Ambient voice tech safety concerns; Scottish Report reveals challenges; Greater powers for pharmacists
MHRA 'missing voice tech safety concerns'
The MHRA may be missing many AI-related safety incidents linked to ambient voice technology, despite rapid NHS adoption. Health Service Journal reports concerns that the current reporting system is underused and may not be fit for scaling clinical AI safely. Data shared with HSJ showed there had only been five reports under the regulator’s yellow card system in the 12 months to May.
Read the full report on the HSJ website (subscriber only).
- Tougher oversight of popular health self-testing kits sold on the high street, including a clampdown on “misleading or unsubstantiated claims”, is being planned by the MHRA after a major investigation published in The BMJ. Read the full story on the BMJ website here.
Challenges for people living with diseases including lupus
People living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in Scotland face persistent challenges in accessing timely diagnosis, equitable care, and the support needed to manage lifelong, complex conditions. Of those diagnosed in the last five years, only 1 in 4 feel confident self-managing their condition. And almost 2 in 4 were not referred to a patient organisation at diagnosis.
The findings come from the Scottish Report, led by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society in collaboration with Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Lupus UK, the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society, and the Psoriasis Association. It brings together the experiences of more than 1,250 people across Scotland living with conditions such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.
Pharmacists to tackle more ailments
Pharmacies in England will be able to prescribe more medications as part of an effort to speed up care and ease pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals. As part of the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can currently prescribe medication for a sore throat, earache, sinusitis, shingles, impetigo, infected bites and urinary tract infections. From the autumn, the new £340m investment will see five common ailments added to this list, although it is not yet clear what these will be.
Read the full story on the Government website here.
First digital-first NHS Trust now created
The new Online NHS Trust was formally created on 1 June, marking a major milestone in the development of NHS Online. From 2027, the Online NHS Trust will give people in England the option to receive planned care through the NHS App. It will connect people with specialist clinicians across the country, helping them get care sooner without always needing to travel.
Read more about the first national digital-first NHS Trust here.
ALLIANCE celebrates 20th anniversary
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland is celebrating 20 years of health and social care integration. Founded in 2006 as the Long Term Conditions Alliance, the organisation championed self management to embed a rights-based, person-centred approach to national policy.
Learn more about health and social care integration here.
You can also watch a short video from the ALLIANCE here.
New resource for Scottish health and social care staff
A new resource brings together textbooks and manuals, care sheets, clinical reviews, videos and more for health and social care staff in Scotland. The Nursing and Allied Health Reference Source is available via The Knowledge Network. It replaces Nursing Reference Centre and Rehabilitation Reference Centre and covers four areas: rehabilitation, nursing, nutrition and social work.
Browse the Nursing and Allied Health Reference Source by topic or content type here.
Mental health professionals' views sought
Your views are needed to help shape a new Reading Well scheme to support adults' mental health. Reading Well is an evidence-based programme delivered by UK charity The Reading Agency in partnership with Libraries Connected and Society of Chief Librarians Cymru.
The Reading Agency is collecting feedback from professionals with experience in mental health to support the development of a new Reading Well for mental health collection.
Take the survey here before 21June - it should take about 20 minutes to complete.