An NHS scheme that has enabled GP practices to free up more time for doctors to see their patients is to be extended following a successful pilot.’
Using telephone consultations to improve GP service
written by Dr Gerlis
Diets to reduce cancer risks
written by Dr Gerlis
Unhealthy diet causes one in seven deaths in Britain every year, a Lancet study suggests. The research found lack of fruit and fibre is taking the heaviest toll, fuelling conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The study by the University of Washington identified lack of wholegrain, nuts and fruits as the worst elements of the British diet. Continue reading
Alcohol-moderate drinking may not be so good for you?
written by Dr Gerlis
Drinking a bottle of wine increases women’s cancer risk as much as smoking 10 cigarettes, research suggests. The British study says that for men, drinking a bottle of wine a week increases the absolute risk of cancer equivalent to smoking five cigarettes weekly. Continue reading
Questionable online trade in antibiotics for STI’s-BBC investigation.
written by Dr Gerlis
Antibiotics advertised on social media are being sold at the wrong dose to people too embarrassed to visit a sexual health clinic. A BBC reporter was sold unlicensed drugs to treat sexually transmitted infections by a man who said he got them from his uncle’s pharmacy. The man, who fled when confronted, said he had several celebrity clients. Government medicine regulator Alastair Jeffrey said taking the pills was “not a gamble I’d be willing to take”. Continue reading
Insulin shortages- our TV interview
written by Dr Gerlis
Feature: No-deal Brexit may disrupt insulin supply with disastrous consequences
Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-28 22:36:21|Editor: yan
LONDON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) — Alexander Shedden is the father of two children who both have type 1 diabetes and rely on timely supply of insulin for treatment, but the possibility of a no-deal Brexit threatens to put his children’s lives in danger.
Effectiveness of influenza vaccines assessed
written by Dr Gerlis
The flu vaccine is so far proving more effective in children than in adults in the UK, mid-season figures suggest. The nasal spray flu vaccine is 87% effective in children aged two to 17 against the main circulating flu strain, influenza A(H1N1)pmd09, Public Health England data indicates. Meanwhile, the flu vaccine is 39% effective against the same strain in adults aged 18 to 64. Continue reading
Measles outbreak in USA
written by Dr Gerlis
Washington State USA – measles infections have reappeared in the Pacific Northwest of the USA and also other states where parents have relatively broad leeway over whether to vaccinate their children. Seventy-nine cases of measles have been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the start of this year. Fifty cases of the highly contagious disease were in Washington State.
No new HIV cases in England by 2030?
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
Skinny Genes- do not blame overweight people!
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
Aspirin advice plus A+E waiting times
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