The National Health Service (NHS) in England is introducing Varenicline, a new smoking cessation pill, to help smokers quit for good. This move is expected to significantly impact the fight against smoking-related illnesses and deaths, potentially saving thousands of lives and millions of pounds in healthcare costs.
A leading NHS doctor provides a breakdown of cheeses suitable for those with lactose intolerance. Discover which cheeses are virtually lactose-free and why some mature cheeses are better tolerated. Learn about the science behind lactose reduction in cheese and how fermentation and aging processes can make a difference.
Six years after legalizing medical marijuana, families in the UK are demanding change as the NHS continues to fall short in providing access to life-saving cannabis-based medications. Parents of children suffering from treatment-resistant epilepsy are particularly vocal, citing the effectiveness of medical marijuana compared to conventional treatments. Despite legal access, only a handful of patients have received NHS prescriptions, leaving many families struggling to afford private options.
A new documentary reveals that the private estates of King Charles and Prince William generate significant income through rental agreements with public services and charities, including the NHS and the armed forces. While the deals are said to be legally compliant, concerns have been raised about transparency and environmental impact.
The NHS in England is planning a phased rollout of tirzepatide, a promising weight-loss drug, to benefit patients most likely to see significant clinical outcomes. The drug, which has shown impressive results in trials, will be made available through community-based services and digital health platforms, with the goal of reaching 240,000 people over the first three years. The plan is currently under consultation, with final guidance from NICE expected later this year.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is expected to follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in rejecting Eli Lilly’s donanemab, a potential Alzheimer’s treatment, due to safety concerns, high costs, and a precedent set by the rejection of Biogen’s Leqembi. While donanemab showed promising results in slowing cognitive decline, the risks of brain bleeds and swelling, occurring at a higher rate than with Leqembi, are major concerns. The projected cost of donanemab, estimated to be 25% higher than Leqembi, adds to the concerns, with NICE already citing cost as a primary factor in its rejection of Leqembi.
The number of single women undergoing IVF in the UK has significantly increased, driven by societal shifts, financial independence, and a desire to prioritize careers. However, access to fertility treatments, particularly NHS funding, remains challenging for single women, raising questions about equality and reproductive rights.
A personal story about the potential of DoxyPEP, a new drug that can prevent bacterial STIs, and the ongoing fight for its accessibility on the NHS in the UK. The author, a gay man in London, shares his own experience with DoxyPEP and highlights the historical parallels with the struggle for PrEP access, urging for greater awareness and action.
Thousands of junior doctors in England are staging a five-day strike, their 11th in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The strike, coinciding with the UK’s general election, highlights the ongoing issues plaguing the National Health Service (NHS). Junior doctors demand a 35% pay raise, citing a 25% decrease in pay over the past 15 years. The government, facing pressure from the strike and the upcoming election, has offered pay raises but refuses to make further offers during the pre-election period. The strike has caused widespread disruption to hospital services and has raised concerns about the future of the NHS.
In a heated televised debate, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Kier Starmer exchanged barbs and accused each other of failing to address key issues facing the country. Sunak criticized Labour’s policies, claiming they would lead to higher taxes, while Starmer attacked the Conservative government’s record on immigration, the economy, and healthcare. Both leaders defended their positions on the European Convention on Human Rights, with Sunak expressing a willingness to withdraw from it if necessary.
