Streeting launches national investigation after NHS maternity scandals
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Times
35 minutes ago
- Times
Obese to get soups and shakes diet instead of weight-loss jabs
Low-calorie soups and shakes are to be prescribed to thousands of overweight people in Scotland in an attempt to reduce their dependence on expensive weight-loss drugs and provide longer-lasting health benefits. From January, 3,000 patients who have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will be recruited for a clinical trial. About 300,000 Scots live with type 2 diabetes, a condition commonly linked to obesity, in which badly regulated blood sugar levels can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, strokes or nerve conditions. About 10,000 of them are being treated with weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, with injections costing the NHS £3,000 a year. The estimated annual bill of £30 million is expected to rise as manufacturers raise prices. NHS chiefs believe that not only will the soups and shakes plan be less expensive, it will also bring longer-term health benefits. In the Total Diet Replacement (TDR) plan, to be rolled out over three years, patients who have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and are deemed eligible will be given low-calorie substitutes for their breakfast, lunch and dinner. The replacement meals, containing a maximum of 900 calories a day, will be delivered to patients for between three and five months. • What to do now Mounjaro's hiking its prices, by an obesity expert After this initial period, normal food will be reintroduced, but with guidance given on healthy meals through online consultations and an app. The ambition is for patients to lose up to 10 per cent of their body weight over a year. Doctors are also optimistic that up to 40 per cent of the trial participants will achieve remission from type 2 diabetes within a year. There are fears that the weight lost through injections — which work by suppressing the appetite — may last only as long as the patient is taking the drug. By contrast, the effects of diet changes should prove more long-lasting and cost effective, NHS officials believe. The TDR scheme is set to cost £5.6 million for 3,000 patients, a one-off cost of about £1,866 per person. Doctors hope the plan will help patients to fundamentally alter their diet and lifestyle. A spokesman for the Scottish government said: 'We anticipate that around 35 to 40 per cent will achieve remission from type 2 diabetes at the end of their first year on the programme, with a majority of patients benefiting from a clinically significant average weight loss of 10 per cent.' This would lead to reductions in blood pressure and contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. He added: 'We will measure impact by the number of patients recruited into this programme, the number who achieve remission and the number with clinically significant weight loss.'
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on regulating cosmetic procedures: rogue operators must be tackled, but aren't the only problem
The enormous popularity of beauty treatments, including dermatological fillers and Botox injections, is not solely an issue for health regulators. Changing norms and aspirations about appearances, and the way that these are marketed mainly to women and girls, are a cultural and economic phenomenon that requires wider consideration. While attitudes to these procedures and aesthetics vary, many people – including some cosmetic surgeons – are concerned that younger women account for a growing share of a highly lucrative and growing market. The death last year of 33-year-old Alice Webb in Gloucestershire, after a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift, as well as multiple reports of injuries, and the deaths of at least 28 women who have travelled to Turkey for cosmetic treatments, have increased the pressure on ministers to tighten the law. Wes Streeting's announcement of new licence requirements for UK businesses, and tighter regulation of higher-risk treatments, is probably overdue. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute recently warned that untrained people have given cosmetic injections in public toilets and hotels. Altering the law in order to exclude such 'rogue operators' ought to make high streets and the internet – where many clinics advertise – safer. Talking about the risks, as the health secretary has been doing, and holding a consultation on proposed changes, may have the beneficial effect of raising awareness even before changes are introduced. But councils will need resources if they are to be expected to enforce new rules by issuing licences, checking premises and so on. As in many other areas of economic activity, the law on its own is unlikely to be enough. Mechanisms are needed to ensure that businesses comply. It is already illegal to administer Botox or dermal fillers to children in England – although, worryingly, it is still allowed in Wales and Scotland. Mr Streeting's announcement that rules regarding children will be tightened further is particularly welcome. Strenuous efforts should be made to place them off limits for the industry as a whole. The reported preoccupation of some children with anti-ageing products is not healthy and should be discouraged. Mr Streeting did not refer to the cost to the NHS if cosmetic procedures go wrong, when announcing plans to tighten the law. But Karin Smyth, one of his ministers, has raised this. And Prof Sir Stephen Powis, who was NHS England's national medical director until last month, made the same point specifically in relation to butt lifts – the cosmetic procedure with the highest death rate of all. Ministers should expect pushback even though many experts, including plastic surgeons, favour tighter rules. The pro-growth mood of the Treasury means proposals for new regulations are unlikely to be smiled upon there. The more restrictive approach being proposed for England will also do nothing to prevent surgical tourism and could even increase it, if tighter regulation of the domestic industry results in higher prices. The gap in safeguards that allows foreign cosmetic surgery providers to market directly to the public needs to be addressed separately, which the government has begun to recognise. There is no single or instant fix. But by cracking down on cowboy operators, ministers will send a message that appearance-altering injections and other invasive treatments must be treated seriously. They are a different order of activity from applying makeup or painting nails. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sunday Brunch viewers are left in a frenzy just minutes into the show's latest episode
Sunday Brunch viewers were left in a frenzy just minutes into the show's latest episode, and quickly took to X to share their thoughts. The Channel 4 programme returned on Sunday with Tom Grennan, Caity Baser, Susie Dent, Alfie Allen, Conor MacNeill and Joy Crookes as guests. But despite Tom Grennan headlining Radio 1's Big Weekend and Caity Baser having a huge social media following and touring the UK, viewers were left unhappy as they claimed they barely knew the guests. Aside from Countdown's Susie Dent, many fans were left unsure on who the other guests were and flocked to social media to share their thoughts. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, posts included: 'I know 3 of them, its a WR for me. #sundaybrunch.' '#sundaybrunch @sundaybrunch Susie Dent is the only one I have heard of due to Countdown.' ;'I know 2 of them this week #sundaybrunch .' The complaints come after presenter Morgan McGlynn Carr has shared a health update with fans after she revealed she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. The TV star and author, 38, who has a regular spot as a cheese expert on the show, recently posted a picture of her from her hospital bed as she announced the 'earth shattering' news. In October 2024, Morgan received her diagnosis after finding a lump in her right breast and received six months of weekly chemotherapy. On two occasions doctors told the mother-of-one the lump was breast-feeding related, but after having a gut feeling something still wasn't quite right she went for a third opinion and got her diagnosis - which she says 'saved her life'. Now, Morgan has shared a positive health update with fans as she appeared on the latest episode of the Channel 4 show on Sunday. Speaking to hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy, she broke down in tears as she told the anchors she's been given 'the all clear'. While fighting back tears, she explained: 'As some of you know and some of you don't, I'm already wobbling, I am sorry.' Tim then reached to comfort Morgan before she continued: 'I got diagnosed with breast cancer last October, so we got the all clear, like a week ago.' But despite Tom Grennan headlining Radio 1's Big Weekend and Caity Baser having a huge social media following and touring the UK, viewers were left unhappy as they claimed they barely knew the guests The complaints come after presenter Morgan McGlynn Carr has shared a health update with fans after she revealed she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer In a touching moment, the entire studio then erupted into applause for Morgan as she was visibly taken aback by the reaction. She added: 'I was just going to say, check your lumps, your bumps and trust your gut and yeah, that's it really.' The Cheese expert added thanked everyone again for the support she's received, saying: 'Yes, I've been taken on surprise trips and I've had the biggest support system including you guys as well.' Morgan has graced the screen alongside Sunday Brunch hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer since 2016. The cheese presenter confirmed she is now 'healing' as she joyfully admitted she received some 'very, very good news' following surgery last month. Sharing her journey, she wrote: 'On the eve of my daughter's first birthday, I found a lump in my right breast. I'd recently stopped breastfeeding and assumed it was related. 'But my husband made me promise to go to the doctor first thing Monday - and, by pure chance it happened to be CoppaFeel! Week. My feed was full of women talking about breast cancer. 'The GP said it was definitely breastfeeding-related. The breast clinic consultant said she was 99% sure it was nothing. 'I got a third opinion and that decision saved my life... Trust your gut. Always. 'After scans, biopsies, mammograms, CTs, MRIs - in October 2024, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. It was nothing short of earth-shattering. 'But we've done our best to keep life feeling normal as possible for our daughter. Treatment is different for every person. No two paths are the same. But here's what happened to me: 'I was given a week before chemo to get my ducks in a row, which included chopping my hair off and IVF and egg retrival, something I'm incredibly grateful I was able to do. 'Then came six months of weekly chemotherapy. The hardest thing I've ever done. Some weeks I sat for 13 hours at a time, and I was never alone thanks to my friends who kept me company. On two occasions doctors told the mother-of-one the lump was breast-feeding related, but after having a gut feeling something still wasn't quite right she went for a third opinion and got her diagnosis - which she says 'saved her life 'And those who've been through the cold cap you'll known it's no joke. I had to catch my breath and get through the hardest parts before sharing this. So why now? 'Because if even one person sees this, and it prompts them to check a lump or get a second opinion, it could save a life. Please, trust your gut.' Morgan revealed she had a successful surgery last month and received some 'very good news' a few days ago. She continued: 'Two weeks ago, I had surgery - and a few days later, we got some very, very good news. 'I've not really known how to share this. To be honest, I'm still finding my feet after everything.' Morgan added: 'This year has changed me. There's still a road to recovery to come - but I'm here, I'm healing, and I'm more grateful than I've been.' Morgan is the UK's leading cheese expert and owner of Cheeses of Muswell Hill, an award-winning independent cheese shop in North London. She is also a top judge at the World Cheese Awards. What is triple negative breast cancer? Triple negative breast cancer is a form of the disease that does not have receptors for the hormones oestrogen or progesterone, or the protein HER2. This makes it trickier to treat due to the tumour not responding to these hormonal or protein therapies. Triple negative breast cancer makes up around 10-to-20 per cent of all forms of the disease. It tends to be more aggressive than other breast tumours, with patients having a worse prognosis. The condition is more common in those under 40 and black women. It is diagnosed via a sample of the cancerous cells. Symptoms are similar to other forms of breast cancer. These can include: Lump or thickening in the breast Change in the size, shape or feel of the breast Dimpling of the skin Change in the shape of the nipple Rash or blood-stained discharge coming from the nipple Swelling in the armpit Treatment usually involves surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. Chemo may be given first to shrink the tumour before a patient goes under the knife. It may also be given after the operation to prevent the disease returning.
