Medics urge NHS TikTok policy amid privacy concerns
The SoR advocates for clear NHS policies to prevent patients from filming clinical procedures without prior permission, to ensure a safer environment.
Ashley d'Aquino, a therapeutic radiographer, noted an increase in patients filming cancer treatments, causing anxiety among staff due to potential privacy breaches and distractions.
One incident involved a cancer patient's daughter filming a cannulation without permission, raising concerns about recording other patients' private information.
Dean Rogers of the SoR emphasised the need for hospital trusts to implement policies that balance patient needs with staff wellbeing, ensuring privacy and optimal care.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
25 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Manufacturers given 18 months to cut sugar and salt in baby food products
Accompanying new guidelines to clarify labelling on baby food will help parents make informed choices about what they feed their children, the Department of Health and Social Care said. Manufacturers will be challenged to change the recipes for their products to reduce levels of salt and sugar, without the use of sweeteners, which are not permitted for use in commercial baby food. For example, baby desserts and breakfasts such as rice pudding, custard and ready-to-eat fruity porridge should contain less than 10g of total sugar per 100g, while baby meals should have no more than 60mg of salt per 100 calories or 100mg per 100 calories if cheese is included in the recipe. The guidelines will also tackle misleading labelling that often conflicts with official feeding advice. For example, some products labelled as snacks for babies from seven months on directly contradict government recommendations that children aged between six and 12 months do not need snacks between meals, only milk. Manufacturers will also be told to stop using misleading marketing claims that make products appear healthier than they are, for example products with labels such as 'contains no nasties' when they may be high in sugar. The move comes as data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, published in June, shows that more than two thirds of children aged 18 months to three years are eating too much sugar, while more than a fifth of children aged four to five years are overweight or living with obesity in England. High sugar intake in children's diets is a significant factor contributing to high rates of childhood obesity in the UK, which is among the highest in western Europe. Obesity rates have doubled since the 1990s, including among children. Obesity costs the NHS £11.4 billion a year and is one of the root causes of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: 'Every child deserves a healthy, happy start to life. But babies' development is being harmed by poor diets and unhealthy food, holding them back and piling up pressure on the NHS. 'Too often, parents are bombarded with confusing labels, disguising unhealthy foods packed with hidden sugars and salt. 'Our plan for change will tackle this, giving parents the information they need and providing children with good nutritious food. 'I'm determined to make it far easier for parents to keep their children healthy. 'From working with influencers to get children exercising, to banning junk food ads near schools, our 10-year health plan will help kids today be part of the healthiest generation of children ever.' Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: 'For too long, commercial baby foods have been promoting high-sugar products disguised as 'healthy options', using misleading packaging. 'These new guidelines put the industry on notice: this practice must end. 'Making it easier for parents to buy healthier products is a baby step in the right direction – but what's really needed is a giant leap. 'It should not even be possible to sell baby food that goes against official feeding guidance, and the public agrees, with three in four people supporting a ban on high-sugar baby foods. 'If the industry fails to act quickly, the Government must step in with mandatory rules to set children up for a lifetime of good health.' Dr Kawther Hashem, head of research and impact at Action on Sugar, said: 'Our research has consistently shown excessive levels of sugars in commercial baby foods. 'These long-overdue voluntary guidelines are a step in the right direction, but they must not be the final word. 'Consuming too much sugar on a regular basis means children are taking in excess calories that, if not used for energy, are stored as fat. 'This increases the risk of weight gain and, if it starts early, that excess weight is often carried into adolescence and adulthood, raising the risk of overweight, obesity and agonising tooth decay. 'If we're serious about protecting our youngest children, these guidelines must be made mandatory. 'We urge the Government to closely monitor progress and act swiftly if companies fail to change.' Professor Simon Kenny, NHS England's national clinical director for children and young people, said: 'I can't overstate just how important good nutrition is during these formative months for babies' health in the long term, and you can't beat fresh foods. 'Reducing the salt and sugar levels in shop-bought baby food is a really important step, and these new guidelines alongside clearer labelling will help empower busy parents to make nutritious choices that give their children the best possible start in life.' Dr Hannah Brisden, head of policy and advocacy at the Food Foundation, said: 'Giving every child the best start in life begins with good nutrition. 'Today's announcement on commercial baby foods highlights the need to protect families from aggressive marketing and end misleading claims on sugary products. 'Our research found up to 43 claims on a single baby snack, despite many being high in sugar. 'The industry has been warned to clean up their act with voluntary guidelines, but to truly protect children, mandatory standards are needed. 'We urge the Government to monitor progress closely and be ready to step in if companies don't act.'
ITV News
2 hours ago
- ITV News
New health standards and labelling rules to be introduced for baby food
New government guidelines are being introduced to reduce the amount of sugar and salt in baby foods. Manufacturers will be given 18 months to implement the new rules for baby foods aimed at children up to 36 months old. They will be required to change recipes to reduce sugar and salt, without the use of sweeteners. High sugar intake in children's diets is a major contributor to rates of childhood obesity in the UK, which is among the highest in Western Europe. Obesity currently costs the NHS around £11.4 billion a year. There will also be new rules about labelling on baby food to try and clamp down on misleading claims about ingredients. For example, some products labelled as snacks for babies from seven months onwards contradict government recommendations that children aged 6-12 months do not need snacks between meals, only milk. Manufacturers will also be told to cease using marketing claims that make products appear healthier than they are - for example, products with labels such as 'contains no nasties' - when products may be high in sugar. Minister for Public Health, Ashley Dalton, said that babies' development is being harmed by poor diets and unhealthy food. 'Too often, parents are bombarded with confusing labels, disguising unhealthy foods packed with hidden sugars and salt," she said. 'Our Plan for Change will tackle this, giving parents the information they need and providing children with good nutritious food. "I'm determined to make it far easier for parents to keep their children healthy. "From working with influencers to get children exercising, to banning junk food ads near schools – our 10 Year Health Plan will help kids today be part of the healthiest generation of children ever.'
Medical News Today
2 hours ago
- Medical News Today
Do I need to book a doctor's appointment or go to the emergency room?
Knowing where to go for medical attention can be confusing. This guide explains when to visit the emergency room (ER), urgent care clinic, or primary care health center. When someone has an accident or falls ill, they want to get better as soon as possible. It is tempting to head straight to the ER, but if it is not an emergency, it may not be the best to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 155 million visits to ERs in 2022. That works out as 47 visits per 100 people. Of those, only around 21 million people were admitted to the hospital or critical care people in ERs mean longer wait times. High volumes can also affect the care of people with life threatening conditions. Visiting an ER can also cost article explains when a person may need emergency care and when it might be better to go to an urgent care or primary care clinic for assessment. It also compares the costs to visit an emergency roomERs are open 24 hours and provide care for severe illnesses and injuries. If a person has a life threatening emergency or is in danger of permanent disability, call 911. This is likely the quickest way to get the emergency care an ambulance does not mean a person will be a high priority when they arrive at the hospital. Medical staff will assess the individual within a short time of arrival and attend to the most urgent cases first.A visit to the ER often costs more than an urgent care center or primary care clinic. It may involve more extensive diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and other imaging tests, blood tests, and insurers may not cover the cost of ER treatment if a person does not strictly need requiring a visit to the emergency roomCall 911 or the local emergency number if you or someone else has any of the following symptoms:chokingnot breathingstroke symptomshead injury with fainting or confusionchest pain with shortness of breath or sweatingsudden confusionloss of consciousnessmajor traumauncontrolled bleedingsevere burns or woundssevere allergic reactionsbroken bones, particularly if they are pushing through the skinhigh fever (100.4°F/ 38°C or above) with a rashpersistent vomiting with severe abdominal painpoisoning or overdosemoving them may risk further injuryWhen to visit urgent careUrgent care is intended for health conditions that are not life threatening but require a same-day appointment. Urgent care centers are typically open on weekends and holidays and at other times when primary care health centers are closed.A person can call their primary care doctor first to see if they have walk-in or same-day appointments. Visiting a primary care doctor makes monitoring chronic health conditions and arranging follow-up visits urgent care clinics get busy, wait times are usually shorter than in the ER. Insurance companies charge similar co-pays for urgent care and primary services that urgent care centers offer can vary. Some employ doctors and have the ability to order lab and imaging tests immediately. Others are only equipped to handle minor illnesses and may redirect people elsewhere to get the necessary care .Symptoms suitable for urgent care Visit an urgent care center if you have symptoms requiring same-day care, such as:minor fractures with no visible deformitysprainscuts needing stitchesmild asthma attacksear, urinary tract, or eye infectionsrashmild to moderate allergic reactionsdiarrheaback painWhen to make a primary care appointmentWhen a person has nonurgent symptoms, it is best to make an in-person or telehealth appointment with a primary care health professional. If a person requires a same-day appointment and the online booking portal appears full, call the doctor's office directly. There may be same-day appointments available for people who really need them. If none are available, the doctor's office may recommend visiting urgent appointments allow a person to stay in their own home and reduce the risk of spreading infectious illnesses. In-person appointments may enable doctors to assess a person's health more to make a doctor's appointmentYou can make a primary care appointment if you have the following symptoms or conditions: cold and flu symptoms, such as a sore throat, congestion, and a coughrespiratory infectionsurinary tract infectionsear infectionsconjunctivitis (pink eye)minor burnscuts and wounds that do not require stitchesnon-life-threatening allergiesPrimary care health centers also offer: certain vaccinationsmedication refillsannual wellness checkschronic condition monitoringHow health setting costs compareIf a person's health condition is an emergency, they should always visit the ER. However, this is the most costly option. Visiting the ER with a minor issue could cost significantly more than visiting an urgent care center or primary health facility. If it does not meet an insurance company's criteria for an emergency, they are unlikely to pay out. Visiting a primary health center is likely the most affordable option, but costs depend on the necessary tests and treatments, and the copay a person must or retail walk-in clinicsAnother option for people who do not need emergency care is to visit a pharmacy or retail walk-in clinic, which often have an integrated pharmacy and do not require an appointment. Walk-in clinics are typically staffed by advanced nurse practitioners who can prescribe clinics can help with common, less serious issues, such as minor injuries, respiratory infections, and certain vaccinations, but doctors should monitor chronic prepared for when you need careBefore you need medical treatment, find out what your insurance company will pay for and where to go for help. Keep the following numbers on your phone or another easily accessible doctor's office if you are signed up with onethe nearest ERurgent care clinics in your areawalk-in clinics or pharmacies in your areanurse telephone advice line SummaryWhen a person falls ill or has an injury, they must visit the ER if their condition is life threatening or they risk permanent their symptoms are less serious, it is better to visit an urgent care or primary care center. These often cost less, offer same-day appointments, and may have shorter waiting times than article offers general information and is not a substitute for professional medical you experience severe or worsening symptoms, seek immediate care from a healthcare professional or call 911.
