Thousands of NHS doctor and nursing posts are vacant

More than two-thirds of NHS trusts and health boards are actively trying to recruit from abroad as they struggle to cope with finding qualified staff

Some health trusts are actively recruiting staff from as far as India and the Philippines Photo: ALAMY

Thousands of NHS doctor and nursing posts are lying vacant, trusts and health boards have said.

More than two-thirds of trusts and health boards in the UK are looking to fill positions with staff from abroad, official figures showed.

The vacancy rate for doctors is seven per cent and for nurses 10 per cent, compared to the Office of National Statistics' average for the economy at large from between November 2015 and January 2016 of 2.7 per cent.

"We know that much more needs to be done to make sure we continue to have the right number of staff in training and on our wards"
Department of Health spokesman

The data shows that on December 1 2015, the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had more than 23,443 vacant nursing posts and 6,207 doctor vacancies - and 106 out of 166 trusts in the regions also responded with information on the increase in vacancies over the last three years.

Between 2013 and 2015, nursing vacancies had increased by 50 per cent and open positions for doctors had risen by 60 per cent, the figures obtained by the BBC under a Freedom of Information request showed.

Trusts and health boards were also asked if they were actively recruiting staff from abroad and 69 per cent were, some travelling as far as India and the Philippines.

Vacancy rates in Scotland are published quarterly and therefore not available, the BBC said, but trusts north of the border contributed to information about recruiting abroad.

The Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association blamed poor workforce planning for the problems hospitals are having in finding qualified staff.

Between 2013 and 2015, nursing vacancies had increased by 50% and open positions for doctors had risen by 60%  Photo: ALAMY

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Staffing is a priority - that's why there are already over 29,600 extra clinical staff, including more than 10,600 additional doctors and more than 10,600 additional nurses on our wards since May 2010.

"There are more than 50,000 nurses currently in training.

"However, we know that much more needs to be done to make sure we continue to have the right number of staff in training and on our wards so patients receive high-quality care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"That's why we are changing student nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals funding to create up to 10,000 more training places by the end of this Parliament." 

Source by:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/nhs/12177337/Thousands-of-NHS-doctor-and-nursing-posts-are-vacant.html

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My 6 Fitness Tips and My Fitness Routine

I think this is probably the most requested post. I get asked about my fitness routine all the time. But if you ask me there are only two rules- eat right and work out. Still I have a few tips that might help some of you and help you get going.

Some disclaimers :

    I have been working out for almost 4 years now so what you see in my body now is actually a LOT of hard work and dedication over the years.

    I am no expert. These are the things that work for me so I am sharing with you all. If you have any medical issues you should DEFINITELY consult with your doctor.

1.Be Regular : One of the most important tips. I mean I work out at least 4 days a week and I have been doing it throughout . If you work out one week with full-on motivation and totally ‘kill it’ in the gym, and then don’t workout for next 2 weeks it is not going to help. Go slow, start slow but be consistent. More than losing weight it is about keeping your body fit. I remember not being able to climb a flight of stairs a few years back without getting tired…I have come a long way since then. You would lose weight but you’d start feeling fit and better if you exercise regularly. Workout is so much more than just being thin. It helps your both physically and mentally. I see women age 60+ working out in my gym regularly. They are for sure not working out to get a hot body. If that does not motivate you enough I don’t know what would.

2. Eating Right : I am one of the worst dieters you would ever come across. You put me on a diet and the only thing I’d think about is food. I’d become cranky and on a cheat day I’d binge like the world is going to crash. 😐 So I eat healthy most of the time (mostly dal, sabzi, roti, some salad on the side) and honestly I have started enjoying all the veggies and fruits. I just like them. Plus I am a vegetarian and I eat eggs so quitting on meat or chicken was never my area of concern. I think it is about making healthy choices- picking a whole grain bread over white, eating a pizza with lots of veggies rather than a full on four cheese pizza or eating a bite or two of a chocolate cake rather than devouring it. Also, control your portions. You are not going anywhere. The food is not going anywhere. So you can always eat a portion of your favourite thing in second round after a few hours than gulping it down in one go and making your body suffer for it. If you are in a restaurant, you could always ask them to pack the rest of the meal..you know common sense and being responsible for your own well being.

3. Invest in a good trainer : A good trainer is an investment. You could find a trainer at most gyms. They’d charge you a bit extra for personal training but it is worth it. You could stop that expense once you get in the routine and you become aware of what works the best for your body. I personally have a lot on my mind on a daily basis so I can’t go to the gym and decide what workout I have to do. I also have a lot of stressful days and days when I am very demotivated ..those are the days when I really need a push. But on your demotivated days also you HAVE to dress up, lace up your shoes and go to the gym. If you don’t turn up only no one can help you. This elaborates my point 1 even more. For those who are pressed on time, girls you have Youtube. It is Godsent, trust me. 😛 Just play anything- a 20 minute workout session, bhangra, loud Bollywood music, jazz , climb the stairs, skip, or whatever gets you going. Just shake that bottay!!! It would do you good. And if you have kids do it with them. wouldn’t it be fun? :)) As Nike would would put it ‘Just do it’. √

4. Don’t fall for fads : I don’t know of these waist trainers or detox teas work or not.I have never tried them.I struggle to drink a cup of green tea only. 😐 I am sure they work but the first thing is to work hard and then may be you could do these things to push you further. But this is not where you start and expect miracles to happen. The first step is to get regular with your workouts and eat healthy.

5. Weight Training does not make your body builder : I don’t think anything other than weight training has made my body so toned. I love it. You could get some weights at home only and do the lifts. Especially women have issues with either flabby arms or thighs, weights really help you in getting those muscles toned. You could start with 1-2 kgs weights. If you have nothing those 1 litre bottles are a good start. See, no excuses. 😀 If you are lifting heavy it is always better to do under someone’s guidance so that you don’t injure yourself.

6. Get comfortable with your body : This is one of my recent findings but what a charming one. 😀 I was watching Kung Fu Panda the other day and you know the only way he’d stay motivated was ‘food /dimsums’. It got me into thinking what keeps me motivated. It’s clothes. 😀 I have started wearing a lot of crop tops, shorts, long shirts while at home. Not only they help me in getting comfortable with how my body looks but when I keep seeing my waist in the mirror every now and then it helps me refrain from eating that extra Bourbon. I mean it is very weird but it has helped me so much in accepting my body the way it is. Plus I work hard for my body so why not enjoy the benefits rather than being hard on yourself all the time. So see what could keep your going – it could be anything from being fit for your kids to wearing a bikini on the beach or enjoying that luxurious meal with your loved one. Just find what would be your ‘dimsum’.

My fitness routine includes a mish-mash of everything because I get bored and then I crib so you know… So it is a mix of strength, cardio and weight training. I pretty much do everything (not in one go ofcourse) running, jogging, lifting weights, squats, leg curls, arm curls, plank, crunches, skipping (I LOVE IT)… Basically you just move that bum and it’d do good to you. So anything..just move! :)  And I workout an hour a day for atleast 4 days a week.

You know at the end of it there no is limit to how far you can go but you should atleast reach a point where you are happy with yourself and you are leading a healthy life. Health is wealth. Learnt it the hard way. :)

Hope you find this helpful and I would love to know your tips too. :)) Good Luck! :)

Source by:http://makeupandbeauty.com/my-6-fitness-tips-and-my-fitness-routine/

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Kids and Food: 10 Tips for Parents

It's no surprise that parents might need some help understanding what it means to eat healthy. From the MyPlate food guide to the latest food fad, it can be awfully confusing.

The good news is that you don't need a degree in nutrition to raise healthy kids. Following some basic guidelines can help you encourage your kids to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.

Here are 10 key rules to live by:

1. Parents control the supply lines. You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them. Though kids will pester their parents for less nutritious foods, adults should be in charge when deciding which foods are regularly stocked in the house. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available in the cupboard and fridge at home. If their favorite snack isn't all that nutritious, you can still buy it once in a while so they don't feel deprived.
   
2. From the foods you offer, kids get to choose what they will eat or whether to eat at all. Kids need to have some say in the matter. Schedule regular meal and snack times. From the selections you offer, let them choose what to eat and how much of it they want. This may seem like a little too much freedom. But if you follow step 1, your kids will be choosing only from the foods you buy and serve.
   
3. Quit the "clean-plate club." Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough. Lots of parents grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that approach doesn't help kids listen to their own bodies when they feel full. When kids notice and respond to feelings of fullness, they're less likely to overeat.
   
4.  Start them young. Food preferences are developed early in life, so offer variety. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. You may need to serve a new food a few different times for a child to accept it. Don't force a child to eat, but offer a few bites. With older kids, ask them to try one bite.
   
5. Rewrite the kids' menu. Who says kids only want to eat hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and macaroni and cheese? When eating out, let your kids try new foods and they might surprise you with their willingness to experiment. You can start by letting them try a little of whatever you ordered or ordering an appetizer for them to try.
   
6. Drink calories count. Soda and other sweetened drinks add extra calories and get in the way of good nutrition. Water and milk are the best drinks for kids. Juice is fine when it's 100%, but kids don't need much of it — 4 to 6 ounces a day is enough for preschoolers.
   
7. Put sweets in their place. Occasional sweets are fine, but don't turn dessert into the main reason for eating dinner. When dessert is the prize for eating dinner, kids naturally place more value on the cupcake than the broccoli. Try to stay neutral about foods.
   
8. Food is not love. Find better ways to say "I love you." When foods are used to reward kids and show affection, they may start using food to cope with stress or other emotions. Offer hugs, praise, and attention instead of food treats.
   
9. Kids do as you do. Be a role model and eat healthy yourself. When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example possible. Choose nutritious snacks, eat at the table, and don't skip meals.
   
10. Limit TV and computer time. When you do, you'll avoid mindless snacking and encourage activity. Research has shown that kids who cut down on TV-watching also reduced their percentage of body fat. When TV and computer time are limited, they'll find more active things to do. And limiting "screen time" means you'll have more time to be active together.
    
    Source by:http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/eating-tips.html

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Why can't I lose weight?

If you’re doing all the right things, but the scales won’t budge, these four common weight-loss saboteurs could be to blame

So, you vowed to be healthier and slimmer this year. You’ve been nibbling on carrot sticks between meals, religiously keeping a food journal and slogging it out at the gym daily, only to find that the scales... Just. Won’t. Budge. 

Putting in all that effort and not seeing the reward is beyond frustrating, but before you get ready to ditch those carrot sticks for a king-size Kit Kat, check this out. Some surprising factors, you’ve probably never even considered, could be sabotaging your efforts. So, don’t abandon your goals just yet. We help you dodge these cunning weight-loss traps to put your fat loss in the fast lane. 

 1. Your brain’s missing the message

You might think weight loss is just the result of a good fitness and food combo, but your brain plays a big part in helping you slim down, too. Everyone’s noggin is wired differently, which means that some people have a reduced response to the appetite-satiating hormone leptin. Leptin’s job is to tell your brain when you need to stop eating and start processing calories, but if you produce too much of the leptin hormone, your brain receptors may become resistant to it and the message simply won’t get through. 

‘Usually, when levels of leptin are high, this acts on the hypothalamus to signal that it’s OK to stop eating,’ explains Christine Bailey, director of Advanced Nutrition . ‘The problem arises when you become leptin-resistant. Essentially this means you just don’t stop eating or know when you are full.’

Outsmart it: Watch what you eat 

Eating too much can affect your leptin response, so go easy on portion size and avoid grazing all day. ‘Chronic overeating and high carbohydrate consumption causes leptin receptors to become resistant,’ says Christine. ‘This makes it harder to lose weight as you constantly want to eat.’ Cut out simple carbs such as white bread and pasta, and eat your complex carbs (think brown rice or wholemeal bread) before 4pm. Make sure you’re regularly active, too, as a study by the National Center for Tumor Diseases showed that exercise combined with a healthy diet can lower those leptin levels by up to 40 per cent.

2. You’re an apple

Your natural body shape has a huge impact on where you store fat. While pear shapes are more likely to carry weight around their thighs and bottom, apple shapes hold on to fat around their middles. Tummy fat is often associated with high levels of the blood sugar-balancing hormone insulin and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. So if you’re an apple shape with a stressful job, you’re probably fighting a tougher battle than the rest of us. ‘Apple shapes have a harder time shifting weight than other body shapes,’ says Christine. 

Outsmart it: Quit sugar

As tempting as it may be to reach for the choccie when deadlines loom, caving to sugar cravings can sabotage your good work in the gym. Aim to minimise sugar intake to keep your blood sugar even and whittle your middle – this means cutting back on simple carbs such as white pasta and rice, as well as the obvious biscuits, chocolate and other sweet treats. 

Making an effort to reduce stress could also help, as the stress hormone cortisol tends to cushion your waistline. ‘Take stock of your stress levels - they may be holding you back,’ adds Christine. 

3. Your immunity is low

If you’re dramatically cutting calories, you could actually be stalling your slim-down. Radically reducing calories (prolonged fasting or detoxing) can lower your levels of cytokines – immune cells which play a role in weight loss – according to a study by the University of Illinois College of Medicine. ‘In addition, food intolerances and sensitivities, which lead to an immune response, have been linked to water retention, bloating and weight-loss difficulties,’ adds Christine. 

Outsmart it: Power up your body

If you think certain foods may be triggering a response, cut out the suspected food for a month, then slowly reintroduce it, to see if symptoms subside. Ditch calorie counting for a wholesome, balanced diet packed with antioxidant fruit and veg to power up your immune system. Aim for a variety of food colours and ensure you eat all food groups. 

4. Your digestion is sluggish

We’ve all heard of friendly gut bacteria – the millions of good guys who keep your digestive system working efficiently – but scientists have found a new digestive hero. A bacterial strain called Akkermansia muciniphila is thought to help keep you at a healthy weight while minimising the risk of type 2 diabetes. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found adequate levels of this strain ward off obesity and insulin resistance in mice. 

Outsmart it: Feed your gut

Sure, you can opt for probiotic-rich food to up your friendly bacteria, but the smart move is to pay attention to what’s already there. So nosh on prebiotic food to maintain the super-duper Akkermansia muciniphila strain. You can get a dose from bananas, oats, artichokes and asparagus. 

5 secret assassins 

These foods sound pretty healthy, but just how innocent are they? 

1. Flavoured probiotic yoghurt 

Probiotic yoghurts are a great way of maintaining your body’s inner ecosystem, but add a sweet flavouring and the high sugar content negates any of the beneficial effects. 

2. Sushi

It’s wrapped in seaweed and it’s full of fish, so it sounds pretty healthy, but sushi is packed with salt which, in high quantities, can lead to water retention and bloating. 

3. Olive oil 

Olive oil is the perfect accompaniment to salads, but a no-no for cooking due to its low smoke point. Fry or bake with metabolism-boosting coconut oil instead, as the medium chain triglyceride make-up means the oil remains stable at a high temperature. 

4. Cereal 

Eating a good brekkie is essential for weight loss. After eight hours without food your body needs fuel to support its adrenal glands and regulate insulin. Ditch sugary cereals, which cause blood sugar highs and lows, for complex carbs and protein – such as scrambled eggs on toast. You’ll feel full for hours. 

5. Fruit juice

Think OJ is a great way to get your five-a-day? Think again. Fruit juice is packed with sugar, and too much leads to weight gain. Opt for veg juices instead. 

Source by:http://www.womensfitness.co.uk/healthy-eating/1515/why-cant-i-lose-weight  

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4 Fruits You Should Eat Every Day

No one likes to hear it, but, as the years add up, so do the pounds. And even small increases in weight up your risk for diabetes, cognitive decline, heart disease, and certain cancers. However, the micronutrients in certain types of fruit may help thwart that gain, according to a new study published in The BMJ.

A Harvard-based research team tracked the weight of more than 124,000 people over 24 years. They found that people who ate more flavonoids—antioxidants abundant in fruit—gained the least weight and often dropped a few pounds. Study participants who ate fruit rich in three particular flavonoids—anthocyanins, flavonoid polymers, and flavonols—got the best results. This group ate fewer calories and burned more energy—the perfect equation for slimming down. "This shows that simple changes like just adding a few handfuls of berries to your day could have a big impact on your long-term health," says Monica Bertoia, PhD, a researcher in the department of nutrition at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. (Here are the fruits and veggies yous should buy organic.)

One thing to note: "We found that increased eating of all fruits was associated with less weight gain," says Bertoia. "But that's eating whole fruit. People who increased their fruit juice intake gained more weight. Probably because juices have so much added sugar."

Here are a few compelling reasons to add these flavonoid-filled fruits to your day. (Snack AND lose weight with this box of Prevention-approved treats from Bestowed.)

Apples—flavonoid polymers

 Remarkably, America's second favorite fruit (bananas take the top spot) is also one of the best for helping control weight. It turns out the flavonoid polymers in apples inhibit enzymes that break down simple sugars, which means you instead of storing sugar as fat, you flush more of it out of your system. And, the pectin in apples—a form of fiber—mixes with the flavonoids to depress the levels of fat circulating you your blood. (Here are 9 power foods that boost your immunity.) Not all apples are equal, though, according to research published in Nutrition Journal. Fujis have the highest concentration of flavonoids, followed by Red Delicious. Galas are still pretty high, but levels start to drop with Golden Delicious apples. How much of a difference does it make? Fuji apples have more than double the flavonoids you'll find in an Empire apple, the lowest variety.

 Pears—flavonols, flavan-3-ols

Like apples, pears are a decent source of pectin. But they're also rich in flavonols and flavan-3-ols—flavonoids that seem particularly suited to protecting against weight gain and type-2 diabetes. In another study using much of the same data as Bertoia's, eating more pears or apples was actually linked to slightly greater weight loss compared to eating more berries. One reason may be that a fresh pear provides almost a quarter of your daily fiber needs, which is good for beneficial gut flora. "Healthy gut bacteria helps the body absorb and digest flavonoids," says Bertoia.

Blueberries—anthocyanins

 The berry's dusky blue shade comes from its high concentration of the flavonoid called anthocyanin—a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. "Just a small increase in anthocyanin is correlated to improved weight maintenance," says Bertoia. "So if you eat a full serving—a half cup—you're getting hundreds of milligrams of anthocyanin." Believe it or not, frozen blueberries have the highest concentration of anthocyanin, followed closely by fresh ones. (Freezing the berries shortly after picking preserves more of the flavonoid.) Dried blueberries have about half as many anthocyanins as frozen or fresh berries, according to a study in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. (Here are 11 recipes you can make with fresh blueberries.)

Strawberries—flavanols, anthocyanins

 
The strawberry packs a variety of antioxidants: It offers anthocyanins (though not as much as blueberries) plus flavonols. Research shows that just a few ounces of strawberries reduce the inflammation and blood sugar spikes triggered by a carb-heavy meal. A study in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that chowing down on a few berries before eating sweets made it more difficult for the body to absorb as much sugar—preventing it from adding to your caloric load. And in a recent animal study, researchers were able to reverse type 2 diabetes in rats by feeding them strawberries. 
Source by : http://www.prevention.com/food/best-fruits-to-eat

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8 Healthy Fitness Tips From Someone Who Isn't a "Fitness Guru"

First off, I know what your thinking. Why would I take healthy living tips from someone who is not an expert? Well you’re right I am not an expert, but sometimes I think that the goals that self-proclaimed “fitness gurus” preach are unrealistic and intimidating to the average person. Sometimes I think the best advice can be learned from your peers and people who are facing the same battles as you. I am no Jillian Michaels, I don’t manage a #fitspo instagram account, and I don’t have six-pack abs either. I’m just a normal, busy, college girl who tries to live a semi-decent healthy lifestyle. And these are some things that work for me, that hopefully can work for you too!

1. Find a healthy activity that you actually like.

Newsflash: not everyone likes to run, and that’s ok. It is so much easier getting in a workout if you are doing something that you enjoy. For me, it’s spin class. Once I started going to spin classes, I couldn’t get enough! It was tough at first, but it eventually became a lot of fun. Whether it’s hiking, going to zumba, playing basketball, or any other activity, if you find something you love it won’t seem like a chore to get it done.

2. Find your song.

Everyone has a song that gets them so pumped up they can’t contain themselves. One song is all you need. For me it’s, “Ain’t Got Far to Go” by Jess Glynne. The importance of finding that one song is that it can keep you going for the last little stretch of your workout.  Whenever you feel yourself getting too tired in your workout and you’re just about to quit, put on your song. Let this 3-4 minute song help you get through the last few minutes of your workout and when it’s done so are you!

3. Treat yourself to some workout gear.

If you find a little wiggle room in your budget, go out and buy a new pair of running sneakers, or some workout leggings, or a new sports bra. You’re going to want to test out your new purchases right? Sometimes all you need is a new pair of sneakers to get you up and moving.

4. Get a new water bottle.

Drinking a bunch of water is such an easy and great habit to form. Buying cases of water can get expensive though, so go out to the

store and grab a cool new water bottle and take it with you everywhere you go. Before you know it you’ll be finishing two or three bottles a day, which is great for your body!

5. Base your progress on how you feel, and that’s it!

Getting on a scale can be really scary, and a lot of time really discouraging. Gauging your success on how you personally feel should be all that counts. With that being said, be really skeptical when you look at other’s “before and after” pictures online. A lot of them can be Photoshopped, be taken in strategic lighting, or the person is just standing at a flattering angle.  Another reason on why you should only look to yourself and your own experiences for tracking your progress. Every person is different and every journey is different.

6. Get a workout buddy.

Even though you should only be worrying about your own progress, doesn’t mean you have to be in it alone! Sometimes even if we follow all these tips, it’d hard to get up and find the motivation to hit the gym. A workout buddy is a great way to make sure you’re getting in your exercise. Motivation from a friend can make a huge difference! And for someone else, you are his or her motivator. So it’s a win-win.

7. Go to the gym at night.

If it works out best with my schedule, I try to go to the gym around 8 PM. A lot of time the gym is pretty empty, so you don’t have to

worry about seeing a ton of people you know, or waiting for a

machine to open up. It’s your chance to just focus on what you want to do without a ton of distractions. Not to mention, it’s great to come home really tired and fall asleep easily.

8. Reward yourself.

If you hit a milestone or reach a goal, do something nice for yourself. Go to a movie, buy a new outfit, take a day off. Everyone deserves a pat on the back sometimes. So don’t forget to keep yourself happy so you can keep yourself going.

Source by :http://www.hercampus.com/school/temple/8-healthy-fitness-tips-someone-who-isnt-fitness-guru

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