Latest news with #Chesham
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Groom forced to have his toes partially amputated after being given wedding shoes that were too tight
A groom was forced to have his toes partially amputated after being given a pair of orthotic shoes for his wedding that were too tight. Martin Ralph, 61, complained about the shoes being too small and uncomfortable but was reassured by NHS staff that they just needed 'breaking in'. He wore them to tie the knot with his wife Melissa, 61, on July 27, 2019, but had to change out of them after a few hours because they left his feet in agony. A few weeks later, the father of four went to hospital with an abscess on his right big toe where dead tissue was removed and his toe was washed out. This exposed the first joint and a decision was made to amputate the toe at the knuckle. Over the next four years Mr Ralph from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, developed further issues with his foot and ended up losing three more toes. Mr Ralph, who formerly owned a cleaning business, has now been left unable to work and can no longer walk unaided. He claims his feet were incorrectly measured three times and his concerns ignored. After taking legal action against Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, they admitted a breach in their duty of care and apologised. They accepted that if Mr Ralph had been given correctly-fitting footwear, he would not have developed the blister or ulceration and suffered the amputation of his right big toe. Mr Ralph said: 'I had measurements taken at Amersham Hospital but they were measured too small. 'I told them at the time of the fitting that they were too small. Three times I went back but I was told by the lady who did the measurements I just had to wear them in. 'Halfway through the wedding day one foot was getting particularly sore. I had to change into my boots. 'Orthotic boots is what I normally wear but I wanted to wear a shoe for my wedding. I was delighted to get them in time as I had been waiting months for them. 'When I tried the shoes again, even going out the door, I was struggling. Whenever I came home it was a relief to take them off, it was that tight. 'When I took my sock off my toe was three times the size it should have been. 'I reported my concerns, but it wasn't until a few weeks later that I noticed a blister on my foot which gradually got worse.' Mr Ralph requires specialist shoes because of his pre-existing diabetes, he needs wider-fitted footwear because tight shoes can cause corns and affect blood and nerve supply to the feet. He added: 'Having to undergo amputation of my toe was horrific, but I was hopeful that was the end of it. 'Sadly not. To see the state of my foot now is terribly upsetting, especially when it could have been prevented so easily. 'There are so many things I struggle with now. Even just moving around is difficult. 'I used to be fit and active, I have worked since I was 17, now I struggle to do anything. 'I know nothing will bring my toes back or fix my foot, but I hope that by speaking out I can help ensure it doesn't happen to anyone else.' A Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust spokesperson said: 'We are very sorry for the shortcomings of care Mr Ralph experienced between April and August 2019 and we accept that his care fell below the standard expected. 'The Trust is determined to use the learning from this incident to ensure that no other patient experiences a similar outcome. 'For example, we are strengthening our protocols for assessing and monitoring patients at risk of foot complication.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Royal Ascot next on the agenda for 'gorgeous' Zahrann
The progressive, Johnny Murtagh-trained Zahrann came from last to first for an emphatic victory in the listed King George V Cup, the twin-feature at Leopardstown on Thursday night. Confidently handled by Ben Coen, the Night Of Thunder colt, in the familiar Aga Khan colours, circled the field on the home-turn, challenged down the outside and, quickening well, drifted left briefly before stretching clear to beat Arouet by two and a quarter lengths with favourite Acapulco Bay in third. 'He came out of his maiden win in Cork really well and we felt the mile and a half would suit him,' said Murtagh. 'He settled well and quickened well and is still improving. He's a gorgeous horse, with a great temperament. He came from the back and showed a good turn of foot. 'He's going the right way and we'll see how he comes out of the race. We have him pencilled-in for the Group 2 in Ascot (the King Edward VII Stakes) and I'll talk to the team and see what they want to do. He wouldn't be out of place over there.' In the other listed action, the Jessica Harrington-trained favourite Green Impact, sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, made all to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Glencairn Stakes in gutsy style, holding off market rival Currawood by a half-length. Shane Foley dictated the pace on the Wootton Bassett colt, saw off the challenge of Azada early in the straight and responded to pressure to hold on. 'It wasn't the plan to make the running, but Shane said nobody wanted to go on,' explained the winning trainer. 'He only dosses in front. Shane said he was squeezing him along all the way but kept finding when he was joined. 'He has a great big stride and Shane has always wanted to go a mile and a half with him. He's a Wootton Bassett, but out of a Galileo mare. And he'll go straight to the Irish Derby now.' Harrington and Foley completed a double when Lady In Paris (20-1) proved a shock winner of the Boylesports Handicap, getting the better of Its All Peachy. Just as Bedtime Story did 12 months ago, Moments Of Joy (Wayne Lordan) booked her ticket to the Chesham at Royal Ascot by taking the opening, seven-furlong two-year-old fillies' maiden. The Ballydoyle second string, a daughter of Justify, displayed stamina and courage to get the better of Little Sure Shot, with a four-lengths gap back to the well-touted, Ryan Moore-ridden favourite Minerva. O'Brien's representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Aidan felt they were two lovely fillies coming here. Ryan's filly was very raw and Wayne's far more professional. They went a solid pace and this filly stays well. She's a fabulous, long-striding filly, with a great temperament, and, if she's come out of the race well, could be one for the Chesham.' Trainer Ger O'Leary declared, 'We'll have a party tonight and then think about going across the water (to Royal Ascot),' having seen Love Billy Boy hold favourite Fort Vega by a half-length in the seven-furlong apprentice handicap. He added: 'Wayne (Hassett) broke my heart last night in the Curragh (when he won on Mr Percy, at the expense of O'Leary's Jabbar), but said he'd make up for it tonight. It's his 19th birthday, so I'm delighted for everyone. This horse is in the Royal Hunt Cup but, if he doesn't get into it, there's a seven-furlong handicap on the Thursday.' O'Leary and owners the Purosangue Racing Syndicate doubled-up when 14-1 shot Bear Profit (Dylan Browne McMonagle) held off Artful Approach by a half-length in the second division of the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Handicap, the first division having gone to Dermot Weld's filly Tachos and Chris Hayes.
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Moments Of Joy races into Ascot contention with Leopardstown success
Minerva, a 1.5million guineas yearling purchase in October and a daughter of Frankel, was the 8-15 favourite to make a successful start to her career in the hands of Ryan Moore, with fellow Ballydoyle runner Moments Of Joy a 3-1 shot under Wayne Lordan. While Minerva looked all at sea from an early stage, Justify filly Moments Of Joy battled her way to the front in the home straight and found more once challenged by Little Sure Shot to emerge victorious by half a length. Minerva got the hang of things late on to finish four lengths further behind in third. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Aidan felt they were two lovely fillies coming here and they have both never been away. 'Ryan's filly was very green, but he really likes her. Even in the parade ring she was very green, but the way she finished off was a positive. Wayne's filly was more professional. They went a solid pace, and it caught them out early. 'We'll see how she comes out of this and she could be one for the Chesham (at Royal Ascot). She's a fine, big, scopey filly with a great temperament and there would be no trouble stepping up in trip.' Trainer Ger O'Leary also has Royal Ascot ambitions for Love Billy Boy (7-2), who provided jockey Wayne Hassett with a winner on his 19th birthday in the Leopardstown Golf & Driving Range Apprentice Handicap. 'We have him entered in the Royal Hunt Cup in Ascot and he might get a few pounds that would get him into that,' said O'Leary. 'There is another race on the Thursday, a seven-furlong 0-105 handicap (Buckingham Palace Stakes), so we're going to enjoy tonight and talk about going across the water then.'
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Moments Of Joy races into Ascot contention with Leopardstown success
Minerva, a 1.5million guineas yearling purchase in October and a daughter of Frankel, was the 8-15 favourite to make a successful start to her career in the hands of Ryan Moore, with fellow Ballydoyle runner Moments Of Joy a 3-1 shot under Wayne Lordan. While Minerva looked all at sea from an early stage, Justify filly Moments Of Joy battled her way to the front in the home straight and found more once challenged by Little Sure Shot to emerge victorious by half a length. Minerva got the hang of things late on to finish four lengths further behind in third. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Aidan felt they were two lovely fillies coming here and they have both never been away. 'Ryan's filly was very green, but he really likes her. Even in the parade ring she was very green, but the way she finished off was a positive. Wayne's filly was more professional. They went a solid pace, and it caught them out early. 'We'll see how she comes out of this and she could be one for the Chesham (at Royal Ascot). She's a fine, big, scopey filly with a great temperament and there would be no trouble stepping up in trip.' Trainer Ger O'Leary also has Royal Ascot ambitions for Love Billy Boy (7-2), who provided jockey Wayne Hassett with a winner on his 19th birthday in the Leopardstown Golf & Driving Range Apprentice Handicap. 'We have him entered in the Royal Hunt Cup in Ascot and he might get a few pounds that would get him into that,' said O'Leary. 'There is another race on the Thursday, a seven-furlong 0-105 handicap (Buckingham Palace Stakes), so we're going to enjoy tonight and talk about going across the water then.'
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Moments Of Joy races into Ascot contention with Leopardstown success
Minerva, a 1.5million guineas yearling purchase in October and a daughter of Frankel, was the 8-15 favourite to make a successful start to her career in the hands of Ryan Moore, with fellow Ballydoyle runner Moments Of Joy a 3-1 shot under Wayne Lordan. While Minerva looked all at sea from an early stage, Justify filly Moments Of Joy battled her way to the front in the home straight and found more once challenged by Little Sure Shot to emerge victorious by half a length. Minerva got the hang of things late on to finish four lengths further behind in third. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Aidan felt they were two lovely fillies coming here and they have both never been away. 'Ryan's filly was very green, but he really likes her. Even in the parade ring she was very green, but the way she finished off was a positive. Wayne's filly was more professional. They went a solid pace, and it caught them out early. 'We'll see how she comes out of this and she could be one for the Chesham (at Royal Ascot). She's a fine, big, scopey filly with a great temperament and there would be no trouble stepping up in trip.' Trainer Ger O'Leary also has Royal Ascot ambitions for Love Billy Boy (7-2), who provided jockey Wayne Hassett with a winner on his 19th birthday in the Leopardstown Golf & Driving Range Apprentice Handicap. 'We have him entered in the Royal Hunt Cup in Ascot and he might get a few pounds that would get him into that,' said O'Leary. 'There is another race on the Thursday, a seven-furlong 0-105 handicap (Buckingham Palace Stakes), so we're going to enjoy tonight and talk about going across the water then.'
