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Welcome to this week’s myHSN Week in Health – a round-up of the biggest health news this week, and what it means for you
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Millions more in the UK should take statins
Ambulances reach 999 calls in 90 minutes
Artificial pancreas for type 1 diabetics
Record numbers waiting for cancer care
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Millions more in the UK should take statins
What?
New guidance from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) suggests that more people in the UK should take statins to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Why?
High cholesterol contributes to the narrowing of blood vessels – this causes heart attacks and strokes if they become blocked. Statins reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Statins are available to many, but restrictions had been in place because of a small number of side effects such as liver and kidney problems or muscle damage. In publishing this guidance, NICE suggest that the risk of these side effects is less than the benefit gained by reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke gained through taking a statin.
How (does it affect you)?
If you are not automatically prescribed a statin, this advice suggests that more people should now be able to request one. This will likely lower your cardiovascular risk. Speak to your GP or healthcare provider to enquire about getting a prescription.
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Unacceptable delays as ambulances reach 999 calls in over 90 minutes
What?
The time for an ambulance to reach a 999 call has broken the 90 minute barrier for the first time since records began. This data covered the period of December 2022.
Why?
The NHS is seemingly in freefall. Ambulances are being held at A&E departments waiting to drop patients off. Paramedics have been on strike for a fair pay deal. Winter bugs have been biting. Altogether this has contributed to a catastrophic month for response times, and winter is not yet over.
How (does it affect you)?
If you call for an ambulance today, you will wait longer than this time last year. The only realistic way to beat the wait is by choosing whether 999 is correct for you. If 999 is not appropriate, use 111 or alternative services like an Urgent treatment Centre (UTC), or Minor Inness/injury Unit (MIU). If you really think A&E is necessary, it may be safer to make your own way there, rather than wait a long time for an ambulance.
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Junior doctors to vote on strike
What?
Junior doctors in the UK are set to vote on whether or not to strike, in response to a decade of worsening pay. The ballot will close in around 1 month, and strikes will likely take place in February or March.
Why?
Junior doctors (any doctor from newly qualified to just before consultant) have seen their pay reduce by 26% between 2008/9 and 2021/22. Even though pay has increased marginally (though not every year!), prices have increased quicker. This means there is an effective pay cut.
How (does it affect you)?
If the strike is announced, emergency and elective care is likely to be affected. Elective operations will be cancelled, and emergency care may be slower. Consultants will cover for their junior colleagues, but services will be reduced to ensure safe emergency care can be delivered.
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Artificial pancreas for type 1 diabetics
What?
NICE has announced that more than 105,000 people with type 1 diabetes could be eligible for an ‘artificial pancreas’ system, in new recommendations published this week. This comprises a blood glucose (sugar) sensor and an insulin pump, independent of patient input. High blood sugar readings from the sensor prompts an insulin dose to be delivered by the pump. This enables automatic control of blood glucose, which mimics the function of a normal, healthy pancreas.
Why?
For some patients, despite their best efforts, controlling their blood glucose is not possible. This indicated by a number called the HbA1c. If this number is higher than 8.0%, they are at risk of long-term complications from their diabetes, and would benefit from an ‘artificial pancreas’.
How (does it affect you)?
If you fit the above criteria, speak to your GP or diabetes team – and this innovation may be available to you in the future. These recommendations remain in draft, but are likely to come into effect later in the year.
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Record numbers waiting for cancer care
What?
A record 4% of patients with a new cancer waited more than 104 days for treatment after diagnosis. The target is 62 days.
Why?
There are many reasons that cancer waiting times have increased. Busier hospitals mean fewer appointments, meaning elective care is pushed back. This means it takes longer to get a slot for surgery, or to start chemotherapy. There is also a growing incidence of incurable or metastatic cancer due to late presentations caused by the pandemic. This is unlikely to get better for some years.
How (does it affect you)?
If you are awaiting cancer treatment, you may wait longer than this time last year.
If you live close to a a few different hospitals, you may be able to choose to be treated at another site, where waiting times may be less. Check the bottom of the linked article to find out how to beat the waiting list.
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As always, best wishes from myHSN!
