Latest news with #NUH
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Bride paralysed just weeks before her dream wedding offered to leave husband
Bride paralysed just weeks before her dream wedding offered to leave husband Craig Bolton and Carla Horton were just weeks away from getting married before the bride suffered a life-changing accident Craig Bolton and Carla Horton refused to let a serious incident get in the way of their wedding plans (Image: Nottingham University Hospitals / NHS Trust ) A UK couple's lives were changed forever just weeks before their wedding after the bride suffered a life-altering injury during her hen party. Craig Bolton and Carla Horton, from Dudley, hoped to tie the knot on Friday, May 30, at St Chad's church in Coseley. However, near-tragedy struck five weeks before the big day when Carla, 44, was celebrating her hen weekend in Skegness. In a split second, her life changed forever. She even later offered to leave her husband - an idea he rejected out of hand. While getting ready for a night out with friends, Carla attempted a party trick that went horribly wrong. Carla recounted the incident, saying: "I made a silly misjudgement on my hen do and tried to do a stunt which I think I was just too old to do, and it resulted in me fracturing the top of my neck and being paralysed from the chest down." The accident left Carla momentarily unconscious, and when she regained consciousness, she was unable to move. Her friends quickly called for an ambulance and informed her fiancé, Craig. He described the moment he received the news, saying: "My sister-in-law rang to tell me that there had been an incident, so when I was told exactly what had happened, my world caved in." Rushing to Pilgrim Hospital Boston, Craig was met with the shocking sight of Carla in the resuscitation unit, strapped up and fighting for her life. But, refusing to let the incident disrupt their plans, the couple decided to rearrange their wedding to take place in a Nottingham hospital, ensuring Carla can still participate in the ceremony despite her injuries. Article continues below Pilgrim hospital carried out detailed scans to understand the extent of the damage. She was then was moved to Nottingham Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) for MRI examinations and crucial spinal surgery. The rapid response from medical staff has been deemed crucial in Carla's current ability to battle on. Craig said: "It was all within a 20-hour window which, to be quite honest, is probably the main reason why Carla is in the condition she is in now and able to fight. "If that work hadn't been done in that timescale, we could have been in a completely different situation right now." The couple say Nottingham University Hospitals ' (NUH) team, particularly Michelle Elmsley, the Spinal Cord Injury Lead, played a significant role in creating these positive outcomes. Michelle said: "The rapid medical and surgical response which Carla received has helped to give her the best chance of recovery. "However, spinal cord injuries are very complex and take extensive time to recover." Every day without fail, Craig makes the three-hour round trip from Dudley to be by his fiancée's side. Shortly after the accident, Carla selflessly suggested to Craig that he could leave if the burden became too much. Carla added: "My first thought when this happened was to say to Craig 'if you want to walk away you can and I would understand'. I think when something like this happens to someone you don't want to put them through the possibility that you might never walk again." Craig firmly declined and said: "When I come in every day and see the fight in her, I do fall in love more each day. You do find your soulmate at some point and when you do, you know. And I've found mine." Following a five-week stay in hospital, Carla and Craig resolved not to delay their nuptials, opting instead to adapt their plans and hold their ceremony in the chapel at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. Carla said: "All I said to Craig was I can't wait any longer to marry you. I don't want to wait 18 months or two years until I am possibly walking again, or possibly not. I cannot wait that long. "So, we both agreed that we would still do it on Friday, no matter where it was or how it was." The Nottingham University Hospitals Charity has been instrumental in organising the couple's special day, taking care of food, decorations, flowers, and even securing a hairdresser for the bride. Sam Cousens, director of fundraising and communications at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: "Everyone here has been deeply moved by Carla and Craig's story, and it was a huge privilege to collaborate with colleagues across Nottingham University Hospital, including the dedicated ward staff who go above and beyond, every day of the year. Article continues below "As a charity, we were able to bring together our incredible network of supporters and generous local businesses, to help turn a heart-breaking situation into a day filled with love and positivity. We all send our warmest wishes to Carla and Craig on their wedding day". Carla and Craig celebrated their union in a private and intimate ceremony at the chapel at Queen's on May 30, followed by a small gathering with close family, friends, and members of the Spinal Cord Injury team. NUH Spinal Cord Injury Lead Michelle said: "It's been an honour to be part of Carla's journey. It is a rare opportunity to be part of something special for acute patients under our care, and being able to go 'beyond the norm' has made me extremely proud to be part of team NUH."
The Star
5 days ago
- Health
- The Star
New brain cancer test speeds up results to just hours from weeks
The significant reduction in waiting time for brain tumour results also helps lessen the mental and emotional burden from uncertainty that patients face. — dpa Scientists have developed an 'ultra-fast' test that can slash the time patients have to wait to find out what type of brain tumour they have. Patients usually wait six to eight weeks to find out their brain tumour type. But the new 'game changer' tool, which assesses the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) from a sample taken from the tumour, can achieve this in around two hours, experts found. They said that this means patients can start treatment faster and the test may even help surgical teams while they are performing operations to remove tumours. Researchers from Britain's University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) assessed the new test on 50 patients. Publishing their findings in the medical journal Neuro-Oncology , the research team said the new test was 'in concordance with standard of care' for '90% of cases'. They said that the new test can provide diagnostic results in under two hours from surgery, and detailed tumour classifications within minutes of sequencing. Usually, doctors have to send samples away to central lab facilities for genetic analysis, with patients facing long waits to find out what type of tumour they have. This long wait is 'traumatic' for patients and can delay chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the experts said. But the new method, called ROBIN (rapid nanopore brain intraoperative classification), can potentially eliminate this delay, according to the research team. University of Nottingham professor of developmental and computational biology Dr Matt Loose developed a method to sequence specific parts of human DNA at 'higher depth' using Oxford Nanopore Technologies portable sequencing devices. The team have now used this method to genetically test brain tumour samples. 'Not only is the test more accurate and quicker, but it is also cheaper than current methods,' said Prof Loose. NUH neurosurgeon Dr Stuart Smith added: 'Traditionally, the process of diagnosing brain tumours has been slow and expensive. 'Now, with this new technology, we can do more for patients because we can get answers so much more quickly, which will have a much bigger influence on clinical decision-making, in as little as two hours. 'Patients find waiting many weeks for results extremely difficult and this adds to the anxiety and worry at what is already a very difficult time.' He said the test was so rapid that it could even help surgeons during any operation to assist with their 'surgical strategy'. NUH consultant neuropathologist Dr Simon Paine added: 'This new method of diagnosing brain tumours is going to be a game changer; it really is revolutionary. 'It not only increases the speed at which the results will be available, but the degree of accuracy of the diagnosis as well is incredible.' The Brain Tumour Charity chief scientific officer Dr Simon Newman commented: 'The delivery of an accurate diagnosis within hours of surgery will be transformative for all patients, ensuring rapid access to the optimal standard of care and – crucially – removing the uncertainty patients face when having to wait weeks for their diagnosis and prognosis. 'The potential to combine so many separate tests into one and deliver at a localised level is a game changer for driving equity of access to rapid and accurate molecular diagnosis.' – PA Media/dpa
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Manslaughter case launched into Nottingham baby deaths
A corporate manslaughter investigation has been opened into failings that led to hundreds of babies dying or being injured at maternity units in Nottingham. Nottinghamshire Police said they were examining whether maternity care provided by the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS trust had been grossly negligent. The trust is at the centre of the largest maternity inquiry in the history of the NHS, with about 2,500 cases of neonatal deaths, stillbirths and injuries to mothers and babies being examined by independent midwife Donna Ockenden. The police investigation will centre on two maternity units overseen by the trust, which runs the Queen's Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital. In a statement on the force's website, Det Supt Matthew Croome, from the investigation team, said corporate manslaughter was a "serious criminal offence". He said detectives were "looking to see if the overall responsibility lies with the organisation rather than specific individuals". The police's investigation into deaths and serious injuries related to NUH's maternity care - called Operation Perth - has seen more than 200 family cases referred. The force said it expects about 2,500 to be submitted in total. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Unsedated patients on life support have lower risk of heart complications, muscle shrinkage: NUH
A patient in intensive care is undergoing awake Ecmo, where she is kept awake and breathing on her own, without the need for total sedation. PHOTO: NUHS SINGAPORE – Critically ill patients in intensive care will now have the option of staying awake and breathing on their own while on life support, without the need for total sedation. This will also give them a chance to interact with the healthcare team, reduce the chances of muscle shrinkage and for early rehabilitation. Patients are often placed in a medically induced coma when undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (Ecmo), a treatment for those with life-threatening heart and lung failure that keeps the blood pumping and oxygenated outside the body. An alternative treatment, called awake Ecmo, has been performed successfully on three patients at the National University Hospital since 2023. 'These patients are equally sick, but they are strong enough to get the Ecmo process started while they are conscious,' said Adjunct Associate Professor K.R. Ramanathan, a senior consultant in the Cardiothoracic ICU at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS). 'Most of them are young and they have a single organ failure, such as the heart or lungs.' On the advancements made in managing patients on Ecmo, he said: 'Now we have come to a stage where we do not use sedation at a ll. This helps the patients and caregivers in a big way.' When the patients know what is happening, they are able to communicate better with the medical staff for more favourable outcomes. He added: 'They are able to partake in the rehabilitation process within a few days. It enhances their recovery, and they leave the ICU much earlier.' Avoiding sedation while Ecmo is being initiated also reduces the risk of the patient's heart stopping, he said. However, not all patients are suitable for awake Ecmo. Doctors have to assess the severity of the illness, as well as the patient's ability to maintain a clear airway and tolerate life support while conscious, Prof Ramanathan said. One of the three patients who underwent awake Ecmo was nursing student Gwendolyn Lye, after she developed a high fever and shortness of breath in late January 2024. 'I felt something was truly wrong when I started to feel short of breath, not being able to lie flat to sleep and even sitting up, I would wake up gasping for air. My fever was also not improving despite taking medication,' she said. She was referred to National University Hospital (NUH) on Jan 30 after blood tests showed that she was infected by enterovirus, which is a common virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms, but 'it had somehow managed to get into my bloodstream and got to my heart'. This caused myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, which led to fluid build-up in her lungs. 'Prior to being placed on awake Ecmo, I only remember feeling super unwell, constantly vomiting and being unable to eat,' Ms Lye said. Her heart was too weak for her to be anaesthetised for traditional Ecmo. 'I was mainly concerned about how much pain I was going to feel,' she said. 'But in the end, I felt completely comfortable and having been able to be awake to see the preparation process – it was interesting.' Nurses and physiotherapists on her care team also initiated gentle exercise sessions, such as stretching and mobility drills, to prevent rapid loss of muscle mass. 'I am thankful that the medical team decided on awake Ecmo as I knew how intubation could possibly lead to a longer recovery process instead,' added Ms Lye. She recovered enough to stop Ecmo on Feb 4 and was discharged on Feb 15, and has returned to doing everything that she used to before hospitalisation, such as hiking and going for clinical attachments for nursing. Prof Ramanathan said that for patients who require sedation during Ecmo treatment, the team aims to wake them after 14 to 21 days to begin rehabilitation and prevent muscle wastage. Thirty-year-old Nathan Tan checked himself into the emergency department in March 2023 after he felt pain in his back and was taking shallow breaths. Despite losing his fingers, toes and his left leg below the knee after a bout of pneumonia in 2023, Mr Nathan Tan, 30, has learnt to dance again after undergoing rehabilitation. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO He was diagnosed with pneumonia. 'That was when everything went downhill,' he said . Mr Tan remained sedated while on Ecmo for 38 days, but was awakened for rehabilitation as his care team did not want the young man's muscles to atrophy. Unfortunately, in his third month in hospital, the virus that caused his pneumonia entered his bloodstream, causing sepsis. He ended up requiring amputation of his fingers and toes and his left leg below the knee, as they had turned gangrenous. Despite that, Mr Tan continues to live his dream of being a dancer, citing non-traditional dance companies in the US that feature dancers with disabilities, as a source of inspiration. 'My physiotherapists got creative and worked in dance moves for my therapy, helping me to continue to feel that I am worthy. I regained my confidence and I even went to the Lady Gaga concert on May 21 and danced my heart out,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Breakthrough ultra-rapid test that can diagnose brain tumours in just two hours could be rolled out on NHS in a year
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCIENTISTS have created an "ultra-fast" test which can slash the time it takes to diagnose brain tumours. At the moment, patients usually wait six to eight weeks to find out the type of brain tumour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A new method for diagnosing brain tumours could cut the time patients wait for treatments by weeks to hours Credit: Getty But the new "game changer" tool, which assesses the DNA from a sample taken from the tumour, can achieve this in around two hours, experts found. They said this means that patients can start treatment faster and the test may even help surgical teams while they are performing operations to remove tumours. Researchers from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) assessed the new test on 50 patients. Publishing their findings in the journal Neuro-Oncology, the research team said the new test was "in concordance with standard of care" for "90 per cent of cases". Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, experts said they hoped the test would be rolled out on the NHS 'as soon as possible' — potentially "within the next year or so". They said the new test can provide diagnostic results in under two hours from surgery, and detailed tumour classifications within minutes of sequencing. About 740,000 people around the world are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, around half of which are non-cancerous. Traditionally, samples of tumours are extracted during surgery to be taken away, tested, and examined under a microscope in a pathology lab. While the process is mostly accurate, it can take up to eight weeks to definitively diagnose the type of tumour. This long wait is also "traumatic" for patients and can delay chemotherapy and radiotherapy, they experts said. But the new method, called ROBIN (rapid nanopore brain intraoperative classification), can potentially eliminate this delay, they added. Man, 64, plays guitar while having a brain tumour Professor Matt Loose, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, developed a method to sequence specific parts of human DNA at "higher depth" using Oxford Nanopore Technologies portable sequencing devices. The team have now used this method to genetically test brain tumour samples. "Not only is the test more accurate and quicker, but it is also cheaper than current methods," he said. "Our calculations stand at around £450 per person, potentially less when scaled-up. "Most importantly, it delivers results to the patients when they need them." 'The degree of accuracy is incredible' Neurosurgeon Dr Stuart Smith, from the University's School of Medicine and NUH, added: "Traditionally, the process of diagnosing brain tumours has been slow and expensive. "Now, with this new technology we can do more for patients because we can get answers so much more quickly which will have a much bigger influence on clinical decision making, in as little as two hours. "Patients find waiting many weeks for results extremely difficult and this adds to the anxiety and worry at what is already a very difficult time." He said the test was so rapid that it could even help surgeons during any operation to assist with their "surgical strategy". Dr Simon Paine, a consultant neuropathologist at NUH, added: "This new method of diagnosing brain tumours is going to be a game changer, it really is revolutionary. "It not only increases the speed at which the results will be available, but the degree of accuracy of the diagnosis as well is incredible." Commenting, Dr Simon Newman from The Brain Tumour Charity, said: "The delivery of an accurate diagnosis within hours of surgery will be transformative for all patients ensuring rapid access to the optimal standard of care and - crucially - removing the uncertainty patients face when having to wait weeks for their diagnosis and prognosis. "The potential to combine so many separate tests into one and deliver at a localised level is a game changer for driving equity of access to rapid and accurate molecular diagnosis."
