Stark decline in access to NHS dental care
FOUR in five people report struggling to access NHS dental care, including emergency treatment, according to analysis of feedback to Healthwatch.
Waiting list for scans grows
THE number of patients facing long waits for scans in England is steadily increasing month-on-month, according to figures published by NHS England.
GDC battles negative perceptions among dental professionals
OVER half of dental professionals and other stakeholders expressed negative perceptions of the General Dental Council (GDC) in research commissioned by the regulator.
Delays in emergency treatment pose “acute patient safety” risk
NEARLY two thirds of A&Es across the UK had ambulances waiting to transfer patients every day, according to a snap survey conducted in November by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).
Updated dental Covid SOP in England
REVISED infection prevention control (IPC) requirements for dental settings have been published by the UK Government and this has prompted NHS England to update the standard operating procedure (SOP) for practices.
Covid-19 boosters offer significant protection
A BOOSTER dose with the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine offers over 93 per cent protection against symptomatic infection in adults aged 50 and over who have had their primary jabs, according to a study published the UK Health Security Agency.
Reduction in antibiotic-resistant infections
ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT bloodstream infections fell (15.5 per cent) in 2020 for the first time since 2016 but still remain at a higher level than 6 years ago, according to new data published by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Increase in antibiotic prescribing by dentists
ANTIBIOTIC prescribing by dentists in England rose in 2020 for the first time in many years, likely due to a decrease in face-to-face dental treatment under Covid-19 restrictions.
Mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for healthcare staff in England
Health and social care staff in England, including doctors, nurses, dentists and domiciliary care workers, will be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 unless exempt, under plans announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary.
GMC publishes interim standards for PAs and AAs
AN interim standards guidance document for physician associates and anaesthesia associates has been published in advance of future regulation with the GMC.