Latest news with #Nice
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Obese patients denied knee and hip replacements to slash NHS costs
Obese patients are being denied life-changing hip and knee replacements and left in pain in a bid to slash spiralling NHS costs, The Independent can reveal. One third of NHS areas in England and multiple health boards in Wales are blocking patient access based on their body mass index (BMI). The move, deemed 'unfair' and 'discriminatory', goes against guidance from the National Institute for Care Excellence (Nice), which states BMI shouldn't be used to restrict patients' access to joint replacement surgery. Patients are instead being told they must lose weight before they are eligible but waiting lists for NHS weight loss programs have ballooned, with some people waiting up to three years to be seen while other services have shut, unable to cope with demand. The Royal College of Surgeons criticised the policy, saying that denying patients care could cost them their mobility and cause their health to deteriorate, while Tory peer and former health minister James Bethell called on the government to do more to tackle the obesity crisis and end the 'misery for millions'. More than 64 per cent of adults in England were overweight or living with obesity in 2022-23, up from 63 per cent the year before, the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows. The news comes as 7.4 million people were waiting for NHS treatments in March, while health service leaders have warned they are being forced to cut services to meet tough savings demands from the government. The shocking revelation of surgery refusals was uncovered in an audit of referral criteria used by NHS bodies in England by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It found 15 of 42 areas are restricting access to surgery by BMI, while The Independent discovered at least two health boards were doing the same in Wales. Thresholds varied by area, with some limiting access to those with a BMI of less than 35 (patients who are obese) or 40 (severely obese). Dr Joanna McLaughlin, lead researcher and NIHR clinical lecturer at the University of Bristol, told The Independent that through her research, policymakers, commissioners and surgeons 'acknowledged that NHS financial pressures were a main driver for BMI threshold policy use, and that they didn't have confidence that the policies were based in evidence of health benefits'. The research also found that NHS weight management support services were 'inadequate' and could not ensure that those excluded from surgery could be supported to lose enough weight. Some patients had resorted to paying privately for surgery. Dr McLaughlin said: 'The variety in the BMI limits and in the requirements to prove patients have made attempts at weight loss chosen by different ICBs [integrated care boards] highlights the postcode lottery and inequalities created by these policies.' Several ICBs identified by the study told The Independent that some patients with a high BMI could still access care if they passed an assessment, while others said they would need to prove they were 'fit for surgery'. But medics told The Independent that BMI should not be used as a sole restrictive measure. Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said losing weight before surgery could reduce the risk of complications, and patients should be supported in this. However, he said that 'BMI alone should not be a barrier', adding: 'We must not penalise those who are less fit but still eligible for surgery, as this approach is unfair and ignores clinical guidance.' Mark Bowditch, president of the British Orthopaedic Association, said: 'Losing weight before surgery can be very difficult for people with limited mobility issues. 'Furthermore, obesity is more likely in people from certain socioeconomically deprived areas or ethnic groups, so care must be taken to avoid unintentionally disadvantaging certain patient groups.' Deborah Alsina, chief executive of charity Versus Arthritis, said: 'We hear heartbreaking stories from people desperate for the pain to stop, and accounts from people who face barriers to access even when they are referred for the surgery they urgently need. 'We frequently hear of people denied a referral, or being taken off the waiting list because of their weight, with body mass index being cited as a rationale. We must make sure this discriminatory practice doesn't become standard.' Lord Bethell said the row over BMI thresholds for operations showed the NHS 'needs to make a choice' over preventing disease with weight-loss jabs, which cost £100 a month, or to treat obesity-related diseases, such as those that lead to hip operations, which can cost £10,000. He said the government has a choice to either crack down on 'Junk Food Britain' with a tough food strategy or to give the NHS a lot more money to pay for the consequences of a sick population. He added: 'It's one or the other. Ducking this choice will cause misery for millions, the bankruptcy of our nation and the end of the Starmer administration.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it expected ICBs to comply with Nice guidance. They added that the department's 'Plan for Change' for the NHS includes rolling out weight loss drugs to 'those who need it most'.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Obese patients denied knee and hip replacements to slash NHS costs
Obese patients are being denied life-changing hip and knee replacements and left in pain in a bid to slash spiralling NHS costs, The Independent can reveal. One third of NHS areas in England and multiple health boards in Wales are blocking patient access based on their body mass index (BMI). The move, deemed 'unfair' and 'discriminatory', goes against guidance from the National Institute for Care Excellence (Nice), which states BMI shouldn't be used to restrict patients' access to joint replacement surgery. Patients are instead being told they must lose weight before they are eligible but waiting lists for NHS weight loss programs have ballooned, with some people waiting up to three years to be seen while other services have shut, unable to cope with demand. The Royal College of Surgeons criticised the policy, saying that denying patients care could cost them their mobility and cause their health to deteriorate, while Tory peer and former health minister James Bethell called on the government to do more to tackle the obesity crisis and end the 'misery for millions'. More than 64 per cent of adults in England were overweight or living with obesity in 2022-23, up from 63 per cent the year before, the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows. The news comes as 7.4 million people were waiting for NHS treatments in March, while health service leaders have warned they are being forced to cut services to meet tough savings demands from the government. The shocking revelation of surgery refusals was uncovered in an audit of referral criteria used by NHS bodies in England by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It found 15 of 42 areas are restricting access to surgery by BMI, while The Independent discovered at least two health boards were doing the same in Wales. Thresholds varied by area, with some limiting access to those with a BMI of less than 35 (patients who are obese) or 40 (severely obese). Dr Joanna McLaughlin, lead researcher and NIHR clinical lecturer at the University of Bristol, told The Independent that through her research, policymakers, commissioners and surgeons 'acknowledged that NHS financial pressures were a main driver for BMI threshold policy use, and that they didn't have confidence that the policies were based in evidence of health benefits'. The research also found that NHS weight management support services were 'inadequate' and could not ensure that those excluded from surgery could be supported to lose enough weight. Some patients had resorted to paying privately for surgery. Dr McLaughlin said: 'The variety in the BMI limits and in the requirements to prove patients have made attempts at weight loss chosen by different ICBs [integrated care boards] highlights the postcode lottery and inequalities created by these policies.' Several ICBs identified by the study told The Independent that some patients with a high BMI could still access care if they passed an assessment, while others said they would need to prove they were 'fit for surgery'. But medics told The Independent that BMI should not be used as a sole restrictive measure. Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said losing weight before surgery could reduce the risk of complications, and patients should be supported in this. However, he said that 'BMI alone should not be a barrier', adding: 'We must not penalise those who are less fit but still eligible for surgery, as this approach is unfair and ignores clinical guidance.' Mark Bowditch, president of the British Orthopaedic Association, said: 'Losing weight before surgery can be very difficult for people with limited mobility issues. 'Furthermore, obesity is more likely in people from certain socioeconomically deprived areas or ethnic groups, so care must be taken to avoid unintentionally disadvantaging certain patient groups.' Deborah Alsina, chief executive of charity Versus Arthritis, said: 'We hear heartbreaking stories from people desperate for the pain to stop, and accounts from people who face barriers to access even when they are referred for the surgery they urgently need. 'We frequently hear of people denied a referral, or being taken off the waiting list because of their weight, with body mass index being cited as a rationale. We must make sure this discriminatory practice doesn't become standard.' Lord Bethell said the row over BMI thresholds for operations showed the NHS 'needs to make a choice' over preventing disease with weight-loss jabs, which cost £100 a month, or to treat obesity-related diseases, such as those that lead to hip operations, which can cost £10,000. He said the government has a choice to either crack down on 'Junk Food Britain' with a tough food strategy or to give the NHS a lot more money to pay for the consequences of a sick population. He added: 'It's one or the other. Ducking this choice will cause misery for millions, the bankruptcy of our nation and the end of the Starmer administration.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it expected ICBs to comply with Nice guidance. They added that the department's 'Plan for Change' for the NHS includes rolling out weight loss drugs to 'those who need it most'.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Weekly Young and the Restless Spoilers June 2-6: Victor Plots Kyle's Downfall
The Young and the Restless spoilers for June 2-6 focus on Mariah's troubled past. Meanwhile, Lily plots to meet Dumas, while Victor plots against Kyle. Apparently, the birthday party Claire (Hayley Erin) throws for Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) won't do much in the way of patching things up between Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Victor (Eric Braeden) permanently. Next week, there's nothing good happening between a certain Newman and a specific Abbott. Early in the week, Victor calls Kyle's bluff. But what happens towards the end of the week is much more telling. Victor plots Kyle's downfall. Looks like Claire and Kyle won't know peace from her grandfather anytime soon. What does Kyle's downfall involve? Or should we say who does it involve? Does Audra (Zuleyka Silver) still have something to do with this? After all, she needs to get payback for the whole Glissade disaster, and she's in cahoots with Victor to make Kyle look bad in Claire's eyes. Does she come through for the man providing her seed money for Vibrante? Meanwhile, Lily (Christel Khalil) is equally as stubborn as Victor. But her mission is decidedly less devious. Teasers suggest Lily plots to meet Dumas. Is she trying to get a sneak peek before Aristotle's big shindig in Nice, France, on Friday, June 13? If so, just how does she think she's going to accomplish this? Elsewhere, Damian (Jermaine Rivers) asks Audra for a favor. What does he need his brother's girlfriend to do for him? READ THIS: Here's what's happening next on Y&R. Ian Ward's (Ray Wise) most recent 'visit' messed up Mariah (Camryn Grimes) more than she or anyone thought he would. And next week is no different. Mariah continues to be troubled by her past. But how will that manifest itself? Let's hope not in a dangerous or even self-destructive way. Guess Jack (Peter Bergman) and Diane (Susan Walters) haven't decided on whether to rsvp for Aristotle Dumas' — how did Michael (Christian LeBlanc) put it this week? His latest 'rococo business machination?' The mystery surrounding Dumas has hit an all-time high. There's no way they'll miss, right? For now, Jack and Diane are merely entertaining an invitation, according to the teasers. READ THIS: Shake-Up or showdown? What does Dumas want after May 30, Y&R? Finally, Billy (Jason Thompson) has his hands full with two fierce and formidable redheads who, by the way, hate each other. While he should be busy getting Abbott Communications off the ground, he's going to spend time trying to keep the peace between Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) and Sally (Courtney Hope). Good luck there, Billy Boy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
'So much for being nice guy': Donald Trump reignites trade tensions, warns China it has violated tariff deal
US president Donald Trump on Friday again raised tensions amid the ongoing tariff war with China, attacking Beijing for "totally violating its agreement with the US", and adding that he was no longer going to be "Mr. Nice Guy". In a post on Turth Social, Trump said: "Two weeks ago China was in grave economic danger! The very high Tariffs I set made it virtually impossible for China to trade into the United States marketplace which is, by far, number one in the World. We went, in effect, cold turkey with China, and it was devastating for them. Many factories closed and there was, to put it mildly, "civil unrest". I saw what was happening and didn't like it, for them, not for us. I made a fast deal with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, and I didn't want to see that happen. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilised and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, has totally violated its agreement with US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!" US trade representative Jamieson Greer, in a CNBC interview on Friday, echoed Trump's allegation, saying "we are very concerned with" China's purported non-compliance with the temporary trade deal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Has Honda Done It Again? The New Honda CR-V is Finally Here. TheFactualist Undo The "United States did exactly what it was supposed to do, and the Chinese are slow rolling their compliance,"said Greer. He called that "completely unacceptable and has to be addressed." US-China trade war The US-China trade war escalated significantly under Trump's leadership, with tariffs reaching unprecedented levels, including a 145% tariff on Chinese imports as part of the so-called "Liberation Day" trade package. These tariffs caused China's manufacturing sector to contract sharply, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropping to its lowest in 16 months, signaling a decline in factory activity and export orders. The tariffs disrupted China's export sector, with some estimates showing cargo shipments fell by as much as 60%, and the broader economy also showed signs of weakening growth. Trade deal Following the economic strain, a historic trade agreement was reached in May in Geneva, where both the US and China agreed to reduce tariffs by 115% while maintaining an additional 10% tariff. China also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs and suspend non-tariff countermeasures against the US. This deal was hailed by the Trump administration as a significant win, aimed at addressing unfair trade practices and reducing the massive US trade deficit with China. Fresh tensions However, despite the deal and initial stabilisation, Trump has now accused China of completely violating the agreement. The latest statement comes amid a volley of punitive measures by the US against China, including revoking visas for Chinese students and halting sales of critical technologies to Chinese firms. US officials expressed frustration that China failed to fulfill key commitments, such as easing export restrictions on rare earth minerals vital for advanced technologies. These developments underscore the ongoing tensions and the fragile nature of the trade relationship between the two economic superpowers. The economic impact of the tariffs and trade conflict has been significant on both sides. The US economy experienced a contraction in early 2025, with slowed growth, higher consumer prices, job losses, and market volatility. Retailers raised prices due to increased operational costs, and inflation rates have climbed. The uncertainty and disruptions caused by the tariffs have also unsettled financial markets, reflecting broader concerns about the stability of global trade. China's response to the trade war has extended beyond tariffs, including export controls and diplomatic efforts to counter U.S. measures. Beijing has warned against yielding to US tariff pressures and has threatened retaliation against countries that cooperate with US trade policies targeting China. Despite government stimulus efforts, China's GDP growth is expected to fall below official targets, indicating ongoing economic headwinds.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Who is Francesco Farioli? Rangers manager contender profiled
Farioli left Ajax earlier this month and is therefore unattached and previously spoke to the Ibrox club before they appointed Michael Beale. Ajax was his fourth job in management even though he is just 36 years of age and so he has built up a bank of experience. But just who is Francesco Farioli? We've profiled him for you here. Who is Rangers contender Francesco Fariolo? Farioli is modern boss who took an unconventional route into management. At just 35 years old, the Italian tactician has already left a significant mark on the game, blending academic intellect with tactical innovation to become one of Europe's most talked-about young coaches. Born in the small Tuscan town of Barga, he didn't have a professional football career to speak of and instead immersed in the world of philosophy. Earning a degree during his studies in Florence, he penned a thesis that explored the aesthetics of football and the existential role of the goalkeeper. He was involved on the pitch too though and began coaching at a grassroots level, working as a goalkeeping coach at clubs such as Polisportiva Margine Coperta and Lucchese. A big break arrived with a move to the prestigious Aspire Academy in Qatar and that is where Farioli met Roberto de Zerbi. Read more: Rangers hold discussions with ex-Ajax boss as new name enters the frame Farioli joined De Zerbi's staff at Benevento in 2017 and later followed him to Sassuolo. His official title was goalkeeping coach but he also got deeply involved in helping tactically as Sassuolo became one of Italy's most progressive sides. The year 2021 was when he took his first big step into management and this was at Turkish side side Fatih Karagumruk. Introducing a modern, possession-based style as the team defied expectations, he was attracting the attention of Alanyaspor within a year. An aggressive high press with dynamic play meant Alanyaspor were now dominating games having previously been merely trying to survive in the league. Farioli managed a finish of fifth in the Super Lig and reached the semi-finals of the Turkish Cup, and left the club the over half way through the following season with six wins, seven draws, and nine losses. It is interesting to note that Rangers spoke to him about their vacancy months before his exit. By now Farioli had made a name for himself across Europe and French side Nice came calling in the summer of 2023. He once again implement a progressive style - his Nice side combined defensive solidity with intelligent, risk-averse possession. At one point in the 2023–24 season, they had the best defensive record in France, while still building play from the back with patience and precision. Nice briefly challenged PSG at the top of Ligue 1 and after a slight dip later in the season finished fifth. This was another spell which only lasted a year as the lure of Ajax came in the summer of 2024. He inherited a squad in transition after a disappointing Eredivisie campaign, and the pressure was immediate. He had a quick impact after their disappointments the previous campaign and they were leading the Eredivisie as late as March. Farioli's tactics were yet again being praised as he continued to stick to his philosophies. However, a heartbreaking collapse saw them surrender the title in dramatic fashion. A poor run of results in April saw their nine-point lead vanish, and they finished second to PSV Eindhoven by a single point. Farioli resigned this month, citing difference with the powers that be. He also recently discussed his future. 'There's a lot of speculation, a lot of rumours,' he said. 'But I do want to get back into coaching. Just like it was with Ajax, I don't care about the brand or the size of the club. What matters to me is how things are done, and last summer Ajax was exactly what I was looking for. 'It was the right step for my career, and now we'll see what comes next. We'll see if and when that opportunity arrives. 'I'm a very demanding person. Before I join a club, I lay all my strengths and weaknesses on the table. 'Demanding' is probably the best word to describe me. I want to find a club that's willing to fight alongside me.' Farioli is now an option for Rangers and is a name that is likely to intrigue supporters given the style he has operated with and the praise that he has earned for his tactical nous.
