Health & Beauty

Parents of premature babies celebrate World Prematurity Day

Mums, dads, babies and children joined staff on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for celebrations, ahead of World Prematurity Day.

Sunday 17 November is World Prematurity Day, aimed at raising awareness of babies who are born too soon.

Staff on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit held a special cake sale and invited up parents, who had previously been on the unit, and their babies...

Think about antibiotic use, urges Devon’s public health team

As part of its public health role, Devon County Council is supporting European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November, to encourage people to think about their use of antibiotics, particularly for children.

The day aims to raise awareness of how to use antibiotics in a responsible way, so that they will remain effective for the future.

Antibiotics are designed to fight...

Devon GPs challenge popular myths about schizophrenia

Doctors in Devon have backed a national charity’s campaign to raise awareness of schizophrenia by challenging popular myths about the illness.

Schizophrenia Awareness Week takes place from 11-17 November and GPs at Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) are supporting the campaign, which is run by national charity Rethink Mental Illness....

Polar explorer contributes to dementia research as part of latest solo expedition

The wilds of Antarctica might seem an unlikely place to conduct research into dementia. But academics from Plymouth University are hoping the physical and mental challenges faced by polar explorer Antony Jinman could prove a valuable tool in their work with the condition.

Antony, the University’s own explorer-in-residence, will be following in the footsteps of another Plymothian,...

Reducing surgical infections could hit hospitals financially

Reducing the number of patients who experience a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) could hit hospitals financially, new research has found.

The research, led by Consultant Microbiologist Dr Peter Jenks from Plymouth, has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Hospital Infection. It is available on their website.

Surgical Site Infections – infections which develop at the...

Containing norovirus "vital" say Plymouth's public health teams

Plymouth City Council’s Public Health team is reminding people of how to protect themselves against the winter vomiting bug, or norovirus, that can affect anyone of any age. It is highly contagious and spreads by contact with an infected person, by touching contaminated surfaces or by eating or drinking contaminated food or liquid. The symptoms of norovirus are very distinctive such as the...

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust appoints new Medical Director

Consultant Radiologist Dr Phil Hughes been appointed to the position of Medical Director with Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Medical Director is the most senior doctor’s role in management in the Trust and Dr Hughes will sit on the Trust Board providing experience and advice on all medical matters and ensuring that appropriate systems and mechanisms are in place to safeguard the...

Study suggests clinicians' decision making could be affected by 'precious baby' phenomenon

Parents who conceive through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are likely to receive different medical advice in relation to prenatal testing than those who conceive naturally, academics have suggested.

An international study has revealed that almost 45% of clinicians would immediately recommend a 37-year-old mother undergo amniocentesis – an invasive prenatal test which screens...

Test that identifies seven classes of breast cancer could be available within two years say UK scientists

Writing in the British Journal of Cancer, the Nottingham researchers say a new test could help doctors tailor treatment better and boost survival rates.

Local business woman Terri Bainbridge, who recently launched Thermalogica, a ground-breaking health screening service with business partner Lisa Portman, gives her first-hand experience of having cancer and how this inspired her to...

Stoptober challenge reaches new high as country’s biggest mass quit attempt

Brits could add 4,700 years to their lives and £34.5 million to their wallets.

People in Plymouth have joined nearly a quarter of a million people across England and Wales in turning their back on cigarettes this month to reap the financial, social and health benefits from taking part in the mass 28-day stop smoking challenge, Stoptober.

Research shows that stopping smoking...

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