A £400million Government initiative to slash childhood obesity levels by 2020 has failed miserably, campaigners say. The 2008 Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy pledged to reduce the ‘number of overweight and obese children in England to levels seen in the year 2000’, when 15 per cent of youngsters were deemed overweight. Ministers brought in compulsory … Read more
Beyoncé, the Kardashians and Chrissy Teigen have all been name-checked in a list of 2019’s worst health fads. Leading dietitians have revealed five of the worst tips they’ve come across this year that should be avoided in 2020, including Beyoncé’s 22-day diet. The British Dietetic Association (BDA) urged dieters to remember it takes longer than … Read more
It’s the time of year where millions of us are looking for an easy way to get rid of our Christmas-induced bulge. But it’s never a good idea to try detox teas, diet pills or other appetite suppressants, a top doctor has warned. Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS‘ medical director, said such products have a … Read more
Thousands of cancer patients feel they can’t ask questions to NHS staff caring for them because they are too busy, Macmillan warns Macmillan received 240,000 inquiries to its support line this year, it claims Many patients phone in distress feeling they can’t ask questions to medics The charity said many callers ringing its support line … Read more
Tens of thousands of workers have lost up to £10billion of savings in Government-sanctioned pension scams. Army veterans, police officers, firemen, paramedics, care workers and teachers were among those fleeced under an almost decade-long loophole. Most agreed to transfer their nest eggs to the rogue schemes because they were enrolled with HMRC and the Pensions … Read more
Ambulance workers warn drunken partygoers are diverting overstretched crews away from emergencies as the NHS struggles to cope with a surge in demand over the winter The NHS is already stretched with patients forced to wait hours for ambulances Paramedics have warned the situation is even worse during the Christmas period A 93-year-old man who … Read more
Revealed: NHS hospitals treat 300 patients a week in A&E who are injured in DIY accidents (with at least one person a day hurt mowing the lawn) NHS figures show 6,867 people treated after falling from a ladder in 12 months Another 466 were injured while mowing lawns from last April to March this year … Read more
HEALTH NOTES: How acupuncture could relieve pain of chemo patients By Mail on Sunday Reporter Published: 22:06 GMT, 28 December 2019 | Updated: 22:19 GMT, 28 December 2019 Millions of cancer patients left in excruciating pain from chemotherapy could find relief in acupuncture, researchers say. Nerve damage is a common side effect of the treatment, … Read more
‘Shameless’ betting giants cause hospital admissions for gambling to double in six years, the NHS warns Some 500 Britons needed emergency treatment after gambling caused illness NHS figures show some 321 people admitted for gambling addiction in 2018/19 A further 171 patients needed medical intervention for pathological gambling By Eleanor Hayward For The Daily Mail … Read more
Half of middle-aged Britons’ waists are too big – putting them at risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer, shocking NHS figures reveal. Women face the greatest threat, with 61 per cent of those aged 55 to 64 having ‘very high’ waist measurements. In the 45 to 54 age group, 52 per cent of women … Read more
A four-year-old with cystic fibrosis has received the Christmas gift of her dreams – a wonder drug for her crippling condition. Ayda Louden’s family, from Carlisle, Cumbria, spent years calling for NHS access to Orkambi. It was finally approved in October. The schoolgirl got her first delivery of the life-changing drug, which should extend her life … Read more
Sickest NHS patients will get free parking at hospitals from April 2020 under new plans Blue Badge holders and patients who regularly attend appointments will go free All hospital trusts in England will have to give free parking to night shift staff New rules will come in next year under Department of Health plans By … Read more
More than 35,000 glaucoma patients could be at risk of losing their eyesight because their NHS appointments get delayed More than half a million people across England suffer from condition glaucoma Evidence suggests that 22 patients a month suffer permanent/severe sight loss More than 40 NHS trusts reported considerable issues with waiting times By Victoria … Read more