Malnourished girl known to social services 'most of her life'
"It really was in the last couple of years where things took a turn, you know - to do with her school not being open during the pandemic, transitioning to another school, and issues at home," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.The review was commissioned by The Northumberland Children and Adult Safeguarding Partnership, which identified a number of lessons to be learnt from the case.
The 67-page document was written from Sophia's perspective as it was felt she had not been "seen or heard for such a long time".In it, Sophia said she believed she would be "happier" and "taller" if her life had been different.
Renner-Thompson, who is the council's cabinet member for children and young people, said he wanted to make sure the local authority had done everything it could to make sure a similar situation did not happen again.He said one of the problems found in the report was, in some cases, there was little cross-checking between different agencies."There was one example where some police officers visited the home and they left saying everything is fine," he said. "A GP commented later that the fact the child was so small and in a wheelchair, despite being able to talk and being quite happy and bubbly, should have raised alarm bells."Renner-Thompson said the council's introduction of family hubs was a solution to that problem, as it allowed families with issues to be identified and for partner organisations to be brought together "in the same room".
He said the report did not blame a single organisation and all process in place had been followed correctly.But he admitted that while those processes worked 99% of the time, they were found to be lacking in "very extreme cases"."I think the conclusions of the review would say that if there were different processes in place, it could have been prevented," he said."This is why the processes involved have to be changed and have been changed, and have to be recognised as have being changed."
Additional reporting by Rachel Sweeney.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Save 60% on the 28-day fasting challenge helping thousands of midlife women shed stubborn pounds fast
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more At any age, weight loss can be a challenge. Throw in the hormonal and physiological changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause, though, and it can seem almost impossible. With the right program, you can actually find your way to success. That's what thousands who joined the Reverse Health 28-day fasting challenge discovered. At 60 percent off (just 56 cents a day!), it's an amazing value. Reverse Health 28-Day Fasting Challenge Four weeks to a healthier, fitter, and more confident you! This program is designed to meet the needs of midlife women. Hormonal fluctuations can make weight loss a challenge, but through a carefully scheduled fasting plan, coupled with delicious recipes and invaluable support and education, you can feel better than ever in just 28 days. The benefits of fasting are unmatched! Your body shifts from burning glucose to burning stored fat, helping you lose weight. It can also stabilize blood sugar and even improve your mood and sleep quality. Sign up today for 60 percent off (that's just $15.65, or 56 cents a day). Save 60% Shop It's time to feel your best, and there is no time like now to get started on the Reverse Health fasting challenge Designed specifically to help women in midlife, the program takes a personalized approach to helping you shed unwanted pounds and improve your overall health. It's the combination of the two that is so vital to your wellbeing, especially during this transitional period of life when the body undergoes so many dramatic changes. Intermittent fasting can play a significant role in helping your body handle them. Fasting doesn't have to be a challenge thanks to this manageable program that's tailored to your specific needs Studies have found that by fasting, you can manage your weight more efficiently. It's not even just a theory. Centuries ago, people wouldn't eat for hours upon hours while they hunted and gathered for their next meal. Between the larger portions and the tempting snacks at every turn, though, food culture has obviously evolved. But fasting still exists, and it can be a great way to control how your body responds to your food intake. Under normal circumstances, your body uses glucose as its primary source of energy. When there's no more glucose left to burn though, your body shifts to mobilizing your stored fat. That's the key to weight loss — but there are other benefits to fasting, too, like reducing blood sugar, supporting heart health, and even boosting memory and sleep. The beauty of the Reverse Health is that it's tailored specifically to your body's changing needs during perimenopause and menopause. Packed with features, the Reverse Health app has all that you need to enjoy a successful challenge, including meal tips, reminders, trackers, and more Because estrogen drops during this time, it can affect how you respond to fasting. That's taken into account when creating your schedule, which is specifically designed to help you meet your personal goals. And you get a built-in support system, with helpful features like timers to help you stick to good habits and useful videos that teach you all about fasting and its impact on hormonal inflammation, along with access to the Reverse Health community. That's on top of other extras, like healthy recipes to enjoy during your eating windows, tips to support your overall wellness, and the kind of motivation you need to stick to the program and see results. Within just 28 days, you could both see and feel an incredible difference! Your confidence and health are worth it. Get started and enjoy 60 percent off when you join the Reverse Health 28-day fasting challenge today.
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Contraception used by thousands increases risk of brain tumour, study finds
Women on a widely–used contraceptive jab are three–and–a–half times more likely to suffer a potentially–fatal brain tumour, a study shows. It's the third major investigation in just over a year to show the jab raises the risk of a meningioma, the most common type of tumour in the brain, in those on it for 12 months or more. Around 10,000 prescriptions a month are issued for medroxyprogesterone acetate— sold under the brand name Depo Provera—in England alone. Hundreds of women in the UK are now reported to be considering legal action against the manufacturer Pfizer, for not warning them of the risks. A class action is already underway against Pfizer and other generic manufacturers of the jab in the US, where more than 500 women allege the companies were aware of the link but failed to adequately warn users of the risks or promote safer alternatives. The drug is a hormone injection give every three months and works by preventing eggs from being released by a woman's ovaries. It was first licensed for use on the NHS as a contraceptive over 40 years ago. But a 2024 study in the British Medical Journal of more than 18,000 women, by a team of scientists from the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety, concluded those who stayed on it for at least a year were up to five times more at risk of a meningioma. The jab is administered every three months in a doctor's surgery or sexual health clinic A second probe in September last year, by researchers at the University of Alabama in the US, produced similar results. Although non–cancerous, the condition can cause blurred vision, headaches, hearing loss, poor sense of smell and problems with swallowing. Tumours are normally slow–growing but can kill by compressing the brain and nerves if they grow too big. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with a meningioma and it's more common in women. In the latest study, scientists at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, compared meningioma rates in 72,181 women on the jab with more than 247,000 women on oral contraception. The results, in the journal Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, showed the risks were more than trebled in long–term users of the jab. Researcher Dr Mahyar Etminan said the dangers did not appear to increase the more years women spent on the drug. But he added: 'I do believe the evidence is now robust, with three large studies showing pretty much the same thing. 'Women concerned about this risk may want to consider opting for alternative contraceptives.' It's not clear why the jab triggers tumour growth. One theory is the synthetic hormone it uses – progestogen – binds to meningioma cells and helps them grow. Some research suggests certain versions of the Pill made with progestogen can also heighten the risk of meningioma but only in a small proportion of women who take it for more than five years. The UK drug safety watchdog—the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency—last October called on Pfizer to include a warning about the heightened risk in patient information leaflets. Pfizer also wrote to NHS doctors urging them to immediately stop women from using Depo Provera if they were diagnosed with a meningioma. Virginia Buchanan, partner at Levin Papantonio—the law firm handling the case in the US—said: 'This new study reinforces the need for legal action against Pfizer, with the hope of bringing justice for the women who have never been warned about the increased risk of developing a brain tumour from using Depo–Provera and who have gone on to develop meningiomas.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
X Factor star reveals she's been diagnosed with debilitating condition and had surgery after years of pain
X FACTOR favourite has revealed she secretly underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a painful health condition that left her suffering for years. The singer, who rose to fame on the hit ITV talent show, bravely opened up about her hidden health battle - telling fans she was left in 'chronic pain' before finally getting answers from doctors. 5 Ella Henderson, who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012, has been diagnosed with endometriosis - a condition that affects 1 in 10 women and can cause intense pelvic pain, fatigue, and fertility issues. The 29-year-old revealed she kept her agony private for years before finally undergoing secret surgery to manage the condition. Taking to Instagram, she told fans: "After years of struggling with confusing and challenging health problems including stomach bloating, bowel pain and heavy periods, plus countless GP appointments leading to scans, tests and the feeling that maybe the pain was all in my head, I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis in January this year. "The revelation came after a laparoscopy, which found severe endometriosis behind my uterus and scar tissue affecting my bladder and bowel. "For those who are unfamiliar with this condition (just like I was only months ago) - endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. "The diagnosis was a difficult one to swallow but on the other hand it feels validating and empowering. It meant I wasn't imagining things after all, and 1 could finally find a way forward and take control of my body. "My long journey to an endometriosis diagnosis is not unique. It takes on average up to 9 years in the UK, which for many like me, can put an immense mental and physical toll on you. "Living in chronic pain, not being believed, and constant misdiagnosis led to periods of depression, isolation and anxiety. If health practitioners had recognised my endometriosis symptoms sooner, I might all that have been spared. "Although it took a long time (like many women out there) to finally get a definitive diagnosis, it has allowed me to receive appropriate and life-changing support. Which, in my case, was surgery, that so far helped to significantly reduce my symptoms. "Unfortunately, there is no actual cure for endometriosis, So ongoing management will likely be part of my life, whether that's through lifestyle changes, pain management, or other treatments. More research is still needed to understand the condition and ultimately find a cure. "Having now officially become among the one in 10 women in the UK with endometriosis, l am so aware of how many aspects of my life were significantly being impacted. "As a teenager, I remember there were times I missed school due to severe period pain and fatigue. And more recently, I've needed time off work due to health issues which I've found difficult to explain. "I love my job and feel so lucky and grateful to be able to do what I do, so the thought of cancelling shows is something l've battled with. "I often pushed through intense pain just to maintain appearances, not wanting to be judged or let anyone down including myself. "So why am I telling you all this? Put imply, I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique, and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long. "That's why I am partnering with the charity Endometriosis UK. I want to raise awareness of this condition and campaign for real change. "My hope is to be a voice for those still searching for answers and show those living with endometriosis that they're not alone. "Endometriosis UK is working to reduce the shockingly long diagnosis time, calling on Governments across the UK to ensure menstrual wellbeing education is implemented in all schools as well as improving education and awareness of endometriosis for all healthcare practitioners, including GPs, pharmacists and A&E doctors. "Without this education, those with the disease will continue to face challenges in getting a diagnosis and accessing the right care at the right time. "As part of their mission to reduce diagnosis times, Endometriosis UK has an endometriosis symptoms checker. In just 60 seconds you can find out if your symptoms could be a sign of the condition, and if they are, then an automated personalised letter is created with your symptoms to give to your GP. "And whether you have a diagnosis or not, the charity's experienced nurse-led support helpline team is ready to provide expert information and guidance. "Those are two really fantastic resources that I would definitely have benefited from when I was on my diagnosis journey & l wish I'd known about them sooner! "My ultimate goal here, like Endometriosis UK, is that want anyone living with this condition to feel a sense of empowerment and be enabled to take back control of their lives by knowing what is actually going on with their bodies. "I believe it is so important that we begin to have more open conversations about menstrual health and endometriosis. "Spreading awareness and knowledge by having wider discussions on the matter is key. The only way we can feel more comfortable and in control is by sharing our own experiences. "For me, I have found a lot of healing and comfort within talking more openly about my own personal journey. Even if me using my platform can help even just one other person - it's worth it! E xx" Many thanked the Ghost hitmaker for speaking out, with one writing: "Thank you so much for sharing your story, it helps so much!" Dozens more hailed her as an 'inspiration,' with fans sharing their own stories in solidarity. Another added: "Welcome to the Endo Warrior crew 💛 I'm so happy you found Answers. When I first got diagnosed I felt defeated but also happy they found a reason for my pain." A third penned: "Thank you for highlighting the fight we have as women to be heard and taken seriously about the pain that we go through on a monthly basis. Keep fighting & raising awareness." 5 5 5
