Latest news with #SavingLives
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Race Across the World, The 355 and The Devil's Plan
Champions League Live RTÉ2, 7.30pm Arsenal travel to Parc des Princes to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final second-leg match, with both teams aiming to lift the trophy for the first time in their respective histories. How to Cook Well in Morocco RTÉ One, 8.30pm Despite a late arrival in Marrakech for Rory O'Connell, there's still plenty to see, including the hawkers and traders setting up to sell their produce at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city's main square. Saving Lives in Cardiff BBC Two, 9pm The squeamish should probably look away when neurosurgery consultant George Eralil delves deep into the brain of a 65-year-old with one of medicine's most painful conditions — trigeminal neuralgia, which causes excruciating facial pain. Race Across the World BBC One, 9pm Can the five pairings find Shangri-La? It certainly isn't easy to get to thanks to its remote position clinging to the edge of a Tibetan plateau near the Himalayan foothills. Formerly married couple Yin and Gaz hope their journey will be quick — they're now 44 hours behind the leaders. The 355 RTÉ One, 9.35pm Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger and Lupita Nyong'o head the cast of an espionage thriller focusing on an all-female group of agents who are hunting for a top-secret weapon that has fallen into the wrong hands. However, a mysterious woman is keeping a very close eye on their activities... ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Untold: Shooting Guards Netflix, streaming now We're getting treated to our annual dose of Untold a little bit earlier this year. Usually released in the autumn, the always revelatory and expertly shot documentary series continues to chronicle the untold aspects of some of sport's darkest stories. With three all-new films releasing weekly across May 6, 13, and 20, this new series kicks off with an anatomy of former Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton. Their collective claim to fame is jarring the world of basketball by drawing guns on each other in their NBA locker room in 2009. Through raw first-hand accounts, Arenas and Crittenton unpack the events that had a life-altering impact on both men, which ultimately led Crittenton down a dark and tragic path. Keeping with sporting releases, season two of Full Speed lands today, chronicling all the drama surrounding the 2024 NASCAR championship. The Devil's Plan: Death Room Netflix, streaming now Prepare to be amazed, enraged, and very confused at certain junctures as a clutch of new contenders convene for a new battle of minds (and those all-important pieces). From a poker pro to the mandatory 'Go' legend, to a Hollywood actor and another lawyer, who will triumph through this season's endless challenges? Star Wars: Tales Of The Underworld Disney+, streaming now Where else would you be getting yet more unsolicited Star Wars-related viewing? This time it's animated and features the tribulations of bounty hunter Asajj Ventress and outlaw Cad Bane over six episodes. The Handmaid's Tale Prime Video, streaming now While I still can't bring myself to watch it, for those of you fully immersed in the 'fictional' realm of Gilead, the sixth and final season is now available. The Four Seasons Netflix, streaming now Three couples — Kate (Tina Fey) and Jack (Will Forte), Nick (Steve Carell) and Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), plus Danny (Colman Domingo) and Claude (Marco Calvani) — face serious introspection when one of the couples announces their split. For more saccharine aspirational viewing, Prime Video has released Another Simple Favour, starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. Arriving in 1960s New York armed with his guitar, 19-year-old Bob Dylan (portrayed by Timothée Chalamet's impressive jawline) is set to revolutionise American music. Angi: Fake Life, True Crime Netflix, streaming now In 2008, the remains of 35-year-old designer Ana Páez were discovered in Barcelona. Dubbed 'The Almost Perfect Crime', this documentary revisits the case and explores the dark past of María Ángeles Molina ('Angi') and her late husband. In other European offerings, the final instalment of Lost Bullet arrives Wednesday, while AppleTV+ is now offering pastry, espionage, and Bridgerton levels of fornication in Carême.
Wales Online
21-04-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Welsh teacher who felt 'hideous' tells surgeon 'don't blame yourself' after risky facial surgery
Welsh teacher who felt 'hideous' tells surgeon 'don't blame yourself' after risky facial surgery Ceri was very emotional after her life-altering operation on BBC's Saving Lives in Cardiff (Image: BBC ) BBC show Saving Lives in Cardiff tells the true stories of staff and patients at the University Hospital of Wales in the Welsh capital. One 59-year-old former primary school teacher, Ceri, was very emotional after her life-altering facial surgery and told her surgeon "I don't want you to feel bad". Ceri has a rare neurological condition which frequently causes one side of her face to suddenly and involuntarily go into spasm and contract. She first suffered symptoms of the condition, called hemifacial spasm, while working as a primary school teacher. The spasms can be painful, have severely impacted her confidence and mental health and meant giving up a job she loved. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Ceri admitted that she struggled to leave the house since the spasms started again, having already had one operation five years ago. Talking from her garden, Ceri said: "For the last five years I've probably spent half my life out here. I just want to hide, all the time. I just, I feel hideous. It takes away my confidence, it's taken me away as a person. I feel like an empty shell at times." Article continues below Ceri knew that the operation to hopefully help the spasms did not come without risks, having slightly lost some of her hearing in the first operation. Speaking about it, she said: "Whereas people have life-threatening conditions, to me this a life-limiting condition... to have this surgery is going to give me my life back... I know the risks and I'm prepared to take those risks. "If I don't give it a shot, then I'll never know. At least I can say that I've tried and you've done your best and to me, that means a lot." Doctor George Eralil, who operated on Ceri, detailed the risks before the surgery and said: "Each of these risks can be life-changing in itself, should they happen. Whether it be hearing loss or whether it is facial paralysis or whether it's a stroke, there are so many things." After the surgery, Ceri became deaf in her right ear and the right side of her face was paralysed. She also had a small stroke that was provoked during surgery, which caused the hearing loss and paralysis. Doctor George described these effects as "disappointing" and Ceri became emotional when Doctor George explained what happened. Ceri underwent a risky surgery on Saving Lives in Cardiff (Image: BBC ) Hearing that she had had a stroke, Ceri revealed that she knew the risks. Talking to Doctor George, she said: "I was aware of that... to me the hearing is secondary, I don't want you to feel bad. "I am eternally grateful for you taking this chance." before hugging Doctor George. Talking about Ceri's reaction, Doctor George said: "I was expecting her to be more pessimistic but this is an amazing woman. Article continues below "She's come through quite a lot, I was not expecting that response at all. That goes to show the kind of metal that she is made of and I think that is what will get her through." Saving Lives in Cardiff continues on BBC One Wales at 9pm on Monday, April 21.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Women offered jabs in HIV prevention trial
A six-monthly injection to reduce the risk of HIV transmission is being offered to sexually active women in parts of England as part of a new clinical study. The study will be carried out in France and the UK, with centres in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Brighton. The trial will offer participants a new, twice-yearly injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medicine called Lenacapivir. PrEP is currently offered on the NHS as a daily tablet which, if taken correctly, significantly reduces the risk of HIV in people likely to be exposed to the virus. Dr Steve Taylor, a principal investigator for the Purpose 5 trial and Clinical Service Lead for the Birmingham Heartlands HIV service, said: "These injectable PrEP technologies have the potential to transform HIV prevention efforts in the UK and the wider world". He said that in Africa, the Purpose 1 Trial was 100% effective with none of the 2,134 women given Lenacapavir becoming HIV positive. Dr Taylor added: "Its aim is to determine whether the injections provide additional benefit as an HIV prevention strategy, and would be an attractive and acceptable option for women." Women are being invited to take part as they are far less likely to take PrEP tablets to reduce their HIV risk. Government figures found that 75% of men who have sex with men, who were identified as having a need for PrEP by NHS sexual health services in England, had started or continued to take it in 2023. Fewer than 4% of all PrEP prescriptions in the UK are for women. However, women who have sex with men now account for the highest proportion of new HIV diagnoses in England. This group accounted for 46% of all new HIV transmissions through sex in England in 2023. Men who have sex with men accounted for 28%, and men who have sex with women 26% Eligible participants in the study receive either a daily pill or the new six-monthly injection. The trial will last a minimum of two years and will require around four clinic visits a year. Dan Hartland, chief executive of West Midlands HIV support charity Saving Lives, said: "Injectable, long-acting PrEP is a major advance in the field of HIV prevention, particularly for women. If we are to achieve the government target to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030, we need a combination approach of testing, treatment and preventative tools." Dr Taylor asked women interested in participating in the Birmingham trial to email the team before the end of April. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Annual jab for HIV protection passes trial hurdle Preventative HIV drug highly effective, study says Sussex launches new online HIV medication service Birmingham Heartlands HIV Service Saving Lives Purpose Studies
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Women offered jabs in HIV prevention trial
A six-monthly injection to reduce the risk of HIV transmission is being offered to sexually active women in parts of England as part of a new clinical study will be carried out in France and the UK, with centres in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Brighton. The trial will offer participants a new, twice-yearly injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medicine called Lenacapivir. PrEP is currently offered on the NHS as a daily tablet which, if taken correctly, significantly reduces the risk of HIV in people likely to be exposed to the virus. Dr Steve Taylor, a principal investigator for the Purpose 5 trial and Clinical Service Lead for the Birmingham Heartlands HIV service, said: "These injectable PrEP technologies have the potential to transform HIV prevention efforts in the UK and the wider world".He said that in Africa, the Purpose 1 Trial was 100% effective with none of the 2,134 women given Lenacapavir becoming HIV positive. Dr Taylor added: "Its aim is to determine whether the injections provide additional benefit as an HIV prevention strategy, and would be an attractive and acceptable option for women." Women are being invited to take part as they are far less likely to take PrEP tablets to reduce their HIV risk. Government figures found that 75% of men who have sex with men, who were identified as having a need for PrEP by NHS sexual health services in England, had started or continued to take it in 2023. Fewer than 4% of all PrEP prescriptions in the UK are for women. However, women who have sex with men now account for the highest proportion of new HIV diagnoses in England. This group accounted for 46% of all new HIV transmissions through sex in England in 2023. Men who have sex with men accounted for 28%, and men who have sex with women 26%Eligible participants in the study receive either a daily pill or the new six-monthly injection. The trial will last a minimum of two years and will require around four clinic visits a year. Dan Hartland, chief executive of West Midlands HIV support charity Saving Lives, said: "Injectable, long-acting PrEP is a major advance in the field of HIV prevention, particularly for women. If we are to achieve the government target to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030, we need a combination approach of testing, treatment and preventative tools."Dr Taylor asked women interested in participating in the Birmingham trial to email the team before the end of April. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Telegraph
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Saving Lives in Cardiff, review: however familiar the format, it's impossible not to be moved
It seems we're suckers for Saving Lives. We've been at Sea, we've stalked hospital corridors in Leeds, and now it's back to Saving Lives in Cardiff (BBC Two) for a second look at surgeons doing seemingly impossible things. Impossible things that make writing reviews about their jaw-dropping efforts question my life choices. Then again, the chances of me being able to sit for eight hours manoeuvring a delicate joystick in order to robotically remove a life-threatening tumour from behind the nose of a jolly ex-copper called Terry are next to zero. Thankfully for us, the likes of Prof Stuart Quine, the man in charge of said joystick, are wired differently. We know the score with the Saving Lives strand by now. Filmed at Cardiff and Vale University hospital, patients with tricky (that's putting it mildly) conditions check in, a mixture of hope and fear in their eyes, to put their lives in the hands of the surgeons they trust to put their lives back on track. Yet, however familiar the format, it's impossible not to be moved by the stories which unfold before our eyes. Aside from the almost impossibly chipper Terry, we also met Courtney, who, at 27 and hoping to start a family, had been diagnosed with Chiari malformation, a condition where the brain is too big for the skull. You're right, this is where things turned squeamish. Though the sequences aren't overdone, Saving Lives does feature up-close and bloody operation shots that are not for the faint-hearted. Watching a surgeon painstakingly pick their way through the pulsing scarlet inner workings of a brain is a stiff test of anyone's queasometer. Of course, no show set in a UK hospital in 2025 can sidestep the issues facing the NHS. And while the problem of ever-growing waiting lists is not front and centre, it's there all the same, with captions of escalating numbers, the implication that surgeons are having to choose which lives to save lurks like a spectre at the feast. Still, rather like Noel Fitzpatrick's Supervet series, you can tell that the producers strive to steer towards the stories that have upbeat outcomes, however much jeopardy is injected into the story arcs of the cases we follow. But gird those loins because my guess is that future episodes may feature tears for sorrow as well as joy. Because, well, life is like that.
