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Culture Secretary confirms gyms, tanning shops and tattoo parlours can reopen

Oliver Dowden has confirmed that gyms can finally open to the public on July 25 after being closed since March.

The Manc The Manc - 9th July 2020
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden

Oliver Dowden has confirmed that gyms can finally reopen to the public on July 25 after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Culture Secretary also confirmed that as of THIS weekend, artists and musicians can also now play to a live outside audience.

And he said that from Monday 13, tattoo parlours, beauty salons and tanning shops can reopen their doors to customers. Indoor pools and sports facilities will soon follow.

Then, he said that on July 11, live theatre performances will also be allowed again with reduced venue capacity and electronic ticketing.

When things will reopen

  • Outdoor pools will be able to re-open on 11 July
  • Outdoor theatres will be able to start up from this Saturday
  • Indoor gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities will then be able to re-open from 25 July
  • Grassroots sport will be able to return from this coming weekend, beginning with cricket
  • Small pilots of indoor performances with socially distanced audiences will also take place to help work out the best way to get them up and running

There will be “enhanced cleaning” at gyms, pools and other facilities set to reopen, Mr Dowden says.

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The return of recreational sport is a “vital part” of the fight against coronavirus, he argues, as people must get “match-fit” to reduce the risks to health.

More to follow.

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NHS releases list of first conditions set to be eligible for new ‘online hospital’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Doctors video call appointment

The first conditions that are set to be eligible for video appointments via the new NHS online hospital have been revealed.

In case you hadn’t heard, back in September of last year, the Government has announced that the NHS would be setting up an ‘online hospital’ known simply as NHS Online – which will not have a physical site and instead digitally connect patients to expert clinicians anywhere across the country.

Ultimately, this means patients can be seen faster than normal, as teams triage them quickly through the NHS App and let them book in scans at times that suit them at centres closer to their home.

NHS Online – which will begin to see its first patients in 2027 – is expected to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments in its first three years, according to the NHS, which is four times more than an average NHS trust.

And now, the NHS has selected nine ‘common’ conditions which will be the first to be treated by the NHS Online service.

Women’s health issues, including severe menopause symptoms and menstrual problems that can be a sign of endometriosis or fibroids, will be among the conditions available for online referrals, as will prostate problems like prostate enlargement and a raised prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, along with eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

NHS Online will also provide support for other painful and distressing conditions, such as iron deficiency anaemia and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

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So, how will NHS Online work then? Well, when a patient has an appointment with their GP, they will have the option of being referred to the online hospital for their specialist care instead, and then from there, they’ll be able to book directly through the NHS App.

Once referred to the online hospital, patients will have the ability to see specialists from around the country without leaving their home or having to wait longer for a face-to-face appointment.

The NHS has released a list of the first conditions set to be eligible for the new ‘online hospital’ / Credit: Nordwood Themes (via Unsplash) | rawpixel

If they need a scan, test, or procedure, then they’ll be able to book this in at a time that suits them at Community Diagnostic Centres closer to home.

Patients will also be able to track their prescriptions and get advice on managing their condition at home too.

“We’ve selected nine common conditions which the NHS Online service will initially provide support for when it launches next year, including some women’s health issues as well as prostate problems,” commented Professor Stella Vig, who is the National Clinical Director for Elective Care at NHS England.

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“We know that these conditions can be painful and difficult to cope with so providing faster, more convenient access to diagnosis and treatments will have a real and positive impact on people’s lives.”

Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)

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Junk food adverts are now banned on TV before 9pm in the UK to ‘protect’ kids’ health

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Burgers and chips

Junk food advertisements are now banned on television before 9pm in the UK in a bid to help protect children’s health.

In what is being considered a ‘landmark’ move by the Government, as of today, adverts for less-healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9pm and online at all times, as part of world-leading action that is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, and reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000.

It’s also expected that this ‘decisive’ action will deliver around £2 billion in health benefits over time.

According to the Government, evidence shows that advertising influences what and when children eat – shaping their preferences from a young age, and ultimately increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses.

At the start of primary school, 22.1% of children in England are overweight or living with obesity, and this rises to 35.8% by the time they leave.

Pizza Hut pizza
Doughnut stack
Junk food adverts are now banned on TV before 9pm in the UK / Credit: Alan Hardman | Kobby Mendez (via Unsplash)

This change is part of a range of measures that the Government is taking to ‘lift children out of poverty’ and help give them the ‘best start’ in life – with other measures being the introduction of the Healthy Food Standard, and giving local authorities the power to stop fast food shops opening outside schools.

“We promised to do everything we can to give every child the best and healthiest start in life,” explained Health Minister Ashley Dalton, as the junk food advert ban comes into force.

“By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children.

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“We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it.”

Featured Image – Karolina Kołodziejczak (via Unsplash)

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