Health and care sector latest developments

One in five cancer patients had visited a GP three times to get diagnosis, study finds

New analysis by the think tanks the Nuffield Trust and the Health Foundation has found that one in five people with cancer had to see their GP at least three times before they received a diagnosis.

The study also found that ethnic minorities and young people require more visits than other people to the GP before being diagnosed with cancer. For people from ethnic minority backgrounds, the figure rises to one in three. For young people aged between 16 and 24, around half needed at least three GP visits before being diagnosed, with 20 per cent needing at least five visits.

The analysis also found that people from the most deprived areas in England were 21 per cent less likely to be referred for urgent suspected cancer than those from more affluent areas. 

The NHS’s own target is to have three-quarters of cancers diagnosed at an early stage by 2028, but findings from the study indicate that the country is falling behind in this target.

Former CEO to chair trust at centre of bullying allegations

A former trust and integrated care system chief executive has been appointed as the chair of a hospital provider grappling with high-profile bullying concerns.

Philippa Slinger, former chief executive of Devon Integrated Care System, will take over the chair’s role at University Hospitals Sussex Foundation Trust in the summer. Current chair Alan McCarthy announced some time ago that he would step down in June after completing his second term.

Ms Slinger has also led Heatherwood and Wexham Park FT – which later merged with Frimley Park FT to form Frimley Health FT – and Berkshire Healthcare FT. She has also worked as an improvement director, including at the troubled Isle of Wight Trust, and as the managing director for secondary care at Care UK.

Since her retirement as a chief executive, she has worked as a strategy consultant at various organisations including Newton Europe and the Good Governance Institute. She is a mental health nurse by training but has more than 25 years of board experience.

NHSE appoints single boss for all CSUs

NHS England has appointed a single managing director to lead its four commissioning support units as part of an ongoing overhaul of their operating model.

Michael van Hemert will now lead the four CSUs. He has been the MD of the South, Central and West CSU since 2016.

The CSUs were set up in 2013 to support the then newly formed clinical commissioning groups, with a range of commissioning services and back-office administrative functions. They currently employ around 6,000 people and now provide services to integrated care boards, NHS England and some other customers.

There were initially 20 CSUs but that number has since dwindled through a succession of mergers, and ICBs bringing services in-house. NHSE, which effectively hosts and oversees the CSUs, wants to see operations at the remaining four consolidated and standardised.

Trusts face paybill hike from rebanding claims

Ambulance trusts are facing significantly higher costs as thousands of staff look set to be upgraded to a higher pay band.

Unison branches have been campaigning for emergency care assistants at several trusts to be upgraded from band 3 to band 4, saying they should be recognised for duties they routinely perform at the higher grade.

South Western Ambulance Service is facing a rebanding claim from 1,400 ECAs, who respond to emergency incidents alongside paramedics, and is currently reviewing the role.

Meanwhile, South East Coast Ambulance Service has agreed in principle to upgrade its ECAs, and is working through the implications, and East Midlands Ambulance Service has received a similar claim.

South Central Ambulance Service already upgraded around 750 ECAs last year and expects its annual paybill to rise by more than £900,000. The trust said its rebanding followed increased training to develop the ECA role which meant it could send out double-crewed ambulance to some calls, staffed entirely by ECAs. These crews could also attend some category 1 calls, where they would be immediately backed up by a clinician.

NHS England admits £1.3 million cash loss due to overpaying suspended GPs

NHS England has disclosed a cash loss of £1.3 million related to overpayments it made to 12 suspended GPs.

The commissioner’s annual report said that during 2022/23, 12 medical practitioners were identified as having received ‘ineligible suspension payments’ over the financial years from 2017/18 to 2022/23 .

The total payment to the 12 suspended GPs over that period of time was £1,335,626, and of this, £156,429 was paid to eight medical practitioners in this year alone.

It is not clear whether these GPs were employed by NHS England, and the report states that the organisation is pursuing legal action to recoup the money.

Emulsifiers linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Emulsifiers, found in ultra-processed food, have been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to researchers at the University of Paris. 

In total, seven groups of emulsifiers were linked, with the emulsifier xanthan gum — widely used in foods and household goods — was found to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 8 per cent.

The study, published in The Lancet, contributes to a growing body of evidence on the potential detrimental health impacts of UPF, which accounts for at least half of the typical British diet.

Previous research has linked ultra-processed foods to heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, depression and diabetes.

Disabilities minister stands by Carer’s Allowance amid criticism 

Giving evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee this morning, minister for disabled people, health and work Mims Davies reiterated the justification that carer’s allowance is a contribution, rather than a replacement of lost earnings due to caring responsibilities.

When asked about Guardian reports of carers being subject to criminal prosecution and fines after minor overpayments, she expressed regret but maintained that this accounted for a minority of cases and that prosecution acts as a deterrent.

In response, chief executive at Carers UK Helen Walker expressed disappointment that carer’s allowance “will not be raised in line with other similar benefits and that there are no plans to change any of its inflexible and punitive eligibility criteria.”

The Carer Poverty Coalition has called for a full review and reform of carer’s allowance to address the fact that many unpaid carers face financial struggles whilst providing vital care.

Everyday activities can cut the risk of depression by 23 per cent 

Low to moderate intensity exercise, such as golf, gardening, and walking has been shown to reduce the risk of depression by 23 per cent, an umbrella review of several studies has highlighted.

The review has also shown such exercise can cut the risk of anxiety by 26 per cent, and psychosis or schizophrenia by 27 per cent.

Lee Smith, the lead author of the review, said that these findings "highlight the need for precise exercise guidelines" when it comes to approaching treatment.