New tools are to be offered to those in GP jobs in order to help them make patient-specific decisions that conform to NICE guidelines, according to an industry expert.

Doctors could soon make use of software approved by NICE which might enable them to guide patients through the treatment options that are open to them, the institute`s chairman, Sir Michael Rawlins, suggested.

Sir Michael also told NICE`s annual conference that the body`s guidance could be incorporated into the software, which is offered by practice systems suppliers.

He remarked: "Patient-specific, real-time, decision-support tools are already starting to provide clinicians with advice on how best to manage a particular patient`s condition, whether it`s been in a consulting room or a ward.

"These decision-support systems are at present in their infancy, but they will become more sophisticated over the next few years."

Patients and carers should also be offered technological innovations like the NICE app in formats which are suitable for them, the expert added.

Copyright Press Association 2012

Breast cancer treatments could be revolutionised by a new study that divided types of the disease into 10 categories.

Those in nursing jobs may be able to treat the condition differently in the future, following the results of the Cancer Research UK study which looked at the genetic make-up of 2,000 tumours.

The charity`s scientists suggested that breast cancer could be viewed as 10 separate diseases, instead of just the one illness. They believe that breast cancer could become an umbrella term for a variety of conditions.

More targeted treatments for the disease could be created following the publication of the findings. And it is thought that the discovery of new breast cancer genes might also shed light on defects which lead to the formation of cancer.

Dr Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK`s chief executive, said: "This is a landmark study that really changes the way we think about breast cancer - no longer as one disease but actually as 10 quite distinct diseases, dependent on which genes are really switched on and which ones aren`t for an individual woman."

The journal Nature published the findings.

Copyright Press Association 2012

The fact that thousands of hospital patients are being discharged in the middle of the night is putting GPs under strain, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

The warning comes after a study revealed 239,233 patients were discharged between 11pm and 6am in 2011/12. Of the 170 English hospital trusts asked by The Times, 100 responded.

But the RCGP warns the move is making GP jobs harder, as patients discharged in the middle of the night require a GP home visit the next day.

"GPs are heaving under the workload," said RCGP chairwoman Dr Clare Gerada.

"The number of patients GPs are seeing has increased, activity has more or less doubled and we are seeing increasingly complex cases and the points of access has increased."

The figures account for 3.5% of all hospital discharges, and include A&E admissions only if they have been admitted to a ward.

Copyright Press Association 2012

Some primary care services in England have been issued with a letter reminding them of the signs of whooping cough, as figures show a rising number in cases of the infection.

So far this year 665 cases have already been reported, whereas figures for 2011 totalled 1,040, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Cases have even been confirmed in healthcare environments and educational establishments over parts of the country.

Pertussis, the medical name for the infection, can have an impact on people across any age range. But health professionals are concerned of the effect it has on infants in particular as the danger of them developing "severe complications" - even leading to death - are higher.

As a result, the HPA have urged parents to ensure that their children`s vaccinations have been updated. The symptoms for older people can be uncomfortable but do not place them at risk of serious harm.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at HPA, said the group have sent letters to staff in GP jobs highlighting how important vaccinations are while also reminding them of the symptoms of whooping cough.

"The agency is also encouraging GPs to report cases quickly and to make them aware of the HPA`s guidance to help reduce the spread of the infection," she added.

Copyright Press Association 2012