'A&E nightmare robbed our son of a chance': Parents say NHS needs radical change
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The Independent
41 minutes ago
- The Independent
Fears over rising tick numbers and Lyme disease spread across Northeast
The Northeast should be on high alert for exposure to disease-carrying ticks, according to experts. Fordham University's Tick Index currently shows the risk at a nine out of 10, indicating that people in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey should 'limit exposure and use extreme caution.' 'If you're thinking of taking a hike, consider going to a movie instead,' the index says, noting that both the nymph and adult ticks are active during this time of year in warmer and wetter conditions. This year, the threat of multiple tick species has closed a Connecticut beach for the entire summer. 'We regret to inform everyone that Pleasure Beach will remain closed to the public for the 2025 summer season,' the City of Bridgeport wrote in a post on Facebook. 'This decision comes after extensive consultation with state environmental experts following the discovery of multiple tick species on the island — including the invasive Asian longhorned tick.' The city government said that it would conduct a series of treatment and containment efforts throughout the area, with the goal of reopening the beach next year. The most common ticks in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are deer ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks. All three are capable of transmitting disease to humans, but Rutgers University professor and entomologist Dina Fonseca previously told The Independent that nymphal blacklegged ticks are the ones people really need to worry about, as they can be infected with four different disease agents. That includes Lyme disease, which may lead to facial paralysis and irregular heartbeat if untreated. More than 89,000 cases were reported to federal authorities in 2023, most of which were in the northeastern states. At the size of the poppy seed, the nymphs can be hard to spot. Symptoms may also be elusive, and Lyme is often misdiagnosed as arthritis, a sports-related injury, or another common medical condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with Lyme may experience fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and other symptoms within three to 30 days of a tick bite. They're often recognizable by the classic 'bull's-eye' rash, but don't always appear that way. Late symptoms may appear between days to months later. To avoid exposure, people should wear tight clothing, tuck in shirts and pants legs, and wear clothes treated with 0.5 percent permethrin repellent. 'If you don't apply repellent, they can be ruthless,' Fonseca said. This year, New York City — the home to 8.2 million residents — has experienced a surge in the number of black-legged tick nymphs, Joellen Lampman, of the New York State Integrated Pest Management program, told the Advance/ 'Basically, you should be on guard,'' Lampman cautioned. 'Ticks are so, so, good at just hanging onto their energy and just waiting for something to cross its path,'' she added.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
I tested this high-potency multivitamin designed to close nutritional gaps - here's what I think (plus 20% off!)
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more We all know that a varied, colourful diet is best for getting the vitamins we need, but there are also nutrients that have always been trickier to get enough of through diet alone. On top of this, busy schedules can play a big factor in the quality of our meals, meaning every plate might not be as nutrient-dense as it can be. And that's where a multivitamin like Wellgard My Journey High Strength Multivitamins & Minerals could help. So I put it to the test. Wellgard My Journey High Strength Multivitamins & Minerals If you're wondering if your diet provides all the nutrients your body truly needs, then Wellgard My Journey could be a sound investment for full-body health. Delivering high doses of 21 nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, K, C, B, this high-strength food supplement could be the secret to helping you feel energised, balanced, and supported. For a limited time, MailOnline readers can try Wellgard My Journey with 20 per cent off using the code MYJOURNEY20 at checkout. £15.20 (save £3.29) Shop The Wellgard My Journey High Strength Multivitamins & Minerals claims to be 'more than your usual multivitamin'. High strength, it delivers high doses of 21 nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, K, C, B, to help you feel energised, balanced, and supported. The inclusion of Vitamin D piqued my interest. As we get our main source of Vitamin D from the sun, this is the supplement the government encourages everyone to take, as thanks to the UK climate, we don't always get enough. So, with vital nutrients like Vitamin D3, this could be an easy way to top up the tank. Not to be used as a meal-replacement, the Wellgard My Journey High Strength Multivitamins & Minerals won't make up for a bad diet, but it can act as a semi 'safety net' to support a normal diet, especially for those recovering from illness or a calorie-restricted diet. Helping to bridge nutritional gaps and boost energy, the two-times-a-day tablet could contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue thanks to the powerful dose of Vitamin B₁₂ (20,000% NRV). Free from caffeine and other stimulants, this provides a steady, natural energy to support you feel your best. I consider myself to be a fairly active person; I aim to get a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, I lift weights and love a run before work so this really intrigued me. While I haven't been taking the high-strength food supplement long enough to see a difference, there's a lot to suggest the supplement taken in the right amount at the right time can play a role in good health so I'm excited to keep this up. While on the larger side, these were easy to take and I didn't find these caused any nasty after taste, and they were super gently on my stomach too. Helping to address common deficiencies, there are many approved health claims from Wellgard ranging from hair, skin and nail health to the maintenance of normal muscle function and bones. Highlights include, but are not limited to, the added Magnesium (found in leafy greens), which contributes to electrolyte balance and normal muscle function - great for those regular workouts at the gym, and Vitamin C, which increases iron absorption, which can otherwise be tough on the stomach. With a few weeks of consistent use, Wellgard say you should start to notice a difference in energy levels and general wellbeing. And, thanks to the addition of biotin, zinc glycinate, and other key nutrients Wellgard My Journey also support healthy hair, helping you stay nourished inside and out. Reliable and reasonably priced (£15.20 with our code for a one month supply), this is a fuss-free multivitamin and mineral I can get behind. MailOnline readers can use the code MYJOURNEY20 at checkout for 20 per cent off at
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Derby doctor's errors examined after 101 patient deaths
Errors made by a doctor are being reviewed to establish whether they played a part in the deaths of 101 patients.A former radiology consultant at Royal Derby Hospital has been under review, over cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, since concerns were raised by cardiology colleagues in November 2020. Documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) showed 1,224 cases between 2013 and 2020, involving the doctor, were looked into as part of the review. The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust claimed it took an "open and transparent" approach with the public in regards to the review and that "no significant harm" had been identified so far. The initial review – due to be published in full later this year – found while there is an expected discrepancy rate of 5% for cardiac MRI scans, an audit of 63 cases found the doctor's discrepancy rate was 37%. That meant it was seven times the accepted rate, presenting an error with one out of every three scans.A discrepancy rate across the whole 1,224 cases has not been provided. Evidence of 'misdiagnosis' The ongoing review found that out of the 1,224 cases, two cases were found to show "definite omission or misinterpretation with unequivocal potential for serious morbidity or threat to life". Of the cases reviewed, 102 were found to show "definite omission or interpretation of finding with strong likelihood of moderate morbidity but not threat to life".Meanwhile, in 361 cases, "clinical significance of disagreement is debatable or likelihood of harm is low", and in 378 cases there was "disagreement over style and/or presentation of the report including failure to describe insignificant features".A total of 176 patients out of the 1,224 assessed have now died, with a "misreported" cardio MRI scan found in 101 of those patients. The medical examiner will now assess if any of the 101 deceased patient cases showed evidence that their misreported MRI, or any associated subsequent treatment delay, was "likely" to or "could" have "contributed to", "caused" or "accelerated" their patients were contacted by the trust. A total of 120 patients had their cases recalled by the trust for further assessment with evidence of "misdiagnosis" "which will have impacted treatment decisions and pathways".The hospital trust apologised for the impact on patients and indicated training and processes were at fault, but said changes had been made. 'Choices taken away' The review into the doctor was due to conclude in January, then believed to have then shifted to April and is still affected patient, who was seen by the doctor in 2014, called the matter a "monumental failure to manage from trust leadership" and said the review had been badly handled. She said she was notified about her misreported MRI nine years after the scan."We are not going to get the full picture because of how long it has taken. They haven't considered the future prognosis for patients."Nurses rely on diagnoses and care plans and there is potential care here that has not been given."This has taken away my choices. Because I didn't have that knowledge, I couldn't make decisions based on correct information and the people treating me couldn't make correct decisions either because of the misreporting of a scan."It is really, really upsetting."Karen Reynolds, a clinical negligence lawyer at Freeths in Derby, who is representing the patient, added she was "shocked" the review had not come to light sooner. "The trust must now be entirely transparent about this review," she said. "It is their responsibility to uphold the duty of candour and do what they can to reassure patients." The trust said the doctor had left the organisation, adding "no concerns have been found about the individual's other areas of practice".The General Medial Council (GMC) - which regulated doctors - confirmed the doctor was still registered with a licence to practise with no fitness to practise case has been brought before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service by the GMC, the MPTS trust said those involved in reviewing the case at the time - which included colleagues external to the organisation - decided it did not meet GMC referral Gis Robinson, the trust's executive chief medical officer, said: "We have re-seen and personally apologised to the 120 patients who have needed to be followed up as part of this review, and while so far the investigation has found no significant harm has been caused, we absolutely apologise again to those affected for the emotional impact this has had and for the extended time this has taken."Though scans are just one of many elements we use to diagnose a patient and variations in how clinicians read them are expected, our investigation has shown our processes were not as strong as they could have been and we have made changes – with scans now being reviewed as part of a multidisciplinary team, and a percentage of scans externally audited as an additional safety measure."Our priority has understandably been communicating with and supporting those who have been directly affected as we have moved through this process, and we will publish a public report as we normally would once the investigation in complete."
