Equalities watchdog to consider enforcement powers after NHS Fife exchange
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had earlier sought to remind the health board of its 'obligations' under equalities legislation.
It said assessments of new policies and practices which affect equalities legislation must be published.
The intervention came amid a high-profile employment tribunal brought against NHS Fife by nurse Sandie Peggie – who was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at the hospital where they both worked.
Chaired by Baroness Kishwer Falkner, the EHRC has powers to carry out investigations and apply for interdicts in the Scottish courts, if it believes organisations are not complying with equalities law.
The Daily Telegraph reported an exchange of letters between the EHRC and NHS Fife.
One of these was a March 27 letter from NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter to EHRC chief executive John Kirkpatrick.
She said: 'We recognise the significant media attention and public discussion this issue has generated.
'However, as with any complex legal and organisational matter, not all facts or considerations may be fully reflected in external reporting.'
She said the health board recognises its responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010, saying that the current legal process must conclude before any potential changes to practices can be considered.
NHS Fife is 'committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for all staff and patients', the chief executive said.
Ms Potter also said NHS Fife is also awaiting the publication of a national 'gender transitioning guide' from NHS Scotland which will inform policy.
A spokesperson for the EHRC told the PA news agency: 'The policies and practices of all Scottish health boards must comply with the Equality Act 2010, as it relates to the provision of single-sex services and spaces.
'We wrote to NHS Fife to remind them of their obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, and request that they provide information relevant to the provision of changing facilities for their staff and the rights of different groups in the application of these policies.
'We are currently reviewing the response NHS Fife provided and will be writing to them again shortly.
'As Britain's equality regulator, we will consider any appropriate next steps, including the use of our enforcement powers.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
Lots of Americans think they have this allergy — but only 1% really do
You've been itching to avoid this antibiotic — maybe for no reason. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by a Scottish bacteriologist. The medication has since become a common treatment for a range of bacterial infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. But not everyone can tolerate penicillin. People allergic to the drug may suffer hives, itchy skin, a rash or, in severe cases, a potentially life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis upon exposure. Advertisement 4 A penicillin allergy can lead to a rash or hives if exposed to the drug. Image'in – These patients may struggle to breathe, feel dizzy or experience facial swelling. The good news is that penicillin allergies are far less common than once believed. Advertisement Studies have shown that over 90% of people who report a penicillin allergy aren't actually allergic when tested. Less than 1% of Americans are truly allergic. 'Incorrectly being labeled as allergic to penicillin can prevent you from getting the most appropriate, safest treatment for an infection,' Dr. Elizabeth W. Covington, an associate clinical professor of pharmacy at Auburn University, recently wrote in The Conversation. 4 Penicillin is used to treat strep throat, pneumonia, skin infections and certain urinary tract infections. luchschenF – 'It can also put you at an increased risk of antimicrobial resistance, which is when an antibiotic no longer works against bacteria,' she added. Advertisement Those reporting penicillin allergies are often treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, which target lots of different types of bacteria. Covington noted that this puts helpful bacteria in the cross-hairs, potentially paving the way for the survival and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 'Broad-spectrum antibiotics … aren't always the best fit and can have more side effects' than penicillin, she said. 'What's more, your medical bills could end up higher due to using more expensive drugs.' Advertisement People tend to get mislabeled as allergic to penicillin if they have a rash, nausea, diarrhea or headaches after taking an antibiotic as a child, Covington reported. But those reactions can be common side effects of antibiotics or triggered by the illness itself. 4 In severe cases, a person with a penicillin allergy may suffer throat swelling. SKT Studio – 'People also often assume penicillin allergies run in families, but having a relative with an allergy doesn't mean you're allergic — it's not hereditary,' Covington said in The Conversation. 'Finally, about 80% of patients with a true penicillin allergy will lose the allergy after about 10 years,' she continued. 'That means even if you used to be allergic to this antibiotic, you might not be anymore, depending on the timing of your reaction.' How to tell if you're allergic to penicillin Talk with a doctor or pharmacist about any symptoms you have after taking antibiotics. Be sure to note when the reaction began, whether treatment was needed and what happened with subsequent attempts at taking similar drugs. Advertisement 'In many cases, this interview is enough to determine you aren't allergic,' Covington said. 'But sometimes, further testing may be recommended.' 4 An immunologist performs a skin prick allergy test on a woman's arm. Microgen – Penicillin skin testing typically involves putting a small amount of penicillin solution on the forearm and pricking or scratching the skin to let the solution enter. Then you're observed to see if you develop redness or raised bumps. Advertisement If the skin test is negative, an immunologist may administer a small oral dose of the drug and monitor you for signs of a reaction. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said the skin and oral testing typically takes 90 minutes to two hours. The NYC-based cancer hospital suggests wearing a short-sleeved shirt for the test, which allows for easy access to your arm, and eating a meal or snack beforehand to prevent cramping, gas and bloating.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
NHS Fife told to ‘progress corrective actions' urgently on single-sex spaces
NHS Fife has been told by the UK's equality watchdog to 'progress corrective actions without delay' regarding single-sex spaces after the health board admitted it failed to carry out an equality impact assessment previously. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) wrote to NHS Fife regarding access to single-sex facilities for staff on February 21, after the employment tribunal brought by nurse Sandie Peggie against the health board adjourned. Ms Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about 'patient care'. Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation, and the case has been adjourned until September. Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the EHRC, said NHS Fife previously admitted no equality impact assessment had been carried out and one is now expected around September 30, having been commissioned retrospectively. The EHRC recently directed NHS Fife to take 'corrective action' to ensure compliance with regulations which require public bodies to assess how policies and practices affect people with protected characteristics. On June 10, it held a meeting to reiterate that the Scottish Government has a duty to ensure public bodies comply, following the UK Supreme Court ruling in April that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. On July 23, NHS Fife 'assured the EHRC that it has taken steps in several areas, including a full review and audit of changing, toilet and locker room facilities', and it 'committed to ensuring there will be no delay in progressing all the compliance actions directed', according to the regulator. Baroness Falkner said the EHRC had 'urged NHS Fife to progress the corrective actions we directed without delay' to 'protect staff from discrimination and harassment'. Maya Forstater, chief executive of human rights charity Sex Matters, said: 'This directive to NHS Fife is an unprecedented intervention from the EHRC. 'While long overdue, this is a clear instruction to NHS Fife – and all employers – that it cannot get away with continuing to flout the Equality Act. 'There have been relentless efforts to undermine the Supreme Court judgment since it was handed down. 'This leads to women being subjected to bullying, harassment and discrimination if they stand up, as Sandie Peggie did, for their right to undress with dignity and privacy. 'The EHRC has the power to hold employers, service providers and public sector bodies to account.' The employment tribunal held further hearings in July before adjourning until September. Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman Tess White said: 'This damning directive from the EHRC confirms that on top of being negligent, incompetent and biased, NHS Fife broke the law in relation to the Sandie Peggie case. 'It's abundantly clear that the positions of the chief executive and senior health board colleagues are completely untenable. 'The shameful admission from the health board confirms that Sandie Peggie was hung out to dry from the very beginning, simply for standing up for her rights as a woman. Fairness and accountability must prevail. 'The First Minister must clear out those at the top of NHS Fife and finally demand that it, and all other public bodies, upholds the clear and unequivocal Supreme Court ruling entitling women to single-sex spaces.' Baroness Falkner said: 'The policies and practices of all Scottish health boards must comply with the Equality Act 2010. 'We will continue to engage with NHS Fife and monitor its progress and the outcome of the measures it has committed to taking, to ensure compliance with the Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty.' NHS Fife said it welcomes continued engagement and oversight from the EHRC. It said: 'We are committed to working constructively with the EHRC to provide assurance that we fully understand, and are meeting, our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. This includes considering the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling and the EHRC's interim guidance. 'A comprehensive review and audit of our facilities has been completed, and an equality impact assessment is under way. This will be concluded and published by September 30, 2025. 'Our priority is to ensure that all NHS Fife policies and practices protect the rights of our staff and comply fully with equality legislation.' The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Time Business News
Strepto Penicillin: History, Science, Uses, and the Future of a Life-Saving Antibiotic
The article is well researched and composed by a professional science and health writer who is also used to interpreting medical information presented in complex terms to clear and accessible language by anyone not limited to a specific background. The author has relied upon evidence-based practice since he has referred to peer-reviewed journals, literature textbooks, and reliable health organizations. The inspiration to compose this work was to enable the readers not only to acquire a technical knowledge about strepto penicillin but also have a historical and societal point of view, as it is regarded to have changed modern medicine. All the facts provided in this article have been checked cross-wise and at the end of all this checking, the reader knows that he/she is getting the best and the most updated facts. Strepto penicillin is the name that brings together two outstanding worlds of antibiotic research in science, the firstpenicillin that was found in molds and the next generation of antibiotics that is discovered in Streptomyces known as soil bacteria. Most people have heard about penicillin as the drug that transformed the field of medicine in the 20 th century but far less have heard about the significant contribution that Streptomyces species have made in the expanses of antibiotic therapy. Strepto penicillin itself is not a single drug, but an idea-one that can help span the gulf separating the fungal and bacterial esters pharmaceutical eontributions, the inspiration that brought about a pharmacopoeia of lifesaving substances. Strepto penicillin is a story quilt made of scientific discovery and industrial innovation, war-time needs, and forty years of ever-increasing research. It has a long history that intertwines with some of the most monumental events throughout the history of medicine, such as the widespread usage of antibiotics during World War II, to the advanced interventions in molecular biology popular in the 21st century. In the age of antibiotic resistance being one of the biggest challenges to the population, it would further make knowing the origins, mechanisms, and contemporary applications of strepto penicillin all the more crucial. This paper discusses the entire process, its history, structure, use, medical uses, manufacturing processes, and prospects of reducing antibiotic effectiveness in future generations with regards to the worldwide concern of retainingantibiotics usefulness to future generations. The saga of strepto penicillin started in the year 1928 when Alexander Fleming a bacteriologist of Scottish origin was something odd in his Petri dishes. In one of them, lengthening of Staphylococcus had been inhibited in the domain of one mildew community. This mold could be referred to as Penicillium notatum and it was secreting a substance that killed many bacteria but did not have any effect to human cells. It was an observation that led to the dawn of an era of the antibiotics and it would not be until over a decade later that after further research, penicillin became widely available. The Second World War saw penicillin move out of the laboratory as a curiosity into heavy industrial need as penicillin could be used in treating bacterial infections in soldiers. Production on a large scale was made possible via collaborations between the British and American scientists who improved on the fermentation process as well as discovering high yield strains of Penicillium. As the war progressed penicillin was being heralded as a miracle drug, which was saving lives which would have otherwise succumbed to infection in the likes of pneumonia, septicemia and wound infections. Although the discovery of penicillin happened in the fungal kingdom, the success of penicillin encouraged the scientists to look elsewhere in seeking other antibiotic-producing organisms. It was in this search that they went to the soil and thus found Streptomyces which is a genus of bacteria that is naturally very diverse in the formation of antimicrobial compounds. Streptomycin produced by Streptomyces griseus was one of the first and most meaningful ones and turned into the first curative agent against tuberculosis. The fact that these discoveries overlapped gives rise to the concept of a strepto penicillin. Although penicillin is not produced by Streptomyces, feats in antibiotic production, purifications, and modifications discovered in the research of streptomyces contributed to the processes of penicillin derivatives development. Such derivatives would frequently have superior stability, extended antibacterial spectra, or be able to resist attack by bacterial enzymes that would normally inactivated penicillin. The combination of both fungal-derived and Streptomyces-modelled innovation provided greatly increased amounts of antibiotics in the toolbox of doctors and hospitals all over the world. The core of strepto penicillin like analogs is the four-membered cyclic amide (the beta-lactam monomer) that is essential to the mechanism of their antibacterial agents. This ring enables connection of such bacteria enzymes as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) to the antibiotic. The assembly of peptidoglycan layer structure of the bacterial cell walls is due to these enzymes. Blocking of PBPs prevents the bacteria to develop a healthy cell wall thus exposing the bacteria to osmotic pressure which eventually destroys the bacteria by rupturing it. Certain derivatives of strepto penicillin have chemical alterations to the beta-lactam ring or the side chains so it can be more active against resistant bacteria, more acid stable (stomach acid) or able to penetrate the outer membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Such inventions would not have been possible without the cross-fertilisation between fungal penicillin research and the chemical creativity of streptomyces antibiotic production. Strepto penicillin mechanism is a focused biochemical attack that focuses on some of the places most basic to the life of bacteria–the cell wall. The bacteria cannot survive without this wall as it keeps the structure intact and guards them against their surroundings. Strepto penicillin attaches irreversibly to PBPs and thus blocks cross-links between chains of peptidoglycan, providing the wall with strength. In the absence of this structure, the bacteria cannot hold their shape and uphold against pressure leading to their demolishment. The mode of action is especially potent against gram-positive bacteria, which have their thick layers of peptidoglycan more exposed to the antibiotic. Nevertheless, when selected strepto penicillin derivatives are carefully chemically modified, they can also attack gram-negative bacteria, which have an outer membrane in addition to that of gram-positive bacteria, and can frequently exclude antibiotics. Strepto penicillin is widely used medically and its applications include a very wide array of bacterial diseases. It is administered in respiratory medicine as a cure against pneumonia and bronchitis wrought by vulnerable bacteria. Dermatologically it is used in skin and soft tissue infections, such as cellulitis and erysipelas. The disease is used in cardiology to prevent or treat bacterial endocarditis, and in neurology it is used in the management of bacterial meningitis using certain formulations. In addition to these, strepto penicillin may also form the basis of combination therapy as a strategy to combat other infections which might be caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. It also has a place in operative treatment where it is used as a prophylactic measure and aids in minimizing the danger of postsurgical infections. This stability and adaptability of this family of antibiotics have contributed to its use as a foundation of how infectious diseases are treated today. Although its importance is both historical and up to date, strepto penicillin, like all antibiotics, is exposed to the same issue as bacteria are resistant to it. Some bacteria have developed defense mechanisms after decades of exposure with the most widespread being the creation of beta-lactamases the enzymes that cleave through the beta-lactam ring making the antibiotic useless. PBPs of other bacteria have changed to prevent the antibiotic to bind successfully. To solve these problems, pharmaceutical researchers invented beta-lactamase inhibitor, where beta-lactamase can be used together with strepto penicillin to ensure protection against enzyme degradation. Nevertheless, these measures have their limits, too, and new resistance systems still appear. That is why it is crucial to use antibiotics wisely as a method of antibiotic stewardship and make their use based on the real necessity only, in order to maintain their effectiveness. Industrial scale production of strepto penicillin is a mix of microbiological growth, chemical engineering and pharmaceutical processing. The first step of this process would involve developing either Penicillium or Streptomyces strain in a controlled fermentation environment that would result in the production of antibiotic substances. After the fermentation interacting with the culture broth, the antibiotic is isolated, and is stripped off impurities and is then modified chemically in case of need to form certain derivatives. Genetic engineering is becoming a large part of most modern pharmaceutical plants, which makes them well equipped to optimize their production strain, giving them an increased yield and a more predictable chemistry. This guarantees that the end product drug has high standards of quality and safety before being availed at hospitals and pharmacies. The future of strepto penicillin will have to rely on both innovation and responsibilities. Regarding practical innovation, scientists are working on synthetic biology to come up new structures of beta-lactams which the bacteria will have never seen. It has the potential to develop antibiotics that will go round current resistance systems. Targeted delivery systems Another area of possible discovery is so-called nanoparticle carriers; this is where strepto penicillin is transported to the infection site so it has a maximum effect and a minimum impact on beneficial bacteria in the body. In its side of responsibility the global health organizations are insisting on rigid use of antibiotic stewardship. This implies not only prescribing strepto penicillin and analog drugs sparingly but also training the society on full antibiotics satisfaction and prevention of overuse of the medication. It is only through the scaling back of sharp science and considerate utilization that we can be sure reaching into the future that strepto penicillin will continue to be effective in curbing bacterial infections. Strepto penicillin itself is not an individual or isolated medication but is a classification that can be used to describe derivatives of penicillin affected by or synthesized using techniques based on the Streptomyces bacteria bacteria. It totals the foundation of the classical production of penicillin with the advancements that came with the observation about other antibiotics producing microorganisms. Most regular penicillin is derived from Penicillium mold, but strepto penicillin derivatives can be developed as a mutant with increased stability, or wider antibacterial activity, or resistance to bacterial enzymes. These advances commonly are based upon chemical tactics initially discovered in the analysis of antibiotics created by Streptomyces. No, it is not able to cure all kinds of bacterial infections. It works on the premise of the infection causing bacteria being vulnerable to the medicine. Other infections and in particular the ones caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria might necessitate the use of antibiotics of other classes altogether. Strepto penicillin, as all antibiotics, may have a side effect. These can be anything as mild as nausea, diarrhea, rashes and include serious cases of allergies in others. Anaphylaxis is quite a serious medical condition that needs prompt treatment, albeit rarely. The prevalence of strepto penicillin antibiotic resistance is one of the limiting factors to the use of strepto penicillin freely in many situations. Resistant bacteria degrade the drug using enzymes or change the proteins they use to make up their cell walls in such a way that the antibiotic cannot attach itself to them. This makes it very important that one takes antibiotics responsibly and only under the professional advice. It is quite safe to use strepto penicillin during pregnancy in most incidence but a health practitioner should always decide whether to use it or not after comparing the risks and the benefits involved. The safety may also depend on a specific formulation and the health of a patient. Strepto penicillin is the product of medical innovation blending both the older success story of penicillin and the new opportunities with new discoveries about Streptomyces. It has already helped to save numerous lives and remains one of the pillars that helps in fighting against bacterial infections. Nevertheless, the increasing issue of antibiotic resistance acts as a constant reminder of the fact that this weapon has to be used sparingly. With further science, the tale of strepto penicillin will keep developing itself through the dualism of innovation and stewardship. Formulation of new derivatives, utilization of novel delivery techniques and mobilization of healthcare providers and general population to adhere to prudent use can help ensure that this spectacular antibiotic sustains its life-saving potential into generations to come. Not only in hospitals and clinics has strepto penicillin left a mark but also as a greater achievement of mankind in comprehending and utilizing the chemistry of nature to the good of the society. It warns us not to be surprised where the solutions to some of the world most health complications might be found; whether it is a mold growing on an unused Petri dish or a bacteria growing in the ground. Much still needs to be done to fight the diseases that are infectious, yet strepto penicillin, with furthers research and responsible distribution and collaboration of global health care options, will continue as an ally in human health protection for generations to come. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
