DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

3D printing has revolutionized pediatric prosthetics, making them stronger, more personalized, and cost-effective. Limbitless Solutions, founded by UCF engineers, has donated bionic arms to 60 families, advancing technology and improving children's lives. The organization collaborates with partners to create expressive designs, enhancing both functionality and personality.

Influencing patient behavior is complex but crucial for efficient healthcare. Social influence techniques, like verbal and written commitments, and normalizing attendance, reduced DNAs by 31.4% in studies. These methods, tested in NHS Bedfordshire, offer effective, low-cost solutions for practice managers.

Caroline Kerby discusses the evolution of patient participation groups (PPGs) from their inception in 1994 to the current Department of Health's Directed Enhanced Service (DES) supporting PPGs in 49% of practices. She highlights the benefits of closer patient-practice collaboration, the challenges of inclusivity, and the use of virtual focus groups and local surveys for patient feedback. Kerby emphasizes the importance of communication strategies and the role of PPGs in building community links for effective clinical commissioning.

The Royal College of Physicians urges NHS England to slow or halt physician associate (PA) recruitment, ban one-to-one patient consultations, and ensure PAs are supervised by senior doctors due to patient safety concerns. The British Medical Association calls for an immediate PA recruitment pause. The RCP's guidance states PAs are not replacements for doctors and should not function independently.

Two new drugs for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer approved under Hong Kong's '1+' mechanism, expanding treatment options. The '1+' mechanism, implemented since Nov 1, 2023, simplifies drug registration by requiring approval from one reference drug regulatory authority. Nine drugs have been approved under this mechanism, attracting over 350 enquiries from 90+ companies.

Thousands lose NHS healthcare funding after living longer than expected, with fast-track CHC funding often removed. Age UK reports significant variation in CHC access and warns of an opaque, ad hoc decision-making system. NHS data shows a 37% drop in standard CHC funding since 2018, with many wrongly missing out on care funding.

Hong Kong's healthcare sector aims to collaborate with mainland counterparts for clinical trials, establish its own drug regulator, and set up a third medical school focused on research, without competing with existing institutions.

Grower-Processors can download request forms from the new forms page, including the STRAIN NAME APPROVAL REQUEST FORM for new strain names. The application process for a medical marijuana grower-processor permit in Pennsylvania requires a permit, security measures, zoning compliance, a diversity plan, and fees of $10,000 and $200,000 (refundable if not granted), plus proof of $2 million in capital. Awarded applicants must complete a two-hour training course.

Dispensaries can download request forms from the new forms page. Permits are issued for up to 50 dispensaries, each with up to three locations. Application requirements include a permit, business description, security measures, zoning compliance, diversity plan, $5,000 non-refundable fee, $30,000 refundable permit fee, and $150,000 in capital. Awarded dispensaries must complete a two-hour training course.

Top nurses warn that health service reforms will fail without addressing recruitment and retention issues. The Nursing and Midwifery Council's latest report shows a record 841,367 professionals registered, with growth sustained by domestic and international recruitment. However, experts highlight an 'increasingly inexperienced' workforce facing shortages, with a reliance on overseas candidates. Calls for measures like student loan forgiveness schemes to boost domestic recruitment are emphasized, as international recruitment shows signs of slowing.