Temporary closure for Yeovil maternity unit after warning
The paediatric staffing problems are understood to have a knock-on for maternity services which have resulted in the temporary closure of birthing services at Yeovil.Other maternity services, like antenatal appointments, are expected to continue at Yeovil during the six month period.Some 1,200 babies were born at Yeovil District Hospital last year, with 3,000 births at Musgrove Park Hospital.The news of the birthing services closure comes a year after a critical report into maternity services at both hospitals in Somerset.The watchdog found there was expired milk in a fridge at Musgrove Park and criticised staff in Yeovil for not washing their hands when entering clinical areas.The CQC acknowledged staff at the trust were "keen to improve the services and some of the problems were out of local leaders' control".Chief executive for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Peter Lewis, said at the time: "The real issue is that we do recognise that we have fallen short of the standards that are expected and the standards that we would expect."It's important to say sorry to the families that do use our services, but also sorry to the colleagues that work very hard in those services, some of which the CQC has recognised in a positive way."A report to a Somerset Council health scrutiny committee this week said the Trust had made "significant progress", completing 92% of all improvement actions outlined in the CQC maternity inspection reports.
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The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
The 10 signs of ‘brain swelling' sloth fever which could be spread by sex after cases spotted in UK for the first time
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The bug typically circulates between primates, including sloths - hence the nickname - before it is occasionally passed to humans by the critters. Mosquitos and midges found in the UK and wider Europe do not currently spread Oropouche virus disease. Until last year, experts didn't think the virus could spread from person to person. But a study published by Italian scientists in December suggested it could spread in semen, sparking concerns about possible sexual transmission. Scientists are currently investigating whether the infection can be passed on from mothers to babies during pregnancy, after the virus was linked to stillbirths and birth defects. For most people, Oropouche infections are mild, with symptoms typically showing up 4 to 8 days after a bite. I tried the best ways to stop mosquitoes on your summer hols - from sprays, patches & bracelets, one was a dud and stank These can include: Fever Headache Joint pain Muscle aches Chills Nausea and vomiting Rash Sensitivity to light Dizziness Pain behind the eyes UKHSA chiefs have urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas. Symptoms typically last less than a week but can occasionally reoccur. In severe cases, the virus can also attack the brain leading to meningitis or encephalitis, which can be fatal. 4 4 It is estimated that fewer than four per cent of patients will develop neurological symptoms. The first ever deaths linked to the virus were reported in Brazil in July 2024, where, sadly, two people died. There are currently no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines available. Treatment for symptoms can include rest, fluids, and the use of medicines to reduce pain and fever. The 6 things all travellers must do to protect themselves from 'sloth virus' Dubbed a "mysterious threat But it is transmitted by biting midges and mosquitoes that have fed on sloth, monkey or bird blood, so avoiding bites can help keep you safe. There are also five other steps you can take to protect yourself. 1. Prevent bites The number one thing you can do to protect yourself from Oropouche, as well as dengue fever, Zika and other viruses transmitted by insects, is preventing bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers, and staying in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens and/or mosquito nets. Avoiding strong perfumes, soaps, shampoos and deodorants can also help, the NHS says. 2. Time it right Anyone who has been to areas where Oropouche is present should continue to prevent insect bites for three weeks after travel, the CDC warns. "This is to mitigate additional spread of the virus and potential importation into unaffected areas," it adds. 3. Know the signs Another major line of defence is being aware of the most common symptoms of Oropouche. The CDC says these are a fever and headache, which usually begin three to 10 days after being bitten by an infected bug. Other potential signs include muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills and sensitivity to light. "Most people infected with Oropouche feel better within a week, but symptoms often come back," the CDC adds. 4. Seek medical help According to the CDC, travellers to areas with Oropouche transmission, including South America or the Caribbean, who develop a fever, chills, headache, joint pain or muscle pain during or within two weeks after travel should: Seek medical care and tell their healthcare provider when and where they travelled Not take aspirin or other NSAIDS (e.g. ibuprofen) to reduce the risk of bleeding Continue to prevent insect bites during the first week of illness to avoid further spread, especially in areas where mosquitoes or biting midges are active 5. Plan ahead Before jetting off, pregnant holidaymakers should discuss travel plans with their GP, CDC guidance states. This should include their reason for travel, how to prevent insect bites, and all potential risks associated with travel. 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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
UK's largest children's brain injury unit cut frontline staff over ‘financial crisis' before child deaths
Frontline staff were cut at a flagship rehabilitation unit weeks before a child died when nurses failed to monitor her properly, The Independent can reveal. The Children's Trust (TCT), a care home for disabled children in Tadworth, Surrey, has been criticised by coroners after three young patients, who had brain injuries and complex conditions and required either around-the-clock care or regular monitoring, died while under its care. One of those children, Raihana Oluwadamilola Awolaja, 12, who was meant to be receiving one-to-one care, died in hospital after her breathing tube became blocked when she was left unattended for 15 minutes. A coroner later found her death had been contributed to by neglect and ruled that, 'on the balance of probabilities, she would not have died at this time' had she been 'appropriately observed' when the breathing tube became blocked. Now, The Independent can reveal that the centre, which is the UK's largest brain injury rehabilitation centre for children, made staff redundant in the weeks before Raihana's death in June 2023 amid financial concerns. According to accounts analysed by The Independent, the trust had 'significant concerns' over its finances in 2022 and 2023. A report said that redundancies had been 'unavoidable', with a restructure which reduced overall staff numbers by 15 per cent completed by May 2023. At Raihana's inquest, coroner Fiona Wilcox found there was 'simply insufficient staff to provide constant one-to-one care' and that the nurses' gross failure to observe her was 'compounded by the lack of sufficient staff on the unit where Raihana lived to provide proper 1:1 care'. She found that, in practice, the one-to-one care provided for the young girl by the trust was one nurse to two patients, when parts of the daily work routine, such as breaks, meetings and handovers, were taken into account. The coroner's prevention of future deaths report said: 'There were simply insufficient staff to provide constant one-to-one care, as understood it should have been provided and commissioned by the local authority. 'There was confusion as to what one-to-one meant at the time of Raihana's death and how it is practised now by carers and nurses who gave evidence.' The coroner added: 'There will still be occasions when vulnerable residents such as Raihana will be left one to two, with eyes on only observation, despite an apparent increase in numbers of staff on duty at any one time, albeit it should happen less often.' Evidence to the inquest also revealed Raihana's mother repeatedly raised concerns that, contrary to the agreed levels of 'around-the-clock one-to-one care', she had found her daughter to be left with no supervising carer. The inquest heard this issue was discussed at meetings at TCT, but it continued to happen. Staffing levels were not explicitly mentioned in the coroners' prevention of future deaths (PFD) reports for two other children who died at the unit, Mia Gauci-Lamport, 16, and five-year-old Connor Wellsted. But an inquest into Connor's death heard he had likely been dead for hours by the time staff found him. The young boy was found dead in his cot at TCT on 17 May 2017 after he became trapped under a cot bumper. A key concern was that he had 'no regular or direct supervision overnight', other than staff opening the door or watching him through a glass window. Mia, who required 24-hour care, died of natural causes after she was found unresponsive in her bed. She should have had in-person checks every 15 minutes, but it was 'common practice among' some staff to use a video camera to check on her, the PFD report said. Concluding Mia's inquest, coroner Karen Henderson, who also investigated Connor's death, said the lack of a 'robust and adhered-to care plan for night observations' mirrored the same concerns she raised about Connor's death. The Independent has found that TCT reported a 'serious incident' to the Charity Commission in August 2022 over its finances. The Charity Commission describes serious incidents as events or issues that could harm the charity's beneficiaries, staff or volunteers or result in a loss of the charity's money or assets, damage its property or harm an organisation's reputation. Leaders later approved a financial recovery plan which aimed to reduce staffing costs at the charity, which has multiple executives earning six-figure salaries. Its annual report for 2022-23 said the trust had made 'significant headway' on two key objectives – reducing expenditure and increasing income, adding: 'Regrettably, with staff costs representing 80 per cent of total expenditure, we had to undertake an organisational restructuring which was completed in May 2023.' Raihana died in June 2023, and Mia died three months later, in September. The report added that overall staff numbers were cut by 15 per cent, which reduced the total staffing budget by £3.7m. It added that it would remain focused on 'minimising staff costs (including temporary agency workers and recruitment fees) and maintaining a leaner workforce going forward.' TCT told The Independent it had 'stabilised' its finances 'following a financial crisis in 2022', and that it was a different organisation now compared to the years in which Connor, Mia and Raihana died. It admitted that, at that time, financial pressures had 'threatened the future' of TCT. It added that, following Raihana's death, it had made significant changes to its monitoring and observation policy and has introduced a flexible 'floating' staff role available 24 hours a day, which ensures additional support can be provided. It added: 'The lack of sufficient staff on the unit where Raihana lived was not due to cuts in staffing levels to aid financial recovery. 'Staffing levels were in place, which allowed us to be compliant with our policy and meet our contractual agreements around 1:1 care at that time.' TCT said it has also since changed its policy on monitoring patients, which it says ensures practices are clear, consistent and personalised to meet each child's needs. It said the organisation now requires every staff member allocated to provide one-to-one care to formally sign a document at the start of their shift to confirm their understanding of the individual's care, monitoring and observation needs. 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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Guy's Hospital evacuated after ‘chemical incident'
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