Plus: The simple supermarket swaps to reduce UPFs
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Hello everyone, Another week brings more headlines about weight-loss drugs. With these so-called "wonder drugs" surging in popularity – and more people accessing them privately – questions around safety, misuse, and black market versions are growing. But the jabs are not only transforming people's bodies. As Tara Cobham reports, they are also altering people's spending habits. Next week, the government is expected to unveil its big cancer plan, and briefings over the past few days have already hinted at major changes. On Monday, NHS England announced a shake-up to bowel cancer testing, with more announcements expected – see below for the full rundown. Meanwhile, global aid is under pressure. Former US president Donald Trump has expanded his ban on funding for aid projects, hitting abortion services particularly hard. In the UK, ministers were this week unable to confirm whether cuts will affect funding for global HIV programmes. As aid falters, experts are sounding the alarm over the potential impact on infectious diseases. Just this week, UK health chiefs issued an alert over a new virus outbreak in India. |
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AI has long been a go-to for both the previous and current government when it comes to high-profile announcements about investment. Much of the NHS's 10-year plan places its hopes on technology and ambient AI as tools to help turn the service around and free up more time for clinicians. Ambient AI refers to systems that can passively listen, observe, or monitor clinical interactions, automatically recording consultations and generating notes or summaries for staff, reducing administrative burden. This week, NHS England published news of a new trial aimed at speeding up diagnoses for lung cancer patients. Experts at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust will use AI to identify abnormal spots or nodules, followed by robotic catheters to take precise biopsies. So far, 300 patients have undergone the robotic biopsy procedure, with 215 of them going on to receive cancer treatment. The procedure is expected to be rolled out more widely by 2030. |
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A new NHS pilot could see lung cancer patients diagnosed easier and faster |
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With the NHS's cancer plan due to be published, I've been speaking to leading clinicians about the use of AI and whether it really is the solution ministers claim. While most welcomed the innovation, few saw it as a panacea. However, the benefits of ambient AI were seen as especially useful in reducing paperwork and allowing staff to focus more on patient care. Ultimately, experts agree that the solution to the NHS's cancer crisis lies in addressing workforce shortages and investment gaps, such as the lack of new equipment. |
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