Leicestershire vets free fox cub from drainpipe stuck on head
In a post on Facebook, the surgery said: "We welcomed a very unusual and very lucky patient - a young fox cub with a drainpipe stuck firmly on its head. "It had clearly been struggling for some time before being rescued."
The surgery added: "This is a powerful reminder of how dangerous everyday litter can be for wildlife."Pipes, jars, cans, and plastic rings might seem harmless but they can trap, injure, or even kill curious animals."Staff said the fox was safe after being freed and they hoped it would be released back into the wild.
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BBC News
40 minutes ago
- BBC News
Too late to fix Guernsey hospital project black hole, says deputy
The new president of Guernsey's Health and Social Care Committee (HSC) has conceded there was "no political oversight" of the first phase of the hospital modernisation week the BBC revealed the project to build a new critical care unit was delayed because of problems with the building work. Deputy George Oswald, who was a non-States member of the last HSC committee, said "the States does not handle big budget projects well". "I think the problem is lack of resourcing, we try and do things on the cheap probably because we know we're a small island with a small community and not a lot of money," he said. HSC said "sadly but unavoidably, the CCU would continue to be delayed until essential remedial works have been completed" but it did not give a Rihoys and Son said the work to extend the hospital had been BBC understands work is under way to fix the defects by contractors Rihoys and Son, which was commissioned to work on the full hospital modernisation was negotiating with Rihoys about how this work would be funded. Speaking about the problems, Oswald said: "We don't invest in the technical experts we need right at the beginning to ensure the project goes the right way. "I think that was very apparent in phase two."Last year it was revealed officers knew about a potential £30m overspend for phase 2 of the hospital modernisation project. It led to an inquiry which found no problems with the way the States managed big building projects and a review of the hospital project by a UK firm, which has not been publicly released. 'Technologically difficult' Oswald said: "That has now been resolved but possibly too late to influence the problem with the black hole we had and as far as I'm aware certainly didn't involve it at stage one. "It was all sourced in-house because that was the cheapest option but building hospitals and commissioning hospitals is an expensive and technologically difficult thing to do."The NHS is littered with examples of where hospital builds have gone wrong to the detriment of both the local population and also sometimes to the detriment of the builders who got themselves involved in it."
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
More than 1.4m claiming mental health benefits
A record 531 people a day were granted welfare benefits for mental health problems, analysis of last year's Personal Independence Payment (Pip) figures reveals. In the 2024-25 financial year, Department for Work and Pensions staff approved 193,890 such cases for England and Wales – equivalent to one application being rubber-stamped every three minutes. The full extent of those claiming Pip due to mental health illness could in fact be much higher because the Government data do not include those who successfully appeal an initial rejection of their claim. The latest statistics for the month of April also reveal that a total of 1.4 million people were in receipt of a Pip payment due to mental health issues. That figure represents a 70 per cent increase compared to a similar monthly snapshot taken in January 2020 when 848,882 such payments were approved. That April data includes 407,000 cases approved for 'mixed anxiety and depression', 62,000 for 'anxiety disorders' and 83,000 for ADHD, alongside a variety of other illnesses ranging from autism to personality disorders. Meanwhile, one in 10 of the country's 38 million working-age people is in receipt of some kind of health benefit. In November 2024, 3,943,677 people aged between 16 and 64 were claiming some form of payment for disability or sickness. Reform UK's Richard Tice MP said: 'The level of waste and corruption in this country is at an all-time high, with a total lack of oversight, massive overspending, and no accountability from this Labour government. 'This country needs to be run more like a business and less like a charity with unlimited funding. It's always the hard-working British taxpayer who ends up paying the price. 'Reform will slash government spending by scrapping net zero, ending DEI practices, and securing our borders. By doing so, we will free up funds to focus on what truly matters: improving public services and easing the burden on the working class.' Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: 'This week, the Prime Minister was forced into a humiliating climbdown on welfare by socialist Labour MPs. 'Runaway welfare spending has to be brought under control, but unbelievably we're now left with a Bill that will end up costing the taxpayer more. 'Starmer is in office, but not in power. And without someone able to take difficult decisions, this country is doomed.' The analysis comes just days after Labour backbenchers forced Rachel Reeves to back down on her plans to cut the benefits bill. The Chancellor had hoped to impose more stringent disability criteria for Pip claimants to help fill a black hole in the Government's spending forecasts. But on Thursday, she was forced into a £3 billion U-turn to placate rebel MPs. As part of the deal, the restriction will only affect new claimants, while those already on the benefit will continue to receive it. The move has raised the prospect of tax rises in the autumn budget. There has been speculation that the fiasco surrounding the reversal and its financial repercussions may have contributed to Ms Reeves' tears in the House of Commons on Wednesday. Analysis of Government data shows that since January 2020, the number of Pip cases for mental health problems has soared considerably faster than for other ailments. Overall Pip claims have increased by 55 per cent, whilst those citing mental health have increased by 70 per cent. Last year, the government spent £26.5 billion on the benefit, including around £3.5 billion for anxiety, ADHD and depression alone. By 2029-30, the total cost is expected to approach £35 billion, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. Telegraph analysis found that around 8.5 per cent of the working-age population are on either Pip or its immediate predecessor, the disability living allowance (DLA). This is up from 4.4 per cent in 2002. Once other disability benefits are included, such as attendance allowance or employment and support allowance, this increases to 10.3 per cent of the working-age population being on some form of sickness or disability support. Of particular concern is the rise in disability benefits being awarded to young adults. Around 5.8 per cent of people aged 16 to 30 now claim either Pip or DLA, up from just 1.7 per cent in 2002. More than one in 25 young adults (4.4 per cent) are claiming for mental health. The vast range of Pip payments, including obscure ones, has also caused concern. In April alone, a total of 10 payouts were awarded for 'Munchausen syndrome', 67 for food intolerance, 16 for 'old age' and almost 17,000 for alcohol and drug misuse. In 2024-25, an average of 2,656 new registrations for Pip were made everyday in England and Wales, with about 1,262 of those claims then being approved. Of those, an average of 531 a day were for psychiatric disorders, 341 for bone and joint issues and 121 for neurological disorders.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
The 7 signs your beer belly is masking a serious health issue – from feeling TATT to snoring and the '94cm rule'
THE infamous beer belly - something you might joke about with your mates or have prodded by your partner with a wink. You might even wear your tubby belly with a badge of honour. But while it's easier to laugh it off, your beer belly can be among the very first red flag signs of an underlying health issue. 5 This is especially the case if you also experience symptoms such as snoring, or are in the danger waist-size zone. There is more than meets the eye when it comes to the visible, extra fat around your belly. A beer belly often indicates that there's an excess of visceral fat; this is the deep fat which wraps itself around your organs. Visceral fat may be invisible to the naked eye but it is the most dangerous. It can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers. Dr Jeff Foster, a men's health doctor at says: 'The bottom line is that having a beer belly and being significantly overweight increases your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, multiple cancers, arthritis and various other conditions.' Dr Philip Bazire, a medical weight loss specialist and bariatric surgeon, adds: 'Anyone who is overweight should attempt to lose weight to get back to a normal weight and, more importantly, to a normal waist circumference.' beer belly is often called as such because it is associated with drinking beer, which is high in calories and can therefore lead to weight gain. But also because it is more commonly seen in men, due to how they carry their weight. Women, on the other hand, tend to store their fat around the hips, thighs, bottom and arms. So what are the key signs that your beer belly is in fact a secret clue that you may be at risk of a serious problem? 1. Your waist size is over 94 cm FIRST, check the size of your beer belly. Dr Foster says: 'According to the NHS, the cut-off point for a dangerously large waist size that is likely to be related to other comorbidities is 94 cm or more in men and 80 cm or more in women.' This is regardless of your body mass index (BMI). Measure your waist circumference at the point between your hip bone and the bottom of the ribs. Breathe out normally while measuring and don't hold the tape too tight. Working out your waist-to-height ratio with this NHS calculator can also help you understand if there's too much fat around your tummy. The NHS says you should try to keep your waist size to less than half your height. 2. You feel tired all the time (TATT) 5 SUFFERING from extreme tiredness? It's easy to put this down to a busy lifestyle - whether that be partying and drinking beer, or chasing around kids while working. But excess tiredness could be a sign of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which can be caused by excess body fat. Dr Peter Darling, Digital Clinician at Medichecks says: 'This is where the liver is put under constant stress dealing with excess body fat and can become hardened or scarred. 'Eventually if this is left unchecked it can cause cirrhosis of the liver, which is irreversible damage.' There tends to be no symptoms in the early stages of NAFLD, however the NHS says that in more developed stages you may experience extreme tiredness, weakness and/or a dull or aching pain in the top right of your tummy. How to get rid of a beer belly without giving up booze in 5 simple steps NOTHING quite beats a pint in the sunshine. But do it too often and you can easily end up with a beer belly. he round, protruding and often hard stomach is common among frequent boozers across the UK. It's largely down to the calorific nature of the drink - we're talking well over 200 calories in many of the most popular brands. But that's not all. Throw in a bag or two of crisps, followed by an end-of-the-night tray of chips and greasy fry-up the next morning, and you're asking for some extra fat around your middle. Thankfully, personal trainer Monty Simmons outlines five practical steps to reduce belly fat while still enjoying your favourite drinks. 1. Get your measurements Regularly measure your waist or weigh yourself weekly to monitor trends rather than daily fluctuations. 2. Adopt the 80:20 Rule Focus 80 per cent on a balanced diet and 20 per cent on exercise for optimal fat loss. 3. Incorporate effective workouts Engage in high-intensity training (eg, sprints, burpees) and moderate cardio (eg, running, cycling) combined with strength training. 4. Avoid common mistakes Don't drastically cutting calories, as it can lead to muscle loss and burnout. Don't rely solely on ab exercises; fat loss is whole-body 5. Maintain a whole-food diet Focus on lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs while moderating alcohol and sugary drink intake. You can read the full story here. 3. You struggle to get it 'up' IT'S easy to brush away bedroom problems while sinking down a pint at the pub. But if your libido has gone down the pan and getting an erection is practically impossible these days, then it could be linked to your beer belly. 'Excess fat can cause increased levels of the hormone oestrogen and in men this can be problematic,' says Dr Darling. 'Fat cells contain the enzyme aromatase which converts male sex hormones (such as testosterone) into oestrogen. 'The more fat you have, the more male sex hormones are converted to oestrogen. 'Obesity is also linked to lower levels of a protein sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to oestrogen. 'With less SHBG available, more oestrogen is 'free' and biologically active.' High levels of oestrogen in men can cause increased breast tissue, loss of muscle tone, a decrease in body hair, shrinking testes and/or erectile dysfunction. By losing weight, oestrogen levels often is true for both men and women who are overweight or obese. 4. Your hips and knees hurt CARRYING extra weight puts more pressure on your joints. Though you might not feel it right now, problems can creep up on you. Dr Darling says: 'Over time, as these joints need to carry around and support this excess weight they can become worn or injured causing pain or impacting mobility. 'Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis that most of us will develop in some way as we get older, but excess weight can cause this to develop quicker and with worsened pain.' 5. You're always craving sugar CAN'T stop reaching for the biscuit tin? Your belly fat can interfere with how your body uses insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. This can cause an increase in sugar cravings. Dr Bazire says: 'High sugar intake leads to spikes in insulin levels which then knock the blood sugar back down below normal levels, creating a desire for more sugar.' Even more of a concern, is that this can lead to insulin resistance, which puts you at risk of type 2 diabetes. Dr Bazire says: 'Insulin resistance occurs when the cells are less sensitive to the action of insulin, so blood sugar increases as there's a lack of uptake of sugar into the cells. 'The cells are therefore short of sugar and our appetite responds by increasing our desire for sugar.' It's no surprise to anyone that sugar makes you feel good. 'Persistent sugar intake leads to changes in the reward circuits, which become less sensitive to dopamine and constantly demand more intake to achieve satisfaction,' says Dr Bazire. So getting off the sugar train can be difficult; it's a vicious cycle of getting a dopamine rush, eating sugar, followed by craving more sugar later. Dr Foster adds that type 2 diabetes and high circulating blood sugar can result in serious long-term issues such as blindness, kidney disease, and nerve issues, called peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. As a result, the loss of toes or feet and erectile dysfunction are complications in people with type 2 diabetes. 6. You snore 5 SNORING and belly fat are closely linked. Dr Foster explains: 'Increased body weight, especially around the abdomen and internal organs is also associated with an increased risk of snoring as you literally develop a fat neck. 'This is then associated with more serious conditions like sleep apnoea where you stop breathing at certain periods in the night.' Sleep apnoea is a common condition, of which the main symptom is snoring. But really, it's more than that - it causes gasping, snorting or choking noises as the person stops breathing intermittently through the night. It doesn't pose an immediate danger. The NHS states that if left untreated, it can lead to other problems including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Studies have linked the condition heart attack and stroke, too. Losing weight is one of the first thing advised to help ease sleep apnoea. Poor sleep can actually contribute to weight gain - research in the journal Nutrients found that sleep restriction in healthy men of a normal weight led to 24 per cent higher hunger ratings and a high 33 per cent increase in the consumption of calorie-dense foods. So sleeping better, and losing weight, can help each other. 7. You're feeling weak STRUGGLE to play with the kids as much as you did, or find household tasks exhausting? It may be because your muscle is wasting away. Research in the journal Science, found that people with obesity sit, on average, for two extra hours each day compared to people with a normal weight. Dr Bazrie: 'A beer belly can be associated with a sedentary lifestyle, often with a loss of muscle mass. 'Muscle is the major organ for the uptake of sugar after a meal and it is important for physical well-being.' Muscle loss (sarcopenia) can lead to falls leading to disability and increased mortality. 'Sarcopenia is also directly linked to metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,' says Dr Bazrie. 'As a marker of decreased physical activity, sarcopenia may be associated with cognitive decline. 'Exercise (especially aerobic) has been shown to decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and resistance training is associated with increased muscle mass, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.' The 'biggest weight loss pitfalls' and easy fixes By Jenny Francis-Townson WE'VE heard it all before. You want to lose weight, so you need to exercise more, cut out carbs and ditch the sugar, right? Not necessarily. Weight loss could be so much easier, less hunger-inducing and actually involve more sleep, leading industry experts say. Here, coaches and nutritionists share their ultimate pound-shedding hacks... Eat a savoury breakfast instead of a sweet one to curb cravings later in the day. Don't cut out too many foods - or calories - so you don't feel hungry all the time. Be sure to include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. Prioritise sleep, then exercise. While exercising is a great way to help you drop a few pounds and get healthy, sometimes sacrificing sleep can have the opposite effect. Eat a big enough lunch and dinner that you don't need to snack. But if you do need a snack, only eat things you have made yourself. You can read the full article here.
