UK Health Centre News - 2016-2021

Public urged to volunteer for new Covid-19 drug trial

Members of the public have been encouraged to sign up for a new Covid-19 drug trial. The study, named the Panoramic Trial, will play a crucial role in determining how Covid-19 drugs will

New Covid isolation guidelines introduced in England

New Covid isolation guidelines have been introduced in England. From Monday 17th January, people who test positive for Covid-19 will only have to isolate for five full days, provided that they test

Health bosses voice concerns over potential loss of staff due to mandatory vaccination

Some health bosses have voiced concerns over the potential loss of staff due to mandatory vaccination within the NHS.

Secondary schools to test pupils before the start of the new term

Secondary schools in England have been asked to test pupils before the start of the new term.

New Covid drug to be made available for vulnerable patientse

A new Covid drug has been made available for vulnerable patients. Sotrovimab, a monoclonal

All adults in England to be offered boosters in December as Omicron cases surge

All adults in England will be offered a booster vaccine in December as cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 surge.

Mothers who had Covid urge pregnant women to have the vaccines

Mothers who had Covid-19 have urged pregnant women to have the vaccine in a bid to reduce the number of women needing hospital treatment during pregnancy and childbirth.

Booster vaccines recommended for all over 18s

The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) confirmed that it was recommending booster jabs for all UK adults on Monday 29th November. The third jab had already been recommended for priority groups, followed by over 40s. Now, the JCVI has taken the decision to advise ministers to approve the booster for all adults in a bid to prevent serious disease amid concerns about a new Covid-19 variant.

New report reveals increase in drug and alcohol deaths in England

A new report has revealed an increase in drug and alcohol-related deaths in England.
Statistics from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show that the number of people who died while receiving treatment for drug and alcohol addiction rose during the pandemic.

Government expands booster rollout to include over 40s

The government is expanding the Covid booster vaccine rollout to cover all adults over 40 following advice from the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation).

Booster jabs now available from walk-in centres across England

Anyone who is eligible for a booster jab in England can now visit a drop-in centre without an appointment.

Minsters confirm £6 billion NHS funding boost to reduce pandemic backlogs in England

The government has confirmed a funding boost worth £5.9 billion to tackle NHS treatment and testing backlogs in England.

Lateral flow tests should be trusted, new research suggests

Research conducted by a team at University College London (UCL) suggests that lateral flow tests are more accurate than first thought.

Health experts urge those eligible to have flu jab as ‘uncertain’ winter lies ahead

Health experts are urging anyone who is eligible for a flu jab to have their injection, with the winter ahead looking “uncertain.”

England Bans Botox for under 18s

New legislation is set to be brought in to prevent under 18s in England from accessing Botox and other non-surgical facial treatments, including fillers.

Managers of a Takeaway Imprisoned For Allergy Death

The owner and manager of a takeaway in Lancashire have been imprisoned for a combined five years for manslaughter after it was found they caused a teenage girl’s death.

Have Medical Students Lost Their Dexterity? The Video Game Surgery Debate

A debate has been sparked by a professor of surgical education claiming that surgery students have lost the dexterity to stitch and sew up patients because they spend so much time looking at screens and less time engaging in tactile activities.

Government to Consult on Adding Folic Acid to Flour

The government have announced they will set up a consultation on adding the B Vitamin Folic acid to flour in order to prevent a number of birth defects that are common in babies, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.

Cannabis Legalised in Canada for Medical and Recreational Use

At midnight on 17th October 2018, Canada became only the second country in the world to legally allow the possession and use of cannabis for recreational use. The first legal purchase of the drug was made in Newfoundland, the easternmost island of Canada.

Advertising Standards Agency Upholds Costa Coffee Avocado Healthy Lifestyle Complaint

A Costa Coffee advert that implied a bacon roll or egg muffin breakfast was a better deal than an avocado has been banned from airplay, after the Advertising Standards Agency ruled it discouraged eating fresh fruit or vegetables.

UK Government Apologies for Tainted Blood Scandal

The government’s legal team, speaking on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care have apologised for the contaminated blood scandal, stating that “things happened that should not have happened”

Paramedic Struck Off After Disciplinary Panel Revealed She Rolled Eyes and Tutted at Patient Suffering Chest Pain

Rolling her eyes and tutting at a patient, leaving a woman bleeding and in labour to get to the hospital herself, saying to a patient they would have to have no legs and arms to be in so much pain. These are just some of the allegations that have been heard at a disciplinary panel that led to a Manchester Paramedic to be struck off the medical register.

Concerns Raised at Public Health England’s involvement with Charity Connected to Alcohol Industry

Public Health Experts have voiced their strong opposition to Public Health England’s decision to work with Drinkaware, a charity funded in part to the alcohol industry, on a campaign to reduce alcohol intake.

A New System of Robotic Surgery May Be Coming to NHS in 2019

A Cambridge based robotics company has showcased a brand new robotic surgery system that they claim will be a cost-effective and very efficient way to undertake very complex surgeries, and will begin to operate on NHS patients as early as next year.

Medics Turn Fury towards GMC Head as Doctor Struck off Medical Register Wins Appeal

Medical professionals have called for the General Medical Council’s chief executive to resign after the successful appeal of a doctor struck off the medical register has increased pressure on how he and the GMC handled the case.

Enzyme from Gut Bacteria Discovered to Turn Blood into Type O

Scientific Researchers from the University of British Columbia have discovered a way to reliably change donated blood into a type that can be used in blood transfusions for any person.

Superdrug to Offer Facial Rejuvination Treatments, Amid Surgeons’ Concerns

High street retailer Superdrug has said it will start offering Botox, dermal fillers and other non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments, which has sparked concerns from surgeons that the injection treatments should not be seen as casual beauty treatments.

Increase in Steroid Use Leads to Health Concerns – British Cardiovascular Society

Doctors have warned that tens of thousands of people risk early death from misusing anabolic steroids, after reports that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK take steroids.

ASA Ban Heinz Advert After Comparing Baked Beans to Protein Shake

The Advertising Standards Agency have taken the step to ban an advert for Heinz Baked Beans for making an unfound claim about its nutritional content. This marks the second time the manufacturer has had an advert banned by the ASA in recent years.

New Clinical Study to Answer the Question of Whether Football Headers Cause Brain Damage

In the wake of a successful and highly popular football World Cup, a study is to be undertaken by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and funded by the Drake Foundation to see whether repeated heading of the ball can cause long term health issues or brain damage.

Danone Investigating Reports that Baby Milk Formula is Making Infants Ill

Danone have announced they are looking into claims that its baby milk formula Aptamil is making some babies sick. The French food manufacturer made the announcement after complaints on social media by parents on social media that a recent revision to three of its baby milk formulas have caused some babies to feel ill.

Terms of Reference for Blood Scandal Will Look for Evidence of Cover-Up

Published terms of reference have revealed that the UK-wide inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal that has caused the deaths of at least 1250 people will ask about whether documents were destroyed related to the scandal or if there was a cover-up by the relevant authorities.

Government Plans to Ban Unhealthy Snacks at Supermarket Checkouts

Sweets, Crisps and other unhealthy snacks are to be banned under proposals by the government to cut childhood obesity by half by 2010.

World Health Organisation Publishes ICD-11 – “Gaming Disorder” and “Hazardous Gaming” Recognised as Mental Health Conditions.

The World Health Organisation have published the latest version of their International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and among the confirmed changes is the inclusion of two health disorders related to digital gaming; gaming disorder and hazardous gaming.

New Measures to Protect Doctors and Nurses are to be Announced by Health Secretary

New administration measures that are intended to improve the safety of patients and protect doctors and nursing staff in order to enable medical staff to learn from mistakes when they are made are to be announced by Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary, and has gained the support of hundreds of medical staff.

Doctor Advises People That the Type of Carbs You Eat Matters

A GP in Kirby has performed an interesting experiment into the types of carbohydrates we eat and the effect it has on our bodies, with the conclusion being that the type of carbohydrates matters as much as how much you consume.

Health Select Committee Report Calls for Ban on Promoting Unhealthy Food with Cartoon Characters

A group of MPs have said that fictional characters and cartoon characters should not be used to sell junk food.

Isle of Guernsey to Debate Whether to Allow Assisted Dying

The Chief Minister of Guernsey is to propose a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to end their lives with the assistance of a doctor, which would be the first place in the British Isles to do so.

UK Government’s Proposed Mental Health Plans Could “Fail a Generation” of Children, Warn MPs

MPs have warned that the flagship proposals set out by the Government’s green paper in December to improve mental health services and tackle a crisis among young people could lead to thousands of young people and children lacking the support they urgently need.

Further Taxes on Unhealthy Food Not the Way to Reduce Obesity, Argues Celebrity Chef

Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver has argued that further taxation on unhealthy foods should be “used very sparingly” as part of measures to reduce obesity in the United Kingdom.

Terminally Ill Child’s Life Support Turned Off After Medical Ethics Case

The parents of terminally ill child Alfie Evans are looking for further options for treatment after the High Court rules that Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool could end the twenty-three-month-old’s care, which included switching off his life support.

New Migraine Medication Works When Other Drugs Do Not, Claim Researchers

A monthly migraine injection appears in tests to migraine headaches for people with hard-to-treat conditions, leading researchers to claim that it works where other drugs fail, and could help a third of people suffering from intractable migraine.

Risk of Dementia Increased By Brain Injuries, Landmark Study Claims

People who have suffered a brain injury are at an increased risk of suffering from dementia later in life, a study of 2.8 million people claims.

The First Proton Beam Cancer Therapy Centre in the UK Due to Open

A private clinic in Wales is due to launch the first high-power proton beam therapy centre in the UK next week.

Teenagers Asked to Join Meningitis B Vaccine Study

Teenagers in the UK are currently being asked to get involved in a trial involving immunising against meningitis B, in order to see if this will protect not only themselves but other people.

More Than a Million NHS Staff Can Expect a Pay Rise Over Three Years

As a part of a deal formally agreed by unions and ministers, more than a million NHS nurses, paramedics and porters can expect a pay increase of at least 6.5% over three years, at a cost of up to £4 billion.

Cardiff Medical Team Have Created a Prototype Flu Vaccine Tablet

A team of scientists at Cardiff University has managed to create a prototype flu vaccine that can be taken orally, potentially opening the door for pill-based vaccines that would open the door for better and more stable vaccination in developing countries.

Supermarkets in the UK Ban Energy Drinks for Under 16s

Most major supermarkets in the United Kingdom have imposed a restriction on the sale of energy drinks with high caffeine and sugar levels, banning their sale to children under 16 years of age.

Alcohol to Cost 50p Per Unit in Scotland When Minimum Price Law Comes Into Effect in May

The Scottish government have confirmed that the minimum price for a unit of alcohol in Scotland will be 50 pence per litre, after ministers won a five year legal battle.

New Website Has Been Formed to “Name and Shame” Institutions that Fail to Disclose Buried Drug Trials

A new website has been created to name pharmaceutical institutions and organisations that fail to disclose the results of drug and medical test, in order to “nudge” them into disclosing legally required data

Video Game Able to Calm People with Schizophrenia in Pilot Study

Researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London have reported that a video game can help people with schizophrenia by training the part of the brain that is linked with auditory hallucinations.

Review Ordered by Health Secretary Into Criminalising Medical Malpractice Cases

The Home Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has ordered a review urgently looking into how medical malpractice cases are handled after an outcry by doctors over the handling of the manslaughter case looking into the death of Jack Adcock.

Report into Hyponatremia Fourteen Years in Making Is to be Published Today

A report looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of five children in Northern Ireland will be published later today, 14 years after the launch of the inquiry.

Access to New Medication to Patients “Faster than Ever” According to the Welsh Government

After the introduction of a treatment fund costing £80 million pounds, the time between the approval of new medicines and their availability to patients has dramatically reduced, from an estimated 100 days to just 10 days on average.

Coca-Cola Announces Smaller Bottle and Higher Price in Face of Sugar Tax

Coca-Cola have announced they have no plans to change their recipe and instead will reduce the size and increase the price of their soft drink when a tax on sugary soft drinks comes into force in April. The change will affect Coca-Cola Classic, and a spokesman for Coca-Cola noted that Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar are not affected.

Britain Hit By “Aussie Flu”: Everything You Need To Know

Every winter there is a flu season in the UK, however this year a particularly severe strain of flu that has hit the UK that has more severe side-effects than conventional flu.

World Health Organisation to Classify “Gaming Disorder” as a Mental Health Condition

Addiction to gaming will be listed as a mental health condition for the first time according to the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Phillip Morris Launches Less Harmful Cigarette, Could Phase Out Conventional Cigarettes Entirely

Phillip Morris, one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world has launched a less harmful cigarette in the UK and claims it could be halting sales of its traditional tobacco products.

Low Calorie Diet “Reversed” Type 2 Diabetes in Watershed Trial

A trial undertaken by doctors in Newcastle and Glasgow has reversed the onset of type 2 diabetes, in a result that could prove to be a game changer for treating a condition once believed to be permanent.

Children are seeing “Up to 12 Adverts Per Hour” For Junk Foods During Primetime TV

Primetime family television shows are showing up to twelve adverts per hour for junk food high in fat, salt and sugar, a study by a research team at Liverpool University has found, leading to concerns that children are “bombarded” by adverts for unhealthy food by loopholes in the law.

Scotland Announces Minimum Alcohol Pricing Will Begin 1 May 2018

The Scottish Government has announced that from the beginning of May next year, there will be a minimum price for alcohol, in a move to curb the increases in alcohol related deaths.

Digitally Trackable Pill Approved by US FDA For First Time

The United States Food and Drugs Administration has approved for the first time a pill with an ingestible sensor embedded inside it, which experts hope will improve medication compliance.

Demand for NHS Services Is Outstripping the Rise in Staff Numbers

NHS bosses have stated that rising demand for healthcare has outstripped the numbers of new NHS staff being employed, causing staff to be working on the “edge of safety”. This has raised concerns about the rising pressures on NHS staff and the potential risks to safety.

There is a “North-South Divide” For Children’s Dental Health, According to Report

According to a report on children’s dental health, there is a regional and wealth gap which means a child in Yorkshire and the North West is far more likely to require hospital treatment for dental health, according to a study undertaken by the Nuffield Trust.

Cross Party Group of MPs Launch Inquiry into E-Cigarettes

A cross party group of Members of Parliament have announced they are to carry out an inquiry into electronic cigarettes based on concerns of the “significant gaps” of what is known about how they work, their effects and how they are regulated.

Pre-Exposure HIV Drug Would Save the NHS £1bn Over 80 Years Claims UCL Researchers

A team of scientists from University College London have found that a drug that cuts the risk of HIV infection substantially during sex would save the UK a billion pounds over eighty years.

UK Eggs get a Clean Bill of Health after 30 Years

After long running fears of salmonella contamination in British produced eggs, new advice produced by the Food Standards Agency has declared that pregnant women, babies and the elderly can now eat lightly cooked or raw eggs providing they were produced under the British Lion Mark code of practice.

NHS Plan to Test Universal Flu Vaccination

Researchers at the University of Oxford are looking for 500 patients for a clinical test of what it calls a “universal” vaccine to fight seasonal flu, that combats the parts of the flu virus that do not change each year.

Victims of NHS Tainted Blood Scandal Can Launch High Court Action

In a major ruling by the High Court, victims of the contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 1980s have gained a ruling that allowed around 500 claimants to seek compensation for damages for a scandal involving contaminated blood...

Doctors Warn of “Serious Eye Injuries” caused by Nerf Guns

Doctors from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London have warned that the foam and rubber bullets fired from Nerf have the risk of causing serious eye damage.

"Surprisingly Limited" Evidence That Light Alcohol Consumption Causes Harm to Baby

Researchers found there is “surprisingly limited” evidence that the occasional alcoholic drink during pregnancy harms a baby, providing reassurance to mothers-to-be who had a drink before realising they were pregnant.

Almost a Third of Sick Notes Issued Are for Mental Health Issues, Claims NHS Report

In what the Royal College of Psychiatrics have called “alarming” findings, the amount of fit notes taken for mental health issues has risen by 14%, making psychiatric issues the most common reason for people to take time of work, above musculoskeletal disorders. This is according to an NHS

A VR Game is Part of the World’s Biggest Dementia Research Experiment

When people think of video games or virtual reality, one thing that may not come to mind is “vital research”. However VR has a new meaning as UK development company Glitchers have just released a free to play game that could help scientists fight dementia.

Organ Transplants from Pigs Closer Due to Virus Removing Gene Editing

In a massive step forward for gene research and helping alleviate the increasing demand for organ transplants, gene editing to cut out harmful infectious genes has successfully been used to remove retroviruses from pig cells, leading to the potential of using pig organs in the future for organ transplants.

The Effects of “Kissing Better” An Injury Overstated but Saliva May Speed Healing

Long used as a tool by parents along with the “magic sponge”, kissing a graze or bruise is mostly used as a placebo treatment. However, researchers in Chile have found that saliva could actually contain properties that help speed up the healing process, and although the amount required is so much that it wouldn’t be hygienic nor possible practically, it could prove vital in the creation of treatments to speed up healing wounds.

Can Computers Diagnose if You’re Depressed From Your Social Media?

Researchers have reported that computers can determine if someone is suffering from depression from the nature and content of people’s posts on Instagram, a photo sharing social media web site, with what researcher purport is a greater accuracy than GPs.

Evidence Flawed in Study Linking Heavy Drinking to Reduced Risk of Diabetes

A Danish study was recently released suggesting that people who drink alcohol three or more times a week have a reduced risk of diabetes in men and women.

Could Artificial Sweeteners Make You Gain Weight?

A study carried out in Canada suggests a link between consuming artificial sweeteners, weight gain and the risk of diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure, although questions have been raised about the quality of the study and how close the connection is.

New Research Suggests a Connection between Food Smells and Weight Gain

A research team at The University of California, Berkley have found a connection between the smell of food before eating and gaining weight, at least in laboratory mice.

Does Drinking Three Cups of Coffee a Day Help You Live Longer?

A study was published yesterday claiming that drinking coffee can lead to longer lives, unrelated to nationality or method of preparation. However the results from a very wide study have led sceptics to question what factors are actually at play with the findings.

Google DeepMind NHS Test Ruled to Break Privacy Laws

The Information Commission Office (ICO) have ruled that a UK hospital that shared data with Google did not do enough to protect patients’ privacy as part of a test and diagnosis system for acute kidney injury (AKI) and that there were “several shortcomings” in the way patient data was handled.

Appeal for Terminally Ill Child to Receive Experimental US Surgery Rejected By European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights have rejected a petition from the parents of a terminally ill child to overrule the High Court judgement refusing them the right to take their child to the US for experimental treatment for his rare brain disorder.

Let Dogs Onto Hospital Wards, Say The Royal College of Nursing

The Royal College of Nursing has suggested that trained animals, including dogs should be allowed onto hospital wards and could even accompany patients into operating theatres in order to help patients and aid recovery.

What’s in a Name? “Seductive names” for Vegetables Increases Take Up, US Study Finds

US researchers have found that the names given to vegetables when advertising them has an effect on diners filling up their plates, with names that implied indulgence increasing the sales by a quarter.

Euroanaesthesia Congress Gathering to Define Exactly When People Die

It is possibly the most complex and biggest question possible in humanity: When do we die? While this is a question that for most professionals is just about theory, for people working in emergency services or preparing life-saving care, it is a vital issue, one that has led to countless debates, arguments and lawsuits, some of which lasted for decades.

US Scientists Re-engineer Antibiotic to Fight Resistant Superbug

One of the biggest infection risks currently facing the world are new strains of superbug that have become resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

Instagram “Worst Social Media Platform” for Mental Health, Teenage Survey Claims

In a survey of young people, Instagram was rated as the social media platform that has the most negative effect on mental health, according to research looking at the effects of social media on the mental health and wellbeing of young people who have never lived in a world without the internet, both positive and negative, and a world where 91% of 16-24 year olds regularly use the internet.

NHS Severely Affected by Large Scale Computer Virus Attack

NHS computer systems faced a wide scale cyberattack on Friday which lead to patients being diverted away from accident and emergency units, routine surgery and GP appointments being cancelled and a wave of disruption, as part of a wider cyber-attack aiming to extort affected users and organisations.

Family Member of NHS Tainted Blood Scandal Victim Plans to Launch Legal Case

Jason Evans, son of Jonathan Evans, victim of the most infamous and devastating treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, plans to launch a landmark negligence legal case against the UK Government amidst allegations that successive governments including the most recent have covered it up.

“Exercise Pill” Allowing Mice to Run for 70% Longer Developed by Scientists

Scientists searching for a pill that is able to mimic the physical effects of exercise have developed a powerful drug that in tests enabled mice to run for 70 per cent longer than normal, in a findings that could benefit people who traditionally struggle with exercising effectively as well as those who are affected by heart conditions, the elderly, obese or ill people.

“Plastic Bag Womb” Keeps Premature Baby Lamb Alive

A lamb born premature has been kept alive and growing in a plastic artificial womb, in a breakthrough for medical science that could provide hope for human babies born prematurely.

Prince Harry Sheds Light Mental Health Issues and Encourages Others To Speak Up

Prince Harry has become the highest profile figure in the UK to speak out over his mental health issues and the grief that was repressed for nearly twenty years over the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

High Court Judgement Rules Doctors can Withdraw Life Support from Baby Against Parents Wishes Due to Best Interests

After a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court, Judge Justice Francis ruled today that it is in the best interests of a baby with a rare genetic condition and suffering from brain damage to be moved to a palliative care regime and have life supporting treatment withdrawn.

World’s First Neuroprosthetic Procedure Allows Paralysed Man to Feed Himself

A man paralysed from the neck down has been given the ability to feed move his arm and head to feed himself using his own arm, with the help of electronic implants in his brain linked to a series of implants in his arm.

Tetris Therapy Could Reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Tetris is one of the most successful computer games ever and among many other things, a new major psychological study has suggested that playing Tetris could reduce the damaging effects of psychological trauma.

Only Bread Rolls Are Likely to Meet Salt Reduction Targets in 2017

A survey undertaken by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) suggests that only bread rolls will meet self-regulated targets to reduce salt in British diets.

Children’s Exercise and Physical Activity Declines From Seven Years Old

Children begin to exercise less not long after they start school, a study from the British Journal of Sport Medicine has stunningly revealed. This contradicts previous thinking on the decline of exercises and raises question on how to tackle obesity and its causes amongst children and young people.

Nestlé to Cut Sugar From All of Their Sweets in UK and Ireland by 2018

Confectionary company Nestlé have pledged to cut 7,500 tonnes of sugar from their UK and Ireland lines of sweets by next year, without switching to artificial sweeteners, the company announced yesterday, in a reaction to public concerns about just how much sugar is in our food.

Wide Scale Diet Review Reveals the Truth behind Popular Diets

Juicing diets can be bad for you, a gluten-free diet does not appear to provide any benefits for people without intolerances and eggs still contain a lot of cholesterol, myth-busting research by cardiologists in the United States has revealed as it reviewed the evidence behind commonly discussed food myths and celebrity diets.

Worrying about Work At Home Could Affect Your Heart, Research Suggests

A study of London-based bankers has found a connection between those who reported being worried by work related issues and heart activity typically linked with stress, anxietyan observational study published at the end of January has suggested for the first time.

First Scientific Link Discovered between Football Headers and the onset of Dementia

Initial reports from UK researchers have suggested there is a link between professional footballers heading a heavy football repeatedly and long term brain damage in the form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Long Term Study Claims E-Cigarette Use “Far Safer” than Smoking

The first long-term study of the health effects of e-cigarette use reveals they lead to a significantly reduced cancer risk compared to people who smoke cigarettes, claims a landmark report published yesterday.

Completely Locked in Syndrome Patients Able to Communicate in Brain-Computer Interface Breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Turbigen in Germany have reported that four patients suffering from Completely Locked-in Syndrome (CLIS) have been able to communicate the answers to known personal questions using a brain-computer interface that uses infrared light to measure blood flow within the brain and translates it into “yes” and “no” responses.

Criticism for Health Partnership between Cadbury and the Football Premier League

The English Premier League and major confectionary brand Cadbury have agreed a three year partnership deal in a move that has angered obesity and sugar campaigners.

Researchers discover an Alzheimer’s Drug Could Potentially End the Need for Fillings

A “simple, rapid natural tooth repair process” has been discovered by scientists that could significantly reduce the need for fillings.

Sugar Lump Breakfasts – Half of Children’s Sugar Intake is at Breakfast

Children in England eat half of their recommended maximum sugar intake at breakfast, research published by Public Health England shockingly reveals.

Is Worrying About Your Health Bad for Your Heart?

A study of 7052 participants in Norway looked at whether hypochondria (also known as health anxiety) was associated with the onset of heart disease.

Is This ‘Healthy Diet’ Trend Jeopardising Your Health?

According to dietician Dr Sarah Schenker, cutting out entire food groups in an effort to lose weight can jeopardise a person’s health.

Could Mixing Alcohol with Energy Drinks Cause Changes in the Brain?

Many mixed drinks combine alcohol with energy drinks, but a new study using mice has revealed that this mixture could cause changes within the brain.

First Ever Autism Treatment Improves Social Communication

The first every autism treatment has been hailed by scientists. Autism is a severe developmental disorder affecting 1 in 100 children.

A Short After-Dinner Walk is Good for Diabetes

According to a story in the Daily Telegraph, taking a short walk of around 10 minutes after meals is better for your blood sugar than taking a walk at any other time.

Study Finds That Fussy Eating is in our Genes

A new study has revealed that parents might not have to blame themselves for their child’s fussy eating habits.

Life Expectancy Increases by a Decade Across the Globe

Data has revealed a 10 year increase in life expectancy across the world in the last 35 years.

Craving Fatty Foods? It Could be in Your Genes!

According to a new study by Cambridge University, 1 in 100 people have a defect in the MC4R gene, which causes fatty food cravings and shuns sugary snacks.

Giving Babies Eggs and Peanut Butter Could Prevent Allergies

A new study has suggested that giving small amounts of peanut and eggs to babies at an early age could stop them from developing food allergies.

Is Reducing Stress the Key to Weight Loss?

Many of us make every effort to keep fit by following a healthy, balanced diet. But according to a new study, if you’re feeling stressed, all that healthy eating amounts to nothing.

Rain, Pain, Go Away – Does Wet Weather Make Ours Aches Worse?

According to a new study, that old wives’ tale that the rain can make our aches and pains feel worse actually has some truth to it.

'Increased Contraceptive Use' Sees Record Drop in US Teen Pregnancies

A new analysis by Guttmacher Institute has found that a huge drop in US teen pregnancies has been caused by improved contraception use.

The changing role of nurses within the NHS

In the 68 years since the NHS’s inception, and certainly the 150 years since Florence Nightingale founded the first nursing school, much has changed within the nursing profession.

Longer Commutes Could be Bad for Your Health AND Your Diet

According to a new report from the Royal Society of Public Health, the majority of commuters in England and Wales take at least one hour to travel to work. The two UK countries face some of the longest commutes worldwide.

“Dementia Atlas” Reveals Patchy Care Across the Nation

The government have published a dementia atlas that reveals a patchy pattern of care for the condition across regions in England.

Anorexic Patients Turned Away by NHS Because They are ‘Not Thin Enough’

An investigation has found that women and girls with anorexia are being turned away from NHS trusts due to ‘not being thin enough’.

Had Enough Sleep? There’s a ‘Switch’ in Our Brains That Wakes Us Up!

Scientists have pinpointed a ‘switch’ in our brains that lets us know when we need to sleep and when we need to wake up.

Scientists Discover a Way to Reverse Menopause

A team of scientists may have discovered a method to reverse menopause by rejuvenating post-menopausal ovaries, which enables them to release fertile eggs. Could this mean that menopause doesn’t spell the end of fertility?

Is Butter Really That Bad?

New research has found that butter have little to no link with heart disease and can actually protect against diabetes.

Could Your Smartphone Harm Your Eyes?

Doctors have warned that checking your smartphone screen in bed at night could cause problems for your vision.

WHO Warns That Hot Drinks ‘Probably’ Cause Cancer

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that hot drinks are a likely cancer cause and that they should always be left for several minutes to lower the temperature before being swallowed.

Size Does Matter When It Comes to Wine Consumption

A new study has suggested that drinking wine from a larger glass causes people to drink more, even when the amount of wine severed in a smaller glass is the same.

Children More Likely to Gain Weight if ‘Perceived as Overweight’

According to a new study, children are more likely to put on weight if their parents think of them as overweight.

Brexit Could ‘Delay Cure for Cancer’

Regulators and scientists have said that leaving the EU could slow down access to new medicines and threaten the search for a cancer cure.

Eating Potatoes Could Increase High Blood Pressure Risk

New research has suggested that eating potatoes could increase high blood pressure risk.

Damaging Diets: Could the ‘Fast Food Diet’ Cause Kidney Problems?

It’s no real shock to discover that a junk food diet isn’t the most sensible way to stay healthy and lose weight, but a study carried out by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University has shown that this type of diet could cause the same amount of kidney damage as diabetes.

A Small Amount of Chocolate a Day Could Keep Diabetes Away

Findings from a new study suggest that eating a small quantity of chocolate each day could cut the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Depression – a Case of Mindfulness over Medication?

Findings from the biggest ever review of mindfulness have shown that the practice can control depression just as well as mood-enhancing medication.

Could Anorexia be Caused by Bacterial Infection?

Scientists have suggested that anorexia could be caused by bacteria that confuse the immune system, which leads to it attacking the brain to trigger feelings of personal disgust.

Rise in Womb Cancer in Wales Linked to Obesity

The number of women in Wales suffering from cancer of the womb has almost doubled over the past 20 years and according to a leading cancer charity, obesity is to blame.

Asthma Specialists say the Condition is Trivialised and Over-Diagnosed

Two asthma specialists have said that too many children are being diagnosed incorrectly with the disease.

Prescription Charges to Increase in England This Week

NHS prescription charges in England face a sharp increase this week, whereas prescriptions will continue to be free in other parts of Britain.

Health Experts Hope to Raise Diabetes Awareness on World Health Day

April 7th is World Health Day, and this year the focus is on the dangers of diabetes, which plays a part in the lives of more than 39,000 people in Leeds alone.

A New Tax on Sugary Drinks Has Been Announced in the UK

In a move that has surprised campaigners, the government have announced a new tax on sugary soft drinks.

New Chemo Approach Could Boost Breast Cancer Survival Rates by a Third

A study has discovered that women with breast cancer could be up to one third less likely to die from the disease if they receive more regular cycles of chemotherapy.

Meningitis B Vaccine Rejected by Government

Despite a petition signed by more than 800,000 people after two-year-old Faye Burdett died from meningitis B, the government has rejected the call for a vaccine to be given to all children up to the age of 11.

New Study Suggests Paleo Diet Could Cause Weight Gain

Judge of My Kitchen Rules and paleo devotee Pete Evans has blasted reports that the cavemen-style diet could cause weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes.

Charity Warns of “Shocking” Levels of Sugar in High Street Hot Drinks

A campaign group has warned that there are “shocking” sugar levels in some of the hot drinks on sale in high street coffee shops and cafes.

Mild Stress Could Lead to Weight Loss

According to a new study, mild psychological stress could cause weight loss by activating brown fat. The study was conducted by the University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine and could lead to effective new treatments for type 2 diabetes.

Travellers Banned from Donating Blood for 28 Days After Travelling

Travellers have been banned by the NHS from donating blood for 28 days after returning from countries infected by the Zika virus. This is amid fears the disease could be passed on through blood transfusions.

3.7 Million Women Avoiding Smear Tests Linked to Cervical Cancer Increase in the UK

A health charity has warned that almost 3.7 million women in Britain are not attending smear tests, which are potentially life-saving.

Does Irregular Heartbeat Pose a Higher Threat to Women?

A new review has suggested that the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm in the world seems to pose a higher health risk to women than men.

95 Edinburgh Patients Die Whilst Waiting for Care in 2015

In Edinburgh last year, 95 people died whilst waiting for a care package provided by the council.

Could Exercise Work as a Prostate Cancer Treatment?

Cancer Research UK has launched a new study that could form the first step towards the introduction of exercise training as an NHS treatment for prostate cancer.

UK HEALTH CENTRE GUIDES

SELECT A LOCATION