Fast-tracked treatment aims to reduce complications for cancer patients with chronic graft versus host disease

Patients in England suffering from chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) following stem cell or bone marrow transplants will benefit from a newly approved NHS therapy. The condition, which affects around one in three individuals who have received transplants for blood cancers, arises when donor white blood cells attack the recipient’s organs, severely weakening the immune system and proving fatal in about 10% of cases.

The NHS is introducing Belumosudil (Rezurock), a once-daily tablet aimed at those unresponsive to at least two existing treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies like imatinib, or antibody options. Current therapies leave roughly half of patients without effective relief, making this new drug a crucial addition to the treatment arsenal.

Belumosudil works by inhibiting specific proteins that trigger harmful inflammatory responses linked to cGVHD, aiming to improve symptom control and daily quality of life. NHS England predicts approximately 200 patients will be treated with Belumosudil over the next three years.

James Palmer, medical director for specialised services at NHS England, emphasised the significance of this advancement: “This therapy represents a major step forward in managing symptoms for those affected by this debilitating condition.” The fast-tracked approval of the treatment promises better long-term outcomes for many patients.

UK survey reveals differing views on causes and solutions to rising youth mental health issues

A recent survey highlights broad agreement across UK generations—baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z—that youth mental health has declined. However, the reasons attributed to this decline reveal generational divides. Conducted by the Policy Institute at King’s College London and Australia’s Orygen Institute, the study involved 2,516 adults and examined differing views on mental health challenges facing today’s youth.

While a majority across all age groups agree that youth mental health is worse today, baby boomers are more inclined to point to increased drug and alcohol use, whereas younger generations emphasise economic pressures and the cost of living. Baby boomers (17%) and Gen X (18%) are also more likely to attribute the rise to a perceived lack of resilience among youth compared to Gen Z (9%).

About half of millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers believe mental health issues existed in past generations but went unrecognised. In contrast, only four in 10 Gen Z respondents share this belief. Professor Bobby Duffy from King’s College notes that while generational stereotypes often drive debate, the survey demonstrates a general consensus on the severity of youth mental health issues.

In terms of perceived causes, social media emerges as a prominent factor, with 65% of the UK public citing its influence, though fewer Gen Z respondents (51%) share this concern compared to older generations. Baby boomers (50%) stand out in attributing mental health decline to drugs and alcohol, a view far less common among millennials (21%) and Gen Z (20%).

The survey also reveals differing views on economic factors. Around half of Gen Z (49%) and millennials (50%) cite the rising cost of living as a key issue, in stark contrast to baby boomers (25%). Similarly, one-third of Gen Z (36%) and millennials (36%) blame worsening economic prospects, compared to about a quarter of baby boomers and Gen X.

While most agree on social media’s negative impact, opinions vary on solutions. Respondents largely favour more mental health services (34%), anti-bullying policies (31%), and holding social media companies accountable (29%). However, fewer prioritise tackling structural issues such as racism, sexism, or youth employment (13%).

Professor Duffy highlighted the persistence of generational stereotypes, noting that despite declines in alcohol consumption and no major drug-use spikes, older generations often generalise from high-profile instances of risky behaviour. This survey underscores both shared concerns and differing perceptions, emphasising the need for targeted and multifaceted approaches to youth mental health.

Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust responds to rising violence against staff with stricter measures

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHR Hospitals) in east London has introduced new measures aimed at tackling escalating violence and abuse against its staff. The trust, which operates Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford, reported that assaults on staff have more than doubled over the past three years, with incidents ranging from physical attacks to severe verbal abuse and racist slurs.

In response, BHR Hospitals is making it easier for staff to “red card” or ban abusive patients from its hospitals when deemed clinically safe. Previously, the complex process led to only one patient being banned in the past five years. Additionally, staff working in the trust’s A&E and frailty units will now wear 60 new body-worn video cameras to enhance safety and deter abuse. The trust is also strengthening training and increasing the presence of security officers.

In January alone, 75 incidents of violence and aggression were recorded at the trust, compared to 36 in January 2021. Annual staff surveys further reflect this troubling trend, with 14.5% of employees reporting experiences of violence and aggression from those in their care.

Staff have shared harrowing experiences as part of the trust’s new “No Abuse, No Excuse” campaign. Nurse Yvonne Ihekwoakba recounted being punched in the stomach by a patient, resulting in a trip to A&E. Security officer Mohammed Islam described being kicked in the jaw, breaking his teeth, and facing significant challenges in returning to work. Theo Kayode-Osiyemi from the appointments team detailed enduring repeated racial abuse, with one patient telling him to “go to the jungle.”

Chief Executive Matthew Trainer underscored the urgency of the trust’s measures: “Our staff should not be shouted at, hit, or subjected to racist abuse while doing their job. It’s happening more and more often… and we are taking action to respond to their concerns. Our message couldn’t be simpler: no abuse, no excuse.”

The campaign coincides with alarming data showing a 40% rise in violence against ambulance crews across London in the past year, averaging two assaults on emergency workers per day. Londoners have been urged to treat all frontline medical staff with “kindness and respect.”

Parkinson’s UK highlights failures in benefits system, leaving sufferers without adequate support.
Category: Health

People living with Parkinson’s are facing financial hardships due to a benefits system that is not equipped to understand their needs, a charity has warned. Parkinson’s UK has highlighted how many of those with the condition are “poorer than they should be,” accusing the government of failing to protect vulnerable individuals during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The charity’s latest report, which draws on research from over 3,000 respondents, revealed that 24% of those surveyed were struggling to cover basic costs, compared to 20% of the general population. Nearly 40% of people with Parkinson’s who reported financial difficulties said they were unable to afford essential items like food.

Sue Christoforou, Policy Manager at Parkinson’s UK, stated: “It’s appalling that due to a lack of support from the Government, people with Parkinson’s who are eligible for benefits designed to assist them are poorer than they should be. Cutting back on basic essentials is hugely damaging to their physical and mental health.”

The charity’s research also showed that individuals with Parkinson’s are 10% more likely to face inaccurate assessments for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) than other claimants. In 2023, Parkinson’s UK’s specialist benefit advisers helped overturn refusals and secure over £346,000 in previously unawarded entitlements for clients.

Parkinson’s UK’s analysis also highlighted that many benefit assessors do not have sufficient knowledge of Parkinson’s disease, with half of those surveyed in 2021 reporting that their assessors were unfamiliar with the condition. This lack of understanding, combined with the PIP requirement that symptoms must affect a person for at least 50% of the time to qualify for support, creates a barrier to adequate help.

The charity is urging the government to remove the 50% rule, stating that Parkinson’s symptoms fluctuate significantly, making it impossible to predict when or how severely they will manifest.

There has been a significant rise in inquiries from people with Parkinson’s seeking guidance on benefits, with over a fifth of calls to the charity’s helpline in 2023 concerning benefits and income maximisation. Between 2021 and 2023, visits to Parkinson’s UK’s online benefits information pages increased by 59%, with printed information requests doubling.

Christoforou added: “The cost-of-living crisis is not over, and avoidable poverty continues to have a profoundly negative impact on people living with Parkinson’s. The Government promised to protect the most vulnerable in January 2023, but a year later, this has not happened.”

Despite these calls for reform, there are no current plans from the Government to remove the 50% threshold for PIP. A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson responded: “We support millions of people with disabilities every year, and our priority is that they receive a supportive, compassionate service. Our disability assessors are qualified health professionals with access to condition-specific information on Parkinson’s disease.”

Parkinson’s UK is calling on the UK Government to act urgently to improve support for those living with Parkinson’s, ensuring that they are not left in avoidable poverty.