‘Social prescribing is as old as the hills…’ Dr Michael Dixon gives a potted history of integrative medicine
It may now be national policy and championed by both the NHS and the Government… but social prescribing still isn’t on the radar of many practitioners, both in the UK and globally. Here, College of Medicine Chair, Dr Michael Dixon,…
View from the front line: Hospital doctors share their experiences of working on COVID-19 wards
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust doctors – both just qualified and experienced – into extraordinary circumstances. In this article, we speak to two hospital doctors currently working in hospitals in the UK about what it’s been like to treat patients…
Listening in troubled times: Coping with the universal grief of COVID-19
Anne Pitman, director of the School of Embodied Yoga Therapy in Ottawa and a yogatherapist at the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Center explores the sense of grief that we’re all experiencing during the pandemic and how to deal with it… In…
Boosting immunity against coronavirus: ‘Now’s the time to turn to antioxidants and polyphenols’
The College of Medicine Chair, Dr Michael Dixon, has been speaking about how we can boost our immune system by eating well while in isolation in the coming weeks. Advising that food and nutrition can play a crucial role in…
Ruby Wax: “We’re allowed to exercise our bodies but what to do with our minds? As always, there’s no instruction manual”
Mental health campaigner Ruby Wax has been discussing the impact that continued isolation, to prevent the spread of coronavirus, will have on our minds. In a live video for new health streaming service HealthFlix, the entertainer and comedian joined Jamie…
Dr Michael Dixon: ‘We need coronavirus tests now…and why I’m not surprised by the outpouring of kindness from UK volunteers’
College of Medicine chair, Dr Michael Dixon, appeared on The Daily Show on the Daily Mail’s mailplus.co.uk site this week to discuss the coronavirus crisis with broadcaster Andrew Pierce. Dr Dixon called for faster testing of patients suspected of having…
Dr Michael Dixon: “Long-term disease rates are soaring and the NHS can’t cope. We now need an integrated approach…”
In an interview filmed ahead of the European Congress for Integrative Medicine 2020, which takes place in London in September, College of Medicine Chair Dr Michael Dixon discusses the importance of integrative medicine, social prescribing, the challenge of gathering whole…
‘Get the healthy eating basics right and the rest will follow’: The project helping youngsters eat well on a budget
A town-wide project that’s helping to teach young people how to cook healthy food on a budget – with minimum waste – is featured in a new YouTube film. And the stars of it are hoping to reach a million…
“Music often works when words don’t – and we should shout about how crucial it can be to wellbeing”
Dr Simon Procter is Director of Music Services for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins. Here, he explains the social value of music… For many people who face health problems or social exclusion, music can be a crucial means of self-expression,…
Low-cost, easy-to-learn and health enhancing: 5 reasons yoga is fantastic for self care
Public health doctor and yoga teacher Dr. Sakthidharan Paramasivam Karunanithi on why the ancient art of yoga is more relevant than ever in the modern world… Self care has become so important these days. Many modern illnesses can be prevented…
“We must find a more sustainable way to farm food”: HRH The Prince of Wales speaks at the ‘Food on Prescription’ conference
HRH The Prince of Wales has urged the UK’s ‘best brains’ to try and find a more sustainable approach to farming that doesn’t deplete vital soil nutrients. Speaking in a pre-recorded film at the College of Medicine’s third food and…
VIDEO: “Food can help prevent illness and be part of treating disease”
This month brings the College of Medicine’s third annual Food conference, this year entitled ‘Food on Prescription‘, to the Royal Society of Medicine on October 24th. The one-day conference has become a ‘must attend’ for healthcare professionals who want to…
First rule of complementary therapy? Recognise ‘red flags’ that indicate a serious medical problem
The College of Medicine’s Dr Toh Wong, a GP trainer, discusses how complementary therapists must feel confident in reporting potentially serious conditions to doctors when necessary… What do red flags have to do with complementary therapy? One of the biggest…
Doctors and complementary therapists need to work together for better patient outcomes
GP Trainer Dr Toh Wong shares how his London conference has proved an important building block in helping complementary therapists and doctors work in a more cohesive way to improve patient care… The last three years has seen a torrent…
Dr Zoe Harcombe: ‘Why the Eat-Lancet plant-based diet is nutritionally deficient’
The EAT-Lancet Commission released details of the controversial Eat-Lancet diet in January. Here, ahead of the College of Medicine’s Food On Prescription Conference in October 2019, author and researcher Dr Zoe Harcombe, who specialises in examining public health dietary guidelines,…
Patrick Holden: ‘We’re paying for cheap food with our health and our planet’
In this interview originally published by Borough Market, Ellie Costigan asks Patrick Holden why our food system needs to change to prevent irreversible climate change and a biodiversity catastrophe… Patrick Holden is the founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, a charitable…
“We need evidence to prove social prescribing works”, says former children’s tsar
Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green was the first Children’s Commissioner for England and is a former president of the British Medical Association. An influential figure on children’s health and development for more than 40 years, here, Aynsley-Green debates the role social…
Taxing cigarettes has worked: is it now time to do the same with bad food?
Simon Tuckey has spent much of his career in the food industry in the UK and overseas. Here, he debates the idea that obesity has become so costly to the NHS it’s time to use financial mechanisms to reduce food…
How to make GPs stay? Work to reduce lifestyle-related illnesses putting such strain on the NHS
Heather Richards, Director of Nutrition at the Sano School of Culinary Medicine, writes on how GPs need to be better equipped on nutrition if the burden on the healthcare system is to be reduced… Nutrition knowledge for healthcare professionals and involvement…
‘People come to a yoga class feeling anxious – when they leave they’re able to cope better with life’s pressures’
Davy Jones has been teaching yoga for 12 years and practising for 20. He is chair of the Brighton Yoga Foundation and, here, explains how the organisation is helping to reach out to diverse areas of the community: Yoga is…
Healthcare professionals should be lobbying against climate change: the population’s health depends on it
Dr James Szymankiewicz is a GP working in North Devon. He is currently Vice Chair of the GP Collaborative Board representing the 22 North Devon practices. He’s also the current Chair of Devon Local Nature Partnership which focuses on enhancing Devon’s natural environment. Here,…
Case study: How an impromptu acupuncture session helped prevent a hospital referral
Jens Foell is a peripatetic GP who uses acupuncture within his practice when appropriate. Here, he explains how he turned to his needle kit to treat an elderley patient presenting with acute myofascial pain… Bian Que is a prominent figure in…
Student doctors need social prescribing in their toolkit: the nation’s future health depends on it
Bogdan Chiva Giurca, Chair of the National Social Prescribing Student Champion Scheme, offers insight how the current generation of trainee doctors are being taught social prescribing… Developing a national consensus for teaching social prescribing within UK medical schools, the Social…
How to best support a patient? Start actually listening to them!
Damien Ridge, Professor of Health Studies and Head of Psychology at the University of Westminster, writes on how healthcare professionals need to look more closely at patient evidence… “In thinking about the College of Medicine’s mission to empower patients, I…
New study finds regular yoga sessions have positive impact on mental health disorders
Practicing yoga on a regular basis can help alleviate the symptoms of mental health disorders, according to new research. The World Health Organisation says around 264 million people suffer from depression globally. The study’s lead author Jacinta Brinsley, from the…
New UK study suggests that vitamin D could help in the fight against COVID-19
New research from scientists at three UK universities has concluded that vitamin D could be useful in the fight against COVID-19. The study, ‘The role of vitamin D in the prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection and mortality’, is currently…
College of Medicine joins campaign to help aspiring doctors during lock-down
The College of Medicine is proud to be a partner in the Pre-Medicus Campaign, a new online resource that aims to help doctors of the future access vital information during lock-down. Alongside the NHS Social Prescribing Champion Scheme and the Unofficial…
Lock-down hangover? How a cocktail of fruit, leaves and herbs could help…
A concoction of natural remedies could be the key to staving off a hangover, new research has found. Published online in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, the study focused on how antioxidant compounds, vitamins, minerals and specific plant extracts could ease…
College of Medicine offers free online health and well-being sessions during lock-down
The College of Medicine has teamed up with leading healthcare practitioners amongst our members to offer free daily online sessions to support health and well-being during the coronavirus pandemic. A full list of sessions are listed here – with dates…
Free health video streaming service launches to help people stay well during the coronavirus lock-down
A new free online video service streaming health-focused content, including classes and interviews with key figures in the world of social prescribing, has launched. HealthFlix, aiming to be the equivalent of Netflix for people interested in health-related content, has already…
VIDEO: Our guide to improving the immune system against coronavirus
As new cases of coronavirus continue to be diagnosed in Europe, there are steps you can take to help boost your immunity against the virus, says the College of Medicine’s Chair, GP Dr Michael Dixon. When antibiotics are futile, ensuring…
Social Prescribing Day 2020: How we marked it…
It’s hard to believe just how far we’ve come; after decades of work to show how social prescribing can change lives, the College of Medicine is celebrating its second #socialprescribingday knowing that it’s now national policy in England, something we…
Eating dairy products could reduce stroke risk, finds major study
Consuming dairy products such as yoghurt and milk could lower the risk of stroke in later life, a new study suggests. Oxford University scientists led a major 400,000-person study examining foods that impact the risk of a stroke. While eating…
Prebiotic foods – including garlic and bananas – could slow cancer growth, suggests a study on mice
Prebiotic foods such as asparagus, onion, garlic, leeks and bananas could stop cancers from growing quickly, new research on mice suggests. The study, carried out on rodents by researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in California, looked at…
Many people taking statins and blood pressure tablets view them as a ‘free pass’ to be unhealthy
Statins and blood pressure tablets are being treated as a ‘free pass’ by many people who take them, new research warns. People taking such medication are 82 per cent more likely to be an unhealthy weight, according to a study…
Ban junk food ads before 9pm to help stop rise in childhood obesity, say campaigners
Television commercials that promote food laden with sugar, fat and salt should be banned until after 9pm to curb rising obesity rates in young people, say experts at the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). Childhood obesity rates have continued to…
Lonely forced to seek solace at their GP surgery because community life has broken down, says new NHS social prescribing lead
Where isolated souls might once have sought comfort chatting with locals in the village pub, or speaking with their vicar on a Sunday morning, they’re now much more likely to offload worries on their GP instead. Speaking to the Telegraph,…
Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, could ‘halt tumour development’, major study says
New scientific research has found that a common compound found in the spice turmeric could stop cancerous tumours from growing further. A study, carried out by academics at Temple University in Philadelphia, and published in the Nutrients journal, found the…
Brisk daily walk lowers odds of getting seven types of cancer, new research finds
Walking briskly for just 20 minutes a day or enjoying a leisurely cycle ride could help stave off seven types of cancer, according to a new US study. Research carried out by the American Cancer Society found that exercising moderately…
Charity that’s planted one million trees says turning urban areas into ‘edible playgrounds’ can help avert climate crisis
A charity dedicated to planting trees in inner city areas says encouraging children to connect with nature from an early age is key to helping to halt climate change. Trees for Cities, which was founded in 1993, creates allotments for…
HRH The Prince of Wales is announced as College of Medicine Patron
The College of Medicine is delighted to announce that we’ve received Royal Patronage from HRH The Prince of Wales. College of Medicine Chair, Dr Michael Dixon, said: ‘This is a great honour and will support us as an organisation committed to taking…
Propolis, made by bees to protect hives, could help lower blood pressure, a new study suggests
The naturally antiseptic waxy material that bees produce to waterproof their hives could have health benefits for humans, according to new ongoing research. Propolis, which offers a hive protection from predators and bad weather and is made from bee saliva,…
A healthy lifestyle could help cancer survivors to counter increased risk of heart problems, say experts
One in ten survivors of cancer are dying of illnesses associated with heart disease, according to a new US study. Research published in the European Heart Journal studied three million cancer patients over 40 years. The results suggests that more…
Keto diet could help trap flu virus before it spreads, Yale study finds
The keto diet, often hailed as an effective way of helping patients with diabetes type 2 manage their condition, could also be a useful ally in preventing flu, a new study has ‘unexpectedly’ found. In research conducted by trainees and…
Poor sleep leaves us more likely to crave unhealthy food, says US study
Sleep deprivation makes it harder to resist unhealthy foods, according to a new US study. Researchers at Northwestern University, Chicago, found that not getting enough sleep sparks production of the hormones endocannabinoids, which affect food cravings and how smells are…
Technology such as fitness trackers can provide better health insights for doctors, research finds
Taking note of daily fitness levels via trackers including an Apple Watch or a Fitbit could potentially help doctors diagnose serious conditions in patients, according to new research. Researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City said the data provided…
Salt should carry similar health warnings to cigarette packets, say experts
Salt cellars should come with clear health warnings on them to help prevent people from consuming too much, a group of doctors is advising. The medical experts say consumers should be warned via labelling on salt shakers bought in supermarkets…
European Congress for Integrative Medicine to be held in London in 2020
The European Congress on Integrative Medicine will be hosted in London in 2020, it has been announced. It is the first time the long-established event, which offers a forum to facilitate the advancement of healthcare that combines conventional medicine with evidence…
Books that changed our lives: College of Medicine course attendees share their favourite inspirational reads
Unthinkable as it might seem now to congregate in large groups, the last few times the College of Medicine held its Foundation Courses on Integrated Medicine, we asked our attendees for some reading tips. And we gleaned almost a hundred…
Food as medicine: our guide to the best herbs for health
The College of Medicine has teamed up with Pukka Herbs to offer an everything-you-need-to-know guide to herbs that have established benefits for health and well-being. Below, we’ve listed links to Pukka’s hugely informative ‘Wild About Herb‘ resources on some of…
HEATHER RICHARDS: How can we be healthier during lock-down?
Heather Richards, Director Of Nutrition at Sano School of Culinary Medicine, shares her views on staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic… Food and The Immune System This is absolutely a key time when we want our immune systems to be…
DEAN ORNISH: ‘We should remember that simple lifestyle changes can be as effective as advances in medicine…’
Dean Ornish, a clinical professor in medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, has been speaking about the role that easy-to-implement lifestyle changes can play in preventing disease. Speaking…
NHS produces mental health advice and social prescribing guidance for GPS and link workers during COVID-19 crisis
NHS England has produced new information on mental health resources and social prescribing guidelines to help GPs and link workers during the COVID-19 crisis – including webinars, discussion forums and advice on staying resilient. We’ve included some of the most…
How to keep your mental health strong during the coronavirus crisis
For now, the coronavirus pandemic has upturned life as we know it, and it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the rolling news coverage; Covid-19 is dominating conversation on every level. However, the good news is that there are tried-and-tested…
As coronavirus continues to spread, here’s our advice on defending against it
The current coronavirus (officially called the COVID-19 virus) alarm has focused our attention on the best ways to deal with a new viral infection. The obvious priority is preventing spread, by isolation and increased hygiene. However, we can also look…
College of Medicine social prescribing champions: The Challenge Hub
In an occasional series, the College of Medicine looks at projects closely aligned with the social prescribing ethos, that inspire people to take better care of their health. This Month, we’re shining a spotlight on The Challenge Hub, a not-for-profit…
Move over Jamie Oliver! Promising cook, nine, scoops Young Chef award with healthy dish
A cookery competition designed to educate schoolchildren about the long-term effects of eating well on health has seen a nine-year-old Hertfordshire schoolboy beat off competition from more than 500 other budding young chefs. Lucas Brooks, from St Michael’s Woolmer Green…
Anxiety 2020 survey: The British Holistic Medical Association wants to hear from you
The British Holistic Medical Association has asked College of Medicine followers and members to take a short survey outlining how anxiety affects their lives. The Anxiety 2020 survey: Is anxiety the new normal? asks a series of questions about how…
College of Medicine social prescribing champions: parkrun
In an occasional series, the College of Medicine looks at projects closely aligned with the social prescribing ethos, which inspire people to take better care of their health. Our first pick is parkrun, a now-global running initiative that supports people…
Seasonal mental health: How to turn the winter blues into blue-sky days
When a team of psychologists sat down over a decade ago to examine days when Britons might feel more susceptible to negative feelings, they came up with a formula to pin-point the most depressing day of the year. Suggesting how…
Podcast: UK Health Radio presenter Robin Daly interviews Dr Michael Dixon
The Yes to Life Show on UK Health Radio, which focuses on cancer, sees host and charity founder, Robin Daly, interviewing scientists, oncologists, practitioners and survivors who have exceeded treatment expectations by thinking outside of the box. In January, College…
Our 2019 highlights: The NHS Long Term Plan, Social Prescribing Day and Dean Ornish in a field of cows…
As 2020 chimes in, we take a look back at the College of Medicine’s highlights of 2019. Though there are far too many to list here, we’ve picked a small selection of the most inspiring events the College has been…
Video blog: Dr Michael Dixon reflects on an ‘active’ year – and highlights new causes for 2020
The College of Medicine’s Chair Dr Michael Dixon has delivered a seasonal message reflecting on a ‘really active’ year for the organisation, and congratulating members on the great strides made on increasing awareness of social prescription and the role food…
What is Integrative Health? A simple graphic perfectly explains it…
How best to explain the concept of Integrative Health to those who’ve never heard of it? The College of Medicine’s Dr Toh Wong, a GP trainer, uses a simple graphic to convey how many elements of healthcare can work together…
Gallery: Foundation Course on Integrated Medicine at Dumfries House, Scotland
The final week in November saw the College of Medicine hosting its Foundation Course on Integrated Medicine at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Here, we’ve shared a few pictorial highlights of the beautiful – and very festive – surrounds…
The arts can have a significant positive impact on health, WHO report says
Reading a book, dancing a waltz or spending the night at the theatre might be activities associated with leisure time… but according to a new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), such pursuits could also improve mental and physical…
How can we promote better mental health in the older generation?
Depression in the older generation is on the rise, with illness and reduced quality of life factors impacting the over 65s. Here, Merisha Williams chats to Dr Simon Chowdhury, Consultant Medical Oncologist at the London Clinic, about the key issues…
New ITN programme with the College of Medicine separates food fads from the facts
Food has never been more accessible but poor diet is, in part, responsible for the increase in preventable diseases. This short programme produced with the College of Medicine and ITN Productions Industry News discusses key issues in the arena of…
Cycling is great exercise…but is your saddle hurting your health?
Author of Keep Healthy After Cancer, leading oncologist Professor Robert Thomas examines the rarely discussed negative effects of cycling on male health – and how diet can help… Whether you’re commuting, being a weekend-warrior in a gruelling sportif or just having…
Prescription drugs addiction is increasing in England, say health chiefs
The number of people in the UK taking strong painkillers, anti-depressants and sleeping pills long-term is rising, health chiefs have warned. In a new review by Public Health England, research found that 25 per cent of adults regularly use such…
Prue Leith is latest star name to try to improve hospital food, saying meals should give ‘pleasure and comfort’
Television star Prue Leith, a judge on Channel 4 baking show The Great British Bake Off, is set to advise hospital caterers on how to improve food for patients. The high-profile recruitment comes after the government announced in June that it…
The College of Medicine launches online evidence-based Self Care Toolkit ‘to empower patients’
A new online health website has launched to help give patients more control of their health. Our Health Directory, found at ourhealth.directory, has been created by the College of Medicine to offer a reliable, evidence-based user-friendly online guide to a…
Events
Free Weekday Online Zhineng Qigong Sessions at 8am + Fridays from 10am & Saturdays from 10am
Free Daily Online Mindfulness Practice at 09:30am
Free Online Thought Field Therapy Sessions - at 10.30am Every Thursday
Free Weekday Online Exercise for All, Sessions at 11am
Freddy's Free Friday Therapy at Four
Free Weekly Online Lu Jong Sessions at 10am every Saturday
From Surviving to Thriving in the NHS - for qualified health professionals
Mindfulness and Resilience for Student Health Professionals
Free Weekday Online Zhineng Qigong Sessions at 8am + Fridays from 10am & Saturdays from 10am
Free Daily Online Mindfulness Practice at 09:30am
Free Online Thought Field Therapy Sessions - at 10.30am Every Thursday
Free Weekday Online Exercise for All, Sessions at 11am
Freddy's Free Friday Therapy at Four
Free Weekly Online Lu Jong Sessions at 10am every Saturday
From Surviving to Thriving in the NHS - for qualified health professionals
Mindfulness and Resilience for Student Health Professionals
