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Medscape
7 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
After a Long Delay, ME/CFS Strategy Finally Arrives
The Department of Health and Social Care has published its long-delayed delivery plan to improve care and support for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The plan was welcomed by Action for ME as 'an important step towards recognising the scale and seriousness of the condition', but the charity warned it 'simply does not go far enough'. ME/CFS affects around 390,000 people in the UK. Symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep problems, and difficulties with thinking, concentration, and memory. Around one in four people diagnosed with the condition report being housebound or unable to work. Focus on Three Priority Areas The cross-government plan was developed in consultation with the NHS and external stakeholders. It focuses on three priorities: Research Attitudes and education Living with ME/CFS A consultation on the interim plan, launched in July 2023, revealed widespread dissatisfaction with how people with ME/CFS are treated. Respondents reported difficulties accessing specialist services, negative attitudes from professionals, and challenges relating to education, welfare, and employment, including benefits. Delays Sparked Criticism In February this year, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan told The Times the plan represented an 'opportunity to move away from this legacy of neglect towards a transformation of care and research'. However, she noted that it had taken 33 months and five health secretaries to get to this point. When the final plan was still unpublished last month, Morgan described the further delay as 'inexcusable'. People with ME and their carers had been 'left behind for decades', she said. 'They have faced inadequate care, scant research funding, no treatments, and little hope of a better future.' Government Acknowledges Patient Concerns In the plan's foreword, Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton acknowledged the inconsistency of care and the feeling among some patients that their condition had not been appropriately recognised by the health and care system. 'I know that those with severe or very severe ME/CFS, and their families and carers, have often felt particularly let down by those systems,' she said. In a separate letter to members of the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group on the day of the final plan's launch, Dalton acknowledged: 'People living with ME/CFS often face stigma and misunderstanding,' which she attributed to 'a lack of awareness and education about the condition.' The final plan includes a commitment to introduce new training for NHS healthcare professionals 'as a priority' to address stigma and improve professional understanding. Access to Services and Employment Support The government said that ME/CFS patients would benefit from closer-to-home care under neighbourhood health services, as outlined in its 10-year health plan. It also promised support through reforms to benefit assessment processes and employment initiatives for people with long-term conditions and disabilities. However, Action for ME said these proposals lacked detail and failed to show how they would bring about 'meaningful change'. Research Funding Still Limited The plan includes increased funding for ME/CFS research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council. This includes exploring the repurposing of existing medicines for ME/CFS. However, Action for ME warned that competitive grant processes were 'unlikely to reverse the long history of underfunding of ME research'. Other conditions, such as dementia, mental health, and rare diseases benefit from dedicated platforms with sustained, multi-million-pound funding, it said. Calls for Strategic Commitment Action for ME also criticised the government for ignoring its calls for strategic research funding and a dedicated ME research hub. Chief Executive Sonya Chowdhury said the plan was an 'important step for the ME community, long overlooked and under-served'. However, she added 'the plan must not be a token gesture – it requires a sustained, strategic commitment to care, funding, and research'. In her foreword, Dalton said future funding would depend on what is 'practically feasible and financially viable and affordable, especially within the challenging current fiscal climate'.
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Lego reveals its moving to a massive new store in Cardiff
Lego reveals its moving to a massive new store in Cardiff The new store will have building challenges and events for all the family The improved store will open later this summer (Image: LEGO ) Lego have announced they are moving to a bigger store in St David's later this summer. After almost 15 years in the Cardiff shopping centre they are upsizing to a new store which will feature immersive experiences and giant Lego models. The current shop is located on the ground-floor of St David's near EE, Swarovski and Goldsmiths. The brand will remain at the popular shopping centre but is moving to a larger space. The new store will be full of fun features including a 'Pick a Brick Wall' for customers to choose their bricks, giant Lego models, hands-on play opportunities like building challenges and a 'Build a Minifigure Tower'. The store is one of only 20 Lego stores in the UK after the brand expanded last year with new stores in Cribbs Mall in Bristol and across Europe. The new store will feature a 'Pick a Brick Wall' (Image: LEGO ) Lego's Manchester Arndale store is also set to move to a larger space this summer to make room for more immersive experiences. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Shweta Munshi, Vice President of Marketing, LEGO Retail at the LEGO Group: "We are delighted to share that we are relocating our LEGO Store Cardiff. Article continues below "We are continually investing in our store portfolio and this new store will be a top retail destination for product launches and events, while acting as a hub for our LEGO community and new builders alike." The new store will be welcomed by many parents looking to entertain children over the holidays (Image: LEGO ) Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David's Cardiff, said: "The LEGO Store is such a popular brand here at St David's, so we know the new, upsized store will be a treat for our guests to explore. "Guest demand is high for exciting brands such as the LEGO Store and we look forward to unveiling the creative new space later this year." The news is the latest upgrade at the shopping centre which has seen a number of changes this year. Just last week, the Swiss watchmaker, Swatch, opened in the unit formally occupied by Typo. Builders are also currently working on a brand new JD Sports store which will span two floors of the Grand Arcade when it opens early next year. Article continues below Also eagerly-anticipated are the Welsh debuts of both Mango and Sephora. The popular stores are set to join the line-up in the city centre shopping centre later this year.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bluetongue restrictions worry farmers on Shropshire-Wales border
Farmers on the border between Shropshire and Wales are worried measures to stop the spread of the bluetongue virus will hurt cross-border restrictions, due to be introduced next month will mean cattle, sheep and goats travelling from England to Wales will need to test negative for the potentially fatal disease before they can be transported across the Bevan, the director Oswestry livestock auction on the English side of the border, said there was a lot of uncertainty and the measures could have a "massive impact" during sales of livestock in the MP for North Shropshire, Helen Morgan, said there needed to be greater clarity for farmers. While bluetongue has spread across large parts of England, it has yet to reach Wales this year and the Welsh government said it was attempting to hold it back "for as long as we can".At a market like Oswestry, where 80% of the livestock sold will cross over the border, every Welsh animal which does not sell will need to be tested before it can return to Wales, at a cost of up to £70 per test only last seven days before animals need to take a fresh one. Helen Roberts, who farms in Wales, said it would force her to look further afield for cattle auctions on the Welsh side of the border instead of Oswestry, which is just three miles said it was "just ridiculous".Ms Morgan said: "There are hundreds of farms that have land on both sides of the border, so it's really problematic and inconvenient for them and there's a lack of clarity over how they should manage that situation at the moment." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Powys County Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Bluetongue: MPs warn rules will be 'catastrophic' for trade
MPs on both sides of the border have warned that new bluetongue rules will be 'catastrophic' for trade that many local farmers rely on. David Chadwick and Helen Morgan - Liberal Democrat MPs for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, and North Shropshire, respectively – have joined forces to call on the UK and Welsh governments to work together to implement 'consistent, common-sense policies that protect the welfare of animals and the livelihood of farmers'. It comes after the Welsh Government announced changes from July 1 that will force any sheep and goats to test negative for the bluetongue virus before being transported from England into Wales. Even fully vaccinated sheep will be blocked from crossing into Wales due to the Welsh Government not accepting the most common type of vaccine. Farmers will be forced to fork as much as £70 per test for sheep crossing the border. This is despite the virus being carried by midges and so there being no visible border between England and Wales. Meanwhile, hundreds of farms are operating across both sides of the border. David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said: 'Thousands of farms along the England-Wales border are reliant on cross-border trade. 'Farmers simply cannot afford the costs this policy will inflict on them. They are fed up of being taken for granted by governments in London and Wales. 'It's time we saw solutions and support from ministers instead of blow after blow to agricultural businesses.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Both raised the issue with the Government in the House of Commons on Thursday (June 19) and have now written to DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed calling on him to work at pace with the Welsh Government to develop a co-ordinated approach 'so that farmers can be given the clarity and consistency they need'. They also highlighted concerns that the Animal and Plant Health Agency lacks the capacity to test every animal crossing the border and that livestock markets on both sides of the border including Oswestry, Welshpool, Builth Wells, Presteigne and Hereford, would suffer as a result. Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: 'Farmers in Shropshire are already under intense pressure and now they are being forced to fork out because two Labour Governments are not working together. 'Leaders in Westminster and Cardiff must work together to support farmers on both sides of the border and give them the clarity and consistency they need.'
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Trendy Korean beauty retailer Pureseoul to open first Welsh store in Cardiff
Trendy Korean beauty retailer Pureseoul to open first Welsh store in Cardiff Its arrival is the latest in a line-up of new names coming to the city Korean beauty brand Pureseoul is opening in Cardiff (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News ) Korean beauty retailer Pureseoul has officially announced the opening of its first Welsh branch at St David's Shopping centre in Cardiff. The store, which specialises in skincare and cosmetics from South Korea, marks the latest addition to the centre's growing list of health and beauty outlets. The opening also reflects the rising popularity of K-beauty among UK consumers and provides local shoppers with in-person access to products that were previously available only online or in select cities. St David's management highlighted the arrival as part of its ongoing strategy. It aims to diversify its retail mix and introduce more international and specialist retailers. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here The location of Pureseoul in the St David's Centre in Cardiff Article continues below Already established with several locations across the UK, Pureseoul has branches in London, Birmingham and Manchester, among other places. It is now expanding its presence outside of England with this new site in the heart of the Welsh capital. The Cardiff branch will offer a range of Korean beauty products from a variety of popular Korean brands. Inside another branch of Pureseoul (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News ) Helen Morgan, centre director of St David's, Cardiff, said: 'There has been an incredible line-up of new store announcements this year at St David's." She said these included Banana Tree, Knoops, Swatch, JD and the highly anticipated Sephora. Article continues below "But that's not all - there is still more to come as St David's continues to cement its position as a top UK shopping destination," she added. "We'll be announcing more new brands coming soon.'
