Wes Streeting backs Angela Rippon's dance day to help ‘build healthy society'
Wes Streeting has backed veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon's calls for the public to take part in a national dance day this weekend.
The Strictly Come Dancing star is spearheading an initiative which will see dance events held across the UK on Sunday in an attempt to 'get the nation fit'.
The Health Secretary supported the move, saying it will 'support this Government's mission to rebuild the NHS and shift care from sickness to prevention'.
The Government's 10-year programme of reform for the health service aims to improve preventative care and ease pressure on waiting lists by reducing the amount of time people are unwell.
'Through our 10-year health plan we will build a healthy society,' Mr Streeting said.
'Even if you've got two left feet, brilliant initiatives like Angela's are a great way to keep fit, kick up your heels, and meet others – having a positive impact on your health and wellbeing while reducing your risk of developing serious illnesses.'
The national dance day will see events at community centres, dance clubs, studios and hospitals, involving 55,000 dance teachers.
Rippon said: 'This is a day about sharing the incredible power of dance. It really is the perfect way to maintain a strong and healthy body throughout your life into your senior years.
'You get fit, stay fit, and have a huge amount of fun. Good for your mind, good for your body, and good for society. That's why we have the backing of the NHS and the Department of Health.
'I defy anyone to dance without a smile on your face – and there's still time to get involved, by logging on to our website and finding an event near you.'
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said: 'Keeping physically active is one of the best ways to maintain health – and dance is an excellent way to do this, whilst maintaining balance, social connections and being enjoyable at all ages.'
Let's Dance! will take place across the UK at venues including Blackpool Winter Gardens and the Eden Project in Cornwall, while Alexander Stadium in Birmingham will host the Big Brummie Bhangrathon.
To find out more visit: https://lets-dance.org.uk/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Robotic surgeries set to soar under NHS plans
The use of robotic surgery is set to soar in the NHS in England under plans to expedite care for patients. In 2023/24, some 70,000 robot-assisted surgeries were carried out in the NHS in England, but the number is expected to rise to around half a million over the next decade. NHS officials said that by 2035, it is expected that nine in 10 of all keyhole surgeries will be delivered with robot assistance – up from one in five at present. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had robot-assisted surgery when he had treatment for kidney cancer, said that innovative technologies will 'transform the NHS'. NHS England said that patients who have robotic assisted-surgery tend to recover quicker and are able to leave hospital sooner. Experts said that robotic surgery allows 'greater dexterity and are easier to manipulate' compared to traditional surgery. Surgeons control instruments using a console and a camera. In some othopaedic procedures, robots are programmed to perform elements of procedures. Officials said that the range of robotic-assisted procedures has widened in recent years and spans multiple areas of medicine. Speaking ahead of a speech at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey said: 'The NHS has pledged to return to shorter elective waiting times by 2029 and we are using every tool at our disposal to ensure patients get the best possible treatment. 'Expanding the use of new and exciting tech such as robotic surgery will play a huge part in this. 'Not only does it speed up the number of procedures the NHS can do, but it also means better outcomes, a faster recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients.' Mr Streeting said: 'Innovative treatments and technologies that help fast track better outcomes for patients is how we transform our NHS and make it fit for the future. 'I know myself how important this is, when the NHS saved my life from kidney cancer with an operation led by a world-class surgeon being helped by a robot. 'Whether it's robotic surgery, our new health data research service to accelerate the development of new medicines, or announcing new artificial intelligence that detects skin cancer, our Plan for Change is driving forward new ways to help cut waiting lists and get patients treated on time again.' John McGrath, consultant surgeon at North Bristol NHS Trust and chair of the NHSE Steering Committee for Robotic Assisted Surgery, added: 'Robot-assisted surgery is a perfect example of innovation improving patients' care and transforming the way the NHS works – the number of procedures being carried is set to rapidly grow over the next 10 years according to our analysis. 'As keyhole surgery continues to develop and scale up in the NHS, it is likely that many of these procedures will be provided with degrees of robot assistance in the future. 'Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays are not only hugely important benefits for patients undergoing surgery, if used efficiently they can have a positive impact on the rest of the system by relieving pressure on services and therefore helping to reduce waiting times.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
PA bills will expand access to opioid overdose reversal agents
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Two bills will soon be introduced to help provide more resources to first responders and law enforcement to fight opioid overdoses. Representatives Chris Pielli and Brian Munroe, in a memo to lawmakers, wrote that the current practice in Pennsylvania is 'outdated.' Noting that the Department of Health only allows the use of naloxone despite other options being available. The CDC reported that deaths involving opioids were estimated to be over 54,000. However, from December 2023 to December 2024, drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania dropped by 29.94%. Two states, Nevada and South Dakota, were the only ones with increases. Both saw increases of over 4%. Pennsylvania lawmakers advance bill expanding no-cost breast cancer diagnostics Naloxone is used by law enforcement and other first responders to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by attaching itself to opioid receptors and then reversing and blocking the effects of opioids. In the CDC's most recent report, they also listed synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, as being the cause of the largest number of overdose deaths. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the representatives. They argue that fentanyl is so strong that it can outlast the effects of naloxone and cause people to 're-overdose.' That's why they feel that first responders should have access to things like nalmefene, which is a longer-lasting opioid antagonist. Currently, nalmefene is only available by prescription. 'While naloxone is a crucial tool for first responders and law enforcement, it cannot be our only option,' The representatives said. The two bills that they will be introducing would do the following: Amend the Controlled Substance Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act to allow nalmefene as an approved opioid antagonist for use over the counter. Direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to change their current standing order to include nalmefene as an approved opioid reversal agent for over the counter use. 'We cannot continue to discount the ability of other opioid antagonists to save lives. While our policy continues to stagnate, the illicit drug market evolves, adapts, and finds new ways to draw Pennsylvanians into the throes of addiction or, in an unfortunate number of cases, death,' the representatives added. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Beloved New York Restaurant Temporarily Closes Due to Rats
A very popular restaurant in New York City temporarily shut down earlier this June due to health concerns. Jacob's Pickles in the Upper West Side closed its doors after the Department of Health found evidence of rats and roaches. The Department of Health also docked the restaurant for having an "improper, inadequate, or unapproved" sewage disposal system. The southern eatery on 509 Amsterdam Ave closed up shop on June 4, per the Health Department. "The Health Department required Jacob's Pickles to close on June 4, and we have let them know what needs to be addressed. They will receive another inspection before they can reopen." Jacob's Pickles released a statement of its own regarding this concerning matter. "While unexpected, we're genuinely grateful this issue was brought to our attention," the restaurant said. "With the guidance of the health department, we uncovered underlying structural issues that contributed to unforeseen facility maintenance challenges. The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority, and we will not reopen until every concern is resolved in full compliance with NYC Health Code standards." According to the New York Post, the popular eatery has had a C rating since last December. Perhaps that'll change in the near future. Jacob's Pickles has been around since 2011. The restaurant describes itself as a place where "faces light up when the plate arrives, where people feel relaxed and excited to try new and old favorites." Beloved New York Restaurant Temporarily Closes Due to Rats first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2025
