A poor state of affairs
Daily digest The NHS reforms have caused a great deal of stress, but with rising cigarette tax and alcohol a contributing factor to rising liver disease, the only safe thing to do is take some deep breaths, Isobel Smith writes
Earlier this week the NHS reforms were finally passed, spelling big changes for England's health service. Unfortunately this isn't the only problem the NHS has got to deal with as the BBC reports that it faces a decade-long savings drive.
And it seems the easiest way to save some much needed cash is to give employees the boot. The Independent reports that NHS staff numbers in England have shown their biggest fall in 10 years, with the workforce dropping 19,799 last year.
Timely then that scientists have made pain-control discoveries that could lead to drugs to help fight depression, according to the Independent. They'll be needed if unemployment rates continue to rise.
And for those of you who might revert to a cigarette when dealing with stressful situations, such as trying to find a job, the news doesn't get much better. The Independent writes that a rise in tax has seen 37p added to a pack of 20, unsurprisingly to the anger of both smokers and tobacco companies.
And if you thought it would be okay for a few alcoholic beverages help you cope, think again. The Guardian reports that heavy drinking is behind a 25 per cent increasein deaths from liver disease in England over the past ten years.
Well at least I can indulge in a few treats like chocolate I hear you say – well, sorry, you can't do that either, as the BBC reports that being overweight in later life puts you at higher risk of brain decline.
So with all the fun officially being sucked out of life by today's health news it doesn't look like there is a whole lot left to look forward to. At least scientists claim that they can predict a heart attack up to two weeks in advance, the Telegraph writes.
Finally from the nationals, Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has said it will invest £500m in manufacturing in the UK, the BBC reports. Plans also include building a new factory in Ulverston, Cumbria.
In pharmacy news, the NPA is offering free media training to its members, aimed at helping pharmacists develop the skills necessary to be able to speak to both broadcast and print media. The media training day will take place on April 22 in Glasgow.
