drlouisamann

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UK Bill on Assisted Dying: Key Parliamentary Vote Explained

The Commons voted on Friday (20th June 2025) for a bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people. This is a landmark of social reform. The legislation passed by a vote of 314-291. This is considered the biggest parliamentary hurdle. It will now undergo scrutiny in the House of Lords.  There could be further amendments when it goes to the Lords.  Friday’s vote, followed a vote in…

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NHS Equity in Mental Health: A Call for Action

NHS Providers last week called for physical and mental health to be treated equally by the NHS.   The action plan is to provide ‘values driven, patient centred, and staff enabled’ mental health care.  The disproportionate levels of funding, mental health problems account for 20% of the disease burden but only receives 10% of NHS spending. There is the shortage of staff in mental health…

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Breaking the Silence: Men's Mental Health Awareness

Last week I met an employer, who had to let some subcontractors go because a large contract fell through. This was a tough decision. There was a big impact on some of those subcontractors.  It is difficult for men to recognise and seek assistance, why? Is it hard for everyone but more difficult for men? Why is the world half men but ¾ of suicides are men?  In some cultures, boys are taught from…

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Men's Health Strategy: A Call for Public Input

Last month the Government called for evidence to inform the development of a Men’s Health Strategy. It is not a formal consultation but seeks views from the public as well as professionals.  They are seeking views on health-related topics including education and behaviour, work and experience of health care.  The Men’s Health Strategy will form part the NHS reform.  Men are disproportionately…

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How UK Biobank Data Transforms Health Insights

Last month it was revealed that the UK Biobank (based on 500,000 volunteers) has released some of the data to Chinese researchers. Let us be clear, these are volunteers, and they agreed to their anonymised lifestyle information, biological samples and physical measurements to be taken and used in medical research. People aged between 40 and 69 and between 2006 and 2010 voluntarily provided…

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Understanding Overeating: Beyond Willpower

Food is more than nourishment it is entwined in all cultures as comfort, tradition and reward. It is often a meal with others, together with family and friends.  Overeating is common and the physical consequences of weight gain, diabetes and heart disease are part of the NHS education to the public to raise awareness. There is little about the psychological forces at play with overeating or the…

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Impact of Income Inequality on Mental Health and Well-being

Income inequality is important because there are threefold differences in the proportion of the population suffering from mental illness between more and less equal countries. As well as, physical health is better, levels of trust higher and violence lower in societies where income is more equally distributed. Anxiety disorders, impulse–control disorders and severe illness are all strongly…

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Rising Mortality Rates in the UK: An Urgent Public Health Concern

Over the past decade, the United Kingdom has experienced a disturbing trend: rising mortality rates and stagnating life expectancy. The UK has a long-standing public health system and significant medical resources, this is a cause for national concern.  Life expectancy in the UK has plateaued. Last year, 2024, rates returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. However, the rate of increase in life…

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Depression: Multifaceted Causes and Tailored Treatments

Depression is a disabling and treatable illness. Getting the right treatment swiftly is necessary to avoid longer term challenges.  Depression affects how you think, feel, and function. It can present in many ways, such as fatigue, hopelessness, irritability, lack of interest in things you used to enjoy, trouble sleeping, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomach problems.  There is no…

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Mental Health Crisis and Welfare Reform: Urgent Needs

Three leading charities – Mind, Scope and Citizens Advice – have seen a big increase in demand following the government’s welfare green paper.   People are worried what the changes will mean and how they will cover the cost of living and how this will impact on their physical and mental health.  The charities are urging the government to rethink its planned changes and cuts to welfare and to…

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Liz Kendall's Proposed Changes to Welfare: What You Need to Know

The Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, announced the benefits reform Green Paper this week. The significant reforms to the welfare system, aiming to reduce the benefits bill by £5 billion annually by 2030 and encourage employment among those capable of working.  Abolishing the Work Capability Assessment which evaluates an individuals’ eligibility for health-related benefits, will be…

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Accelerate Action: International Women's Day it Includes Other Goals Beyond Equal Pay

Yesterday was International Women’s Day (IWD). It is celebrated every year on 8th March. It is a day dedicated to recognising achievements of women and advocating for gender equality.  The theme for 2025 is “Accelerate Action”. Accelerate Action is a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women’s advancement, and to support and elevate their…

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From Ashes to Aces: What Tobacco Control Can Teach Us About Tackling Gambling Harms  

In the BMJ, 22nd February 2025, May van Schalkwyk analysis of the gambling industry was correct, she said, “governments must act to prevent large scale avoidable harm”. She compared the gambling industry now to the tobacco industry in the 1950s.  Public health advocates had a battle against the tobacco industry, working to mitigate its harmful effects through regulations, public awareness…

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The Strain on NHS Services and Staff Shortages

The UK is trapped in a “mental health crisis,” according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, with demand for services soaring. This could be said about many other services in the NHS.   People are complex beings not uniform machines this is why medicine is interesting. Assessing ill people takes skill and time.  Skill is learnt and requires commitment to study, practice and perform.…

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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Effective Strategies

Despite accomplishments, many individuals struggle with persistent self-doubt and a fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” Understanding imposter syndrome can help us recognise it within ourselves and develop strategies to overcome it.  The dictionary definition is, “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts…

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Understanding Burnout: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

Burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, leading to emotional depletion, detachment, and a decline in performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon, primarily linked to workplace stress, but it can affect anyone experiencing persistent pressure and overwhelming demands.  Common signs of burnout include:  Feeling…

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Labour Party's Welfare Reform: Impacts on Poverty and Vulnerable Populations

The Labour Party claimed that combatting poverty and defending the welfare state were their top priority.  What do you believe now? With the recent ideas of welfare reform?  This will impact the most vulnerable people and is this appropriate?  What did the Chancellor mean when she said, “ducked for too long, like the rising cost of health and disability benefits”.  The Green Paper on welfare…