health

"Here are five simple things I would encourage people to do," says Director of Public Health Devon

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Wed, 03/16/2022 - 5:31pm

Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health, is urging people to stay at home if they feel unwell, with coronavirus, or symptoms of other illnesses that could be infectious.

His call comes as Devon is seeing a rise again in the number of coronavirus cases, with the latest data showing a 63.4 per cent increase in cases in a seven day period.

"I believe that many people are now left uncertain of what they should be doing; with the legal requirement to self-isolate gone, with free testing for most people about to end, and the onus now on individuals to decide for...

Exeter residents rank 23rd in the UK for Googling their health symptoms 

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Fri, 02/25/2022 - 12:05pm
The cities that use Dr. Google most to self-diagnose

Durham is officially the city where residents are most likely to turn to Google to self-diagnose, according to new research. Chester and Glasgow follow ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Residents of Exeter rank 23rd in the UK for Googling their health symptoms. Each month, residents make on average 4770 health-related searches, but the real number is likely much higher.

The conditions residents of Exeter are most likely to search the symptoms of on Google are diabetes, anxiety, depression, flu and chlamydia. This...

'Look out for each other,' urges Devon's Director of Public Health

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 02/22/2022 - 10:36am

Devon’s Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, is urging the public to ‘continue to look out for each other’ by being cautious and following the guidance over the next few months.

His comments come after groups that represent vulnerable people most at risk from coronavirus raised concerns about the removal of the legal requirement for people with the virus to self-isolate, announced by the Prime Minister yesterday.

Mr Brown says he’s heard from groups that represent vulnerable people and that many are concerned that removing legislation will put them personally at...

Local people play vital role in choosing new provider for NHS 111 services in Devon

A new organisation has been appointed to run the integrated urgent care service in Devon.

And local people in Devon played a vital role in the process, helping shape the design of the service and choose the successful bidder.

From later this year, NHS 111, out-of-hours GP services and the Clinical Assessment Services (CAS) will be run by Practice Plus Group Urgent Care (formerly known as Care UK Health Care).

The group currently answers 1.5million calls a year to NHS 111, and runs out of hours services, urgent treatment centres, minor injuries units, hospitals...

Devon’s NHS launch online health and wellbeing app library

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 02/14/2022 - 9:52pm

The NHS in Devon has announced the launch of a new health and wellbeing app library for local people, powered by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA).

Effectively a comparison website, the localised site for Devon allows patients and healthcare professionals to search and download from a wide range of apps, making it quicker and easier for people across Devon to access safe and accredited health and wellbeing applications on their computer or smart phone.

Founded by NHS clinicians, ORCHA is used widely for health application evaluation and...

Can beetroot juice help keep our brains sharp in later life? New study investigates 

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 02/08/2022 - 10:28pm

An innovative clinical trial will investigate how drinking beetroot juice impacts brain function in older adults, via the bacteria that live in our mouths.

A donation from University of Exeter alumnus Tom Morgan (Business Economics 1999) is supporting the new research. It seeks to investigate how the hundreds of species of bacteria and other organisms that colonise our mouths – known as the oral microbiome - impact on processes key to the development of major diseases, including brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Beetroot juice is high in...

College helping students keep their New Year resolutions

Authored by Joe Cooper
Posted: Tue, 01/25/2022 - 10:30am

New year…New You: Lose weight, do more exercise and cut back on spending, are three of the top New Year resolutions.

But with most falling by the wayside within seven weeks, a Devon college is hoping it can help buck the trend well into 2022.

South Devon College has hundreds of health courses on offer to lure people away from the biscuit tin and swap chocolates for chin ups.

“We have a course to suit anyone who wants to teach fitness, get fitter, or work in the industry,” said Daniel Gaze, Head of Sport, Adventure and Protective Services at South Devon College....

In need of a mood boost? This donkey livestream will increase your happiness levels, expert reveals

The Christmas rush is over, the flurry of updated news is constant so it’s no wonder that things may be feeling somewhat stressful in what's supposed to be a relaxing time of year. But fear not, this live webcam of furry friends may be the perfect distraction.

The past few years have showcased the endless benefits of animal therapy* such as lowered blood pressure and the ability to boost your mood, but the reality of incorporating this into your routine regularly may be somewhat of a struggle. So, with this in mind, you can now watch the perfect online equivalent from the comfort...

Skateboarding helps middle-aged people navigate depression and bond with their children, study shows

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Tue, 12/28/2021 - 7:53am

Skateboarding in middle age helps people navigate depression, bond with their children and cope with personal trials, a new study shows.

Older people who take part in the sport say it has a “spiritual meaning” in their lives and boosts their wellbeing and happiness. Physical benefits are a by-product.

Skateboarding allows them access to a community and gives them an identity separate from other parts of their lives.

One reason could be because the measure of success in skateboarding is more fluid compared to other sports, and failure is seen as part of the...

Devon GP surgery Christmas and New Year opening times

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Sat, 12/25/2021 - 11:38pm

Patients across Devon are being reminded that most GP practices will be closed over the festive and New Year period and that if they need medical advice to make use of alternative services such as 111.

Most GP practices will close at the end of the day on Friday 24 December and will re-open again on Wednesday 29 December until Friday 31 December. They will then be closed again from Saturday 1 January until Monday 3 January due the New Year bank holiday.

The NHS in Devon is asking people to do what they can to prevent themselves becoming unwell and to choose the right NHS...

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