Did you miss us? It’s that time again, the time of the week when we dissect some of the biggest, most interesting healthcare news stories that have been doing the rounds – the stories that we think are worth knowing about.
So, without further ado, here’s your healthcare Friday Five!
1. New AI System for Paediatric Mental Health to Be Developed
A new AI system is set to be developed in Cambridge to help children with mental health problems be diagnosed quicker. Dr Anna Moore, the doctor in charge of the programme, has been granted £2.5 million of funding to continue researching and developing the system.
Such a system is necessary when you consider that 18.0% of children aged 7 to 16 years (and 22.0% of young people aged 17 to 24 years) had a probable mental health disorder in 2022. The sooner these problems can be recognised and diagnosed, the quicker they can be addressed.
2. Many Women Experience Long-Term Health Problems After Childbirth
According to a new study published in The Lancet Global Health, more than a third of women are experiencing significant healthcare issues post-childbirth, with 35% experiencing dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), 32% experiencing lower back pain, and between 8% and 31% experiencing urinary incontinence.
3. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson Faces the COVID Enquiry
Boris Johnson was questioned by the COVID enquiry this week, and his responses painted a picture of a government doing its best amidst difficult circumstances.
He did concede, however, that there had been mistakes. Namely, he didn’t realise the severity of the situation as soon as he should have, and that the lockdown tiers introduced later in 2020 didn’t work.
4. Junior Doctors Plan Fresh Strikes
The ongoing pay disputes between the government and junior doctors look set to continue, with the British Medical Association (BMA) calling on junior doctors to strike between Wednesday, 20 December and Saturday, 23 December, and between Wednesday, 3 January and Tuesday, 9 January (a walkout lasting 216 hours, in total).
The BMA is looking for a 35% increase overall to balance the lower-than-inflation pay rate increases experienced since 2008.
With pay talks having collapsed and these fresh strikes on the horizon, this has been referred to by Professor Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, as “the outcome that trust leaders were dreading”.
5. Nurses May Also Strike in the Coming Months
It’s not just junior doctors who are striking, either. There’s a good chance that nurses will again strike after lengthy struggles with the government over their pay.
The strikes, which have been threatened for the new year, come after nurses rejected a 5% pay increase and an offer for a lump sum payment. Professor Nicola Ranger, the RCN’s Chief Nurse, said that the government doesn’t listen to nurses “at their peril”.
Final Thoughts
Another week is done, and we’ve listed five more healthcare items for you to peruse. We hope you find them informative and interesting!
If you want to learn more about the healthcare jobs we offer, don’t hesitate to get in touch! We can’t wait to hear from you. 🚀
