Latest news with #AlexMcIntyre
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre loses seven stone after diabetes diagnosis
An MP who has lost seven stone (44.4kg) since January after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has said he wants to show others it is possible to put the disease into Alex McIntyre, who was elected MP for Gloucester in the 2024 general election, said the diagnosis was "the wake up call I needed" and he is now resetting his relationship with 32-year-old is urging anyone carrying "a bit of extra timber" to get tested for the condition, and consider joining the NHS rapid weight loss programme."The real privilege of being an MP is that I can talk about my diabetes publicly to help other people with it too," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. About 34,000 people in Gloucestershire are living with type 2 diabetes, according to NHS condition occurs when a person cannot make enough of the hormone insulin which helps the body use glucose for energy, leading to levels of glucose in the blood becoming dangerously of the primary causes of type 2 diabetes is obesity, and complications can include cardiovascular disease, sight loss, nerve damage and even amputation in extreme making lifestyle changes to lose weight can put the disease into remission. Those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in their 30s lose an average of 16 years from their life span."For me, 16 years is the difference between seeing my son growing up and getting married one day or not," McIntyre said."It's also been a real opportunity to look at my relationship with food and think 'what do I want my life to look like over the next 20 years?' "I want it to be healthier, I want it to be happier and I want it to be more active."McIntyre is on the NHS's year-long Pathway to Remission programme, which begins with a 12-week diet of only soups and shakes amounting to between 800 and 900 calories a day."It's not for the faint-hearted but you are supported through it," he said."You have a weekly check-up call and you are constantly measuring your blood sugar and weighing yourself to make sure you are doing it healthily." Almost a third of those who complete the programme put their diabetes into remission, according to the MP said the support of his friends and family, and feeling more energetic when playing with his son, were the things that helped him through."One of things I want to do by coming forward is to tell people you can do it but also encourage a conversation about how we can support people as well," McIntyre added.
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
'I'm a better parent': Gloucester MP sheds seven stone on liquid diet after diabetes diagnosis
Gloucester's MP says he's now "a better parent" after a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes led him to lose seven stone in four months as part of an NHS diet involving liquid shakes. Alex McIntyre is in his thirties and was elected as a Labour MP in the 2024 general election. That Christmas, his GP told him he has the condition. "That hit me really hard," he explains. "I'm in my 30s, it's quite uncommon, although increasingly more and more young people are getting diagnosed." What scared him most was the fact several studies now show that people diagnosed with Type 2 in their 30s can see their life expectancy reduced by around 14 years. "It's the difference between seeing my little man get married one day or not, and that massively motivated me to lose weight," he says. Since the diagnosis, the MP has joined the NHS 'Path to Remission' programme, which has restricted to him to an 800-calorie diet of liquid shakes for 12 weeks. He admits it "isn't for the faint-hearted", but insists the programme is guided by his GP and sees his weight loss closely monitored. "I've struggled with my weight for most of my adult life," he tells ITV. "And it's something that anyone who has struggled with their weight will be able to recognise. The yo-yo dieting, trying lots of different diets, whether it's Joe Wicks or Slimming World or Weight Watchers - I've tried most of them. "You lose a few pounds, maybe you lose a couple of stone, and things get in the way. Life gets in the way. Life's really tough for lots of people. You're busy, you're working hard, something happens with your family." The death of his Nan just before he started the programme was something that could have knocked him back, he says, but the "big change" in his life was the birth of his son. "It's really hit home to me that life expectancy piece. I want to be around to see my little boy grow up, perhaps have grand kids one day. That has really motivated me in a way no other life moments have." Alex now sits on the Health and Social Care parliamentary committee and wants to use his experience to help shape government policy around obesity and diabetes. Diabetes costs the NHS around £10 billion every a year, with sufferers at risk of some serious and costly health complications in the long-term. Alex admits he was at risk of costing the NHS a lot of money, and as a politician, wanted to do something about it. Findings published in the Lancet show one third of participants with Type 2 diabetes, who have completed the NHS programme he's on, enter remission. It's something Alex hopes he'll do too, as he's about to move onto the second part of the programme, gradually reintroduce solid food, and new daily habits. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes "There are so many more young people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and there is such a stigma attached to it, and to obesity and being overweight more generally," he adds. "People need to know there are people out there like them going through this too and there is help available, you don't need to be ashamed to ask for help, and there is to support here to help you on that journey." Alex has been overwhelmed by the response he's had from speaking publicly. Not only have constituents got in touch, but the odd political rival and parliamentary colleague has too. "I don't come from a political background. I went to a state school. I didn't go to Eton, or Oxford or Cambridge," he says. "That's not to say I haven't had a lucky or privileged life, and I recognise that. But the challenges people in my constituency are facing - whether that's getting childcare or finding a good school for their kids, getting a GP appointment, finding a dentist - these are things me and my family are going through every day. "That's part of the reason I stood to be an MP. I think we need more normal people in politics and it's important to use opportunities like this to share with people." Mr McIntyre hopes this will prove to be a good example of shifting the NHS model more from treatment to prevention. He admits he's "evangelical" about the programme because it has so far worked for him, but accepts it won't work for everyone. He's not against weight loss jabs, either, but notes they are considerably more expensive than shakes and soups. He says the money saved from rolling out the scheme could help more people into remission, with the money saved able to be to spent "on other frontline services" and helping people "live happier, healthier lives". "For me it's about being the best version of me I can possibly be. "And that's not to say I wasn't a good Dad when I was overweight, but I just feel I can do more now.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wall's Club asylum seeker letter is fake, says MP
A letter circulating on social media claiming a former social club in Gloucester is to be used as a sports facility for asylum seekers is fake, the local MP says. The hoax document, which claims to be from the Home Office, falsely claims the Wall's Social Club, in Barnwood, which closed on 31 March after 60 years, will be repurposed later this month. Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre said the Home Office had confirmed to him the letter was a "complete fabrication". "It has been reported to Meta and will be reported to the police," he said. He added it was the second time in recent months that someone had shared a hoax letter from a government department to try and "sow division" in Gloucester. "I have been made aware this evening of a fake letter about the future of the Wall's Club circulating on Facebook," McIntyre said. "I have confirmed with colleagues in the Home Office that this letter is a hoax and a complete fabrication. "This is the second time in recent months that someone has shared a hoax letter from a government department in Gloucester to try to sow division in our city. "It is not acceptable and people in our city deserves better." Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucester City Council, which are listed as recipients of the hoax letter, have also confirmed it is fake. They also say neither authority has received the false letter. A county council spokesperson said: "We've been made aware of a letter claiming to be from the Home Office to Gloucester City and Gloucestershire County Councils. "The letter is fake. Neither council has received the letter. "The Home Office has confirmed to the MP for Gloucester that they've issued no such letter." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Social club to close after more than 60 years Home Office
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: Pat Lam's future and pioneering surgery
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories reported on the fire which spread across two homes on are renewed appeals to find a 22-year-old man who has been missing from Yeovil since Boxing Day, reports Somerset Bears' Pat Lam is being discussed on Wales Online, as news emerged that the Welsh national team approached him about his the story about the woman who had her eyesight saved in time for her wedding with pioneering surgery was reported on by ITV News West Country Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media Swindon Borough Council said two schools in Swindon have been shortlisted for primary school of the year at the Times Educational Supplement School Awards. The winners will be announced on 20 June at a gala in MP Alex McIntyre has alerted Facebook users to a fake letter circulating about the future of the Wall's Club, which closed a few months ago. He said it was "the second time in recent months that someone has shared a hoax letter from a government department in Gloucester to try to sow division in our city".There is a discussion on the Spotted in Trowbridge Facebook page about a school policy on wearing blazers, with parents saying it is unfair on exceptionally hot there are two new ultrasound machines at Bath's RUH, one funded by a husband in memory of his late wife, which the hospital says will speed up diagnosis and help doctors make better-informed decisions.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ticketless football fans could face £1,000 fines if they gatecrash matches
Ticketless football fans could face £1,000 fines if they gatecrash matches after MPs backed a proposal to criminalise unauthorised entry. The Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill moved closer to becoming law on Friday after MPs voted to give it a second reading without a debate. According to an explainer from the Home Office, 'tailgating and other forms of unauthorised entry (including attempted entry) poses public order and security problems to matchday operations at stadia and tends to take place at the highest interest sold-out matches, which included the Euro 2020 matches at Wembley Stadium'. The Euro 2020 tournament – held a year late during the Covid-19 pandemic – ended at the north-west London stadium with Italy beating England 3-2 on penalties. MPs also agreed on Friday to progress the Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill without a debate, which if passed, would give ministers the power to list substances as class A, B or C using regulations. Fines for unauthorised entry to football matches would apply when at least one team ranked in the top five tiers of men's domestic football competition – including the Premier League and EFL Championship – the Women's Super League and the Women's Championship, or the men's Cymru Premier league in Wales. They would also apply when at least one team represented a country or territory. Linsey Farnsworth, Labour MP for Amber Valley, brought forward the proposal as a private member's Bill, but MPs ran out of time to debate it. 'Currently, detected persons who gain entry without authorisation are likely to be ejected with no legal repercussion, whilst persons detected attempting entry are usually moved on and will often make multiple attempts to gain entry,' the explainer said, adding that rule-breakers would face a maximum fine at level three on the standard scale, which is £1,000. Courts would also be able to issue offenders with a football banning order for a time-limited period unless they believe 'there are particular circumstances that would make it unjust in all the circumstances to do so'. Alex McIntyre, Labour MP for Gloucester, brought forward the Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill. According to explanatory notes, changing the mechanism for listing drugs would 'ensure that new substances can be made subject to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 more rapidly'. It said new synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes are 'a significant risk to public health', adding: 'With the rapid development of synthetic drugs, it is vital that any new controls come into force at the earliest opportunity as a matter of public safety.' The bills must be considered again in the Commons and the Lords before they become law.
