Smokers are to be given free nicotine patches on the NHS. They will be handed out by surgeries and pharmacies as part of a £250 million Government drive to help people kick the habit. The patches give smokers a gradual release of nicotine through the skin enabling them to get their ‘fix’ without the cancer-causing substances such as tar and carbon monoxide found in cigarettes. As people become less addicted, they gradually use less ... Jump to full article >>

A cost-effective new approach to ill health prevention is set to release the untapped potential of the whole NHS workforce – not just doctors and nurses – to improve people’s health. We’re missing a trick in the fight against the tsunami of preventable illness that is threatening to overwhelm our health and social care services. The scale of the problem is highlighted in the Marmot Review[ http://www.ucl.ac.uk/gheg/marmot ... Jump to full article >>