health

UK standards of neonatal care improving but better data recording needed

Better data recording by hospitals is needed to share best practice and drive up standards, says Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

More than three quarters (79%) of the parents of babies in neonatal units are seen by senior healthcare professionals within 24 hours of admission and the majority of parents report positive experiences, but there is room for improvement in...

Grapefruit biomolecules may herald new treatment for heart disease

New research, published today in the ' Biochemical Journal ', has identified molecules occurring naturally in fruit that may play an important role in the future treatment of heart disease.

Molecules called flavanoids, which are found in citrus fruits, particularly grapefruit, have proven effective at reducing the inflammation that can lead to deadly cardiovascular disease. These...

Prime Minister announces £500 million to relieve pressures on A&E

With over 1 million more people visiting A&E compared to three years ago, last year's harsh winter put exceptional pressure on urgent and emergency wards.

The new funding will go to A&E departments identified as being under the most pressure and be targeted at 'pinch points' in local services.

The aim is for patients to be treated promptly, with fewer delays in A&E...

Enjoying The Great Outdoors - nature's own stress buster

Nature has beneficial effects that help us cope with stress at work, according to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The research, conducted by Dr Valerie Gladwell at the University of Essex, highlights the power of the 'great outdoors' to improve both physiological and psychological wellbeing.

"The modern era has brought a decline in levels of...

A spray a day keeps the dentist needle away

A revolutionary new nasal spray at the dentist could signal the end of the "dreaded" needle.

Scientists at the University at Buffalo have pioneered the spray to replace the need for needles, a move that could encourage 15 million people in the UK with dental anxiety to visit the dentist.

The nasal spray, called Kovacaine Mist, appeared to be just as, if not more effective than...

Major shift in breast cancer care on horizon as NICE recommends preventative drugs for 'at-risk' women

Hundreds of thousands of women across England and Wales could be spared the distress and uncertainty of a breast cancer diagnosis by taking a daily pill to help prevent the disease. Updated guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says the NHS should give tamoxifen or raloxifene to particular groups of women with a family history of cancer [1] because the drugs...

Carers in the South West are suffering due to lack of support

New research from Carers Week of over 2,100 carers has revealed that carers are being woefully let down by a lack of support when they first take on a caring role. The findings from the report, Prepared to Care? show that support is not being made available to new carers with often devastating consequences.

Released to coincide with the launch of Carers Week 2013 (10-16 June), the...

Health and Happy Lives

West Park Library is teaming up with local health and social care agencies to host a special wellbeing event on Friday 31 May.

‘Healthy and Happy Lives’ will run from 2pm to 4pm and will provide a wide range of information and advice on keeping fit and well.

Plymouth Community Healthcare will be offering advice on cancer awareness and risk reduction and weight management, as well as health checks and screening.

The WRVS will be promoting its Plymouth Good Neighbours Scheme and a range of opportunities to volunteer in the community and Plymouth Carers Forum will be...

West Park Library promotes healthy, happy living

West Park Library is teaming up with local health and social care agencies to host a special wellbeing event on Friday 31 May.

‘Healthy and Happy Lives’ will run from 2pm to 4pm and will provide a wide range of information and advice on keeping fit and well.

Plymouth Community Healthcare will be offering advice on cancer awareness and risk reduction and weight management, as...

Parliamentary group welcomes optional Carbon Monoxide test for pregnant women

In an attempt to protect unborn babies from the effects of smoking, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has suggested that pregnant women be tested for carbon monoxide (CO) during antenatal appointments, via an immediate and non-invasive biochemical method, and referred to "smoking cessation services" if needed.

The All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide...

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