NEWS IN BRIEF
United Kingdom
Peers linked to private health A health bill that opens the British National Health Service to sweeping privatisation has been a contentious part of that nation’s politics this year. It was recently revealed that 142 peers – members of the British House of Lords who will vote on the legislation – have links to companies involved in private healthcare. They come from all political parties and their interests include ownership of shares in private healthcare companies or being chairmen, consultants or senior advisers to investment groups that fund the companies looking to pick up NHS contracts.
More than a quarter of Conservative Party peers had interests in private health care.
The 142 make up 17% of the total number of peers. More than a quarter of Conservative Party – the leading partner in the coalition that holds government in Britain – peers had interests in private health care.
Australia
EN annual conference The 2012 Enrolled Nurse Professional Association (ENPA) annual conference will be held at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney on Thursday and Friday, September 20 and 21. It will be the 19th Annual Conference held by ENPA and all Enrolled Nurses, Assistants in Nursing and others with an interest in Enrolled Nursing (e.g. educators) are invited to attend. Some of the topics to be discussed will include Care of the Mastectomy patient, Mental Heath Issues, Advanced Practice in Emergency Departments, Paediatrics, Nursing in Bangladesh and the role of the EN in Neuro Surgery. A diverse range of speakers attends each conference and the Enrolled Nurse Professional Association tries to keep registration fees at a minimum. The cost is $250 for two days and further information can be found at www.enpansw.org.au or by contacting Rebecca on 1300 554 249. The Ron Flockton Award for Excellence in Nursing (by an Enrolled Nurse) is announced at the Annual Conference. (see June Lamp edition for nomination information).
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United States
Dogs prevent asthma A new study confirms that exposure to animals in early childhood stimulates the immune system to resist the development of asthma and other allergies. The research shows bacteria found in the dust of homes with dogs may have protective effects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can lead to asthma. RSV affects 90% of children worldwide. “These findings are the first step towards creating a therapy to protect infants against RSV and therefore lessening the occurrence of asthma in the long term,” Dr Kei Fujimura, molecular biologist at the University of California, told ABC Radio.
“These findings are the first step towards creating a therapy to protect infants against RSV.” In the research, scientists collected dust from homes with dogs, mixed it in a solution and fed it to mice. After eight days these animals were given RSV. The mice did not develop the inflammation and mucous production symptomatic of RSV. A different group of bacteria was also found in the gastrointestinal tract of these mice, compared to control groups. This set of gut micro biota helped protect the mice from developing RSV.