By Ellie Broughton
Our round-up of the health headlines on Wednesday 20 April.
A King's Fund survey concurs with Pulse's report yesterday that waiting times are up, as the Guardian reported this morning. The think tank found that some hospital waiting times are at their worst point for three years, and that NHS finance directors anticipate ward closures, job cuts and other reductions as they struggle to make ends meet during NHS reorganisation.
Professionals across acute, mental health and primary care, mentioned closures as a cost-saving measure 12 times and workforce changes were cited 16 times. In the words of one respondent: ‘A saving is not a saving until the activity has reduced AND the beds or theatres have closed AND the jobs taken out, Only then do commissioners and providers save money.'
The Telegraph's got a bumper health news issue today. Interestingly, three stories conspire to get you out of the office for a lunch hour.
First of all, taking Vitamin D with calcium pills increases the chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Secondly, scientists are again warning that energy-efficient lightbulbs contain carcinogens. And thirdly, having a desk job doubles your risk of bowel cancer.
News of how ice cream prolongs your life expectancy will be published in the weekend edition.
Spotted a story we've missed? Let us know in the comments and we'll update the digest throughout the day...
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