NHS facing its worst winter crisis
This could be the worst winter the NHS has experienced according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
They estimate that more than 1 million NHS patients could face long waits in emergency departments, while the service will struggle to meet demand from patients waiting to be seen in A&E.
To make things worse, almost 300,000 patients could also be left waiting on trolleys, the BMA said.
Read more in The Independent.
Wealthy, but not that healthy
The OECD review of the wealthiest nations across the world has found that the UK is short of doctors and nurses (Tell us something we don’t know). The review, carried out every two years, noted that the NHS provides very good access to healthcare, but not when it comes to caring for the elderly. It also found low rates of smoking in Brits, but higher rates of alcohol consumption and obesity, compared to other nations.
Read more in the BBC.
Troubled Teenagers are not receiving the mental health care they seek
Three in four GPs don’t think under-18s they refer to mental health services actually end up being treated. However, 9 out of 10 GPs have seen a sharp increase in the number of young people seeking support for mental health conditions, particularly due to exam stress, social media, body image issues and effects of dysfunctional backgrounds.Currently most GPs feel ill-prepared to help the growing number of teenagers with mental health issues, raising concerns about the support that under-18s receive at the moment.
Read more in The Guardian.
Warning given about vaping’s effect on heart health
Researchers are warning that vaping isn’t worth the risk until it can be determined what the actual effects are it has on heart health.
The Cardiovascular Research journal has published a study highlighting the incorrect belief that using e-cigarettes and vaping is safe.
Read more on The Independent.
Quote of the week
Dr Ian Hamilton, an expert in addiction and mental health from the University of York, said:
“While the physical harms of smoking are well known, this research points to the mental health risks of using tobacco. This risk should be communicated widely but particularly to school-age children who might be tempted to try smoking.”
Read more in The Guardian.