We hope you’ve had a good week. If you’ve missed out on any health news, here are the latest headline highlights.
There are heavy rain and winds set to hit the UK this weekend so stay safe wherever you are!
The NHS plans to recruit 600 mental health social workers in the next five years
The NHS plans to recruit 600+ social workers into mental health services by 2023-24 to help it deliver on its long-term plans to support “new and improved models of community-based care” according to an NHS England spokesperson.
The majority of these new posts (360) are set to be in adult mental health care services, 170 social workers will be recruited to work with children and young people, and 70 employed to support homeless people.
Asthma deaths rise by a third in over 10 years
The Office for National Statistics show that asthma deaths have risen by a third in over ten years. The data, analysed by Asthma UK shows that more than 1,400 people in England and Wales died from an asthma attack last year, compared with 1,071 in 2008.
Number of teens needing glasses doubles in 10 years
Eye experts from Scrivens Opticians have released new data, which shows the number of teens aged 13 to 16 needing glasses has doubled in the last seven years.
The same experts have warned too much time looking at screens can lead to eye strain and have said this could cause blurred vision and difficulties in making out objects or words in the distance, like the text on a whiteboard.
Health Secretary announces £250 million investment in artificial intelligence
The Health Secretary has announced a £250 million investment into artificial intelligence within the NHS.
This new AI Lab could help the industry’s best academics, specialists and technology companies to work on some of the biggest challenges in healthcare including earlier cancer detection, dementia treatments and more personalised care.