Experts say austerity has ‘disturbing’ impact on mental health, Disaster doctor covers A&E shift, and high street sandwiches more calorific than McDonalds
More than 400 mental health experts, counsellors and psychotherapists have called an end to the coalition’s austerity measures, saying in a letter to the Guardian that cuts have had a ‘profoundly disturbing’ impact on mental wellbeing.
They add that welfare cutting proposals outlined in future budgets amounted to a ‘intimidatory disciplinary regime’.
The Guardian singles out a conservative manifesto proposal to halt benefits for those with addiction or obesity issues who refuse standard treatments, which one of the letter’s supporters, Psychotherapist Susie Orbach, said was ‘beyond shocking’.
An under-pressure hospital in the West Midlands has had to call in a medical incident officer – usually deployed during major health disasters – to manage problems in A&E, the BBC reports.
The MIO, called to Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Friday, cared for eight patients many of whom had been left without appropriate care for several hours and serious symptoms, such as heart-related chest pain.
The last time an MIO was deployed was when a fireworks warehouse caught fire in Stafford.
And finally, step away from the sandwich, put down that salad and pick up a burger instead because as a survey of the nutritional content of high street sandwich chain foods found that some contain more calories than a McDonalds burger.
The Evening Standard reports that a study by the consumer magazine Which? Found a Caffe Nero brie and bacon panini contained 624 calories, more than a McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese at 518 calories.
And, along with Pret A Manger’s posh cheddar and pickle, and Gregg’s Mexican chicken baguette also contained more than three teaspoons of sugar. Which? are calling for high street chains to add traffic light nutrition labels to their packaging.
