Nurses and ambulance drivers have gone on strike in recent months over pay, conditions and concerns about patient safety. Talks are currently ongoing with the government…reports Asian Lite News
Thousands are expected to march in support of Britain’s NHS this week, amid an unprecedented crisis. The demonstration — organised by SOS NHS — will take place on Saturday in central London, drawing in staff, unions and concerned members of the public.
The NHS is currently experiencing one of the worst crises on record, with 500 patients dying unnecessarily every week due to a “collapse” in emergency health care, according to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
Waits of up to 12 hours for an ambulance were documented this winter.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to improve urgent and emergency care, outlining plans for more beds, ambulances, staff and better social care in December, though pundits have said these words must be met with funding commitments.
Nurses and ambulance drivers have gone on strike in recent months over pay, conditions and concerns about patient safety. Talks are currently ongoing with the government.
“There is a tragedy unfolding before our very eyes,” said Dr Tony O’Sullivan, Co-Chair of Keep Our NHS Public. “The Government is 100% to blame. They must act now to invest properly in the NHS – after 13 years of running it down”.
“In all my years as an NHS doctor I have never seen such a crisis of low morale amongst health staff – pay NHS staff properly now and repair this current crisis,” he added.
“They deserve pay justice and they are fighting not just for themselves but for the entire future of the NHS.”
Speaking in February, Sunak said he would love to give nurses a “massive” pay rise, but instead the money was needed in other areas of the health service.
Nurses’ salaries have declined by as much as 20% since 2010, according to the Royal College of Nursing.
This weekend’s demonstration is taking place a few days before the Spring Budget — where the government outlines its spending plans for the coming year — alongside more industrial action by sector workers, including a strike by junior doctors next week.
“A good shift nowadays for those working in A&E departments is one where someone doesn’t die in our waiting rooms or show up dead on arrival in the back of a delayed ambulance,” said Dr Andrew Meyerson, a Junior Doctor who will march on Saturday.
“That this is happening in the 6th wealthiest country on the planet is an unacceptable failure of government,” he continued.
NHS 111 online is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Go to 111.nhs.uk to get assessed and directed to…reports Asian Lite News
NHS 111 online connects you with medical advice quickly, conveniently, and with the same experts, you can expect to reach through the telephone service.
That’s the message being delivered by the NHS this year, with the service adding that you can get advice on self-care, and even receive a call back from a nurse, doctor or other trained health professional if needed.
If you attend A&E today, you will experience long waits.
Please keep A&E free for those who need it most.
Visit NHS 111 online or call 111 for expert advice if you're unsure where to receive care for your condition. pic.twitter.com/rGVuI7iTMT
— Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (@SONHStrust) March 8, 2023
It’s available to everyone over the age of 5 and it can direct you to the most appropriate medical care for your needs in as little as 90 seconds, such as an urgent treatment centre, GP surgery, or pharmacy.
Dr Henna Anwar is one NHS GP promoting the service…
“I know from listening to my patients in my surgery that many people are worried about getting ill. If you are ill, deciding which support you might need, whether it be a GP appointment or over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy, can be difficult. Using NHS 111 online first will ensure everyone who needs medical advice knows exactly what service is best for their symptoms.
“So, if you think you need care fast, but it’s not life-threatening, visit 111 online first. By answering just a few questions, it can direct you to the best treatment for you.”
New survey data showed that: Almost 2 in 5 people (39%) didn’t know that NHS 111 online can assess and direct you to the right care in as little as 90 seconds. A third of people (33%) didn’t know NHS 111 online could direct you to A&EMore than half (57%) didn’t know that NHS 111 online could direct you to a pharmacist.
NHS 111 online is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Go to 111.nhs.uk to get assessed and directed to
the right healthcare in your area
a call back from a nurse, doctor, or paramedic
advice on self-care
Dr Henna says, “Knowing that NHS expertise is accessible online hopefully brings reassurance to many people.”
Prioritise your oral health to enjoy a cavity free Diwali.(photo:IANSLIFE)
BDA survey finds that half of dentists have cut back NHS work, with more to follow as crisis mounts. It said that the unmet need for NHS dentistry is at record high – 1 in 4 of adult population in 2022…reports Asian Lite News
The exodus of dentists from the NHS is continuing at a pace, but going unseen in official figures, according to new survey evidence from the British Dental Association.
A survey of 1,921 General Dental Practitioners in England shows that over half of dentists in England (50.3%) report having reduced their NHS commitment since the start of the pandemic – by 27% on average. This movement is not tracked in official workforce data, which counts heads not commitment, and where dentists doing one NHS check-up a year carry the same weight as an NHS full timer.
You told me, I told Parliament: too many parents in #StAlbans just can't get NHS dentist appointments for their children. I hope the Conservative government listened pic.twitter.com/W03aaTfif3
It also revealed that the proportion of dentists now reporting their intention to reduce – or further reduce – the amount of NHS work they undertake this year stands at 74%.
43% indicate they are likely to go fully private. 42% say they are likely to change career, seek early retirement. Over 1 in 10 (12%) state they are likely to move to practice abroad.
According to British Dental Association, the crisis is fuelled by failed contracts and underfunding, and has left England facing the worst access crisis in the nation’s history.
Analysis undertaken by the BDA of government data indicates unmet need for dentistry in 2022 stood at over 11 million people, or almost one in four of England’s adult population.
Nearly six million tried and failed to get an appointment in the past two years, and 3.6 million did not try because they thought they could not secure an appointment.
Those put off by cost are equivalent to over one million adults, those on waiting lists estimated at around 0.5 million. These figures exceed pre-pandemic norms by every measure. In 2019 unmet need sat at over 4 million people, or nearly one in ten adults, it added.
The BDA said that no element of a 5-point plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to end the access crisis last summer, has been taken forward.
“This is a desperate warning from this profession, as much for the opposition as it is for government,” Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee said.
“NHS dentistry is running out of road. Every day a broken system remains in force we lose dentists, while millions struggle to access care.”
“This crisis won’t be fixed with soundbites or tweaks at the margins. To turn the corner, we need a plan based on real reform and fair funding,” he added.
Brits are resorting to tearing out their own teeth because they can't see a dentist, as grim figures show 11 million can't get an appointment through the NHS https://t.co/UgVoDn8yuS
The Health Committee is currently holding an inquiry into the crisis in the service, and the BDA has stressed both the government and the opposition now have a duty to set an urgent plan of action. While minor tweaks to the discredited NHS contract fuelling this crisis were taken forward in November, there are serious concerns over limited ambitions on rebuilding the service.
The Health Service Journal recently reported that up to £400m of NHS dentistry’s already inadequate budget is set to be lost from the frontline, as dentists are penalised for failing to hit contractual targets. This money is not ringfenced and, in the face of this crisis, will likely be redistributed to balance other budgets elsewhere in the NHS.
Senior NHS staff encourage South Asians to consider a career in nursing ahead of National Careers Week
This National Careers Week, the ‘We Are the NHS’ campaign is highlighting the inspiring stories of senior South Asian staff and the exciting and varied nursing roles available across the NHS.
When Asha Day’s younger siblings were born prematurely, she knew she had to step up to help her mother.
“There were always hospital appointments we needed to take the twins to. Despite only being 10 years old, I knew how important a good healthcare system was to their survival,” says Asha. It was this early experience that inspired Asha to join the NHS.
She describes how the care, compassion, and kindness shown to her siblings by the NHS nursing team made her want to pursue a career where she could help people too.
Now after 40 years of working as a nurse in the NHS, Asha can’t see herself anywhere else. “I’m currently in a senior nursing role that I never imagined reaching at the start of my career,” says Asha, who is Head of International Recruitment, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust / Head of Nursing, Midwifery & AHPs Inclusion, LLR ICB. In her day to day role, Asha supports internationally recruited nurses start their career with the NHS. “As part of this, I provide them with clinical training, mentoring, and both emotional and pastoral support,” she says.
Today, Asha is not only in a job she loves but is helping others pursue their dream job at the NHS too. “When I first went into public health, I did notice disparities but there has been a lot of positive change since,” says Asha. “Look at all the fantastic international nurses we now have strengthening our workforce!” she says proudly.
Dr Navina Evans, Chief Workforce Officer at NHS England, agrees. Navina began her career as a psychiatrist within East London Foundation Trust, progressing to consultant psychiatrist, before taking on senior management responsibilities. She worked her way up to clinical director and is now the first Asian woman to lead Health Education England.
Navina sees the task of correcting racial inequality in the NHS as far greater than a mere box-ticking exercise. “Diversifying leadership is a start and repeated studies have shown diverse leaderships often perform better,” says Navina. To be successful in the NHS, Navina believes in building a meaningful connection with patients and staff, engaging with staff at all levels of the organisation and keeping patient care at the core of decision making.
“Nurses are the backbone of the NHS and will always be in high demand” says Navina. “The pandemic has highlighted the need for greater versatility and adaptability within healthcare, and we must prioritise senior nursing roles that will help us plan for the long term. Right now, there’s a great opportunity for people with the right skill-set and values to join the NHS.”
Like Navina, Asha’s family have been extremely supportive of her career. “My family had experienced medical emergencies and understood the importance of nursing so they fully supported my decision as they saw the positive impact I could make,” says Asha, who thinks nursing is a great career option for those thinking about what to do next.
“Patients often remember the nurse; the encouraging words often spoken, and the daily acts of kindness and compassion shown to them has a lasting impression,” says Asha. “The NHS has a range of positions available and plenty of opportunities for you to excel. We are the largest employer in the UK and there is a role here for everybody.”
Part of the health service’s ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, the tour is the latest NHS initiative to help drive earlier cancer diagnosis and tackle health inequalities, ultimately improving survival rates…reports Asian Lite News
An NHS double-decker bus will be touring the country from Monday, to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and to encourage people to visit their GP for potentially lifesaving checks if they have a symptom.
In partnership with Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, the giant NHS blue bus specifically branded with an eye-catching design, will visit five areas across the country where early diagnosis rates for cancer are among the lowest.
Kicking off its tour, following World Cancer Day on Saturday, the bus will head to its first stop in Blackburn on Monday 6 February, before moving on to Sunderland, Barnsley, and Leicester and will complete its route in London on Friday 10 February.
From the bus and Stagecoach driver David Hunt, one of the company’s biggest charity fundraisers, to teams of NHS staff, alongside nurses from Cancer Research UK, will provide expert advice to help make passers-by aware of common cancer signs and symptoms, the importance of earlier diagnosis, and where they can go for support or further advice.
Part of the health service’s ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, the tour is the latest NHS initiative to help drive earlier cancer diagnosis and tackle health inequalities, ultimately improving survival rates.
Thanks to these awareness-raising campaigns, more people than ever before have had potentially lifesaving NHS cancer checks, with over 2.8 million people seen last year – up by almost a fifth in the same period before the pandemic (2.35 million in 2018/19).
This has had a direct impact on the number of people diagnosed with cancer – with more than 320,000 people receiving treatment for cancer over the last year (Nov 2021 – Oct 2022) – the highest number on record, and up by more than 8,000 in the same period pre-pandemic.
The NHS is committed to its long-term plan to diagnose and treat cancers earlier. All GP teams now have direct access to potentially life-saving tests for patients – helping to cut waiting times and speeding up a cancer diagnosis for tens of thousands of patients or the all-clear for many more.
National Clinical Director for Cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, said, “We have seen a fantastic response to our Help Us, Help You cancer campaigns so far and are already seeing record levels of people coming forward for cancer checks, with thousands more people starting cancer treatment than in previous years.
“This bus tour is another example of how we are going further in our ambition to diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage than ever before, by engaging directly with people in their own communities as they are going about their daily routines.
“Trained staff will be on hand to discuss any concerns people may have about cancer symptoms and to inform them on what to look out for. It’s vitally important that people are aware of what is normal for their bodies and that when they notice something isn’t right, they feel empowered to come forward.”
NHS doctor Farzana Hussain said: “A key part of this new campaign is encouraging people to be aware of any changes in their body, and not to hold back from getting them checked. The NHS Bus-ting cancer tour is a great way of raising awareness about the signs and symptoms. I can only stress If you are worried that something in your body doesn’t feel right don’t let it play on your mind, contact your GP practise.”
After the tour, the bus will continue to operate a normal Stagecoach service in Manchester and will continue to carry the life-saving cancer messaging.
“We are really proud to be supporting this great cause and raise more awareness in checking for the early signs of cancer, Carla Stockton-Jones, UK Managing Director for Stagecoach said.
“Our services cover towns and cities right across the UK, so we were delighted to partner with the NHS in getting the message out to local communities. If we can prompt even one person to get checked by their GP, then it’s a worthwhile endeavour for us.
“Our ‘Giving for Good’ charity committee has supported numerous campaigns and charities throughout the year and it is always a pleasure to see these ideas come to fruition to help more people, including our valued customers and employees.”
Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell says, “With the number of people in the UK diagnosed with cancer set to rise by a third by 2040, awareness campaigns such as this, and the commitment to invest in community diagnostics centres, are important to help ensure more cancers are diagnosed at their earliest stage – when people are more likely to survive their disease.
“Beating cancer means beating it for everyone and we are delighted our Cancer Research UK nurses are supporting this work to help make sure all those affected by cancer receive the care and outcomes they deserve.”
The NHS’s Help Us Help You campaign addresses the stigma and fears surrounding cancer, with recent surveys showing over half (53%) say they worry about cancer every few months or more.
It is not the first time the NHS has visited communities with lower early diagnosis rates for cancer, having more than doubled the number of community lung truck sites as part of our drive to catch more cancers at stage one or two.
More than 30,000 people are invited every month for a Lung MOT – with over one thousand (1,300) people diagnosed with lung cancer earlier, and more than three-quarters (77%) caught at either stage one or two.
BACKGROUND
The bus will be taking the below route:
o Monday 6 February – Blackburn (Town Hall Square 10am-4pm)
o Tuesday 7 February – Sunderland (Keel Square 10am-1.30pm, and Sunderland International Bangladeshi Centre 2pm-4pm)
o Wednesday 8 February – Barnsley (Barnsley Market 10am-4pm)
o Thursday 9 February – Leicester (Humberstone Gate 10am-1pm and Peepul Centre 2pm-4pm)
o Friday 10 February – North-East London (Meridian Square 10am-4pm)
The current model sees self-employed GPs run their own practices under contracts awarded by the NHS…reports Asian Lite News
Sir Keir has formally given backing to his shadow health secretary’s reforms to effectively nationalise GP services.
Wes Streeting’s proposals to make general practitioners salaried NHS employees have been criticised in some parts of the medical profession.
But Sir Keir said that “if we don’t get real about reform, the NHS will die”.
“Well-meaning reverence for the ideals [the NHS] represents and the care it can deliver has supplanted reality,” he wrote in the Telegraph. Sir Keir set out a series of reforms that a future Labour government would introduce.
They included getting rid of “bureaucratic nonsense” to allow patients to bypass GPs and self-refer themselves to specialists.
He also backed gradually “phasing in a new system” for GPs, turning family doctors into direct NHS employees.
The pledges have echoes of New Labour’s 1997 promises, when Sir Tony Blair swept into power on the back of a manifesto vowing to slash NHS waiting times and make the service more patient-focused.
The current model sees self-employed GPs run their own practices under contracts awarded by the NHS.
But Sir Keir said it was time to accept that the system needed overhauling, with the pressure on GP surgeries causing more people to resort to attending hospital instead.
Sir Keir suggested young doctors were not keen on taking on the “burdens and liabilities” of the current system as older GPs leave the workforce.
“As GPs retire and those contracts are handed back, I want to phase in a new system that sees GPs fairly rewarded within the NHS, working much more closely with other parts of the system,” he said. “Not everyone will want to hear this – but it is the direction we need to go in.”
Labour’s proposals come as the NHS faces added winter pressures, with nurses and ambulance workers staging walkouts during the busiest period. Services have been severely disrupted and army personnel called in to help out amid the chaos.
Last week, figures showed the proportion of patients seen within four hours in England’s A&Es fell to a record low of 65 per cent in December.
The British Association of Physicians of Indian origin (BAPIO) and BAPIO Training Academy (BTA) UK have drawn up plans to forge tie-ups between Indian hospitals and UK based medical education Universities, Rahul Laud reports
The latest two tie ups and signing of MoUs in the last two months- September-November 2022 between British Association of Physicians of Indian origin (BAPIO) and BAPIO Training Academy (BTA) UK and Bangalore hospitals – Gleneagles and Vydehi Super speciality (formerly Mallya hospital) demonstrates the fact that the vast Indian medical community that serves the NHS in the UK has been an active and conscientious supporter of the NHS system. They have cherished the values of top class quality patient care in the UK. The tie ups are with the aim of developing and providing world-class training and exchange programs for doctors and nurses in India to meet the growing demands of effective and safe delivery of emergencies.
Extreme left Chandru Iyer, Deputy High Commissioner , UK in Bangalore with BAPIO and hospital teams.
BAPIO with its Education Academy in the UK has actively geared up its resources to mitigate the current crisis faced by the NHS system. Given an Estimated lack of 12,000 doctors and 50,000 nurses in the UK, the BAPIO is seeking tie-ups with leading hospitals in India and engage in training and ensure trained professionals are recruited in both the countries.
Chandru Iyer, as the Deputy High Commissioner UK in Bangalore in his tweet said, “Such tie ups will enhance collaborative training avenues for Indian medical students and professionals in the UK.” It has been BAPIO’S strategy to promote professional & clinical excellence. Prof Parag Singhal, Executive Director- BTA and National Secretary –BAPIO explained, “This training initiative is designed specially to help International doctors gain experience at core and higher levels in UK hospitals.” The BTA Indo-UK Training Programme has been developed in partnership with University of South Wales and Kingsway Hospitals.
The Indo-UK Training Programmes organised by Prof Parag Singhal under the auspices of Bapio Training Academy has been devised to assist Indian doctors seeking higher qualification and Training and as aspiring career in medicine in India and help realising the dream of Ayushman Bharat.
Prof Dr Parag Singhal
An Advanced Specialty Training Program is designed by providing structured clinical training to candidates in Indian Institutions/Hospitals for 2 years and 2 years in the U.K. supported by enrollment in MBA in Healthcare leadership from UK University.
Singhal elaborated that the purpose is, “To train highly skilled Indian physicians in Family and General Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine and Leadership and Research in order to manage, lead and develop especially Family and General Medicine in India, need of the hour in India. Family and General Medicine is the backbone of any robust health service.”
Outlining the Scheme, Singhal elaborated, “During the 2 years, the trainees will work at Indian Hospitals / Institutes (chosen sites) with local trainers and with external training from U.K. faculty. Following completion of training in India, these trainees will receive further 2 years training in the U.K. and will complete all the necessary exams and milestones.”
BTA is the lead organization for this programme and is the link between India and UK. BTA will be responsible for creating a UK visiting faculty, coordinating the faculty visits, induction and mentoring. This unique and innovative programme is a great example of living bridge between U.K. and India and benefits all with India getting trained workforce to help with Ayushman Bharat, U.K. securing a pipeline of good quality doctors to address their workforce crisis.
India is now producing over 82,000 medical graduates every year through its network of 576 medical colleges and the Indian Government has shown keen commitment to reforms in medical profession and education by a series of initiatives as National Health Agency (Ayushman Bharat) & National Medical Commission (NMC), New AIIMS etc. in the health sector.
“However, there are limited numbers of Post Graduate training positions and more so for positions that offer a high level of training. Indian medical schools use similar textbooks and curriculum to the UK, which means knowledge and skills are largely transferable between the two systems. Large numbers of doctors of Indian origin already practice in the NHS providing a useful support network for new arrivals,” Singhal further explained.
British training is internationally recognized and is attractive to doctors in India, especially to those who are unable to obtain a PG seat in India.
Up to 100,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are holding a one-day stoppage from 8 am to 8 pm after rejecting a government pay offer…reports Asian Lite News
Nurses in Britain on Thursday begin an unprecedented strike as a “last resort” in their fight for better wages and working conditions, despite warnings it could put patients at risk.
Up to 100,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are holding a one-day stoppage from 8 am to 8 pm after rejecting a government pay offer.
Ameera, a senior nurse in London, told Agence France Presse (AFP) that “we have not chosen industrial action lightly”. The strike is the first in the Royal College of Nursing union’s 106-year history. “We’re tired. We’re fed up,” added the nurse, who asked that her last name not be reported. “We need a pay rise now to make a living.”
Britain is currently grappling with a cost-of-living crisis as spiraling inflation outstrips wage growth. Union leaders and health workers also said nurses were being overworked due to staff shortages, as the state-run National Health Service (NHS) battled a backlog in appointments made worse by cancellations during the pandemic.
Chemotherapy, dialysis, intensive care and high-dependency units, as well as neonatal and pediatric intensive care, will be protected. But other services will be reduced to Christmas staffing levels during the walk-out, the RCN said.
Health chiefs warned unions that care levels could suffer because of the walkout, just as seasonal respiratory conditions such as flu add pressure on already stretched services. Cally Palmer, national cancer director for England, called on the union to exempt cancer surgery from the walkout, while England’s chief nursing officer expressed concern over the strike staffing plans.
“We hear from our colleagues that they are concerned by the assumption, implied by the RCN, that night duty staffing on day duty is safe,” Ruth May wrote in a letter to the RCN. “Ward activities during the day are very different to those at night. This decision has the potential to significantly impact on the safety of patient care (for example, by impacting delivery of intravenous antibiotics on time, patient observations and medication rounds),” she added.
The RCN’s industrial action is part of a growing wave of stoppages by public and private sector employees. Healthcare unions say their members are skipping meals, struggling to feed and clothe their families, and leaving the NHS in droves. But successive below-inflation awards since 2010 have left experienced nurses worse off by 20% in real terms, they say.
The RCN wants a pay rise significantly above inflation which surged to a 41-year high of 11.1% in October, falling slightly to 10.7% last month. The government maintains the demands are unaffordable and Health Secretary Steve Barclay called the strikes “deeply regrettable”.
RCN general secretary Pat Cullen has offered to “press pause” on the strikes if Barclay agreed to talks. But Barclay insisted that while he was open to talks on wider issues, the pay settlement was recommended by an independent review body and would not be reopened.
The NHS Pay Review Body recommended a pay rise of at least £1,400 ($1,740) on top of a 3% pay rise last year, he said. “Further pay increases would mean taking money away from frontline services at a time when we are tackling record waiting lists as a result of the pandemic,” he added.
The main opposition Labour party leader Keir Starmer called the strike a “badge of shame” for the ruling Conservative government.
Accident and emergency staff nurse Mark Boothroyd, 37, said the cost-of-living crisis had left nurses struggling to pay bills, transport and rent. Poor pay meant newly qualified nurses now spend only a year or two before leaving the profession, said Mr. Boothroyd, who works at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.
The resulting unfilled vacancies have put huge pressure on remaining staff, many of whom were reporting mental health problems from stress. Conditions were “horrendous and cannot be allowed to go on”, he added.
South Asians urged to get life saving GP checks as data reveals more than 40% unaware of common abdominal and urological cancer symptoms
An NHS campaign backed by South Asian healthcare professionals is encouraging people with potential cancer symptoms to come forward for life saving checks. Despite abdominal and urological cancers making up nearly half of all cancer diagnoses in England, as well as two in five cancer deaths, new data reveals that most South Asians are less likely to recognise cancer symptoms, which could prevent them seeking help.
Cancers in the abdominal area include bowel, oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic, ovarian and uterine cancers, while urological cancers include prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. Symptoms that could be possible signs of these cancers are persistent diarrhoea, prolonged discomfort in the tummy area or blood in your urine – even just once.
Even when symptoms such as persistent tummy troubles or diarrhoea are recognised, more than half of the South Asians surveyed said they would put off going to see their doctor due to feeling embarrassed. However, loved ones may play a crucial role to change this, as over 50% of South Asians were more likely to talk to their family and friends first if they were concerned about possible cancer symptoms.
“There is clearly a lot of work to be done in South Asian communities to increase awareness of cancer symptoms,” says Dr Anant Sachdev, CRUK GP and TVCA Clinical Lead Prevention & Early Diagnosis, who is backing the campaign. “If you notice your loved ones experiencing these symptoms, please urge them to contact their GP immediately and get checked out right away.”
The data by Censuswide found that awareness of a range of potential cancer symptoms was in each case considerably low among South Asians (42% on average), including:
Feeling bloated for three weeks or more (44% unaware)
Needing to pee urgently (43% unaware)
Diarrhoea for more than three weeks (40% unaware)
In addition, respondents were asked about bladder and bowel cancer specifically
Blood in pee or stools as symptoms of bladder and bowel cancers (43% unaware for both)
Most South Asians (81%) however did recognise tummy discomfort as a possible symptom of urological and abdominal cancers.
The ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign comes as research shows many South Asians are conscious of wasting their doctor’s time.
To address this, South Asian healthcare professionals are coming together to back the campaign and to let the community know that the NHS is open and that people can access the health services they need when they need them.
“South Asians tend to put their family first, even above their own health. But going to see your GP when experiencing cancer symptoms is the best way to ensure you can be with your family for as long as possible,” says Dr Jyoti Soodi, GP and Clinical Director.
“Do not just rely on herbal remedies and prayer to treat your symptoms. If you see any unusual changes like unexplained tummy pain or diarrhoea that doesn’t go away for three weeks or more, or blood in your pee even once, go and see your GP immediately. It’s probably nothing serious but it could be a sign of cancer and finding it early makes it more treatable and can save your life.”
New NHS recruitment campaign launches to encourage South Asian community to consider nursing career. Now in its fifth year, NHS England’s ‘We Are The NHS’ campaign has been revamped to champion the extraordinary work of South Asian nurses and inspire a new cohort to consider a career in the health service
Now in its fifth year, NHS England’s ‘We Are The NHS’ campaign has been revamped to champion the extraordinary work of South Asian nurses and inspire a new cohort to consider a career in the health service.
The campaign highlights the range of nursing specialisms across the NHS, including in learning disabilities, mental health, adult and children’s nursing. It features a South Asian nurse, who is proud to showcase the many ways that nursing has a positive impact every day, on patients and on himself.
Pratap Perseeddoss, a nurse at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, and now star of the new ‘We Are The NHS’ campaign said: “It’s a very rewarding role. I enjoy interacting with patients and listening to any concerns or feedback they might have – this is absolutely crucial to ensuring you can provide the best possible care.”
After completing his nursing degree at London South Bank University, Pratap is now a Nurse Consultant. Candidates for university nursing courses have access to a support system to guide them step by step through the application process, alongside tailored support. Annual payments of at least £5,000 are also available to help nursing students with their studies.
“A career in nursing is one of the most dynamic and rewarding roles the NHS has to offer,” said Pratap. “With ongoing training and endless opportunities to progress, I am sure a career in nursing will transform your life, as it has done mine. Being in a workplace that allows you to grow and bring your whole authentic self to work everyday is what enables me to deliver the best possible healthcare.”
After graduating, nursing is the UK’s most employable profession with 94% of graduates gaining employment within the first six months of leaving university. Once qualified, there are many opportunities to further develop through additional training or by focusing on specific areas, such as trauma, orthopaedics or neonatal care.
To help those who are unsure of what to specialise in, the ‘We Are The NHS’ campaign has also launched a quiz to raise awareness of the plethora of nursing roles available and to help people find out which nursing role they would be best suited to which is available here
The campaign aims to increase applications for both degree courses and direct entry jobs, seeking to build upon the existing 1.2 million-strong workforce and to shine a light on the incredible work they do in multicultural adverts across TV, cinemas, radio and billboards.
Dr Navina Evans, recently appointed Chief Workforce Officer at NHSE, said: “I am proud to support this new recruitment campaign. The NHS’s greatest strength is in the diversity of our people. Nurses from multicultural communities across the UK are the backbone of our national health service and the contributions they make every day must be celebrated.”
Marimouttou Coumarassamy, Founder and Chair of the British Indian Nursing Association, said: “When I first arrived from India to work as a nurse in the UK, I was pleasantly surprised by the respect given to the nursing profession. Throughout my career, I have been supported through various learning opportunities, which have helped me to grow as a compassionate and inclusive leader. I am proud to be part of the NHS family and would encourage others to choose a career in nursing.”
