Chippenham MP diagnosed with autoimmune condition after illness
An MP says she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition months after returning to work following a "life-threatening" illness.Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson was in intensive care at Bath's Royal United Hospital (RUH) after a viral infection to her heart over Christmas last year.In March she started a phased return to work in Westminster but has now said she needs to be back at the hospital for a "short period of monitored treatment".She added her recovery has "proved slower than I anticipated".
In December, RUH staff told Ms Gibson they were unsure if she would recover after contracting pericarditis following the flu.In a statement, she said: "Over the last 6 months, I have been closely monitored by the fantastic team at the RUH. "They have watched my recovery with eagle eyes, and I continue to be amazed by their care and attention."I continue to remain fully committed to working on your behalf, albeit virtually, and my office will remain fully operational during my treatment."
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The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
Midwife struck off over claim vaccines ‘attacked babies in the womb'
A midwife has been removed from the register after she shared posts on social media claiming that vaccinations harm babies in the womb. Seana Mary Kerr, from Newry in Northern Ireland, also told a pregnant woman in a shop that she should not be wearing a face mask during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) tribunal panel. Ms Kerr, who had been a registered midwife since 2007, was found by a panel to have placed the woman at 'significant risk of harm' with her views, while she had 'risked seriously undermining the public confidence' in her profession at a crucial time with her posts. In the first of three social media posts in September 2020, Ms Kerr said that babies were being attacked in the womb through vaccination of mothers during pregnancy. Then, in March 2021, she claimed healthcare professionals were being 'complicit' in the national response to Covid-19, and that the health crisis was 'a Trojan horse intend[ed] to introduce a new era for humanity'. A further post in December that year made reference to how a group of people, described as 'they', had been 'planting the seeds' about Covid-19 over Christmas 2020 by referring to 'some bat in China'. Ms Kerr's advice and social media comments were given when she had identified herself as a midwife and was 'promoting her opinion on matters of clinical importance', the panel found. 'The panel considered that the actions of Ms Kerr took place during an exceptionally unusual time, where the entirety of the NHS was mobilised to protect the public from the international Covid-19 pandemic,' they said. 'Therefore, by expressing the view that other healthcare professionals, who Ms Kerr was working with in the Trust, were acting in ways which may cause harm, a view Ms Kerr held which was against the recognised guidance at the time, Ms Kerr risked seriously undermining the public confidence in the profession. 'It further noted that by making these accusations that Ms Kerr's colleagues may have suffered harm while working in an unprecedented and challenging situation.' The midwife approached the pregnant woman in the shop, which was her place of work, during the other allegation in question in August 2020. She identified herself as a midwife before advising the woman that she should not be wearing the face mask as it reduced the amount of oxygen her baby was receiving. Ms Kerr went on to tell the woman that she should not receive a flu vaccination as this would increase the risk of her baby being stillborn. The panel found the pregnant woman and her family were caused 'significant emotional harm' as a result of Ms Kerr's behaviour. 'The panel noted that it is a reasonable expectation of everyone working in a public environment, such as a shop, that they will not be approached and given personal, clinical advice and that such advice would normally only be given during a private clinical appointment or at an antenatal class,' they said. 'Therefore, by approaching Patient A in her place of work, outside a clinical relationship, unsolicited, Ms Kerr placed her at significant risk of harm.' The panel found Ms Kerr's fitness to practise was still impaired and that there was a risk of the individual repeating her behaviour. Ms Kerr did not show any remorse for her misconduct or demonstrate any insight into her previous actions, and had not engaged with the NMC since June 2022, the panel said. It made an order to strike Ms Kerr's name from the register, after a 12-month suspension order had previously been imposed last year.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Cruel reason I'll never be able to get my dream boob job after near-death experience
A 24-year-old woman who suffered a heart attack has revealed how the near-death experience changed her life forever - but not in a way she ever suspected. Raquel Hutt, a New York-based influencer, developed severe shooting pain in her left arm in August 2024. As she screamed in the 'worst pain of my life', Hutt's mother called an ambulance and emergency responders - who initially believed she was suffering from a panic attack. Hutt's symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by healthcare workers until test results showed she had elevated troponin levels - a protein found in cells in the heart muscle that is released when those cells are damaged. Doctors found she had excessive troponin in her heart at the time - indicating the organ had suffered damage. Eventually, doctors revealed Hutt had suffered from a massive heart attack despite being healthy and regularly working out. Now, nearly a year later, doctors have cleared her to 'start living my life in a more regular way,' but said there are still things that would be forever changed about her body. Shocked at learning what she could no longer do, Hutt revealed experts have advised her to avoid performing strenuous activities such as giving birth vaginally and lifting heavy weights, and told her she can no longer get breast implants. The American Heart Association reports about 48 percent of Americans are living with some type of cardiovascular disease and CVD is the number one killer in the US - accounting for about one in five deaths. While heart attacks in young people are still relatively rare, experts say that now one in five heart attack patients are younger than 40 years of age. They also note heart attacks have increased by about 66 percent among people aged 18 to 44 since 2019. In a TikTok video, Hutt said: 'The first thing 100 percent I cannot do is get a boob job. 'I've always wanted one but I can't have anything in my chest. I can't have any type of surgery.' Doctors advise those with a history of heart attacks to abstain from unnecessary surgery as they may have a higher risk of complications during and after the procedure, such as blood clots, infections or those related to anesthesia. Breast implants can also obstruct the view of the heart during an echocardiography - a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the heart - making it difficult to assess heart function. The Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles explained: 'Any surgical procedure can put additional stress on the heart and those with heart conditions may be at a higher risk of complications during and after surgery.' Experts also say patients with a history of heart attacks may also experience increased blood loss during procedures and require more postoperative care and monitoring. Hutt went on to say she has to refrain from giving birth vaginally and will need to undergo a C-section or use a surrogate if she plans to have children. She said: 'This is a pretty big one. I can't do a valsalva, which is like when you bear down and really got to push. 'Like when you're in the bathroom or in a plank and squeezing your whole body. I can't do that. You also do it during childbirth.' The Valsalva maneuver is a technique involving forceful exhalation against a closed airway, such as by closing the mouth and pinching the nose. The technique is meant to help equalize pressure in the ears, alleviate hiccups and in some cases, help return a heart rhythm back to normal. However, during childbirth, women are asked to take a deep breath and hold it while bearing down with all their strength during contractions. This allows the baby to be pushed through the birth canal with more ease. But the technique can also lead to changes in blood pressure and other physiological responses, which can put women with a history of heart attacks at high risk of suffering another one. Lastly, Hutt told viewers she cannot lift any weights or objects heavier than 10lbs. In day-to-day life, a large bag of sugar, rice or flour, a sack of potatoes, a medium-sized bowling ball or even a large watermelon can weigh 10lbs. But lifting heavy objects, especially with a sudden and forceful movement, can cause a rapid rise in blood pressure and heart rate. This is because the body is working harder to supply oxygen to the muscles, which can stress the heart and lead to another attack. Heavy lifting often also involves isometric exercise, where muscles contract. This type of exercise can lead to even greater blood pressure spikes and increased heart strain. The Heart Foundation advises: 'Lifting weights and resistance training improves your muscle mass and strength. 'Always speak to your doctor, nurse, health worker or cardiac rehabilitation team before starting any muscle strengthening exercises. They will give you advice about what weight is suitable and safe for you to lift. 'You can improve your strength at home by lifting light weights, such as cans of tinned food or bags of rice. You can also lift your body weight by doing exercises such as lunges, squats or push-ups. As with any activity, start slowly and build up gradually.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Midwife struck off after claiming vaccines ‘attacked babies' on social media
A midwife has been struck off the register after posting claims on social media that vaccinations attacked babies while in their mother's womb during pregnancy. Seana Mary Kerr, of Newry, Northern Ireland, also told a pregnant woman in a shop that she should not be wearing a face mask during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) tribunal panel judgment. Ms Kerr, who had been a registered midwife since 2007, was found by a panel to have placed the woman at 'significant risk of harm' with her views, while she had 'risked seriously undermining the public confidence' in her profession at a crucial time with her posts. In the first of three social media posts in September 2020, Ms Kerr said that babies were being attacked in the womb through vaccination of mothers during pregnancy. Then, in March 2021, she claimed healthcare professionals were being 'complicit' in the national response to Covid-19, and that the health crisis was 'a Trojan horse intend[ed] to introduce a new era for humanity'. A further post in December that year made reference to how a group of people, described as 'they', had been 'planting the seeds' about Covid-19 over Christmas 2020 by referring to 'some bat in China'. Ms Kerr's advice and social media comments were given when she had identified herself as a midwife and was 'promoting her opinion on matters of clinical importance', the panel found. 'The panel considered that the actions of Ms Kerr took place during an exceptionally unusual time, where the entirety of the NHS was mobilised to protect the public from the international Covid-19 pandemic,' they said. 'Therefore, by expressing the view that other healthcare professionals, who Ms Kerr was working with in the Trust, were acting in ways which may cause harm, a view Ms Kerr held which was against the recognised guidance at the time, Ms Kerr risked seriously undermining the public confidence in the profession. 'It further noted that by making these accusations that Ms Kerr's colleagues may have suffered harm while working in an unprecedented and challenging situation.' The midwife approached the pregnant woman in the shop, which was her place of work, during the other allegation in question in August 2020. She identified herself as a midwife before advising the woman that she should not be wearing the face mask as it reduced the amount of oxygen her baby was receiving. Ms Kerr went on to tell the woman that she should not receive a flu vaccination as this would increase the risk of her baby being stillborn. The panel found the pregnant woman and her family were caused 'significant emotional harm' as a result of Ms Kerr's behaviour. 'The panel noted that it is a reasonable expectation of everyone working in a public environment, such as a shop, that they will not be approached and given personal, clinical advice and that such advice would normally only be given during a private clinical appointment or at an antenatal class,' they said. 'Therefore, by approaching Patient A in her place of work, outside a clinical relationship, unsolicited, Ms Kerr placed her at significant risk of harm.' The panel found Ms Kerr's fitness to practise was still impaired and that there was a risk of the individual repeating her behaviour. Ms Kerr did not show any remorse for her misconduct or demonstrate any insight into her previous actions, and had not engaged with the NMC since June 2022, the panel said. It made an order to strike Ms Kerr's name from the register, after a 12-month suspension order had previously been imposed last year.
