Are you ready for another dose of news from the worlds of healthcare, social care, education, and recovery and criminal justice? Of course you are! And that’s precisely what the Friday Five is here to provide. So, get yourself comfy with a cuppa and have a read.
We know how precious your time is, which is why we’ve collated five of the most interesting and noteworthy news stories from recent days into one quick and easy-to-read package. Without further ado, here we go.
1. Innovative Gene Therapy Transforming Lives
Gene therapy using Crispr-Cas9 has significantly improved the lives of patients with angioedema, a genetic disorder causing painful swelling attacks that can be life-threatening.
This innovative treatment has shown remarkable results, with patients experiencing a drastic reduction in symptoms after a single dose. The therapy, which targets flaws in DNA, has the potential to offer a permanent cure for hereditary angioedema and holds promise for treating other genetic conditions.
Trials have demonstrated a 95% reduction in symptoms among participants, marking a significant breakthrough in gene editing treatments.
2. New Teacher Training Framework
The UK government has announced the merger of its two flagship teacher training programs into a new framework named the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF), set to launch in September 2025.
This reform aims to streamline the professional development journey for new teachers by combining the Initial Teacher Training core content framework (CCF) and the Early Career Framework (ECF).
The overhaul includes enhancements to support teachers in working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), reducing mentor workload, and providing more subject-specific training.
3. Prison Expansion Being Slowed by Constraints Within Planning
UK Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has expressed frustration over delays in expanding prison capacity due to planning system bottlenecks. Despite government plans to create 20,000 new prison places by the mid-2020s, with a £3.75bn investment, progress has been slow at three sites.
Chalk’s comments highlight the challenges faced by the Ministry of Justice in addressing the prison system’s overcrowding and ageing infrastructure, amidst a backdrop of rising prison populations and the need for reform in sentencing and prison management.
4. Special Review of Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Mental Health Services
Following the tragic killings in Nottingham by Valdo Calocane, the UK Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, has mandated a special review of Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust’s mental health services.
The inquiry, led by the Care Quality Commission, will scrutinise the care provided to Calocane and broader mental health service issues in the region, aiming to offer closure to the victims’ families and enhance care standards.
This response to the June 2023 incidents aims to address systemic issues and ensure public and patient safety.
5. Separate Pay Spine for Nurses Considered by RCN
Pat Cullen, head of the Royal College of Nursing, has called for a radical change in the recognition and pay of nurses in the UK. Launching a “listening exercise” with members, the RCN seeks feedback on creating a separate pay structure for nurses, aiming to address issues with the current Agenda for Change system.
Cullen emphasises the need for better career progression and salary recognition for nursing professionals, highlighting the profession’s critical role in healthcare and advocating for a shift towards fair compensation and acknowledgement of nurses’ expertise and leadership.
Want a Role in Any of the Sectors Discussed?
If you’re seeking a new job opportunity in social care, healthcare, education, or recovery and criminal justice, Seven Resourcing can help. Get in touch today, and we’ll help you take the next step in your career journey!
