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GP’s ‘denying’ vital prescriptions claims charity, transparency site will banish ‘dark days’ under Labour, and poorest have eight fewer teeth

The BBC reports that diabetes patients are being ‘denied vital prescriptions’ for blood glucose testing strips, and points the finger at GPs trying to achieve ‘short-term savings’.

The figure, from the a Diabetes UK survey of 1,300 patients – which the article recognises ‘may not be representative’ – found almost half had been refused or restricted prescriptions for blood-testing strips.

Co-chair of NHS Clinical Commissioners Dr Steve Kell said: ‘There has been significant over-testing and over-prescribing of strips in the past for some patients, and this is not beneficial for the patient or the NHS.’

Jeremy Hunt has vowed that a new ‘transparency’ website, comparing GP practices, surgeon’s survival rates and cancer survival rates will banish the ‘dark days’ of Labour.

The Telegraph reports the health secretary will make the announcement on the unveiling of the MyNHS for NHS Choices – which will also carry the recently published practice’s CQC risk ratings.

He told the Telegraph: ‘There can be no return to the dark days under Labour, where the public was not told whether their care was safe or not.’

And finally, the Independent reports that the poorest sections of society end up with an average of eight fewer teeth, by the time they’re in their 70s.

More than 6,000 people surveyed for the UK dental survey found those with lower income and educational attainment had more tooth decay, gum disease and tooth gaps, as well as having fewer teeth.

Lead author Professor Jimmy Steele, head of Newcastle University dental school, said: ‘It’s probably not a big surprise that poorer people have worse dental health than the richest, but the surprise is just how big the differences can be and how it affects people.’