How British children are MORE at risk from killer diseases than African nations we send £5bn foreign aid to
Doctor explains why shock figures should be 'wake-up call to the Government'
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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
UK Government facing legal action over Gaza medical evacuations
Reports from The Guardian reveal a case has been brought against the Foreign Office and the Home Office on behalf of three children with life-threatening conditions. Lawyers argue ministers have failed to consider the severe lack of medical care in Gaza before denying evacuation requests. READ MORE: 'Israel killed my brother. My boycott app in his memory now has 11 million users' The legal claim highlights the UK's inconsistency, pointing out that Britain evacuated children from war zones in Bosnia and Ukraine, but has not done so for Gaza. Carolin Ott of Leigh Day, the law firm representing the children, told The Guardian: 'The UK Government has explained its failure on the basis that it supports treatment options in [[Gaza]] and the surrounding region and that there are visas available for privately funded medical treatment in the UK. 'However, these mechanisms are profoundly inadequate.' The children's families say evacuation is urgently needed. One child, aged two and referred to in the case as Child Y, suffers daily bleeding caused by an arteriovenous malformation in his cheek, leaving him in critical condition. The two other children, referred to as Child S, are siblings with cystinosis nephropathy, a chronic condition also known as leaky kidney. Both have developed kidney failure and may require transplants, and one sibling is now immobile as a result. Despite pressure from campaigners, the UK has not created a specific safe immigration route for these children. The genocide in Gaza has now lasted over 650 days. More than 17,000 of the 58,000 Palestinians killed were children, according to Gaza's health ministry. READ MORE: 'Time to take action': What it was like at the national Palestine demo in Edinburgh The World Health Organization estimates 12,500 [[Gaza]]ns require medical evacuation. As of April, over 7000 have been evacuated abroad, nearly 5000 of them children. As reported by The National, Dr Hani Isleem of Médecins Sans Frontières previously said that some countries fear that accepting patients will be seen as encouraging 'forced migration.' A UK Government spokesperson said they've funded healthcare for 500,000 Palestinians and backed initiatives like Project Pure Hope. However, only two children have reached the UK via this route, and government funding was denied. First Minister John Swinney recently wrote to Keir Starmer, urging him to 'engage' with Scotland over treating ill and injured Gazan children, though Starmer is yet to reply. The Government must respond to the legal challenge by 28 July.
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Keir Starmer urged to 'engage' with Scotland over Gaza children
But Mr Swinney claims to have received no response from the Prime Minister. In a statement to the PA news agency, Mr Swinney said: 'It is deeply saddening that so far the UK Government has refused to even enter into a dialogue about medical evacuations for children in [[Gaza]] who, without proper medical attention, will be left to die. 'That is the frank reality of life in Gaza under Israeli bombardment and blockade. 'The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of total collapse, with surgeons working day and night under artillery fire, with inadequate supplies and often no electricity. 'We know that many hospitals have been targeted and decimated by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).' The First Minister added that Scotland is prepared 'to do what is required to save the lives of as many of these kids as we can'. His initial call came after a meeting with children's charity Unicef, prompting him to declare a 'race against time' to help children in need of urgent medical care. Read More 'But we can't do so without the support of the Labour Government to get the children through the UK visa system and into Scotland,' he said. 'The suffering, torment and killing of the people of Gaza has gone on for far too long. 'I urge the Prime Minister to urgently engage with the Scottish Government on this issue so we can save as many young lives as we can.' A spokeswoman for the UK Government said: 'Since the start of the conflict, UK support has provided essential healthcare to over 430,000 people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 'We have helped several children with complex paediatric conditions access privately funded medical care in the UK, supporting an initiative by Project Pure Hope. 'We have been clear the situation in Gaza is intolerable and that there must be an immediate ceasefire. 'We urge Israel to let vital humanitarian aid in and allow Gazans to receive urgent healthcare, including allowing the sick and wounded to temporarily leave the Gaza Strip to receive treatment.'
Powys County Times
7 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Opinion: Labour has betrayed Powys patients over health
Powys residents are being treated as second-class citizens by the Welsh Government, writes James Evans MS. A £120 million fund announced to cut waiting times across Wales will not cover Powys residents receiving care in English hospitals. A recent Powys Health Board decision means that patients who have their care in English hospitals are now having operations intentionally delayed because Powys Teaching Health Board cannot afford to pay. This is a betrayal of border communities who rely on cross-border care. This is not about capacity or lack of doctors or nurses – this is about money. I've challenged the Cabinet Secretary for Health on this. People here pay the same taxes, they deserve the same treatment! This crisis doesn't stop at cross-border care. Our NHS in Wales is sadly in the worst state it's ever been. Nearly one in five people in Wales are on a waiting list. Thousands are stuck in pain for over two years. A&E targets are being missed month after month, with long waits and care in corridors. Ambulances are queuing outside hospitals not able to respond back to the communities for 999 calls. GP practices are struggling under immense pressure. NHS dentistry is close to collapse with less than half of the Welsh population able to access NHS dental care. In Powys, as in the rest of Wales, people are living in pain or giving up on trying to get an appointment altogether. However you look at it, things badly need to change in Wales. The staff do their best in challenging circumstances and my thanks go to each and every one on the frontline. Processes, procedures need to change, top level management need to be accountable for failures. That includes the Health Minister! What patients need is treatment, not hashtags, slogans, or spin. We need a clear recovery plan for the NHS with proper accountability and a long-term strategy to train and retain our healthcare workforce.
