As October begins, so does Stoptober – the UK’s leading annual campaign encouraging smokers to quit for 28 days. Organised by the Department of Health and Social Care, Stoptober has already helped over 2.5 million people make a quit attempt since its inception in 2012. This year, the campaign aims to support the remaining 5…
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a complex, long-term condition that significantly impacts many aspects of life. In the UK alone, approximately 390,000 people live with ME/CFS, including around 25% who are severely affected – often housebound or unable to work. The NHS, NICE, government agencies, and patient advocates increasingly…
As winter takes hold across the UK, hospitals face unprecedented strain from a surge in flu cases and other respiratory illnesses. Several hospitals have declared critical incidents, many of which are in our region. But why are we seeing such pressures on the NHS this winter, and what can the public do to help alleviate…
When discussing healthcare in the UK, the term primary care refers to the first point of contact you have with the NHS. It’s often described as the “front door” of the NHS, providing essential, day-to-day healthcare services and acting as a gateway to more specialised medical care. Primary care encompasses a wide range of services…
As of September 2024, millions of people in the UK can now book flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines, as the NHS provides extra protection for those most at risk as winter approaches. Given that influenza is far more serious than the common cold, and COVID-19 cases are still being reported, with different variants continuing to…