
Why Rod Stewart stepped in to pay for a child's autism diagnosis
Singer Rod Stewart has paid for a four-year-old's autism diagnosis after a three-year NHS wait.
The musician stepped in after the Daily Record revealed Scottish boy Iain Gregori had waited years for a diagnosis, despite his father Michael being told repeatedly he is autistic.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar criticised the Scottish Government for the delays, stating they should be 'ashamed'.
However, First Minister John Swinney responded that support is available without an official diagnosis and highlighted government efforts to improve mental health services.
Stewart's intervention sparked a debate in Parliament about the adequacy of autism support within the NHS and reliance on private solutions.
Ministers should 'hang heads in shame' as Rod Stewart pays for child's diagnosis

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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
NHS urges Tesco shoppers to read important life saving labels in store
The warning comes amid a new collaboration between the NHS and the supermarket giant on Tesco's own brand Luxury Soft toilet rolls. The NHS is encouraging Tesco shoppers to 'keep an eye out' and 'contact your GP practice if something doesn't feel right'. This health warning has been issued as Tesco's own brand-Luxury Soft toilet rolls now feature the NHS logo on the packaging. The collaboration between the NHS and the supermarket giant has been established to increase awareness surrounding bowel cancer among consumers. An NHS post on X, formerly known as Twitter, reads: "Keep an eye out for our logo on @Tesco toilet roll-78.9 million rolls sold and counting!" The initiative serves as a reminder for people to be aware of potential cancer symptoms when going to the bathroom. The NHS emphasises: "It's a reminder for people to look out for possible signs of cancer when going to the loo. Know what's normal for you and contact your GP practice if something doesn't feel right." Printed underneath the NHS logo on the toilet roll is the note: "Finding cancer earlier makes it more treatable and can save lives." Further details are provided on the back of the pack. The packaging also lists warning signs of cancer that may be visible during toilets visits like alterations in stool and the presence of blood. For more detailed information on cancer symptoms, the public is advised to visit the NHS website here. Symptoms of bowel cancer: changes in your stool, such as having softer stool, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you needing to go to the toilet more or less often than usual for you blood in your stool, which may look red or black bleeding from your bottom often feeling like you need to empty your bowels, even if you've just been to the toilet tummy pain a lump in your tummy bloating losing weight without trying feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer Many of these symptoms can be quite common and may also arise from various other health conditions. Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer but it is essential you consult a GP for a check-up if you notice anything abnormal. If cancer is the cause behind your symptoms, early detection may make treatment more manageable. If anyone experiences symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more, they should speak to a medical professional. The NHS reassures: "Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms. "If you notice your poo is black or dark red, or if you're experiencing bloody diarrhoea, it's crucial to seek an urgent GP appointment or get assistance from NHS 111. You can reach out by calling 111 or using the online help available at 111." Cancer can come in over 200 different forms and can affect any part of the body, including organs, blood, bone marrow, and the immune system. Sometimes, cancer can spread from its original site to other parts of the body, a process known as secondary cancer or metastasis. The type of cancer you have will determine the treatment you receive. Common cancer treatments include surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy with drugs that destroy cancer cells, and radiotherapy that uses radiation to target and kill cancer cells. Other treatment options might involve immunotherapy, which boosts your immune system to fight cancer, and hormone therapy, which aims to slow down or stop the growth of cancerous cells. The NHS assures patients: "You'll be looked after by a team of specialists who will work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you."


North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three
The changes mean that, from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years. The move has been recommended by the UK National Screening Committee and is based on analysis from King's College London showing five-yearly screening is just as safe as three-yearly, with the same number of cancers found. HPV is a sexually-transmitted group of viruses which cause no symptoms. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of all cervical cancers. As at present, any woman who has HPV or has a recent history of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check the virus has cleared and, if not, to check for cell changes in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
NHS updates cervical screening guidelines with millions of women affected
Women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will be invited to cervical screening every five years instead of every three, under new NHS guidelines. The change, set to take effect next month in England, follows recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee. According to analysis from King's College London, extending the screening interval to five years for HPV-negative women is just as safe as the current three-year interval, with a similar rate of cancer detection. HPV is a sexually transmitted group of viruses, with around 13 high-risk types known to cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. Most people with HPV don't experience any symptoms. Women who test positive for HPV, or have a history of the virus, will continue to be invited for more frequent screenings to monitor the virus and check for any changes to cells in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'