Displaying items by tag: Health

Pharmacists in England are being balloted for potential 'work-to-rule' action due to a growing funding dispute. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called for a £1.3 billion increase in funding, warning that pharmacies are being pushed to the brink by a decade of real-terms funding cuts. The ballot could lead to actions such as shorter operating hours, reduced services, and ending free deliveries of medications. The NPA emphasised that pharmacies are struggling to provide safe care, with 1,500 closures over the past decade. While the NPA is not a trade union, meaning that the ballot is advisory, the result could lead to action starting before Christmas if the majority supports it. The department of health acknowledged the strain on pharmacies, stating they are essential to making healthcare more community-focused. It also promised to accelerate the rollout of independent prescribing to improve access to care.

A major report by Lord Darzi, a widely respected surgeon and former health minister, has highlighted serious issues facing the NHS. The rapid review, completed in nine weeks, reveals that the nation's health has worsened, with rising demand for healthcare driven by poor housing, low income, and insecure jobs. Waiting targets for surgery, cancer care, A&E, and mental health services are persistently missed. GP services are overwhelmed, cancer survival rates lag behind other countries, and progress in heart disease treatment has stalled. The budget is inefficiently spent, with too much focused on hospitals and not enough on community care. Workforce challenges include a 5% drop in community nurses and nearly 20% fewer health visitors. The NHS is struggling with outdated equipment, crumbling infrastructure, and disengaged staff.  Sir Keir Starmer has responded to the report by saying that the NHS is ‘broken but not beaten’ and announcing a ten-year plan to reform the service drastically. See

The Government is considering new regulations which could ban smoking in pub gardens and outdoor hospitality areas. This proposal is part of a broader effort to reduce smoking rates and improve public health, aligning with the Government's target to make England smoke-free by 2030. The potential ban has sparked mixed reactions from the public and businesses. Proponents argue that the ban would protect non-smokers, especially children, from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and create a healthier environment in social settings. However, critics believe it could negatively impact pubs and restaurants which have already suffered financially due to the Covid pandemic. Some fear it could lead to reduced customer footfall and further economic challenges. The Government is expected to consult with various stakeholders, including public health officials, business owners, and the general public, before making a final decision.

A groundbreaking study reported by The Daily Mail reveals a potential new treatment for migraine sufferers using a cheap, readily available drug. Researchers have found that Rimegepant, a medication originally used to treat acute migraine attacks, can also be effective in preventing them. This discovery offers hope for millions of people worldwide who suffer from chronic migraines, which significantly impact quality of life. The study shows that taking Rimegepant every other day could reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, offering an alternative to more expensive treatments currently available. Patients who participated in the trial experienced fewer headaches and reported improved daily functioning and well-being. The drug's affordability and accessibility make it a promising option for wider use, particularly for those who may not have had success with other preventative medications.

Scotland has seen a concerning rise in drug-related deaths, with 1,172 fatalities recorded in 2023 - a 12% increase after two years of declines. Dr Tara Shivaji, a consultant at Public Health Scotland (PHS), highlighted that these statistics represent real people whose families are now grappling with grief. The unregulated drugs market in Scotland is becoming increasingly toxic and unpredictable, with a surge in potent synthetic drugs which are often mixed with other substances, with deadly consequences. Dr Shivaji says that Scotland's drug crisis is deeply rooted in social issues such as poverty, homelessness, trauma, and stigma. Addressing these underlying factors is essential for tackling the crisis. PHS is committed to working with various organisations to reduce these inequalities and improve public health outcomes, recognising that there are no simple solutions to this complex challenge.

Nationwide protests have disrupted hospital services in several Indian cities after the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee medic in West Bengal on 9 August. Thousands of doctors, led by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), marched in Kolkata demanding better security and justice. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also noted the poor working conditions, heavy workloads, and frequent violence faced by doctors in government hospitals. The protests, including an ‘indefinite’ strike by FAIMA, have severely affected hospital services: for example, over 8,000 government doctors in Maharashtra have halted work, except in emergency departments. Police have arrested a volunteer from their forces in connection with the crime, and the investigation has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation by a Kolkata high court, indicating the seriousness with which the case is being treated.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to a new variant of the mpox viral disease spreading across thirteen African countries, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The variant, known as clade Ib, is more easily transmissible and has led to over 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths in Africa this year, marking a 160% increase from the previous year. WHO’s director-general emphasised the global threat, committing to coordinated efforts to prevent transmission and save lives. The PHEIC declaration facilitates accelerated research, funding, and international cooperation. Africa’s top public health body has also declared an mpox emergency, working with the EU and vaccine manufacturers to secure an initial 215,000 vaccine doses, with plans for up to ten million by 2025. Efforts include extensive media outreach to raise awareness, particularly using social media to target the young, who constitute 60% of the cases in the DRC.

NHS doctors are 'at breaking point,' with nearly a fifth reducing their hours and two in five declining extra work to avoid burnout, according to new research. A third of doctors are struggling with heavy workloads, forcing them to work extra hours regularly to meet care demands, says the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC’s findings reveal a troubling picture of UK doctors' working lives, morale, and wellbeing. The regulator warned that overworked doctors could jeopardise patient safety. 'UK health services are in a critical state, and those who work within them are at breaking point’, stated the GMC’s chief executive. Many doctors are cutting hours and refusing additional work to protect their wellbeing, with many taking time off due to stress. The survey of 4,288 doctors showed 19% had cut hours in the past year, with 41% refusing extra duties. Alarmingly, 47% plan to reduce their contracted hours next year. GPs are the most affected, with 28% reducing hours and 48% struggling. One GP expressed disillusionment, stating, 'I used to love my job. Now I absolutely hate it. I feel exhausted and dread going to work.'

Scientists have discovered that pancreatic cancer deactivates molecules within the HNF4A gene, leading to rapid growth and spread. This breakthrough offers hope for better treatments against this deadly disease, which kills nearly 9,000 Britons a year. Dr Maria Hatziapostolou of Nottingham Trent University emphasised the urgency of new treatments, noting that pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate among common cancers. The research, involving multiple universities, showed that pancreatic cancer uses DNA methylation to switch off HNF4A molecules, promoting tumour growth. This discovery could pave the way for more effective treatment options, which are badly needed because most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed at a late stage when they are no longer operable. This research could significantly impact future treatment for a disease with notoriously poor survival rates.

South West Water (SWW) has stated that the cost of addressing the cryptosporidium outbreak in Devon will be covered by shareholders, not customers. The outbreak affected up to 16,000 households, with about 700 still being advised to boil their tap water. SWW estimated compensation costs up to £3.5 million but assured customers this would not impact their bills. The exact compensation amount for those affected remains unknown. SWW has installed equipment to remove the parasite and flushed the water network 27 times, apologising and thanking customers for their patience. By the end of May, at least 100 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium, which causes diarrhoea and sickness, had been reported. In related news, all the major political parties have been urged to follow the recommendations of the Save Britain’s Rivers campaign: so far, only the Lib Dems have committed to this. See