Latest news with #NHS111
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
BREAKING: Mum who shook her own baby to death jailed after giving court sickening excuse
A mother who shook her four-month-old daughter to death has been jailed for 15 years. Melissa Wilband was accused of the manslaughter of little Lexi Wilband, alongside her then-partner Jack Wheeler. Bristol Crown Court heard baby Lexi collapsed at her home in Newent in the Forest of Dean in April 2020, and died in hospital six days later. Tests showed Lexi had suffered bleeding on her brain, likely caused by being violently shaken, both recently and on at least one earlier occasion, the jury was told. They also heard that on the night Lexi died, her mum spent three hours with her before leaving to go to sleep in a different part of the hospital. Prosecuting, Jane Osborne KC said Wilband was aware that her baby might die through the night but did not stay at her bedside. She said: "A staff nurse held Lexi's hand through the night and remained with her. "On the morning of April 18, Lexi seemed to have longer pauses in her breathing. Ms Wilband was told to attend the ward. She arrived just after Lexi had ceased to show any signs of life and had stopped breathing." The manslaughter case against Wheeler was dropped part way through the trial when no evidence was offered by the prosecution. He was also found not guilty of a lesser charge of causing or allowing the death of a child. During the trial, jurors were told that 28-year-old Wilband and Mr Wheeler were in a relationship for about three years but Lexi was conceived with another man in early 2019. The court heard Wilband told Wheeler he was the baby's biological father and presented him with a fake DNA certificate that claimed he was "100%" the child's dad. A genuine DNA test after Lexi's birth in November 2019 confirmed that Mr Wheeler was not biologically related to her but he remained with Wilband and brought up Lexi as if she were his own child. Jurors heard how Wilband and Wheeler had a volatile relationship, and she took cocaine just six days after Lexi was born. It was alleged that she would take the drug in bed, with Lexi in the Moses basket alongside her. On April 12, 2020 the mum made a call to NHS 111 from the new-build council house where she lived with Mr Wheeler and Lexi. She claimed Lexi had stopped breathing while in her bouncer chair. Lexi was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and was intubated, with Wilband asked if she would like to hold her baby before the procedure took place. She declined to do so. The infant was then transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital, where Wilband told medics that Mr Wheeler had been carrying Lexi in her bouncer chair and was swinging it. A decision was made to switch off Lexi's ventilator on April 17, following the results of an MRI scan. She died on April 18, aged just four months. A post-mortem examination gave Lexi's cause of death as bleeding to the brain, caused by a non-accidental traumatic event such as someone "shaking her violently", the prosecutor told the court. Further tests found the areas of bleeding in Lexi's eyes were "too numerous to count", she added. Giving evidence, Wilband denied ever shaking Lexi and said she had a "bad wrist" that meant she was physically unable to shake her. Wiliband told the court: "In the corner of my eye, I saw Lexi kind of throw herself back in her bouncer." She said she then took Lexi out of the bouncer, undressed her and put her in the bath. 'She was fine, she was giggling, she was splashing about in the water,' she said. After the bath, the couple put a film on the television in the living room and Wilband went upstairs to hoover their bedroom. 'Jack was shouting to me, saying that she has gone floppy and she is going blue,' Wilband told the court. 'I turned the hoover off and ran downstairs as quickly as I could. Lexi was in Jack's arms. She looked very pale. She was floppy. 'He put his fingers in her mouth to check to see if there was any blockage. He said there was nothing there so he turned her over and started patting her back. I was panicking.' Miranda Moore KC, representing Wheeler, suggested to Wilband that she had shaken her daughter. She replied: 'I did nothing to my daughter. 'How could I shake my daughter when I have a bad wrist? I couldn't pick her up properly, how could I shake her? I never shook my daughter. That was a heavy-handed person. He was kind and gentle but he has heavy hands. 'My daughter was my life. I never killed my daughter, I am telling you.' Today, sentencing her to 15 years, sentencing her today, The Honourable Mr Justice Saini said Lexi was a "healthy baby" and a delightful and smiley girl." He told Wilband: "You killed Lexi by violently shaking her. While bathing her, you shook her and immediately after this she went floppy. Your extreme shaking led to extreme bleeding in her brain. "It was obvious such violent actions would carry at least risk of very serious injury. I am not persuaded anything in the report can explain your violence towards Lexi. "You were otherwise a loving mother although you lived a chaotic personal lifestyle. It is hard to imagine the pain Lexi must have suffered during both historical violence and the violent shaking that led to her death." After Wiliband was found guilty by a jury in April, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey of Gloucestershire Police, said Wilband would now face the consequence of her actions. He added: "Melissa Wilband inflicted such serious injuries that were sadly to prove fatal and tragically Lexi passed away six days later, despite the best efforts of all the medical staff who tried to save her. Further medical evidence showed that Lexi had suffered at least one other episode of shaking at some point before this one. "Wilband told lie after lie after lie - right from Lexi's conception, and all the way throughout the pregnancy. These lies continued and were made to medical professionals trying to save Lexi's life, to the police, and all the way through to her giving evidence in court. The jury saw those lies for what they were. "Lexi should be five years old now with her whole future ahead of her. She was shaken by someone who should have been protecting her. Someone who should have put her safety and wellbeing above everything else, her mother. "Wilband did not do those things and in fact did the exact opposite. She now faces the consequences of her actions."
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Gwent public health official issues warning about measles
Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz, Director of Public Health for Gwent, described measles as a serious and potentially fatal illness, highlighting the importance of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine in keeping communities safe. 'Measles is very serious and can be fatal. It can make children very sick and lead to further complications which could result in hospitalisation,' she said. 'The best form of protection is the MMR vaccine.' Local health data now shows a promising 94.7% of children in Gwent have received their first MMR dose, but only 88.4% have completed the recommended second dose. Daszkiewicz is calling on families to act without delay. 'It is important that all children have the full course of the MMR vaccine to ensure they are protected from serious illness,' she said. 'It is never too late to catch up, whether you are a child or an adult.' Gwent residents can access vaccinations by walking into the local Vaccination Centre, contacting their GP, or speaking with the School Nursing team. Measles typically begins with cold-like symptoms such as a high temperature, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, coughing, and red, sore, watery eyes. These are followed a few days later by a rash, and in some cases, small white spots may appear inside the mouth. Health officials advise anyone who suspects measles to seek an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Fresh botulism warning from health chiefs after Botox reactions
The new cases: in the east of England and East Midlands; suggest the use of an unlicensed Botox-like product, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. They are not thought to be linked to the cases reported in the north east of England last month. Reactions have included severe eyelid drooping, double vision, trouble swallowing, slurred speech and lethargy, which can happen weeks after the procedure. There have been 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism – a rare form of the illness that happens as a result of medical treatment – reported between June 4 and July 14, according to UKHSA data. Dr Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. 'It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. 'These toxins, but not the bacteria, are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products. 'Symptoms of botulism can take up to four weeks to develop and if you have had a recent botulinum toxin (Botox-like) treatment and are having symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact NHS 111 for further advice and seek treatment.' Dr Godbole also urged anyone considering having cosmetic procedures to check that their practitioner is licensed. Professor Meghana Pandit, co-national medical director secondary care at NHS England, added: 'When these procedures go wrong, there is a risk of serious infections and permanent scarring, which is why only registered professionals like a doctor, a nurse or pharmacy prescriber should be prescribing these treatments.' Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, warned that 'botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and should only be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner such as a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional'. She said: 'Buying botulinum toxin in any other circumstances significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK. 'This means that there are no safeguards to ensure products meet the MHRA's standards for quality and safety. As such, they can endanger the health of the people who take them. 'Our criminal enforcement unit works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines and takes robust enforcement action where necessary. This can include criminal prosecution.' The practitioners involved with the latest cases have ceased the procedure and are co-operating with the investigation, the UKHSA said. The agency is advising healthcare staff to ensure they look out for botulism in people who may have had a recent aesthetic procedures. Treatment for the symptoms includes an anti-toxin.
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Fresh botulism warning from health chiefs after Botox reactions
Health chiefs have urged people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of botulism after more people suffered reactions following cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin, also known as Botox. The new cases: in the east of England and East Midlands; suggest the use of an unlicensed Botox-like product, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. They are not thought to be linked to the cases reported in the north east of England last month. Reactions have included severe eyelid drooping, double vision, trouble swallowing, slurred speech and lethargy, which can happen weeks after the procedure. There have been 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism – a rare form of the illness that happens as a result of medical treatment – reported between June 4 and July 14, according to UKHSA data. Dr Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. 'It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. 'These toxins, but not the bacteria, are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products. 'Symptoms of botulism can take up to four weeks to develop and if you have had a recent botulinum toxin (Botox-like) treatment and are having symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact NHS 111 for further advice and seek treatment.' Dr Godbole also urged anyone considering having cosmetic procedures to check that their practitioner is licensed. Professor Meghana Pandit, co-national medical director secondary care at NHS England, added: 'When these procedures go wrong, there is a risk of serious infections and permanent scarring, which is why only registered professionals like a doctor, a nurse or pharmacy prescriber should be prescribing these treatments.' Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, warned that 'botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and should only be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner such as a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional'. She said: 'Buying botulinum toxin in any other circumstances significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK. 'This means that there are no safeguards to ensure products meet the MHRA's standards for quality and safety. As such, they can endanger the health of the people who take them. 'Our criminal enforcement unit works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines and takes robust enforcement action where necessary. This can include criminal prosecution.' The practitioners involved with the latest cases have ceased the procedure and are co-operating with the investigation, the UKHSA said. The agency is advising healthcare staff to ensure they look out for botulism in people who may have had a recent aesthetic procedures.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Fresh botulism warning from health chiefs after Botox reactions
The new cases: in the east of England and East Midlands; suggest the use of an unlicensed Botox-like product, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. They are not thought to be linked to the cases reported in the north east of England last month. Reactions have included severe eyelid drooping, double vision, trouble swallowing, slurred speech and lethargy, which can happen weeks after the procedure. There have been 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism – a rare form of the illness that happens as a result of medical treatment – reported between June 4 and July 14, according to UKHSA data. Dr Gauri Godbole, consultant medical microbiologist at UKHSA, said: 'Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but it can be serious. 'It is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. 'These toxins, but not the bacteria, are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products. 'Symptoms of botulism can take up to four weeks to develop and if you have had a recent botulinum toxin (Botox-like) treatment and are having symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact NHS 111 for further advice and seek treatment.' Dr Godbole also urged anyone considering having cosmetic procedures to check that their practitioner is licensed. Professor Meghana Pandit, co-national medical director secondary care at NHS England, added: 'When these procedures go wrong, there is a risk of serious infections and permanent scarring, which is why only registered professionals like a doctor, a nurse or pharmacy prescriber should be prescribing these treatments.' Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, warned that 'botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine and should only be sold or supplied in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner such as a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional'. She said: 'Buying botulinum toxin in any other circumstances significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK. 'This means that there are no safeguards to ensure products meet the MHRA's standards for quality and safety. As such, they can endanger the health of the people who take them. 'Our criminal enforcement unit works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines and takes robust enforcement action where necessary. This can include criminal prosecution.' The practitioners involved with the latest cases have ceased the procedure and are co-operating with the investigation, the UKHSA said. The agency is advising healthcare staff to ensure they look out for botulism in people who may have had a recent aesthetic procedures. Treatment for the symptoms includes an anti-toxin.
