Seven days in medicine: 5-11 April 2017
BMJ 2017; 357 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1800 (Published 13 April 2017) Cite this as: BMJ 2017;357:j1800NHS pressures
Ambulance diversions doubled this winter
The number of times hospital emergency units in England had to divert ambulances from their doors almost doubled this winter compared with the previous three, research showed. A study by the Nuffield Trust showed that hospitals under pressure implemented 493 ambulance diversions this winter, up from 225 in 2013-14, 258 in 2014-15, and 265 in 2015-16. The researchers said that the extra time ambulance crews spent on the road hindered the service’s ability to meet response time targets and heaped pressure on staff.
NHS “rations” glucose testing strips
The NHS is putting diabetes care at risk by rationing blood glucose testing strips, Diabetes UK claimed. A survey by the charity found that one in four patients had experienced restrictions or was refused testing strips prescribed by a GP—up from one in five in a similar survey four years ago. The charity was particularly concerned that 52% of people experiencing problems were patients with type 1 diabetes despite the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advising that all such adults should test at least four times a day.
Sexual health
Target free condoms at people with high STI risk, says NICE
Local councils in England should target free condoms at people most at risk of …
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