Jul/090
Ban on IVF donors leads to shortage of eggs
A review in the sale of sperm and eggs for use in fertilisation treatment has arisen in the attempt to increase donations. Currently many childless couples are forced to seek treatment abroad due to a shortage in donations. Lisa Jardine, of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority suggests an increase in the expenses payment of £250 to donors to encourage women to donate their eggs. Furthermore the loss of anonymity of sperm donors was also highlighted as having a possible negative effect.
Concerns have been raised as to the exploitation of poorer women donating eggs to raise money if a higher rate is set. However Jardine argues that the higher rate should exist for women donating their eggs as the procedure is more invasive than sperm donation. Although it is generally agreed that the sale of eggs and sperm raises a number of ethical questions Jardine believes it would create a more transparent system. The authority is also set to discuss the guidelines surrounding donations within a family.
One such case was that of a 72-year-old man who donated his sperm to his daughter-in-law and the rules with regards to brother and sister donations.
Jul/090
Pandemic flu figures direct gov to take action
A 26 year old pregnant British woman is critically ill with swine flu has been transferred to Sweden for specialist treatment after suffering an extreme reaction to the potentially fatal Swine Flu virus.
The woman was admitted to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, Scotland with H1N1 last week, but after complications, the hospital recommended a procedure in which her blood would be circulated out of her body and oxygenated.
The Leicester unit that carries out this procedure was so full that she has been sent to Sweden.
The procedure is known as extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and involves a machine taking over the functions of the individuals heart and lungs.
The UK has a national ECMO unit in Leicester, however with only 5 beds all of which are taken.
A similar bed was found in Stockholm, where the woman has now arrived .
“Doctors are pleased with how she has coped with the journey, which is obviously good news, but the patient is critically ill, which is why she had to be transferred for this highly specialised procedure.
Jun/090
Expat consumers still need to put health as a high priority
The UK is in a recession and the NHS is also feeling the effects caused by the country’s dire situation. Despite NHS improvements, medical insurance is becoming more expensive and is still very much a necessity to many. Though the NHS offers support to the British, expats are denied the support and have to face their health problems alone unless they have health insurance.
Many Insurance companies are over-looking many diseases that need constant support, and are only offering policies to those who have Chronic Disease cover. Many expats are demanding that insurance providers supply cover for chronic and on-going diseases. This is something small UK insurance companies already cover, and have been for many years. And Bupa have now introduced a new plan that will cover chronic diseases like it does for acute diseases. This is because though health insurance is expensive at this time it is still essential to have a policy in place.
Jun/090
Standard Life offer new insurance to improve healthcare for their clients
The new private medical insurance is called ‘Personal Healthcare’ and is designed to make the consumer’s life easy when it comes to health insurance. It will prove to be efficient in the latest recession as it is an insurance tailored to meet the consumer’s exact needs, and this also includes cost.
The basic policy includes cover for in-patients, day patients, hospital charges, consultant’s fees, diagnostic and monitoring tests, in and out patient cover for cancer as well as out patient scans.
There is also an option to upgrade the policy to include cover for maternity, dental, psychiatric treatment and other required treatments.
Once the consumer has built their cover plan accordingly they then have a choice of adding excesses or choosing the hospital where they would like to receive the treatment.
The PMI is designed to benefit all generations as it is personalised and cost-effective. Standard Life are pleased that this insurance will put the consumers first and cost second.
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