Three die of cancer as CervicalCheck is still ‘failing women'
Three women have died of cancer, and at least seven more have had a positive diagnosis, after their smear tests were allegedly 'negligently misread', despite an overhaul of the CervicalCheck screening service.
These new cases, between 2018 and 2021, are entirely separate from the 350 women who make up the '221+ group', the name given to the women and families affected by the original scandal. CervicalCheck was in crisis in 2018 after it emerged a significant number of women were not informed about incorrect smear test results.
Cian O'Carroll, the solicitor who represented Vicky Phelan in the High Court when she exposed the screening service scandal, told The Sunday Times that he highlighted his 'serious concerns' more than seven months ago to then taoiseach Simon Harris, who passed the letter on to the health minister. Phelan died aged 48 in November 2022 after receiving a false negative smear test result.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
IVF births increase but NHS funding drops, new figures show
IVF births made up more than 3% of births in the UK in 2023, according to new 20,700 babies were born during the year as a result of in vitro fertilisation -representing an increase from 8,700 in 2000, figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) single patients and female same sex couples opting for the treatment has contributed to the rise, while there has also been an increase in older NHS-funded cycles across the UK have decreased in recent years from 35% in 2019 to 27% in 2022 and 2023, the report found. The chairwoman of the HFEA said the figures demonstrate the "changing landscape of the UK fertility sector" and how it might develop in the data, which covers the year 2023, indicated that 52,400 patients had over 77,500 IVF cycles at licensed clinics in the UK."IVF births are making up a higher proportion of all UK births over time, increasing from 1.3% in 2000 to 3.1% in 2023," the report said."This means around one in 32 UK births in 2023 were via IVF - roughly one child in every classroom - compared to one in 43 in 2013."Of patients aged between 40 and 44, 11% of births were a result of IVF compared with 4% in 2000. I lost £15,000 after going to an IVF middlemanFertility patients sold unproven add-ons, HFEA says Director of strategy and corporate affairs at the HFEA, Clare Ettinghausen, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the increase in the last decade has been due to "several reasons".She cited those seeking treatment due to fertility issues as well as those looking to have children later in life."We're seeing an increased use of IVF in older age groups," she said. "The big increase, although still quite small numbers, has been in female same sex couples and single patients – those have really driven some big rises in [the] numbers of people seeking fertility treatment."Ms Ettinghausen added that funding has "dropped quite dramatically" over the last 10 years with around one third of people across the UK having NHS funding for the described access to funding as "patchy" depending on where you live - with the highest amount of NHS funding having always been in Scotland."With the small amount of money that is available, the earlier that NHS funding can get to people the better value it is for the NHS," she added. "The quicker people can be seen the more likely [either] the IVF will be successful [or] they might not need that expensive and invasive treatment."The report found that the average proportion of NHS-funded cycles dropped from 35% in 2019 to 27% by 2023, while national differences ranged from 54% in Scotland to 24% in England."The decrease in NHS-funded IVF treatments across the UK may relate to increased waiting times for further investigations prior to accessing NHS-funded treatments," the report on the HFEA data, a spokesperson from the fertility charity Fertility Network UK underlined that delays in accessing treatment could have "a devastating emotional and biological impact"."We call for fair and timely access to fertility services for all, wherever they live and whatever their background," they said.
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Ombudsman ‘utterly dismayed' by issues around children's needs
An ombudsman has said he is 'exasperated and utterly dismayed' at chronic issues around children's needs. Children's Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon called for the full and direct incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Irish law as he questioned whether ongoing scandals around child homelessness and scoliosis waiting lists would be as severe this year if they had been addressed earlier. Advertisement Dr Muldoon told the Oireachtas Children's Committee on Wednesday that direct incorporation of the convention is 'the most important thing' that can be done to protect and safeguard the rights of Irish children. He said Ireland had already committed to these rights, but there was a need to put 'real force' behind the international obligations. Dr Muldoon told the committee: 'It will put children's rights at the heart of every decision within the public and civil service, and give us a stronger basis to ensure we are keeping our promises to children. 'For example, imagine if five years ago the State had to come up with a child and family-focused home strategy. Advertisement 'Would there still be 4,775 children in emergency accommodation today?' He added: 'Or if our recommendations around scoliosis as a children's rights issue, as far back as 2017, was made against the backdrop of direct incorporation, would there be the same crisis as there is today?' Dr Muldoon said Ireland should be able to better funnel resources to where they are 'needed most', adding that societies are judged on how they treat their most vulnerable. He said: 'As ombudsman for children, I am exasperated and utterly dismayed at the persistent chronic issues around access to affordable housing for children and families, at the unacceptable delays in access to vital surgeries and assessments of need in a country as well-off as Ireland economically. Advertisement 'We are now at a crossroads in terms of what can be achieved for children, and in the current climate of political uncertainty and change, it's more important than ever for the State to bed down its commitments on children's rights.'
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Poor sleep and no routine – the seven things that make ADHD worse
From forgotten appointments and lost keys to emotional ups and downs, poor sleep and chronic procrastination, living with ADHD can feel like being on a rollercoaster with no end in sight. While these daily struggles are frustrating, they rarely happen in isolation, and many things can make them worse. Research shows that those with ADHD often live with co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or dyslexia. There's also a higher risk of addiction, which can further intensify symptoms. Medication can be transformative – but it doesn't work for everyone, and the wrong dose can be counterproductive. Yet alongside these more clinical drivers, experts point to a range of lifestyle and environmental triggers that can quietly make ADHD worse: inconsistent routines, poor sleep and diet, digital overload, even hormonal shifts in perimenopause. The good news is some of these are within your control. 'I commonly use this idea of being on and off track. Because ADHD is a disorder of dysregulation, many things can knock you off that track,' says Dr James Kustow, a consultant psychiatrist specialising in ADHD and author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD. Here's what can make ADHD worse – and what might help. Lack of routine and structure Because of executive dysfunction struggles, routine is especially important for those with ADHD. 'ADHD can feel like you're a ship being blown around because every day is like Groundhog Day. You don't have a great sense of the past or future, so you need things in the present to anchor you, to make you feel safe and present, to stabilise the ship,' says Dr Kustow. Prioritising and decision making are often difficult, so without any external structure, there is a danger of drift or not being productive or efficient. 'Then you might miss deadlines, or not pay your bills, and suddenly you're in firefighting mode and all sense of balance goes out of the window,' says Dr Kustow. What to do: Build in consistency to your week with anchor points like a regular hobby, work periods or exercise class, with some flexibility for variation and novelty. Make sure there are fixed, scheduled activities (EG: 'Monday is yoga night, 'take pills after brushing teeth') and habits that repeat on a rolling basis. Plan out your days into blocks, making sure to allow time for meals and meal prep, morning and evening routines, work, social time and downtime. Poor sleep Struggling with sleep is a bit of a hallmark of ADHD, and one of the 'signs we look for in assessments,' says Dr Fleur-Michelle Coiffat, a consultant clinical psychologist who specialises in neurodiversity. ADHD-ers often have disrupted circadian rhythms, struggling to get to sleep or waking at odd hours. Poor sleep also worsens ADHD symptoms like focus, anxiety and impulsivity. ADHD is often called a 'dopamine disorder'. Lower levels of this neurotransmitter drive people to seek stimulation, like scrolling social media or watching TV late, which keeps the mind switched on. What to do: Dr Coiffat recommends a pre-sleep routine to relax the mind and body. 'Put down your devices, dim the lighting, and do calm activities like a bath, reading or gentle stretches.' She also suggests exercise to counter restlessness. 'If you don't burn off energy during the day, it can make you restless at night – including hyperactivity of the mind,' she adds. Journaling can help. 'Get your thoughts down on paper, but limit it to 10 minutes, so you don't start to get anxious,' she says. Meditation may also help quieten and slow down the mind. A negative mindset From comments like 'you're lazy', 'disorganised' and 'unmotivated', people with ADHD have often had a lifetime of absorbing negative messages and as a result often struggle with shame and lack of self-confidence. 'This can lead to withdrawal, people might think nobody likes them, or they'll say the wrong thing, or that they don't fit in or can't manage a task. But social interaction with trusted friends, family and colleagues can help with these negative thoughts,' says Dr Coiffat. Emotional dysregulation is often a key marker of ADHD, and many experts talk about 'rejection sensitivity dysphoria', where people are extremely sensitive to criticism and perceived rejection. What to do: 'Communication is important, it might be as simple as asking someone to adjust how they give feedback, or how they respond to emails,' says Dr Coiffat. Dr Kustow advises nurturing a growth, rather than a fixed, mindset. 'When faced with a setback, think about what you can learn from it, and how adversity makes you stronger. Also, it's important to address the self-esteem challenges of ADHD with support scaffolds – spiritual, social, family and therapeutic,' he adds. Poor diet leading to blood sugar crashes Many ADHD-ers reach for sugar, caffeine and energy drinks as well as processed foods to give them a short-term hit. This can lead to issues like overeating or skipping meals, which is why they have higher rates of obesity and binge-eating disorder. 'Reaching for sugar hits can be addictive, and get you into a vicious cycle. If your blood sugar levels are spiking, that will heighten issues with attention, focus and restlessness. A lot of people with ADHD, and I do this myself, are often so focused on something or using all their brain capacity just to get through the day that they forget to eat, which also leads to a crash,' says Dr Coiffat. What to do: Keep blood sugar consistent by eating regularly and healthily. Try to keep simple snacks like a handful of nuts on hand. Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates like white flour and rice, and include sufficient protein in every meal, as protein helps stabilise blood sugar. Get 'hits' from other sources like live music, exercise, and cold water swimming. An over-stimulating environment People with ADHD can thrive on a certain degree of novelty and stimulation, as monotonous tasks can cause shutdown, zoning out or restlessness. However, it's a fine balance as chronic stress and anxiety can also intensify ADHD symptoms, leading to potential increased impulsivity, difficulty concentrating, problems with emotional regulation, performance at work and burnout. People can vary quite widely here. Many might struggle with a 9-5, desk-based job in an open plan office with a lot of potential for noise and distractibility. However, for others, the noise and routine could be helpful. 'There can be a struggle to get in for 9am because of their sleep rhythms, then there is the sensory overload of a journey on public transport in rush hour. The monotony of a desk job that involves little interaction can exacerbate physical and mental restlessness,' says Dr Kustow. However, many with ADHD are also on the autistic spectrum. 'I have a patient who loves archiving, because it's just bringing order into things, but that would be extremely boring for someone who doesn't have that combination,' he adds. Social media and excessive screen use are often a problem as ADHD-ers crave stimulation and the dopamine hits of excessive scrolling, but this can also exacerbate problems with concentration. What to do: In the workplace, it's important to limit screen time and schedule regular screen and meal breaks, as well as time to move around and get outside. 'Jobs that involve creativity, project work, variety and problem solving can be more suitable', says Dr Kustow. But take time to understand your individual needs. Toxins and environmental stressors This is an emerging area, but people with ADHD may be more likely to have allergies, autoimmunity and inflammation, says Dr Kustow. 'Some have more sensitive immune systems, with hypermobility, allergies or chronic illness.' He highlights mould. 'If you're in a mouldy home and struggling with brain function, they may be connected. Some evidence is anecdotal, but toxins may trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals,' he adds. What to do: If you are someone with ADHD who suffers from allergies and has poor immunity, it might be worth trying to reduce toxins in the areas that you have control over. You can gradually buy less toxic versions of cleaning products, both for your body and home, makeup, and natural, pesticide-free foods. Hormonal shifts like perimenopause and menopause Hormonal shifts can make ADHD worse, and also 'unmask' previously undiagnosed ADHD. Perimenopausal women are now one of the largest groups seeking diagnosis. 'During perimenopause, oestrogen levels become dysregulated and start going down, which also reduces dopamine. A woman with ADHD in their 40s may notice that their ADHD might worsen, and they might need higher doses of medication or HRT. Then there are the people who never got a diagnosis because they just about managed, but then suddenly it gets worse because of hormonal shifts and their ADHD is unmasked,' says Dr Kustow. What to do: Adjusting ADHD medication can be helpful, as can HRT. Some doctors might prescribe an antidepressant. Does ADHD get worse with age? ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, so it doesn't fundamentally change with age, although the way it manifests can evolve as a response to life events and physical changes. Children are more likely to be hyperactive than adults, and adults may have more issues with time management and organisation. 'In a minority, it can improve and resolve, but most will be stable but find that symptoms may get aggravated at different points in life, as demands change over time, including increasing life responsibilities, hormonal shifts, accumulated stress and physical decline. The demands of retirement are quite different from sitting at a desk doing complex calculations, for example, and symptoms may respond accordingly,' explains Dr Kustow. Dr James Kustow is the author of How to Thrive with Adult ADHD: 7 Pillars for Focus, Productivity and Balance. How to Thrive with Adult ADHD by Dr James Kustow is out now. All artwork by Nicholas Stevenson.
