Latest news with #AllisonGardner
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent MP Allison Gardner in tears over 'excruciating' chronic UTI
An MP has described the "debilitating and excruciating" experience of living with a chronic urinary tract infection (UTI).Allison Gardner, the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, made an emotional speech in a Westminster Hall debate on the condition, which she said had at one point led her to consider having her bladder through tears, Gardner called for better recognition of and treatment for chronic UTIs."I do believe that this is yet another case in point of how women's medical conditions continue to be misunderstood, under-researched and underfunded," she said. UTIs are bacterial infections which can affect the bladder, urethra or said she had frequently relied on bags of frozen peas to relieve the pain but said some women at the debate had described pouring scalding water on their legs to distract themselves."It's really unpleasant," Gardner told the BBC. "You get burning, stinging when you urinate." Gardner said while most people knew what a UTI was, severe and chronic infections made sufferers feel like they were "on fire"."There's something strange about the pain because it also gets to you mentally," she explained. "You just can't think and it becomes all-consuming."It gets to you that badly that you think you can't carry on."The MP has suffered from menopause-induced UTIs for more than a decade but said the "dipstick" test usually used to diagnose an infection was not sensitive when someone has a "raging" UTI, she said, was action taken and, even then, the antibiotics prescribed were not enough to fully clear it."So you're in this loop of infections, where eventually it becomes embedded and chronic," she added. 'Medical misogyny' Gardner herself was not diagnosed as a chronic sufferer until one point she thought she would not longer be able to work, or even have a relationship - because UTIs made sex said the lack of understanding around the condition in women was an example of medical misogyny - with male patients often prescribed longer courses of antibiotics."You would never say to a man who has erectile dysfunction: 'Well, you'll just have to give up sex.'. Yet this is what happens with women all the time," she a cocktail of medication now keeps her infections - mostly - at bay, Gardner still suffers from daily life is still affected she added as she can no longer enjoy tomatoes, grapes, wine, whisky or even baths because they might trigger an is now hoping to launch a cross-party parliamentary group to look at chronic UTIs. She is also calling on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to recognise them."If I can get NICE to provide guidance, that is a huge win," she said. "That would be phenomenal."A spokesperson for NICE said it had updated its guidance on prescriptions for recurrent UTIs in December."We regularly review and update our guidelines, particularly if there are any significant changes to the evidence base," they added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Special' Longton Victorian Market named Staffordshire's best
A Victorian market has been praised as a "special" part of its town after being named the best in Victorian Market, in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, won the Market of the Year honour at the Our Staffordshire Business, Charity, Community and Food Awards 150-year-old site fended off competition from six other markets, including runners-up Cannock Market and Tunstall Allison Gardner, Stoke-on-Trent South MP, said: "This is a fantastic recognition of the incredible traders, local produce and community spirit that make the market such a special part of Longton." The awards, run by Our Staffordshire News, were held on 14 April, with more than 30 honours presented during the Finlay Gordon-McCusker, of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the honour showed how important markets were to communities."All of our traders and our dedicated markets team work tirelessly to make sure our markets remain at the heart of our town centres, so I would like to pass on my huge congratulations to them," he added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
17-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Barry Panter: Mayor killed in crash was 'dedicated to community'
The mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, who died following a car crash last week, had a "truly admirable" dedication to the community, an MP has said in Panter had been a Conservative on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council since 2016, and was elected mayor last raised money for the Salvation Army and Headway North Staffordshire during his term in praise by Stoke-on-Trent South MP Dr Allison Gardner, Labour, has been echoed by other MPs across Staffordshire. Newcastle's MP Adam Jogee, Labour, said his thoughts and prayers "go out to all who knew him, and who, like me, will miss him".The MP for Stoke-on-Trent North David Williams, Labour, said he first met Mr Panter at a fundraising event, and found him to be an "incredibly decent person".Stafford's MP Leigh Ingham, Labour, stated she was sending his family "courage and peace during this time of sorrow".The crash happened on Thursday evening. Mr Panter had chaired a meeting of full council the evening before, leaving fellow members borough council said the RAF veteran, who also served with South Wales Constabulary, moved to North Staffordshire in 2002 and was first elected to represent the Loggerheads Tagg, leader of the authority, said the thoughts of the council were with Mr Panter's wife Beatrice, his family and friends. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
