Health

Can health secretary name NHS trusts performing well?

[ad_1] Victoria Atkins was challenged to name some health trusts meeting their targets to cut waiting lists.But the health secretary said she was wanted to be "even handed" and declined to name any individual trusts hitting the expected standard for treating 80% of people in casualty within four hours.BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty pressed her to back up her claims on which areas of England were performing well, adding that viewers
Health

How dangerous is vaping, what is the disposable vape ban and what is the vaping tax?

[ad_1] The government will introduce a new tax on vaping products, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said in the Budget.At the moment, vaping products are subject to value added tax (VAT) - but unlike tobacco, do not also attract a separate levy. The vaping products duty will start in October 2026. The government has launched a consultation, external.According to the proposals, the amount of duty will depend on how much nicotine is
Health

Alopecia and me: ‘I embrace it, but I’d love my old hair back’

[ad_1] People living with one of the most common types of alopecia could soon have access to treatment on the NHS in Scotland for the first time.The drug - called Ritlecitinib - will go before the Scottish Medicines Consortium this week after it was approved for NHS use in England last month.Although the daily pill won’t cure the condition, it could provide treatment to some who have severe alopecia areata,
Health

Sunak reveals he fasts at the beginning of the week

[ad_1] The PM has said he tries to fast at the start of the week so he can indulge in his “weakness for sugary things” on other days.Rishi Sunak told the BBC's health editor Hugh Pym it was an “important discipline” for him, as he also spoke about the government's clampdown on disposable vapes.Rishi Sunak: Weekly fast is important discipline for me [ad_2] Source link
Health

UK Covid inquiry ups sticks to Scotland… in 90 seconds

[ad_1] The UK Covid inquiry has upped sticks from London to Edinburgh.Over the next three weeks, the inquiry will hear evidence from government ministers and experts about decisions taken in Scotland during the pandemic.BBC political correspondent Kirsten Campbell outlines what can be expected during the inquiry's time north of the border.Video by Morgan SpenceRead more: Covid inquiry turns spotlight on Scottish decisions [ad_2] Source link
Health

Five takeaways from Boris Johnson’s Covid inquiry evidence

[ad_1] He said that, whilst understandable, the different messages in different parts of the UK - where there were different Covid rules - risked being "confusing" for the public. He insisted that he had always enjoyed a "friendly" relationship with then-Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, despite suggestions earlier in the inquiry that No 10 was reluctant for them to hold meetings.In England, he said the tier system was "divisive and
Health

Read the private Covid WhatsApp messages from inside Downing Street

[ad_1] As the second Covid winter wave built, messages appear to show Mr Johnson's faith was faltering in the ability of lockdowns to control the virus.On 15 October 2020, Mr Johnson said he was "rocked" by analysis that the average age of those dying was over 80, adding: "That is above life expectancy. So get Covid and live longer."The messages were sent one day after the three-tier system of restrictions
Health

How much do junior doctors really get paid in England?

[ad_1] As evidenced by her payslip, Kiran did pay more tax than usual in July after she says she worked extra shifts earlier this year to cover staff sickness - that money should be refunded later by HMRC. She has just finished paying off her student loan, although she says - like other junior doctors - there are unavoidable costs which do not show up on her payslip.She pays £433