At-home test could play key role in type-1 diabetes screening
- A new home test to diagnose type-1 diabetes (T1D) is being investigated in a major UK study led by researchers at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and NDM’s Centre for Human Genetics.
- The study will invite 90 children and young people across two groups to assess the test and determine whether at-home T1D testing could be used routinely across the NHS.
- The study will assess the GTT@home test, developed by BIVDA member and diabetes home testing provider Digostics, for use with children. GTT@home is an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) that uses finger-prick blood samples to measure how well the body processes glucose; it has been shown to be as accurate as hospital-based OGTTs when used with adults.
Early dementia blood test trial begins
- A simple blood test designed to detect dementia decades before it develops is being rolled out across the UK as part of a “very exciting” new study.
- University of Cambridge scientists will use the approach to measure brain changes in people with dementia as an alternative to “more costly brain scans”.
- It is based on initial research led by Dr Maura Malpetti,, external who received the Race Against Dementia Fellowship in 2021 from the charity founded by Sir Jackie Stewart, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Mouth bacteria ‘may indicate future brain health’
- Certain bacteria found in people’s mouths may be linked to changes in brain function as you age, experts have said.
- The study, external, led by the University of Exeter, found certain types of bacteria were associated with better memory and attention, while others were linked to poor brain health and Alzheimer’s disease.
- The research is in early stages but study leads say they are now investigating whether eating certain healthy foods, such as nitrate-rich leafy greens, can influence brain health by boosting certain bacteria.
Extra two million NHS appointments in Labour’s first five months, government claims
- Sir Keir Starmer has hailed a “milestone” in his plan to fix the NHS as the government claims an extra two million appointments were delivered during Labour’s first five months in office.
- New figures published by NHS England show that between July and November 2024, the health service delivered almost 2.2 million more elective care appointments compared with the same period the previous year.
- This includes for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy, and diagnostic tests, which were possible in part because of staff working extra weekend and evening shifts, the government said.
The 10 Year Health Plan: what do we know about public perceptions of the three shifts?
- The King’s Fund has delved into what the public thinks about the so-called three shifts.
Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS in England: what should it look like?
- In preparation for the upcoming publication of the NHS 10-Year Plan, the Health Foundation has asserted what they believe should be in the plan.
Lost in the system: the need for better admin
- The King’s Fund, in partnership with Healthwatch England and National Voices, examines how improved admin can make the health service more efficient and sustainable.
