A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Smoking increases risk of Alzheimer's
MIDDLE-AGED PEOPLE who smoke two packets of cigarettes or more a day increase their chances of being affected by Alzheimer’s disease by 157 per cent, research in the US has found.
Based on the health records of 21,000 people over 23 years, the study found the brain is not immune to the long-term consequences of heavy smoking.
"We've known smoking can affect dementia risk, but this shows how high the threat could be," said Dr Simon Ridley of the Alzheimer's Research Trust. – (PA)
Minister calls for care as farm death toll doubles
FARMING AND rural groups have joined the Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith in a call for greater care as the death toll on Irish farms has more than doubled so far this year compared with all of last year.
Marking European Safety Week 2010, Mr Smith said there had been 23 deaths so far this year, compared to 11 fatalities in the whole of 2009.
“This equates to 60 per cent of the total workplace fatalities for all sectors in the corresponding period,” he said.
“Farmers are exposed to safety and health risks on a daily basis; from working with livestock, driving tractors, operating machinery, chainsaws and other power tools to tripping and falling from heights,” he said.
He urged farmers to assess all the risks involved with their day-to-day workload and to plan health and safety into their routine. He said working with livestock was one of the main activities associated with accidents.
The Minister reiterated his support for the farm safety and health initiatives being undertaken by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee. He reminded farmers there was a legal requirement to complete the Farm Safety Code Risk Assessment document which had been sent to all farms in November 2006, and which could be completed online if farmers logged on to www.farmsafety.com.
Farm organisations and Irish Rural Link had appealed last week to farmers to take care and look to the safety requirements on farms.
Sean MacConnell
Pharmacists in North can no longer treat colds
CUTTING COMMUNITY medical services in the North could have a devastating impact on patients, chemists warned yesterday.
Coughs, colds, sore throats, nasal symptoms and hay fever will no longer be treatable by pharmacists in the North from next month.
The Pharmaceutical Contractors’ Committee (PCC) of Northern Ireland said health costs could rocket as people inundated more expensive GP clinics for advice.
Gerard Greene, chief executive of PCC, said: “I am extremely disappointed and dismayed at plans to dramatically reduce the scope of this frontline service that has been proven to deliver successfully for patients.
“Under the plans, which will come into effect almost immediately, conditions that accounted for some 80 per cent of all minor ailments consultations carried out to date will no longer be allowed.
“This will be a devastating blow to patients, healthcare professionals and the service.”
GP consultation costs between four and five times more than a pharmacy visit, the PCC said.
The minor ailments service was introduced in the North from January 2009. Conditions which will still be covered following the change include head lice, athlete’s foot, threadworm, vaginal thrush, diarrhoea and dhobie itch.
According to the PCC over 400,000 consultations were recorded during the first 13 months of the service and 97 per cent of users found it more convenient than using a GP.
Michael McHugh – (PA)