PATIENTS would have to pay £25 to see their GP under controversial plans unveiled yesterday. Britain’s biggest doctors’ union says billing for some NHS services is the only way to beat a lack of cash. They argue it could help to ease demand in the same way a 5p charge on plastic carrier bags has vastly reduced use. But patients groups warn proposals will lead to sick folk dying because they can’t afford to be seen. The British Medical Association will debate the motion at their annual meeting in Brighton on Sunday. If passed, the union will lobby ministers. The call comes after Prime Minister Theresa May pledged an extra £20billion a year Brexit dividend for the NHS. A doctor’s appointment typically costs the NHS around £25 but operations and some drugs can cost tens of thousands of pounds extra. GPs also want patients to be able to make top-up payments for treatments that are being increasingly rationed, such as IVF. Mike Forster of … [Read more...] about Patients would have to pay £25 to see their GP under controversial plans
Health
Do you grind your teeth? Here’s how to save your smile before it’s too late
TEETH Grinding can wreak havoc on your gnashers if left untreated – but treatment options have historically been thin on the ground. By Jack Pusey, Exclusive / Published 22nd June 2018 GETTY JAW ACHE: Bruxism manifests in headaches and tension If you're prone to teeth grinding – known medically as bruxism – you'll know that it can cause pain and tension in your jaw and beyond, often manifesting in headaches or earaches.But aside from the short term symptoms, excessive grinding can also wear your teeth down to the point of sensitivity, or even tooth loss.Furthermore, if you have fillings, you could find them crumbling away if you're not taking steps to protect them.The first port of call for most sufferers is to get a mouthguard, which can certainly help protect against future damage, but will do little to inhibit the grinding itself.Teeth grinding is often linked to stress and anxiety, so Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy and even mindfulness … [Read more...] about Do you grind your teeth? Here’s how to save your smile before it’s too late
Family bowled over by DIY SOS project help
A father has spoken out to praise the ‘amazing’ support offered to his family since his 10-year-old son was diagnosed with leukaemia.Oliver Doughty, of Elmswell, has tackled five months of gruelling chemotherapy since his acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosis in January.The Elmswell Primary School pupil is now on the intense ‘phase four’ of treatment, with the family hopeful he will progress on to the maintenance phase in the coming weeks.And despite being in and out of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Oliver might soon have a new bedroom to return to, after a DIY SOS-style conversion of the family’s garage was planned by members of the Elmswell community.Dad Chris said the project was masterminded by Oliver’s Elmswell U11 football coach Marcus Smith, who galvanised local businesses and tradespeople to donate materials and time to convert the garage into a toilet, shower room and bedroom, while he also set up a JustGiving page to help raise additional … [Read more...] about Family bowled over by DIY SOS project help
20 of the most painful conditions you can suffer revealed
These 20 conditions are so painful they can prevent you from performing simple tasks, the NHS has revealed. The lengthy list has been compiled by WalesOnline . Some of the conditions are common, and unsurprising, others won't be known to many people. Several are also described as difficult to diagnose and treat. Many are quite common too, with migraines being described as one of the most painful and disabling things someone can experience. A spokesman for the NHS said: "Migraines can severely affect your quality of life and stop you carrying out your normal daily activities. "Some people find they need to stay in bed for days at a time. "Migraine attacks can sometimes get worse over time, but they tend to gradually improve over many years for most people." Time Line 20 health conditions that can stop you performing daily tasks Cluster headaches Cluster headaches are excruciating attacks of pain in one side of the head, often felt around the eye. Cluster headache charity OUCH (UK) say … [Read more...] about 20 of the most painful conditions you can suffer revealed
Festival-goers putting themselves at risk of gas poisoning, nurses warn
Life by Press Association June 22, 2018, 12:02 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter As the summer festival season gets under way, nursing leaders have warned that music fans are putting themselves in serious danger of gas poisoning when camping. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said festival-goers are at high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if they do not use campfires, barbecues and gas stoves properly. Exposure to the gas can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, long-term neurological damage such as memory impairment, and even death – but the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often just dismissed as a hangover. Around 50 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK every year and around 4,000 are taken to A&E, though experts say these figures are likely to be an underestimate. The RCN said many people are unaware that all fuels – whether gas, charcoal or wood – can give off … [Read more...] about Festival-goers putting themselves at risk of gas poisoning, nurses warn