Latest news with #Moorfields
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Aspiring eye surgeon's career plan changed by Helpforce NHS scheme
A student said he was inspired by a charity's hospital volunteering scheme to change his intended University student Raahat Shah was studying pharmaceutical chemistry but accompanied his granddad to an eye hospital appointment and he became interested with ophthalmology, the study of eye conditions.A pilot Volunteer to Career programme in the NHS helped him secure medical training and he hopes to become an eye surgeon in the scheme is run by charity Helpforce, which hopes it helps to tackle persistent recruitment problems in the health service. Across England, 48 different NHS organisations have taken part in Volunteer to Shah, from London, was studying at Queen Mary, University of London when he went with his granddad to the Moorfields Eye Hospital in the capital."There was just something about the hospital environment and especially ophthalmology that really appealed to me," he said."No one in my family had been a medic and it seemed like a closed world to me – I had no idea how someone from my background could get into it. But I saw an opportunity here and I grabbed it with both hands," Mr Shah said. Through Helpforce's scheme, Mr Shah volunteered at Moorfields once a week for a year, helping patients, doing admin work and watching staff work."It was amazing. I knew there and then that I wanted to be an eye surgeon. Volunteering in a specialist eye hospital gave me a real insight into that field of medicine," he added."It convinced me that a career in medicine was what I wanted. and ultimately a career in ophthalmology."After finishing his first degree, Raahat is now in his second year of accelerated graduate medical training in Southampton and is currently on a surgical placement at Basingstoke and North Hampshire chief executive, Amerjit Chohan, said its scheme has had a "significant" impact."Together with our partners in NHS trusts and other organisations, we've helped people like Raahat to gain valuable experience before applying for paid roles," he added."Through expertly designed and structured pathways, volunteers can find their niche without the immediate pressure of employment, while being upskilled and given confidence to take into job interviews." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Big high street retail chain to close ANOTHER shop after already shutting 35 sites following rescue deal
A POPULAR high street fashion brand is shutting another store just months after collapsing into liquidation — and locals are gutted. Select, which has already closed 35 stores across the UK, is now preparing to pull the shutters down on its Grantham branch for good on May 10. 2 2 Posting the heartbreaking news on Facebook, the store said: 'It is with a heavy heart that we tell all our lovely customers that our store will be closing. "As far as we are aware our last trading day is 10th May. I just want to take a minute to say thank you for all your support over the years.' Shoppers in the Lincolnshire town were quick to share their dismay, with one writing: 'We will soon have no clothing stores left in Grantham.' Another said: 'Are you kidding me.' A third added: 'Nooo! This is awful news!' And a fourth chimed in: 'Oh wow we literally have nothing in this town – such bloody shame x.' The store wasn't included in the initial list of 35 closures in March — but it highlights the growing struggles faced by the troubled fashion chain. The retailer — once a staple of budget-friendly fashion on the high street — entered Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) in April, first reported by The Sun, after struggling with mounting financial pressures. Advisers from insolvency firm Moorfields have been appointed to wind up the business, with 40 stores shut immediately and staff left without redundancy pay or wages. An email sent to employees, seen by The Sun, confirmed that weekly wages would not be paid, and that workers would need to apply for support through the government's Redundancy Payment Service (RPS). Why are shops closing stores? Staff at the 48 Select branches still trading were told their pay would be 'delayed', with a promise that wages would be processed the following week. However, many say they've since been met with radio silence. Some were even told to expect a small advance payment to tide them over — but that never came through. It's understood that during the liquidation meeting, Select's bank accounts were frozen, leaving both stores and staff in limbo. The future of the remaining stores remains uncertain, with workers and shoppers alike left wondering what's next for the struggling fashion retailer. Elsewhere, Smiggle, known for its colourful, quirky pens, lunchboxes and school bags, revealed that it is shutting up shop at the Darwin Centre in Shrewsbury later this month. Whilst, B.D Price, a beloved toy and bike store announced its closure after 160 years in business. The 84-year-old owner revealed that the cost of living crisis has led to a reduction in sales and to the costs of running the business skyrocketing. The news comes as both independent and industry giants have been struggling with rising costs and reduced footfall over the past few years. Dozens of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets. Just a few months into 2025 and it's already proving to be another tough year for many major brands. Rising living costs - which mean shoppers have less cash to burn - and an increase in online shopping has battered retail in recent years. In some cases, landlords are either unwilling or unable to invest in keeping shops open, further speeding up the closures. Smiggle isn't the only stationary shop shutting its doors, more WHSmiths stores are set to close this month. Whilst, Red Menswear in Chatham in Medway, Kent, shut for the final time on Saturday, March 29, after selling men's clothing since 1999. A couple months ago, Essential Vintage told followers on social that it would be closing down after they had been "priced out" because of bigger players in the market such as Vinted. Jewellery brand Beaverbrooks is also shutting three shops early this month. New Look bosses made the decision to axe nearly 100 branches as they battle challenges linked to Autumn Budget tax changes. Approximately a quarter of the retailer's 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire. It's understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National Insurance contributions for employers. The move, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October, is hitting retailers hard - and the British Retail Consortium has predicted these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Select Fashion ‘collapses, leaving staff without pay'
Retailer Select Fashion has reportedly collapsed after closing 35 stores last month and left staff without redundancy pay or owed wages. It is understood that insolvency firm Moorfields has launched a wind down of the womenswear chain after a creditors' meeting was held last Friday to approve a voluntary liquidation. The group had already shut 35 shops in mid-March having quietly trimmed down its estate since the start of the year. Workers at the shops that shut have been told that they will not be paid outstanding wages for hours worked before the closures and many have been advised to apply for redundancy pay from the Government, according to The Sun. Employees at the remaining 48 shops have also reportedly been warned their wage payments will be delayed. In an email seen by The Sun, Select Fashion is reported to have told employees: 'Please be assured that your wages will be processed and paid out next week. 'We are doing everything we can to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible and appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.' Select Fashion could not be reached for comment and Moorfields was not immediately available to comment. Select had already entered into a company voluntary arrangement last year – whereby a business in distress has the opportunity to pay off debts to creditors over a fixed period of time, while still continuing to trade. The process was also overseen by Moorfields. Select fell into administration in 2019, before being rescued by Genus UK. It is now owned by Turkish businessman Cafer Mahiroglu. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £1.1 million for the year to the end of February 2023, according to its most recently-filed accounts. It previously flagged it was being squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis, wage pressure and higher taxes, on top of a tougher economic climate. Select's troubles follow several collapses and closures on the high street in recent months. Rival fashion chain Quiz shut 23 stores in February after falling into administration, with the retailer also citing the higher cost of living squeezing spending among its customers.
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Select Fashion on verge of collapse as it shuts UK stores
Retailer Select Fashion is reportedly on the verge of collapse as the struggling chain nears the closure of 35 shops across the UK. The group has drafted in advisers to oversee a process of liquidation, according to documents seen by the Sun. It comes as it is believed the chain will have shut 35 shops by this weekend after quietly trimming down its estate since the start of the year. Women's clothing retailer Select entered into a company voluntary arrangement last year – whereby a business in distress has the opportunity to pay off debts to creditors over a fixed period of time, while still continuing to trade. The process was overseen by restructuring specialist firm Moorfields. But Moorfields has now been tasked with overseeing a liquidation process, which means a business is wound up if it cannot repay its debts, the Sun reported. Select Fashion could not be reached for comment, and Moorfields was not immediately available to comment. Select fell into administration in 2019, before being rescued by Genus UK. It is now owned by Turkish businessman Cafer Mahiroglu. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £1.1 million for the year to the end of February 2023, according to its most recently-filed accounts. It previously flagged it was being squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis, wage pressure, and higher taxes, on top of a tougher economic climate. Select's troubles follow several collapses and closures on the high street in recent months. Rival fashion chain Quiz shut 23 stores last month after falling into administration, with the retailer also citing the higher cost of living squeezing spending among its customers.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Watch: Blind children see for first time after British medical breakthrough
Children who were blind at birth can now see after British doctors successfully administered pioneering gene therapy in a world first. The 'spectacular' breakthrough at Moorfields Eye Hospital is the first effective treatment for the most severe form of childhood blindness. The children, who suffer from an extremely rare genetic condition, can now see shapes, find toys, recognise faces, and in some cases, can even read and write. The procedure, which takes around an hour, involves injecting healthy copies of the affected gene into the back of one eye to 'kick-start' sensitivity. Specialists hope the procedure can be made more widely available in the UK and elsewhere as a licensed treatment. The four children were picked by specialists from Moorfields and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in 2020. All had severe retinal dystrophy known as leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), an inherited condition that causes vision loss due to a defect in the AIPL1 gene. This gene is important for the function of photoreceptors, light-sensing cells in the retina that convert light into electrical signals that the brain interprets as vision. 'Power of gene therapy to change lives' Prof Michel Michaelides, a consultant retinal specialist at Moorfields and professor of ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, said: 'We have, for the first time, an effective treatment for the most severe form of childhood blindness, and a potential paradigm shift to treatment at the earliest stages of the disease. 'The outcomes for these children are hugely impressive and show the power of gene therapy to change lives.' A research paper published in the Lancet has outlined the findings from the trial. Prof James Bainbridge, consultant retinal surgeon at Moorfields and professor of retinal studies at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, said those born with the condition could barely see from birth. 'Typically, they can only distinguish light and dark, and that little sight they will lose within the first few years of life. So what we found is that by providing the gene to their eyes that's otherwise lacking, we can substantially improve their sight, and this appears to have a positive impact on their general development.' The operations were carried out at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, with medics performing keyhole surgery on patients aged between one and two to access the eye. Healthy copies of the AIPL1 gene, contained in a harmless virus, were then injected into the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. 'The effect of that is to kick-start, if you like, the sensitivity of the retina,' Prof Bainbridge said. 'The expectation is that that might have some benefit to their sight within a few weeks or months, and indeed we were delighted to see that that was indeed the case.' The gene therapy was only administered into one eye per patient to overcome any potential safety issues. Given the rarity of LCA, patients had to be found outside the UK, with families travelling to London from the US, Turkey and Tunisia. 'This particular condition is really very rare,' Prof Bainbridge said. 'And so we were able to extend the possibility of treatment globally, and the first families who approached us with children eligible happened to be from outside the UK.' The children were followed up over the next four years to determine the long-term effect of the therapy. Researchers used a number of ways to assess the children's sight, including reading letters and using scans of the eye to judge the preservation of cells in the retina. 'The parents were delighted, frankly, to see that the sight of the treated eye improved so substantially,' Prof Bainbridge said. 'They were very relieved and very positive about the findings. 'The parents describe the children gaining confidence in terms of their mobility, their independence, their ability to find their way around, also in terms of their recognition of shapes and faces and images. 'Some children are even able to read and write following the intervention which is something that one would absolutely not expect in this condition, untreated.' Brendan and DJ, who did not wish to share their surname, travelled from Connecticut in the US so their son, Jace, could have the treatment in September 2020. Jace was around two when he had the procedure. Jace's mother DJ said: 'After the operation, [he] was immediately spinning, dancing and making the nurses laugh. He started to respond to the TV and phone within a few weeks of surgery and, within six months, he could recognise and name his favourite cars from several metres away; it took his brain time, though, to process what he could now see. 'Sleep can be difficult for children with sight loss, but he falls asleep much more easily now, making bedtimes an enjoyable experience.' Jace's father, Brendan, said that the results were 'nothing short of spectacular'. Since the initial treatments were administered, a further seven patients have been treated at Evelina London Children's Hospital by specialists from St Thomas' Hospital, Great Ormond Street and Moorfields. They include Harvey Haines who struggled to interact with other children, before surgery, when he was three. His parents Jess and Brad said the operations had transformed his life – the previously withdrawn little boy now happily plays with his older sister and other children. His mother Jess, from Australia, said: 'That's really exciting to see, to see him building those friendships.' UCL developed the treatment using a manufacturer's special licence, granted by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which allows the production of unlicensed medicines for special clinical needs. It was supported by clinical stage gene therapy company MeiraGTx. Researchers said the new findings offer hope that children affected by both rare and more common forms of genetic blindness may in time also benefit from genetic medicine. The team is now exploring the means to make this new treatment more widely available. Prof Bainbridge said: 'The findings provide confidence that this particular approach can be helpful in even a severe condition. 'And of course, the hope is that the same approach might be helpful for children with more common conditions in the future. 'A similar gene therapy has been available for a similar form of genetic blindness on the NHS in the UK for some five years, but the findings of this particular treatment indicate that the same approach can work for a condition which is even more severe. 'The expectation and the hope is that that will be available to children for treatment in both eyes.'
