Many pharmacists to vote on cuts to opening hours

Many pharmacists to vote on cuts to opening hours

Getty Images Many pharmacies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could cut their opening hours in protest over government funding, if a “work-to-rule” ballot passes. The National Pharmacy Association says its unprecedented ballot of members could mean chemists keeping strictly to the 40 hours a week they are required to open in the government contract. … Read more

More families refusing to donate relatives’ organs

More families refusing to donate relatives’ organs

Lesley Clarke Richard Still’s cornea and kidneys were donated after he suffered a brain haemorrhage Families are increasingly turning down requests to donate a relative’s organs, sometimes because their loved one’s wishes were unknown. With the transplant waiting list at a 10-year high, the NHS is urging people to talk about what they would want. … Read more

Junior doctors given job-title change BMA requested

Junior doctors given job-title change BMA requested

Dr Lily Huang Dr Lily Huang, who works in London, supports the name change Junior doctors working across the NHS will now be called resident doctors instead – in a change intended to better reflect their expertise. The doctors union, the British Medical Association (BMA), which called for the change, called the term junior “infantilising … Read more

New XEC Covid variant starting to spread

New XEC Covid variant starting to spread

Getty People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists. Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X, formerly known as Twitter. It has some … Read more

Study calls on government to shrink pints

Study calls on government to shrink pints

A sobering discovery has led to Cambridge University academics calling on the government to stop serving beer in pints to reduce Britain’s alcohol intake. A study found that beer consumption dropped by 10% when pubs shelved pint glasses and served customers with glasses two thirds the size instead. That could be enough to make an … Read more

Concussion concerns raised by doctors

Concussion concerns raised by doctors

Icon Sportswire / Contributor Ron “Wolverine” Bata slapped Damien “The Bell” Dibbell in a five-round bout in Las Vegas in 2023 Doctors are worried a combat sport called slap fighting, watched by millions online and gaining in popularity, is causing serious brain damage. Competitors face off and take turns to deliver bare, full-force, open-handed strikes … Read more