NHS could face its worst January as it struggles with festive backlog, warns doctor

The NHS is facing “potentially the worst January” ever as it struggles to deal with the backlog of patients occupying beds over Christmas, a leading doctor has warned.

Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM), said hospitals had already seen large numbers of elderly patients over the festive period and that the health service was on the brink of a major crisis.

Holland, who is based in Manchester, said hospitals were operating under a “false sense of security” as elective procedures dipped during the Christmas period with those beds becoming available for emergency patients.

Once routine operations start up regularly this week, hospitals must make these allocated beds available again. A bout of flu, the winter vomiting virus, or even a cold snap, could prove the tipping point, he warned.

He said the service was going to face the health equivalent of the “credit card bill from hell” after the festive period and called on the government to announce its contingency plans for a “possible worst-case scenario”.

Holland, who leads the national body for acute hospital staff, told the Press Association: “There’s this problem over Christmas and New Year where actually, because you get this glut of beds that become available, you’re just building trouble up for ourselves in January.

“And then … when the flu kicks in, if the winter vomiting virus kicks in, which would potentially close a ward, or if there’s just a cold snap – when any of these things occur we will be under more pressure, but actually we’ll still be spending most of January trying to clear the Christmas and New Year backlog.”

This year January could be “one of the worst we have faced” due to record numbers of elderly patients who cannot be discharged because they are waiting for social care, he said.

Using an analogy of Christmas spending Dr Holland said it was down to the balance of beds within hospitals. “Imagine, at the end of January, we are going to get our credit card bill for Christmas,” he said.

“However, this January its like we’ve not paid last month’s credit card bill, we’ve not paid November’s credit bill, and over Christmas we’ve gone out and had a really good spend. The credit card bill we are going to get from January is just the credit card bill from hell … it’s going to be the worst ever credit card bill for the NHS.”

There were currently “too many unknowns to tell us if we will be able to get through January and avert a major crisis”, he added.

NHS could face its worst January as it struggles with festive backlog, warns doctor

four Festive Non-Alcoholic Drinks Excellent for St-Patrick’s Day

Since I greatly reduced my alcohol consumption, I realized how considerably consuming  felt practically necessary throughout most holidays, most of them anchored in a boozy tradition.

And St-Patrick’s Day is undoubtedly no exception. Out of all of the booze-laden parties, the most drunken has confirmed to be St-Patrcik’s Day. It is the party of the yr, a celebration of all issues green, with endless parades, house parties, pub crawls and drunken sing-alongs. 

 Since I comply with a low-alcohol diet regime (not to mention plant-primarily based), I usually tend to feel a little boring with my tall glass of water.

 This yr, I will come ready. I will feel festive! And I would like to help you, as well!

On this special day, I let myself a tiny bit of alcohol (a little substantial-high quality organic wine never killed any individual), but for the most element, I will be sipping on the super-yummy, alcohol-free drinks I suggest under. Pouring these drinks in stunning glasses this kind of as wine, Champagne or Martini can make them that much far more fun.

 Content and Wholesome St-Patrick’s Day to all!

 1. Green Juice or Smoothie

Is there any far better time of the yr to have a yummy green juice? I feel not. With your tall green drink in hand, you will seem and really feel greater than any drunken leprechaun I’ve ever met.

It is always preferable to make your own green juice or smoothie at house, (see below for my fave) exactly where you can save income and pick your very own leading top quality natural  ingredients. Of course, any natural retailer-purchased green drink will do just fine. Just make positive all components are organic and that the sugar content material is in check. 

 St-Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie

Yield: 2 servings

 •1 avocado

•1/two banana

•1 cucumber

•a handful of kale or romaine or spinach

 •coconut water (or purified water)

•a sprinkle of cinnamon or some cacao (optional)

 1. Mix substances in a high-powered blender.

two. Kombucha

 One of my favored get together drinks, Kombucha is a probiotic, raw meals that aids digestion and boosts the immune system with its enzymes and Vitamin B. With a wonderful fizz, it is fermented tea that tastes and feels tasty and festive. It even seems to be like Champagne! The Chinese have been using it for 2000 years and refer to it as “The Tea of Immortality”. Great sufficient for me!

 My absolute favored taste is anything at all ginger.

3. Coconut Water (so getaway-y)

 Fresh Coconut Water (not to be confused with coconut milk) is 1 of the healthiest food items you can put in your entire body. With its elevated electrolyte material, it is highly hydrating and is made up of many vitamins and minerals your physique will thank you for.  Plus, it is super refreshing at a hot, Irish party. I steer clear of canned coconut water  and make sure I get one hundred% Coconut Water with no added something. With a twist of lemon and number of strawberries popped-into a martini glass, you got by yourself a get together!

 4. Pomegranate Juice

  Pomegranates are reduced-sugar fruits rich in nutritional vitamins C, E and entire range vitamin Bs and minerals. They are alkalizing and anti-inflammatory.  Need more? They also have lots of antioxidants and flavonoids (all the healthy things in red wine, with out the damaging alcohol). Due to the fact of all of these incredible qualities, I drink Pomegranate juice each single day, midsummer or not. For an extra festive feeling, I like to add a tiny pear nectar or combine it with some Kombucha. I get a hundred% pomegranate juice, not from focus.

Jivan Dios is a holistic therapist specializing in trauma and Family Constellation. She lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden and on the island of Crete, Greece.

 Pay a visit to her at www.opentherapy.se

four Festive Non-Alcoholic Drinks Excellent for St-Patrick’s Day