
We are living longer and for good of society we should try to live healthier too
British Heart Foundation research says progress made in reducing cardiovascular disease in Scotland risks being lost.
The charity's analysis is staggering. It shows Scottish heart health has declined more quickly in the 2020s than in any other decade over the last 50 years – with the first increase in death rates among working age adults from cardiovascular disease in a generation.
In 2023 the rate stood at 68 deaths per 100,000, compared with 60 deaths just four years earlier. At the same time, there are record numbers of people dying from diabetes and obesity rates are also climbing.
It is a complex area, but clearly these trends have to be reversed. The British Heart Foundation has called for greater use of artificial intelligence to aid prevention.
It also wants increased money for research and for the NHS to improve care for those with heart conditions. We have no hesitation in echoing those demands, which will, in the end, benefit society as a whole.
But support from charities and government are only part of the solution. Each of us can do more to live better lives. As individuals we need to take more responsibility for our own health.
Better food choices are not always possible for those struggling to make ends meet. But when it is possible, a healthier diet will make a difference.
Increased exercise will also help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. We are living longer lives and for the good of society and our own wellbeing we should try to live healthier ones too.
The announcement by John Swinney in today's Daily Record – that a universal winter fuel payment will be brought in by St Andrew's Day – is to be applauded.
Many pensioners relied on the benefit and struggled throughout the cold months without it. While some could afford to take the hit, the cut meant real hardship for the least well-off.
The UK Government has received much criticism for axing the benefit, which came at a time energy costs were going through the roof. Keir Starmer hinted at partly reinstating the payment earlier this month, only to dash people's hopes once more. This has just disappointed older voters across the country.
There have been noises that Labour may reintroduce the payment in a belated attempt to undo the damage caused by the unpopular policy. The UK Government should follow the Scottish Government's lead and bring back a universal benefit for next winter.
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Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
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Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms
Wes Streeting said the forthcoming 10 year health plan would also see 'much of what's done in a hospital today, will be done on the high street'. But he stressed the Government was 'not embarking on another top-down reorganisation' of the health service. The plan is expected to be published in July. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, Mr Streeting said: 'The NHS should not be bound by traditional expectations of how services should be arranged. Nearly a quarter of a million off NHS waiting lists. Lowest level in two years. And the first time they've fallen in April in 17 years! Lots done, lots to do. We're delivering our Plan for Change. I won't rest until the job is done. — Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 12, 2025 'I am open to our strongest acute trusts providing not just community services, as many already do, but also primary care. 'Whatever services will enable them to meet the needs of their patients in a more integrated and efficient way. 'Indeed, I would hope that those old-fashioned labels – acute, community – become increasingly meaningless. 'Likewise, there is no reason why successful GPs should not be able to run local hospitals, or why nurses should not be leading neighbourhood health services.' Mr Streeting talked about the 'jeopardy' facing the NHS, adding: 'Just as public satisfaction has plunged to its lowest level on record, major political parties have begun to question the very existence of a publicly funded universal healthcare system free at the point of need. 'And I can almost feel them willing us on to fail, because if all of us fail in our mission to turn the NHS around, the vultures on the populist rivals swoop in for the kill. 'The NHS is in a fight for its life but nothing I have experienced in my first 11 months in office have shaken my conviction or confidence that this is a fight we will win.' Meanwhile he spoke about the spending review, likening himself to the survivor in the popular book series, The Hunger Games. 'Yesterday's spending review was a vital moment on that journey,' he said. 'There have been broadly two sorts of reactions to this. The first, mainly from the media and the public – '£29 billion is a hell of a lot of money'; the second, mainly from our think tank friends – '£29 billion is nowhere near enough'. The truth is, both are right. 'It is objectively a substantial funding settlement that puts wind in our sails. But investment alone isn't enough. 'There is no fix to the NHS's problems that simply pours more money into a broken system. 'It is only through the combination of investment and reform that we will succeed in getting the NHS back on its feet and making make it fit for the future.' He told delegates at the conference: 'Despite my best efforts at the Cabinet yesterday morning before the spending review announcement, to put the blame on John Healey the Defence Secretary for the squeeze on other government departments, none of my colleagues were buying. 'In fact, one permanent secretary once referred to me as the Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. 'We're a Labour Government – the NHS is all of our priorities, and there isn't a single person sat with me around the Cabinet table who doesn't value what you're doing, doesn't underestimate the scale of the task that we have ahead of us, and they are all rooting for us to succeed, every single one of them.' Commenting on the speech, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The Secretary of State is right that the divides between acute, primary, community are already being broken down, supported by the work of integrated care boards. 'Redesigning services is essential to the future of the NHS and many providers are already breaking down their traditional silos to offer patients truly personalised and integrated care.' He added: 'The extra funding announced at the spending review is very welcome and, as Mr Streeting says, it is both a lot of money and not enough. 'Many of our members have warned they will not hit the interim target, with only one in two confident they will achieve the 65% elective care interim target by March 2026. 'That is why redesigning services is so essential – the combination of investment and reform – so that we can achieve the Government's three ambitions.'


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'My baby died after being kissed - please think twice'
Hailey Riches, 25, is urging people to be aware of the dangers of herpes in newborns after her daughter Violet-May Constantinou died after contracting the virus A devastated mum is issuing a stark warning against kissing newborns following the tragic loss of her daughter to a viral infection. Hailey Riches, 25, sensed something was amiss with Violet-May Constantinou when she refused to feed and developed a yellowish skin tone. As Violet's condition began to deteriorate, Hailey was advised to rush her to hospital. At just eight days old, a series of tests revealed that Violet had contracted neonatal herpes (HSV-1) - a severe infection in newborns caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Violet was promptly administered anti-viral medication, but her health rapidly declined, leading to seizures. She was subsequently transferred to Southampton Hospital for intensive care. Medical professionals observed that the newborn was suffering from acute liver failure. Despite being placed on the highest priority list for a liver transplant in the UK, Violet tragically passed away at one month old while still awaiting the procedure. Doctors informed heartbroken parents Hailey and Dimitri Constantinou, 30, that they would never be able to pinpoint the source of the herpes. Hailey and her fiancé have since pledged to raise awareness, urging individuals with cold sores or those susceptible to the virus to steer clear of newborn babies. Hailey said: "I do see it online many times people saying 'but why can't we kiss a baby?' when it is not their baby - it frustrates me because of having gone through this situation. "This is why you have to be slightly protective and be aware. If you have got a cold sore don't go near a baby because it is deadly and can kill them. "This is not to scare new mums or pregnant women. It is to say if you are not feeling right in yourself and if the baby is not feeling right then to be persistent and get it checked." Hailey shared her own confusion regarding the source of infection: "I don't have genital herpes, none of my family or myself had a cold sore outbreak. They said it is most likely from an outsource, but they are not sure who. Highlighting the risks of unwitting transmission, she added: "Anyone can spread the virus without even knowing. Even if you have got no symptoms you might still pass it on." The NHS speciality coordinator recounted her experience, stating that she went through a "normal" pregnancy before undergoing an emergency caesarean on March 22, 2023. Upon their return home with the newborn seemingly in good health, Hailey noticed worrying signs such as diminished feeding, tired looks, and jaundice. She followed up and took Violet back to Worthing Hospital upon a health visitor's advice where the baby was examined for jaundice. After being briefly sent home, the situation deteriorated when Violet, only eight days old and struggling to feed, was discovered to have a fever by medical staff on their subsequent hospital visit. Mum Hailey was hospitalised with sepsis, sparking tests that uncovered her newborn Violet's grave infection – neonatal herpes (HSV-1), attributed to the herpes simplex virus. This virus can be passed along before, during, or post-delivery. HSV-1 typically transmits through oral interactions, such as kissing, and by sharing drinks or utensils, potentially leading to cold sores around the mouth. Violet started anti-viral treatment immediately, yet her health nosedived, causing her to suffer seizures. She was then rushed to intensive care at Southampton Hospital on April 1. Hailey, from Billingshurst in Sussex, said: "The doctors said that we will be lucky to see her survive the next 24 to 48 hours. She was deteriorating further and then they decided to flew her by helicopter to King's College Hospital in London because they realised she was having acute liver failure." Hailey opened up about the ordeal, saying: "It was absolutely traumatising. The worst time of our family's life - I don't think our family has ever gone through such a traumatic time. "Every day something was happening and she was deteriorating further - it affected her brain, her lungs, she then had a cardiac arrest at one point where we watched her being resuscitated for nine minutes. It just got worse and worse and it was time to say goodbye at the end." On August 16, 2024, Hailey and her fiancé were overjoyed to welcome their daughter Lily into the world. However, Hayley confessed that she was "terrified" during the initial months after giving birth due to her previous experience with Violet. She explained: "I had consultants telling me the first six weeks are crucial to protect her because they have no immune system. I had always said to people no kissing, wash your hands when you come in or if you want to hold her. We were very protective because of the situation we went through" Hailey added: "Thank you to Southampton General Hospital, the Pediatric Unit and Ronald McDonald charity who accommodated us in Southampton and London during these tragic times. ".

Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Hospitals could run GP surgeries under NHS reforms
Wes Streeting said the forthcoming 10 year health plan would also see 'much of what's done in a hospital today, will be done on the high street'. But he stressed the Government was 'not embarking on another top-down reorganisation' of the health service. The plan is expected to be published in July. Speaking at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester, Mr Streeting said: 'The NHS should not be bound by traditional expectations of how services should be arranged. Nearly a quarter of a million off NHS waiting lists. Lowest level in two years. And the first time they've fallen in April in 17 years! Lots done, lots to do. We're delivering our Plan for Change. I won't rest until the job is done. — Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 12, 2025 'I am open to our strongest acute trusts providing not just community services, as many already do, but also primary care. 'Whatever services will enable them to meet the needs of their patients in a more integrated and efficient way. 'Indeed, I would hope that those old-fashioned labels – acute, community – become increasingly meaningless. 'Likewise, there is no reason why successful GPs should not be able to run local hospitals, or why nurses should not be leading neighbourhood health services.' Mr Streeting talked about the 'jeopardy' facing the NHS, adding: 'Just as public satisfaction has plunged to its lowest level on record, major political parties have begun to question the very existence of a publicly funded universal healthcare system free at the point of need. 'And I can almost feel them willing us on to fail, because if all of us fail in our mission to turn the NHS around, the vultures on the populist rivals swoop in for the kill. 'The NHS is in a fight for its life but nothing I have experienced in my first 11 months in office have shaken my conviction or confidence that this is a fight we will win.' Meanwhile he spoke about the spending review, likening himself to the survivor in the popular book series, The Hunger Games. 'Yesterday's spending review was a vital moment on that journey,' he said. 'There have been broadly two sorts of reactions to this. The first, mainly from the media and the public – '£29 billion is a hell of a lot of money'; the second, mainly from our think tank friends – '£29 billion is nowhere near enough'. The truth is, both are right. 'It is objectively a substantial funding settlement that puts wind in our sails. But investment alone isn't enough. 'There is no fix to the NHS's problems that simply pours more money into a broken system. 'It is only through the combination of investment and reform that we will succeed in getting the NHS back on its feet and making make it fit for the future.' He told delegates at the conference: 'Despite my best efforts at the Cabinet yesterday morning before the spending review announcement, to put the blame on John Healey the Defence Secretary for the squeeze on other government departments, none of my colleagues were buying. 'In fact, one permanent secretary once referred to me as the Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. 'We're a Labour Government – the NHS is all of our priorities, and there isn't a single person sat with me around the Cabinet table who doesn't value what you're doing, doesn't underestimate the scale of the task that we have ahead of us, and they are all rooting for us to succeed, every single one of them.' Commenting on the speech, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'The Secretary of State is right that the divides between acute, primary, community are already being broken down, supported by the work of integrated care boards. 'Redesigning services is essential to the future of the NHS and many providers are already breaking down their traditional silos to offer patients truly personalised and integrated care.' He added: 'The extra funding announced at the spending review is very welcome and, as Mr Streeting says, it is both a lot of money and not enough. 'Many of our members have warned they will not hit the interim target, with only one in two confident they will achieve the 65% elective care interim target by March 2026. 'That is why redesigning services is so essential – the combination of investment and reform – so that we can achieve the Government's three ambitions.'