Tuesday 29 November 2011

M1 shut after tanker crash in South Yorkshire


Personal Injury Yorkshire
A large-scale clean-up operation has been carried out after a tanker carrying more than 20 tonnes of waste yeast overturned on the M1.
The lorry, initially reported to be carrying Marmite, crashed and spilt its contents onto the carriageway at about 22:15 GMT on Monday.
Police closed the motorway in both directions between junctions 32 and 33 near Sheffield following the accident.
The Highways Agency said both carriageways had since reopened.
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said the tanker overturned after being involved in a collision with a motor caravan.
Pollute waterways
The tanker driver was taken to hospital but the driver's injuries were not believed to be serious.
The Environment Agency was called in to assist in the clean-up after fears that the yeast could pollute local waterways.
Environment Agency area incident controller Colin Atkinson said: "Brewers yeast can have a devastating impact on wildlife in watercourses because it strips the water of oxygen, suffocating the fish.
"Our incident team worked with the Highways Agency to create a bund to contain the yeast. This prevented it from flowing into nearby Ulley Brook and the River Rother which is an important coarse fishery and is used by many anglers.
"Tankers were brought in to take the yeast waste away and our environment officers are checking oxygen levels in the waterways to make sure no pollution has escaped."
source: bbc.co.uk

Monday 28 November 2011

Breast implants in focus after cancer death


Two women have developed serious illnesses after they received defective French-made silicone breast implants. Last week, a woman died from lymphatic cancer thought to have been contracted from her breast implants.
A 36-year-old woman called Leaticia was diagnosed last month with ruptured breast implants, according to the French daily Aujourd’hui en France.
Her implants burst six months ago and the silicone gel has leaked into her shoulders, breasts and ribs. Leaticia was operated on in Spain where she received breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Prothèses (PIP).
Another women who received PIP implants has been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. It is not yet clear what caused the cancer, but doctors advising a group representing the victims of PIP breast implants suspect the silicone gel used in PIP implants.
French implant manufacturer PIP was closed down by health authorities last year after they discovered the company was using non-medical silicone gel in implants which were twice as likely to rupture as other products in the same category. The company CEO is accused of fraud.
While it is feared that the silicone gel used in the PIP implants is linked to cancer, French health watchdog AFFSAPS has not been able to establish a link.
Last week, a woman - the first in France - died of lymphatic cancer in the southern city of Marseille after her PIP breast implants burst.
It is feared 44,000 women are still carrying PIP breast implants, which were sold in France, Spain and the United Kingdom.
source: thelocal.fr

Bone marrow cancer hope as scientists identify gene that increases risk by 30 per cent



Scientists have made a key breakthrough in the search for a better treatment for bone marrow cancer.
For the first time they have identified the genes responsible for an aggressive form of the disease, called multiple myeloma.
Having the genes can increase a person's the risk of developing the condition by 30 per cent, a study has revealed.
It was already known that relatives of those suffering from the incurable cancer were at increased risk, but until now, no responsible gene had been identified.
It is now hoped the discovery will prompt improvements in diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) used a technique called a genome wide association study to scan the DNA of 1,675 patients with multiple myeloma.

The same process was also carried out on around 5,900 healthy people.

When results were compared scientists discovered that two regions of the DNA that were more common in people with multiple myeloma and were therefore linked to a higher chance of developing the disease.

Professor Gareth Morgan from the ICR and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust said that the findings, published in the online journal Nature Genetics, are particularly important as the disease becomes more prevalent among an aging population.

He said: 'Multiple myeloma is an aggressive cancer that sadly has poor survival rates.
'By learning more about the biology of multiple myeloma development, we hope to identify new drug targets - or even existing drugs - that could improve patient outcomes.

'Multiple myeloma is becoming more common as the population ages, and so it is even more important that we find new treatments.'

Myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer which affects the plasma cells inside the bone marrow, which are an important part of the immune system.

Usually it doesn't exist as a lump or tumour and it is only when symptoms such as bone pain and fractures occur that a diagnosis is given.

Currently there is no cure, but treatments such as chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation can control progression of the cancer.

Eric Low, chief executive of Myeloma UK, said: 'Understanding the biological and genetic basis for the onset and progression of myeloma is extremely important and will lead to better screening, earlier diagnosis and treatment in the future.'

Every year in the UK, it's estimated that multiple myeloma affects 60-70 in every million people with the average patient surviving three to five years despite receiving intensive treatment.

source: dailymail.co.uk

Top doctor baffled as death figures put Northampton General Hospital in the worst grouping


A DEATH audit, set to take thousands of hours, is being set up by Northampton General Hospital (NGH) to figure out why its mortality figures are worse than average.
Dr Foster Intelligence’s high-profile Hospital Guide 2011, ordered by the Government, claims to show how many more deaths each hospital has than is expected.
For a number of years, NGH bosses have been among those questioning the number of predicted deaths attributed to their trust statisticians, which then leads to alarming figures of unexpected deaths.
The report published today – which also covers areas such as orthopaedic surgery – puts the hospital in the worst grouping.
After complex sums, the hospital’s number of deaths was given a score of 115 against the national average of 100.
But Dr Sonia Swart, NGH’s medical director, said the hospital was again struggling to understand why so few deaths were expected when its mix of patients appears unremarkable, which then affects how the hospital rates against others in England.
She said: “I’m concerned about it’s because it’s my job to be concerned and I’m very frustrated.
“But I don’t think that, because the way things are calculated puts us worse than the average, it actually makes us unsafe.”
Dr Swart has consistently pointed out the actual numbers of deaths at NGH were among the lowest in the East Midlands. Between 2010 and 2011 there were 1,072 deaths out of 27, 685 patients.
However, Dr Foster believed there should only have been 964 deaths.
The hospital has set up a group of doctors to analyse the paper records of every patient who dies, usually around 1,000 a year, in far more detail.
Doctors admit NGH’s recording of the masses of data that is passed to Dr Foster can be poor or inconsistent and is seeing if the expensive detailed analysis work it has already done to improve key areas – such as aortic aneurysms – can be widened.
It will also seek to find out why the predicted deaths were so low.
Dr Swart said: “The indicators were never designed to compile league tables for patients.
“They were designed to alert clinicians that there may be a problem so they could investigate.”
source: northamptonchron.co.uk

Monday 21 November 2011

Charity event raises money for Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance


A CHARITY ball has remembered a Northampton grandfather who died in an accident at work.
The Waistcoats and Tiaras ball, held at The Marriott Hotel, in Brackmills, Northampton, on Saturday night, raised more than £16,000 for the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance in memory of 58-year-old Roy Claringbold.
He died in November last year while working as a refuse collector for Kingsthorpe-based Veolia Environmental Services.
More than 150 people enjoyed a three-course dinner, music from a live band, a disco, a raffle, and a charity auction, with prizes including tickets to a West End show and signed Premier League football club merchandise.
Mr Claringbold’s widow, Tracy, said: “The event was down to my brother, Andrew Southgate, and his wife, Mandie.
“It was absolutely fantastic, I can’t believe the amount of money we raised.
“The support was overwhelming.
“It’s been a very tough year, we have been left devastated.
“I walked through the door when I got home and saw pictures of Roy, and thought ‘if he could know what was done tonight in his memory’.”
The Chronicle & Echo reported in November last year how Roy Claringbold was found dead at the wheel of his cab with severe head injuries.
He was believed to have been collecting waste from outside The Clocktower pub in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes, on his rounds when he was injured.
Thames Valley Police, who led an initial investigation, said he appeared to have got back into his lorry and driven to a nearby street, where he lost consciousness. Mr Claringbold was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital by the air ambulance, but died a week later.
An inquest in June found his death was as the result of an accident.
source: northamptonchron.co.uk

Coroner records open verdict after cliff fall of ex-BBC producer


A woman who enjoyed a "high-functioning" 15-year career at the BBC fell 250ft to her death down a cliff in Cornwall, an inquest heard.
Rachel Elizabeth Eddy, 53, was a production manager with the broadcaster in Bristol and helped create programmes such as Comic Relief, Gardener's Year, Antiques Inspectors and Bear Grylls' Mission Everest programme.
The court heard that, five years before her death on February 16 this year, Miss Eddy accepted voluntary redundancy from the BBC but later regretted her decision. She secured short-term contracts but began to suffer from low mood and anxiety because she was worried about paying bills and was prescribed medication.
A post-mortem examination showed the cause of death to be multiple injuries, while toxicology reporters revealed traces of paracetamol and no other drugs or alcohol.
Miss Eddy's mother, Geraldine, said her daughter became unemployed and came back to live in Cornwall in 2009. She stayed with her mother and father, Eustice, at Tolroy Farm, Hayle, before moving out into a flat nearby.
Mrs Eddy said: "She found the short-term contracts stressful and missed her work colleagues. She regretted taking voluntary redundancy."
On the night of February 15 Miss Eddy, who was born in Redruth, had been staying with her parents, and her mother last saw her alive at around midnight.
At around 8am the following day, Mr Eddy realised his daughter had driven off in his Mercedes car. He and his wife jumped in their LandRover to look for her. The couple drove to Fisherman's Cove car park, North Cliffs, Hayle, where they found the Mercedes with the key still in the ignition.
Emergency services were called and Miss Eddy's body was found by helicopter crews from RNAS Culdrose near Helston at 9.25am.
Jenny Jones, community psychiatric nurse who had looked after Miss Eddy, said prior to her death her mental state had vastly improved.
When asked by coroner for Cornwall Dr Emma Carlyon if she thought Miss Eddy might have taken her own life, she replied: "I would say no. I understand the weather was bad that night and my gut feeling would be that it was an accident."
DC Sarah Brown confirmed the weather had been bad and the footpath Miss Eddy would have walked along was slippery.
She said: "The path was muddy and slippery underfoot. However, I could find no sign of any slip marks or signs of foul play or that it was an accident."
Dr Carlyon recorded an open verdict and said: "Miss Eddy had had a very high-functioning career. It must have been very difficult for her to be unemployed.
"We just don't know what she was doing that night, whether it was an accident or if she intended to take her own life," Dr Carlyon said.
source: thisiscornwall.co.uk

Two in hospital after two rush-hour crashes in Plymouth


TWO people were taken to hospital after separate rush hour car crashes, one of which caused tailbacks for drivers heading into the city.
A woman suffered head injuries in a three-vehicle collision on the A38, while a city man had to be cut from his car after smashing into a lamp post on Embankment Road.
His blue Ford Mondeo clipped a lorry on the inbound carriageway at around 7am, say police.
The vehicle then careered into the central reservation, where it hit a lamp post before coming to a rest near the Old Laira Road junction.
Emergency services were called and police alerted firefighters amid fears the man could have spinal injuries.
Two appliances from Greenbank, supported by a crew from Plymstock, were sent to the scene.
They used hydraulic rescue equipment to cut the vehicle’s roof off and free the man from his car.
He was placed on a spinal board as a “precaution”, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said, before being taken to Derriford Hospital by land ambulance.
The man’s injuries are not believed to be serious, a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said.
The crash closed a lane in each direction as emergency services worked at the scene.
There were also rush hour delays on the A38 Parkway after a separate accident involving three cars.
The police spokesman said a silver Ford Fiesta, red Daewoo and red Ford Focus had collided in the incident on the city-bound carriageway shortly before 7.40am.
The crash, by the Manadon off-slip, triggered heavy traffic back to Marsh Mills as emergency services closed one lane.
A woman complaining of head pains was taken to hospital by ambulance, where her injuries were not thought to be serious.
source: thisisplymouth.co.uk

Road traffic accident victims honoured in Liverpool St John's Gardens memorial service


A MEMORIAL service took place in Liverpool St John's Gardens to remember those who have lost their lives on the roads.
Organised by the charity RoadPeace dozens of people turned out to pay their respects at the annual World Day Of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims at St John’s Gardens.
The service was led by Pauline Fielding of RoadPeace North West, whose 18-year-old son Andrew was knocked down and killed in Neston in 1994 by a hit-and-run driver who was never caught.
Addressing the gathering, Pauline said: “Too many people are killed on our roads.
“Each road crash has lasting effects on so many people, the family, the friends and colleagues, those who witnessed or attended the crash, those who care for and support bereaved and injured, as well as those who investigate and try to prevent further injury loss of life on our roads.”
Among the floral tributes left at the road victims’ memorial yesterday was one to Eluned Cleverley of Meols, 18 who was killed in 2006 by a van being driven by a drunk driver.
Also there was family of Thomas Browne, 19, from Wavertree, who died in July this year after the car he was driving collided with another vehicle on the Rocket flyover.
The close of the service was marked by a rendition on flute of You’ll Never Walk Alone by musician Cerrita Smith which left some of the gathered crowd in tears.
source: liverpool.co.uk

Staff recruited to 'cut patient waiting times' at Lincolnshire hospitals


THE recruitment of new staff to Lincolnshire hospitals is hoped to transform endoscopy services for patients.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) is transforming the way services are run to ensure they are as efficient as possible with patients always receiving good experiences of care and treatment.
The Transformation Programme aims to enhance the patient experience in many ways such as carrying out diagnostic tests at the weekend instead of just Monday to Friday, providing alternatives to accident and emergency for conditions that are not life-threatening, planning each patient’s care down to the day they can expect to leave hospital and improving the use of theatres therefore reducing waiting times.
Trainee nurse endoscopist Chloe Holly said: “This is a really exciting development for the department. I previously worked as an endoscopy nurse at Boston but to be able to develop my skills in this way is fantastic.
“The extra resource we will be bringing means we can provide an even more improved service for our patients.”
Work has been on-going behind the scenes over the last few months and results of the Transformation Programme are starting to be seen.
Many patients can now expect to have tests carried out in the endoscopy unit over the weekend or in the evening. So if they are admitted on a Friday they may no longer have to wait until Monday for a test.
To enable this to happen, three new endoscopy nurses and a GP have been recruited to extend the hours the service can be offered and provide weekend appointments.
Patients at Lincoln County Hospital, Boston Pilgrim Hospital, Grantham and District Hospital and Louth County Hospital will start to see a difference as the service begins to expand.
Patients will be able to return home more quickly, waiting times will be reduced and more beds will become free for those in need of care and treatment on the wards.
Endoscopy nurses have been undergoing further training at Hull University, with practical training in the trust’s departments.
Following this they will be able to carry out certain procedures themselves.
A GP who currently works within the team is set increase her work to enable the department to offer appointments over the weekend.
source: thisislincolnshire.co.uk

Portsmouth police car knocks down woman


Personal Injury Hampshire
A woman who was hit by a police car in Portsmouth has been seriously injured.
Hampshire Police said the 32-year-old pedestrian was injured just before 22:00 GMT on Sunday.
Police responding to a burglary were travelling along Eastern Road, close to the junction with Hayling Avenue.
The woman was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and police have cordoned off the scene of the accident. Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
source: bbc.co.uk

Thursday 17 November 2011

University of Lincoln fined £10,000 for asbestos failings


Asbestos Claims
The University of Lincoln has been fined £10,000 after it admitted leaving students and staff at risk of exposure to asbestos.
The university failed to take adequate steps to tackle asbestos found in four of its buildings, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) heard.
Managers failed to follow their own asbestos management plan, between 2006 and 2010, the HSE was told.
Lincoln University said it had since made its buildings safe.
The failings came to light when a lecturer noticed "strange" dust around a broken door handle, in February 2010.
Policies 'updated'
Independent asbestos surveys carried out by the HSE identified the dangerous material in doors at four university buildings over several years but no remedial action had been taken.
Two members of the estate's management team have resigned since asbestos was found at Chad Varah House, Greestone Court, the Old Hall and Wordsworth Hall.
After the hearing at Lincoln Magistrates' Court, HSE inspector Edward Walker said: "Exposure to asbestos fibres is a well known health hazard that results in approximately 4,000 deaths a year.
"The university had an asbestos management plan but had failed to follow it and failed to take appropriate steps to manage the risks associated with asbestos over a number of years, putting staff, students and contractors at risk of potential exposure."
The University of Lincoln, which was was also ordered to pay £12,759 costs, said it had since updated and modernised its policies and procedures and all of its premises were now compliant with current regulations.
source: bbc.co.uk

Asbestos buried at Gloucester nature reserve by council contractor


A COUNCIL contractor ignored the rules when deadly asbestos was buried on a city nature reserve.
Instead of disposing of the asbestos correctly, the Enterprise employee shoved it into the ground at Alney Island.
He has since been relieved of his position and the fibrous material was dug up.
Barry Leach, from Gloucester City Centre Community Partnership, said: "I am disappointed an employee feels cutting corners is the way to do things. I hope measures are put in place to ensure it doesn't happen again."
Enterprise workers were called to the site in July after 20 travellers left tonnes of rubbish.
Among the waste was roof tiles from what is believed to be a garden shed. These contained asbestos.
Strict regulations surround the disposal of the substance, which is responsible for 4,000 deaths a year.
But although asbestos particles pose a serious risk to humans if inhaled, they do not pose a problem when in the ground.
It is still an offence to bury asbestos under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It must be sent to licenced dealers. When being dug up, it can release the dangerous fibres.
Unfortunate
Keith Rowe, general manager at Enterprise, said: "This is completely out of character, nothing like this has happened before. Procedures were not followed. It should have been bagged, collected, skipped and taken to a licensed asbestos disposal point.
"It is unfortunate they acted in this way. We have high standards and expertise in cleaning up and in Health and Safety. Once I knew what had happened we worked very swiftly to deal with the issue.
"We took action internally against the individuals for working outside the organisation's process."
It is not known when the tiles were buried, but they were removed last month.
The land is jointly-owned by both Gloucester City Council and the Environment Agency.
A spokesperson for the city council said: "The issue was quickly identified by our partner Enterprise and promptly and appropriately dealt with by them."
While a spokesperson for the Environment Agency added: "The matter was handled very quickly between Gloucester City Council and the contractor. As a landowner, we will be seeking confirmation that the asbestos was removed using the appropriate paper work and has been taken to a licenced site."
Steve Morgan, cabinet member for the environment, added: "Clearing up after travellers is a particularly unpleasant job. That does not condone what happened, but it brings home what we ask the Enterprise staff to do is often pretty unpleasant."
source: thisisgloucestershire.co.uk

Thursday 10 November 2011

Surgeon killed your husband, claims worker with a grudge


Medical Negligence London
A grieving widow told today how an NHS worker sent her a letter alleging her husband was deliberately killed during surgery.
Bernard Garcia underwent a routine heart operation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich but died unexpectedly after the procedure.
Less than a month later his widow, Linda Cook, received a letter which alleged that he died because of an "experiment" undertaken by the surgeon.
Following a year-long investigation, it was discovered that Mr Garcia died of a rare complication during the operation, and it is now being alleged that the author of the note made up the story because of a personal feud with the surgeon.
Ms Cook, 59, who retained her maiden name during her marriage, said she had found the time since her 74-year-old husband's death in May last year "unbearable", and the letter made it even harder to cope with the grief.
"Since Bernie died my health has deteriorated and I haven't been sleeping," said Ms Cook, an environmental health officer.
The letter, sent to the couple's Bexleyheath home, alleged that the doctor who had operated on Mr Garcia to insert a stent tube into a narrowing artery had deliberately perforated his heart. It read: "He experiments with human hearts to find out how long it takes to die when their heart is punctured."
A man connected to the hospital trust was arrested in June after police said they had matched his DNA to that found on the letter. No charge has been brought but Mr Garcia's family are pursuing a civil action.
source: thisislondon.co.uk
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