Latest news with #CovidPCR
Telegraph
06-04-2025
- Telegraph
Covid ‘criminals' dragged through courts five years later
Five years after the first lockdown, people are still being dragged through the courts for alleged Covid breaches. Many of those accused claim they simply misunderstood the rules but have been forced to engage in lengthy court battles to clear their names. According to data analysed by the Telegraph, around 130 people appeared before court for hearings related to alleged Covid breaches in the past six months. One of those was Kensington-based artist Dodi Wexler, 55, an American expat who has lived in the UK for the past 25 years. In December 2020, Mrs Wexler and her three teenage sons flew to Massachusetts for a short Christmas holiday and became stuck there after the UK went into its third lockdown in January 2021. When the restrictions lifted in March 2021, they were finally able to travel back to the UK after registering negative Covid PCR tests on Feb 26 in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. But Mrs Wexler was confused about the UK's entry requirements and mistakenly booked a day 5 PCR test – when the requirements at the time were for day 2 and day 8 PCR Tests. After arriving at Heathrow, Border Force confirmed she had the wrong tests and she was instructed to buy the correct ones from a centre outside the airport for £840. On Dec 3 2022, more than a year-and-a-half later, she received four £1,000 fixed penalty notices (PCN) from Border Force, one for failing to possess a testing kit herself, and the other three for failing to possess kits for her children. In a letter to Steve Dann, the then chief operating officer of Border Force, contesting the PCNs, Mrs Wexler wrote: 'I am writing to ask you to please consider having mercy on us with this charge. It is cripplingly expensive and we just don't have this spare cash lying around. My children are innocent of this breach as well, It was l who messed up.' Mr Dann wrote back giving her two options – pay the fine or face prosecution. She fought the charge for almost two years before finally appearing over Zoom for a hearing at Stockport magistrates' court in Nov 2024, where her fine was reduced to £400. Mrs Wexler said the ordeal was 'traumatising' and made her feel like a 'criminal'. 'We never travelled when we weren't supposed to. We never did anything we weren't supposed to do. 'I was such a neurotic person. When my husband came to visit us in the states, I would make him stay in a room away from us for two weeks. 'The first letter I got they just wanted me to pay. They didn't want me to contest it. I was just tenacious. 'I was not a criminal. I did everything in good faith. I really did not want to make a mistake.' 'He was intent on punishing me' Another London-based real estate consultant, who wished to remain anonymous, also spent years fighting the courts after being wrongly charged. The 60-year-old said he had travelled on the Eurostar from London to Paris on March 8 2021. Before boarding the train, he took a Covid test at the Gare du Nord station, tested negative, and received a certificate on his phone. However, along the way, he lost his charger and his phone battery died while he was on the train. When he arrived at St Pancras International, he tried to explain his situation to Border Force 'I went up to one guy and said 'listen, I've just come back from Paris, my phone is dead, but I wouldn't be here if I had Covid because I passed the French border control'. 'He said 'no, you're going to get prosecuted'. He was absolutely intent on punishing me.' In November 2024, more than three years later, he received two fixed penalty notices from Border Force for a total of £1,295. It turned out the PCNs had been sent to his old address in 2022 and had not reached him until 2024. He was finally able to convince the Border Force to drop the case in January after providing a letter from his employer claiming he had travelled for essential purposes. 'They were absolutely intent on getting money out of me. They were out to get me. They were continually wasting public money and time to try and prosecute me. 'All this waste of time and energy and the harassment of people way beyond Covid, for what? 'It was an incredibly stressful time. In the world we live in, to tell someone 'you owe us £1,295' when they are innocent is Kafkaesque.' Separate Telegraph analysis of government data shows that, on average, 11 people were still being sentenced for coronavirus offences each month in the first half of 2024. Of the 30,701 people sentenced through the courts, one in six (16 per cent) were sentenced after all coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns were lifted in February 2022. Two-thirds were sentenced in the period after July 2021, when the last major lockdown restrictions were lifted. Dr Karol Sikora, a leading cancer specialist who has repeatedly criticised the stringent lockdown restrictions imposed on the UK, has called for an amnesty on prosecutions. He said: 'This is all a complete waste of taxpayers' money. These people were not criminals. The rules kept changing and our government handled the situation very badly. 'It's time to put an amnesty in place about all this nonsense. There was no scientific base behind the rules at the time. 'It must continue to remain distressing for those involved in this pointless exercise.'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Covid-style test for womb cancer could soon be available on NHS
Women who are experiencing signs of womb cancer can soon be offered a less invasive test to rule out disease after it was given the green light for use in the UK. Traditionally, women with signs of womb cancer would need a transvaginal ultrasound scan or a hysteroscopy – where a tube with a camera in it is used to look inside the womb – to confirm or rule out womb cancer. But the new test, WID-easy, uses some of the same technology used in Covid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. It will involve a simple swab, which is sent off to a laboratory for analysis. Scientists then look for changes in the DNA that indicate whether womb cancer is present or not. If the test indicates that a woman has womb cancer, then the woman would need a biopsy to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. The new test, by University College London (UCL) spinout company Sola Diagnostics, has been approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for women over the age of 45 who have abnormal uterine bleeding. This means that it is immediately available to private clinics, and it is hoped that it will one day be made available for widespread use on the NHS. Commenting on the potential roll out of the new test Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, says: "Currently in the UK, the tests to investigate abnormal bleeding and check for womb cancer can cause stress and discomfort. The usual test is a hysteroscopy, which many find painful and invasive. "A test which is less painful and more acceptable is to be welcomed by many. The WID-easy test could enable the many thousands of women who experience abnormal bleeding, and where cancer needs to be ruled out, to potentially avoid painful tests like hysteroscopies and have their minds put at rest sooner, saving them from unnecessary stress." The new test comes as a leading health expert warned women could be ignoring some potential key symptoms of womb cancer, due to a lack of awareness about what to look out for. Research has revealed that more than 22,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer every year – that's around 60 diagnoses every day and more than 400 women a week. One of the five gynaecological cancers is womb cancer (aka uterine or endometrial cancer). According to Cancer Research UK, around 9,800 women are diagnosed with womb cancer every year, making it the fourth most common cancer in UK women. Despite affecting so many, few women are aware of the potential symptoms, but having an awareness about womb cancer and other gynaecological cancers could mean the difference between an early diagnosis and leaving it too late. Yahoo UK previously spoke to Valentina Milanova, women's health expert and founder of gynae health company, Daye, to throw a light on some of the most common symptoms of womb cancer women should be looking out for. From painful sex, to unexpected vaginal bleeding and irregular menstruation, Milanova believes if more women could spot these signs, they might get diagnosed and receive treatment sooner. Womb cancer, also known as endometrial or uterine cancer, is cancer that affects the womb. According to the NHS, the womb (uterus) is where a baby grows during pregnancy. Most womb cancer usually starts in the lining of the womb (endometrium). Womb cancer typically presents with the following symptoms: Unusual vaginal bleeding, typically happening in between periods, after menopause, after sex or urination. Irregular menstruation, defined as unforeseen changes to the patient's menstrual cycle, heavier and longer periods, or breakthrough bleeding in between periods. Pelvic pain, which is often trivialised and ignored, but can be a symptom of gynaecological cancers. Painful sex is another symptom that women are taught to normalise, but can be a symptom of womb cancer. Pelvic pain and pressure are typically a symptom of endometrial cancer progressing. Larger uterus, which is seen in some cases where the endometrial cancer is causing an enlarged lower abdomen/pelvis. But Milanova says it is important to note that while these are common symptoms of womb cancer, they can also be caused by various other conditions that are not cancerous, such as hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, or polyps. "This is one reason why some patients may miss or dismiss these symptoms initially," she adds. According to Milanova there are several reasons why many women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals may miss symptoms including: Menopause: Postmenopausal bleeding is often a red flag for womb cancer, but some patients may not realise they have reached menopause and therefore disregard the bleeding as a warning sign. Assuming it's normal: Due to the trivialisation of gynaecological pain, many women may assume that irregular periods or changes in menstrual bleeding are normal, which would lead to them not seeking medical attention. Mistaking endometrial cancer for something else: Symptoms like pelvic pain or weight loss can be attributed to various non-cancerous conditions, leading to a delay in seeking a cancer diagnosis. Fear: The fear of a cancer diagnosis or denial of potential health issues can lead some individuals to delay seeking medical help. While we don't know what causes most womb cancers, there are some factors that could increase your risk of developing it. Age: Womb cancer is most common in postmenopausal women, with the majority of cases diagnosed after age 50. Hormonal Factors: Excess oestrogen exposure, either due to obesity or certain medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase the risk. Obesity: Obesity is a significant risk factor for womb cancer because it can lead to increased oestrogen levels. Diabetes: Some studies suggest a link between type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of womb cancer. It's important for every patient, especially those in the high-risk categories, to be aware of the symptoms of womb cancer and seek medical support if they experience any concerning signs. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the outcome for individuals with womb cancer. Read more about womb cancer: Symptoms of the 5 gynaecological cancers women should never ignore (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) Woman, 58, who thought she was 'in menopause' diagnosed with womb cancer (Birmingham Live, 3-min read) New womb cancer treatment to benefit hundreds of patients each year (PA, 3-min read
The Independent
04-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
New womb cancer test approved for UK use
Women with signs of womb cancer can be offered a less invasive test to rule out disease after it was given the green light for use in the UK. The new test, WID-easy, uses some of the same technology used in Covid PCR tests. Traditionally, women with signs of womb cancer would need a transvaginal ultrasound scan or a hysteroscopy – where a tube with a camera in it is used to look inside the womb – to confirm or rule out disease. The new PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is a simple swab, which is sent off to a laboratory for analysis. Scientists then look for changes in the DNA that indicate whether womb cancer is present or not. If the test indicates that a woman has womb cancer, then the woman would need a biopsy to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. The test, by University College London (UCL) spinout company Sola Diagnostics, has been approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for women over the age of 45 who have abnormal uterine bleeding. This means that it is immediately available to private clinics, and it is hoped that it will one day be made available for widespread use on the NHS. Analysis of the test, which was developed by researchers from UCL and the University of Innsbruck, was published in the Lancet Oncology in 2023. The study found that the WID-easy test detects the same number of women with womb cancer as ultrasound. 'The… test delivers fast results and shows improved performance compared with a combination of imaging index tests,' the authors wrote at the time. The test also significantly reduces the number of false positives, which could mean that fewer healthy women would be sent to have invasive hysteroscopy or biopsy procedures. Inventor of the test, Professor Martin Widschwendter, from UCL's Institute for Women's Health and the University of Innsbruck in Austria, said: 'The WID-easy test is the first test of its kind in the UK – using a simple swab method to detect womb cancer. 'We are proud to have developed a test that addresses an urgent gap in women's health and performs well across all women.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, added: 'Currently in the UK, the tests to investigate abnormal bleeding and check for womb cancer can cause stress and discomfort. The usual test is a hysteroscopy, which many find painful and invasive. 'A test which is less painful and more acceptable is to be welcomed by many. ' One of the key groups who may benefit from this test are Black women who more often receive a late-stage diagnosis for this cancer. 'The Eve Appeal is delighted to see this progress in research that the charity funded, resulting in a test that may be effective in the clinical setting. 'The WID-easy test could enable the many thousands of women who experience abnormal bleeding, and where cancer needs to be ruled out, to potentially avoid painful tests like hysteroscopies and have their minds put at rest sooner, saving them from unnecessary stress.'
The Guardian
24-02-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Katrina was separated from her newborn twins for 33 days. NSW psychiatrists warn specialised support for mothers is in crisis
For 33 days, Katrina Weynberg was separated from her newborn twins by a hospital floor. They're 33 days she'll never get back. After falling pregnant for the first time in 2021, Katrina was excited. But that was soon overshadowed by anxiety after she found she was having twins who shared one placenta, which carries a high risk of complications. In December 2021, when she was 33 weeks pregnant, a problem in the blood flow of one of the twins led to her having an emergency C-section at Westmead hospital. Katrina describes the birth as traumatic: 'I didn't get my children on my chest, I was watching one of my children get respiratory support while I lay there paralysed because of the epidural.' In the following days, she lined up at 4am and waited hours to get a Covid PCR test so she could see her sons in the neonatal intensive care unit. At the same time, Katrina began experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis. She stopped sleeping. Her speech became rapid and slurred. She experienced heart palpitations, hallucinations and anxiety. But completion of Westmead's mother and baby unit, specially designed so women experiencing mental health problems could stay with their baby, was delayed, so Katrina was admitted into a mixed adult psychiatric ward. Although she and her twins were just one floor apart, Katrina was only able visit her babies once or twice a day. Her husband would collect her breast milk from the psych ward. 'It was traumatic. How do you split a mother and their newborns?' Katrina says. Katrina recovered from the psychosis after a 33-day admission, but being separated from her newborns led to her developing postnatal depression, she says. When she was diagnosed with postnatal depression in June 2022, the mother-baby unit at the Royal Prince Alfred hospital had opened – the first of its kind in the state. During her one-week admission, she was able to have her children with her as she received her treatment. She says the experience 'changed my life'. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email About one in every 1,000 woman experiences postpartum psychosis, and experts say the physical stress of delivery, particularly if there are other medical problems, can contribute to the condition. Up to one in five women are diagnosed with a mental illness during the perinatal period, from pregnancy up to the first year of their baby's life. But new mothers in New South Wales are increasingly finding it hard to access mother-baby units, as perinatal psychiatrists leave the public system amid an ongoing dispute between psychiatrists and NSW Health. NSW has lost one-quarter of its beds in public hospital mother-baby units since January – there are just 12 beds servicing the whole state, according to a perinatal psychiatrist. Eight of the state's beds are at Royal Prince Alfred hospital, although Guardian Australia understands two out of three of the hospital's perinatal psychiatrists have resigned. Guardian Australia asked the local health district covering Royal Prince Alfred hospital about whether the resignations of two out of three of their perinatal psychiatrists had affected services in their mother baby unit. A spokesperson said it was 'open to patients and fully operational'. NSW psychiatrists are in a dispute with the government, claiming they are paid 30% less than psychiatrists in other states. They say the pay difference has led to staff shortages, resulting in a mass exodus of doctors who say they can no longer keep working in these conditions. Earlier this year the whole state was served by only eight public mother-baby unit beds after psychiatrist resignations saw the entire Westmead hospital unit close on 24 January. The unit reopened at half the capacity on 10 February. A spokesperson for the local health district which covers Westmead hospital said during the temporary closure, 'services were reassigned to ensure mental health care remained available to consumers in need … there were no active patients, and no one was on a waitlist'. But even before the current dispute, there were already so few beds within the state's mother-baby units, says Dr Rohini Vasudevan, a perinatal psychiatrist who resigned from St George hospital on 20 January. She says there were many times she tried to get a woman a bed, but none was available. While the postnatal period is often seen as a joyful period, it can also be incredibly challenging, Vasudevan says. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion She says mental illness after childbirth can have a 'profound impact on the entire family, not just the woman, but their attachment and care of their baby'. 'That has long-lasting effects for years, decades going forward.' Vasudevan says she felt compelled to resign and claims there was chronic understaffing and the resources and manpower required to do her job was 'slowly eroding'. 'The threshold to receive care just continues to increase over time.' 'Your worst fear as a psychiatrist is that a patient you are unable to provide adequate care for – due to a broken system – ends up having a bad outcome. For perinatal psychiatrists like myself, this could mean the death, not only of the woman, but her children as well.' The peak body for psychiatrists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, recommends babies and mothers should be admitted together for mental health services whenever possible. RANZCP also recommends more units to achieve a minimum of one eight-bed unit for every 15,000 deliveries each year. Ariane Beeston, a spokesperson for the non-profit Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) who has experienced postpartum psychosis, says Victoria – which has six eight-bed mother-baby units – is the only jurisdiction in Australia which meets those recommendations. With more than 90,000 births in NSW each year, the state would need more than six eight-bed units. With only 12 beds available in the state and limited staff, there is a lot of anxiety among women who are now pregnant or planning a pregnancy, Beeston says. Beeston says the beds are not only a resource for women in crisis but can be an important part of pregnancy planning for women who are at risk of a recurrence of a perinatal illness with a second pregnancy. Given NSW has only had the units for three years, Beeston says it is 'devastating' to see the situation go backwards. In an attempt to deal with the psychiatrist dispute, the NSW government has replaced permanent staff specialists with temporary locums or visiting medical officers. But Vasudevan says they don't have subspecialty knowledge. 'A great number of women who are suffering simply won't get the care they needed. They'll either be turned away or admitted to an adult mental health unit where there can be sometimes aggressive or violent patients and their children are not allowed to visit,' Vasudevan says. 'I can't imagine that they would allow paediatric beds or oncology beds to be closing around the state, and yet this is what's happening to mental health beds.' In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat
