New misinformation tools; Public opinion on GP records; Trust is key for Single Patient Record

Tools to UnMASK health misinformation 

A misinformation checklist has been created to help people decide which online health information they can trust. The NHS England Knowledge and Library Services Team worked with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust to create the Misinformation UnMASKED strategy. The resources were designed based on views of the public, NHS and public library staff. The UnMASK checklist is:

• UNsure – Do you feel uncertain about the information? Do you know where it came from or how recent it is?
• Manipulated – Does an article switch from sounding like an essay to sounding like your mate? Do the images look like they may have been changed?
• Agenda – What is the agenda of the person or company who created this information? Why did they create it? Can you trust them?
• Sidekick – Who do you trust to help you to check the information? Ask a librarian or a friend. Everyone needs a sidekick to unmask misinformation.
• Knowledge – Who wrote the information? Are they a reliable authority on the topic? Do they quote their qualifications or the institution where they work?
• Evidence – Are there links to the papers or evidence the information is based on? Does the information tell you where to find the evidence?
• Date – How old is the information? Is there a date on it? Health information goes out of date quickly, so should be less than 3 years old.

A video has also been created explaining the UnMASKED strategy to spot misinformation.

Access the full resources on the NHS England Knowledge and Library Services website here.

Understanding public opinion on GP records

A new report has revealed the public's current awareness and understanding of how NHS records are managed is low. The report by Understanding Patient Data is based on a survey and interviews, focus groups and co-creation workshops delivered in partnership with Qa Research. People were asked to share their views about the data held in their GP record. Results included: 

• 6 in 10 people already believe a single national patient record exists.
• More than 5 in 10 do not recall receiving information about the data held in their GP record.
• 6 in 10 would prefer a nationally-controlled single patient record over a GP record managed by GP surgeries. 
• GPs are perceived as the most trusted to make decisions about patient data.

Download the full report on the Understanding Patient Data website here.

Trust is key to the success of the Single Patient Record

PIF partner the Professional Record Standards Body (PRSB) has published a summary of its recent consultation discussion on the Single Patient Record (SPR). It says many leaders across health and care emphasise the success of the SPR will not be determined by technology alone. It will hinge on trust, collaboration and purpose-driven design. They agree the digital transformation is essential, but complex. The key takeaways were: 

• Trust first: Transparency, visibility, and patient control are non-negotiables.
• Standardise smartly: High-quality, interoperable data is foundational.
• Design collaboratively: The SPR must fit real workflows and empower professionals.
• Govern with care: Deliver early impact, manage risk, and adapt continuously.
• Keep people at the centre: This is about culture, equity, and better outcomes for all.

Read the full article on the PRSB website here.

Drive to find undiagnosed infected blood patients

A new NHS drive to find undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal will begin next month. All new patients registering at GP practices will be asked if they had a blood transfusion before 1996. Anyone who did will be offered a self-testing hepatitis C kit to complete at home. Anyone living in England over the age of 18 can order a free home test for hepatitis C from hepctest.nhs.uk.

Read more about the new drive on the NHS England website here.

Report reveals devastating financial burden for young people with cancer

A report by Young Lives vs Cancer says many children and young people with cancer and their families are left waiting significant periods for financial support they desperately need. The Cost of Waiting report reveals the hidden and often devastating financial burden faced after a cancer diagnosis. Research found children and young people with cancer and their families:

• Face an average wait of seven months between their diagnosis and a decision on their disability benefits.
• Have to find almost £5,000 in extra costs during the time between diagnosis and decision.

The research also revealed how young people with cancer and their families are having to borrow money or use savings following diagnosis. Young Lives vs Cancer said the disability benefit system is causing even more distress for young people and their families during an already overwhelming and traumatic time.

Read more about the research and download the full report on the YLVC website here.

Study: How dialysis patients share experiences on social media

Researchers have explored how patients with end-stage kidney disease use social media as an outlet to share experiences and exchange information. More than 4,000 posts on X were analysed in key themes including daily life impact, risks and complications, patient education and support, and patient experiences and socioeconomic challenges. The study demonstrates the value of social media as a tool for understanding patient perspectives and informing quality improvement efforts in dialysis care. The findings also highlighted the need for more holistic, patient-centered care models and policies that address the varied challenges  highlighted by patients. 

Read the full study via the JMIR website here.

NHS digital workforce plan is dropped

Digital Health reports that NHS England has dropped plans to publish a dedicated digital workforce plan which was promised in 2024. The plan was originally expected to be published by the end of 2023, and was then promised "imminently" in March 2024. In response to a Freedom of Information request from Digital Health News, NHS England said the plan will now be incorporated in the Long Term Workforce Plan refresh due for autumn 2025.

Read the full article on the Digital Health website here.

Patient safety incidents public consultation 

The deadline is approaching for a public consultation on a new process to replace the current Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) Procedure in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health NI public consultation closes on 6 June at 5pm. Key aims of the redesigned process include delivering a more streamlined and simplified process for reviewing Patient Safety Incidents, a focus on the prompt identification of the factors causing or contributing to the incident and placing the voices of those affected at the heart of the review process.

Take part in the consultation via the Department of Health NI website here.

Webinar: Get started on your digital accessibility journey

A free webinar will share the basics of digital accessibility. The Introduction to Digital Accessibility webinar is being hosted by AbilityNet. It is a beginner-friendly course highlighting how digital accessibility ensures equal access for disabled people and improves the overall user experience for everyone. The session will include an introduction of the Social Model of disability and how it applies to digital accessibility. It will also demonstrate the impact of inaccessible digital products on disabled people.

Find out more and book your ticket on the AbilityNet website here.