1. Stroke target missed

Stroke patients are missing out on a life-changing and potentially lifesaving treatment, as a government target to ensure access for everyone who needs it has been missed.

The Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England originally pledged to provide universal access to thrombectomy – a vital procedure to reduce disability and save the lives of stroke patients – across England by 2024. The target, originally set out in the Long Term Plan in 2019, was later extended to April 2026, but has not been met.

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2. "Confident but wrong"

We seem to have a little AI theme going on here lately!

In what is possibly the worst combination of results, a newly published study into generative AI-driven chatbots found that they were confidently providing incorrect information on a range of health-related topics that are frequently searched for.

As reported in BMJ Open, the researchers looked at five popular AI chatbots, asking questions about cancer, vaccines, stem cells, nutrition and sporting performance. Very nearly half of the responses were incorrect in some way.

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3. Myasthenia Gravis treatment

A new targeted treatment for myasthenia gravis has been approved for use on the NHS in England, marking a major step forward for people living with the condition.

The decision by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) means that rozanolixizumab will now be available to eligible patients, following a period in which several similar treatments had been rejected despite strong support from patients and clinicians.

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4. Poor admin deters patients

Poor NHS administration is leaving patients “lost in the system” and may be discouraging some people from seeking medical help, according to new research from The King’s Fund.

The report, Still lost in the system: the urgent need for better NHS admin, highlights widespread problems with communication, appointments and access to care - with little improvement over the past year.

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5. Gut microbes and Parkinson's

Another intriguing glimpse into the rich information resource that is our gut microbiome. A new study suggests that changes here can signal an increased likelihood of developing Parkinson's, before any symptoms are apparent.

The same gut bacteria were found in people with Parkinson's and those without the condition, but with a gene that makes it more likely to occur. They also appeared in some of the control group of healthy individuals, leading the researchers to speculate on whether dietary changes to influence gut bacteria could also lower the risk of developing Parkinson's.

More details of the study here

6. 200,000 Red Cord Cards!

Disability access website Euan’s Guide has officially distributed 200,000 Red Cord Cards, making 200,000 accessible toilets safer for disabled people.

The red emergency cord is a vital lifeline, yet it is frequently found tied up or out of reach. Each of these 200,000 cards - now found in museums, stations, and cafes nationwide - marks a physical intervention to ensure a call for help is never out of reach.

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