Health
Life expectancy in the UK isn’t falling
UK life expectancies have been growing for more than a century, but growth has slowed down considerably in recent years. Read
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Health
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There’s no evidence that any current vaccines cause cancer
Vaccines go through a number of trial stages to check they don’t have dangerous side effects. Read
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Drinking water at set times does not provide certain health benefits
While it is a good idea to stay hydrated, drinking water at regimented times has no identifiable health benefits. Read
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Health
Being ‘measles free’ doesn’t mean there are no cases of measles
The World Health Organisation says ‘eliminating measles’ means the number of cases in a country is at a level where it can’t circulate easily. Read
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Health
We can’t say patients are waiting over two weeks to see a GP on average
Reports that the average wait to see GPs has passed the two-week mark aren’t based on reliable evidence. Read
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Autism prevalence is up but scientists have consistently found that vaccines don’t cause it
More diagnoses of autism disorders are being made but they are not associated with being vaccinated. Read
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Health
Money for the NHS: is it new or not?
It all depends on what you mean by new. But the £1 billion was money that had already been promised to hospitals but which they were unable to spend previously. Read
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Health
How many people with dementia have to sell their homes to pay for care?
A poll found that 16% of respondents who said they had friends or family with dementia also said that person had to sell their home to pay for care. Read
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Health
Was a record amount spent on private providers by the Department of Health?
£9.2 billion was spent on purchasing health care from private providers in 2018/19—a record amount in cash terms, but not in real terms or as a proportion of the department’s budget. Read
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Is the NHS introducing price lists for treatments?
NHS trusts can offer patients the option to “self-fund” a select range of treatments, if they don’t meet the criteria to have it paid for by the NHS. Read
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