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BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
Ten years after the Zika outbreak: What happened to the babies born with microcephaly?
When Rute Freires was told by a doctor that her newborn daughter Tamara wouldn't live long, she started crying had microcephaly - an abnormally small head - one of many conditions resulting from her mother being infected with the Zika virus while nine-years-old, Tamara eats through a stomach tube. Her hands are increasingly stiff and contracted and she has a hard time holding her head still."I was told early on that she wouldn't walk, she wouldn't speak nor smile," says Rute. "And yet I would ask every doctor I visited: 'My kid is going to walk, right?'"Rute's daughter is one of the nearly 2,000 babies born to women who contracted the mosquito-borne virus in Brazil between 2015 and then, the country was preparing to host the Olympics and the world watched with concern as the virus spread across Brazil as well as to dozens of other Love Stories: I went to Brazil to find out how families are coping A public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization and Brazilian authorities, whose warning remained in place until May still not clear why the outbreak spontaneously ceased and it hasn't resurged over the past disappeared from the public eye, and families dealing with its long-lasting consequences have been largely to government figures, 261 children diagnosed with congenital Zika syndrome - a pattern of birth defects caused by infections during pregnancy - have died. Hundreds more have seen their health conditions is one of them. She lives in Maceió, a coastal city in north-eastern Brazil, where 75% of the cases of congenital Zika virus syndrome in the country were registered. Scientists still don't have a conclusive explanation of why that region was the most affected. Congenital Zika syndrome is characterised by heart problems, joint issues and difficulty co-ordinating chewing and swallowing. Most of those with it do not go through traditional development milestones like crawling, eating, walking, speaking or potty deal with the challenges of raising her daughter, Rute joined forces with other affected mothers. She first met them in a support group put together by local health authorities in 2016."There were so many kids with the same syndrome as Tamara. We started talking to each other, exchanging information… and things finally started to make sense."But life was still difficult. A year on, the women felt they weren't getting enough support from local authorities. So they formed an independent group, with bespoke yellow shirts, to help each other - and demand more. Moving in together Many of the mothers had stopped working and were living off state benefits of around $265 (£199; €230) per month - the minimum wage. They found themselves in legal battles against the healthcare system trying to secure surgeries, wheelchairs, medication and baby had been abandoned by their husbands - some of whom have remarried and formed new founder of the association, Alessandra Hora, says men rarely came to the group."I heard from many women that their husbands felt they were putting being a mother before the role of wife," she tells the women have found new ways of organising their lives. After making an application to public housing authorities, almost 15 were able to move into the same complex, where they've now lived for five years."Our goal was for them to live close to one another so they could help each other - to be the support network that most don't have," says started taking care of her grandson Erik, who has congenital Zika syndrome, after her son was murdered in their neighbourhood on the outskirts of Maceió.Rute moved to the Zika mothers' housing block after her became close to her neighbours Anne Caroline da Silva Rosa and Lenice França, whose children Moisés and Enzo also have congenital Zika syndrome. Like Tamara, Moisés eats through a feeding tube that comes out of his stomach. He can no longer stand, but he manages a faint smile when his little sister Maria covers him in hugs and is one of the few children with Zika-related microcephaly who has more autonomy. After many years in and out of hospitals, the nine-year-old is now able to walk and so close to one another means the mothers have been able to share tips on how to handle their children's complex health conditions. But there have been other benefits started taking night classes when Anne Caroline and Lenice offered to look after Tamara - meaning she could resume her studies and obtain a high-school can neither walk nor speak, as doctors predicted. A few years ago, she couldn't fix her gaze on an object either - but thanks to physical therapy she can now even recognise herself in the eyes follow her mother everywhere she goes. They usually stare at each other when Rute is cuddling with her on the couch and stroking her long curly hair. Winning higher compensation The mothers' decade-long battle for better financial assistance has also paid December, Brazil's Congress approved a bill introduced back in 2015 that would see families affected by Zika receive compensation of $8,800, and monthly payments of $1,325 - five times higher than the current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vetoed the bill, saying its financial implications were unclear. His administration had instead proposed a one-off payment of $10, like Mardjane Lemos, the doctor who diagnosed some of the first cases of Zika-related microcephaly, said this was far from enough. She argued that state authorities had failed the families on multiple levels - failing to contain the virus and under-compensating affected children for years. Alagoas state's health department said the virus situation in the region had improved in recent years thanks to their efforts in educating citizens to clear stagnant water and training health surveillance didn't respond to questions about how the state has supported families affected by Zika ultimately, the mothers were Lula's veto on the bill was overturned and they were told they would receive the full levels of compensation approved in the 2015 bill. Mysterious drop in cases Even though the number of Zika cases and births of babies with the syndrome have sharply dropped, a new outbreak is possible as the cause of the decline is still unknown, says Ms Lemos."The boom in cases seems to have spontaneously ceased. This leads to the theory that there is some natural immunity. But is that really the case? How long does it last? We do not know," she points out.A decade on from the outbreak, a lack of research has left many questions unanswered. For example, why was north-eastern Brazil so badly hit, especially poor women there?One study suggests that it might be related to maternal malnutrition. Another proposes that water contaminated with a bacteria may have produced a nerve-damaging toxin making the effects of the virus on the babies' brains worse. Congenital brain malformation researcher Patrícia Garcez and neuroscientist Stevens Rehen, who led the two projects respectively, have told the BBC they believe the answer may be a combination of these and other factors."We know a little more now [about] the environmental factors that may have contributed to the higher prevalence, but we don't fully understand how they have contributed," says Dr Garcez, who teaches at King's College London, highlighting the lack of research as a lack of research might have to do with the fact that those affected are predominantly poor, says Ms the uncertainty, winning the battle for compensation has given Rute a new sense of optimism for the future."I felt such joy when I heard the news, I wanted to scream," she she's aiming to get a qualification in education and a well-paid job. She wants private health insurance for Tamara and dreams of buying a car one day, to take her to medical appointments."Some of the mothers thought this day wouldn't come," she adds. "But I didn't give up hope."
The Herald Scotland
37 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
NHS Fife won't confirm probe into patient information leak
She told the tribunal last week about a 'Benidorm group' chat she was involved in with Ms Peggie and five other nurses. It was in this group chat that Ms Peggie shared a stream of racist jokes about the 2022 floods in Pakistan. However, it also emerged that Ms Nicoll had mentioned a patient's name and sensitive information in the nursing group chat. It also outlined specific details of the same patient's complaint. Naomi Cunningham, the barrister acting on behalf of NHS Fife, put it to the witness that she would have breached her "regulatory obligations". The barrister said: "If we look at that single message from that 2,600 odd page group chat, would it be able to form a view of you as a nurse with no respect for patient privacy?" Read more: Ms Nicoll told the tribunal she was "disappointed" in her actions, adding: "That was unprofessional of me." "Certainly, if I was a patient I would certainly view me as someone who didn't respect their patients," she said. NHS Fife's policy states: "All staff working within NHS Fife are bound by a legal duty of confidence to protect and keep up to date personal information that they may come into contact with during the course of their work. "This is both a legal and contractual responsibility and also a requirement under the common law duty of confidence." The health board also has a registered Data Protection Officer tasked with monitoring the organisation's compliance. Meanwhile, the Nursing and Midwifery Council's code of practice requires practitioners to respect a patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. It states that medical staff must "share necessary information with other health and care professionals and agencies only when the interests of patient safety and public protection override the need for confidentiality." NHS Fife told The Herald on Sunday it would not comment on whether an investigation was underway. A spokesperson said: "NHS Fife is unable to comment on individuals or evidence while legal proceedings are ongoing. Read more: "Similarly, we cannot comment on matters related to individual members of our workforce. "We remain respectful of the legal progress and the role of the tribunal in considering all evidence presented." However, calls are mounting on the health board to investigate whether patient confidentiality was breached. Tess White, equalities spokeswoman for the Scottish Tories, said: "NHS Fife has already shown themselves to be selective, inconsistent and biased in their approach to confidentiality. "They were quite happy to ignore the rules in their bid to demonise Sandie Peggie. "They have shown themselves unfit for their jobs by their stubborn refusal to accept the clear ruling of the Supreme Court and their appalling mishandling of this case. "They must now stop flouting the law, putting women and girls in danger and laying themselves open to legal challenge, and there should be a thorough investigation of any breach of patient confidentiality." NHS Fife has been taken to tribunal, alongside Dr Upton, by Ms Peggie after she was suspending for objecting to the transgender medic's use of the female changing rooms on Christmas Eve 2023 at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Ms Peggie also made reference to the situation being similar to men being housed in the female prison estate. The nurse was placed on special leave in December 2023 and suspended in January 2024. She was cleared of all misconduct allegations on July 15 2025, including two patient safety concerns. NHS Fife said there was "insufficient evidence" to support the allegations. Ms Peggie had to be recalled to the tribunal to defend her character after former friend Ms Nicoll accused the nurse of racism, homophobia and transphobia. It was alleged that Ms Peggie referred to Dr Upton as "it", "weirdo", and "freak". She was also accused of making derogatory remarks, including sharing 10 racist jokes about Pakistan in the friend group chat. Ms Peggie joked about there being "too many P***'s in Britain" while another described the aftermath of the disaster, which killed more than 1,700 people, as a "giant bowl of Coco Pops" from space. The nurse described the jokes as "dark humour" and stated she did not wish harm on trans people - but only wanted to share a changing room with biological men. NHS Fife is also facing scrutiny for its handling of the tribunal and preceding internal investigation. Carol Mochan, Labour's deputy spokesperson on women's health and public health, has urged the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee to investigate how the case has been handling. She said she believed the board has allowed the situation to "get out of control".
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Davina McCall raves this collagen supplement makes ‘a noticeable change to skin and joints'
Davina McCall has been raving to fans this week about this best-selling collagen supplement, which the 57-year-old swears 'makes a noticeable difference to energy, skin and joints' Collagen has been proven to be a vital structural protein that supports the integrity, elasticity, and strength of the skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, and gut lining. Everyone's natural collagen levels gradually decrease with age, which can lead to less elasticity in the skin or less flexible joints over time. But, Davina McCall may have found the perfect supplement of hydrolysed collagen peptides that work to support the body's natural repair, replenish, and renewal processes, helping you to look and feel younger and healthier. The 57-year-old English TV presenter is a sworn fan and brand ambassador of Ancient + Brave, in particular their best-selling True Collagen Powder. Davina raved about the supplement, saying: "True Collagen is the only collagen I like, it's convenient, tasteless, and it works." She also enthuses, "I'm obsessed with True Collagen. When I take it, I feel the difference." And before you worry that you will need to have a celebrity-sized bank account to join Davina in enjoying the benefits of True Collagen, this supplement actually retails for the relatively affordable price of £25.60, which includes approximately 40 servings. This True Collagen powder is an easily digestible, highly absorbable, and clinically researched Type I hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides. Once easily absorbed through the gut, these peptides supply the building blocks for new collagen and can also stimulate collagen-producing cells, supporting the natural repair processes for new skin, hair, and nail cells. Collagen's whole-body benefits reflect its ripple effect as a multi-functional protein. Beyond beauty, enhancing skin, hair, and nails, it supports joints, bones, muscles, gut health, and even cognitive function, which is why it's such a game changer for those stepping into their thirties, forties, fifties, and beyond, as it can rejuvinate all facets of your everyday health. As Davina mentioned, the benefit of taking powdered collagen is that you can tailor the dose to best suit your age, health, and lifestyle. For regular maintenance, Ancient + Brave recommends taking 5–10 grams daily. To make adding this to your daily routine as simple as possible, the Ritual scoop measures 8 grams of True Collagen. To take, you simply add 1 ritual scoop or 1-2 heaped teaspoons to any drink of choice or stir into food. And that's it. But it isn't just Davina McCall who is obsessed with this supplement, which she raved on a recent Instagram Reel, makes "a noticeable difference to my energy, skin and joints". But other accolades come from 5-star reviewers singing this collagen powder's praises. One thrilled shopper says: "Amazing!!! I noticed a difference in my eyelashes and nails the first few weeks after starting this and I can't wait to see more results- already ordered my refill pouch! I have it in my morning cuppa everyday!" Further adoration comes from this buyer who beams: "After taking this in my morning cup of tea for a month, I can see and feel the difference. My skin is fresh and dewy, I feel less foggy - more alert and my bones and muscles feel less stiff after exercise. I highly recommend this top quality product from this amazing company which cares so much about the important things in life for great health." A third chimes in: "I am only 2 weeks in on True Collagen and have noticed a difference in my skin, really interested to see what benefits I see to nails and hair over the coming months." One shopper did share some disappointment, writing: "Great product and I've definitely noticed a difference with my skin, nails and hair growth. I would most certainly recommend. I was disappointed no scoop was provided to measure powder." However, the overall 4.8 out of 5-star rating, with over 2.5k reviews, shows that 2.2k customers bestow full marks. If you're interested in checking out other collagen powder supplements, check out this Gold Standard Bovine Collagen Peptides Powder by Wellgard on Amazon for the more affordable price of £19.19 (400g). Elsewhere, you can find this Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder supplement at iHerb for £29.69.
