Latest news with #PaulaBrown
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Review into Riley Brown's death who took ill at Nelson mental health respite facility
Riley Brown, 24, died after a medical event at a mental health respite facility in Nelson on 1 June. Photo: Supplied The mother of a young man who died after suffering what he thought was an allergic reaction at a mental health respite facility says she's heartbroken and devastated. A review is underway into the death of Riley Brown, who was a patient at the facility in Nelson run by Pathways, a provider contracted by Health New Zealand. Brown's mother, Paula Brown, told RNZ the 24-year-old, who had a nut allergy, believed he was having an allergic reaction before he suffered a cardiac arrest on 1 June. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed. Paula Brown said her son got in touch with the Mental Health Crisis team in Nelson a week before he died. "He had been acting out of character, which had been noticed by family and friends." He stayed at the respite facility for one night, but wanted to go to Christchurch and see his friends. "We kept in touch with the Mental Health team in Christchurch while he was there but he was keen to reconnect with the Nelson team when he returned." On 31 May, Riley Brown went to the respite facility in Nelson and stayed for the night. The team phoned Paula Brown the following day to say he was doing well, wanted the help on offer and was happy. Paula Brown understood her son had dinner that evening at the facility and two hours later felt unwell. "From what I've been told Riley thought he had eaten nuts and thought he was having an allergic reaction. "Riley did have a nut allergy all his life and was always aware and vocal about it and from my understanding he had already discussed this with the team at the respite house, plus was in his medical records." An ambulance was called and Riley Brown was well enough to walk into the ambulance. "While being attended to in the ambulance and transferring to hospital it is thought at this stage that Riley went into cardiac arrest," Paula Brown said. She said the meal her son ate was taken for testing and an investigation was under way. "Staff have said there was no nuts in the food eaten." Paula Brown said the staff were "shocked and saddened" when ambulance staff returned to the facility and told them Brown had died. She had been contacted by the clinical coordinator who had offered her "heartfelt condolences" and said there would be a full review of what had happened. Staff from the facility visited Paula Brown last week, bringing back her son's car and some flowers. "They told me Riley was happy before the event on Sunday evening. He had discovered the massage chair and they said Riley was such a lovely young man." She had "no concerns whatsoever" about the care her son received, but was "devastated" by his passing. "His post-mortem so far has so far come back saying the cause of death is undetermined - but some tests are still pending." She said the week since her son's death had been "one of the hardest of my life". She had been "surrounded by love" from family and friends. "It is a devastating loss and we are all heartbroken." A spokesperson for Mental Health minister Matt Doocey confirmed he had been made aware of the incident. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Riley Brown was a "much loved only child". He attended Victory Primary School followed by Nelson Intermediate and then Nelson College. "Riley loved footy and was a staunch Manchester United Supporter. He had also, from a young age, enjoyed WWE wrestling, Hot Wheels cars and gaming. "Riley had a good group of friends, some right from kindy. They are struggling to come to terms with his sudden passing." Health New Zealand regional lead mental health and addiction Vicki Dent said the provider extended its "deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to this family for their loss". "We are working closely with the provider to support a review of the care provided, and the local teams are liaising with the family. "Health NZ reviews every serious adverse event that occurs within our services and those we contract through other providers and are committed to implementing any recommended changes to ensure we and our providers are providing safe, high-quality care for the community." As the matter was with the coroner, she said she was unable to provide additional information. A spokesperson for Mental Health minister Matt Doocey confirmed he had been made aware of the incident. "However, he is unable to comment further while this matter is being investigated, and details are being confirmed." A Coroner's Court spokesperson confirmed the case had been referred to the coroner. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Nowhere to go': Owner asks for community's help after her restaurant catches fire, closes
A Jamaican restaurant in University City is closed indefinitely after a fire significantly burned its interior. Cocoa's Jamaican Jerk was operating out of a food truck for ten years as the owner, Paula Brown, worked to open a brick-and-mortar location, she told Channel 9's Eli Brown. But on Saturday, the building caught fire, damaging much of its interior. 'It's just all gone,' Brown said. 'I'm sorry y'all. I worked hard.' The University City restaurant employed many students looking for job experience, Brown said. And much of her food went to people in need. 'When I came here, they grasped me, and they loved me, and I love them back,' she said. 'I love them back. I have so many friends here and so many associates, and that's something I've never had in my life.' READ: Hickory firefighter, 20, dies after medical emergency following overnight fire call She said she was working at Taste of Charlotte in uptown on Saturday when she got the call that a fire had started in her restaurant. The Charlotte Fire Department said the fire was accidental and likely electrical. Brand obtained surveillance footage that caught the sound of flames and the moment firefighters came running inside, but not much more. The lens was likely burned up by that point. Brown said many of the things in her restaurant that burned were handmade and some of it was sent to her from her now-deceased mother and sister. 'Coming here to Cocoa's was like coming out of my bedroom and into my living room,' she said. 'To invite people into my house and socialize and feed them and cook dinner and stuff like that. Now it's like I'm stuck in my bedroom. It's like there's nowhere to go.' She is asking for any help she can get. But she knows for sure she wants to leave behind Cocoa's as her legacy and a love letter to the city she calls home. 'I just wanted to be a part of something,' Brown said. 'In Charlotte, I felt a part of when I didn't feel a part of a lot of other things.' She told Brand that she is unsure of her next steps, but she had a big success at Taste of Charlotte, giving her some hope. Anyone who would like to help Brown and Cocoa's Jamaican Jerk can visit the Cocoa's Needs Us GoFundMe. WATCH: Hickory firefighter, 20, dies after medical emergency following overnight fire call
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
SABER Steering Committee Member Dr. Paula Brown Highlights Urgent Need for Scientific Clarity on Kratom at International Symposium
CLEVELAND, OH, May 8, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Dr. Paula Brown, a distinguished member of the Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) Steering Committee and Director of Applied Research at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, recently participated in the Fourth International Kratom Symposium, emphasizing the critical need for scientific clarity and regulatory oversight in the kratom industry. Dr. Brown, a recognized expert in natural health and food product research, addressed the complexities surrounding kratom, a botanical used traditionally in Southeast Asia and increasingly in the United States for pain relief, and increased focus to SunnySide Supplement Journal. She highlighted the confusion and misinformation in the marketplace, particularly concerning synthetic derivatives like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Dr. Brown asserted, 'Synthetic 7-OH is not kratom—it is a highly potent, unregulated chemical,' underscoring the potential public health risks associated with such products. (Read the articlehere.) The symposium, held in February, brought together leading researchers from institutions such as the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins University, and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Discussions focused on advancing scientific understanding of kratom's safety and efficacy, as well as addressing regulatory challenges. Dr. Brown emphasized the importance of distinguishing between traditional kratom products and synthetic isolates to ensure consumer safety and informed decision-making. As a member of the SABER Steering Committee, Dr. Brown continues to advocate for evidence-based policies and practices in the natural products industry. Her participation in the symposium reflects SABER's commitment to fostering scientific research and regulatory clarity in emerging sectors. About Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) The Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scientific understanding, regulation, and safe access to botanicals. Through research partnerships, policy advocacy, and public education, SABER works to ensure that natural products are studied responsibly, used safely, and regulated appropriately. To learn more, visit Media Contact Paloma Lehfeldt [email protected] ### SOURCE: Scientific Association for Botanical Education and Research (SABER) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Inflatable bowel touring Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
A large model of a bowel is being displayed to raise awareness of bowel and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance (HNYCA) said it hoped the inflatable, which is more than 6ft 6in (2m) tall and 11ft 5in (3.5m) long, would "get people talking about bowel cancer and the importance of screening".The campaign is part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which is being held in April, and will be visiting shopping centres and other community spaces in Yorkshire and Hughes, clinical director at Humber and Yorkshire Coast Bowel Cancer Screening Centre, said: "Anyone who sees the bowel is going to want to know more." Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and is responsible for the second highest number of cancer deaths. More than 16,800 people die from bowel cancer in the UK every year, HNYCA the number of people dying from the disease has been falling for several decades due to greater awareness, they cancer can affect anyone of any age. More than nine in 10 new cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, but more than 2,600 new cases are diagnosed in people aged under 50 every year. Time and dates The inflatable bowel will be at the following venues in 4 April, Scunthorpe Central Community Centre, from 11:00 to 16:00 9 April, North Point Shopping Centre, Hull, from 10:00 to 15:00Monday 14 April, Scarborough Spa, from 10:00 to 16: 29 April, Bridlington Spa, from 10:00 to 12: Hughes added: "We want to make people aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, which include changes in your poo, needing to go to the toilet to poo more or less often than what is normal for you, blood in your poo, tummy pain, losing weight without trying, and feeling really tired, for no apparent reason."Paula Brown, programme manager at the screening centre, has urged people to take a home said: "We understand people feel embarrassed to talk about poo or think about toilet matters but we would urge you to overcome this and do this painless and easy test." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
