The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England Chair Thorrun Govind has called for Government action to support pharmacy teams experiencing huge demand for
their services.
"Pharmacy teams are under immense pressure at the moment, in common with other NHS services, and working extremely hard with health service colleagues to provide
the right care for patients," said Govind.
"As winter pressures mount, pharmacies see increased numbers of patients seeking support with illness and also because they have heard other areas of the health
service are struggling to cope.
The society has also stated staffing pressures, alongside an increase in workload has created an extra burden which takes a toll on the wellbeing of pharmacy teams.
Govind added: "Issues such as medicine shortages can also take up many hours of time for pharmacy teams tracking down medicines when they could be directly helping
patients. In community pharmacies, rising costs and fairly static funding are adding to business pressures.
"However, pharmacies remain the most accessible part of the health service and provide expert advice to patients without the need for an appointment and are open
long hours and at weekends."
The aging process can bring with it physical, emotional, and financial changes that can impact elderly parents. As children of aging parents, it is important
to be aware of their changing needs and help them adjust to these changes. With the right support, elderly parents can maintain a high quality of life in their senior
years. Here are some suggestions on how to help older parents.
1. NURSING SERVICES
Nursing services can help aging parents manage their physical needs and provide peace of mind for them and their families. They can help with personal care, assist
with medication management, and provide guidance on diet and exercise. Additionally, getting home care nursing services can also provide elderly parents with a sense
of companionship and reduce their risk of social isolation. If your parent is in need of nursing services, be sure to research options in your area and look for an
experienced provider who will treat them with respect. It's also a good idea to visit them regularly and check in with the nurse to ensure that your parent is
receiving quality care
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England have written a letter to pharmacy professionals thanking them for
providing the best possible services to patients and the public, despite experiencing high and sustained demands and pressures.
GPhC Chief Executive Duncan Rudkin and CPhO David Webb indicated that there will be further challenges over the coming weeks and months due to the ongoing industrial
action, and staff shortages due to sickness or caring responsibilities.
They expressed concerned that increased pressure will have a significant and potentially prolonged impact on pharmacy teams both personally and professionally.
Acknowledging that pharmacy professionals may have to make some difficult decisions as they deal with the pressures they face, the leaders have urged those working
in pharmacy to use "your professional judgement to assess and mitigate risk, and to deliver safe and effective care for your patients within your scope of practice."
A report released by Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has warned that pharmacies across England are grappling with daily medicine supply challenges, posing
significant risks to patients' health.
The Pharmacy Pressures Survey 2024: Medicines Supply Report, which is based on the views of the owners of over 6,100 pharmacy premises in England and 2,000 pharmacy
team members, has exposed some alarming trends concerning medicine supply problems in the country.
Almost all pharmacy team members surveyed (97 per cent) reported patients being inconvenienced due to medicine supply issues, and 79 per cent of the participants
said that the worsening situation is putting patient health at risk.
Nearly all respondents reported patient frustration stemming from medicine supply issues, with 84 per cent of them saying they had experienced aggression from
patients.
Additionally, 98 per cent indicated an increase in 'owings,' where patients receive only part of their prescription and must return to the pharmacy for the
remaining medication(s) at a later time."
Discover unparalleled healthcare services at Kailash Deepak Hospital, the leading medical institution in East Delhi. As the best private hospital in East Delhi, we are committed to delivering superior medical care with compassion and expertise. Our state-of-the-art facilities and experienced medical team ensure comprehensive treatment across various specialties. Trust Kailash Deepak Hospital for your healthcare needs in Delhi.
Amidst the pervasive prevalence of pain, with 93% of the global populace experiencing it annually and 1 in 3 enduring daily discomfort, there persists a
reluctance to address and treat pain proactively. This leads to a heightened burden of suffering among individuals. Join us for an enlightening 1-hour
Pain Management Webinar, meticulously crafted to equip you and your team with vital strategies to comprehend, manage, and alleviate pain in patients' daily
lives. Delve into topics such as the pharmacist's evolving role, understanding pain assessment, and Haleon's #ListenToPain campaign, aimed at fostering better
patient conversations. Tailored for pharmacists in GB dealing with acute or chronic pain, this webinar promises to enhance patient care and contribute positively
to their well-being. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Register now to secure your spot at this impactful event!
Amidst the pervasive prevalence of pain, with 93% of the global populace experiencing it annually and 1 in 3 enduring daily discomfort, there persists
a reluctance to address and treat pain proactively. This leads to a heightened burden of suffering among individuals.
Join us for an enlightening 1-hour Pain Management Webinar, meticulously crafted to equip you and your team with vital strategies to comprehend, manage, and
alleviate pain in patients' daily lives.
Delve into topics such as the pharmacist's evolving role, understanding pain assessment, and Haleon's #ListenToPain campaign, aimed at fostering better patient
conversations.
Tailored for pharmacists in GB dealing with acute or chronic pain, this webinar promises to enhance patient care and contribute positively to their well-being.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Register now to secure your spot at this impactful event!
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on understanding and managing musculoskeletal pain. This type of discomfort, often arising from an injury to the
body's muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves, can lead to significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life. In the following sections,
we'll delve into the causes, diagnosis, and various treatment options for musculoskeletal pain, equipping you with the knowledge you need to manage and
alleviate your symptoms effectively.
Consult a Medical Professional
While this guide offers a general understanding of musculoskeletal pain, it is critical to consult with a healthcare professional for any pain or discomfort
you may be experiencing. Health practitioners can offer a proper diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan that considers your specific symptoms,
condition, and overall health. For example, the best physical therapists can suggest a variety of exercises and stretches to help strengthen muscles and
alleviate pain. Some pain may require surgery, while others can be managed with medication or physical therapy. Your medical provider will work with you to
find the most effective treatment plan.
The King's condition is "benign" and he will be treated in the hospital next week for a "corrective procedure", Buckingham Palace said a statement released
on Wednesday.
"In common with thousands of men each year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate," the Palace said.
Because of the upcoming surgery, Charles had to postpone all meetings and events planned for this week.
The Palace informed that the King's public engagements will be "postponed for a short period of recuperation."
Charles, 75, wanted to share the details of his diagnosis to encourage more men who may be experiencing symptoms to get their conditions checked.
More than a third of pharmacists who participated in a survey said they have seen an increase in patients declining prescriptions due to the cost in the
last 12 months.
The survey was jointly conducted by the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), extending their support for the
Prescription Charges Coalition (PCC).
Responding to the survey, 90 per cent of pharmacists admitted seeing cases where patients decline all the medicines on a prescription due to cost.
Nearly all respondents said they have seen cases where patients declined some of their prescribed medicines and more than a quarter of them have experienced
such situation often.
They have warned of the impact of prescription charges as patients are denying vital medicines, including those for blood pressure and mental health, inhalers,
antibiotics, pain relief, and statins, which can have potential consequences for the individual's health.
Challenges in accessing the NHS waiting list are pushing more and more people toward private-funded alternatives for access, diagnosis and treatment,
thereby increasing the demand for private health cover.
According to a report published by health data provider LaingBuisson, the demand for private health cover, including medical and dental insurance and cash plans,
has surged to its highest levels since 2008.
The UK's overall health cover market reached £6.7 billion in 2022, an increase of £385 million from the previous year.
During the period from 2020 to 2022, the market experienced annual growth rate of 6.1 per cent, a significant increase compared to the average annual growth rate
of 1.7 per cent observed between 2008 and 2019, the research found.
A total of 4.2 million people were subscribed to medical cover schemes in 2022. When dependents covered by these policies were included, the number reached
7.3 million - the highest count since 2008.
LaingBuisson's analysis showed that medical cover volumes were steady through most of the 2010s, but began to increase alongside rises in the NHS waiting list
from 2018.
The NHS's latest report on ambulance services in England for March 2024 reveals significant progress in response times for emergency calls across all
categories compared to recent months.
The Ambulance Quality Indicators (AQI) Statistical Note, released in April, underscores both improvements and persistent challenges within the sector.
Recent figures obtained from the Liberal Democratic party suggest ongoing struggles with response times, particularly for category two patients, which may
include individuals experiencing strokes or heart attacks requiring a response within 18 minutes.
Similarly, in November last year, ambulance waits for category 2 calls surged to their highest level since December 2022, reaching 93 minutes, after dropping
to 32 minutes in January 2023 according to the British Heart Foundation.
However, according to the latest statistical figures obtained from AQI, March 2024 witnessed the shortest average response times for all four categories of
emergency calls since August 2023.
Within 24 hours of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton's, cancer diagnosis, National Health Service (NHS) England saw a 373% spike in visits to its
cancer page, highlighting the growing focus on cancer awareness.
Similarly, charities like Macmillan Cancer Support charity experienced increased traffic, with nearly 100,000 visits to their support pages since the announcement.
Traffic to the NHS website's cancer symptoms page surged significantly, recording a remarkable 4,172 visits within three hours of the release of the Princess's
video message.
This sudden increase translated to an average of one visit every three seconds, a substantial rise from the 1,922 visits recorded during the same timeframe a week
earlier.
Notably, visits to the symptoms page peaked immediately after the announcement, with 1,678 visits recorded between 6 pm and 7 pm on the day of the announcement.
A recent UNISON survey has unearthed disturbing findings regarding the prevalence of sexual harassment among NHS staff across the UK. With data collected from
over 12,000 healthcare workers, the survey sheds light on the challenges faced by frontline workers in their workplace environments.
Approximately 10 per cent of healthcare professionals reported instances of sexual harassment during their tenure, with nearly 29 per cent of those experiencing
harassment also reporting incidents of sexual assault.
Shockingly, 50 per cent of respondents reported being leered at or subjected to suggestive gestures, while a quarter faced unwelcome sexual advances or demands
for favors.
The most common complaint, voiced by 61 per cent of those affected, was the experience of unwanted crude banter or jokes in the workplace.
With scarlet fever currently circulating in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) has urged parents to remain vigilant for potential symptoms in
children.
Also known as scarlatina, it is an infectious disease triggered by group A strep bacteria that can lead to symptoms such as fever, a sandpapery rash, sore throat
and swollen tonsils.
The latest data published by the UKHSA showed that a total of 19,528 cases of scarlet fever were reported in the 2023/24 season, of which 12,176 cases occurring
between 1 January and 24 March 2024.
While the number of cases recorded this year is lower than those recorded during the same period in 2023, which totaled 15,933 cases, it exceeds the average for
the previous five years.
"Scarlet fever is a common childhood illness, although it can affect anyone of any age," said Dr Theresa Lamagni at UKHSA.
Parents are advised to contact their GP practice or NHS111 when their GP is unavailable, if they suspect they or their child are experiencing symptoms of scarlet
fever.
Patients suffering from chronic and episodic migraine attacks are set to benefit from a groundbreaking recommendation by the National Institute for Health
and Care Excellence (NICE) regarding a new medication.
The atogepant, a first-of-its-kind preventive drug for migraine, offers hope for those grappling with this debilitating condition and can be taken orally.
Published as part of the final guidance draft, NICE has greenlit the atogepant, also known as Aquipta and manufactured by AbbVie, as an option for preventing both
chronic and episodic migraines in adults.
Specifically, this recommendation is for individuals who have experienced at least four migraine days per month and have failed to find relief with at least three
previous preventive treatments.
With approximately 4.5 million people in the UK affected by various forms of migraine, this new recommendation marks a significant advancement in migraine management
as the condition significantly impacts patients' day-to-day activities as well as places a heavy burden on the NHS and the wider economy.
Adding to the growing evidence of global medicine shortages, a new study has revealed that the European generic medicines market is "not in shape" to help
Europe meet its public health priorities.
In the past decade, the rate of generic medicines withdrawals has risen by 12 per cent, while there has been a three per cent decrease in the launch of generic
products, as per Teva Pharmaceuticals' recent analysis of IQVIA data.
Within the mental therapeutic area, seven per cent of generic products disappeared between 2013 and 2023, while there was a seven per cent decrease in the
availability of generic cancer medicines in just six years (2017-2022).
These medicines were listed on the Union List of Critical Medicines to help avoid potential shortages, as the European Commission (EC) said this could cause
"significant harm to patients and pose important challenges to health systems."
While mature generic products constitute the majority of the List, they remain susceptible to withdrawals, despite containing products crucial for safeguarding
Europe's public health, the Teva analysis report noted.
Since 2013, the number of generic products for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder has declined by 25 per cent, with Hungary and Bulgaria
experiencing the biggest loss at 83 per cent and 58 per cent respectively.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published a notification regarding the shortage of Guanfacine 2mg and 3mg modified-release tablets has
raised concerns within the healthcare community.
This critical medicine supply notification, issued on March 28th, projects the unavailability of these tablets until the week commencing May 6, 2024.
Guanfacine tablets, commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity while enhancing attention and concentration, play a vital role in
managing conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, the scarcity of these specific strengths poses challenges for patients reliant on this medication.
Last year, several countries across the globe experienced shortages of medications for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)including
the UK, the US and Australia.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has cautioned that while alternative strengths of Guanfacine remain accessible, they may not adequately meet the heightened demand,
potentially resulting in treatment interruptions for patients.
Despite the widespread prevalence of pain, which affects 93% of the global population annually and leaves one in three individuals experiencing daily
discomfort, there is a troubling reluctance to effectively address and manage pain. This reluctance contributes to increased suffering among people worldwide.
We invite you to join our complimentary 1-hour Pain Management Webinar, thoughtfully designed to provide you and your team with essential strategies for
understanding, addressing, and alleviating pain in your patients' lives. Explore topics such as the evolving role of pharmacists, the importance of timely
pain treatment, and initiatives like Haleon's #ListenToPain campaign. This webinar is tailored for pharmacists in Great Britain, particularly those working in
community, practice, PCN, and hospital settings. Don't miss this opportunity to improve patient care and make a positive impact on pain management. Register now
to secure your spot!
Asbestos poisoning is a serious health concern that can have long-lasting effects on your well-being. Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to various health
issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. If you suspect that you've been exposed to asbestos or are experiencing symptoms related to asbestos
poisoning, it's crucial to take immediate action.
1. Recognize the Symptoms
The first step in dealing with asbestos poisoning is to recognize the symptoms. Common signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath, persistent coughing,
chest pain, and fatigue. Additionally, you may experience respiratory issues such as wheezing or difficulty breathing. Exploring the use of asbestos at Honeywell
in Massachusetts can help you get a better understanding of the potential risks associated with asbestos exposure and the importance of taking proactive measures
to protect yourself and your loved ones from its harmful effects. It's essential to pay attention to any changes in your health and seek medical attention if you
suspect asbestos exposure.
