Health news

• UK ministers move to allay Brexit fears over access to medicines

  04-07-2017 10:26 via theguardian.com
  
  Jeremy Hunt and Greg Clark say they want to continue to work closely with European Medicines AgencyThe government has moved to dampen fears in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry that Brexit will mean patients and the NHS will wait longer and pay more for drugs and treatment. The health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and the business secretary, Greg Clark, have said they want to continue to “work closely” with the European Medicines Agency, the EU regulatory authority currently ba
  
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• New Zealand to ban smoking for next generation in bid to outlaw habit by 2025

  09-12-2021 00:29 via theguardian.com
  
  Legislation will mean people currently aged 14 and under will never be able to legally purchase tobaccoNew Zealand has announced it will outlaw smoking for the next generation, so that those who are aged 14 and under today will never be legally able to buy tobacco.New legislation means the legal smoking age will increase every year, to create a smoke-free generation of New Zealanders, associate health minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said on Thursday. Continue reading...
  
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• California could become ‘sanctuary’ for care amid threat to abortion access

  09-12-2021 00:24 via theguardian.com
  
  Advocates and providers have asked the state to offer funding to those from other states seeking an abortion if access is bannedCalifornia could become a “sanctuary” for people seeking reproductive care if the supreme court overturns Roe v Wade and dramatically curtails abortion access in the US.The California Future of Abortion Council, made up of more than 40 abortion providers and advocacy groups, and lawmakers on Wednesday released a list of 45 recommendations for California to c
  
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• Boris Johnson rushes in Covid plan B amid Christmas party scandal

  08-12-2021 22:00 via theguardian.com
  
  PM announces stronger measures in England to counter Omicron, but finds his ‘moral authority’ questionedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson rushed forward new Covid restrictions amid fears of an exponential rise in the Omicron variant, as his government was engulfed in a crisis of credibility sparked by the Christmas party scandal.With government experts warning of 10 UK Omicron infections currently rising to 1m by the end of the month and
  
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• It’s my non-party and I’ll lie if I want to: Boris Johnson is bang to rights | John Crace

  08-12-2021 21:27 via theguardian.com
  
  The PM took us through the looking-glass, but his bloodshot eyes gave the game awayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSome of the Tory backbenchers looked furious. The others just appeared bewildered to have been fooled for so long. Taken for mugs, like the rest of the country. But they needn’t have been. After all, Boris Johnson was always going to be Boris Johnson. A liar is gonna lie. He speaks, he lies. He’s a man without moral authority who degrade
  
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• Sajid Javid warns Britain could breach 1MILLION cases of Omicron by the end of December

  08-12-2021 20:27 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Boris Johnson is on the verge of bowing to mounting alarm about the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed by bringing in tougher restrictions.
  
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• What new Covid restrictions are coming into force in England?

  08-12-2021 20:16 via theguardian.com
  
  Prime minister announced new measures on Wednesday night amid concern about the Omicron variantCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBoris Johnson has announced new Covid restrictions across England, to come into force over a period from Friday. Below is a guide to what will happen. Continue reading...
  
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• Professor Chris Whitty warns UK's Covid hospital admissions will rise rapidly before Christmas

  08-12-2021 19:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Boris Johnson is on the verge of bowing to mounting alarm about the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed by bringing in tougher restrictions.
  
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• NHS hits 100million vaccine mark on the anniversary of when the roll-out began

  08-12-2021 19:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  NHS England said the Covid vaccine rollout of more than 100million doses has prevented nearly 130,000 deaths and more than 24million infections since it started on December 8 last year.
  
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• Covid Plan B 'set to be triggered' amid No10 Xmas party row 

  08-12-2021 18:52 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Boris Johnson is on the verge of bowing to mounting alarm about the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed by bringing in tougher restrictions.
  
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• UK's Omicron wave continues to grow as cases jump 6% to breach 50k for the FOURTH time in a week

  08-12-2021 18:27 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Covid cases jumped 6 per cent today, breaching 50,000 for the fourth time in a week, as Omicron's grip on the UK continues to tighten.
  
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• Government’s vaccination strategy is not designed to support the NHS | Letters

  08-12-2021 18:20 via theguardian.com
  
  Shaun Soper on why a well-functioning health service is at odds with the Tory privatisation agenda, and Dr Tim Owen on training people to vaccinateDr Beth Rimmer’s suggestion that the NHS employ retired doctors, nurses and pharmacists to administer Covid vaccinations appears to be the obvious solution to what is already a serious problem facing the service – ie too much to do with too few resources (Letters, 5 December). Unfortunately, such a solution does not fit with the Tory gover
  
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• Ministers in charge of reform must resist the gambling lobby | Letter

  08-12-2021 18:10 via theguardian.com
  
  Conservative peer Michael Grade, who produced a raft of recommendations for reforms to the Gambling Act, urges the government to listen to the families of victims of addictionWednesday’s meeting of the families of gambling-related suicide victims could not be more timely. The government is in the process of reviewing the 2005 Gambling Act (Report, 8 December), a piece of legislation that predated the digital revolution. Gambling addiction can too often lead to family breakups, crime and, i
  
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• Covid-19 UK: Experts warn Plan B may not be enough to contain Omicron

  08-12-2021 17:47 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Boris Johnson is on the verge of bowing to mounting fears the NHS could be overwhelmed this winter because of the wave of infections caused by the super mutant variant.
  
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• Tell us: how has the pandemic made you rethink your life?

  08-12-2021 17:30 via theguardian.com
  
  We would like to hear from you about the life changes you have made or intend to make as a result of the pandemicThe great disruption of 2020-21 – yes, it’s been a long two years – has led many people to reconsider the way they live and work, the way they relate to those around them, and the life choices they make.So what will you keep beyond this phase of the pandemic? How has it given you pause for thought? What are the good parts of your life that are working, what will you
  
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• Anger as Jair Bolsonaro to allow unvaccinated visitors into Brazil

  08-12-2021 17:01 via theguardian.com
  
  There are fears the decision will reserve the gains made by a successful vaccination campaignCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe Brazilian government has been accused of seeking to turn the South American country into a paradise for unvaccinated tourists after it shunned calls – including from its own health regulator – to demand proof of vaccination from visitors.The decision – announced by health minister, Marcelo Queiroga, on Tuesday –
  
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• Over-40s mock NHS booster booking system and say they CAN'T arrange top-up jabs despite launch today

  08-12-2021 16:53 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Some over 40s in the UK have been knocked back from the NHS Covid booster booking system despite officials urging eligible Britons to come forward and book their jab to help ward off Omicron.
  
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• Talk of a No 10 Christmas party is an insult to the thousands who have died of Covid | Rachel Clarke

  08-12-2021 16:18 via theguardian.com
  
  Last winter my NHS colleagues and I saw patients suffocating alone. The government has stuck two fingers up to themAs I type this, feeling close to tears, not one single minister has been willing to publicly defend – or even describe – the government’s position on that party. Why? Because it is indefensible. No nuance, no shade. As black and white as life and death itself. If any elected representative was present at such a tawdry party, they should resign. They know it; we kno
  
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• Covid: Omicron hospital admissions could reach 1,000 a day - scientific advisers

  08-12-2021 16:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The BBC has seen minutes of a meeting of scientific advisers which warn of NHS pressure from Omicron.
  
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• Microplastics cause damage to human cells, study shows

  08-12-2021 15:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Harm included cell death and occurred at levels of plastic eaten by people via their foodMicroplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory at the levels known to be eaten by people via their food, a study has found.The harm included cell death and allergic reactions and the research is the first to show this happens at levels relevant to human exposure. However, the health impact to the human body is uncertain because it is not known how long microplastics remain in the body before bei
  
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• Intensive care admissions in variant-stricken South African province are HALF of levels during Delta

  08-12-2021 15:03 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  EXCLUSIVE: Figures suggest that ICU admissions in South Africa are lower during the Omicron wave than the Delta one. But fewer people had immunity when Delta struck.
  
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• Covid-19 UK: Just a FIFTH of over-50s in inner-city areas have had a booster vaccine

  08-12-2021 14:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  EXCLUSIVE: Just 21 per cent of over-50s in Sparkhill North, Birmingham, received a third jab by November 28, with thirteen other areas jabbing less than a quarter.
  
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• Neil Ferguson warns full lockdown might be needed to stop Omicron overwhelming NHS

  08-12-2021 14:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Government scientist, whose modelling bounced No10 into the original UK lockdown last spring, said the return of stay-at-home orders 'certainly might be possible' to protect the NHS.
  
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• Now scientists spot ANOTHER type of Omicron

  08-12-2021 14:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A new 'sister' lineage of Omicron has been discovered in Australia, with cases also found in South Africa and Canada. Officials say the new type is not as easy to detect as the original Omicron.
  
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• What new Covid restrictions might be imminent in England?

  08-12-2021 14:02 via theguardian.com
  
  A guide to the rules that might come in on Wednesday night amid concern about the Omicron variantCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters are expected to announce new Covid restrictions across England later on Wednesday, it is understood. Below is a guide to what might happen, and how. Continue reading...
  
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• Scotland could return to past restrictions

  08-12-2021 12:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The deputy first minister says lockdown measures could be reinstated if Omicron spreads.
  
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• A booster may help protect you from Omicron – but it won’t end the pandemic | Charlotte Summers

  08-12-2021 12:10 via theguardian.com
  
  It’s important to know how boosters work, but they must not impede the push towards worldwide vaccinationFirst there was Alpha, then Beta, Gamma and Delta. Now, thanks to the tremendous efforts of scientists in sub-Saharan Africa, the world is getting to grips with the Omicron variant. This new variant of Covid-19 has a number of mutations that distinguish it from previous ones, raising concerns among scientists that the vaccines we are currently using may not remain as effective against i
  
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• Covid booster jab booking system opens to over-40s in England

  08-12-2021 11:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Another seven million people will be able to book their top up jab, including those in at-risk groups.
  
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• No 10 faces Tory and public backlash over Christmas party video

  08-12-2021 10:53 via theguardian.com
  
  Sajid Javid pulls out of interviews amid anger over footage of aides joking about party during lockdownPressure on Johnson over No 10 Christmas party – politics liveThe health secretary, Sajid Javid, pulled out of Wednesday morning’s broadcast interviews after a video emerged showing No 10 aides laughing about a Christmas party during Covid restrictions. The government was facing a furious Tory and public backlash against its behaviour.No ministers were available to be interviewed on
  
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• Covid PCR test market a ‘rip-off jungle’, says ex-chair of competition regulator

  08-12-2021 10:23 via theguardian.com
  
  UK government accused of letting firms manipulate system by making tests available at unrealistic pricesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe former chairman of the UK competition regulator has condemned the market for PCR tests for travellers, describing it as a “rip-off jungle”.After the reimposition of the requirement to take the tests on return from abroad, Lord Tyrie accused the government of once again allowing the companies offering PCR tests to
  
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