Health

GP patient lists ‘generally sound’, audit finds

Published

2 months ago

January 15, 2026

Controls against list inflation appear effective, but some duplicates and deceased records remained

GP practice patient lists in Wales are in “good health overall”, with no immediate evidence of fraud found in a new data-matching exercise carried out with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP), according to Audit Wales.

The pilot focused on two areas that can affect the accuracy of practice lists and, by extension, the way practices are funded: duplicate patient registrations and deceased individuals not being removed in a timely manner.

Audit Wales said the payment system for GP practices is complex, but patient numbers sit at the heart of it — creating an inherent risk that inflated lists could lead to incorrect payments. Accurate lists also support wider primary care management, including ensuring patients receive timely invitations for services such as screening and preventing people who should not be registered from blocking appointment invitations.

While auditors found no immediate evidence of fraud in the areas examined, a small number of errors were identified.

The exercise found 140 duplicate registrations to date, with a further 395 potential matches still under investigation. It also identified 15 cases where deceased individuals remained on GP patient lists, with some left on the lists for a significant period.

Audit Wales said these issues meant some GP funding had been allocated inaccurately, but the amount involved was low.

The findings suggest patient list inflation controls are generally sound in the areas covered by the pilot, though NWSSP is working to strengthen its central controls. Audit Wales also noted recent wider IT system changes affecting England, Wales and the Isle of Man.

Auditor General for Wales Adrian Crompton said data matching and other analytic techniques are becoming increasingly important as public bodies tackle risks around fraud and error.

He said: “The results from this exercise have not identified significant concerns about the accuracy of GP patient lists and that is a good thing. But there is no room for complacency. I therefore welcome the way in which NWSSP has taken forward learning from this exercise as part of wider improvements it has already made.”

The pilot compared certain personal details for permanently registered adult patients across GP lists in Wales and against UK Government death registration records. It identified just over 7,000 potential matches from around 2.7 million records processed, with most of the matches investigated by NWSSP found to be explainable false positives.

Audit Wales said the Auditor General is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector, responsible for the annual audit of the majority of public money spent in Wales.

Charity

Free London Marathon spaces offered by NHS charity

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Hywel Dda Health Charities is delighted to announce that it has secured three free charity places for supporters wishing to take part in the TCS London Marathon MyWay 2026 – the virtual version of the world‑famous marathon.

Taking place on Sunday, April 26, the TCS London Marathon MyWay gives participants the freedom to complete the iconic 26.2‑mile distance from any location. Whether running, jogging or walking, entrants have 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds to finish the challenge. The event must be completed outdoors, but participants can choose any route that suits them.

The virtual marathon is the perfect option for anyone who has always dreamed of taking part in the London Marathon but would prefer a more flexible timeframe, the chance to complete the distance at their own pace and the ability to take part without travelling to London.

Participants will receive a finisher’s T-shirt and medal (optional), a free trial with Coopah, the official training app of the TCS London Marathon and access to the official event tracking app.

In return for one of the limited free places, Hywel Dda Health Charities asks supporters to raise a minimum of £300 in aid of a Hywel Dda service of their choice.

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We’re so excited to offer these special MyWay places to our supporters. The virtual marathon is a fantastic opportunity for people of all abilities to take on an iconic challenge in a way that works best for them.

“Every pound raised will make a meaningful difference to patients and staff across our local NHS services. We can’t wait to cheer on our amazing fundraisers as they take on the 26.2 miles their own way.”

Places will be allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis. To request a place or find out more, please contact the Hywel Dda Health Charities team via email at [email protected] or by phone on 01267 239815.

Charity

Pembrokeshire farmer warms up for Rome Marathon in fund-raising bid for Parkinson’s UK

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A retired Pembrokeshire farmer is lacing up his trainers for one of the world’s most iconic marathons, inspired by his family and driven by a cause close to his heart.

On March 22, Steve Ford, 68, will take on the Rome Marathon when he will be running alongside his daughter and son-in-law in what has become a remarkable family endeavour.

Since beginning his training in May 2025, Steve has clocked an extraordinary amount of miles for a first-time marathon runner. He has covered a staggering 726 miles and has logged no fewer than 130 hours of running. This includes 34,524 feet of elevation which is more than the height of Mount Everest.

Now, with less than three weeks to go, Steve has just completed one of his longest training runs to date.

He is running in aid of Parkinson’s UK, which is a cause close to his family’s heart, having been personally touched by the condition. To date, he has raised over £4,100, and his family are immensely proud of everything he has achieved.

Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive brain condition affecting more than 153,000 people in the UK. With over 40 symptoms, ranging from tremor and pain to anxiety and depression, and no cure, the need for research and support has never been greater. Someone in the UK is diagnosed every 20 minutes, and by 2050, the number of people living with Parkinson’s worldwide is expected to double to 25 million. Parkinson’s UK funds vital research into new treatments and provides life-changing support services for those affected.

To support Steve and donate to Parkinson’s UK, visit: https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/stephenford/overseas-runs-2026

Health

New seaweed extract shows promising anti-inflammatory and gut health benefits

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW seaweed extract could have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, according to scientists testing it as part of efforts to improve the nation’s health.

Sourced from seaweed sustainably harvested in the UK, it could offer a new natural remedy for gut health ailments. Seaweed is considered to be a “superfood”, due to its high fibre, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

Long recognised in Asia for its therapeutic potential, the seaweed extract fucoidan is now attracting growing interest elsewhere in the world as demand rises for natural compounds with proven health benefits.

The 12-month INNOSea study focused on producing and trialling a purified extract of fucoidan, marketed as Thalivra, which showed promising effects on digestive health and overall wellbeing.

***Dr Jessica Adams with seaweed capsules***

The first 28-day clinical trial suggested improvements in the mental wellbeing of young adults. The results pave the way for larger-scale testing.

Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Life Sciences, alongside researchers at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and seaweed ingredient technology company BioMara, developed and conducted the work.

Dr Jessica Adams, a seaweed expert from IBERS at Aberystwyth University, said: “Many people will have heard of the health and dietary benefits of seaweed – these tests add to that evidence. From a processing and bioactivity standpoint, the data from our study is striking. Achieving food-grade fucoidan at scale with such a potent anti-inflammatory profile is a real breakthrough. It opens the door for Thalivra to be positioned not just as a safe ingredient, but as one with genuine functional potential in gut health and immune-support formulations.”

The human trial was led by Dr Amanda J Lloyd and Dr Alina Warren-Walker from the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University. Dr Lloyd added: “This was the first time BioMara’s seaweed extract has been tested in humans, and the results are very encouraging. Participants tolerated the supplement extremely well, and we observed early trends in mental wellbeing that deserve further study. Importantly, the strong safety and retention profile gives us confidence to scale up into larger and different groups, and for longer trial periods.”

The project was funded by Innovate UK and BBSRC as part of a £2.5 million investment in 13 projects to drive the design and development of innovative food and beverage products.

Jay Dignan, Founder and CEO of BioMara, said: “Completing INNOSea marks a turning point. We’ve proven that Thalivra can be produced at scale, is safe for daily use, and shows compelling anti-inflammatory and wellbeing trends. This lays the foundation for larger clinical trials and, ultimately, commercial partnerships to bring Thalivra into gut health and immune-support formulations in a fast-growing global market.”

Thalivra fucoidan is harvested in Scottish waters and processed into a powder using BioMara’s unique method. It is approved for use as a novel food.