Ram Arora Podcasts Library Ram Arora

A whopping 39 percent GPs are thinking of leaving the profession in the coming 5 years , if something isn't done soon, we may be 22000 GPs short which could very well be a fatal blow to the NHS . The current GP workforce crisis seems to be a product of increasing workload , reduced staffing and increasing complexity of cases due to an ageing population. The need for action by the government is now and the consequences of inaction are going to be dire for the NHS. It is time for some bold and radical action by the government .....(and it's not just about the pay).

Group A strep prevalence has more than doubled as compared to previous years. However there is also an increase in Influenza infections. The current scientific opinion behind the rise in invasive Group a Strep infections (iGAS) is that the high prevalence of viruses causing coinfection is essentially lowering people's Immunity and thus leading to a more severe episode of group A strep infection. All the more a case for everyone to have their flu vaccine and there is a larger than usual cohort of people eligible. Listen to learn more.

Here's the complete lowdown on whats happening across British general practice at the moment around group A Streptococcus and scarlet fever. And how everyone getting their flu vaccine would help immensely.

Although the covid cases remain stable, there has been a 40 percent increase in influenza related admissions largely driven by children under 5 yrs of age. It is an opportune time for all that are eligible to take their winter vaccines. Covid booster uptake is currently sat in the region of 70% as vaccine fatigue has set in. The NHS faces a perfect storm this winter with covid lurking in the background, an exponential increase in influenza cases along with staff vacancy related issues. There has also been an increase in adult norovirus cases and we have all read about the Streptococcal A infections. Thus there are a multitude of pressures facing the NHS. We can do our bit by ensuring that we are uptodate with our covid and winter vaccines.

As a part of the 'living with Covid Plan' published in mid February 2022, today from 1st April the government is scrapping free Covid tests (with the exception of patient-facing NHS and care staff and Clinically extremely vulnerable patients). The UK Government mentions high levels of population immunity secondary to a successful vaccination programme and effective antiviral treatments as a reason for the scrapping in addition to the prohibitive cost to the taxpayer. 

However, both Care bodies and Doctor's organizations have criticized this move. Blood Cancer UK has mentioned that "Protection from Covid should be a right, not a privilege". BMA has said that providing free tests only to clinically vulnerable people once they develop symptoms, and not providing any free tests to their friends and family, was “completely illogical, as the priority should be protecting them from infection in the first place.” Patients Association, said that charging patients for lateral flow tests “creates a barrier” that would exacerbate health inequalities for those who may not be able to afford them. “Charging for tests will contribute to covid-19’s continuing spread.”

Here are my thoughts on this subject, telecast live today in the morning show with Ben Prater about this thorny issue on BBC Radio Wiltshire. 

During the Covid 19 crisis in the last 12 months the NHS was faced with the gargantuan task of providing 100 million vaccinations. The NHS in this war like effort was crucially support by an enormous number of volunteers. It was their selfless and determined efforts, that made this task possible and their contribution may have saved atleast 120,000 lives in the UK . Volunteering has scientifically proven benefits for a person's mental health . Ancient scriptures mention selfless service as a pathway to contentment . We discuss both the crucial role of volunteering in the NHS and it's benefits in detail in this interview.