Health and care sector latest developments

Weight loss jabs drive NHS to spend twice as much treating diabetes

NHS spending on diabetes medicines and equipment in England has reached a record £2.3 billion, more than double the level a decade ago.
 
As the Telegraph reports, this is partly because of the rapid growth of newer treatments like Mounjaro and Ozempic.
 
GLP-1 drugs now represent a third of the overall cost, despite accounting for only a small proportion of prescriptions. In addition to this, increased diabetes cases and improved monitoring technology have also pushed spending higher.
 
An NHS spokesman said spending reflects ‘growing numbers with type 1 and type 2 diabetes’, while NHS deals secure medicines ‘at lower prices’. They added that the NHS has ‘supported more than a million people at risk of type 2 diabetes’ through its prevention programme.

Pharmacies warn that tax rises could threaten closures

Hundreds of pharmacies are facing closure because of soaring business rates, with owners warning that high taxes are forcing them to cut services for vulnerable patients.
 
Almost half of the 420 pharmacy owners surveyed by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said they were considering shutting down their practices because of higher business rates bills.
 
The trade body warned that pharmacies, many of which are family-run businesses, are unable to offset the higher tax burden by raising prices, which are fixed by the NHS.
 
The NPA found 55 per cent of pharmacy operators were considering moving to cheaper premises, raising fears that some rural and coastal communities could be left without a local branch.

Under-fives and pregnant women told to avoid runny eggs when eating out over salmonella risk

Vulnerable people are being warned not to eat undercooked or runny eggs when they are eating out because of the developing salmonella outbreak.
 
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) told the BBC the under-fives, over 65s, women who are pregnant and those with health conditions should avoid them along with freshly-made products that might contain uncooked eggs, such as mayonnaise, souffle and hollandaise sauce.
 
But the FSA said well-cooked eggs in restaurants, cafes and from takeaways were fine to eat.
 
It comes after the UK Health Security Agency declared a national outbreak of salmonella food poisoning after one person died and hundreds more fell ill.
 
It is thought imported eggs or dishes containing them are behind the outbreak.

Genome sequencing identifies ALD in two brothers

Genomics England have highlighted a case where thanks to the Generation Study, screening helped identify a rare genetic change in a West Yorkshire baby.
 
The study is using whole-genome sequencing to screen 100,000 newborns for more than 200 rare genetic conditions where NHS treatment or care is available.
 
The case study shows how genome sequencing identified a rare genetic change linked to adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in a baby from West Yorkshire.
 
The finding also led to the diagnosis of his older brother. Both children are now receiving regular monitoring, allowing doctors to spot and treat any signs of the condition before symptoms develop.

£2.8 billion trust group unravels

Three Midlands hospital trusts are unravelling their shared chair and chief executive arrangement.
 
University Hospitals of Leicester formed a hospital group arrangement in 2023 with the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group, which had already combined Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital trusts in 2020.
 
They set out to develop a joint ten-year clinical strategy under group chair Andrew Moore and chief executive Richard Mitchell.
 
However, the trusts have now said in a joint statement that they are ending the arrangement, and have agreed changes to leadership and governance.