Drinking in films and on TV makes people drink more – or not…

I’m sorry, but there’s only one way to describe what I’m about to tell you – utter bollocks! Research, carried out in Holland and Canada, purports to show that watching people drinking alcohol in films and in TV adverts (what about TV shows, then?), makes viewers drink more. What’s more they’re claiming there’s a direct [...]

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What qualifies you for free NHS prescriptions?

Here’s a question I’ve not seen before “DLA – does it entitle you to free prescriptions?” Simple answer, no. Very few things do, and the benefits that do are just Income Support, Income Related Jobseekers Allowance and Pension Credit (the latter is a bit disingenuous as you get Pension Credit at 60, and you also [...]

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Want to see your GP? He’s gone to Sainsbury’s…

Plans are, apparently under way for the opening of GP surgeries in 200 Sainsbury’s stores (see here – you’ll see a comment there that looks slightly familiar; it’s not plagiarism, it’s me!). How will that work, I wonder? My main concern is that it might take GPs away from their normal surgeries. Getting an appointment [...]

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Employment & Support Allowance Information

You will find a selection of ESA-related downloadable PDF files on this website . Some are for healthcare professionals, and benefits advisors, and yet others are for patients. My advice – download the whole shooting match (on each

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A camera support for disabled photographers…

If, like me, you find the weight of a camera or camcorder a problem, then there’s now a solution which looks to be rather better than my previous option, a monopod, or toting a tripod. It’s the Neckpod, from Konig The pic is from the 7dayshop.com website, from where I’ve ordered mine – since I’m [...]

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1 in 9 British residents born abroad…

The information that 1 in 9 British residents was born abroad was released by the Office of National Statistics on February 25. Apparently, this led to a spate of anti-government headlines in Britain. Not sure how wide-spread, as I missed them completely (so maybe not that widespread), and I spend a fair bit of time [...]

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Verification of DLA applications is perfectly OK…

Another item from my search engine column:- DLA asking for information from GP. That appears to be either bafflement or a complaint, but it should be neither. When you complete a DLA application, you have the option to give the DWP permission to seek confirmation of what you’ve told them from, well, pretty much anybody. [...]

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Is childhood asthma mis-diagnosed?

Children who spend hours in front of the TV are more likely to get asthma screams the Guardian. Don’t believe it, say I, a lifelong asthmatic. And the mechanism, whatever it may be, that translates slobbing out to inflamed and constricted bronchi isn’t explained. I thought for a minute I was reading The Onion. You [...]

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