The NHS paid more than £33m to cover ‘losses and special payments’ by its hospitals last year, a new investigation has found.

Information obtained by The Sun under the Freedom of Information Act found that more than £500,000 was lost after a foreign patient vanished after being treated at Barts and the London Trust and almost £1,500 was wasted in unwanted letterheads when a PCT changed its chief executive.

Robert Oxley from the TaxPayer’s Alliance said the findings highlight some “truly astounding examples of waste” and called upon the NHS “to be more careful with taxpayers’ money.”

The investigation found that the NHS lost almost £100,000 a day through waste, incompetence, losses and special payments. Analysis of the accounts of 139 hospitals and NHS Trusts found the wasted money under a section called ‘Losses and Special Payments’.

It found stolen medical equipment at North West London NHS Trust cost £221,554, spillages and incorrect refrigeration of blood by Cambridge University Hospitals cost £107,000 and £94,000 was spent on unwanted hearing aids binned by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Computer software which failed to work at Leeds Teaching Hospital cost £86,527 and tens of thousands of pounds worth of compensation were paid by Salford Royal NHS Trust and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex. Rotherham NHS Trust also paid £43,500 to a cleaner who suffered breathing difficulties after inhaling a cleaning product.

The Government’s controversial NHS reforms have resulted in public satisfaction levels on the way the NHS is run fall by 12% in the last year, a new survey has shown.

The British Social Attitudes Survey showed how public satisfaction fell from 70% in 2010 to 58% in 2011 after the reforms came under increased scrutiny by the media and public.

John Appleby, Chief Economist at The King’s Fund – who sponsored the survey’s health questions – said he was shocked how quickly satisfaction levels had reduced.

The study questioned more than 1,000 people between July and November last year. It found that satisfaction with individual services also fell by 4% for GPs, 5% for inpatient services, 6% for outpatient services and 7% for A&E services.

Although the survey found the NHS to be performing well in other areas, The King’s Fund said the levels of satisfaction had been influenced by the Government’s reforms, publicised funding pressures and ministerial rhetoric.

“It is not surprising this has happened when the NHS is facing a well-publicised spending squeeze,” said Mr Appleby. “Nevertheless, it is something of a shock that it has fallen so significantly. This will be a concern to the Government, given it appears to be closely linked with the debate on its NHS reforms.”

Mike Farrar, NHS Confederation Chief Executive, said it was “really important” politicians and NHS leaders are “engaging the public in the major debate about the NHS” to improve satisfaction levels.

“The NHS has got to respond to massive financial pressure and the changing nature of health and social care in a way that takes patients and the public with us,” he said. “It will be much harder to make the changes to services necessary if public perception and confidence deteriorates.”

Public satisfaction with the NHS had risen steadily over the previous decade before the most recent findings – the biggest fall in a year since the survey began in 1983.

Nottinghamshire CCGs are inviting bids for a new contract to deliver expanded services from Nottingham Treatment Centre.

The services, worth £42m per year, will include a hepatitis clinic as well as dermatology, rheumatology, endocrinology and gynaecology services.

The centre is currently run by Circle and its subsidiary Nations Healthcare, who are expected to bid for the new contract.

Already the largest NHS treatment centre, the Nottingham facility is the most robust survivor of the ISTC programme that saw elective surgery and diagnostic testing franchised out to many private sector organisations.

With over 150 consultants, it is the closest approach yet to a private hospital that treats mostly NHS patients.

According to the tender notice, the chosen provider will lease the centre and “may be required to enter into various service level agreements with Nottingham University Hospital Trust and other health bodies” who will provide it with “certain support services”.

Circle is Europe’s largest private healthcare provider.

NICE has launched a second consultation on the use of Xgeva (denosumab) for the treatment of cancer patients with bone metastases after again recommending its use on the NHS.

An independent Appraisal Committee heard evidence from clinical experts during the original consultation on the draft guidance on current UK clinical practice concerning its comparison to existing options.

As a result, the latest draft guidance now recommends Xgeva for adults with bone metastases from breast cancer and those with solid tumours other than breast and prostate only if certain other bisphosphonates would otherwise be prescribed.

The updated guidance also states the treatment must be supplied under the terms of an agreed Patient Access Scheme, and that Xgeva is not recommended for preventing skeletal-related events in those with bone metastases from prostate cancer.

Professor Carole Longson, Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said feedback from clinical experts “shed new light on the original recommendations”.

Earlier draft guidance recommended the treatment in people with bone metastasis from breast cancer; people with painful bone metastasis from hormone-refractory prostate cancer when treatment has failed; and for those with bone metastasis from other solid tumours for whom zoledronic acid is indicated.

The appraisal is considering the treatment as an alternative to bisphosphonates and as an alternative to best supporting care where they are not used.

Comments are now being invited by NICE and its Appraisal Committee on the updated draft guidance.

NICE has launched a second consultation on the use of Xgeva (denosumab) for the treatment of cancer patients with bone metastases after again recommending its use on the NHS.

An independent Appraisal Committee heard evidence from clinical experts during the original consultation on the draft guidance on current UK clinical practice concerning its comparison to existing options.

As a result, the latest draft guidance now recommends Xgeva for adults with bone metastases from breast cancer and those with solid tumours other than breast and prostate only if certain other bisphosphonates would otherwise be prescribed.

The updated guidance also states the treatment must be supplied under the terms of an agreed Patient Access Scheme, and that Xgeva is not recommended for preventing skeletal-related events in those with bone metastases from prostate cancer.

Professor Carole Longson, Director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE, said feedback from clinical experts “shed new light on the original recommendations”.

Earlier draft guidance recommended the treatment in people with bone metastasis from breast cancer; people with painful bone metastasis from hormone-refractory prostate cancer when treatment has failed; and for those with bone metastasis from other solid tumours for whom zoledronic acid is indicated.

The appraisal is considering the treatment as an alternative to bisphosphonates and as an alternative to best supporting care where they are not used.

Comments are now being invited by NICE and its Appraisal Committee on the updated draft guidance.

Boots UK has launched a new Diabetes Information Service to support people living with type 2 diabetes and their carers.

The new service includes an online information site, a comprehensive information pack and bespoke support from pharmacists.

The pharmacy based its initiative on research showing what types of information and guidance the family members of people with type 2 diabetes thought would help them to give more effective support.

The initiative reflects the emphasis placed on long-term conditions by the NHS Outcomes Framework, and the need for community-based services to reduce the pressure on the NHS.

Boots has added the following to its existing resources:

• an information website (boots.com/diabetes) with videos where diabetes experts answer questions

• A Diabetes Information Pack for patients and their carers

• support in diabetes management from pharmacists.

Peter Bainbridge, Director of Pharmacy, Boots UK, commented: “The research highlights there is a real need for pharmacists not only to help people with diabetes but to also help support their supporters.”

To meet this need, he said, Boots has developed “a new condition-led pharmacy approach, using inspiring conversations to help those with Type 2 diabetes better manage their condition”.

“The move by Boots towards a condition-led pharmacy approach should be welcomed by GPs,” added Bristol GP Dr Catherine Maytum.

“Providing the best possible support for people with long-term conditions is vital to improve compliance and minimise the risk of complications, and pharmacies are perfectly placed to offer this support.”

The Government has banned age discrimination against NHS patients and other public and private service users.

From October 2012, NHS clinicians will no longer be able to deny treatments to patients on grounds of age alone.

Care decisions will still be based on clinical need and fitness, but clinicians will have a duty to support the wellbeing and dignity of elderly patients.

While laws exist to prevent age discrimination in the workplace, there has been no equivalent legislation for public and private services.

Following a health summit in March 2012, the King’s Fund stated that older NHS patients with ‘incurable’ problems were often being denied treatment that could improve their comfort and dignity.

In February 2011, the Health Service Ombudsman reported that the NHS widely displayed “an attitude – both personal and institutional – which fails to recognise the humanity and individuality” of elderly patients.

Care Minister Paul Burstow (pictured), announcing the new legislation, said: “We know that older people are not always treated with the dignity and respect they deserve because of ageist attitudes – this will not be tolerated.

“The challenge for the NHS is to look beyond a person’s date of birth and meet the needs of older people as individuals.”