HEALTH notes

ONE in three people would rather look for health advice online first than go to a GP about a health worry, research to mark Diabetes Week shows.

A poll of more than 2,000 adults by YouGov also found just 23% of respondents said they would feel comfortable speaking to a boss about it.

Dan Howarth, head of care at Diabetes UK, said: “Talking about diabetes can be hard but it can mean getting the right treatment and ensuring your rights are protected at work.”

ROBOT carers could save the NHS £12 billion a year, a report claims. A top doctor said they could help empty bed pans and fetch meals. Robot pets could also help tackle loneliness in the elderly.

The controversial findings are in a report by the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Author Lord Darzi, a leading surgeon and former health minister, claimed the move would also give GPs and nurses 30% more time for training and care.

He said: “Automation presents a significant opportunity to improve both the efficiency and the quality of care in the NHS.”

The report also backed robotic surgery and electronic diagnosis and prescriptions.

FLAVOURING vegetables to help make them sweeter also make them more susceptible to pests, an expert has revealed.

John Pickett, professor of biological chemistry at Cardiff University, says they might have to taste more bitter in future to help save crops.

Vegetables such as cauliflowers are increasingly being developed with reduced bitterness to cater for modern palates.

But Prof Pickett explains removing the chemicals in vegetables that produce bitterness “mean bugs have an even better time”.

And he warned more pesticide sprays would need to be used to keep them under control.