Tag

National Health Service

All articles tagged with #national health service

healthcare1 year ago

"Challenges and Controversies in Youth Gender Care Across the UK"

A review commissioned by England's National Health Service found that the medical evidence underlying gender care for adolescents is "remarkably weak," leading to little clarity on long-term outcomes. The report emphasizes the need for better care for young people with gender dysphoria but highlights the lack of good evidence on how best to provide it. The review urges extreme caution around providing hormones before the age of 18 and emphasizes the lack of evidence on the impact of social transitioning. The NHS has announced that puberty-blocking drugs in England will only be available for young people in the context of a clinical trial, and plans to widen access to gender care are underway, although there is a significant backlog of cases.

health-and-politics1 year ago

"Ex-Prime Minister Applauds England's Ban on Puberty Blockers for Kids as a Major Progress"

Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss praised England's ban on puberty blockers for children, citing concerns about long-term impacts on fertility and overall health. The National Health Service (NHS) banned the use of puberty blockers for children, citing safety concerns and limited research on the long-term effects, and it will now only be available to children in limited ways, such as clinical trials. Truss expressed concerns about the pressure from gender ideologues and the impact on teenage girls, emphasizing the need to protect single-sex spaces. Mental health nurse Amy Gallagher echoed Truss' sentiment, warning about irreversible side effects for kids and emphasizing the lack of research on the safety of these hormones.

health1 year ago

NHS England Bans Puberty Blockers for Minors

England's National Health Service has banned the use of puberty blockers for children seeking treatment for gender dysphoria due to limited research on safety and clinical effectiveness. The decision comes after concerns about the drugs' impact on mental health, with a study showing that one-third of trans youth experienced a decline while taking puberty blockers. Some European countries have also exercised caution on using pharmaceutical interventions for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, with Swedish doctors calling for more research on the long-term effects of these drugs.

health-politics1 year ago

"King Charles' Cancer Battle Shines Light on UK's Health System Challenges"

The UK's National Health Service is facing a crisis in cancer care, with long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, leading to concerns about late diagnoses and inadequate care. The recent cancer diagnosis of King Charles III has brought attention to the issue, highlighting the disparity in treatment between the public and private sectors. Experts attribute the crisis to years of underfunding and staff shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and advocates are calling for urgent government action to address the shortcomings in cancer care and improve access to timely treatment.

healthcare2 years ago

Junior Doctors in England Strike Over Pay During Busy Holiday Season, Posing Challenges for Hospitals

Junior doctors in England have commenced a 72-hour strike over pay levels, causing significant disruption in the National Health Service (NHS) with thousands of appointments and procedures postponed or canceled. Seeking a 35% pay rise to address years of below-inflation increases, the doctors are the backbone of the NHS workforce. The government is offering an average increase of 8.8%, but the doctors argue that this is insufficient to prevent a staff exodus. The strike will be followed by a six-day walkout early next year, the longest in the NHS's history. NHS leaders express disappointment and warn of the challenging period ahead due to rising flu and COVID cases.

technology2 years ago

Controversial U.S. firm Palantir secures lucrative NHS data contract

Palantir, the software company founded by Peter Thiel, has won a £330 million contract with England's National Health Service (N.H.S.) to build a new platform called the Federated Data Platform. The system aims to integrate data from across the N.H.S. into a central repository, making it easier to share patient information and analyze health trends. Despite criticism from activists, doctors, and lawmakers regarding privacy concerns and Palantir's military-related work, the N.H.S. awarded the controversial contract to the company. Palantir's aggressive lobbying tactics and questions about the technology's effectiveness have also raised concerns. The contract does not cover Scotland or Wales.

healthcare2 years ago

"Surviving 75 Years: The NHS's Journey Towards a New Era"

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK celebrated its 75th anniversary amidst growing concerns about its condition. Backlogs, treatment delays, funding gaps, and an unhappy workforce have strained the system, leading three health think tanks to warn that the NHS is in critical condition and won't survive until its 100th anniversary without more funding and better planning. Despite these challenges, public support for the NHS remains strong, as it is seen as a cornerstone of national life and identity. Critics argue that this affection prevents necessary discussions about the system's flaws and the need for fundamental change. The NHS, which provides free healthcare funded through taxation, faces increasing demand, an aging population, and staffing shortages exacerbated by Brexit. While the UK's healthcare system is not alone in facing pressure, the NHS lags behind its peers in important healthcare outcomes.

health2 years ago

UK restricts use of puberty blockers to research purposes only.

Britain's National Health Service (NHS) has limited the use of puberty-blocking drugs to children enrolled in clinical trials only, citing a lack of evidence to support their safety or clinical effectiveness as a routinely available treatment. The move comes as the NHS's pediatric gender services struggle to keep up with soaring demand. Other countries, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, and France, have also limited gender-related medical treatments for young people. The NHS will start a clinical trial for all children receiving puberty blockers from the health service, which it expects will begin enrollment in 2024.

entertainment2 years ago

Prince William's Hilarious Reaction to Man's Comments About Kate Middleton

Prince William visited a new cancer and treatment center in London where he met a couple and a patient who had high praise for Kate Middleton. The patient's sense of humor had everyone in the room rolling, including the prince himself. After wishing him well and applauding the outstanding staff at the facility, William excused himself.

health2 years ago

Mysterious Surge in Death Rates Across UK Amid Covid Pandemic

Tens of thousands of British residents died last year without a clear cause of death, raising alarms for health professionals in the country. The excess deaths number for 2022 was 32,441 in England and Wales from May to December, the Express reported. The Guardian also pointed to issues with the National Health Service itself, noting 2,200 additional deaths associated with ambulance delays in Dec. 2022 alone. The population is growing older and British population is "the fattest in Europe," which makes it "rather vulnerable to diseases, notably heart disease and diabetes."

healthcare2 years ago

Junior doctors' strike threatens healthcare appointments in England.

Tens of thousands of junior doctors in England are planning a four-day strike next week, which could lead to the postponement of a quarter-million medical appointments, according to the National Health Service. The strike is part of a wave of disruptive labor actions by public sector workers demanding pay hikes to offset inflation that exceeds 10%. The British Medical Association said junior doctors have lost more than 26% in pay in real terms over the past 15 years. The union said the strikes could be avoided if the government makes a reasonable offer.