Latest news with #ITVNews
STV News
3 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
MoD admits British Army weapons systems are causing brain damage in soldiers
The MoD's lead on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) acknowledged that repeated exposure to blasts generated by some army weapons can injure the brain, as ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew reports Words by ITV News Assistant Producer Robbie Boyd Thousands of serving troops may be suffering from brain damage after being exposed to harmful blast waves from the British Army's weaponry, an ITV News investigation has revealed. In a landmark admission, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that weapons systems used by the army are causing brain damage in soldiers. Speaking to ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew, the MoD's lead on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), acknowledged that repeated exposure to blasts generated by some army weapons can injure the brain and lead to life‑long health conditions. Lt Col James Mitchell said during earlier campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the perception was that large munitions and impact blasts were the primary cause of TBI and concussion among British soldiers. However, that is no longer the case, with TBI and concussion being blamed on the impact on soldiers from their own weapons systems. 'Over especially the last five to ten years, we're starting to appreciate the role of what we call low level blasts,' he explained. He said these low level blasts were predominantly being caused by 'the exposure of our service personnel to blast over-pressure from their own weapons systems'. Lt Col Mitchell added that while exact figures are not known, 'thousands' of serving personnel have been exposed to harmful blasts, with figures potentially even higher for veterans affected. Lt Col James Mitchell, the MoD's lead on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), acknowledged thousands of troops may be suffering from brain damage after being exposed to harmful blasts Most at risk are those who have been repeatedly exposed to heavy weapons, including mortars, some shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons, 50-calibre rifles and machine guns, or explosive charges. Explosions create a wave of 'overpressure', a spike in the surrounding air pressure above normal atmospheric levels caused by a blast wave. It can create a force so strong that it penetrates the skull, and the energy transferred to the brain causes microscopic damage to blood vessels and neurons. Repeated exposure can overwhelm the brain's ability to heal itself, causing serious long-term neurological damage. Symptoms of blast-related TBI overlap with those of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), making it difficult to diagnose. They may include: severe headaches, visual disturbances, sensitivity to noise and light, memory loss and a sense of personality change. / Credit: ITV News Now, scientists around the UK are hoping to explore the potential causes of TBI, with financial support from the MoD. The University of Birmingham is playing a key role in the mild TBI study in partnership with the MoD, which aims to estimate what kind of brain damage veterans have. Professor Lisa Hill is a neuroscientist at the University of Birmingham. She explained that when the brain is damaged, it releases biomarkers, biological clues that can help scientists understand what and where the damage is happening. 'If somebody gets injured, it changes the structure and function of the brain, but it also releases chemicals that you wouldn't normally see,' she said. 'So if we can measure things in blood or in their saliva, that can tell us how potentially bad their injury has been and what symptoms they might go on to get.' But policy changes might need to be made in order to reduce or prevent injuries in the first place. Professor Karen Mullinger, an expert in neuro-imaging at Nottingham University, is working to identify patterns of damage with sophisticated brain scanning technology called OPM MEG. Hugh Keir, a sniper with the Parachute Regiment who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, now runs the H-Hour podcast which is popular with veterans in the UK and abroad. Hugh Keir / Credit: H-Hour podcast/Hugh Keir He volunteered to undergo a trial scan to see if his years of exposure to blast have left a mark. The results showed normal brain activity overall, but there were some signs that may indicate damage. To be certain, Prof Mullinger and her team need to scan many more veterans and controls to build up a database of what 'normal' looks like. In time, it is hoped there will be enough data to allow for definitive diagnoses. Professor Mullinger also plans to study soldiers in real time, to see which activities are highest risk. 'We can scan these soldiers before they go and do a training exercise and then immediately after, then we get a baseline which is specific to them,' she said. 'If the 'wire paths' have been damaged by blasts or whatever else it might be, then the function is going to change.' The information collected from these trials could shape policy, such as modifying the most damaging weapons or reducing blast exposure in training exercises. If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is available The charity Samaritans operates a 24/7 helpline (116 123) for anyone who needs somebody to talk to. Further resources can also be found on its website. Concussion Legacy Foundation supports British current and former serving members and their families The Concussion Legacy Foundation also provides a personalised helpline for those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
3 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
MPs urge health secretary to take action over cancer-linked pregnancy drug
MPs are urging the government to take action over a controversial pregnancy drug which has links to cancer, as ITV News Social Affairs Editor Sarah Corker reports A group of more than 30 MPs has written a letter to the health secretary urging him to take action over a controversial drug given to pregnant women, following an ITV News investigation. Stilbestrol, also known as DES, was prescribed to an estimated 300,000 women to prevent miscarriage and stop breast milk until the late 1970s, when it was linked to an aggressive type of cancer. If the drug was taken by women who were pregnant, the harm could have been passed down to their children. ITV News has been contacted by hundreds of women who say their health has been damaged by DES – and last week we revealed that it was still being prescribed to women on the NHS nearly a decade after it should have been banned. Now MPs are calling on the government to take action and save lives. An extract from letter which has been sent to Health Secretary Wes Streeting / Credit: ITV News The letter, coordinated by Bournemouth MP Jessica Toale, urges Wes Streeting to formally apologise to victims of the medical scandal and to commit to enhanced cancer screenings for those exposed. What are MPs calling for? A formal apology to the victims of DES, particularly for the prolonged use of the drug after credible evidence of harm had emerged A commitment to advancing research into the long-term and intergenerational effects of DES An information and training campaign across the NHS to ensure that healthcare professionals are aware of DES and its risks An assessment of the feasibility of tracking and notifying individuals who may have been exposed to DES in utero, given that many remain unaware of the drug or its consequences Implementation of targeted, advanced screening and monitoring for cancers and fertility complications associated with DES exposure Jessica Toale wrote the letter after hearing her constituent Jan Hall's story on ITV News. Jan, 75, from Bournemouth, believes her mother Rita was prescribed DES during three pregnancies and that exposure contributed to her death, aged 32, from breast cancer in 1951, when Jan was a toddler. 'Frankly it's shocking that we don't know how many women and families have been affected by this, so we really need to do some work to raise awareness and to make sure we have the protocols in place to screen people.' Jessica Toale MP explains why she is calling for action The legacy of this drug has been devastating, with the harmful effects not limited to the women who were prescribed DES. Medical research suggests it extends across generations, affecting their daughters who have an increased risk of rare types of cancer and fertility problems. ITV News has spoken to one woman from Chichester who was exposed to the drug while her mother was pregnant and was forced to have a hysterectomy when she was just nine-years-old and nearly died from complications. 54-year-old Charly Laurence was just a child when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Doctors said it was linked to the now banned drug that her mother had been given whilst pregnant. She'd had multiple miscarriages and was given DES for prolonged periods of time. Charly first started developing symptoms when she was seven. Her mother took her to her original gynaecologist, who found the cancer after a number of invasive examinations. Over the next two years of Charly's life, she was subjected to countless procedures and spent more time at hospital than she did at home. 'I remember them saying you are going to have an operation – unfortunately you won't be able to have any babies, but you can adopt when you are older,' Charly told us. 'I certainly understood the concept of not being able to have a baby. 'I remember crying a lot as a child. They just kept reminding me that I was still alive and I wasn't going to die of the cancer.' She recently obtained her medical files, which show doctors in the UK were even writing to scientists in the US about her condition. Charly Laurence is calling for more screening for women like her Charly believes she is at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and her mission now is calling for more screening for women like her. But despite everything, she has defied the odds and has gone on to have twin daughters, through surrogacy. Together, the family wants to raise awareness of the impact of DES and make sure others exposed to it get the right treatment. What is DES? DES, also known as Stilbrestrol, was prescribed on the NHS to prevent miscarriage and to stop breast milk production from 1939 until the late 1970s. It was marketed as a 'wonder drug' and contained a synthetic form of female hormone oestrogen. It has become one of the biggest drug disasters in the NHS's history. The UK government claimed that doctors were told in 1973 to stop prescribing DES for pre-menopausal women, however ITV News has found dozens of women who were given the drug as late as 1980. Other countries around the world, such as the United States, banned the drug in the 1970s as scientific studies linked the use of DES with breast, cervical, and vaginal cancers. Bottles of DES / Credit: ITV News In the UK, health authorities failed to do the same. Earlier this month, the Health Secretary said the government is considering enhanced cancer screening for those impacted by the use of Stilbestrol, also known as DES, and has vowed to 'look seriously at these allegations'. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Our sympathies are with anyone harmed by the historic use of Diethylstilboestrol (DES). 'The Secretary of State has been clear he will look seriously at these allegations, and the government will continue to consider enhanced screening for those impacted by the use of this drug.' The Patient Safety Commissioner, Henrietta Hughes, has welcomed the Health Secretary's views into the 'medication scandal' and is calling for more support for those exposed to the drug during pregnancy. 'Like other medication scandals that have harmed women and their families, patients weren't given the right information to make informed decisions about their healthcare. 'When safety concerns about medications are identified, these need to be swiftly communicated to prescribers and changes embedded in clinical practice. 'For those women and their daughters exposed to this drug during pregnancy it's vital that they receive the right information and support so that they can be confident that any harm will be detected and treated quickly.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
12 hours ago
- Health
- ITV News
MoD admits British Army weapons systems are causing brain damage in soldiers
Words by ITV News Assistant Producer Robbie Boyd Thousands of serving troops may be suffering from brain damage after being exposed to harmful blast waves from the British Army's weaponry, an ITV News investigation has revealed. In a landmark admission, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that weapons systems used by the army are causing brain damage in soldiers. Speaking to ITV News Science Correspondent Martin Stew, the MoD's lead on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), acknowledged that repeated exposure to blasts generated by some army weapons can injure the brain and lead to life‑long health conditions. Lt Col James Mitchell said during earlier campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the perception was that large munitions and impact blasts were the primary cause of TBI and concussion among British soldiers. However, that is no longer the case, with TBI and concussion being blamed on the impact on soldiers from their own weapons systems. "Over especially the last five to ten years, we're starting to appreciate the role of what we call low level blasts," he explained. He said these low level blast were predominantly being caused by "the exposure of our service personnel to blast over-pressure from their own weapons systems". Lt Col Mitchell added that while exact figures are not known, 'thousands' of serving personnel have been exposed to harmful blasts, with figures potentially even higher for veterans affected. Most at risk are those who have been repeatedly exposed to heavy weapons, including mortars, some shoulder-launched anti-tank weapons, 50-calibre rifles and machine guns, or explosive charges. Explosions create a wave of 'overpressure', a spike in the surrounding air pressure above normal atmospheric levels caused by a blast wave. It can create a force so strong that it penetrates the skull, and the energy transferred to the brain causes microscopic damage to blood vessels and neurons. Repeated exposure can overwhelm the brain's ability to heal itself, causing serious long-term neurological damage. Symptoms of blast-related TBI overlap with those of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), making it difficult to diagnose. They may include: severe headaches, visual disturbances, sensitivity to noise and light, memory loss and a sense of personality change. Now, scientists around the UK are hoping to explore the potential causes of TBI, with financial support from the MoD. The University of Birmingham is playing a key role in the mild TBI study in partnership with the MoD, which aims to estimate what kind of brain damage veterans have. Professor Lisa Hill is a neuroscientist at the University of Birmingham. She explained that when the brain is damaged, it releases biomarkers, biological clues that can help scientists understand what and where the damage is happening. 'If somebody gets injured, it changes the structure and function of the brain, but it also releases chemicals that you wouldn't normally see,' she said. 'So if we can measure things in blood or in their saliva, that can tell us how potentially bad their injury has been and what symptoms they might go on to get.' But policy changes might need to be made in order to reduce or prevent injuries in the first place. Professor Karen Mullinger, an expert in neuro-imaging at Nottingham University, is working to identify patterns of damage with sophisticated brain scanning technology called OPM MEG. Hugh Keir, a sniper with the Parachute Regiment who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, now runs the H-Hour podcast which is popular with veterans in the UK and abroad. He volunteered to undergo a trial scan to see if his years of exposure to blast have left a mark. The results showed normal brain activity overall, but there were some signs that may indicate damage. To be certain, Prof Mullinger and her team need to scan many more veterans and controls to build up a database of what "normal" looks like. In time, it is hoped there will be enough data to allow for definitive diagnoses. Professor Mullinger also plans to study soldiers in real time, to see which activities are highest risk. 'We can scan these soldiers before they go and do a training exercise and then immediately after, then we get a baseline which is specific to them,' she said. 'If the 'wire paths' have been damaged by blasts or whatever else it might be, then the function is going to change.' The information collected from these trials could shape policy, such as modifying the most damaging weapons or reducing blast exposure in training exercises.
ITV News
16 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Britain's biggest building site: What Sizewell C will mean for coastal community
Sizewell C is already changing the Suffolk coastline, as Rob Setchell reports for ITV News Anglia It's set to become the biggest building site in Britain - and it's likely to hold that title for several years. Work on Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast is now well under way, with the first steps being to get all the essentials in place for when the rest of the construction workforce descends. On Tuesday, the project cleared its final hurdle as the government confirmed the £38bn funding package to make the plant a reality. Drone images show the extent of work which has already taken place, with huge swathes of countryside by the coast cleared in preparation of the major earthworks to come. Nigel Cann, one of the two joint managing directors of Sizewell C, said: "We're really focusing on getting the infrastructure ready to create, well, a town really. "Electricity, roads, water - all the things you need for a big construction site that will eventually have 7,900 people on it." Sizewell C will cover 915 acres onshore, and a further 1,581 acres offshore. When it is finally ready to be switched on, it will power the equivalent of six million homes - about 7% of the UK's electricity. That site will be fed by a new link road to the A12. A new train line will be built, as 60% of the building supplies are due to arrive by rail or sea. There will be a park and ride at Darsham, a new roundabout at Yoxford, a bypass around Farnham and a southern park and ride near Lower Hacheston. More than 20,000 trees have already been felled, though Sizewell bosses have promised to plant four times as many in their place. They have also created three nature reserves, such as nearby Wild Aldhurt. Steve Mannings, an environment expert at Sizewell C, said: "Give nature space and time and nature will recover - and that's what Wild Aldhurst is, it's a huge nature recovery project. "It's very clear to us - and has been from the very beginning - that while you're investing in infrastructure, it's also a great opportunity for investing in nature. "The two go hand in hand and we've demonstrated that here." But campaigners counter that there are no quick fixes, and that the area will take decades to recover. Alison Downes, from the Stop Sizewell C campaign group, said local people were facing "not only the dismay and devastation of seeing the environmental destruction that's around, but the day-to-day decision making we have to make has changed. "[If] we've got an appointment in Leiston, we have to allow double, maybe three times as much time to get there. "Do we want to cycle somewhere? No, we don't, there are too many lorries. All sorts of decisions that affect our everyday lives." Sizewell bosses said that they are already employing lots of local firms and that eventually they expect to spend around £4bn in the East of England. They also plan to build a new "college on the coast" to train a homegrown workforce, creating a generation of jobs for workers. The target is for the plant to be built by the mid-2030s.
ITV News
17 hours ago
- General
- ITV News
Families struggling to 'cope' with reduced holiday club sessions for kids with complex needs
The father of a neurodiverse child in Jersey says he does not know how other parents will cope if the island's only holiday club for children with additional needs cannot run more often. Local charity Centrepoint currently offers sessions across all 14 weeks of the school holidays but only receives funding from the Government for half of that time, which it says has left it operating at a "massive loss". The group's Chief Executive Officer, Jane Moy, told ITV News that they are only able to offer space for 30 children at a time, despite 98 families applying. For James Barrett and his son Teddy, being able to access the sessions is "completely vital". James explains he needs certainty over whether Centrepoint can take Teddy throughout the holidays to help provide his son with the sense of routine he needs to be happy and build relationships with his peers. However, with the limited capacity, he sometimes does not know until a few days before the sessions take place, which James says causes significant stress. Speaking about the challenges he and other parents would face if their children could not attend the holiday club sessions, James explained: "If they are not worn out, they will be up all night and that then catches up with all of us. "If it wasn't for this, I don't know how any of the parents would cope, survive and be able to hold down a job because we don't have 25 days' holiday ourselves. "Not knowing in advance is the biggest stress but there are lots of parents I know who don't always get all those days and it's then about finding the extra days out of your own holiday." Seeking to address concerns, Jane said: "We try and prioritise where we can. We know some families don't have any support on the island, for example, and the parents work full-time. "Even parents who don't work full-time still need support for those children because as much as they love them, it's hard work looking after a child with complex needs." However, Jane admitted that without more government support, it is "really difficult to allocate sessions fairly and equally". She added that Centrepoint had previously been well-supported by Government but believes it has recently been "thrown on the backburner". Jane wants the Government to set out exactly how many sessions they will subsidise so the charity does not have to scramble to find enough staff at short notice, something Jane says is an "enormous amount of pressure". In response, the Government said that this summer, 120 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are being supported through the short breaks holiday scheme and that demand has always outstripped capacity. The Government added that while Centrepoint is the only holiday club specifically accommodating children with additional needs, many others are inclusive and can take some of those children.
