New cancer guidance for GPs; health information at food banks; share views on AI chatbots
Campaign offers new guidance on childhood cancer
The government has welcomed new guidance to help GPs spot the signs of childhood abdominal cancers sooner.
The Child Cancer Smart campaign was led by PIF member CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association. It offers new referral guidelines and decision support tools for healthcare professionals, alongside symptom lists for families.
Read more on the National Institute for Health and Care Research website.
Information leaflets to be distributed via food banks
PIF member Bowel Cancer UK has supported an NHS-funded scheme to increase bowel cancer screening uptake. Volunteers at seven Northampton food banks will distribute 3,000 packs of toilet rolls and information leaflets as part of a new public health initiative.
Uptake for screening in the areas where the food banks are located is low, with rates varying between 37% and 55%.
Survey looks at perceptions and use of AI chatbots
Researchers are seeking information from charities about using AI and chatbots to support people to find and understand health information. They also want to know how users engage with that information and how it supports self-care.
To take part in the survey from the University of the West of England, University of Bristol and Elzware Ltd, click on the Microsoft form here. It should take 5-10 minutes to complete and all entries will be entered in a prize draw for a chance to win £100 for their charity.
Two-thirds of hospital appointments on NHS App
Hospital patients at every NHS trust across England can now check their referrals and appointments through the NHS App. More than 6 in 10 hospital appointments are currently visible, and many patients can also reschedule or cancel appointments. The hope is that this will help reduce the number of missed appointments.
Webinar: explore progress on library service digital project
CILIP, the library and information association, is hosting a webinar update on its digital transformation programme. Tracey Taylor, CILIP's Chief Digital Transformation and Growth Officer, will explain how the programme aims to offer a more modern, efficient, and sustainable offering to members, volunteers, funders and partners. The webinar takes place from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on 10 June.
Sign up for the free webinar on the CILIP website.
King's Fund updates guide to health inequalities
Health inequalities are avoidable, unfair and systematic differences in health between different groups of people. The King's Fund has updated its explainer, Health inequalities in a nutshell. It looks at the key data on this complex and wide-ranging issue.
Read all about it on the King's Fund website here.
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