Health and care sector latest developments

Study finds surge in under-50 cancer cases

The number of cancer cases among the under-50s around the world appears to have risen sharply in the past 30 years, a study published in BMJ Oncology found. Researchers found that there had been 3.26 million cases in 2019 (79 per cent more than in 1990).

UK to rejoin Horizon Europe

The UK is set to rejoin the EU’s Horizon science programme after two years of absence post Brexit, Sky News has been told.

The final deal is set to be agreed within hours and could be announced tomorrow by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as first reported today by Bloomberg. Sources have confirmed the report to Sky News.

The issue has been sat on the Prime Minister’s desk for weeks as he has been attempting to negotiate a higher sum for British scientists to ensure they catch up after the two-year absence.

There had been fears the deal between the UK and and the EU may stall over the sums involved.

Sky News understands that Mr Sunak has authorised the deal in principle and is likely to speak to Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, to finalise it within hours.

Hospital rebuild that was dropped faces ‘enforced closure’ risk

A trust that was overlooked by the ‘40 new hospitals’ programme, despite being a top regional priority for capital funding, has been testing contingency plans for a “full or partial site closure” due to problems with its main site.Read alsohttps://dalatopnews.com/2023/09/03/chatham-house-pledges-to-support-nigeria-attain-universal-health-coverage/

The oldest parts of Doncaster Royal Infirmary date back to the 1930s – with further additions made in the 1960s and 1980s – and the trust is trying to secure national funding to rebuild it on a council-owned site.

Speaking to HSJ, trust executive Richard Parker warned that another significant infrastructure failing [leaked water pipe in 2021] was “reasonably foreseeable”.

NHS staff to be asked about sexual harassment for the first time

NHS staff will be asked if they have experienced sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace for the first time.

In a letter, NHS England chief delivery officer Steve Russell confirmed that the upcoming annual staff survey would include a question on the matter.

The next staff survey is due to be published in October 2023, with results expected next spring.