Latest news with #Randox
Glasgow Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
New diabetes testing pilot launched by NHS Lanarkshire
NHS Lanarkshire is launching the patient-centred scheme to help people living with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes monitor their condition without needing to visit a clinic. Participants will use a specialist kit to collect a small blood sample at home and return it by freepost for analysis. Dr Isabel Howat, consultant physician for diabetes at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "We are thrilled to be part of this significant step forward in modernising diabetes care. "This new initiative will allow patients at risk of type 2 diabetes, who choose to take part, to be tested for diabetes without having to attend a clinic appointment. "Patients will also be able to feedback as to how they found it, which will be very important in helping us develop the service." The project, delivered in partnership with diagnostics company Randox and the NHS West of Scotland Innovation Hub, will initially be offered to patients using NHS Lanarkshire's Weight Management Service. READ MORE: Glasgow dad's tragic death after 'routine drug' reaction following hip replacement David Ferguson, chief operations officer at Randox, said: "Current estimates suggest that 10% of type 2 diabetes cases are undiagnosed, highlighting the need for an initiative such as this. "Our aim was to develop a solution that can deliver sustainable and accessible at-home testing through the development and distribution of self-collection blood sample kits, that patients can easily use. "We're excited to roll this out in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire to improve health outcomes through innovative, patient-friendly technology." Once analysed by Randox, results will be shared with patients and their GPs to support ongoing care and treatment. Ela Fergusson, industry collaboration project manager, NHS West of Scotland Innovation Hub, said: "Enabling patients to manage aspects of their health from home while staying connected to the relevant care, aims to enhance their overall experience. "I'd like to thank all involved including NHS Lanarkshire's Weight Management Service and Randox alongside NHS National Services Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire Research, Development and Innovation and NHS Lanarkshire Digital Services. "This forward-thinking project, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, is a great example of collaboration in response to the growing need for more flexible healthcare."
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Commissioners OK $93K grant application from coroner's office
POTTSVILLE — Schuylkill County Commissioners have approved the coroner's request to submit a $93,000 grant application for a machine that would dramatically reduce the cost and wait time for toxicology tests. The coroner's office is hoping to get money from the Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program to pay for a Randox Multistat Toxicology Machine, according to Deputy Coroner Albert T. Barnes. Barnes told commissioners that if he obtains the $93,000 grant for the Randox machine, it will reduce wait time to get toxicology results. Typically, local officials wait six to eight weeks for results from NMS Labs in Horsham, Montgomery County. With the new machine, results could be ready in two hours and costs reduced by 80%, according to Barnes. The deadline to apply for the grant is late April. A timeframe on when they might receive an answer was not provided. 'I just think it's the way to go to save the money for the county,' Barnes said. Speeding up the time will aid police officers in their investigations and save money for the coroner's office, Barnes said. For example, sending out a tissue test to the crime lab costs $496, but doing it using the Randox machine costs $40, he said. Three staff members will be trained to use the machine, he said. Commissioner Gary Hess asked if the results can be used in court. Barnes responded that several other coroners' offices have used the results from the machine in court proceedings. In other business, County Administrator Gary Bender said the the county is seeking to apply to the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $20,000 grant to replace 30 deteriorated park benches at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park. The Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association will pay for the 15% required match, Bender said. Also, commissioners recognized April as duck month in the county. County Commissioner Larry Padora encouraged everyone to buy a rubber duck for $5 to support Avenues, with proceeds benefiting people with disabilities. The 37th Annual Duck Race is set for 3:32 p.m. April 27 at the Coal Creek Commerce Center, Saint Clair. Ducks will float down Mill Creek .Festivities run from noon to 5 p.m. featuring food trucks, vendors and entertainment. Commissioners also proclaimed April Donate Life Month, which encourages everyone to become an organ donor.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Paterson's links to Covid test supplier ‘not a conflict', Bethell tells inquiry
Ex-MP Owen Paterson's involvement with a company awarded a contract to supply millions of Covid tests was not a conflict of interest, a former minister told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Randox was awarded a contract by the Department of Health and Social Care to supply around 2.7 million tests over a 12-week period in March 2020. Mr Paterson quit as an MP in 2021 after he was found to have breached rules on paid advocacy when he lobbied ministers on behalf of Randox. Former health minister Lord Bethell told the Covid inquiry that he was not sure when he became aware of Mr Paterson's involvement with Randox but said it 'wasn't a secret' as it was published in his register of interests. 'I think that if someone has put something in their register of interest and are utterly transparent about it, then it doesn't qualify as a conflict of interest,' he said. Lord Bethell, whose role at the time involved overseeing the testing programme, said he authorised civil servants to start contract negotiations with Randox on March 24. He called Randox the 'standout candidate for working in the diagnostic area' and said the public attention over the lobbying scandal had 'demonised' the company. He said: 'I think that the attention around Randox has been highly politically motivated. I think it's a great shame that a British company has been demonised in that fashion, other British companies will take that lesson and be extremely reluctant to step up to the challenge in the future. And I think that it's a great shame what's happened to a good company.' He was asked if he could suggest any measures to ensure that public confidence in the procurement process is not lost in future. 'We were falling over ourselves to be as transparent and clear-cut and working within the regulations as possible,' he said. 'Everyone knew that there was going to be an inquiry from the very beginning… We knew that we were going to be sitting in a chair like this, answering questions like this.' He said the Government was 'incredibly thorough' in taking advice from officials and 'extremely cautious about everything we did.' 'And in our handling of Randox, I think that that.. couldn't have been a better example,' he added. Lord Bethell was also asked about an email from Matt Hancock from June 2020 asking him to speak to Alex Bourne, who he called a 'very impressive guy'. The then-health secretary Mr Hancock later faced questions about his involvement in helping Mr Bourne, the former landlord of his local pub, to obtain a multimillion-pound contract to supply test tubes for NHS Covid-19 testing. Lord Bethell said the email was 'not actually a pitch for work' and that he had 'no idea' whether it led to any contract being awarded to Alpha Laboratories or Mr Bourne's company, Hinpack.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Foley woman arrested in connection to fentanyl overdose death: BCSO
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — A Foley woman was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a fentanyl overdose death, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. Some Washington County residents evacuated after gas tank catches fire According to a BCSO news release, 33-year-old Samantha Sheehan has been arrested and is accused of manslaughter. The release said deputies were called to a report of a death in an unincorporated area of Foley on Jan. 3. When deputies arrived, they found what they believed to be drugs and drug paraphernalia inside the home, according to the release. Officials said the Baldwin County Drug Task Force and the Baldwin County Coroner's Office were called to help with the investigation. 'The Coroner's Office conducted drug testing using the Randox machine and it was presumptively determined that a fatal level of fentanyl was present in the decedent's system,' read the release. BCSO officials said they used 'digital forensics' to figure out that Sheehan had sold 3.5 grams of fentanyl to the victim. BCDTF members signed a warrant for Sheehan's arrest, and she was taken into custody on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Dauphin Island man dies after two-vehicle crash Sheehan allegedly told officials that she took part in providing fentanyl to the victim. She is being held in the Baldwin County Jail without bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
