Sheer scale of medicine shortages laid bare in report
The report highlights the severe impact of these shortages on individuals with conditions such as ADHD, menopause, and diabetes.
Surveys revealed that over 90 per cent of pharmacists, GPs, and prescribers reported shortages of ADHD medicines, with significant impacts also noted for HRT, diabetes drugs, and antibiotics.
The APPG calls for urgent action, including better support and information for patients, and for medicine security to be treated as a core component of NHS planning.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges global supply problems and states it has measures in place to mitigate disruption and build supply chain resilience.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Strictly's Anton Du Beke emotionally opens up on his wife's 'cruel and inexplicable' health condition that left them fearing they'd be unable to conceive children
Anton Du Beke has opened up on his wife Hannah Summers' 'cruel and inexplicable' health condition that left them fearing they'd be unable to have children. The Strictly Come Dancing star, 59, appeared on a recent episode of Giovanna Fletcher 's Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast where he discussed his wife's chronic battle with endometriosis and the affect it had on their journey to becoming parents. The couple, who married in 2017, eventually welcomed twins George and Henrietta through IVF that same year, having tried for many years to conceive. But before they started their family, Anton admitted that marketing executive Hannah had reservations about whether they'd be able to become parents at all thanks to the painful, debilitating condition. Speaking to Giovanna, he shared: 'I knew I wanted to be with her, I saw her with her nephews. She's so kind and so caring, I just couldn't understand the universe. 'And whoever is upstairs, if anyone's upstairs, looking down and going "you are the most perfect person to have children, but I'm not going to let you have any children because I'm going to give you this". 'And I'm going to say "you're going to have this endometriosis, and you're going to suffer with this all of your life, chronically, and I'm not going to let you have any children. 'I thought that was peculiar, cruel, and inexplicable and unforgivable. And if ever I go up to somewhere and meet this person I would say "I think you're not OK with decisions like this, this doesn't make any sense to me".' Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue - tissue similar to uterine lining - grows outside of the uterus, such as on the cervix, bladder, and ovaries, where it collects and thickens over the course of every menstrual cycle. The chronic pain of endometriosis stems from the tissue growing outside of the uterus, which breaks down with each menstrual cycle. It leads to inflammation and scar tissue binding to and stiffening organs, causing a pulling sensation and sharp, shooting pains. The pain can be unbearable for some women. A build up of scar tissue can block the fallopian tubes, as well as disrupt the hormone balance necessary for ovulation, making it impossible to conceive. The TV judge went on to heap praise on women for the things their bodies endure, before touching on his frustrations at not being able to help Hannah through the pain of going through IVF. Anton shared: 'Then we went through the process of IVF, well crying out loud. You girls are extraordinary. As much as I want to get involved, all I can do is hold your hand. 'It makes me emotional every time I talk about it. The injections, the stress, the anxiety. I have anxiety and stress but it's not my body. 'I thought that was peculiar, cruel, and inexplicable and unforgivable. And if ever I go up to somewhere and meet this person I would say "I think you're not OK with decisions like this' What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes Endometriosis can affect women of any age, but it's most common in women in their 30s and 40s. It's a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help. Source: NHS 'She has these injections and the bruises in the bum, in the thigh, in the stomach. And you're trying to help but what can you do? 'Whatever you want, tell me and I'll do it but that's all you have and it's horrendous as a man to watch it. 'You feel so inadequate and you want to do so much more but I can't do anything. And that's why you girls are so extraordinary, you're extraordinary that you do all this stuff.' Back in 2022, Anton reflected on his fertility struggles with wife Hannah as he detailed their 'boot camp' style IVF journey, after Hannah's long-term struggle with endometriosis. Speaking about parenthood on the Parenting Hell podcast, the Strictly judge revealed that Hannah is 'practically perfect' and the 'most incredible mum' calling the fact she couldn't conceive naturally 'the saddest irony.' He explained: 'She's everything I thought she would be. I thought she'd be an excellent mum, always knew she'd be a great mum but she couldn't have children. 'I thought isn't it funny how nature works in mysterious ways - the person I thought would be an incredible mum couldn't have children - that's the sad irony of it all. 'But as we had IVF we were able to have them in the end and I'm thrilled for me - because I'd have 100 [kids] by the way because I love them - but I'm thrilled for Hannah because she is amazing at it.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
‘Brave' doctor defies picket line to treat cancer patients after militant union BLOCKED tests as strike support plummets
THE militant BMA union refused a hospital's plea to allow a doctor to carry out potentially life saving cancer tests. But a hero doctor caught wind and crossed the picket line to help six men waiting for prostate biopsies. 6 6 Health Secretary Wes Streeting blasted the British Medical Association and praised the 'brave' doctor who broke ranks. Milton Keynes University Hospital trust was due to perform biopsies on the six men on Friday. But they faced cancellations after thousands of junior doctors, now called residents, walked out that morning in the long-running row over pay. The trust made a special patient safety request - a derogation - which allows striking doctors return to work if there is a risk to patient safety. The Sun on Sunday understands they were worried about the anxiety and mental health impact on the men who could face significant delays in finding out if they have cancer. Prostate cancer biopsies are also invasive and uncomfortable procedures. The request was signed off by NHS England but the BMA refused to bring anyone in because the request was based on anxiety rather than on clinical concerns, sources claimed. Fortunately, a resident doctor on the picket heard about the row and broke ranks to care for the men. And all six men had their biopsies that day as planned. Mr Streeting - who previously had kidney cancer - said it was 'completely unacceptable' for the BMA to dismiss the impact of a delayed diagnosis. He said: 'As someone who has been through it, I know all too well what a worrying time it can be while you are waiting to see if you will be diagnosed with cancer. NHS doctors strike again TODAY as they demand £600 a month pay hike in 'slap in face to taxpayers' 'Not knowing can be one of the most difficult periods. 'Patients concerned about whether they have cancer and their loved ones want the NHS to provide a diagnosis as quickly as possible. 'It is completely unacceptable for the BMA to dismiss the mental anguish a delayed diagnosis can have on people and families. 'I want to thank the brave resident doctor who broke the strike to ensure these men got the care they deserve.' Dr Victoria Alner, acting Chief Medical Officer at the trust, said: 'Thanks to our staff whose ongoing professionalism and support have enabled us to keep clinics running during the industrial action. 'Our priority is always to provide safe care, and we will continue to do our utmost to minimise disruption for patients.' This time round the NHS is trying to keep as many services as possible running. And the public is being urged to still come forward for care during the walkout. Mr Streeting said the government would "not let the BMA hold the country to ransom". 6 6 6 NHS England said hospitals are aiming to reschedule appointments cancelled due to strikes within two weeks. But Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's co-national medical director, warned this could have a knock-on impact for other patients. 'Even two weeks is too long for somebody to wait and actually that has an impact on the people who are then displaced at that two week period," she told BBC Breakfast. She apologised to patients facing delays, adding: 'I know that is extremely distressing when that happens, and it can potentially lead to both physical and psychological harm. So I am sorry.' 'People will die' By Len Read IVF pioneer and Labour peer Robert Winston has slammed the doctors' strike and said 'inevitably' a patient will die. The medics, members of the BMA union, walked out on Friday and are not due back until Wednesday morning. Lord Winston, 85, quit the organisation after 61 years, mainly due to his disgust at the industrial action. The BMA wants resident doctors to get a 29 per cent pay rise on top of an average increase of 28.9 per cent over the past three years. Lord Winston fumed: 'If this lasts long, somebody will die. Inevitably they will. Several people are going to have much worse chances of getting cancers treated, and some will be in pain. 'You simply can't allow disruption of services on this scale.' Prof Pandit said three derogations were granted on Friday. Nottingham City Hospital reached an agreement to call a striking doc back from the picket line because babies' lives were at risk. Exemptions were agreed for two doctors to return to the Northern General Hospital. Another agreement was made for two anaesthetists to work at University Hospital Lewisham on Saturday. And one registrar radiologist to cover the acute service at King's College Hospital. The number of resident doctors who have joined picket lines is thought to be down by thousands compared to last year's strikes. Labour handed them the biggest pay award of any public sector service with an average increase of 28.9 per cent over three years. But public support has fallen for the latest round strikes. Despite this, resident doctors are demanding a further 29 per cent rise. A BMA spokesperson said: "This service was not suitable for a derogation as the BMA assessed there was no urgent clinical need. "NHS England was repeatedly warned that encouraging non-urgent elective care would lead to last-minute cancellations - with patients bearing the brunt. "Despite this, they chose to press ahead. We remain focused on ensuring a safe service continues." 6 Leader'srant over Charles'crowning Exclusive by Emily-Jane Heap THE militant union boss at the centre of the resident doctor walkouts has described the King's coronation as 'unnecessary'. British Medical Association leader Tom Dolphin accused the Government of wasting £250million on the May 2023 ceremony. On the day Mr Dolphin, 46, posted: 'A quarter of a billion pounds of public money for an unnecessary and brief ceremony, but they can't find funds for NHS staff.' Critics pointed out that NHS England received more than £3billion per week in funding. They also highlighted how the coronation brought £350million to the hospitality sector while the investiture cost taxpayers £72million. It comes after Dolphin was blasted over resurfaced Brexit comments. In 2019, the London-based consultant anaesthetist criticised Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith for calling Theresa May's request for a Brexit delay 'a national humiliation'. He said: 'This reminds me of the surveys on 'What do you fear most?' — where men say 'humiliation' and women say 'rape/assault'. It is high privilege to be able to conflate embarrassment with actual harm.' Another BMA figure, Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, once ran an IT firm called Spiteful Solutions, with one critic saying the name 'sounds very apt'.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
RFK Jr. looks to boot panel that decided which HIV and cancer screenings would be free: report
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly planning to remove all the members of an influential health task force that helps determine what preventative care services insurers must cover for free, after removing all members of a vaccine advisory board last month. Kennedy wants to clean house at U.S. Preventative Services Task Force next because he believes its 16 members have become too 'woke,' The Wall Street Journal reports. Under 2010's Affordable Care Act, the task force makes evidence-based, public recommendations on a variety of treatments, ranging HIV prevention to prenatal care to mental health, that insurers must cover at no cost to patients. Health and Human Services has said the secretary hasn't made a final decision regarding the task force. The Independent has contacted the agency for comment. Kennedy's reported dissatisfaction with the group comes after the American Conservative magazine accused the task force of being a 'festering corner of woke bureaucracy' in an article earlier this month. 'The task force is packed with Biden administration appointees devoted to the ideological capture of medicine,' the author argued, pointing to 'sinister' recent task force actions committing to removing racial inequities in health care and using more inclusive language around gender. Earlier this month, a July meeting of the task force was postponed. At the time, a letter from over 100 health organizations warned about the politicization of the task force's work. 'The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care,' the letter reads. 'When something works well and helps inform doctors about how to take care of their patients, to postpone the task force's work just doesn't make any sense,' Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, told The New York Times after the meeting was postponed. 'This flies in the face of what is good for the country's health.' In June, the Supreme Court upheld the task force's ability to recommend free coverage for preventative services, in the face of a challenge from individuals and businesses objecting to the body's recommendation regarding HIV prevention medication. Concern over the fate of the task force comes after Kennedy removed all the members of a vaccine advisory board, replacing them with some members who share the secretary's vaccine skepticism.
