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The National
15-07-2025
- Health
- The National
Dog bites four times more likely in deprives areas finds study
Conducted by the Social Science and Natural Science departments of the University of Stirling, researchers say the findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers at a time of rising incidents of dog bites and strikes (DBS). They suggest that prevention strategies should focus more on addressing social inequities rather than criminalisation. Lead author Dr Jade Hooper of the University of Stirling's Social Science faculty said 'The significant social inequalities we uncovered are worrying. The implications are particularly strong for Scotland, which has among the most pronounced health inequalities in the UK and Western Europe. 'This study should be a wake-up call for policymakers and we urge a fundamental shift in public health strategy surrounding dog bites and strikes. 'It's important that we recognise the wider pressures families may be facing, including financial stress, limited access to behavioural advice and support, and the challenge of safely managing dogs and children in busy households, particularly where adults may be juggling multiple responsibilities. 'Multiple agencies need to come together, across local government, police, health services and animal welfare organisations, and prevention measures should be compassion-focused and family-centred, involving professionals such as social workers, health visitors and schools.' The research findings show that the number of emergency hospital admissions due to dog bites in Scotland almost quadrupled between 1997/98 and 2023/24, with 300 and 1,105 admissions respectively, according to Public Health Scotland. The study comprises data from 59,111 NHS Scotland health records including NHS 24, hospital admission and Accident and Emergency (A&E) Data between 2007 and 2019. It study also includes data from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, which measures area-based deprivation in Scotland using data on income, employment, health, education, access to services, crime and housing. DBS can mean either dog bites or strikes. Strikes are classed as non-dog bite related injuries such as being pulled, knocked over or scratched by a dog. Among the highest rates of incidents were local authorities with a higher proportion of deprived areas, such as West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire and Glasgow City. However, the researchers note that even local authorities not generally seen as deprived can contain smaller pockets of deprivation where additional support may be needed. The rate of DBS was highest among children aged one to nine, and the most common place for dog bite incidents to take place was in the home, according to the study. Rates for children remained relatively stable over the 13 years, while rates for adults increased. The study found a rise in A&E attendances and hospital admissions, while the rates of NHS 24 calls remained relatively stable. There was a clear social gradient across all three health datasets, with income, employment, health and education found to be the driving socio-economic factors for DBS incidents in Scotland. The rate of hospital admissions was 3.9 times higher for individuals living in the most deprived areas, compared to the least deprived; the rate of NHS 24 calls was 2.5 times higher; and A&E attendances were 2.4 times higher. There was variation in rates of incidents depending on the type of health records. Midlothian came top for NHS 24 calls, West Lothian showed the highest rates for hospital admission records related to DBS, while West Dunbartonshire showed the most A&E attendances. Researchers pointed out, however, that surges in data could be partly due to improvements in data collection over the 13 years, particularly in certain health boards.
Evening Standard
03-07-2025
- Health
- Evening Standard
New NHS plan shows ‘future already looks better' under Labour
– By 2028, the NHS app 'will be a full front door to the entire NHS' and act as a 'doctor in my pocket' for patients. A new part of the NHS app called My NHS GP will 'help patients better navigate the health service', powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Those who do not have an urgent or emergency need, but who are struggling to find an alternative to A&E, will be signposted to places they can get care. The app will use AI-algorithms to take a patient's symptoms, ask follow-up questions and provide guidance. The app will also help patients book a remote consultation if they need one, or a face-to-face appointment if they prefer.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes paid to 'kind-hearted' Dublin dad who died days after getting married
Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a young father-of-one from Co Dublin, who tragically died of cancer, just three days after he married his partner. Dean Dunphy, a van driver from Ballyfermot, was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma, in August 2023 after experiencing stroke-like symptoms and muscle twitching. Tragically, Dean passed away at Beaumont Hospital on Wednesday (May 21). Just three days before he passed away, Dean married the love of his life, Michaela, in a beautiful ceremony in front of their friends and family at Opium in Dublin. Unbeknownst to the couple until recently, family members had launched a €40,000 fundraiser to pay for the ceremony and medical bills as they were unable to work, with professional fighter Conor McGregor donating €10,000 to the cause. Michaela and Dean's paths first crossed in 2011 when Dean saw her profile on Facebook and added her as a friend. After messaging for several weeks, the pair arranged to meet in person at a party in March that year. Their relationship went from strength to strength, with the couple welcoming their daughter Sloane in 2021. Dean had suffered with headaches and migraines ever since he was a child, but doctors said this was "common". Then in June 2023, he started experiencing sudden muscle twitching – and this even happened while driving on the motorway for work. Dean told Michaela it felt like he had "no control of his body" and she therefore rushed him to their local A&E department, followed by another hospital. It was suspected Dean might have Bell's palsy, which causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face, but blood tests, scans and examinations confirmed this was not the case. Weeks later, in July, Michaela received a phone call from the hospital to say "they had found something on his brain". Dean underwent open brain surgery on August 24, 2023, Michaela's 30th birthday. The seven-hour procedure went well, with surgeons able to remove the tissue for further testing. However, one week later, doctors called to say "it's not good news" as Dean had stage 4 brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma. Two weeks later, Dean underwent a second surgery to remove the other 'active' cancerous tissue around the brain. He then started chemotherapy and radiotherapy and, in August 2024, during a recovery period, they decided to go on a family holiday to Spain with doctors' approval. However, they had to rush home just days later as Dean's symptoms went from "zero to 100". Doctors then discovered swelling in his brain, and he started having more chemotherapy and a "blocker treatment" to prevent the tumour from increasing in size. Dean continued with treatment to manage his symptoms and underwent check-ups every three months as he and Michaela continued planning for their wedding. The couple tied the knot in Dublin on Sunday, just three days before the young father-of-one passed away 'peacefully in the arms of his wife Michaela and surrounded by his loving family at Beaumont Hospital', according to a death notice shared in Tributes have poured in for the popular young man, who has been remembered as "one of life's absolute gentlemen" whose "laughter, kindness, and indomitable spirit touched countless lives". In a message shared online, a close friend of Dean's said: "Earlier today the sad news broke of the very untimely passing of one of life's absolute gentlemen. "At times words can express the extreme sadness felt by so many at the passing of one so highly regarded by all that knew and loved them but on this occasion I know I can sincerely say that no words can convey the sadness of each and every human being that knew Dean Dunphy myself included. "What I can say is that this is one gentleman I am proud and privileged to have known and work along side through thick & thin for years and he will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to his wife, daughter and extended family." A family friend paid tribute to Dean as he thanked those who had donated to the fundraising campaign. "Several weeks ago, a GoFundMe was launched for Dean Dunphy and his family," he wrote "Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, Dean and his childhood sweetheart, Michaela, were able to exchange vows in a wedding ceremony, even though cancer cast a heavy shadow over their day. "Tragically, just three days later, Dean passed away peacefully in his sleep. Dean was a devoted husband, a radiant father to his beloved three-year-old daughter, and a cherished friend whose laughter, kindness, and indomitable spirit touched countless lives. "His courage inspired us all to hold our loved ones closer and to embrace each moment fully. On behalf of everyone, I extend my deepest condolences to Michaela, their daughter, his mother Louise and the entire Dunphy family following this heartbreaking news." Another mourner said: "Deano was such a gent and always a pleasure to be around growing up, kindhearted soul that embodied the spirit of a ballyer man - R.I.P deano." While another person added: "Deano was such a gent and always a pleasure to be around growing up, kindhearted soul that embodied the spirit of a ballyer man - R.I.P deano." This is the second tragedy to hit the Dunphy family within a matter of weeks as Dean's aunt Carol passed away unexpectedly on May 9. Dean will be reposing at his home in Cherry Orchard from 4pm to 6pm on Friday, with removal on Saturday morning to The Church of The Most Holy Sacrament, Cherry Orchard arriving for 10.30am Funeral Mass followed by a Cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium at 12.45pm. For those who wish to view Dean's Funeral Mass live, you can do so by clicking on the link here.
The Irish Sun
21-04-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreak as ‘athletic' woman, 25, dies after lower back pain blamed on ‘poor posture' was misdiagnosed as sciatica
A WOMAN whose back pain was misdiagnosed as sciatica died from bone cancer less than a year after a tumour was found in her pelvis. "Athletic" Kate Drummond, 25, was "fit and healthy" when in 2020 she began to experience bad back pain. 4 Kate was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in August 2021 Credit: Family Handout/PA Real Life 4 She initially put this down to 'poor posture' or working out too much Credit: Family Handout/PA Real Life 4 She underwent treatment for several months but deteriorated 'rapidly' Credit: Family Handout/PA Real Life S he initially put this down to "poor posture" or working out too much, according to her 33-year-old sister Kelly Drummond. After the pain radiated to her hip, Kate was diagnosed with "probable sciatica" after visiting the A&E department of her local hospital in Devon in May 2021. Kelly said it was noted she was "one of the youngest patients (doctors) had ever seen" with the condition. After going on to seek an MRI scan through private care, Kate was given the "life-altering" news she had a "grapefruit-sized" tumour in her pelvis in August 2021. Read more Health News She underwent treatment for several months but deteriorated "rapidly" in January 2022 as the disease quickly spread to "almost every part of her body", including her lungs, liver and other bones. Kate died in March 2022 in hospital and her sister Kelly is sharing her story for the first time to urge others to "listen to your body" and "advocate for yourself". " We'd be silly to not assume that things could have been slightly different had she been diagnosed sooner," Kelly, a personal trainer from Devon, told PA Real Life. " When Kate's tumour was found it was large, they described it as grapefruit-sized and it was suggested she may have had cancer in her body for up to two years. Most read in Health " What started as some lower back pain turned into cancer within a matter of days, which then turned into multiple cancerous tumours in almost every part of her body – the rapid progression was shocking. " Kate's story shows just how unpredictable cancer is and clearly, early diagnosis has been shown time and time again to save lives. " Kelly said Kate, who worked in customer care for a local company, first noticed something "wasn't quite right" in the late summer of 2020 when she developed "intermittent" lower back pain. " She put this down to working from home, it was the Covid pandemic, and she thought this was due to poor posture or a slightly uncomfortable working set-up," Kelly said. " By January 2021, the pain was more persistent and she had some new pain radiating into her hip as well. " Kate died on March 17, 2022. Kelly said she and her family members are still struggling to process the loss. "Don't wait, and laugh more, I think she would say. " Kate's family and friends continue to honour her in their day-to-day lives by aiming to live for the moment and be more present. "Kate was the most kind and considerate person and people were just generally drawn to her, she was really warm," Kelly said. "She had really good wit and she was just hilarious – she had this amazingly infectious laugh. "We all say her laugh is what we miss most about her. " April marks Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month for the Bone Cancer Research Trust, the UK's leading charity for primary bone cancer. To find out more, visit their website here: 4 Kelly (left) described Kate (right) as a 'fit and healthy' individual Credit: Family Handout/PA Real Life
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Guernsey choking woman 'owes life' to man who saved her
A woman says a hotel manager saved her life after she started choking on some Ferreira, manager at Oak Bar and Bistro, in Guernsey, said he was working his normal shift when he noticed customer Michaela Downton Ferreira said he performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre on Ms Downton and added: "I just reacted, I put in action what I knew."Ms Downton said: "I owe him my life because he did an amazing job." 'Don't panic' Ms Downton said she often went to the Oak Bar and Bistro and on this occasion had the steak. During her meal she said she found the garlic "a bit too garlicy" and as it hit the back of her throat the meat went down with it. Ms Downton said: "I was running it through my head, cough. "I couldn't cough. My partner was whacking me on the back."Mr Ferreira said he had completed training for scenarios like this before so knew what to do."I acted instinctively, [and did the] Heimlich Manoeuvre. Done and dusted."For someone that hasn't done it before, don't panic just be calm and help." 'Seconds left' Once the steak was cleared from Ms Downton's throat she was taken to A&EShe said: "I was all blotchy and I kept getting flashbacks of that night."It could have been my last night eating here or with my family. "The doctors said I literally had seconds left of living and thank you to Nico, I owe him my life".She said it was not until a few days later while she was cleaning a mirror at work and saw her reflection that the situation hit her: "I just burst into tears, I thought, oh what happened... It all came down." To say thanks you, Ms Downton wrote Mr Ferreira a card. She said: "I appreciate what he did. "If he didn't do it, I don't know if anyone else would have. "I owe him my life because he did an amazing job... I don't know how to say thank you enough." St John Ambulance said: "When someone is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked, meaning they may be unable to breathe properly."They might be able to clear it by coughing, but if they can't you will need to help them straight away."It said: "It is important to look out for the following symptoms:Difficulty breathing, speaking or coughingA red, puffy faceSigns of distress - they may point to their throat or grasp their neckTrust Me I'm A Doctor: What to do if someone is choking
