UK Doctors believe Brexit will devastate the NHS

The British Medical Association (BMA) backs a call for a Final Say on Brexit amid news of stockpiling of medicines in the case of a No Deal Brexit. A poll published in the BMJ Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health of nearly 1200 UK doctors found 83% believe Brexit could seriously damage the NHS. A recent vote saw BMA members backing a call for a second referendum, whilst over 400,000 people have now signed a petition calling for a referendum on the final deal. Confusion reigns as negotiations appear to be descending into chaos with neither side prepared to blink or give ground. As the stark implications of Brexit start to become clear and given the misinformation surrounding the first Brexit referendum, it may be time for the British public stand up and demand their right to make an informed decision on a final deal before it’s too late.

Searching for a hiding place for nuclear waste

Following failed efforts to find a home for the UK’s nuclear waste the Government has launched a new strategy potentially targeting protected areas including national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty for the construction of nuclear waste containment facilities. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee report refuses to rule out the use of protected areas as dumping sites. The report concludes that given the dangerous nature of the material in question, “it is right for safety matters to prevail over environmental concerns in this case”. Not content with damaging and poisoning the environment from the top down, the UK Government may now be responsible for poisoning the country from the inside out.

US supplement dosages under attack

Once again US citizens’ access to beneficial levels of vitamins and minerals is under threat. At the request of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Academy of Science (NAS) recently convened a workshop to, “Assess methodological approaches that could be applied uniformly across countries in setting nutrient intake recommendations”. The workshop particularly focused on standards for young children and women of reproductive age. Whilst NAS cannot create standards, the US government listens closely to their recommendations. Such restrictions can limit an individual’s ability to restore health or stay healthy. We will be working closely with our sister organisation, ANH-USA, to monitor and counter this threat.

Australia ups the anti in ‘No jab, No pay’ stakes

The Department for Social Services in Australia have upped the anti for parents who choose not to vaccinate their children with further fines being imposed from the 1st July under ‘No Jab, No Pay’ regulations. Family Tax Benefits will be reduced by approximately $28 (21 GBP) a fortnight per child, under the tougher rules. At the same time, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Joan Shenton appears to have been refused permission to enter Australia to promote her documentary ‘Sacrificial Virgins’ highlighting the serious damage being caused by the HPV vaccine to young girls around the world. The screening tour will however, go ahead visiting locations in Queensland, NSW and Victoria from 2 August. You can buy tickets for a screening near you so you can get the information you need to make an informed decision on whether or not to give your child this highly controversial vaccine.

Smart meters – costly for your health and wallet

Not only could smart meters impact our health, they are set to hit UK wallets. According to reports, Scottish Power have admitted the smart meter installation programme is set to lead to half hour price shifts once the energy regulator gives the go ahead. ‘Surge pricing’ will see fuel costs rising at peak times such as mornings, evenings, Easter and Christmas. A former chief staffer at energy regulator Ofgem warned surge pricing was a ‘hidden agenda’ behind the smart meter roll out. He said, 'It is claimed that smart meters are safe and secure. Not having one, because they are not needed, is even more safe and secure.' Smart meters the choice is yours …at a cost!

Pesticide poisoning in Brazil

A new report highlights the problem of pesticide poisoning in Brazil. Many plantation owners already ignore current regulations, which look set to be weakened further with the introduction of new regulations.

Food additives and children’s health

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a Policy Statement warning of the risk to children of chemicals in processed foods and plastic containers. The report warns of the increased danger to children from these chemicals in early life as they are more “susceptible to permanent and lifelong disruption” of developing organs. The report makes recommendations on how to reduce exposure to many of the chemicals highlighted, which can also help parents to protect their children from harm associated with the many chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.