Latest news with #BangorUniversity
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Houghton heart donation recipient calls for change in rules
A woman who was the first baby to have a heart transplant in the UK says families should not be able to overturn a loved one's decision to donate their donations have almost tripled from 255 in 2020/21 to 680 in 2023/24, according to official figures, leading to an estimated 2,040 "missed opportunities" last Davidson-Olley, from Houghton-le-Spring, who had transplant surgery at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital in 1987, said lives were continuing to be Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said families were "always involved" in donation and they might have "important information" which was vital in understanding whether organs were safe for donation. Last year, families refusing donation gave reasons including not knowing what the patient wanted, feeling the donation process took too long, not wanting any further surgery to the body, or it was against religious and cultural research carried out by Bangor University found some families did not understand the soft opt-out laws, introduced in England in 2020, where patients are presumed to have given consent for donation unless they specifically opted out of the organ donation register. "The knock-on impact is lives won't be saved, it's as simple as that. Organs need to be used here, not in heaven," Ms Davidson-Olley, now 38, said."The figures [for organ donations] are extremely low, and we need to boost that up and we need public help to do that."Ms Davidson-Olley praised the NHS, but said the sole decision to remain opted-in to the Organ Donation Register should be honoured, where appropriate. According to the NHS, for every one donor, an average of three organs can be transplanted, potentially saving additional lives."You're giving a life, you're giving a gift, look at me 38 years post-transplant - I love my life and I couldn't be thankful enough to what I've been given," Ms Davidson-Olley said."Have the conversation [with your family] and share your wishes." Figures from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 showed that 140 families overruled a patient's "opt-in decision". A further 540 families did not support "deemed consent", where there is no expressed decision and so the patient is assumed to support organ all those cases, no donation went ahead. Terry Archbold previously told the BBC he and his partner were split over organ donation after their daughter Isabel was his partner Cheryl agreed, Mr Archbold said he had initially refused organ donation as he had never given the subject consideration, and a "protective instinct kicked in" that "didn't want anyone to touch her".However, it was only after having a discussion he said he realised they would be "hopefully saving other parents from experiencing the same feelings we had". Families consulted A spokesperson for NHSBT said families were often aware of a patient's "medical, travel and social history" and which was "vital to understanding" whether their organs were "safe to transplant", or had more recent information than a decision recorded on the donor said while families were expected to support a patient's decision to donate, the circumstances in which a person died were "often very sudden and traumatic", and said it was encouraging people to be clear with family members about their wishes."Families are far more likely to support donation when they already know it was what their relative wanted," the spokesperson said."Almost 90% of people honoured their family members decision last year when they had either registered their decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register or had spoken with their family about wanting to be an organ donor."The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it was encouraging everybody to "register their decision" which "only takes two minutes and could save up to nine lives".A spokesperson added the DHSC was making it "as easy as possible" for those to record their preference on the register. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Plan to reconsider cuts to 'vital' Bangor University archive service welcomed
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info News that Bangor University is to reconsider proposed cuts to its Archives and Special Collection service following significant public and political pressure has been welcomed. Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS recently met with the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Edmund Burke to express their "serious concerns". Their intervention had come amid a university cost-saving plan that initially threatened 78 jobs and the future of vital archive services. University officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The Arfon MS Siân Gwenllian said: 'Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the Vice Chancellor and senior representatives. I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts. 'We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh Government to be used to reduce job losses. "We will continue to make the case for the Government to step in with more support.' Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: 'The archives at Bangor are of national significance. Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider.' MS for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: 'This is a step in the right direction, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely. Bangor University plays a central role in our national life – it must be supported to thrive, not hollowed out by short-term decisions'. The three Plaid Cymru representatives have reiterated a call to the Welsh Government to step up support for the higher education sector in Wales. They are warning that cuts like this "risk irreparable damage" to institutions that serve as cornerstones of national heritage and community life. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025 Main Prose Writer winner announced
The winner of the Main Prose Writer for the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro 2025, has been announced at the main ceremony yesterday (Friday). The title was taken by Mali Elwy, originally from Tan-y-Fron near Llansannan. Catrin Morris from Llanberis came second, and Elain Roberts (the winner of Thursday's Chair) from Pentre'r Bryn, Ceredigion took third place. The ceremony was sponsored by Cardiff University. The requirements of this year's Crown competition were to compose a piece or pieces of prose over 2,500 words on the theme 'Toddi / Ymdoddi' ( to melt). A total of 17 entries were received and the adjudicators, Menna Elfyn and Emyr Lewis, were 'particularly pleased with each of the entries". They both agreed on the winning entry: 'This is the story of a young woman whose relationship has broken down, and she decides to follow an evening creative writing course. We gradually get to know her and her history. There is humour and intensity here – a story within a story. 'This is a mature writer who knows how to craft a story. This is an exciting new voice that fully deserves to win the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro Crown.' 24-year-old Mali now lives in Y Felinheli. A former pupil of Ysgol Glan Clwyd, she graduated in Welsh and Creative Writing from Bangor University and works as a freelance facilitator in Gwynedd. This is the first time she has competed for the Crown, and she said she would like to thank Dr Marged Tudur and staff at the School of Welsh, Bangor University for all their support, and Ysgol Glan Clwyd for inspiring and encouraging her to start writing many years ago. Nicola Palterman from Neath created this year's Crown, and the prize is given by primary schools in the West Glamorgan Region. 'I wanted the design to be based on the steel and sea theme,' explains jeweller Nicola Palterman. 'The waves of the coastal landscape in the Aberavon area can be seen, while the birds are a strong symbol in this year's Welcome Song and offer much hope for the future. But the design also recognises the importance of the steel industry, which has been the lifeblood of people over the years.' It was Siân Lloyd, winner of the crown exactly 50 years ago at Eisteddfod yr Urdd 1975, who presented the winner with the crown today. The top three will be invited to take part in a course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre, Literature Wales in memory of Olwen Dafydd. This is made possible through the Olwen Griffith Trust.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bangor University to reconsider cuts to archive service
Some of the planned cuts at a Welsh university where dozens of jobs are at risk will be reconsidered after "serious concerns" were cuts to the archive and special collection service at Bangor University were part of a university cost-saving plan which threatens 78 prompted politicians to intervene, with Plaid Cymru MSs Siân Gwenllian, Liz Saville Roberts and Rhun ap Iorwerth meeting with the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Gwenllian, who represents the Arfon constituency, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the vice-chancellor and senior representatives."I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts."We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh government to be used to reduce job losses."We will continue to make the case for the government to step in with more support."Saville Roberts added the archives at Bangor were "of national significance"."Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider."
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Plan to reconsider cuts to 'vital' Bangor University archive service welcomed
News that Bangor University is to reconsider proposed cuts to its Archives and Special Collection service following significant public and political pressure has been welcomed. Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS recently met with the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Edmund Burke to express their "serious concerns". Their intervention had come amid a university cost-saving plan that initially threatened 78 jobs and the future of vital archive services. University officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The Arfon MS Siân Gwenllian said: 'Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the Vice Chancellor and senior representatives. I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts. 'We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh Government to be used to reduce job losses. "We will continue to make the case for the Government to step in with more support.' Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: 'The archives at Bangor are of national significance. Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider.' MS for Ynys Môn Rhun ap Iorwerth, said: 'This is a step in the right direction, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely. Bangor University plays a central role in our national life – it must be supported to thrive, not hollowed out by short-term decisions'. The three Plaid Cymru representatives have reiterated a call to the Welsh Government to step up support for the higher education sector in Wales. They are warning that cuts like this "risk irreparable damage" to institutions that serve as cornerstones of national heritage and community life.
