written by Dr Gerlis
England will be the first country in world to have no new HIV cases, the health secretary said today. Matt Hancock told a global summit that the goal is “now within our grasp” with the capital already surpassing targets which were set by the United Nations. The Health Secretary said medical breakthroughs, including medication to treat and prevent the spread of disease, meant Aids is no longer a death sentence. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
Scientists say they have discovered the secret behind why some people are skinny while others pile on the pounds easily. Their work reveals newly discovered genetic regions linked to being very slim. The international team say this supports the idea that, for some people, being thin has more to do with inheriting a “lucky” set of genes than having a perfect diet or lifestyle. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
Our interview with Julia Hartley-Brewer on Talk Radio this morning covered the updated advice that aspirin should not be used to prevent heart attacks because it has an unacceptable level of side effects, particularly the risk of bleeding which can be serious. We have observed cerebral (brain ) bleeds in patients on preventative aspirin and for this reason we have not advised taking low dose aspirin to ward of heart attacks. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
The variation in the availability of GPs in different parts of England is shocking, doctors’ leaders say. A BBC analysis has found close to a threefold difference between the areas with the most and fewest doctors. In one area – Swale in Kent – there is only one GP for every 3,300 patients, while in Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire it is just under one for every 1,200. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
Public health experts have suggested it may be necessary to introduce a “Pudding Tax” to tackle the high rates of sugar consumption. By the age of 10, the average child has exceeded the recommended level of sugar intake for an 18-year-old. A sugar tax was introduced in April 2018, but it just applies to fizzy drinks. The levy is applied to manufacturers – whether they pass it on to consumers or not is up to them. There are 457 producers registered for the levy. Drinks with more than 8g per 100ml face a tax rate equivalent to 24p per litre. Those containing 5-8g of sugar per 100ml face a slightly lower rate of tax, of 18p per litre. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
We conducted an interview with Talk Radio about the possible effect of additives to ham and bacon. Leading scientists and a cross-party group of politicians are calling for chemicals called nitrites to be removed from processed meats like bacon. Cancer specialists and politicians are among those backing the campaign to take out nitrites. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
We were interviewed by Talk Radio about the increase in amputations in diabetes. Diabetes UK has branded the rate of diabetes-related amputations in England a ‘national scandal’, following the publication of new data.
written by Dr Gerlis
Our senior physician Dr Laurence Gerlis was interviewed today by Julia Hartley-Brewer on Talk Radio about the NHS plan to extend the children’s flu vaccine campaign to all 2-7 year olds in order to prevent an flu epidemic this Winter. It was agreed that this was a good idea although we have not had a serious flu epidemic for several years. Samedaydoctor offers flu vaccines as well as travel vaccines against Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Rabies, Chicken Pox, Pneumococcus, TB (Mantoux and BCG) Whooping Cough and the full range of vaccines plus anti malaria treatment. We also have a specialist BabyJabs vaccination Clinic in the City. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
One in ten patients is waiting at least three weeks to see their GP, new figures show. The monthly data, published for the first time, shows that in October 2.8 million people secured an appointment more than 21 days after seeking it. They included 1.4 million people who saw a doctor four weeks after trying to arrange a consultation. Continue reading
written by Dr Gerlis
Around the world, children are far more likely than ever before to develop food allergies. Recent inquiries into the deaths of two British teenagers after eating sesame and peanut highlighted the sometimes tragic consequences. In August, a six-year-old girl in Western Australia died as the result of a dairy allergy. Continue reading