The rise of cancer misinformation; New digital health platform launched; AI BSL project gets underway
Listen: How to spot cancer misinformation online
PIF member Cancer Research UK discusses the rise of cancer misinformation and how to spot it in its latest podcast. The episode – called Can you trust cancer advice online – is part of the That Cancer Conversation series. Cancer Research UK says it is only natural for people to look for answers when cancer touches their lives but the charity warns the answers they may find online can be "overwhelming and sometimes dangerously wrong".
The podcast explores why false claims about “miracle cures” spread so quickly on social media, how you can tell if viral myths like “sugar feeds cancer” are real, the risks of extreme diets and the dangers of choosing alternative treatments. Breast surgeon, author and content creator Dr Liz O’Riordan joins the podcast to break down the science and explain how misinformation can impact decisions, treatment and lives.
Listen to the podcast on the Cancer Research UK website here.
New health and social care digital platform
People in Scotland can now access health and social care services and information in one place following the launch of a new digital service. The new platform MyCare.scot is being led by the Scottish Government and Public Services Delivery Scotland. MyCare.scot will be developed in stages but currently enables people in Scotland to:
- View their CHI (Community Health Index) number.
- View some personal details held by NHS Scotland.
- See information about medicines, allergies and vaccinations.
- Access a directory of health and care services.
The Digital Citizen Panel, created in partnership with The ALLIANCE to ensure the seldom heard voices of lived experience are utilised, has shaped the development of MyCare.scot through engagement sessions and continues to feedback though a working group.
Find out more on the ALLIANCE website here.
Ground-breaking public dialogue on AI and BSL begins
A project which will engage with communities to ensure Artificial Intelligence-enabled British Sign Language (BSL) is developed ethically, inclusively and with the right oversight has begun. Seven charities from the deaf sector, co-ordinated by RNID, are leading the project. It will be a type of public dialogue, delivered under the UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Sciencewise Programme.
The RNID said AI-driven BSL translation could transform accessibility but warned that without community input, it risks ethical pitfalls and issues around diversity and bias, quality assurance and accuracy. The charity describes the project as: "A first of its kind, meaningful deliberative engagement project with the BSL community to determine what are appropriate uses of AI technologies for BSL, and what oversight is necessary to ensure high quality and ethical use."
Find out more on the RNID website here.
Webinar: How will the NHS online hospital work
The Patients Association is hosting a free webinar for people wanting to learn more about the NHS online hospital ahead of its launch in 2027. The webinar is being held on 11 May at 2pm and will discuss what NHS Online is and how it will work to give patients with certain conditions the option of receiving care through a new digital service. The speakers joining the webinar are Rachel Power, the chief executive of the Patients Association; Jonny Brown, programme director at NHS England; Jacob Lant, chief executive of National Voices; and patient representative Gillian Richards. They will look at what an online NHS hospital means to people, and will discuss the benefits, opportunities, risks, and concerns.
Book your place on the webinar on The Patients Association website here.
Research participants' health data listed for sale
The medical information of 500,000 people who gave their data to health research programme UK Biobank was advertised for sale on Alibaba e-commerce platforms in China. The BBC reported on the breach and shared a message from UK Biobank's chief executive professor Sir Rory Collins to participants. He said: "We want to reassure you that all the data are de-identified; they do not contain any personally identifying information (such as names, addresses, dates of birth, and NHS numbers)." Sir Rory said the data was "swiftly" removed by Alibaba, following support from the UK and Chinese government, and no purchases had been made.
Speaking to the BBC, Prof Elena Simperl, from King's College London's department for informatics, said the data breach was "not a moment to point fingers, but to take seriously what it tells us about national data infrastructure".
Read the full article on the BBC website here.
Petition calls for co-designed NHS pathways
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has set up a petition calling on the government to work with patients and GPs to co-design care pathways that provide clearer information and allow patients to track referrals. The RCGP says the government must also plan to train, hire and retain enough GPs for timely care. The petition says: "We need clear, consistent information across the NHS, more GPs, joined-up systems across primary, community and secondary care, referral tracking, and services co-designed with patients and GPs so the health system works better for everyone."
Sign the petition on the government petition website here.
New standards introduced to reduce maternal deaths
New NHS best practice clinical standards are being rolled out to significantly reduce the number of women who die each year during or after pregnancy. Every maternity service in England will need to meet the new standards, which form part of the NHS’s maternal care bundle. They have been developed with frontline clinicians, women and families and partner organisations. National measures will include early risk assessments for blood clots that form in deep veins and are now the leading cause of maternal mortality. Every woman with epilepsy will have access to a local specialist team for managing epilepsy in pregnancy and women will also be routinely assessed for their mental health and referred to specialist NHS perinatal mental health if needed.
The announcement comes on the back of the launch of a new digital tool which rapidly analyses data recorded by maternity teams to spot emerging safety concerns in maternity wards.
Read about the new standards on the NHS England website here.
New film highlights the strengths of dyslexia
A new charity campaign is trying to transform what millions of children and families find when they search "What is dyslexia" online. A film designed to bring a more balanced, strengths-based understanding of dyslexia to the top of search results was unveiled this week at the BFI IMAX cinema in London. The animation – created by the global charity Made By Dyslexia – follows a young girl, Lola, who turns to the internet after learning she has dyslexia.
Find out more and watch the film on the What Is Dyslexia campaign website here.