E-Cigarettes falling out of favour across the pond

Sales of e-cigarettes are dwindling in America in favour of traditional tobacco smokes, The Times has reported.

Years of triple-digit growth have ended with growth expected to halve to 57% next year and fall to 34% the year after according to Euromonitor International.

British health officials have endorsed e-cigarettes claiming they are less harmful and can help reduce smoking.

GPs face “tsunami” of patient demand

General practice and the NHS as we know it is in danger of disintegrating unless there is urgent investment in the family doctor service, Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has said.

Dr Baker stressed her concerns as a new poll, commissioned by the RCGP, has shown that nearly all GPs (98%) disagree that general practice has sufficient resources to deliver safe patient care seven days a week.

She said: "With this week's Spending Review, the Government has the opportunity to stop the rot, and start investing in a renewed general practice - based on the recommendations of the Roland Commission - which would allow family doctors, and other members of their teams, to cope with the tsunami of increasing patient need in the community.”

Elderly at risk of malnutrition

Almost a quarter of people aged 70 or over fail to eat a hot meal every day, a survey by Wiltshire Farm Foods has revealed. As winter and the cold weather approaches, it’s essential that older people are eating regular hot meals.

Malnutrition is a serious problem amongst the elderly population in the UK, affecting more than one million people aged over 65.

Lee Sheppard, director of public Policy and external affairs, Apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods, said: “Social factors significantly contribute to the risk of malnutrition amongst the elderly. “The survey identifies loneliness as a key factor, with some believing there is no point cooking for one person, and others finding it too difficult to prepare meals.”

Pharmacy inspection webinar

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) hosted a webinar on 17 November for anyone interested in discussing their approach to regulating and inspecting community pharmacies.

The webinar was hosted by the GPhC’s head of inspections Mark Voce and policy adviser Andy Jaeger and featured opinions and questions from across the pharmacy sector.

You can watch the webinar here: https://pgi.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1084436