Daily digest September 10 2015

NHS warns nurse immigration rules 'harm patient safety'

Leading NHS figures have warned that ‘stringent’ immigration rules are preventing them from getting enough nurses on wards in time for winter, the BBC News website has reported.

The heads of ten leading trusts, along with the NHS Employers organisation, have written to the home secretary to say patients are being put at risk.

They argue operations might be cancelled unless nursing is listed as an occupation with official shortages.

The Home Office said some available places actually remained unused.

Read more on the BBC website

Alzheimer's disease may be infectious, study claims

The ‘seeds’ of Alzheimer’s disease may be transmitted from one person to another during certain medical procedures, scientists have found.

A study into people who died of a separate kind of brain disease after receiving injections of human growth hormone suggests that Alzheimer’s may also be a transmissible disease, the Independent reports.

The findings have raised questions about the safety of some medical procedures, possibly including blood transfusions and invasive dental treatment, which may involve the transfer of contaminated tissues or surgical equipment.

Read more on the Independent website

Assisted dying 'could threaten hospices'

Legalising assisted dying could cast the future of the UK’s world leading hospice movement into serious doubt, a prominent hospice chief has insisted.

Peter Holliday, deputy chair of the charity Hospice UK and chief executive of St Giles Hospice in Lichfield, said the plans to be considered by MPs on Friday could open a ‘can of worms’ for organisations caring for the terminally ill.

As reported by the Telegraph, although the Assisted Dying Bill, tabled by the MP Rob Marris, contains a conscience clause ensuring doctors and nurses would not be forced to be involved, it would still leave organisations such as hospices in a potentially impossible situation, Mr Holliday argued.

Read more on the Telegraph website

Nurse Alvin eliminated from Great British Bake Off

Alvin Magallanes has become the latest contestant to be eliminated from The Great British Bake Off after his timing issues became too much for him.

Theatre nurse Alvin found himself on the sharp edge of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood's baking swords during pastry week when his flan was undercooked and had the dreaded soggy bottom, the Mirror reports.

But Alvin insists the show has been good for him and he's really upped his baking game since the show.

‘I feel I can call myself a good baker now, as I have moved on from cupcakes and sponges,’ he said after his elimination.

Read more on the Mirror website