Northern Trust recommends cutting emergency surgery from Causeway Hospital
'Extremely challenging'
Senior management said that the duplication of services at both sites has put pressure on the hospitals and that the current system was "not sustainable".They said they were faced with two choices, either a managed planned change to services or a total collapse of those services.They have taken the decision to manage that change.The review included a 14-week long public consultation. According to the Trust, the public who responded were overwhelmingly against the change in services. However, the Trust say they believe the move is necessary.Trust Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh described the review process as "extremely challenging".If the proposal is signed off by the Department of Health, plans to consolidate EGS at Antrim Area Hospital will go ahead.
What is Emergency General Surgery?
EGS looks after patients who require general surgical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment in an unplanned way, often following presentation in the ED.This would include emergency procedures like appendicitis or a blocked bowel.The Causeway site will be used for elective general surgery. This is low complex surgery which can be planned, for example the removal of a gallbladder.As is the case now, trauma patients, such as those that have been involved in road traffic accidents, will be transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment.
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The Guardian
2 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Ruth had big ideas': girl who died in psychiatric care was failed by system, say parents
She was loving, sporty and bright. At the start of Ruth Szymankiewicz's inquest her parents, Kate and Mark, a GP and a surgeon, described her passion for life, for adventure, for justice. 'Ruth was always thinking about making the world a better place,' they said in a pen portrait of the teenager. 'She had big ideas.' Ruth's dreams were halted at 14 when she was found fatally injured in her room in a psychiatric intensive care unit for young people at the privately run Huntercombe hospital near Taplow, Berkshire. She had been under one-to-one supervision but slipped away from the agency support worker who was supposed to be watching her for an act of self-harm that led to her death. Much of her inquest has focused on the mistake by the support worker – who was working under a false identity – but her parents believe she was let down by the wider system. 'Our experience of the care that Ruth received was terrible,' said Kate Szymankiewicz in her witness statement to the inquest. 'Our belief is that the things that Ruth had to endure on a daily basis would have felt like torture and were something she would do anything to escape.' When Ruth, from Wiltshire, started secondary school in September 2019, she experienced difficulties, finding the rigid structures difficult. 'Retrospectively, I wonder if issues around eating may have started around then,' her mother said. 'Ruth was very environmentally aware and didn't want to have the school dinners as they were wrapped in plastic. I was sending her with packed lunches. The timetabling of the lunch clubs that Ruth wanted to do meant there often wasn't time to eat lunch.' When she was 13, Ruth developed physical and vocal tics including hitting herself and involuntarily swearing. It was suggested she might have Tourette syndrome. Kate said: 'Ruth's appetite reduced and she was sleeping in late, often not wanting breakfast and on occasion not wanting her supper either. I was worried that she was at risk of developing anorexia.' In the summer of 2021 Ruth's mouth would lock shut before meals. 'You could see the fear in her eyes about not being able to eat – she was genuinely very scared,' Kate said. The local eating disorder service told the family that if Ruth did not eat, she would have to be admitted to hospital. She went into a children's ward at Salisbury district hospital in August 2021 and was detained under the Mental Health Act so nasogastric (NG) tube feeding could take place without her consent. 'In retrospect, I feel that that is the point that we lost our parental rights and our ability to have any real say in her care,' Kate said. In September 2021 while Ruth was having an NG feed, she told the staff it did not feel right. The tube was wrongly placed into her lung and she struggled to breathe and became unconscious. She had to be transferred to an intensive care unit. The family was told Ruth would be moved in October to the secure Thames ward at Huntercombe hospital, run by the company Active Care Group, more than 70 miles (113km) from their home. 'It was presented to us as a decision that had already been made and the only available option,' her mother said. The family was concerned about the negative Care Quality Commission reports on Thames ward, but were told there would be better psychological support and education. Kate said: 'Ruth was very scared at the prospect of going to Thames ward – it was a long way from home. We wish we had fought harder to stop her going. Throughout the four months she was on Thames ward, she received little, if any, therapeutic care; she was just contained and managed. She would talk about other people on the ward and about how scary it was with the noise and seeing other people harming themselves.' The family were worried that the parental controls on Ruth's phone were no longer working. After her death it became clear that she had been researching suicide. Ruth rarely attended school classes, had self-harmed on several occasions and once when her mother visited she had two black eyes. Staff said this might have happened during NG feeding as she was being restrained. Ruth was put on one-to-one constant observation. The man who was supposed to be watching Ruth when she suffered her fatal injuries had arrived in the UK from Ghana in about November 2021. The inquest heard that he had stolen the identity of an innocent man called Ebo Acheampong and on 3 January 2022 registered with the Berkshire-based recruitment agency Platinum Healthcare Staffing, which provides temporary workers to Huntercombe. Platinum collected what it thought was proof of his ID, took two references and carried out a criminal record check. In February the man received a day and half's training online from one of the Platinum directors, Freda Agyemang, who also worked as a nurse at Huntercombe. In addition he received five days of Price (protecting rights in a caring environment) training, which ended on 11 February. The day after, 12 February 2022, he was sent to Huntercombe for a 12-hour shift, his first day of work in any UK hospital setting. He was due to spend the day in a less secure ward but Thames was understaffed – as it often was – and he was moved there. One of the Thames ward staff told the inquest that Agyemang had vouched for the agency worker, claiming he had worked at the hospital before and would be 'fine'. In a statement she gave to police, Agyemang said she had not seen him until that evening after Ruth had self-harmed. The man was given no formal induction on Thames ward despite the challenging and vulnerable people there, and towards the end of his shift was tasked with carrying out the one-to-one observation of Ruth. CCTV footage shown to the inquest jury suggests he left her in a television room alone four times. She slipped back into her room, where she was unobserved for 15 minutes before the alarm was raised. The man flew back to Ghana on 17 February 2022. Thames Valley police knows his true identity but the force says it does not have evidence to bring charges. Ruth's parents are keen that the focus is not all on the agency worker, arguing that the failings that led to her death run deep. Kate Szymankiewicz said: 'We hope that the process of unpicking her story might in some way influence the care that other children receive. That it might be family centred. That it might be provided from a place of nurturing and love. With the realisation that at the centre of that is a young, vulnerable person who needs patience, love and, especially at the age of 14, a cuddle.' In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@ and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@ or jo@ In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at For help with eating disorders, in the UK Beat can be contacted on 0808-801-0677. In the US, help is available at or by calling ANAD's eating disorders hotline at 800-375-7767. In Australia, the Butterfly Foundation is at 1800 33 4673. Other international helplines can be found at Eating Disorder Hope
The Herald Scotland
31 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Mounjaro prices double as weight loss jab popularity soars
A Lilly spokesperson said: 'Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from 1 September to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe. We have reached an agreement with the NHS to ensure continued supply and patient access." The statement continues: 'While Lilly does not determine the prices that private healthcare providers set, we are working with them to maintain patient access. The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited supply of GLP-1 RA treatments for type 2 diabetes. 'At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability." More than 1.5 million people in the UK are believed to be using weight-loss medication each month, with most buying the jabs from private pharmacies. Mounjaro users report surprising side effect - pharmacists share their tips — Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) August 8, 2025 This comes as the Government has joined forces with Eli Lilly in a bid to tackle obesity. The move could see patients accessing care at pharmacies or by using online platforms. The £85 million programme from Eli Lilly and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been designed to look at how obese patients can access weight management care more easily. This includes through community services, in pharmacies and online. Using these tools, eligible patients could be treated 'in a matter of months', according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Under the agreement, the Government will contribute up to £50 million in UK-wide investment. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly will back the programme with £35 million, and NHS organisations will be able to apply for a share of the funding. Recommended reading: Mounjaro warning as pens ruined by heatwave temperatures This comes as users are risking having to throw away perfectly good Mounjaro pens as they have overheated in the recent heatwave. Improper storage of Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro during a heatwave could destroy the active ingredient in these jabs, potentially wiping out their effects entirely, even if the medication looks completely normal. 'We recommend treating your weight-loss pen the same way you'd treat insulin or any critical medication,' says Danielle Brightman, Clinical Director at Numan. 'When in doubt, don't risk it. Speak to a healthcare professional and arrange a replacement.' 8 tips to protect Mounjaro and other weight-loss injections during hot weather Use a medical-grade cool bag. Transport your pen in a proper, insulated container designed for sensitive medications. Don't use improvised ice packs that might freeze the pen by accident. Never leave your pen in hot places. Even 10 minutes in a parked car or on a sunny kitchen counter could expose it to damaging heat if out of its delivery packaging or unrefrigerated. Always check the environment before setting it down. Store below 30°C once in use. Once opened and if not refrigerated, keep your pen in a shaded, ventilated area, away from heat sources, windows, and radiators. If you live in a flat or home without air conditioning, keep the pen in a bedroom or hallway that doesn't heat up from direct sun. Avoid storing near exterior walls if the property retains heat. Follow the usage timeline carefully. The storage instructions between medications. Wegovy after first use can last 6 weeks below 30 degrees then needs to be disposed of, whereas Mounjaro has a shorter time of 30 days below 30 degrees before needing to be disposed of. Stick to that timeframe, and if you're unsure whether it's still safe, consult your provider. Use a fridge thermometer at home. Fridge temperatures can fluctuate, especially in older models or over-packed shelves. A simple digital fridge thermometer can help ensure your pen is always stored between 2–8°C before first use. Planning to travel? Use airline-friendly cooling cases. If you're flying or taking long journeys, consider TSA-approved insulated medication pouches with cooling gel packs. Always store the pen in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage, as cargo holds can get hot or cold. Set storage reminders on your phone. If you're prone to forgetting where you left your pen, set daily reminders to check if it's stored properly, especially during heatwaves or while travelling. Don't store near appliances or steam sources. Keep pens away from kettles, toasters, ovens, dishwashers, and anywhere that might experience sudden heat or humidity, especially in small kitchens or shared spaces. Injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now widely used across the UK for appetite control and sustainable weight management. But despite their growing popularity and increasing availability now through the NHS, most patients don't realise the strict temperature guidelines that must be followed to keep these drugs effective. 'We speak to patients every day who are using GLP-1s for the first time,' says Danielle. 'With temperatures set to soar again this summer, it's crucial we raise awareness about safe medication storage. Heat damage isn't always obvious, but it can have a huge impact on effectiveness and safety."
The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Teenager who fatally self-harmed at scandal-hit mental health hospital was unlawfully killed
A teenager who fatally self-harmed at a scandal-hit mental health hospital was unlawfully killed, an inquest jury has ruled. Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, died on 14 February 2022 after she was left alone at Huntercombe Hospital, also called Taplow Manor, near Maidenhead in Berkshire, despite requiring constant one-to-one observation, Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court was told. Ruth, who had an eating disorder, Tourette syndrome and a tic condition, which had affected her mental health, was left alone for 15 minutes on 12 February, allowing her to make her way to her room, where she self-harmed. She was found and resuscitated before being transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital, but died two days later. During her inquest, it was revealed that the ward she was on was 'severely short-staffed' and missing 'at least half' their workers on the day she self-harmed. In a note written by the teenager before her death, read aloud in court, Ruth criticised the lack of therapy available for patients at the hospital, which she said had an 'unsafe number of staff' and 'should be shut down'. Huntercombe Hospital, Maidenhead, called Taplow Manor, was closed in 2023 following investigations by The Independent revealed accusations of systemic abuse of patients. It was also revealed in court that the care worker responsible for monitoring Ruth had only gone through a day or a day and a half of online training before his first shift at the children 's psychiatric hospital on 12 February 2022. The worker who left her had been working under a fake identity, and police were not able to question him following her death as he fled the country. In a tragic note written by Ruth before her death, read out at the inquest, revealed she had said hospital staff would fall asleep on shift, that there was no access to therapy and that the hospital 'should be shut down'. She said: 'Huntercombe , it doesn't deserve a capital H... It is the shittest mental health institution you could get.. the non-existent therapy, the unsafe number of staff, how the place makes you worse, and the staff literally sleep on their shifts. 'I don't want this to happen to any other patients ever. My suggestion is to shut this place down.' During the inquest, a senior NHS doctor working for the Thames Provider Collaborative, which was responsible for Ruth's admission, admitted that the NHS did not do enough for a 14-year-old who died under the care of a private hospital. Dr Gillian Combes said the NHS was aware the hospital was understaffed daily, that there were concerns over its care, but there were no other choices available that were clinically appropriate for Ruth. Dr Combe, has also warned that children's mental health units across the country are struggling to staff their wards every day and that the NHS does not have the money to build its own wards. Staff working on the unit on the day of her death revealed it was 'severely short-staffed' on the day she self-harmed and was missing around half of the workers it needed that day. A senior nurse and a senior support worker, Michelle Hansey, both revealed that they had raised concerns over short staffing at the hospital to managers before Ruth's death. Ms Hancy told jurors that, on the morning of February 12, she had become 'upset and emotional' because of the insufficient staffing on the Thames ward. 'I have raised (staffing issues) several times before this event,' Ms Hancey said, adding that a lot of staff had fallen sick during that period because of exhaustion. It was also alleged at the inquest that on occasions when the wards were short-staffed staffed Huntercombe managers would look for patients whose observations could be reduced. In 2023, a joint investigation by The Independent and Sky News into a group of hospitals owned by The Huntercombe Group and then taken over by Active Care Group, revealed allegations from children who were at the hospital and their families that they were 'treated like animals' and left traumatised as part of a decade of 'systemic abuse'. Allegations included that patients were subjected to the 'painful' use of restraints and were held down for hours by male nurses. Some were stopped from going outside for months, were living in wards with blood-stained walls, were force-fed and given so much medication that they had become 'zombies'. In 2017, another young girl died at a hospital owned by the Huntercombe Group. Mia Titheridge, 17, who was supposed to be subject to 15-minute observations, took her own life when a nurse failed to check on her for almost an hour, an inquest found. Following The Independent 's reports, the Care Quality Commission stopped new admissions to Taplow Manor, and Active Care Group, which took over its running, later decided to close the hospital.
