has warned.
Retired doctors to return to work to boost rural hospital staff
A new drive has been launched to encourage recently retired doctors to return to work to help services in rural areas which struggle to recruit.
Children’s ward to reopen in ‘important milestone’
A children’s hospital ward which has been closed for almost two years is due to reopen to inpatients in what has been described as an “important milestone”.
Legislation will protect Scots who access healthcare in Europe – Freeman
Legislation is being introduced to protect Scottish residents who access cross-border healthcare in Europe in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Junk food ads could be banned before 9pm under Government proposals
Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the “epidemic” of childhood obesity.
Apple Watch could spot irregular heartbeat, study shows
A huge study suggests the Apple Watch can sometimes detect a worrisome irregular heartbeat – but experts say more work is needed to tell if using wearable technology to screen for heart problems really helps.
Hospital set for ‘important milestone’ with reopening of children’s ward
Hospital bosses are preparing for an “important milestone” when a children’s ward that has been shut for almost two years re-opens to inpatients.
Woman dies after contracting fungal infection at Glasgow hospital
A woman who was left critically ill after contracting a fungal infection in hospital has died, her family have said.
MSP demands inquiry into ‘public health crisis’ of drug deaths
A public inquiry must be held urgently in order to address a rising number of drug deaths in Scotland, an MSP has said.
Minor injuries unit hailed as ‘positive step’ towards reducing waiting times
A new minor injuries unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh will help reduce waiting times for patients, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said.
Teenager given kidney by his mother helps surgeons reach transplant milestone
A 15-year-old boy has become the 100th child in Scotland to receive a kidney from a living donor.
Man who unexpectedly had to stay over at Ninewells as a patient shocked at parking fine
The parking firm in charge of Ninewells Hospital’s car park has apologised after initially refusing to refund a patient’s parking fine.