Latest news with #RoyalCornwallHospitalsTrust
ITV News
23-07-2025
- ITV News
Cornish surgeon who had legs amputated accused of falsely claiming he had sepsis
A vascular surgeon from Truro who carried out hundreds of amputation operations before having his own legs removed has been charged with fraud. Neil Hopper, 49, who worked for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust for 10 years until 2023, claimed his leg injuries were the result of sepsis. He has also been charged with encouraging someone else to remove the body parts of others. Hopper is due before Magistrates in Bodmin on Wednesday accused of two counts of fraud by false representation, and a charge of encouraging or assisting in the commission of an indictable-only offence, namely grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that on dates between June 3 and June 26 2019, Hopper dishonestly made a false representation to insurers claiming that his leg injuries were the 'result of sepsis and were not self-inflicted'. It is also alleged that between 21 August 2018 and 4 December 2020, Hopper bought videos from The EunuchMaker website showing the removal of limbs, which 'encouraged Marius Gustavson to remove body parts of third parties'. Hopper has not worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust since March 2023. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service's interim orders tribunal placed restrictions on his practice the following month while the General Medical Council investigated, and he has been suspended from the medical register since December 2023. A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said: 'The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, where Mr Hopper has been employed, has worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police throughout the investigation.' A hospital trust spokesman added: 'The charges do not relate to Mr Hopper's professional conduct and there has been no evidence to suggest any risk to patients. 'Mr Hopper worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals from 2013 until he was suspended from duty in March 2023, following his initial arrest.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Clinical research van reaching rural communities
A specially-designed van is visiting rural parts of Cornwall to make it easier for people in "underserved and remote" areas to take part in clinical research. The Mobile Research Unit (MRU) is part of a pilot project exploring how bespoke vehicles can improve clinical trial accessibility and efficiency. The unit is part of a clinical trial called NOVA 301 investigating the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine for norovirus. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) is one of 39 trusts in the country taking part. Bianca Mills, head of research and development at RCHT, said the MRU was a "transformative step in overcoming geographical barriers to clinical research in Cornwall". She said it was "a vital step towards reducing health inequalities, improving patient outcomes and positioning Cornwall as a leader in accessible, community-driven research." The trial has recruited about 3,000 participants nationally, with 30 of those from Cornwall. The MRU is going to visit areas including Penzance and Hayle, where research participation has historically been low. The van features a "high-quality clinical space" with an "ultra-low temperature freezer to store biological samples". The project is a collaboration between the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway, pharmaceutical company Moderna and EMS Healthcare. Professor Andrew Ustianowski, interim executive director at the NIHR Research Delivery Network, said: "The team at RCHT has a strong track record of delivering commercial research and ensuring that local populations have opportunities to participate. "We look forward to seeing how this pilot, which includes mobile units in Cornwall and Blackpool, improves the participant experience and expands access to research." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Trust awarded £3.5m to establish research centre Woman's hopes for brain tumours breakthrough Silent nurse call bells on trial in baby ward NIHR RCHT
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Clinical research van reaching rural communities in Cornwall
A specially-designed van is visiting rural parts of Cornwall to make it easier for people in "underserved and remote" areas to take part in clinical Mobile Research Unit (MRU) is part of a pilot project exploring how bespoke vehicles can improve clinical trial accessibility and unit is part of a clinical trial called NOVA 301 investigating the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine for norovirus. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) is one of 39 trusts in the country taking Mills, head of research and development at RCHT, said the MRU was a "transformative step in overcoming geographical barriers to clinical research in Cornwall". She said it was "a vital step towards reducing health inequalities, improving patient outcomes and positioning Cornwall as a leader in accessible, community-driven research."The trial has recruited about 3,000 participants nationally, with 30 of those from MRU is going to visit areas including Penzance and Hayle, where research participation has historically been van features a "high-quality clinical space" with an "ultra-low temperature freezer to store biological samples". The project is a collaboration between the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway, pharmaceutical company Moderna and EMS Andrew Ustianowski, interim executive director at the NIHR Research Delivery Network, said: "The team at RCHT has a strong track record of delivering commercial research and ensuring that local populations have opportunities to participate. "We look forward to seeing how this pilot, which includes mobile units in Cornwall and Blackpool, improves the participant experience and expands access to research."
