{"id":715,"date":"2024-10-31T08:29:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T08:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/?p=715"},"modified":"2024-10-31T08:29:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T08:29:16","slug":"health-news-november-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/2024\/10\/31\/health-news-november-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Health News – November 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Welcome to your autumnal edition of your favourite Health News round-up! With the clocks haven \u2018fallen back\u2019, making the evenings even darker quicker, leaves adorning every pavement and having resurrected that winter coat, the hat, scarf and gloves as we know won\u2019t be too far behind! Please enjoy these carefully selected articles from the media over the past month:<\/strong><\/strong>
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2<\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/strong>nd<\/sup> LinkedIn<\/strong> \u2013<\/mark> The future of Medicine: A conversation with Dr. David Feinberg – Author of \u2018ChatGBT, MD\u2019<\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LinkedIn\u2019s Fixing Healthcare<\/em> podcast\u2019s latest guest is Dr. David Feinberg, Chairman of Oracle Health <\/em>and an expert in driving innovative change. With decades of leadership experience at healthcare giants like Geisinger Health, Cerner <\/em>and Google Health, <\/em>he has been at the forefront of healthcare\u2019s technological evolution.  Dr. Feinberg <\/em>outlined three important technological advances that will reshape medical care over the next five to ten years.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1)Reducing the interference of technology in Healthcare<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Too much of the technology used in medicine today disrupts and detracts from the doctor-patient relationship, forcing clinicians to focus on computer screens, pop-ups and reminders. In the near future, technology will support, rather than hinder, clinical care by automating administrative tasks and allowing healthcare providers to maintain eye contact with the patient in front of them. Generative AI tools that can listen to conversations in the exam room and create an accurate electronic healthcare record (EHR)<\/em> entry are one such example.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2) Leveraging the Cloud for greater security and data availability<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The cloud will transform healthcare by enhancing security, enabling seamless sharing of patient records, and supporting more advanced data analysis. Patient health records, rather than being siloed within individual health systems, will be easily accessible to all clinicians involved in a patient\u2019s care (provided the patient consents to data sharing). Additionally, the cloud\u2019s advanced cybersecurity measures will help protect against major breaches, offering stronger safeguards for sensitive medical data than most standalone computer systems.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3) Using AI for \u2018anticipatory medicine\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AI <\/em><\/strong>will evolve to predict future health outcomes, creating a new era of anticipatory medicine. By analysing patient records, family history and data from home monitors, AI<\/em> will help doctors identify health risks early. This will enable timelier interventions and prevent life-threatening complications. The result will be longer lives with more years of good health.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


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    16th<\/sup> WPA<\/strong> \u2013<\/mark> <\/b>The Truth about Vaping and your health<\/strong><\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In recent years the rise of vaping has created a smokescreen of controversy and confusion around its health implications. Marketed as a cleaner alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes have surged in popularity, particularly among younger demographics. But beneath the cloud of vape smoke lies a pressing question: What are the real effects of vaping on our health?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Vaping affects the body<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The act of vaping involves inhaling vapour produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. This vapour typically contains nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals. While it lacks the tar and carbon monoxide found in cigarettes, vaping is not without its own set of harmful substances and potential health risks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The impact on Lung health<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most significant concerns surrounding vaping is its effect on the lungs. The inhaling of vapour, which contains a mixture of nicotine, flavouring chemicals, and other substances, can lead to various pulmonary issues. Studies have linked vaping to conditions such as bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia (BOOP), <\/em>also known as popcorn lung<\/em>, a condition named for its initial identification among workers in a popcorn factory exposed to diacetyl<\/em>, a chemical also found in many e-liquids.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moreover, e-cigarettes can cause inflammation in the lungs, similar to that caused by traditional cigarettes. This inflammation can lead to decreased lung function and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. There\u2019s also evidence to suggest that vaping may exacerbate asthma and other pre-existing lung conditions, leading to more frequent and severe episodes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nicotine addiction and cardiovascular risk<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, whether consumed through smoking or vaping. E-cigarettes can deliver nicotine more efficiently than cigarettes, potentially increasing addiction risks. Nicotine addiction can lead to an increased heart rate and blood pressure, putting additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Over time, this can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moreover, the addictive nature of nicotine can make quitting vaping particularly challenging, leading to long-term use and increased exposure to its harmful effects. The perception of vaping as less harmful than smoking can also contribute to prolonged use, compounding the risk of cardiovascular issues.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Gateway Effect<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There\u2019s ongoing debate about whether vaping acts as a \u201cgateway\u201d to conventional smoking, especially among teenagers and young adults. Some studies suggest that non-smokers who start vaping are more likely to begin smoking  cigarettes later on. This potential gateway  effect raises concerns about the role of vaping in perpetuating nicotine addiction and its associated health risks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Exposure to harmful chemicals<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Aside from nicotine, vape juice contains a variety of chemicals, including propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, <\/em>and flavouring agents. While these substances are generally considered safe for ingestion, the health effects of inhaling them are not fully understood. Some research indicates that heating these chemicals can produce harmful compounds, such as formaldehyde <\/em>and acetaldehyde,<\/em> which are known carcinogens.  <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The long-term health implications of exposure to these chemicals through vaping are still being studied. However, there\u2019s growing evidence to suggest that regular inhalation can lead to health issues beyond those associated with nicotine alone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    22nd<\/sup> Daily Mail <\/strong> \u2013 <\/mark>We KNOW what patients need: Swift access to a GP, an end to record waiting lists \u2013 and no more people dying on trollies in A&E corridors, <\/strong><\/mark>by Professor Karol Sikora, Consultant Oncologist<\/mark><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We all know what patients need: healthcare that doesn\u2019t leave people sleeping on chairs in A&E or dying on trolleys in corridors, and GP surgeries offering efficient appointments systems rather than<\/strong> <\/strong>the 8am phone lottery. What patients do not <\/em>need is more prevarication and consultation. We all know where that will lead: a succession of gimmicky ideas and yet more billions shovelled into the bottomless pit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bamboozled<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    During Labour\u2019s first 100 days in power, we have seen how handing out money has been their reflex response to NHS issues. Junior doctors were paid off with a salary increase of more than 20 per cent, to reward them for taking strike action. Flashy proposals \u2013 such as weight-loss jabs and smart watches to be offered to obese benefits claimants \u2013 were announced with great fanfare.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    During more than 50 years as a doctor, I have seen 23 reorganisations of one sort or another in the NHS \u2013 and none has delivered real change. They were all cosmetic, illusory or downright disastrous. One of the first I witnessed was branded the Cogwheel Reorganisation, <\/em>featuring promotional animations of cogwheels going round, which were supposed to make us all feel interconnected and essential. I was fresh out of medical school and full of optimism, but I was uncomfortably aware that we were being bamboozled. Those cogs were turning without driving any actual changes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For much of its history, the NHS has been too revered \u2013 more of a national religion than a health service, as former chancellor Nigel Lawson <\/em>said. Now, though, that attitude is ebbing away. It\u2019s true that older people, for the most part, are still in awe of it and wary of complaining for fear that treatment free at the point of use will be replaced by some form of rapacious health insurance system. Younger generations do not revere our NHS in that way, however \u2013 particularly after the pandemic has left us with record hospital waiting lists of 7.6 million this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They see what we have now is a shocking system, with trauma patients dying in a queue of ambulances outside a hospital because there\u2019s no space on the wards or even in the waiting rooms. People under 30 can\u2019t remember a time when the NHS worked. All they know is system that is failing their parents and grandparents, inflicting delays, stress, suffering and death.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Public opinion is changing and young adults refuse to bow down to the NHS shrine. In May 2021, a YouGov survey <\/em>found that 39 per cent of British adults believed that the NHS provided better healthcare than other European countries, while only 10 per cent thought the opposite. When the same survey wascarried out this summer, 33 per cent said that European systems deliver better healthcare and only 17 per cent thought the NHS superior.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Challenge<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    More than 22 per cent of all hospital patients are over 75, even though this age group comprises just 8 per cent of the population. Put bluntly, elderly people place a disproportionate burden on the NHS. It\u2019s not surprising of course \u2013 particularly since the decline of care at home by the extended family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    People who are too frail to live in sheltered accommodation often end up spending months in hospital beds meant for patients needing acute and urgent treatment. We used to have a system of intermediate care, until our cottage hospitals \u2013 chiefly staffed by nurses \u2013 were closed down. Bringing back such hospitals would alleviate a huge amount of pressure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Radical<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With the right on-the-job training, there\u2019s no reason why experienced health professionals should not graduate to become doctors. Many of them have learned a great deal more in their careers than can ever be crammed into a degree course. By the same token, healthcare assistants should be able to climb the ladder and earn the qualifications to become nurses. It\u2019s ridiculous to insist that everyone in the NHS has to \u2018stay in their lanes.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We need to look at the parts of the NHS that work efficiently, and copy them. That means \u2018privatisation\u2019 can no longer be a dirty word. Across the UK, pharmacies and opticians work well. We can get our medication delivered to the door, and book an eye test at a day\u2019s notice. Prescriptions are comparatively affordable and free to many. These services are offered by private businesses such as Boots, Specsavers and Lloyds. They work well \u2013 and they have to, because we are their valued customers and not merely service users.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So why can\u2019t that model be applied to cancer or heart treatment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/mark>*******************************************<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That\u2019s your lot for another month dear SCH reader, with those three excellent articles advising upon technologies, vaping and the possible inevitability of a private healthcare provision being implemented in the UK. Enjoy the more reflective autumnal season before the harsher winter climate arrives, until then, please stay fit and healthy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kind regards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Daniel Donoghue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Private Healthcare Broker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MD, Surrey Circle Health<\/strong>Specialist \u2018Whole of Market\u2019 Brokers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Surrey<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Welcome to your autumnal edition of your favourite Health News round-up! With the clocks haven \u2018fallen back\u2019, making the evenings even darker quicker, leaves adorning every [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":717,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2,7,9,10,15,16,20,28,32,37,38,39],"class_list":["post-715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-alliance-health","tag-cancer-catastrophe","tag-critical-illness","tag-daily-mail","tag-health","tag-health-news","tag-kindred-health","tag-nhs-treatment","tag-private-healthcare","tag-the-guardian","tag-the-independent","tag-the-times"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/715\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.surreycirclehealth.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}