Latest news with #StrepA
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Mum of Chesterfield boy, 3, who died of sepsis criticises 'chaotic' hospital care
The mother of a three-year-old boy who died from Sepsis has told the inquest into his death that he was not given antibiotics early enough and doctors failed to recognise the condition. Oscar Neillings died at Chesterfield Royal Hospital on 8 November 2023 after contracting a Strep A infection. At the inquest into his death at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Wednesday, jurors were told Oscar developed a cold about a week before his death from which he never recovered. As his symptoms worsened, his parents called 111 twice in the days leading up to his death and he was given appointments with two separate out-of-hours GPs. Both doctors said he had a viral infection and did not think he needed to be referred to hospital, the court was told. Oscar continued to deteriorate, suffering from abdominal pain, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. On the morning of 8 November he had a GP appointment in the morning, where an ambulance was called and he was taken to Chesterfield Royal Hospital. He died there at 5.24pm after suffering a cardiac arrest. Giving evidence to the inquest, Oscar's mother Stephanie Neilling paid tribute to her son, saying he was "so full of life, I think that's why its so hard to believe he's gone." She said: "His personality was infectious. He had confidence I could only dream of." Ms Neillings also criticised the care he had been given, both by the second out-of-hours GP and at the hospital. She said she thought something should had been done after the second appointment, telling the court: 'It's madness how he was sent home diagnosed with a viral infection but obviously in pain.' She said at the hospital no-one recognised that Oscar had sepsis and described the care he received as "chaotic" with a lack of communication and leadership. Ms Neillings told the court: "It was so unorganised - I didn't know what was going on." She added: "There was a lack of leadership – no-one took control throughout the day. He didn't get the antibiotics when he needed them, they missed their timescales for that." Doctors who cared for Oscar, both before and during his time in hospital, are due to give evidence to the inquest. It is expected to last until Friday 23 May.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
What's next for kids' health in Australia?
At a lab bench in Western Australia, researchers are working on a vaccine that could save millions of lives. Another team is working hard to find less toxic and better treatments for children's cancer, and simultaneously, work on therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance and reduce the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in young babies is underway. These scenes are part of the everyday mission at The Kids Research Institute Australia, where research is transformed into real-world solutions. Now, with a bold new ten-year strategy, 'Research Reimagined', the Institute is setting its sights even higher. For 35 years, The Kids (formerly Telethon Kids Institute) has been at the forefront of children's health research, tackling the most pressing health and wellbeing challenges facing young people. Its latest strategy signals a pivotal shift, not just in what it aims to achieve, but how it intends to achieve it. 'We want to establish a pipeline of breakthrough discoveries,' Executive Director of The Kids Research Institute Professor Jonathan Carapetis said. 'But we want to do this in true partnership with our community, our corporate and philanthropic supporters, government and industry.' The ambition is clear: bold science, global impact, and a commitment to solving the biggest problems for kids and families. The work happening inside the Institute's labs is extraordinary and broad ranging, but it doesn't stop at medicine. The Institute is deeply engaged in the everyday realities of children's lives. 'Our researchers are also using science and data to help inform governments and service providers on policies and programs,' Professor Carapetis said. 'This includes using evidence from our research to develop best practice programs for physical activity for children under four, and to illustrate the impact of skipping breakfast on kids' school results.' These findings go beyond data to become actionable programs and policy, helping to shape healthier futures for children across Australia and around the world. Though headquartered in Perth, The Kids Research Institute is a national and global leader. 'We're known for major public health wins, like reducing neural tube defects by introducing folate into bread or creating the roadmap to eliminate rheumatic heart disease in Australia,' Professor Carapetis said. 'And we're leading the world in accelerating vaccines for Strep A.' WA's collaborative health and research landscape, along with strong community support through initiatives like Telethon, is ideal for this kind of innovation. It's no coincidence that some of the most significant advances in children's health are being spearheaded right here. Crucially, Research Reimagined puts equity front and centre. 'While our vision is for all kids to be happy and healthy, it is our duty to ensure that those who have the poorest outcomes receive proportionately more benefits from research,' Professor Carapetis said. That includes a strong focus on Indigenous child health. The Institute aims to become the world's leading Indigenous child health research organisation, a goal built on deep, sustained partnerships with First Nations communities. 'We believe these partnerships provide pathways to improved outcomes for kids not just in Australia, but globally.' At its heart, The Kids is powered by a single purpose: giving every child the chance to live a full, healthy life. With Research Reimagined, that mission has entered a new era, where scientific excellence meets social responsibility, and where WA remains at the forefront of a global movement. The Kids Research Institute Australia is about giving children the best possible chance to grow, thrive, and enjoy life. And with every discovery, they're turning that vision into reality, one child at a time. To find out more, visit the website .
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Light AI Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio with Two New European Patents
Light AI's European patent has been validated in the UK and Spain with utility patents covering 17 European countries To date, Light AI's technology has been issued five US and global patents pertaining to the image processing of Streptococcal infection in Pharyngitis VANCOUVER, BC, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Light AI Inc. (" Light AI" or the " Company") (CBOE CA: ALGO) (FSE: 0HC) (OTCQB: OHCFF), a healthcare technology company focused on developing artificial intelligence ("AI") health diagnostic and wellness solutions, today announced that it has expanded its patent portfolio with the addition of two new European based patents pertaining to the Company's proprietary technology; one European patent validated in the UK and Spain with another utility patent covering 17 European countries. Light AI's proprietary technology platform is an app-based solution and is core to the advancement of patient management, as it requires no swabs, lab tests, or propriety hardware of any kind. The platform's cloud-based architecture enables access from smart devices such as smartphones and tablets commonly available in medical practices. The platform, which is part of a suite of health and diagnostic wellness offerings, is designed to apply assistive AI algorithms to smartphone images, starting with oropharynx images to identify Strep A in seconds. The long-term vision is for the platform to identify a wide range of throat, eye skin and other medical conditions through the Company's AI oriented platform. "Securing these patents marks a pivotal step in our global expansion strategy and helps pave the way for our commercialization launch in Europe," says Peter Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer of Light AI. "As demand for advanced medical technologies and newer solutions continues to rise across European - and global healthcare systems - these patents not only strengthen our IP portfolio, but also position us to deliver innovative solutions at scale in one of the world's most regulated and high-potential markets in future. We are building an IP moat to fortify Light AI's first mover advantage in this space." Light AI's technology has been issued three US patents, three European patent and one Australian patent to date pertaining to the image processing of Streptococcal infection in Pharyngitis Subjects as follows: United States Patent number: 11,369,318 Patent number: 11,602,312 Patent number: 12,148,150 Australia Patent number: 2019357949 European Union Patent number: 3864669 About Light AI Inc. (CBOE CA: ALGO / FSE: 0HC / OTCQB: OHCFF) Light AI Inc. is a technology company focused on developing artificial intelligence health diagnostic solutions. Light AI is developing a technology platform which represents the next generation of patient management: it applies AI algorithms to smartphone images—starting with images of Strep A and anticipated expansion with COVID19 along with other medical conditions —to identify the disease in seconds. Its patented, app-based solution requires no swabs, lab tests or proprietary hardware of any kind—its hardware platform is the 4.5 billion smartphones that exist in the world today. Light AI is at the forefront of developing innovative diagnostic solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery worldwide. Their cutting-edge AI powered technology offers rapid, accurate, and cost-effective diagnostic tools designed to address critical healthcare challenges. In pre-FDA validation studies, Light AI's algorithm demonstrated remarkable accuracy in differentiating between viral and bacterial pharyngitis, specifically targeting Group A Streptococcus (GAS). The algorithm achieved a 96.57% accuracy rate and attained a Negative Predictive Value of 100%, indicating its high reliability in confirming the absence of Streptococcus A infection. Viral and GAS pharyngitis affects over 600 million people annually worldwide. If left untreated, GAS pharyngitis can lead to serious complications such as Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), which imposes a global economic burden exceeding $1 trillion annually. Light AI's technology offers a significant advancement in the accurate and timely diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis, potentially reducing the incidence of RHD and its associated costs. Light AI's approach to applying AI to smartphone images can be expanded to other throat conditions, as well as other areas of analysis, such as the human eye and skin. Light AI's vision is to combine the smartphone with AI in-the-Cloud to create a Digital Clinical Lab that provides quick and accessible diagnosis for countless conditions that today require expensive and time-consuming imaging or lab processes. Light AI's commercial launch of its consumer-facing Wellness App initial offering is anticipated to be available in North America in Q3 2025. ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY For more information, please contact the Company at [email protected] or visit Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes information, statements, beliefs and opinions which are forward-looking, and which reflect current estimates, expectations and projections about future events, including, but not limited to, the Company's research and development and commercialization initiatives, the anticipated inflection of the business, the Company's patent and intellectual property portfolio and other statements that contain words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "should," "seek," "anticipate," "will," "intend," "positioned," "risk," "plan," "may," "estimate" or, in each case, their negative and words of similar meaning. By its nature, forward-looking information involves a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome of the plans and events described herein. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which is based on the information available as of the date of this news release. For a list of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company's annual information form dated April 14, 2025 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under its SEDAR+ profile at
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘Beautiful' girl, 3, died hours after mum took her home from ‘third-world country' hospital on doctor's advice
The busy hospital waiting room was full of crying children MUM'S HEARTACHE 'Beautiful' girl, 3, died hours after mum took her home from 'third-world country' hospital on doctor's advice A TODDLER died hours after returning home from a busy hospital where doctors said she just had a "typical viral rash". Three-year-old Penny Stevens and her mother Jemma Graham were told she was probably suffering from a virus, but she actually had Strep A. 3 Three-year-old Penny Stevens died hours after returning home Credit: Solent 3 Little Penny is pictured with her brother Charlie Credit: Solent Jemma said the hospital was "chaos" and overwhelmingly busy, with a nurse comparing it to a "third world country". This came after an alert about the bacterial infection, causing floods of concerned parents to come in. A triage nurse and a doctor told Jemma her daughter likely had a virus, so she took "exhausted" Penny home, Portmouth News reported. But an inquest heard that Penny didn't get any better, and her worried mother phoned 999 the next morning. The ambulance took four hours to arrive, and the toddler sadly died when she got to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. Grieving mother Jemma told the Winchester inquest she will "die with regret" that she took Penny to the busy St Richard's Hospital. Penny had suffered with a cough and temperature for three days when her mother took her to hospital on December 3, 2022. Jemma said: "I have never seen a waiting room so busy and noisy that I was taken aback. The room got busier and and louder." Strep A symptoms Strep A is a type of bacteria and most infections are mild and easily treated - but some are much more serious. Common symptoms of strep A include: flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body sore throat (strep throat or tonsillitis) a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever) scabs and sores (impetigo) pain and swelling (cellulitis) severe muscle aches nausea and vomiting Strep A infections are more common in children, but adults can also sometimes get them. Most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics. But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS). She said there was nowhere to sit and children were crying in their parents' arms. The nurse told her "the rash is just a typical viral rash". Jemma told the inquest she "can't forgive those that should have helped us". The nurse who saw Penny told the inquest of the "immense" pressure on staff that day. She said they were "utterly blindsided" by the sheer amount of patients. The nurse said this was due to a 'media alert' about Strep A which prompted 'worried' parents to visit. Dr Maggie Davies, the chief nurse at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are so sorry for the heartbreak suffered by Penny's family, and the terrible loss they have endured. "As the inquest has heard, December 2022 was an extraordinary period with unprecedented numbers of poorly children needing care. "We will give the coroner all the support we can throughout the inquest process, and continue to improve and strengthen patient care whenever we can." The inquest continues.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
‘Beautiful' girl, 3, died hours after mum took her home from ‘third-world country' hospital on doctor's advice
A TODDLER died hours after returning home from a busy hospital where doctors said she just had a "typical viral rash". Three-year-old Penny Stevens and her mother Jemma Graham were told she was probably suffering from a virus, but she actually had Strep A. 3 3 Jemma said the hospital was "chaos" and overwhelmingly busy, with a nurse comparing it to a "third world country". This came after an alert about the bacterial infection, causing floods of concerned parents to come in. A triage nurse and a doctor told Jemma her daughter likely had a virus, so she took "exhausted" Penny home, Portmouth News reported. But an inquest heard that Penny didn't get any better, and her worried mother phoned 999 the next morning. The ambulance took four hours to arrive, and the toddler sadly died when she got to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. Grieving mother Jemma told the Winchester inquest she will "die with regret" that she took Penny to the busy St Richard's Hospital. Penny had suffered with a cough and temperature for three days when her mother took her to hospital on December 3, 2022. Jemma said: " I have never seen a waiting room so busy and noisy that I was taken aback. The room got busier and and louder." Strep A symptoms Strep A is a type of bacteria and most infections are mild and easily treated - but some are much more serious. Common symptoms of strep A include: flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, swollen glands or an aching body sore throat (strep throat or tonsillitis) a rash that feels rough, like sandpaper (scarlet fever) scabs and sores (impetigo) pain and swelling (cellulitis) severe muscle aches nausea and vomiting Strep A infections are more common in children, but adults can also sometimes get them. Most strep A infections are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics. But rarely, the infection can cause serious problems. This is called invasive group A strep (iGAS). She said there was nowhere to sit and children were crying in their parents' arms. The nurse told her "the rash is just a typical viral rash". Jemma told the inquest she "can't forgive those that should have helped us". The nurse who saw Penny told the inquest of the"immense" pressure on staff that day. She said they were "utterly blindsided" by the sheer amount of patients. The nurse said this was due to a 'media alert' about Strep A which prompted 'worried' parents to visit. Dr Maggie Davies, the chief nurse at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are so sorry for the heartbreak suffered by Penny's family, and the terrible loss they have endured. "As the inquest has heard, December 2022 was an extraordinary period with unprecedented numbers of poorly children needing care. "We will give the coroner all the support we can throughout the inquest process, and continue to improve and strengthen patient care whenever we can." The inquest continues. 3
