How to Upgrade Your Family Car While Keeping Costs Under Control (Brand Collaboration)

How to Upgrade Your Family Car While Keeping Costs Under Control

Upgrading your family car doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you need more space, better safety features, or just want to enjoy the latest tech, there are smart ways to get behind the wheel of something new without the hefty price tag. In this collaborative post written by Julia Evans, we'll explore how you can upgrade your family car while keeping costs under control, including a closer look at the often-overlooked option of leasing.

Navigating Common Health Issues for Trans Women in Later Years (Collaborative Post)

Navigating Common Health Issues for Trans Women in Later Years

For some groups in society good quality health advice can be harder to find, so I'm delighted today to be collaborating on an incredibly informative post about the health issues which can be faced by trans women. 

As trans women grow older, they encounter specific health challenges that require specialised attention to support long-term well-being. Prolonged hormone therapy, cardiovascular concerns, and bone density maintenance become increasingly crucial. 

Moreover, those who have undergone gender-affirming procedures must focus on pelvic health. Mental health care and routine cancer screenings are equally crucial for a healthy aging process. 

Understanding these challenges and taking preventive steps can significantly improve the quality of life. In this article, we’ll explore key health concerns for aging trans women, emphasising proactive healthcare planning and informed choices for overall well-being.

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025

The UK has announced Spring COVID boosters, with a focus on "protecting those who are most likely to become seriously ill", the same as last Spring, but unlike previously you have to COME FORWARD and book your appointment, rather than waiting for an invitation. Do this online at nhs dot uk /bookcovid or by calling 119.

Those eligible include:

- people aged 75 or over by 17th June

- residents of care homes for older adults (not staff or carers)

- people meeting immunosuppression criteria (check online for a list)

The UK Department of Health and Social Care has agreed an extra £167m funding (over 2 years) with Community Pharmacy England.

On top £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners will be written off. 

In return community pharmacies in England will:

- all offer the ‘morning-after pill’ free of charge

- offer patients prescribed antidepressants "convenient support at pharmacies".

- cut red tape, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver services such as medicines advice, Pharmacy First services, and blood pressure checks.

- have financial incentives boosted for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure, to take pressure off GPs.

- have funding for medicine supply boosted, so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them. This includes writing off the historic debt linked to dispensing activity during the pandemic and increasing fees linked to dispensing prescriptions.

Breaking Down the Risks of Maternal Alcohol Use (Collaborative Post)

 Breaking Down the Risks of Maternal

Alcohol Use

Pregnancy is a time of profound transformation, where every decision a mother makes has the potential to shape her child’s future. Expectant mothers often focus on proper nutrition and prenatal care, meticulously planning for their baby's arrival. However, the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are frequently overlooked, clouded by misinformation and stigma.

I have agreed to host the following guest article as I have previously worked with teenagers and young adults left forever with the effects of alcohol in pregnancy, including Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. The article is written by a US author and contains US spellings. It delves into the complexities of maternal alcohol use, shedding light on the far-reaching consequences that extend beyond birth. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, Measles, HPAI H5N1 and other virus UK and World News Update 21st March 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus and other virus UK and World News Update 21st March 2025

5 years ago most of the world was going into lockdown. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of January 5, 2025, a total of 7,083,246 confirmed COVID-19 deaths had been recorded worldwide - and that does not include any of those who died without testing or who were recorded as dying from other causes. 

On Sunday 9th March the UK held a Day of Reflection to remember the people lost since the pandemic began, and to give thanks to those who who have worked to help others and shown kindness above and beyond the norm. 

A huge thank you from me too - we couldn't have kept going without all of you who risked your own health for us. 

"COVID causes permanent brain damage and immune system dysfunction. It’s why everyone’s sick."

Dr Sean Mullen, Research Director at Exercise Tech Lab, Illinois. 

Saturday 15th March was Long COVID Awareness Day. Our essential workers, those people who kept us going through lockdown, the frontline medical staff, bus drivers, cleaners, shop workers and everyone else who had to face the public back when we had Alpha, Beta and Delta strains and no vaccinations, were more likely to lose their lives to COVID, and today they are more likely to suffer severely from Long COVID. 

There is no doubt for anyone now that Long COVID exists. It's real, it can be viewed on X-rays, in blood tests, scans and autopsies. COVID can affect all organs of the body, including the brain, heart and lungs, and it affects your blood. It affects your immune system. There is also no doubt that the more people who catch COVID, the more are left with Long COVID, and the more times you catch COVID, the higher your chance of having Long COVID. 

Never give up on relief of your symptoms. Our bodies are miraculous things and a lot of the damage can take a long time to heal. Each week scientists and researchers piece together more of the jigsaw, and they learn more about what COVID does and how it does it. The more they learn, the more potential therapies and cures they can try, and they are making improvements in people's lives. Keep hope. 

COVID-19, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th March 2025

COVID-19, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th March 2025

Just in case you haven't had enough of Norovirus this year, the UK Health Security Agency are warning us that there are 2 common strains, and the one which was most popular a couple of months ago is waning, but the second one is having a bit of a party. Sadly catching one doesn't mean you won't catch the other, so there are fun times ahead for some of you... 

As an aside, UKHSA reckon for every lab confirmed case, there are another 288 riding it out quietly at home. 

Latest UK Norovirus figures still aren't pretty, but they do finally show a decrease in cases. Overall still very high levels, and more than double the 5 year average for the same 2 week period. 

Ad | Which LEGO Sets Have We Been Building Recently...

Today I've decided to take a moment away from all of the troubles of the world and focus on something fun, relaxing and calming. I haven't written about LEGO in quite a while, but just now seems a great time to pick that back up...

I may not have written about it, but we are still just as keen on LEGO here as we ever were, and we've had a few new and exciting sets over the last few months. Times are tighter and pretty much everyone has less money in their pockets these days, so most of our more recent sets have been gifts. Personally I avoid most of the cheaper imitations because the building techniques and quality control can be hit and miss, so being smart with your purchases is always a win. There are still bargains to be found, and some pretty good LEGO discount vouchers out there, or you can buy direct from LEGO.com and collect extra Insiders points towards free LEGO sets and rewards (you can also collect LEGO Insiders points when you register sets you've bought in any store or even received as gifts). 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 21st February 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 21st February 2025

Between July and November 2024 the UK NHS managed to deliver almost 2.2 million more appointments than July to November 2023. These included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy and diagnostic tests.

There is a caveat in that during that period in 2023 there were 12 days of strikes by doctors-in-training (junior doctors) - but in 2024 no strikes and more patients seen is undoubtedly a doubly good thing. 

The waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the current government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year. 

The overall waiting list for planned treatment in England fell slightly in December to 7.46 million - but only 59% started treatment within 18 weeks, with the Govt target by end of parliament 92%. Some way to go yet. 

Keep going Wes. Keep fixing the NHS. 

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England with a less than heartwarming quote last week:

“We need to think much more radically, particularly about capital…I think we now must consider private capital investment in the NHS…if we don’t fix our buildings, if we don’t fix our technology we’re not going to..really drive that long term improvement."

You don't really seem to want to save the NHS Amanda. Surely pumping cash into wining and dining private capital, then repaying interest or renting for the next bazillion years is not the best way to save the NHS?

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th February 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 7th February 2025

"NHS England says more patients in hospitals last week than any other stage this winter– 96% of adult beds were occupied. 961 norovirus cases, up 7% on the week before and 69% higher than same time last year.  

Nearly 13,800 in hospital even though medically fit to be discharged."

BBC Health Correspondent Hugh Pym

Norovirus is completely preventable and only 1 in 160 cases end up in a hospital bed - so it's likely more than 153,700 people in England currently have it.

Norovirus is not only bad in the UK - the US has also doubled last years peak. We test more people nowadays, but "the emergence of an unusual norovirus genotype" (GII. 17) seems to blame.

Remember hand gel doesn't get through the thick fatty shell of Norovirus - kill it by washing with good old-fashioned soap. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI Bird Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 24th January 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI Bird Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 24th January 2025

Well hello. It's been a very busy 2 weeks, and if you are reading this then I probably lost internet at some point due to Storm Eowyn (I uploaded this a couple of hours after power went off at 7.40am just in case I lost internet too). Sorry if anything is already out of date - I'll do a quick update to the update when I'm back online! I hope everyone out there isn't too badly affected. Stay safe everyone. Thank you to all of the emergency and essential workers risking their lives to look after us in this weather. 

"CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) has provided real-time data and analysis about disease outbreaks and emerging health threats without a break every week since 1960. 

Until today."

Dr Tom Frieden, former CDC Director, 23rd January 2025.

The USA has a new President and as promised, Trump immediately signed executive orders withdrawing the USA from the Paris Climate Agreement (alongside just Iran, Libya and Yemen) and the World Health Organisation. Any WHO member officially has to give 1 year's notice to leave, so it may not have an immediate effect.

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Bird Flu and other virus UK and World News Update 10th January 2025

COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 and other virus UK and World News Update 10th January 2025

Happy New Year! I hope you had a good festive break, and I'm delighted to say that the world didn't become overrun by virus during the last 3 weeks, not entirely anyway... 

"NHS England says there were over 5,000 patients in hospital with flu at the end of last week. The average...was almost 3.5 times higher than the same week in 2023. NHS England says the number quadrupled since the end of November."

BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym on 3rd January. 

"NHS England says average flu patient numbers in hospitals at 5,400 last week - up on previous week. A&E attendances in 2024 up 7 per cent on the year. NHS leaders say strain on staff at times as bad as height of pandemic."

Hugh Pym on 9th January.

Flu levels are currently abysmal in the UK, but some suggestions we may soon peak - I hope so.