Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's green energy push could save £1m a year
A hospital has started work on a £16.2m project to replace its boilers with heat pumps and solar panels.The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said the work, plus energy efficiency measures, would reduce the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's carbon footprint by more than 3,000 tonnes a year.The work could also save the hospital trust £1m a year in energy costs.Funding for the project has come through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The hospital trust said the project would include an upgrade of energy management systems, better insulation and the replacement of air handling unit fans with low-energy fan systems.
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The Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Sun
Hyde and Sleep mattress review: magic or money pit?
AS SOMEONE who exercises several times per week while working full time, I desperately need a mattress that will let me rest easy. Being born with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome also means I need something that provides the stability my bones require for truly comfortable sleep. So, I decided to put Dreams' Hyde and Sleep Deluxe Ice Memory Foam Mattress to the test: could it give me the restorative sleep I needed to tackle everything? Hyde & Sleep Deluxe Ice Memory Foam Mattress, from £949 at Dreams BUY HERE Pros Comfortable and supportive No gross "bed-rotting" feeling when I woke up (thanks, cooling technology!) Made it easier to get out of bed in the morning (usually a struggle given my love for sleep) Cons Left a strong chemical smell in my room, which isn't ideal if you're prone to migraines or headaches Relatively heavy, so it would be a challenge to move by yourself Not the most affordable option out there Overall rating: 8/10 Comfort: 9/10 Support: 8/10 Cooling technology: 7/10 Design: 8/10 Value: 6/10 Quickfire Q&A How much does the Hyde and Sleep Mattress cost? At the time of publishing, the Hyde and Sleep Deluxe Ice Mattress starts at £949 for a single and goes up to £1,799 for a super king. My double fetches £1,499, but prices vary by size and Dreams often runs sales. Who is it best for? This mattress is a winner for anyone craving serious comfort and robust support. It's fantastic for both side and back sleepers, thanks to its medium-firm comfort grade. And if you tend to get a bit warm at night, the cooling cover and airflow foam are a godsend. What I loved: Honestly, the sheer comfort and support from night one were a revelation. Waking up feeling refreshed and not stiff felt transformative on my mood and movement throughout the day. The cooling technology truly works, too. What I didn't: The most noticeable drawback was the strong chemical smell that hung around for a few days after unboxing; not ideal if you're sensitive to scents. Hyde and Sleep Mattress review: The Nitty Gritty First impressions When choosing the mattress and bed, I went all-in and opted for Dreams' delivery and assembly service. That meant both the mattress and my new Dreams Wilson Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame would arrive right at my door and be built for me. Call me extra, but convenience is king! The delivery team were absolute pros. They were super nice and even let me snap a few progress pics as they built everything. The bed frame assembly took about 30 to 40 minutes, and once the mattress was unboxed and placed on top, we were done. The delivery team also gave me a heads-up that I needed to hold off on putting sheets and duvets on for a few hours to let the mattress fully expand ahead of what I hoped would be a night of peaceful slumber. Now, about the under-bed storage on the ottoman frame: there's a handle on the side to access it. Full disclosure, I'm not exactly known for my strength, and I did find it a bit of a struggle to lift and put back down. So, if you're like me and not a bodybuilder, this frame might be a bit of a workout. The first time I tried it, two metal poles on the opposite side popped out, but it was an easy fix — they just slotted right back into place. I figure their main job is just to keep the mattress steady when you're accessing the storage, so it's no major drama if they do come loose. My only other complaint is that the 'new mattress smell' lingered for a fair few days, which is a bit of a migraine trigger if you're sensitive. Oh, and you might need to splash out on some deeper fitted sheets too — standard ones just won't cut it and wrestling the sheets in the middle of the night is a real sleep killjoy. BUY HERE Does it deliver? After everything was set up, I went out for dinner to celebrate my new purchase and let everything settle. Then I came home and had what can only be described as the best nap I've ever had. On my first night, I clocked in a solid 10 hours of sleep, and honestly, they were incredible. Not only did I wake up feeling fresh, but I didn't find myself lounging around in bed like usual. It was genuinely easy to get up and get ready for the day. The mattress' five layers include an instant cooling cover, brand new memory foam pods, extra deep airflow foam, innovative support pods and profiled base foam. Each of these layers comes together to create a perfect combination, and honestly, I can't imagine buying a mattress again without these features. Five layers might sound like it would create a bulky, inconvenient feeling, but I felt like a prince — I hardly notice that I'm sleeping on a mattress; it's more like a semi-firm cloud or being suspended in levitation. The extra deep airflow foam really puts in the work, and a top tip of mine would be to get a breathable protector and bed sheet to really feel the benefits of the cooling tech. If you're like me, with any kind of joint niggles or just need a mattress that truly cradles your body, the memory foam pods and zoned support are brilliant. It also handles motion transfer pretty well, so if your partner is a restless sleeper, you're less likely to be disturbed. And as someone with a tendency to hoard things, Dream's Wilson Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame has been a gamechanger. Its 20cm storage depth has managed to store most of my stuff so far and has truly helped keep my room clear. Like my mum always says, "a clean room helps make a clear mind." How much is the Dreams Hyde and Sleep Mattress? The top-of-the-range Deluxe Ice Memory Foam mattress I tested starts at a whopping £949, with a double costing £1,499. However, it comes with all the bells and whistles: five layers of cushioning, an extra-deep "airflow" foam layer, enhanced edge support... you get the picture. The Hyde and Sleep range includes several more affordable models, with the Classic Rolled Foam Mattress starting from just £199. Where to buy the Hyde and Sleep Deluxe Ice Mattress You can currently buy the Hyde and Sleep Deluxe Ice Mattress directly from Dreams' website or in its stores. It's a Dreams exclusive, so you won't find this exact model at other retailers. Hyde and Sleep Mattress alternatives While the Hyde and Sleep Deluxe Ice is a fantastic option, if you're exploring alternatives, you might consider other big players in the mattress game. Brands like Simba and Emma offer popular memory foam and hybrid options with similar cooling and support features, often available directly or through retailers like Amazon. For a more traditional feel or if you're looking for something at a different price point, Dunelm also has a broad range of mattresses. Remember to keep an eye out for sales across all these sites as we all know, a good deal can make a big difference! And hey, while you're at it, maybe sign up for Sun Shopping's newsletter and our WhatsApp broadcast channel as we're constantly reviewing the latest products to help you get the best sleep possible (subtle plug). Dreams Hyde and Sleep Mattress review: The Verdict The short answer? It's a winner, but with a couple of caveats. For someone like me, who needs serious support and a proper reset after a long day – this mattress delivers. It's expensive, big and heavy, but it's got that magical comfort that genuinely makes you feel like you're sleeping on a firm cloud, not just a slab of foam. Waking up refreshed, not groggy, and actually willing to get out of bed? Unheard of but very welcome. The cooling tech means no more waking up in a sweat, which is a massive plus, especially as we head into warmer months. And the Dreams Wilson Ottoman Bed Frame? If you're a hoarder like me (and who isn't?), the storage is an absolute lifesaver. It's helped keep my room looking less like a recycling center and more like... well, an actual room. Hyde & Sleep Deluxe Ice Memory Foam Mattress, from £949 at Dreams - buy here
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
West Hanney man's brain tumour grew 'for more than a decade'
"I woke up eventually to what looked like two green aliens."When Charlie Broadhurst went to bed early with a mild sickness bug and a tingling in his lip in January 2022 he was actually woken by paramedics in their green married father-of-two from West Hanney had experienced a seizure and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in was referred to an epilepsy clinic, but unbeknown to everyone he had a brain tumour, and doctors had already missed it. Previously Charlie had been experiencing headaches, but following an MRI scan in 2011 he was told it was a sinus infection, though he was advised to visit his optician."I kind of left it and when I did have a headache made sure I was wearing my glasses a little bit more," he tells the the seizure in 2022 he was booked in for another MRI."They were quite confident there was nothing to worry about, and then I got the phone call about six weeks later that there was something to worry about," he was diagnosed with a grade II astrocytoma, a brain tumour that had been visible on a CT scan in 2011, and had grown undetected for more than a decade."The hospital were very quick and honest," Charlie explains."It was very small and they admitted straight away that they missed it."But he said the doctors had since "been brilliant the whole way through". Charlie has undergone brain surgery twice, and a good amount of the tumour has been successfully also had six weeks of daily radiotherapy and six months of chemotherapy, which he describes as "really hard going."He now has scans every six months to monitor the tumour. Charlie's wife Siobhan says finding out about it was "terrifying".But she says: "We very much got on with it... I think it has taken its toll on our children because for two years through the treatment life's a bit chaotic."Siobhan has been taking part in fundraising ever since "because we need more awareness, more research, and ultimately more hope".She is about to take part in the 88 Squats a Day in July challenge for Brain Tumour Jones, head of community and digital fundraising at the charity, said: "Stories like Charlie's highlight the urgent need for more research into brain tumours, which remain the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK." "At the moment it's all positive stuff, the tumour's stable, but the type of tumour it is, at some point it won't be great news," Charlie says."But what we're doing is making the most of everything and focussing on those six-month scans, and doing anything the doctors tell me to do, and keeping my two boys happy, and doing everything we can with them." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Microsoft says AI system better than doctors at diagnosing complex health conditions
Microsoft has revealed details of an artificial intelligence system that performs better than human doctors at complex health diagnoses, creating a 'path to medical superintelligence'. The company's AI unit, which is led by the British tech pioneer Mustafa Suleyman, has developed a system that imitates a panel of expert physicians tackling 'diagnostically complex and intellectually demanding' cases. Microsoft said that when paired with OpenAI's advanced o3 AI model, its approach 'solved' more than eight of 10 case studies specially chosen for the diagnostic challenge. When those case studies were tried on practising physicians – who had no access to colleagues, textbooks or chatbots – the accuracy rate was two out of 10. Microsoft said it was also a cheaper option than using human doctors because it was more efficient at ordering tests. Despite highlighting the potential cost savings from its research, Microsoft played down the job implications, saying it believed AI would complement doctors' roles rather than replace them. 'Their clinical roles are much broader than simply making a diagnosis. They need to navigate ambiguity and build trust with patients and their families in a way that AI isn't set up to do,' the company wrote in a blogpost announcing the research, which is being submitted for peer review. However, using the slogan 'path to medical superintelligence' raises the prospect of radical change in the healthcare market. While artificial general intelligence (AGI) refers to systems that match human cognitive abilities at any given task, superintelligence is an equally theoretical term referring to a system that exceeds human intellectual performance across the board. Explaining the rationale behind the research, Microsoft raised doubt over AI's ability to score exceptionally well in the United States Medical Licensing Examination, a key test for obtaining a medical licence in the US. It said the multiple-choice tests favoured memorising answers over deep understanding of a subject, which could help 'overstate' the competence of an AI model. Microsoft said it was developing a system that, like a real-world clinician, takes step-by-step measures – such as asking specific questions and requesting diagnostic tests – to arrive at a final diagnosis. For instance, a patient with symptoms of a cough and fever may require blood tests and a chest X-ray before the doctor arrives at a diagnosis of pneumonia. The new Microsoft approach uses complex case studies from the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Suleyman's team transformed more than 300 of these studies into 'interactive case challenges' that it used to test its approach. Microsoft's approach used existing AI models, including those produced by ChatGPT's developer, OpenAI, Mark Zuckerberg's Meta, Anthropic, Elon Musk's Grok and Google's Gemini. Microsoft then used a bespoke, agent-like AI system called a 'diagnostic orchestrator' to work with a given model on what tests to order and what the diagnosis might be. The orchestrator in effect imitates a panel of physicians, which then comes up with the diagnosis. Microsoft said that when paired with OpenAI's advanced o3 model, it 'solved' more than eight of 10 NEJM case studies – compared with a two out of 10 success rate for human doctors. Microsoft said its approach was able to wield a 'breadth and depth of expertise' that went beyond individual physicians because it could span multiple medical disciplines. It added: 'Scaling this level of reasoning – and beyond – has the potential to reshape healthcare. AI could empower patients to self-manage routine aspects of care and equip clinicians with advanced decision support for complex cases.' Microsoft acknowledged its work is not ready for clinical use. Further testing is needed on its 'orchestrator' to assess its performance on more common symptoms, for instance.
