Ara Darzi

Honorary consultant surgeon at Imperial College Hospital NHS Trust, Ara Darzi, was commissioned by the British government to review the state of the National Health Service. What he found was damning: crumbling facilities, equipment shortages, chronically long waits for treatment and outdated technology.
His final report, released in September 2024, exposed one of the country's most respected institutions as a failing system stretched beyond its limits by a huge surge in demand from Britain's aging population. The capacity of the health service was 'degraded by disastrous management reforms,' Darzi wrote, while the trust and good will of many frontline staff has been lost.
The report sparked a public outcry and a renewed commitment by the government to modernize and improve the vital health service. Darzi's review pointed to a number of factors to explain the decline in the health service: too much austerity in the 2010s, weak capital investment, and mismanagement. His insights are now being used to push for reform, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising a 10 year plan to reimagine the NHS, focusing on digitizing the organization and committing more investment to preventative care and community health services. Darzi has also called for setting government health targets, like increasing healthy life expectancy by 10 years by 2055, incentivizing businesses to prioritize healthier products, and greater investments in children's health. 'There is no path to either wellbeing or growth without prioritising health,' he says. 'That is a powerful platform for sustained, ambitious action by the new government.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

16 hours ago

• Yahoo

Waste depot staff given free health checks as part of initiative in Colchester

STAFF at a waste and recycling depot in Colchester have received free health checks as part of a workplace wellbeing initiative. The checks were conducted at the Shrub End depot by the NHS on the Open Road SOS Bus using a SiSU machine. This initiative identified staff with possible undiagnosed hypertension and formed part of Colchester Council's week-long focus on the health and wellbeing of its staff. The SiSU machine measured not only blood pressure, but also heart rate, body composition, and body mass index. Enthusiastic depot employees hopped aboard the bus for their checks. Mike Watkins, one of the staff members, expressed his gratitude, saying: "It makes us feel valued. "I'm keen to find out about my blood pressure and learn what to do about it if it's not where it should be." Martyn Peck (Image: Suffolk and North East Essex ICB) Worker Darren Hammett added: "I haven't had my blood pressure checked in a while, so I've come along today to find out what it is." The initiative also received positive feedback from staff, including Kevin Cook, who recommended other large workplaces to adopt similar practices. He said: "It's important to look after your health." Similarly, Martyn Peck expressed his desire for reassurance about his health and praised the initiative for aiding the early detection of health problems. Dr. Hasan Chowhan, senior partner at Creffield Medical Group, outlined the significance of the initiative. He said: "High blood pressure is a silent killer. "Many people don't realise they have the condition until they have a heart attack or stroke. "The good news is that it's possible to get it under control. For some that may mean making a few lifestyle changes; others will need to take medications as well. "These simple steps could save your life. "They could also help save your quality of life as both strokes and heart attacks can leave people with long-term disabilities." The initiative was planned with the indispensable support of the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board. Nerinda Evans, director of strategic programmes at the care board, said: "We helped to put on this event because we saw it as a great opportunity to talk to people directly about the dangers of undiagnosed high blood pressure. "Prevention is the key thing here. We are actively trying to support people before they have a heart attack or stroke. "We hope everyone at Colchester Recycling Centre will tell their friends and family about the importance of checking your blood pressure to help spread this important message.' The Open Road SOS Bus, commissioned by Essex County Council, plays a vital role in delivering workplace health checks, acting as a key aspect of its services. Stacey Banner, welfare and volunteer manager for the bus, said: "Early detection is crucial in preventing serious health conditions. "We are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals have access to fundamental healthcare services." This event also provided information about the new urgent care dental service, offering NHS treatment in one to seven days for problems like toothache, infections, and broken fillings. John Spence, councillor responsible for children's services, adult social care, public health and integration at Essex County Council, said: "Healthy workforces are happy and competitive workforces. "By taking the stations directly to local people, we are making health checks accessible and helping residents, especially those in manual jobs, take control of their health." The council's proactive approach extends beyond health checks, offering mental health support and other wellbeing aids for staff. Julie Young, deputy leader of Colchester Council and councillor responsible for housing, said: "We're proud to support initiatives that put our staff's wellbeing first. "The health checks at the household waste and recycling depot are a simple but powerful reminder that prevention saves lives. "This is exactly the kind of proactive approach we want to see more of across our workplaces – making it easier for people to take control of their health and stay well." People wanting workplace health checks, mental health support, or other staff wellbeing support can contact:

Business Insider

17 hours ago

• Business Insider

It's not just for gyms bros — scientists say a 50-cent muscle-building supplement slows aging and may counteract Alzheimer's

Creatine — long beloved by gym rats who mix it into protein shakes — is shaping up to be much more than a muscle building and fat loss supplement. Mounting research suggests it may also boost heart health, protect against Alzheimer's, improve mood, and strengthen your bones. While researchers typically have a healthy mistrust of supplements, creatine is the rare exception, recommended even among skeptical scientists and doctors: it's reliably safe, relatively inexpensive, and backed by extensive, high-quality studies. And it costs, on average, less than 50 cents per serving. "I don't know if there's anything on the planet that comes close to creatine from a multifactorial approach," Darren Candow, a top creatine researcher and professor of exercise physiology, nutrition and aging at Regina University in Canada, told Business Insider. Over the past decade, interest in creatine has skyrocketed, in tandem with research showing it can double up as a longevity supplement. As of May, the US creatine market is worth $456.6 million, up 36% from the prior year, according to data and analytics company Spins. "As much as we can define a longevity supplement at this point, creatine is probably one of the best in that category," Jordan Glen, supplement researcher and chief science officer for health startup SuppCo., an app that helps users find the right supplements for their goals, told Business Insider. Creatine drives your muscles to push harder without getting tired Creatine was first discovered in muscle tissue in 1832. Nearly a century later, scientists started to figure out how it's stored and used for energy in the human body. They experimented with extracting creatine from meat and later synthesizing it in a lab. But it wasn't until the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 that creatine went mainstream. The British gold-medal sprinters, sharing how they got in shape, gushed about the powerful effects of a little-known supplement: creatine. In 1993, the first commercial creatine hit store shelves, and sales boomed. Creatine is a raw material for producing ATP, a molecule that gives our cells energy. The majority of creatine is stored in the muscles, where it offers a ready fuel source for high-intensity effort. More creatine can improve strength and muscle gains by providing a bit more energy, helping you push a little bit harder and work out for longer before getting tired. Our bodies naturally produce creatine through a combination of amino acids. That's only a small amount, though. We can get more of it from some foods like red meat and fish — or, through supplements. In the past five years, demand for creatine as a fitness aid has spiked, with retail prices up 150% and sales increased by 90% year over year, despite steadily rising costs. And it's not just for muscle-hungry gym bros. While men continue to make up the majority of creatine users, about 21% of the creatine buyers are women, according to data from nationwide supplement retailers The Vitamin Shoppe. At SuppCo, both Glen, the CSO, and Steve Martocci, the CEO, said their wives have recently started taking creatine — reflecting a broader trend of women as a growing consumer base. What changed? Martocci pointed to more evidence dispelling the myth that creatine is just for muscle men to bulk up. Plus, early research suggests creatine can support hormonal health for women, helping to counteract shifts that can occur during the menstrual cycle by helping to maintain levels of glycogen in the muscle for better energy and performance. Creatine slows aging and boosts brain health, per new research In June, a small study found that patients with Alzheimer's disease saw a boost to their cognitive function after supplementing creatine. "We think that just providing more energy to the brain could be useful," Scott Forbes, a sports science researcher and professor at Brandon University who was not involved in the study, told Business Insider. "The brain actually uses about 20% of your total energy expenditure, even though it only weighs about 2% of your body weight. So for a tissue, it's very energetically demanding," Forbes said. Creatine also seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect, making the brain more resilient against stresses that would wear down its ability to perform. "We know that too much inflammation or too much oxidative stress can also lead to poor cognition or poor brain functions," Forbes said. Other recent studies have found that supplementing creatine could also help to mitigate the effects of aging or a concussion. "The theory is that the brain can remodel itself or at least maintain its function during times of stress," Candow, the aging researcher at Regina University, told Business Insider. "I don't know anybody in the world that's not stressed." The new research is expanding creatine's reach to consumers beyond the gym, according to Muriel Gonzalez, president of nationwide supplement retailer The Vitamin Shoppe. "Creatine is undergoing a major transformation — from a niche sports nutrition supplement to a versatile tool for daily health and longevity," Gonzalez told Business Insider over email. Total creatine sales have spiked by 300% from 2019 to 2024 at The Vitamin Shoppe, and are continuing to grow at a double-digit pace, according to company data. Should you be taking creatine? You'll be disappointed if you expect to transform your life, and health, with a few doses of creatine. A supplement can provide a boost but ultimately makes a relatively small difference. Your overall diet, exercise, and lifestyle are far more important. Still, the bottom line is that more and more research supports taking creatine for a huge range of benefits, with very little downside. "I think almost everybody should consider taking creatine," Forbes, the science researcher at Brandon University, said. Even in high doses over a long time period, side effects are mild, such as gastrointestinal upset and a slight increase in water retention, since creatine pulls water into the muscles. "Overall it's one of the safest supplements out there," Eric Gonzalez, a neuroscience professor at Texas Christian University who has studied creatine, told Business Insider. "If anyone wants to go on a supplement, creatine won't hurt you, there's only going to be an upside." If you're losing weight — including those on a GLP-1 drug that triggers weight loss — creatine can help you retain muscle mass, promoting a higher ratio of muscle to body fat. For those looking to boost brain health or mood, early studies suggest that 10-30 grams a day may be beneficial. Glen previously conducted research on senior Olympians who took creatine and found it helped them get stronger and faster while avoiding age-related decline. "We're never too old to take creatine," he said.

Hamilton Spectator

a day ago

• Hamilton Spectator

How to stay cool in the heat wave hitting parts of the US - even without air conditioning

The first big heat wave of 2025 has arrived, coinciding with the official start of summer. More than 40 million people in the U.S. were under heat alerts Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in the Midwest are expected to crest well into the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) this weekend. Triple-digit highs could pop up in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Denver. The peak will likely hit the East Coast early next week. Meanwhile, British health officials are also issuing heat warnings for the U.K . Climate change has been exacerbating heat waves, and the problem isn't going away any time soon. An increasingly hot planet — due largely to burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas — means already hot regions are getting worse . Heat doesn't just mean canceled events . It also poses a health risk, especially for children, older people and those with certain health conditions. So here are some tips to stay safe. When does heat become dangerous? The answer depends on more than the temperature. The most detailed measurement is called the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), which includes temperature, humidity, cloud cover and wind. The heat index, which measures temperature and humidity, is less descriptive but easier to find on weather apps. Both explain why a shaded soccer field on a 90 degree F day (32 degree C) in arid Phoenix may be less risky than an exposed park on an 80 degree F (27 degree C) day in soupy Little Rock. Just based on heat index, NOAA has a chart that calculates how dangerous prolonged exposure can be. For example, a day where temperatures reach 96 degree F (36 degrees C) and 45% humidity would fall into the 'danger' category for prolonged exposure or strenuous activity. The WBGT threshold isn't exact, but recent research suggests that even some young, healthy people can't endure hours of exposure to high heat and humidity. How to cool down Overnight lows can be a particularly dangerous part of a heat wave, said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University. 'Your body needs a reprieve,' she said. 'You don't get that overnight, we start the next day at a deficit.' Heat can worsen labor productivity and lead to more visits to the emergency room. 'When we have overnight temperatures that don't drop below 75 degrees' F (24 degrees C), she said, 'You start to see some pretty extraordinary outcomes with respect to heat illness and heat stroke, and even mortality.' Ward's answer: Find air conditioning. That might be at home, but she said census data overcounts how many people have access. If you can't afford to cool the whole house, Ward said, create a 'cool corner' and sleep there, so your body is prepared to tackle the next day. Evaporative or 'swamp' coolers can help in dry heat, but they increase humidity and can make it more difficult to cool down. In humid places, just use a fan. If you don't have air conditioning, find public places that do, including movie theaters, malls and libraries. Some communities set up cooling centers. Depending on where you live, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help you buy a window air conditioning unit, according to the National Council on Aging . Some local nonprofits and civic organizations can also help you access one if cost is a burden. Know your rights if you work outside Knowing what workplace protections you have is important. But there are no federal heat rules to protect workers in the United States. Some states have them, including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota and Maryland, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Other states don't have any. If your state has work rules, try to learn them — though there are still challenges to ensuring regulations are actually enforced, said Bharat Venkat, director of the University of California, Los Angeles Heat Lab. He notes that sometimes shaded areas are too far for workers to take breaks without losing wages, or that management can make it impossible for workers to advocate for themselves. 'Most workers don't actually have control over their time or control over where they work,' he said. Within those constraints, finding ways to stay hydrated and lower your body temperature are paramount. You can do this by drinking lots of fluids, wetting clothing or putting cold water or a cold rag on your hands, feet, armpits and neck. A portable handheld fan or a cooling vest can also help. If you're exercising, avoid the hottest times of day and bring more water than you think you need. Knowing heat illness symptoms Heat illness symptoms can vary by person, Venkat said. Medications or underlying conditions can also make it harder to regulate body temperature or notice you're getting too hot. Early trouble signs include heavy sweating, muscle cramps and headache. That's when you stop what you're doing and cool yourself off — for example, by splashing yourself with cold water or finding an air conditioned space. As heat exhaustion sets in, new symptoms arrive, including faster heart rate and dizziness. Next comes heat stroke, which can include confusion, slurred words and fainting. Ward said that's when to call 911. 'Don't be embarrassed to call 911 or go to urgent care when you think you might have overdone it in the heat,' he said. ___ Walling reported from Chicago. Wells reported from Cleveland. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .