What the papers said in the week ending 13 November 2021
The earnest discussions of Cop 26 have continued in Glasgow beyond the date they were due to end. Sadly it is proving difficult to gain agreement to realistic yet worthwhile plans to control the damage being done to the environment by human behaviour. Far from where Cop26 needs to be: dismay at 2.4C ‘reality check’ | Cop26 | The Guardian
- At base most people hear what is required but do not want it to apply to them Few willing to change lifestyle to save the planet, climate survey finds | Environment | The Guardian
- It seems likely that the sort of agreement which will be possible will not have much effect. There are promises to meet more frequently to try to get a grip Cop26 targets too weak to stop disaster, say Paris agreement architects | Cop26 | The Guardian
- And we will need to include everyone in any agreement: World’s militaries avoiding scrutiny over emissions, scientists say | Greenhouse gas emissions | The Guardian
Precarious care for ill older people in the UK
It is unnerving to read that death rates following hip surgery in UK hospitals are worse than in other European countries. There is similar gloomy news from an analysis of outcomes for heart problems. It does seem that we are not safe in their hands. We can see that investment in healthcare is lower here than in other countries included in the analysis. England has highest death rates of older patients in western world, study finds | Older people | The Guardian
- Caring for older patients with complex needs – The Health Foundation
- Staffing problems in health care and social care are expected to become worse when people who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are excluded from the workforce. ‘Tens of thousands’ of NHS and care home staff could quit over Covid jabs | NHS | The Guardian
- Care homes in England set to lose 50,000 staff as Covid vaccine becomes mandatory | Social care | The Guardian
- Illness of staff and extra pressure from more ill patients is finding services unable to respond to needs: NHS is at breaking point and putting patients at high risk, bosses warn | NHS | The Guardian
- NHS ambulance delays leaving patients stuck at GP surgeries for hours | GPs | The Guardian
It is a worrying, frightening scenario. It is not easy to see how matters can be made safer. Certainly there is little in government announcements or healthcare professionals’ comments which give reassurance
There are a number of good news stories:
Hope for the future:
Analyses of research studies suggests that some treatments for hypertension reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and thence all the complications which this can herald. Time for some of us to ask for a review of medication: Blood pressure lowering and risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes: an individual participant data meta-analysis – The Lancet
We are encouraged to get to bed by 10pm – this reduces heart problems. There is an old adage that one hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight – Always good to have historical support for new insights Sleep at 10pm linked to lower risk of heart disease, study finds | Sleep | The Guardian. The observations are in keeping with the messages in Matthew Walker’s marvellous: ‘Why do we sleep’
The complex world of genetics is looking to offer clinical applications which will improve health and reduce costs Whole genome sequencing could save NHS millions of pounds, study suggests | Genetics | The Guardian
We have learned about people who are more vulnerable to Covid-19. Evidence now emerges that there is a minority of people who have fierce and robust responses to the infection: People testing negative for Covid-19 despite exposure may have ‘immune memory’ | Coronavirus | The Guardian
Prospects for recovery from spinal injuries may be improved by research in mice which has found synthetic nanofibers can trigger repair and regeneration of nerve cells. Therapy used on mice may transform spinal injury treatments, say scientists | Medical research | The Guardian
Other news:
A retired GP has identified a new species of dinosaur by searching bones collected from the beach: New species of big-nosed dinosaur discovered by retired doctor | Dinosaurs | The Guardian
Covid-induced changes of behaviour amongst older people have led to a fall in profits at Wetherspoons: Wetherspoon’s sales below pre-Covid levels as older customers stay away | JD Wetherspoon | The Guardian
High pressure monitoring of workers is proving damaging to their health. Perhaps this understanding will lead to a more humane style of management Algorithmic tracking is ‘damaging mental health’ of UK workers | Artificial intelligence (AI) | The Guardian
People desperate for help with unresolved depression are turning to expensive and doubtful therapy within the private sector: Warning of ‘wild west’ in depression treatment as UK clinics offer ketamine | Drugs | The Guardian
FW de Klerk has died: FW de Klerk obituary | South Africa | The Guardian
A retired primary school teacher has set a new world record time for the 100 metres ‘sprint’. The story reveals more about the phenomenon of competitive athletics amongst the very old of the USA. ‘I wanted less than a minute’: 105-year-old unsatisfied after 100m world record | Sport | The Guardian
As we come towards Christmas we learn that Covid restrictions on life-styles has increased the market for toys designed for much older children: Toymakers target ‘kidult’ Christmas lists with high-end collectibles | Retail industry | The Guardian
David Jolley
