Theo Clarke: ‘My inquiry on birth trauma can ensure the experience of mums drives policy’
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on birth trauma I co-chair has now launched an inquiry to ensure care for new mums improves dramatically. Already the government has responded to this campaign with several key announcements in last month’s Women’s Health Strategy. Comprehensive physical care for those who experience serious tears during childbirth will be rolled […]
The UK desperately needs a new set of dietary guidelines — it’s time for the government to act
Most people know that proper nutrition is essential for living a healthy life. Unfortunately, many of us are less clear on what a good diet looks like in practice, and may feel intimidated by the ever-expanding list of options available. Atkins, Paleo, Mediterranean, South Beach, Carnivore – there’s certainly no shortage of popular ‘fad’ diets […]
Peter Gibson: ‘A national eyecare strategy could see England evade a tidal wave of avoidable blindness’
In England, we face a tidal wave of avoidable blindness. That might sound drastic, but according to the RNIB an estimated 250 people a day are beginning to lose their sight. As our population ages it’s expected that one in five of us will live with sight loss during our lifetime. Our eyesight is something […]
Dr Ian Walker: ‘UK healthcare is at a tipping point – it needs system-wide transformation’
Imagine a scenario where you receive a text from your health provider to say you need to come to the surgery today, because you’re going to have a heart attack tomorrow. Or a reminder to get a test because you have an early cancer symptom. This might sound futuristic, but innovations like these are already […]
MPs urge new ‘Menopause Ambassador’ to keep women at work
Employers’ lack of support for menopausal symptoms is pushing ‘highly skilled and experienced’ women out of work, with knock-on effects on the gender pay gap, pension gap and the number of women in senior leadership positions. In a new report published today, the cross-party House of Commons women and equalities committee calls on the government […]
Government urged to protect care users’ human rights
Parliament’s joint committee on human rights has warned that gaps remain in how vulnerable people are protected in care settings, leaving their human rights at risk of being breached. In a report published today, the JCHR finds that mechanisms such as Do Not Attempt Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) notices and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are […]
PPE contract failures could cost taxpayers £2.7 billion
In a report published this week, the public accounts committee has identified “significant failings” in the management of PPE contracts that could lead to a £2.7 billion bill for taxpayers. The department of health and social care (DHSC) remains in dispute with many suppliers it entered into contracts with over the quality of the PPE […]
Millions at risk from toxic air, our alert system needs updating to protect them
There are an estimated 3.4 million people in the UK living with lung conditions asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that are made worse by toxic air. Days of high air pollution can bring about terrifying bouts of breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and other symptoms, which can be fatal. Air pollution doesn’t just affect people […]
£4bn ‘unusable’ PPE to be burnt ‘for power’ as modern slavery probe ongoing
The Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC) lost 75 per cent of the £12 billion it spent on personal protective equipment (PPE) in the first year of the pandemic to inflated prices and kit that did not meet requirements. This included £4 billion of PPE that will not be used in the NHS and […]
MPs lambast lack of ‘serious effort’ on cancer workforce shortages
The health and social care committee have blasted the government’s absence of a serious effort by government to tackle gaps in the cancer workforce. MPs on the committee say this is jeopardising earlier diagnosis, the key to improving overall survival rates and catching up with comparable countries. In a highly critical report on cancer services […]
