New EMAS ambulances to replace 30 older vehicles
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "These 30 new ambulances will make a real difference to patients in the East Midlands, replacing old and tired vehicles and getting to patients in minutes, rather than hours."We can't fix more than a decade of underinvestment and neglect overnight. But through the measures, we will deliver faster and more convenient care for patients in emergencies."EMAS currently has a fleet of 827 operational vehicles, including emergency ambulances, fast response cars, specialised and driver training vehicles, community first responder vehicles and urgent care and patient transport vehicles, according to its annual report.
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Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Medical regulator urged to rule that NHS strikes are 'incompatible' with doctors' duty to protect patients
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The Conservatives want the GMC to look again at the guidelines with 'a view to make striking incompatible with Good Medical Practice'. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has already pledged to ban doctors' strikes if the Conservatives return to power. She vowed to introduce legislation to block medics from taking widespread industrial action, placing the same restrictions on them that apply to police officers and soldiers. The Tory plans would see minimum service level requirements - which were brought in for some sectors by the previous government and scrapped by Labour - introduced across the health service. But, in his letter to GMC chief executive Charlie Massey, Mr Andrew said that 'action is needed now' to protect NHS patients while legislative measures are formulated. He wrote: 'Our proposals require new primary legislation, particularly relating to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. 'If the Government will not make these changes, patients will be condemned to four more years of disruptive strikes. Conservatives believe that action is needed now. 'Given the reckless approach the BMA has taken, warning that the recent strikes may even cause harm to patients, we believe that in response the GMC must review Good Medical Practice with a view to make striking incompatible with Good Medical Practice. 'This would have the immediate effect of preventing further strikes while legislative measures were formulated and ensure patients and their safety remain at the core of Good Medical Practice. 'We hope that the GMC can stand with us in protecting the health of patients upholding the fundamental duty of care of the NHS.' A GMC spokesperson said: 'Doctors are legally entitled to take part in lawful industrial action, including strike action. 'During strike action, doctors' employers will have a vital role in planning and preparing for how patients will be cared for. 'They play an important part in maintaining the continuity of patient care to the highest possible standard. 'We expect any doctors choosing to take part in strike action to continue to follow the principles of our guidance, Good Medical Practice. 'It highlights the importance of doctors working collaboratively with the healthcare team to keep patients safe, staying within the limits of their competence.' But, in a letter to GMC chief executive Charlie Massey, shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew said 'action is needed now' to protect NHS patients while legislative measures are formulated Both the Labour Government and BMA have said they are prepared to continue negotiations with a view to avert further strike action. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said talks could lead to improvements in the working lives of resident doctors but he has repeatedly said there is no more money for pay. But BMA leaders have insisted that there must be some pay discussions during talks. The BMA has also launched a 'linked dispute' with the Government over a lack of places for doctors in training, which could lead to common ground during future talks. The BMA has branded the Tory pledge to ban doctors' strikes if they return to power as 'a desperate intervention from a party that spent nearly 15 years failing the NHS'. Dr Tom Dolphin, BMA chair of council, said: 'Threatening to ban strike action is not the right response for a modern democracy. 'Doctors aren't militants - they're professionals sounding the alarm about a health service in crisis. Silencing them won't fix the NHS. Listening to them might. 'Patients are having operations or appointments postponed every single day in the NHS due to understaffing and lack of beds, and undervaluing staff contributes to that. 'Doctors have a human right to strike just like everyone else. If something is wrong, you don't ban the canary in a coalmine from singing. 'Striking is always the last resort and should never be used lightly, but fundamentally the right to strike should always be there.' He added: 'The BMA and NHS England have in place an agreed national 'derogations' process whereby hospitals can request to have specific striking doctors return to work in the event of an unforeseen emergency or mass casualty event. 'That process is there day and night throughout industrial action, and we remain ready to respond to any emergency requests. 'However, we need to be clear that the purpose of this agreement is not to facilitate the continued delivery of non-urgent care.'
The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Charity completes renovations at home of disabled boy after father's death
The widow of an electrician who died following mental health struggles has thanked volunteers for completing the renovation project he had started for their disabled son. Shaun Fletcher, 44, had been working on improvements to the family home near Swaffham, Norfolk, before he took his own life last December. His son Toby, 16, requires round-the-clock palliative care due to quadriplegic cerebral palsy and dystonia – uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements. As Toby's ground floor bedroom was an empty shell and his mother Sarah Fletcher was unable to access overnight support, she had to carry him upstairs to bed and care for him each night. Mother-of-six Mrs Fletcher turned to national construction charity Band of Builders for help to complete Toby's room. More than 150 volunteers rallied round and completed the project in 12 days, completing all renovations as well as landscaping the front and back of the house. Addressing volunteers after they had finished the project, Mrs Fletcher said: 'We can't thank you all enough; you're all superheroes. 'It's felt like we've been living on a building site for a few years, and I can't believe how much has been done to complete it in such a short space of time. 'Toby's room is incredible, and this means we can finally get overnight support for him. 'The house is amazing and a poignant legacy for Shaun, and we now have a home where my family can start to heal.' Toby was born 13 weeks premature, which resulted in a lack of oxygen to his brain and led to cerebral palsy and dystonia. His condition affects his muscle control, leading to painful involuntary movements that make it difficult for him to gain weight. He is also deaf and is fed directly into his bowel. To help manage his dystonia he has a deep brain stimulator, with electrodes in his brain connected to a battery pack in his abdomen. He requires round-the-clock care, including numerous medications throughout the day and night. He is housebound and relies on stretcher transport for all appointments. Gavin Crane, chief executive of Band of Builders, said as many as 40 tradespeople were on site for each of the 12 days – including groundworkers, electricians, bathroom fitters, plumbers, decorators, landscapers, solar panel engineers and smart home specialists. 'This was our most ambitious project to date and everyone who supported us – be it volunteers, businesses, suppliers of materials, and the local community who provided food and refreshment – has reminded us all what kindness looks like. 'What happened to this family resonates with so many members of our community and across the construction industry. 'Grief, pressure and mental health concerns are all things we understand too well. 'We hope that in finishing what Shaun started, we've done him proud and that wherever he is, he knows his family is now safe in a completed home surrounded by the love and empathy of some amazing people.' Tim Winstanley, senior brand manager at Dewalt, which sponsored the project, said everyone was 'deeply moved by the compassion and dedication shown by every volunteer'.
The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Urgent ‘do not eat' warning issued over supermarket lunch snack
An urgent 'do not eat' warning has been issued over a popular egg pot at a major UK supermarket. Customers have been warned that the egg and spinach protein pot at Waitrose has been withdrawn from shelves over fears it could be contaminated with salmonella and 'may cause illness if consumed'. The UK's food standards regulator has issued an alert over the snack pot, saying it is a health risk as people who eat it could experience symptoms including fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. The recall notice has been issued for the 90g Waitrose and Partners pot with the use-by dates 31 July 2025 and 1 August 2025. Anyone who has purchased the pot has been advised to return it to the shop where it was purchased for a full refund. 'Waitrose is recalling Waitrose and Partners Egg and Spinach Protein Pot because it may be contaminated with salmonella,' a statement on the Food Standards Agency (FSA)'s website said. 'Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school, or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others. 'If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.' The warning does not affect any other products. The supermarket recently pulled a popular ready meal from its shelves over allergy concerns. The Waitrose 'Indian takeaway for two' was recalled last week because it was found to contain sesame and soya, which are not mentioned on the label. Tesco was also recently forced to recall a series of pasta salads after fears they were contaminated with salmonella, a species of bacteria that is one of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses globally. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed in July that salmonella cases in England are the highest they've been in a decade. There was a 17 per cent increase in cases observed from 2023 to 2024, culminating in 10,388 detected infections last year.
