Ireland to legalise cannabis for specific medical conditions

Ireland is set to legalise the use of cannabis for treating specific medical conditions, after a report commissioned by the government said the drug could be given to some patients with certain illnesses.

The Irish health minister, Simon Harris, said he would support the use of medical cannabis “where patients have not responded to other treatments and there is some evidence that cannabis may be effective”.

The report said cannabis could be given to patients with a range of illnesses including multiple sclerosis and severe epilepsy, and to offset the effects of chemotherapy.

“I believe this report marks a significant milestone in developing policy in this area,” Harris said. “This is something I am eager to progress but I am also obligated to proceed on the basis of the best clinical advice.”

Last November, Harris asked Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to examine the latest evidence on cannabis for medical use and how schemes to facilitate this operate in other countries.

The study found “an absence of scientific data demonstrating the effectiveness of cannabis products” and warned of “insufficient information on [the drug’s] safety during long-term use for the treatment of chronic medical conditions”.

“The scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabis across a large range of medical conditions is in general poor, and often conflicting,” it added.

However, it added that any decision on legalising use of cannabis was ultimately for society and the government to make.

Harris said he wanted to set up a “a compassionate access programme for cannabis-based treatments” and was now considering any changes in the law needed for its operation.

The new medical cannabis scheme will run for five years and will be constantly monitored by Irish health service experts.

The big policy shift came in the same week that the Fine Gael-led coalition in Dublin backed the idea of a “safe injection” room for heroin addicts in Ireland’s capital.

The Temple Bar Company, which represents bars, clubs, restaurants and other businesses in the cultural-entertainment quarter on the south bank of the Liffey in Dublin, expressed opposition to locating any of the injection centres in or close to the tourist district.

The Temple Bar chief executive, Martin Harte, said businesses in the tourist centre collected 1,500 syringes from the streets around the area every year.

“We are bracing ourselves for an increase in the level of syringe disposals and related antisocial behaviour,” he said.

“Addiction centres make no provision for what happens outside of opening hours … The Temple Bar Company is not opposed to tackling issues with drugs in Ireland, but we are opposed to proposals that exacerbate and fuel an injecting epidemic in Dublin city.”

Last year, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, the former Irish Labour party junior health minister, became the first politician to call publically for a safe injection centre for the more than 20,000 registered heroin addicts in Dublin alone.

Ó Ríordáin also said he favoured making the possession of heroin, cocaine or other opiates for personal use no longer an arrestable offence.

Although he is no longer in government, after last year’s election, Ó Ríordáin’s suggestion of partial decriminalisation of drugs among users won the backing of rank-and-file police officers in Ireland, who said it would free up resources.

Ireland to legalise cannabis for specific medical conditions

Sesame And Honey – Miracle Pair That Can Treats More Than 10 Specific Diseases!

Sesame seeds have been cultivated for more than 5000 years. The ancient region of Mesopotamia was the first place where it was widely cultivated and then it spread to the rest of the world.

The mixture of sesame and honey is an excellent source of iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphate, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. When it comes to vitamins, sesame contains those of the group E, A and B.

Why Honey & Sesame Seeds Are Healthy

-Consumed these two ingredients together relieve pain in the abdomen and most effective cure for menses pain. Sesame also contains iron which promotes a better period.

-Honey and sesame seeds have equal percentage of calcium which promotes bone health. Regular consumption of this food aids in protecting your bones as you age.

-Sesame seeds help in lower cholesterol in the body. These seeds can be strewn on salads and desserts or can be consumed raw.

-Honey-sesame combination also strengthens the bone marrow, stimulates mental activity, increases physical endurance, affect the beauty and shine of hair and skin.

Other Benefits of These Two Ingredients

-Diabetes
-Ulcers and acid reflux
-Allergies
-Osteoporosis
-Anxiety and depression
-Obesity
-Weakened immune system
-High cholesterol and hypertension

Pasteli-Greek Honey Sesame Bars Recipe

Pasteli was probably the first energy bar ever made and it was made with honey and sesame seeds. Many recipes incorporate the benefits of both sesame seeds and raw honey. Here is one that is easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup pistachios (optional), cut in halves
1/2 cup honey
1 inch lemon peel
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

-Add sesame seeds to pan and cook over low to medium heat until lightly golden brown.
-Once done, remove from heat, and empty seeds onto plate to stop them from getting too dark, set aside.
-Add honey, lemon peel and lemon juice to a pot.
-Heat over medium heat until simmering, stir continuously for 5 minutes.
-Turn of heat and immediately add sesame seeds and pistachios to honey and mix well.
-Empty onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
-Flatten with back of spatula brushed with olive oil to avoid sticking.
-Place in refrigerator and allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
-Cut into bars and enjoy- this recipe should make about 12 servings.

Sources:

–http://www.healthyfoodstar.com

–http://www.lemonandolives.com

–http://www.greenmedinfo.com

–http://familylifegoals.com

Also Read:

Sesame And Honey – Miracle Pair That Can Treats More Than 10 Specific Diseases!

Oregano: Top 8 Specific Health Benefits and Healing Uses of This Herb

As a great herb that has lots of medicinal properties, oregano popularly used in many dishes all over the world, it adds savor to your food and especially goes well with eggplant, tomatoes and all kinds of meat. What’s more, regular consumption of oregano also helpful for you overall health.

Here are top natural health benefits of oregano you should keep in mind:

1-Full of Vitamins and Minerals

Oregano is rich in vitamin K, which is a very important vitamin for both brain function and bone health. It’s also high in several essential minerals, including iron and manganese. So oregano is one such tasty and healthy herb you should include into your diet, feel free to buy some and enjoy!

2-It’s Super Rich In Fiber

Oregano is rich in fiber. It’s said that “Fiber is king”! It’s not only boosts weight loss, prevents heart disease, also has other potential benefits such as: controls blood sugar, treats skin problems, lower the risk of hemorrhoids, reduce kidney stones and gallstones.

3-It Has God Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial Properties

With anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, oregano provides protection against several infections that caused by viruses and bacteria, such as colds, flu, mumps as well as other issues that caused by viruses.

4-It Protects You Against Fungal Infections

This is because of its anti-fungal properties. So it’s highly recommended to use oregano oil regularly, both internally and externally to prevent fungal infections.

5-Oregano Offers Rich Antioxidants

According to a research:

“…On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano has demonstrated 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.”

One of the most important antioxidants in oregano is rosmarinic acid, which is very strong to support your immune system health, thus protecting you against many diseases.

6-Anti-inflammatory Properties

Oregano is useful for relieving any type of inflammation, both internal and external due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

7-Oregano Aids in Digestion

It’s recommended to use oregano oil as a digestive aid, as it’s well known for its ability to stimulate the flow of bile into the digestive organs, thus enhancing the digestive process.

8-It Combats Aging

It’s rich in antioxidants, while aging is largely the effect of oxidation and free radicals. That’s why oregano is so effective to support graceful aging.

Sources: healthdiaries.com, globalhealingcenter.com, antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com

More By Author:

// A Natural & Safe Homemade Ginger Ale to Treat Migraines

// 12 Prebiotic-Rich Foods For A Healthy Gut

// What Will Happen In Your Body If You Drink Honey Lemon Water More Often

// Get The Best Of Natural Living Ideas At Seekingfit.com

Oregano: Top 8 Specific Health Benefits and Healing Uses of This Herb

Jeremy Hunt strategies specific measures for medical doctors who fail their sufferers

Jeremy Hunt, health secretary, was buoyed by what he sees as the accomplishment of putting 11 hospital trusts into specific measures final yr. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Jeremy Hunt is preparing programs to place GPs into specific measures if they are judged to be failing their individuals, in a substantial extension of the accountability method in the NHS.

The British Health-related Association is warning that the move, to be announced imminently, could unfairly damage patients’ believe in in their neighborhood practice and says the health secretary could sensationalise the few surgeries the place troubles have been discovered.

Hunt, buoyed by what he sees as the accomplishment of putting eleven hospital trusts into special measures final yr, ideas to extend that regime to GP practices and suppliers of grownup social care, such as care residences.

He is anticipated to announce on Wednesday that the Care Good quality Commission (CQC), the regulator for health and social care, will be adopting the tougher method 1st for care residences.

That could consequence in properties that CQC inspectors deem to be providing unsafe or inadequate care currently being closed or handed above to another operator.

Officials have nevertheless to finalise how the new technique will work in relation to England’s 8,000 GP practices.

The move follows the scandal in excess of 19 unexplained deaths at the Orchid View care residence in Copthorne, Sussex, and revelations that some GP surgeries are dirty, mishandle health-related data or do not store vaccines at the appropriate temperature.

Hunt told MPs final month that the lessons of the official report into the Mid Staffordshire NHS scandal “need to have to be utilized to the care residence sector, to general practice, to all out-of-hospital care, every bit as significantly as they apply to NHS hospitals”.

But Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA’s GPs committee, urged Hunt to keep away from running down GP solutions and to consider twice about an approach that could force some surgeries to shut.

“It is important not to generate a counterproductive blame culture based on isolated examples that would wrongly damage patient believe in in wider GP providers,” Nagpaul mentioned. “We should not sensationalise isolated examples in which there may possibly be inadequate care.”

Practices providing an inadequate services may possibly be carrying out so due to the fact they have been struggling to recruit GPs or nurses or were becoming denied necessary sources by the NHS, Nagpaul additional.

GPs are currently voicing considerations about latest reports that personal GPs who fail to spot indications of cancer will be named and shamed and that surgeries that fail to preserve enough over-60s out of hospital will have a red flag place on their entry on the NHS Choices site.

Eleven hospital trusts have been place into unique measures final year following the NHS healthcare director, Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, discovered care failings at them, and 6 other people followed following CQC inspectors were anxious by what they identified.

3 of the 11 have recently been taken out of the regime, which can involve adjustments to the trust’s leadership and a buddying arrangement with a profitable trust to drive up requirements.

Hunt is expected to announce this week that, following accelerated enhancements to the quality and security of care, other folks are exiting the regime as well. A spokesperson declined to comment.

Senior NHS sources say there are doubts about the CQC’s capability to subject adequate care suppliers to its beefed-up forensic inspection regime and control the extra scrutiny involved if much more of them in basic practice and social care are deemed to need to go into special measures.

Jeremy Hunt strategies specific measures for medical doctors who fail their sufferers

Beleaguered wellness believe in place into specific measures

As part of the special measures, NHS regulator Monitor will appoint an improvement director whose role will be to provide support and expertise but also to hold to account the trust which runs Furness General Hospital in Barrow-in-Furness, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal and Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe.

An inspection team which included doctors, nurses, and hospital managers, trained members of the public, CQC inspectors and analysts spent three days at Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Westmorland General Hospital in February.

They examined the care provided in accident and emergency, medical care, surgery, intensive/critical care, maternity and family planning, children’s care, end of life care and outpatients. Inspectors also visited Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital out of hours unannounced.

Inspectors acknowledged that care in some services, such as maternity and A&E, had improved since previous inspections but in other areas – despite previous concerns being raised by CQC – care had still not been addressed effectively, said the CQC.

Overall, the inspectors conclude that the quality of care provided by Furness General Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary both required improvement, while the Westmorland General Hospital overall was providing a good service.

Sir Mike said: “There is a long history of concern with the quality of service provided by University Hospitals of Morecambe bay NHS Foundation Trust – so it is disappointing to report that a number of the issues that have been identified in the past remain unresolved.

“I do not believe that the trust is likely to resolve its challenges without external support. This is why I am recommending that the trust is placed in to special measures. I am looking to Monitor and the other organisations responsible for healthcare in the area to work together to support improvement.

“Despite the reorganisation of the trust’s clinical services, we have found a lack of clarity about the trust’s plans for the future that has left the staff feeling disengaged and remote from the executive team.”

Sir Mike added: “The trust and partner agencies will be developing an action plan to address the identified shortfalls and my inspectors will return to the trust to follow up on improvements in due course.”

Adam Cayley, regional director at Monitor, said: “The trust has co-operated with Monitor in making some improvements in recent years but the Chief Inspector of Hospitals has reported on wider failings in care that must be addressed.

“The level of care and the quality of senior leadership at this trust has not been good enough, that’s why we’ve put Morecambe Bay into special measures.

The regulator said it would take further action if improvements were not made.

An independent inquiry into care provided by the trust’s maternity and neonatal services from January 2004 to June last year is currently taking place following a “high number of serious untoward incidents” including patient deaths.

The report from chairman Dr Bill Kirkup is due to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Health in the autumn.

David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said: “Naturally I am disappointed to read the contents of this CQC report. I regularly meet with the chief executive and the Secretary of State for Health and I do feel that the University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is making progress. I should state that the trust has experienced considerable pressures since it was granted foundation trust status in 2010 under the previous Labour government, a status that Andy Burnham should not have allowed to be granted.”

Mr Morris added: “Baroness Young, former chair of the CQC, has said that Mr Burnham withheld information prior to the 2010 election allowing trusts to self-assess, instead of being properly investigated. I discovered this last summer, as a result the CQC was restructured which I welcome.”

The trust’s chief executive, Jackie Daniel, said: “We are all incredibly disappointed to receive the overall (inadequate) rating for the trust. The reports reflect the fact that we are part-way through a process of significant improvement which is still going to take a number of years to complete.

“It isn’t an overnight job to change the culture of a large complex organisation, but through the hard work and commitment of our staff, governors and partners, our hospitals are now much safer, with improved standards of care in a number of areas from two years ago when we started to turn them around.”

She added: “Over the last two years we have seen significant improvements in areas such as mortality, staffing levels, A&E, complaints management, maternity, record keeping and appointments, many of which are recognised in these reports. It isn’t all fixed and there is much more to do but I am confident that we have progressed, although at times not at the pace needed.

Beleaguered wellness believe in place into specific measures

How I took Basildon hospital out of specific measures | Clare Panniker

A nurse advised the well being secretary earlier this 12 months that workers at Basildon hospital now felt listened to when they raised worries. Photograph: Steve Meddle / Rex Features

There have been cheers – and tears – of joy final week when I broke the information to colleagues at Basildon hospital that we had been eliminated from specific measures. The announcement follows a “excellent” rating from the NHS regulator, and marks the starting of a new chapter for the hospital.

It was the knowledge of one particular couple, whom I met two months right after I was appointed as chief executive of the NHS basis believe in in September 2012, that really drove us to enhance. They had been the mothers and fathers of a 10-year-old woman who had died simply because of our failings.

Soon after the youthful patient suffered an epileptic fit, medical professionals were unable to give her the anti-seizure medication she necessary since our stock was out of date. To make issues worse, there had been no senior staff on duty to treat her simply because it was five.30pm and consultants have been on call but not on site right after 5pm.

As I am a mother of three, their story struck a personalized chord. I was appalled by the standard of our care and by no means needed any other dad and mom to be so let down by the hospital. This was the catalyst for a modify in culture that was extended overdue. Only by recognising and acknowledging exactly where things had been going incorrect could we begin to put them right.

Following a 2nd serious incident in October 2012, the Care Top quality Commission (CQC) severely criticised the leadership and culture of the children’s services. Meanwhile, in a survey, half the hospital’s employees said they would not advocate it to their buddies and family members.

The organisation required to place compassion, care, openness, transparency and learning at its core. These are worthy aims but, to translate them into action, the hospital’s bosses had to be a lot more visible. We went out on to the wards to hear the views of patients and employees at 1st hand. We invited individuals to share their experiences, excellent and poor, at our board meetings.

We changed our structures to place physicians and nurses at the heart of management and determination-making, guaranteeing security that was our top priority. We overhauled governance processes to make certain we realized from severe incidents.

We employed 200 much more clinical employees and put wonderful emphasis on delivering the greatest care 24 hrs a day, seven days a week, with consultants’ rotas guaranteeing senior cover out of hours. Recruiting much more everlasting employees has enabled the trust to lessen investing on agency workers.

But in the wake of the Francis Report into the devastating failings at Mid Staffs, the spotlight on trusts this kind of as Basildon had become even a lot more extreme. The government asked the NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh, to inspect trusts that have been deemed to be among the worst-executing in the country. Regardless of all our improvements, we were dealt a huge blow when the wellness secretary, Jeremy Hunt, announced last July that we were a single of 11 trusts to be place into particular measures.

It was disappointing, as our turnaround was under way. Morale was improving, employees have been raising issues and we have been listening and altering.

We caught to our path and, during their 2nd go to in November 2013, Keogh’s inspection team endorsed our transformation, saying they would be happy for their friends or family to be handled at Basildon hospital.

Following a CQC inspection in March, we received our “excellent” rating final week. Our maternity care was the initial in the nation to be rated “exceptional”. Professor Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals, advisable to Keep track of, the regulator of basis trusts, that we should be the very first to be taken out of unique measures.

The well being secretary praised our turnaround in parliament. He quoted a nurse whom he had met on his visit earlier this 12 months, who said the difference at Basildon hospital was that workers now felt listened to when they raised concerns.

Our task is far from full – like all NHS trusts, we have to proceed improving services despite a substantial reduction in funding. But for now it truly is wonderful to see patients, politicians and media speaking about Basildon hospital for all the right reasons. And I am determined to keep listening.

• Clare Panniker is chief executive of Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

How I took Basildon hospital out of specific measures | Clare Panniker

Younger Women React to Tyra Banking institutions Fighting "Fat Talk" for Specific K

Special K has been saying ‘shhh!’ to body fat talk in a spot aimed at body-aware young females – and these younger girls now indicate that they are a lot more most likely to contemplate getting Special K the up coming time they get cereal.

In accordance to the Special K ad launched in early December, 93% of females ‘fat talk’, or have negative entire body picture ideas about themselves. The cereal brand teamed up with model Tyra Banking institutions to advertise the campaign, who tweeted to supporters in mid-December: “#FightFatTalk w/me &amp @SpecialKUS by posting UR SHHHH selfie!”

The industrial shows girls strolling into a outfits store, and they begin to notice messages on the clothing labels and close to the store with negative physique image quotes. Then some of the ladies begin to notice that they think the comments about themselves, even if they wouldn’t say it about somebody else.

Tyra Banks is fronting the campaign

Considering that the ad was launched on December 2, YouGov BrandIndex’s Purchase Consideration score amid 18-34 year-outdated women for Particular K – which asks this demographic if they would take into account the brand up coming time they are getting a cereal – has lifted above an index of cereal brand competitors.  The most recent scores, out of a assortment of %-100%, place Specific K at forty% versus an regular of 31% for its cereal brand rivals – a 9% differential. At the beginning of December, these scores have been 31% and 27% respectively. The campaign has continued via 2014, and from January one Particular K saw its most significant perception lift above the sector.

“Fat Talk is contagious – and it’s weighing girls down,” the company explained. “Whether sparked by an unflattering photo or buying for jeans, these unfavorable feedback females make about their very own bodies and others are a destructive and considerable barrier to weight-management achievement.”

Speaking about the campaign, Tyra Banks mentioned she understands very first hand the impact of entire body image on self-esteem. “As a function model, I try to keep a constructive mindset and healthful technique to managing my weight, she stated. “That’s why I’m fired up to partner with Special K to help empower ladies to not only truly feel confident about their bodies, but also to remove these adverse thoughts and demonstrate them how to use suggestions and tricks to make their least liked bodily attributes search much better.”

The spot was accompanied by the launch of fightfattalk.com, which tracks how a lot of unfavorable comments are being said about excess weight towards individuals tweeting good body picture ideas using the #fightfattalk hashtag.

This publish was written by Ted Marzilli. He is senior vice president and managing director of BrandIndex.

Image: Getty

Younger Women React to Tyra Banking institutions Fighting "Fat Talk" for Specific K