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#GPnews: Health secretary tells restaurants to cut portion sizes

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15:37 In somewhat unusual sexual health news, it has been suggested that NASA should send condoms into space to encourage aliens to have safe sex.

The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) said condoms may be ‘handy’ for alients if they ‘visit earth and find some hot earthlings’, reports the Daily Mail.

Noting World Contraception Day, the charity said: ‘We can’t be sure about what aliens’ sex organs look like. A condom might always come in handy if they decide to visit earth and find some hot earthlings.’

14:40 The responsible director at NHS England has admitted that the ongoing problems caused by outsourcing provider Capita’s overhaul of GP support services have put patients at risk.

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12:06 Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has told restaurant chains that they have to ‘reduce the size of puddings’, reports the Times.

According to the paper, Mr Hunt had a private meeting with more than 100 food companies yesterday that unless they take action to reduce calories by reducing portion sizes, fat and sugar, he will ‘name and shame’ them.

Pizza Express, Starbucks, McDonald’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen are all among high street chains that have been told they have to play their part in tackling rising rates of obesity, especially in light of people eating out more frequently.

Public Health England has also told supermarkets that items such as breakfast cereals, jams and yoghurts have to become less sweet or smaller.

11:10 Only four in ten of people who work closely with the Department of Health has ‘a clear understanding of its role and purpose’.

A DH stakeholder survey, carried out by Ipsos MORI, found that 39% agreed they had this understanding, 35% disagreed and 26% neither agreed nor disagreed or didn’t know.

09:40 Women who take the contraceptive pill are more likely to suffer from depression, Danish researchers have found.

The study of one million patients found women on the combined pill were 23% more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant.

Most at risk were teenagers aged between 15 and 19, reports the Metro.

The researchers called for more research on the subject, and advised health professionals to be more aware of possible side effects.