New research has demonstrated that flu jabs the over-50s reduce death by heart attacks by half (1). This is huge news because heart attacks are kill over 159,000 people every year in the UK (2). Flu jabs 'protect from' heart attacks
The association between influenza and cardiovascular disease comes as no surprise to those working in this field because we have long known that flu and other viral illnesses causes the blood to become sticky and to be more likely to clot and when we see a calcified plaque on coronary CT scanning in an otherwise low-risk individual we speculate that it is likely to be related to a previous influenza or flu-like illness.
It is frustrating that the study did not show a correlation between flu and heart attacks, only between flu jabs and a reduction in fatal heart attacks. That logically does not close the door to the possibility that flu vaccination protects in some other but that appears to be unlikely. Urgent research is needed to clarify this. Fortunately it can be carried out in a single flu season because fatal heart attacks are sufficiently common that the data can be collected in a relatively short period of time.
The immediate recommendation arising is that the age for free NHS flu jabs should be reduced to 50. However, in our view that is a knee-jerk reaction that misses the point. The thinking is that not many people of under 50 die of heart attacks and therefore the maximal measurable benefit will be in older patients. However, that doesn’t answer the question of whether those under 50 want to hit the magic age with the battle scars of old subclinical cardiac events in their coronary arteries.
As healthcare progressively moves into the field of pro-actively prolonging life and quality thereof, personal self-care increasingly involves minimising wear and tear throughout life. It is increasingly apparent that flu vaccination plays a vital role. The workplace is the obvious place to offer flu vaccination. There is limited Government funding for pro-active healthcare (which by prolonging life expectancy can clearly not be offset by any hope of a reduction in the burden on the state in the long run). The burden is increasingly for the individual or the employer.
Since there is evidence that flu vaccination in the corporate setting is self-funding because the reduction in sickness absence is greater than the cost (3), this is a great example of how the employer can offer a benefit to staff and help themselves at the same time.
For beautiful, smooth skin - why wait?!
Depilation has changed beyond recognition. We have seen nothing short of a revolution in methods of removing unwanted hair. We no longer bother with waxing and plucking because laser and IPL hair removal are painless, permanent and over time they are cheaper.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) disables the hair follicles and the hair simply falls out and doesn’t return.
It relies on the difference in pigmentation in the hair follicle. For darker skins where there is less pigment variation, Softlight laser uses smart technology to home in on the larger skin follicles and target them specifically. It also bleaches the hair while it is at it, so that the improvement is instantaneous. The wealthy and the fashionable were the first to use the new technology which was expensive initially like all the latest inventions. At last it has become cost-efficient and provides value when compared with the old beauty salon treatments.
You can now get IPL treatment nearby where-ever you live and you can even buy your own machine from Boots to use at home. However, as so often happens, all forms of excess hair removal get lumped together and people forget that they are not all the same. IPL is not the same as laser, home IPL is not the same as professional IPL and beauty salon IPL is not the same as doctor-led specialist IPL in a medical clinic. The most popular treatments in girls are legs and bikini lines, then facial hair, then other areas. In men the most popular areas are back, shaving areas to prevent in-growing hairs and spots, then other areas.
The Doctorcall Lifestyle clinic is a market leader and pioneer and is located in the medical campus of Harley Street. Using the latest technology and an expert medical team, the treatment is top level. On top of that, there are great offers available, starting with a free initial consultation and with discounts on a range of treatments. Call in for a free consultation on:
0844 257 0343
Throughout London at your home, office or hotel Why go to the doctor when he can come to you for the same price?
Do you really want to drag yourself around town feeling ill and spreading your germs as you go? Why put up with endless waits in A&E with the risks of getting caught up in all the problems that come in and possibly even picking up a new disease while you are there?
A&E Departments are great for major accidents and heart attacks and (although the Government would prefer they weren’t) they are good for those who have nowhere else to turn. But there are horses for courses and if you are seeking private healthcare and if you are well-enough to wait for a home visit, Doctorcall is just the best. Private services are guilt-free: if you are paying for it, you don’t have to worry about whether you will be berated for wasting people’s time. The law of supply and demand means that the more you use the service the more it thrives.
The NHS does not take your personal circumstances into account; for example, if you are a family leaving for the airport and your son has earache, if you are a performer due on stage soon and you have a migraine or if you have a big day ahead and you want a doctor before work to give you antibiotics for a cough, Doctorcall is the perfect solution.
More and more people are using Doctorcall home visits instead of queuing up or suffering in silence. Many private doctors use it for their out-of-hours cover. Many of our patients write in to say they love it and we are particularly pleased because we really care for our patients and it is wonderful to see that they understand that. We love our service and we think you will too. Keep our number and try it when you need quick and helpful service.
0844 257 0345
A private GP practice should have: - An efficient helpful reception with good appointment availability
- Doctors who are rated highly by patients and colleagues and who keep up with the latest developments
- A willingness to approach each case with an open mind
- Ability to work within the patient’s requirements and values and to take into account practical considerations as well as medical ones
- Sufficient time for the doctors to work to the best of their ability
- The best equipment and resources
- The best possible referral network of top doctors and hospitals with strong relationships to provide the best access when required
- Availability when required.
Doctorcall has been running since 1989 and has grown year-on-year since it started. Most of the top GP practices use Doctorcall for their out-of-hours cover, and endorsement of which we are justifiably proud. We are also recommended by many high-end organisations who value our service.
Doctorcall is the only GP practice that has its own 24/7 visiting doctor service that can provide cover at all times. We have developed a very strong referral network and we are able access the best secondary care at the shortest possible notice. Our reputation is strong and our referrals are accepted at face value so if we say it is urgent, we get action.
We moved our London clinic to the Harley Street campus several years ago in order to have the best specialists and testing facilities on our doorstep. Patients can book 15-minute consultations for simple problems or longer ones. Our standard consultation other than for simple problems is 30 minutes.
In many settings, doctors become stale as a result of practising formulaic medicine. By approaching everything as a new challenge with an open mind, we keep focused and we are able to tailor our patients’ treatment to their needs. Through working in the Harley Street campus we are able to keep up with the latest treatments and ideas. Keep our number in case anyone should ever need it, or better still try us!
Telephone:
0844 257 0345 (or from abroad +44 20 7535 1888).
