Nearly half of hospital toilet users skip handwashing, study says
The study noted that handwashing figures were especially down at the start and end of each day, including typical mealtimes.Prof Benjamin Gardner, from the University of Surrey, said: "Strategies that raise awareness at the crucial point in a bathroom visit and easily understood messaging about how to wash effectively – like singing Happy Birthday twice over – can help people form handwashing habits that last."Guidance from NHS England says handwashing is one of the easiest ways of preventing food poisoning and other illnesses, such as the flu, especially in hospital settings."These findings are worrying but not surprising," Prof Carrie Newlands from the University of Surrey said.Prof Newlands wants visual reinforcements, such as posters and hand-gel stations, to be replaced by "more effective behavioural strategies".
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Telegraph
11 minutes ago
- Telegraph
‘I would be lost without him': Telegraph writers on International Friendship Day
July 30 marks International Friendship Day. While another overly-Americanised celebration to many, our authors took the chance to acknowledge the professional friendships they have formed at The Telegraph and beyond over the years. Whether providing company at lunch or a sympathetic ear to gossip with over coffee, health experts are unanimous on both the mental and physical benefits to the body of long-term friendships. Zoe Jane Hindle, a functional wellness practitioner and creator of the hormone health course Busy Gal says: 'Oxytocin is the hormone that is released in response to physical touch, eye contact, emotional connection and building trust.' 'Oxytocin helps to reduce cortisol as it calms the signalling between the brain and the adrenals, it also helps regulate emotional resilience, supports progesterone production and improves sleep quality.' Nicky Keay, a hormone health expert, says that good health requires focus in three different areas: physical, mental and social. 'See friendship as a long-term investment – you should naturally lean on these friendships as you get older,' she says. Do you have a long-term friendship that has helped you through difficult times? Someone you can always rely on to brighten your day or talk about the news? Let us know in the comments. Lisa and Mick If you had told me 36 years ago that one day I would be 'in charge' of Mick Brown, I'd have been dumbfounded. I pitched up at the offices of a yet-to-be-launched paper in 1989 with ideas about being a news journalist formed from watching films. Mick was my editor and was blessed with equal amounts of brilliance, patience and charisma – coming to work was a joy, I learnt so much from him and I was heartbroken when it came to an end 18 months later. But reading Mick's work over the years, and seeing him from time to time, crystallised just what a fantastic fella he continues to be… and it was with utter delight that I saw him sitting at a desk when I arrived at The Telegraph a few years ago. Yes, in theory I'm his boss but when we sit down to discuss a feature, it's usually over lunch at the local greasy spoon with diversions into shared loves such as Steely Dan tunes, Margaret Howell knitwear and Sardinian holidays. He still makes coming to work a joy. In 1989 I was editing the features and review section of a start-up newspaper called The Sunday Correspondent. Staffing the section from scratch, and keen to find somebody attuned to a young and female audience, I interviewed a 24-year-old journalist who had been working on Elle magazine, and who arrived for the interview on a motorbike, dressed in black leathers, helmet under her arm. Quick, clever, and keen, she got the job. She is now what is described as my line-manager – a title that makes it sound as if we both work for the railways. I just call her my boss. Journalism is a carousel. Friends and colleagues come and go in your life, and often come back again. I was very happy when Lisa came back. We have much the same taste in music, films and books, and we are both passionate about journalism. She is delightful company – well, most of the time anyway – and how many people can say that about their boss? In short, we are on the same page which is a very good thing for two journalists to be. Dom and Francis Francis and I were thrown together by our wonderful pal David Knowles as co-hosts of The Telegraph 's podcast Ukraine: The Latest, which has gone out every weekday since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. We tragically lost David a year ago, but Francis and I have carried on everyday from London, Ukraine and around the world, reporting the news, explaining the context and interviewing guests including presidents, military chiefs, Ukrainian rock stars, young chess prodigies in war-torn Odesa, and everyone in between. Throughout, and despite his very dodgy fashion choices, I have breathed a little easier when I knew Francis was with me, secure in the knowledge that today's broadcast would be just as good as yesterday's, and just as good as David would have produced. Despite not knowing the difference between a T-72 tank and a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle (and, incredibly, showing not the slightest desire to have me teach him), I have come to accept Francis's idiosyncrasies with criticism that never goes beyond that which is absolutely necessary. After three years, though, I grudgingly accept that I would be lost without his steady hand, deep sense of duty and resolute spirit. I am 20 years older than Francis, but we both wish we could be the other's age and, importantly, act accordingly. I think that's why our friendship works. But he's really got to do something about those clothes. It's scary to admit, but over the past 1,200 days – roughly the length of your average medieval siege – I've spent more time with Dom Nicholls than anyone else in my life. Barely a day has passed without at least one message exchanged, and that's before you even factor in our time in recording studios, war zones, and international airports serving questionable coffee. And yet, somehow – despite routinely mocking each other's fashion choices (Dom's wardrobe appears to be inspired by a midlife crisis at a beach bar) – we've never once had a proper argument. The closest I came was in Kharkiv last year. After a night of little sleep as a result of air raids, I went to meet Dom at the station. It was late, packed, and I must have run up and down the place six times like some kind of stressed-out courier pigeon. When I finally found him, he looked as relaxed as if he'd just stepped off a cruise. I, meanwhile, was drenched in sweat and slightly feral. 'Why didn't you pick up your phone?' I demanded. 'I knew you'd find me,' he replied – which was, annoyingly, the nicest thing one friend can say to another. To an outsider, we must seem like a mismatched pair. I favour suits and ties; Dom dresses like he's heading to a barbecue. This is especially baffling given he spent 25 years in uniform – you'd think he'd have a lingering fondness for a tailored jacket. But beneath the aesthetic chaos, we share much: a sense of humour, of responsibility, and a belief that the work matters. At events, people sometimes lean in like they're about to reveal a state secret and whisper, 'Do you two actually get along?' I always say: we couldn't do this every day if we didn't. Our reporting, while a great privilege, is often emotionally exhausting – but Dom believes, as I do, that there is always hope, even in the darkest times. When we lost David, it was Dom who called to tell me. I can only imagine how hard that was for him – but I genuinely can't think of anyone I'd rather have heard it from. Samuel Johnson once wrote, 'Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier.' I know the feeling. But I count myself incredibly lucky to work so closely with one – even if I still think he shouldn't be afraid to wear a tie now and then. Laura and Rachel While far beyond cliché by this point, the siren call for all Gen Z and Millennial women by Dolly Alderton still rings true. Her musing that 'Almost everything I know about love I have learnt from my long-term female friendships' is more than apt when it comes to Laura. At the beginning of May 2023 I whipped around to an American accent coming from another desk; hardly a common occurrence in Tele Towers. That first coffee run turned into daily lunches and in the two years that have followed we have become almost inseparable. Laura came from The Times, and the US before that where she had both worked and studied. Her charming accent, a unique hybrid between the States and Leeds, has quickly become a fixture of the newsroom, bringing calm to even the most stressful of breaking news days. In the years that followed, rarely a week a has passed without at least two evenings out together at various work events or just for fun. Laura has a calm sense of self that can riddle the most complex of professional or personal trials with sagacity. Expertly deploying her specialised state-side meets British stiff-upper-lip blend in knowing exactly when emotion is, and more importantly, isn't needed, Even during Laura's secondment to Washington DC where she covered the US Election, stressful work schedules and a six-hour time difference proved no match for our daily 20-minute voice notes and FaceTimes. I even crossed the pond for the first time to visit her last December. They say of modern day friendships, that presence is a luxury. In a world of instant messages often taking president over more meaningful moments, imagine how rich I feel to spend every day together, just a few desks apart. We may both be only children, but she truly feels like the wiser, wittier sister I never had. Gordon and Christopher They say friendships forged in battle are often stronger than the bond between siblings, and you don't have to have fought in a war to know exactly how that feels. Journalism, like the Armed Forces, is a career in which adversity has to be overcome on a daily basis, as the troops (reporters) fend off the twin threats of the enemy (other news organisations) and your superiors. In both cases, it's a great way to find out who your real friends are. For nearly two decades, the person who has perhaps best fitted that description in my life is Chris Hope, with whom I have shared office space for most of my Telegraph career, both at HQ and in our cramped, stifling outpost in Parliament, reporting on everything from the MPs expenses scandal to general elections. Chris is one of those people who will always have your back both professionally and personally. Equally importantly, he also sees the funny side (and very often the sheer absurdity) of any situation and laughter is a given when Chris is around, usually at his own expense. He is now doing brilliantly as GB News 's political editor, having left The Telegraph to make the switch into broadcasting, but few days go by without us contacting each other for a laugh or a gossip about what our colleagues or acquaintances have been up to. Our wives have become friends too. Another thing that's a given with Chris is trust. We can discuss anything without having to worry about it being repeated. A true friend is a safe space, and Chris is both to me. It's just a shame he supports Liverpool. Millie and Shauna We met each other at work and from the very beginning there was something easy about our connection. We only spent a short amount of time together on the same desk, but what started as a professional relationship quickly turned into something much more meaningful. We started spending more time together outside of work – grabbing coffee, venting about difficult days and becoming each other's sounding board for both personal and professional challenges. Our conversations flowed effortlessly, from work deadlines to deeper topics like family, relationships and future goals. Earlier this year, we took a leap and moved in together (along with our friend Eleanor). People might assume it would be too much to see each other every day both at work and at home, but for us, living with each other has been a continuation of the comfort we found in each other's company. In fact, we even walk home from the office together when we can. We hang out most evenings, binge-watching Girls or Sex in the City while talking through our days. On weekends, we're often out together at parties, catching up with friends, or impulse buying more table runners and vases for our beautiful new home. What makes this friendship special is the balance we've found. We support each other without judgement, challenge each other to grow and celebrate each other's wins – big or small. It's rare to find someone who understands both the demands of your job and the nuances of your personal life and we feel lucky to have found that in each other. Our friendship is a reminder that some of the best relationships begin in the most ordinary places and can evolve into something truly valuable and lasting.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Common medicines may not work for some people based on their DNA, experts find
A PILOT scheme has revealed a widespread genetic sensitivity to common medicines which could increase side effects or stop them working as they should. The trial saw 2,200 adults undergo whole genome sequencing to analyse how their individual DNA responds to the likes of antibiotics and over the counter painkillers. 1 A staggering 99 per cent showed a genetic variant that affects their sensitivity to certain medicines. This could mean some drugs, including over the counter, everyday painkillers, antibiotics and other prescription medications, won't work for some people based on their individual DNA. The blood test, part of Bupa's My Genomic Health scheme, also looked their genetic risk of developing 36 preventable diseases including cancers, heart conditions and type 2 diabetes. It found 91 per cent of participants were found to be at risk of developing a disease with genetic and lifestyle risk factors, such as fatty liver disease, breast cancer and certain heart diseases. While 73 per cent had multiple genetic variants that put them at raised risk of developing a condition that could be prevented or detected early, leading to better health outcomes, including the likes of high cholesterol, skin cancer and type 2 diabetes. And 49 per cent were found to be carriers of a genetic variant that could lead to raised risk of certain condition in future generations. Following the successful pilot, Medication Check can now be purchased through Bupa, and will also be available to more than three million its customers as part of its workplace health scheme. A saliva test will establish what medications are most likely to be effective, those with increased risk of adverse side effects, or ones that won't work for them at all. Dr Rebecca Rohrer, clinical innovation and genomics director for Bupa, said: 'We've long known that most medications only work for 30-50 per cent of the population. 'However, this pilot has highlighted just how significantly individual genomes impact the effectiveness of medications in treating conditions. Beware 3 of the most dangerous medicines in the world - including one found in almost EVERY home 'With more than half of us regularly taking a prescription medication and an increasing number affected by a chronic condition, it's crucial that people are prescribed the right medicine from the start, tailored to their unique genetic makeup. 'In the longer term, genomics is key to early detection and even preventing some illnesses altogether.' After completing the at-home medication check, patients will be offered a GP consultation with the healthcare provider to review any medication identified in their genetic tests. It comes as Bupa is about to introduce two new products to its My Genomic Health suite later this year, that will help to prevent or detect illness earlier. The DNA Health Check will give people early warning of an increased genetic risks of four different conditions - breast cancer, prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While the Advanced DNA Health Check will combine insights from medication, disease risk, carrier status and traits, and will look at the genetic risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, metabolic disease and 10 types of cancer. Carlos Jaureguizar, CEO for Bupa Global, India & UK, said: 'Whole genomic sequencing is fundamentally changing our approach to healthcare, pivoting from treatment to prevention. 'It has the power to become a health passport that people can reference throughout their lives. 'We firmly believe genomics is the path to health innovation and prevention, reducing the nation's health burden and giving people personalised knowledge of their own genomic profile to live well for longer.'
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sam Faiers is branded 'irresponsible and naive' by 'horrified' skin doctor after admitting her three children don't wear sunscreen as she wrongly claims many SPF brands are 'harmful' in controversial statement
A leading skin doctor has slammed Sam Faiers on Wednesday after she admitted she doesn't put sunscreen on her children in a controversial opinion on SPF. Currently on holiday in Mallorca, the mother-of-three took to Instagram on Tuesday as she responded to a fans question asking what suntan lotion brand she uses. The former TOWIE star revealed none of her family use sunscreen as she wrongly claimed some brands of SPF are 'harmful' and full of 'toxic ingredients'. Now skin cancer prevention doctor Ross Perry has told Daily Mail he is 'absolutely horrified' by Sam's comments and called her 'naive and irresponsible'. Dr Perry, who is the owner of skin clinics chain Cosmedics, claimed the reality star is 'misleading' fans into not using sunscreen on their children and it can 'double the risk of getting skin cancer' as they 'do not build up a tolerance to sun exposure'. He told Daily Mail: 'I am absolutely horrified at Sam Faiers' comments to followers (2.5 million of them!) are both irresponsible and naive. 'Children do not build up a tolerance to sun exposure, they are just storing up more sun damage for later on in life.' He continued: 'It is a well-known fact that children if they get any degree of sunburn as a child it more than doubles their risk of getting skin cancer at a later date so that is completely false and misleading. 'Children do NOT build up a tolerance to sun exposure. I would totally advocate the use of sun protective clothing as a alternative for those who do not tolerate suncream being regularly applied, especially for children regularly in and out of the water, but they will only cover certain areas so an SPF is still required. 'It is misleading to say that children need to have sunlight in order to promote their health as they will absorb more than enough sunlight through day-to-day activities rather as an over exposure or potential sunburn on holidays. 'The standards that still apply and are good guidance are that people apply SPF when out in particularly hot sun environments and do not take the risk of getting any sunburn and that involves wearing hats, appropriate clothing and avoiding hot times of the day for sunbathing.' 'Remember that ANY tan or sunburn is creating damage to the skin so SPF should always be worn in the sun,' he concluded. Sam revealed that she doesn't use suncream on her children by sharing a snap of her youngest son Edward, two, playing in the shade. She wrote: 'So this is always a bit of a controversial one, but honestly, me and my whole family don't actually wear sunscreen. 'Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun. Of course if it's really hot and the sun feels too harsh I'll make sure we head into the shade... usually around lunchtime we'll go in, have something to eat and just avoid those peak hours. 'I'm really careful about sunscreen in general, because a lot of them are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients.' Sam then revealed the alternative way she makes sure her children stay safe in the sun as she added: 'If you do want to protect your kids, I think SPF swimwear is such a good and safer option. 'But also, don't be afraid of the sun! Early in the morning or later in the afternoon when it's not as strong, I love letting the kids run around and soak it up, it's good for them. 'That said, I do always bring a Tallow Zinc SPF with me when I go away, just in case. And hats or caps are a must! Especially for us ladies because no one wants extra sun damage (I've had my fair share over the years because I am such a sun lover!).' Sam isn't the first celebrity to admit they don't use SPF on their children after Kelsey Parker, TV personality and widow of The Wanted singer Tom Parkewr, previously claimed that her children 'don't burn' and wrongly alleged SPF 'causes skin cancer'. Speaking on her podcast with fellow mum Georgia Jones she said: 'My kids do not wear sun cream.' Instead, she uses 'organic' sun cream to protect her children and claimed they 'do not burn'. 'Sun cream is so bad', she said, adding that growing up she 'never used to wear sun cream, sun cream causes skin cancer'. 'The only thing that I may put on them is an organic sun cream. My kids, we went on holiday, I never put sun cream on them and they do not burn.' Lauryn Goodman also spoke out about sun cream last year after she took to Instagram to tell her followers: 'you're brought up to wear sun cream [to] protect yourself', but 'everything you think you know isn't correct'. She insisted: 'training your skin is key' as she added: 'It's about building up your melanin to handle the sun as well slowly. 'I did it with K [her eldest son] and will do it with little girlie.' Responding to a comment from a follower who advised that UV rash vests offer 'more protection' than cream, she also said 'skin is so much better in the sun'. Dr Bav Shergill a consultant dermatologist at the Queen Victoria Hospital, London and spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists hit back at her claims. He previously told the Daily Mail: 'Sunscreens are a safe and effective way to protect your skin from burning and other forms of sun damage. 'Millions of people have used sunscreen over many decades so we can be confident about their safety profile. 'For people with lighter skin tones, there is a common misconception that you can build up a base tan which will protect you. 'A tan is a reaction to sun damage, so to develop a base tan, you have to damage your skin. Responding to a comment from a follower who advised that UV rash vests offer 'more protection' than cream, she also said 'skin is so much better in the sun' 'Evidence also suggests that a "base tan" offers the equivalent of SPF 4 – not enough to provide meaningful protection.' He added: 'If you don't want to use sunscreen, you need to be really on top of other forms of sun protection. 'Make good use of shade, minimise the time you spend out in the sun when the UV index is three or above, and wear clothing that covers your skin. 'These tend to be very effective ways of protecting your skin – though ideally you would use sunscreen in addition to these options as a final line of defence.' Meanwhile Dr Richard Parsons, a senior lecturer in biochemical toxicology at Kings College London, warned that any sunburn still raises the cancer and long term damage risk. He told the Daily Mail last year: 'Building a base tan is fine. But you have still got to have that level of protection. 'If you burn you are still going to increase your chances of getting those DNA mutations which can increase your risk of cancer. 'As you get older, you can get lost elasticity in the skin you can get skin damage like wrinkles. So that's actually lasting damage.' He added: 'We're not talking "I've got a real bad sunburn, but it's ok it'll be gone in a few weeks". That will have lasting implications.'
