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Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man, 102, becomes oldest in Britain to be given Viagra on the NHS
The spirited centenarian popped up in figures showing a record 250,000 prescriptions for the drug given to over-80s. But they may just be the tip of the iceberg, as other ageing lotharios could have bought the performance-boosting pill privately A man of 102 is the oldest in Britain to be given Viagra on the NHS. The spirited centenarian popped up in figures showing a record 250,000 prescriptions for the drug given to over-80s. But they may just be the tip of the iceberg, as other ageing lotharios could have bought the performance-boosting pill privately. Our analysis of data from 106 clinical commissioning groups across England showed the NHS issued 4.71 million prescriptions last year to give men a helping hand in the bedroom – at a cost of £16.9million. Those in their 60s were given the highest number of the acclaimed 'blue pill," which tackles erectile dysfunction. The analysis comes as dating sites and hook-up apps increasingly cater to older people looking for sex. The most famous elderly Viagra-popper was Hugh Hefner, who founded the Playboy empire and was famed for the wild parties with his Playboy Playmates at his luxury mansions. He died in 2017 aged 91. His hearing loss was blamed on the pills – while other side effects can include colour blindness and dizziness. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, was first developed in the 1990s to treat high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. But it was also found to stop the body from breaking down a molecule responsible for boosting blood flow in other parts of the body – leading to arousal lasting up to two hours. Sildenafil is also used in Hezkue, a world-first oral spray for erectile problems that has just been launched in the UK and costs £60. The NHS website advises that most men aged 18 and over can safely take sildenafil – but warns that a recent heart attack or stroke could increase the danger of side effects. Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, previously said of older Viagra users: 'Contemporary culture sends out the signal that sex is for life. A lot of elderly man feel they must have a full-on sex life by any means necessary. They are fast becoming 'generation Viagra'.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
First doctors graduate after completing new part-time course
A group of medical students have become the first cohort of doctors to qualify by studying new graduates formally secured their qualification at the University of Edinburgh after completing the HCP-Med for Healthcare Professionals up in 2018, the five-year scheme encourages professionals in other areas of healthcare to consider studying to become has a strong emphasis on GP placements in the hope of boosting the numbers of general practitioners entering Scotland's NHS. The university said it was "proud" to be the first to produce graduates, numbering 20 in total, from the course. Designed to address the increasing demand on the healthcare workforce, the programme was launched with the aim of offering increased health workers such as nursing staff, clinical scientists and veterinary surgeons could continue to work while undergraduate programme - run by the University of Edinburgh's Medical School - is the first of its kind in the first three years is conducted part-time and predominantly the part-time study, students also receive full funding from the Scottish Funding Council making it an attractive route to retrain those already working in completing their remote studies, students then join the university's full-time undergraduate medical programme for the final two years, undertaking a range of clinical placements in hospital wards and GP issue it addresses is underrepresentation from students from rural areas and less advantaged backgrounds. The university said aiming the programme at experienced professionals opened up a key avenue to people who had not previously considered a career as a doctor. From ICU nurse to doctor Calum MacDonald is a graduate from the first cohort of the HCP-Med programme, having started his career as a staff nurse in an intensive care unit in experience in ICU and subsequent training to become an advanced critical care practitioner – a role he has held since 2016 – led him to consider a career as a programme allowed Dr MacDonald to stay in Glasgow and juggle work and part-time study, while also managing family life after he became a father in his second a newly qualified doctor, he has secured a foundation post in Glasgow and will rotate across seven the two-year foundation programme, Dr MacDonald is considering specialising in anaesthetics or general after the ceremony at the McEwan Hall, he said: "It's been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. "Being able to continue working as a nurse while studying medicine was a huge financial incentive. "I am delighted to be graduating today and am excited to start my placement as a junior doctor in Glasgow." Edinburgh medical course offers 'new pathway' Dr Jen Kennedy, the HCP-MED programme director, said: "We have lots of incredibly talented people working within the NHS in Scotland who may have missed the traditional route to become doctors. "By creating this new pathway and widening access to medical degrees, we are able to nurture their talent and use their valuable experience to enhance the healthcare workforce".Prof David Kluth, head of Edinburgh Medical School, said he as proud that Edinburgh was the first university in the UK to offer the programme. He added: "The students on this programme bring with them a rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences and skills - from prior careers to lived experience of the communities they will serve. "This breadth of talent and perspective is vital in building a more inclusive, adaptable, and effective medical workforce for Scotland."
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Starmer thanks nurse who helped his brother to mark NHS anniversary
Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to an NHS advanced nurse practitioner who cared for his brother, Nick, in the final weeks before his death. Nick died from cancer on Boxing Day 2024, aged 60. In a video marking the NHS's 77th anniversary, the Prime Minister said Ben Huntley ensured his brother "felt cared for and respected". In the clip, Sir Keir is shown speaking to Mr Huntley in Downing Street, while other members of the public also meet with NHS staff who helped them. The Prime Minister said: 'My mum worked in the NHS and then she was very, very ill, for most of her life. And the NHS became our absolute lifeline. 'My sister worked for the NHS, my wife works for the NHS, and it was the NHS that looked after my brother who we lost last Boxing Day to cancer. 'Ben, you looked after him. I think from the moment he was in all the way through, and you made sure that he felt cared for and respected.' The PM later added: 'That meant a huge amount to me and my family and, on all of our behalves, I say through you a very special thank you to the NHS.' Earlier this week, Sir Keir told the BBC's Political Thinking that he 'made it my business to be there in the hospital' when his brother was told about his diagnosis 'so that I could begin to help look after him'. 'It's really hard to lose your brother to cancer, he was a very vulnerable man,' the Prime Minister said. He shared details of 'going up in the porter's lift into the back of the intensive care unit' and wanting to protect his brother's privacy. He told the same interview that US President Donald Trump asked about his brother in a call a 'few days' after he died.
