Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the news summary blog. This blog will cover the highlights in medical news from 19th to 26th of June. This week a poll of the public has shown that NHS dissatisfaction has doubled in the last two years. A study has indicated that a cholesterol-lowering vaccine could be on the horizon and new plans to clean up the London Underground have been published.
Public dissatisfaction with the NHS has doubled in just two years according to a poll by the British Medical Association (BMA). A survey of 1,000 adults found that 43% were unhappy with the state of the health service compared to 21% in 2015. Only 33% of the adults contacted have said that they were satisfied with the NHS. Following the results, the BMA will ask the government for increased funding for the health service as well as pay rises for staff. A poll of doctors has also shown that 71% believe access to care has worsened in the last year and two out of three doctors know of unfilled vacancies in their department.
Industrial vacuum cleaners will be used in a cleaning regime throughout the London Underground. The new regime comes after a study be London Metropolitan University found 121 different types of bacteria and mould on London public transport. Eight of the most threatening bacteria to human health were discovered on the tube and the dirtiest tube line was found to be the Victoria line. The cleaning regime is part of Sadiq Khan’s new air quality action plan.
A cholesterol-lowering jab shows promise for the treatment of heart disease. The vaccine has been shown to reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease in mice. Mice bred to develop cardiovascular disease were given the new vaccine and then fed a high-fat diet. The vaccine reduced the total cholesterol levels in mice as well as reducing the signs of fatty build-up in arteries. The vaccine is now moving on to its next stage of testing and entering human trials. Currently, it is recommended that patients prevent high cholesterol with a balanced diet, physical activity and by not smoking.
Words: Joelle Booth
