It’s been a hectic week in healthcare news, the past week brought news of the Department of Health and Social Care appointing an Interim Deputy Chief Medical Officer, WHO has chosen Leeds university as partner for global health strategy, NHS England reported over 600,000 vaccination bookings in 48 hours and a COVID-19 blood vessel study received a £133k investment boost.
Meanwhile at LH, we’ve recently announced our Forward healthcare event will take place in September and here’s our latest round-up of the week’s news that you might’ve missed…
Two new air ambulances for Yorkshire announced
Yorkshire Air Ambulance will replace two of its current aircrafts with two new additions by the summer of 2023.
The organisation will be the first in the country to use the new 5-bladed H145 D3 model.
The current helicopters that joined Yorkshire Air Ambulance in 2016 will be replaced by helicopters fitted with a 5-bladed rotor head which is believed to ‘provide a smoother flight for the crew and patients’. It includes onboard Wi-Fi and a brand new secure communications system.
Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA said: “We are delighted to be able to announce our plans for these new helicopters. The H145 has become the most popular new aircraft globally and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the two new models to Yorkshire in Spring and Summer of 2023. Our current H145 D2 helicopters have served us well, so there was no question about considering other makes or models – it is fast becoming the air-ambulance helicopter of choice within the air ambulance sector.”
£3m GP hub announced for Slough
A brand new GP surgery, including a remodelling project to improve a community hub in Slough, has been announced this week.
The project has been backed by NHS England, and Kier construction won the contract, with work to start this month.
The new GP surgery and all work is hoped to be completed by this winter.
Sangeeta Saran, director of operations, Slough Place for NHS Frimley Collaborative, said: “This project will revolutionise local health services for Britwell residents, support those same residents with community health services, voluntary and council services together, working together, closely both physically and in an integrated way for the benefit of the local area and all those who live there.”
MediCinema ready to welcome visitors again
Inhouse hospital cinemas are now able to welcome attendants after the latest Government roadmap unlocking stage was announced on Monday.
The MediCinema at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle will open its doors on May 17 and is one of six MediCinemas currently operational in England.
A nationwide survey analysed the impact of showing films to patients and the results showed;
- 93% said a visit to the MediCinema reduced isolation
- 92% said a visit to the MediCinema reduced anxiety and stress
- 92% said a visit to the MediCinema improves wellbeing
- 96% gives people in hospital a sense of normality
Kat Mason, MediCinema Chief Executive said: “Over this past year we have all felt the isolating effects of staying at home and not seeing friends and family. We are all raring to get back to the cinema and to share a movie on the big screen with our loved ones, and this is no different whether you are in hospital or reconnecting as lockdown relaxes. Many patients who visit our cinemas to watch a film are clear about its effect on their mental health and wellbeing, having to spend so much time isolated on the wards, especially over the past year. The power of cinema – sharing a film in the company of others – is very real.”
