NI midwife who claimed pandemic was a ‘Trojan horse' and told pregnant shop worker not to wear mask is struck off
Southern Health Trust employee Seana Kerr was previously suspended for 12 months last June by a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness to practise panel after it found a series of misconduct charges against her proven.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Doctors dismissed my symptoms as IBS 3 times before giving me 6 months to live – surgery left me ‘gutted like a fish'
Find out all the symptoms of Austin's disease to be aware of below TRUST YOUR GUT Doctors dismissed my symptoms as IBS 3 times before giving me 6 months to live – surgery left me 'gutted like a fish' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FIT and healthy dad was dismissed by medics three times and told he had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). He was later diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given six months to live. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Austin Birks had always been committed to keeping himself in good shape as the owner of a karate club Credit: Cover Images 6 He noticed his bowel habits began to change in 2018 Credit: Cover Images 6 Doctors initially said he had IBS, but scans later revealed it was stage 4 bowel cancer Credit: Cover Images Austin Birks, 65, was immediately concerned when his bowel habits began to change in 2018. As the CEO of a large human resources company, but also a karate teacher, owning his own karate club, Enso Karate Club in Birmingham, Austin is committed to keeping himself in good shape. The regularity and appearance of his stool was different, and he also noticed blood when he went to the toilet. Austin, from Clent in Worcestershire, went to his GP who told him he probably had IBS and recommended some products from the pharmacy. But nothing made any difference so Austin went back only to be dismissed again. When he returned for the third time, a stool sample was taken - only for it to be lost at the hospital. 'By that time, I felt like I was in deep trouble because I'd been losing weight and been feeling a lot of fatigue and those kind of symptoms,' Austin says. 'My girlfriend at the time, Yvonne, encouraged me to get a CT scan done quickly.' The private scan revealed a very large tumour in his bowel. Doctors asked him to come in immediately, and he underwent major surgery because the cancer had also burst through the bowel wall. Diagnosed with bowel cancer at 22 'The wonderful surgeon managed to get rid of the tumour and did her very best, and then I embarked on a series of chemotherapy treatments,' Austin said. 'Within three or four months, much to my amazement and delight, my oncologist, the brilliant Dr Peter Correa, said to me 'it looks like against all odds, the cancer's gone'. 'As you can imagine, that was fantastic news.' Back with a vengeance But only three months later, Austin went back for another scan only to find that actually, the cancer was back with a vengeance - and it had spread. Another surgery was scheduled, but as it was during the Covid pandemic, the night before the operation Austin was called to say there were no beds for him. He was then advised in order to undergo surgery quickly, he'd have to pay for it privately, and that it would cost £51,000. Fortunately, his family helped him raise the money in 24 hours. "I went and had the surgery with two surgeons," said Austin. 'It took five and a half hours, and when I came around, I remember the one surgeon saying to me, 'how do you feel?' 'I said, 'a bit sore', because I'd had about sixty odd stitches. 'The surgeon said 'yes, well, you've been gutted like a fish! The surgery went well - I'll shake you by the hand.' 'I said we shouldn't because of Covid and he joked: 'I've had my hands in your stomach for the last five hours so it won't make too much of a difference!'' Remaining positive Austin came home, recovered and started another round of chemotherapy. Amazingly, within a few months, a scan showed the cancer had gone. But devastatingly, three months later, another scan showed that cancer had come back in two places. He's now undergone 120 rounds of intensive chemotherapy, as well as radiotherapy - and even had to battle sepsis and blood poisoning at the same time. But despite his ordeal, Austin is determined to remain positive and has even engaged in stand-up comedy three times to raise money for Cancer Research UK to try to see the light in his situation. Despite his initial misdiagnosis, he can't speak highly enough of the care he's had from the NHS since finding out he had cancer. He is also hugely grateful to his family and friends. 'I've been very fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people, and when I have dark moments I go back to all those people, their messages, all that care and that love, and it just sustains you,' he said. 'Plus, the National Health Service has been absolutely magnificent, and I can't fault the South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust and the amazing cancer teams at Warwick and Stratford Hospitals.' 6 Austin was initially given six months to live and has undergone 120 rounds of intensive chemotherapy, as well as radiotherapy - he even had to battle sepsis Credit: Cover Images 6 He's now outlived his prognosis and is passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms Credit: Cover Images 6 He;s now taking part in a 37-mile cycling challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK Credit: Cover Images He's outlived his initial prognosis and is passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms. 'My oncologist said to me that I had a 25 percent chance of lasting two years, but I just didn't believe it was me,' Austin said. 'I had this strong sense of needing to get through this. 'It will be seven years in September with cancer, and I think one of the key things I've learned is your mental and physical strength are absolutely vital to survive.' Austin also blogs about his experience, returned to teaching karate just six weeks after his first operation, and remains committed to staying active. He's taking part in the static bike Tour de 4 as hip issues now prevent him from road cycling, while his brother, Chris Birks, 67, a retired RAF group captain and former station commander of RAF Kinloss, takes on a 37-mile challenge in solidarity, all in aid of Cancer Research UK. 'Since I got cancer, I decided I wanted to try and use it as productively as I could,' Austin explained. 'I try to make my blogs engaging, entertaining and humorous, but at the same time, I don't sugarcoat cancer either: I write about the good, the bad, and the ugly." 'Seek help as early as possible' Austin's message to others is to seek help as early as possible if you notice any unusual symptoms. 'If you're in any doubt at all, if you think you might have changing bowel habits, then don't keep quiet, don't be shy and don't be embarrassed, which a lot of people are,' he said. 'As soon as you come out with it and tell the doctor, the quicker the care you can get and the more chance of recovery you have. 'You know your body, and if things change, and you recognise the symptoms, seek help, be persistent, and if you're unhappy, get a second opinion because the sooner you get identified, then the sooner you get treated. "Every single doctor and nurse has just been great - I've been gobsmacked at the care, the attention and the devotion that I've received from people across the NHS. 'If you have any worries, see the doctor and let the machinery take over because they're really good and they know what they're doing. 'You may have one or two negative experiences on the journey, but the quicker you're in that process, the better.' Austin feels that despite his struggles, he's also learned valuable lessons. 'You change your values quite significantly when you're facing this,' he added. 'What suddenly yesterday was important no longer matters at all. 'What really matters is those you care for and those who care for you. As a proud dad to a daughter, I need to keep fighting for her as well as her mum, my family and my friends. 'I most certainly will keep true to my mantra of never give up, never give in!' Donate to Austin and Chris's fundraiser via You can find his blog at
Leader Live
8 hours ago
- Leader Live
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood introduces Sign Language Bill
As I said 'too often, Deaf people are unable to access vital public services because they cannot communicate in their first language. This denies them their rights, and places them at a significant disadvantage - whether in healthcare, education, employment, transport, or otherwise. The Bill aims to address this by introducing a legal requirement to promote and facilitate the use of BSL in Wales'. If passed, this will be the most progressive BSL law in the UK. BBC Radio Wales also interviewed me about my Bill. Questioning the First Minister, I spoke of the substantial sum of Shared Prosperity Funding allocated to communities throughout North Wales by the previous UK Government, and said it is vital that changes to the way this funding is allocated by the current Labour UK Government do not result in North Wales losing out. Questioning the Health Secretary about the temporary closure of St David's Hospice's in-patient beds in Holyhead, I highlighted the financial difficulties Hospices throughout Wales are facing, and their need for support to deliver more for individuals, families and the NHS. Speaking in the Debate on 'the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee Report' as Chair of the Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, I said that the Committee have agreed to lead the scrutiny of gaps identified by the soon to be disbanded Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee in relation to the UK Inquiry Module 1 'to ensure that some scrutiny of these important matters is done within this Senedd, rather than none'. Meetings included Cross-Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement, at which I was re-elected as its Chair; Cross-Party Groups on Diabetes and on Dementia; Autism support Charity 'Your Space Marches' AGM; Bipolar UK; counsellor training provider Chrysalis, to discuss how qualified counsellors can support local mental health objectives; and 'STAND North Wales' (Stronger Together for Additional Needs and Disabilities), regarding their Petition to the Welsh Parliament Petitions Committee, 'Make Blue badge Applications Lifelong for individuals who have a lifelong diagnosis'. Engagements included UK Covid Inquiry Special Briefing by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru; Jonathan's House (a sanctuary for men after experiencing abuse); and the Senedd's Y Farchnad, where I visited Welsh NHS Confederation, Competition and Markets Authority, Two Rhythms, Royal Mail, Welsh Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs, Wales & West Utilities, Severe ME Difrifol Cymru, and BookTrust Cymru. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How Covid led to an 'acceleration' in brain ageing (even if you didn't have the virus)
The Covid pandemic 'significantly' accelerated brain ageing – even among those who were never infected, a study suggests. Scientists say the strain on people's lives, from isolation for weeks on end to the uncertainty surrounding the crisis, was 'detrimental' to the nation's health. The findings emerged from a brain ageing model created using data from 15,334 healthy people. This model was then used to analyse brain scans from another 996 healthy people. Half had scans taken before the pandemic and half had scans before and after the pandemic. The latter group's brains were found to have aged an average of 5.5 months faster. Some had even aged an extra 20 months faster. This accelerated ageing during the pandemic was seen regardless of whether the participants had been infected. However, Covid infection was linked to an increased rate of acceleration as participant age increased. Brain ageing was also more pronounced in men and for those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage such as a lack of employment, low levels of income, poor health and lower levels of education. The researchers also used tests taken by participants to assess cognitive performance. For those infected with Covid, these showed a decline in performance – particularly in mental flexibility and processing speed. The scientists, from Nottingham University, said: 'We found that the pandemic was detrimental to brain health and induced accelerated brain ageing regardless of infection.' Dr Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad, who led the study, told journal Nature Communications: 'What surprised me most was that even people who hadn't had Covid showed significant increases in brain ageing rates. 'It really shows how much the experience of the pandemic, everything from isolation to uncertainty, may have affected our brain health.' His colleague Professor Dorothee Auer added: 'The pandemic put a strain on people's lives, especially those already facing disadvantage.'
