Latest news with #DawnButler
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistani origin mother and children killed in London house fire, suspect arrested
Listen to article A Pakistani mother and her three children died in a house fire in north-west London early on Saturday morning. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said. The fire broke out at around 01:20 BST at two adjoining terraced houses on Tillett Close in the Stonebridge area of Brent. Emergency services arrived to find both properties severely damaged. The victims have been identified as a 43-year-old woman and her three children – a 15-year-old girl, and two boys aged eight and four. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that the woman was the mother of the three children. According to the BBC, two other members of the same family — a woman in her 70s and a teenage girl — were also in the house and were taken to the hospital. Their conditions have not been made public. The Metropolitan Police said a 41-year-old man was arrested outside the property on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody. The family were of Pakistani origin and had lived in the UK for over 20 years, neighbours told the BBC. Eight fire engines and around 70 firefighters from stations across Wembley, Park Royal, and Willesden responded to the blaze. They fought the fire for several hours before it was brought under control. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Fire investigators and homicide detectives are working jointly on the case. Neighbour Mohamed Labidi, 38, a teacher who lives on the same street, told the PA news agency he was devastated by the loss. 'I could not even look at the house,' he said. 'They were good people. We used to socialise together. The children were always polite. It's heartbreaking.' Another resident told the BBC she heard screaming and breaking glass and came outside to see the property next door on fire. 'This is an extremely tragic incident,' said Superintendent Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police. 'The mother and her three young children have sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with the surviving family members and all those affected.' The fire has shocked the local community. Devastated to see the fatal fire at homes in Tillet Close last night. My prayers are with the family and friends affected by this is a very sad tragedy.@LFB_Brent worked hard to get it under control, thank you. — Dawn Butler ✊🏾💙 (@DawnButlerBrent) May 24, 2025 Dawn Butler, the Member of Parliament for Brent East, expressed her grief on social media. 'Devastated to see the fatal fire at homes in Tillett Close last night. My prayers are with the family and friends affected by this very sad tragedy,' she posted. A forensic tent was erected outside the house as fire investigators examined the wreckage. Police officers remained at the scene on Saturday afternoon as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have asked anyone who may have witnessed the fire or has relevant information to come forward.
Medscape
12-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
UK Government to Criminalise Misuse of ‘Nurse' Title
Anyone who describes themselves professionally as a nurse without the relevant qualifications and registration will be committing a crime under planned government measures. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it aimed to protect the title 'nurse' in law and prevent the public from being misled by unqualified individuals. Currently, only the title 'registered nurse' is protected by law. Under the proposed changes, only those registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will be legally allowed to call themselves a nurse. Anyone who breaches the new law could face prosecution and a fine of several thousand pounds. Exemptions for Legitimate Use Some roles that legitimately include the word 'nurse' will be exempt. These include veterinary nurse, dental nurse, and nursery nurse. The announcement followed campaigning by unions and MP Dawn Butler, who introduced a private member's bill in the House of Commons earlier this year to protect the title. Fighting Fraud and Misinformation Paul Rees MBE, NMC interim chief executive and registrar, emphasised that it is already an offence to claim to be a registered nurse without proper registration. However, the current loophole means anyone, including individuals struck off for misconduct or criminal convictions, can still use the general title 'nurse'. This has led to several incidents where unregistered individuals provided care or advice under false pretences. The DHSC cited one case in which a person ran a cosmetic clinic offering Botox and dermal fillers for years without NMC registration. Another involved an individual, struck off by the NMC, who continued to present herself as a nurse and gave a speech at a COVID-19 conspiracy rally, comparing NHS staff to war criminals and spreading vaccine misinformation. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said he was appalled by such behaviour. 'This new legislation will help crack down on bogus beauticians and conspiracy theorists masquerading as nurses, and those attempting to mislead patients,' he said. Full Force of the Law Registered nurses must complete undergraduate and postgraduate education and undergo revalidation every 3 years. Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: 'The trust that people place in registered nurses is based on the rigorous training and education required to be registered as a nurse, which gives us the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality, safe, and personalised care.' Dr Crystal Oldman CBE, chief executive of The Queen's Institute of Community Nursing, welcomed the proposal. 'People need confidence that when the person caring for them is described as a nurse, that person really is a qualified and registered nurse,' she said. Helga Pile, head of health at UNISON, said the new law would help protect patients and the profession's reputation. 'Charlatans and conspiracy theorists mustn't be allowed to harm patients or damage nurses' reputation and good standing with the public. It's only right that anyone that tries to will now feel the full force of the law.' Alison Morton, CEO of the Institute of Health Visiting, also backed the move, saying that 'the current gap in legislation needs to be closed as a matter of urgency'.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour MP Leaves Former Tory Minister Speechless By Pointing Out Obvious Fact About Trans Ruling
A Labour MP left a former Conservative minister tripping over his words during a clash over trans rights last week. After the Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that a woman is defined by biology – and not gender – questions have been raised over exactly how that will impact the trans community. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said last week that trans women should not be 'permitted to use the women's facilities' in workplaces or public-facing services like shops and hospitals – and the same applies to trans men. The watchdog did acknowledge that trans people still need access to public facilities, but is yet to explain how that would work in practice. Meanwhile, the government has insisted trans women should use the men's toilets, and trans men use the women's toilets. But, as backbencher Dawn Butler pointed out on Sky News last week, this decision does not exactly help boost women's safety, despite the government's promises. She said: 'Trans women, in my opinion, should of course, continue to use women's bathrooms.' Former chief secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke began to protest, pointing out this went against the Supreme Court's ruling, but the Labour MP cut in. 'I do not police people in public toilets,' Butler said. 'I think that's where we are getting to as a society, in policing what a woman looks like. 'I have a butch lesbian friend who gets hounded out of women's toilets and it is heartbreaking to the point where we have to escort her into the women's toilets because she's going to be hounded out.' She continued: 'If trans men then have to use women's toilets, that's going to make women less safe, because how are you going to stop a man – a 'normal' man – going into a women's toilet and saying, 'I am a trans man.'' 'I don't follow that logic,' the former MP – who lost his seat in July – said. 'The point is, we're saying that people who are biologically men shouldn't be using the women's toilets, that's the point of this ruling.' Butler reminded him: 'A trans man is biologically a woman, so they would then have to use women's toilets.' There was a long pause, before Clarke, looking completely flabbergasted, said: 'I.. I think this...' 'That's the problem. That's what concerns me!' Butler said. The debate came days before senior Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden told the BBC there would be no policing of public toilets. "Trans women should of course still continue to use women's bathrooms... I do not police people in public toilets."@DawnButlerBrent sets out the practicalities around the Supreme Court ruling that the definition of a 'woman' is a 'biological woman'.#PoliticsHub ⬇️ — Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge (@SkyPoliticsHub) April 23, 2025 Supreme Court Ruling Is Anything But Clear – And Endangers All Women's Rights, Trans Group Warns Bridget Phillipson Still Can't Say Which Toilet Trans People Are Meant To Use 'He Doesn't Have The Balls': Kemi Badenoch Hits Starmer With Low Blow Over Trans U-Turn
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Nurse' title should be legally protected to prevent exploitation
The title of nurse should be legally protected, a Labour MP has said as she raised concerns that those who have been struck off can continue to use it. Dawn Butler said there are multiple examples of the title being 'exploited', as she pressed the Government to change legislation. Speaking in Parliament, the Brent East MP said 93% of NHS trusts have more than 8,000 people using the title of nurse who do not have any registered nursing qualifications. The former minister said 'it's about time that we show the nursing community just how much we value and appreciate their qualifications', as she presented the Nurse (Use of Title) Bill using a ten-minute rule motion. On Tuesday, she told MPs: 'My Bill today is about protecting the public, and respecting the training and qualifications and experiences of registered nurses. 'Now I'm sure it would come as a shock to many people here today, and watching this, that anyone can actually call themselves a nurse. They can print out a business card and they can start work, and that would be fine. That's currently legal. 'Even those who have been struck off the Nursing Midwifery Council, registered for serious misconduct, or have a criminal conviction can continue calling themselves a nurse. 'And this is unacceptable and is actually quite dangerous, because when you hear nurse, you automatically think somebody is qualified.' She added: 'A freedom of information request by Nursing Standard found that 93% of all NHS trusts had more than 8,000 people using the term nurse in their job title, who in fact had no registered nursing qualifications. This is worrying.' Even those who have been struck off the Nursing Midwifery Council, registered for serious misconduct, or have a criminal conviction can continue calling themselves a nurse Dawn Butler Ms Butler said the 'simplest way' to rectify the situation is to amend the Professional Qualifications Act 2022 to say 'registered nurse'. She added that protected titles such as veterinary nurse and dental nurse would not be impacted by the Bill. Ms Butler continued: 'We cannot wait any longer to do it, because we know how dangerous the current situation can be for patients. 'Cassandra Grant, 39, a dangerous fantasist who posed as a nurse at the Blenheim Palace horse trials, jailed for four years. She was involved in injecting an injured rider. 'She repeatedly lied about having medical and mental health qualifications, and the judge said it made his blood run cold to think of Grant getting her hands on a patient. 'Kate Shemirani was a nurse who claimed 5G caused Covid symptoms and spread vaccine misinformation. She was struck off, but she was still able to call herself a nurse and was legally able to do so. When you hear nurse, you automatically think somebody is qualified Dawn Butler 'Lee Woods, a 28-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with impersonating a member of the nursing staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. 'I could, unfortunately, go on and on and on of cases where the title of nurse has been exploited in this way. So it's really important that we legislate. 'And building on the hard work of the #ProtectNurse, I hope that the Labour Government will now be able to improve this legislation.' Ms Butler, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021 following a routine breast screening, paid tribute to a nurse who cared for her during her treatment. 'When I think about nurses, I also think about my cancer nurse, Amy, and I think about how amazing and special she is. So this Bill and this campaign is also a tribute to her,' she said. Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive professor Nicola Ranger said: 'The changes in this Bill will provide better legal protections for nursing. This includes preventing those who have lost the right to be called nurses from legally continuing to do so. 'We will continue to urge Government and parties across the political spectrum to get behind this campaign, ensuring our highly skilled profession gets the respect it deserves.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Nurse' title should be legally protected to prevent exploitation
The title of nurse should be legally protected, a Labour MP has said as she raised concerns that those who have been struck off can continue to use it. Dawn Butler said there are multiple examples of the title being 'exploited', as she pressed the Government to change legislation. Speaking in Parliament, the Brent East MP said 93% of NHS trusts have more than 8,000 people using the title of nurse who do not have any registered nursing qualifications. The former minister said 'it's about time that we show the nursing community just how much we value and appreciate their qualifications', as she presented the Nurse (Use of Title) Bill using a ten-minute rule motion. On Tuesday, she told MPs: 'My Bill today is about protecting the public, and respecting the training and qualifications and experiences of registered nurses. 'Now I'm sure it would come as a shock to many people here today, and watching this, that anyone can actually call themselves a nurse. They can print out a business card and they can start work, and that would be fine. That's currently legal. 'Even those who have been struck off the Nursing Midwifery Council, registered for serious misconduct, or have a criminal conviction can continue calling themselves a nurse. 'And this is unacceptable and is actually quite dangerous, because when you hear nurse, you automatically think somebody is qualified.' She added: 'A freedom of information request by Nursing Standard found that 93% of all NHS trusts had more than 8,000 people using the term nurse in their job title, who in fact had no registered nursing qualifications. This is worrying.' Ms Butler said the 'simplest way' to rectify the situation is to amend the Professional Qualifications Act 2022 to say 'registered nurse'. She added that protected titles such as veterinary nurse and dental nurse would not be impacted by the Bill. Ms Butler continued: 'We cannot wait any longer to do it, because we know how dangerous the current situation can be for patients. 'Cassandra Grant, 39, a dangerous fantasist who posed as a nurse at the Blenheim Palace horse trials, jailed for four years. She was involved in injecting an injured rider. 'She repeatedly lied about having medical and mental health qualifications, and the judge said it made his blood run cold to think of Grant getting her hands on a patient. 'Kate Shemirani was a nurse who claimed 5G caused Covid symptoms and spread vaccine misinformation. She was struck off, but she was still able to call herself a nurse and was legally able to do so. 'Lee Woods, a 28-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with impersonating a member of the nursing staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. 'I could, unfortunately, go on and on and on of cases where the title of nurse has been exploited in this way. So it's really important that we legislate. 'And building on the hard work of the #ProtectNurse, I hope that the Labour Government will now be able to improve this legislation.' Ms Butler, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021 following a routine breast screening, paid tribute to a nurse who cared for her during her treatment. 'When I think about nurses, I also think about my cancer nurse, Amy, and I think about how amazing and special she is. So this Bill and this campaign is also a tribute to her,' she said. Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive professor Nicola Ranger said: 'The changes in this Bill will provide better legal protections for nursing. This includes preventing those who have lost the right to be called nurses from legally continuing to do so. 'We will continue to urge Government and parties across the political spectrum to get behind this campaign, ensuring our highly skilled profession gets the respect it deserves.'
