Latest news with #VCS
Leader Live
2 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
Wrexham man urges others to volunteer for ambulance service
John Mackie, 56, from Rossett, volunteers with the Volunteer Car Service, transporting patients to and from hospital appointments in his own vehicle. He said: "I can honestly say it's one of the best things I have ever done, and it really is a rewarding role as I get to help people who are going through a very difficult time, just like my father was. 'It's so flexible and I can easily fit it in around my other hobbies and interests. "I give three days a week to being a VCS driver and I would encourage other people who have the spare time and a vehicle to consider becoming a volunteer." Mr Mackie, originally from Glasgow, spent 32 years working for frozen food retailer Iceland and was on the company's board of directors before taking early retirement. He said he was inspired to volunteer after supporting his father through cancer treatment. He said: "It all started for me after my father was diagnosed with cancer and I was taking him to and from the hospital for appointments and treatment. "I could see other patients in the waiting room who were waiting to be taken home and after seeing a post on social media about the VCS, it all fell into place, and I applied immediately." The Volunteer Car Service is one of several key roles supported by the Welsh Ambulance Service, which is celebrating the contribution of nearly 700 volunteers across Wales as part of Volunteers' Week. These include community first responders, community welfare responders, and volunteer car service drivers. Lee Brooks, executive director of operations, said: "Volunteers are an essential part of the Welsh Ambulance Service. "Their commitment and generosity directly impact thousands of patients every year, and we simply couldn't do what we do without them. "Volunteers' Week is a wonderful chance to recognise their incredible efforts, to celebrate the time and energy they selflessly give, and to thank them publicly for their continued support of their local communities." Community First Responders (CFRs) are trained to attend 999 calls and deliver life-saving first aid before an ambulance arrives. In 2024/25 alone, CFRs responded to more than 10,841 emergencies across Wales. Community Welfare Responders (CWRs) attend incidents that are not immediately life-threatening, providing live observations to control rooms so that patients can be monitored remotely by clinicians. CWRs recorded 1,045 attendances in the past year. The Volunteer Car Service supports patients attending regular medical appointments, including renal dialysis and oncology. Last year, VCS drivers completed 45,557 journeys and covered a total of 1,426,165 miles. Read more: Wrexham charity celebrates CEO's invitation to Buckingham Palace Wrexham baker receives award for 'outstanding contribution' to Welsh food industry Gareth Parry, operations manager for volunteering and community resilience, said: "Our fantastic volunteers play a vital role in supporting the trust, offering their time, skills, and compassion to strengthen patient care. "Their dedication ensures our service continues to provide the highest level of support to communities. "In return, they take on a challenging and highly rewarding role, becoming a vital part of #TeamWAST, while making a meaningful difference in people's lives." For more information on volunteering for the Welsh Ambulance Service, visit: Volunteer For Us - Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
‘793 victims of crimes deprived of compensations owing to lack of funding by State government'
Nearly 800 victims of crimes, including minor girls and female victims of sexual offences, have been waiting for compensation for the past two years as the State government has failed to release adequate funds to the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), which has the statutory power to disburse the compensation to eligible victims. As per data of the KSLSA, a total of around ₹30 crore is required to pay 793 victims of crime, who were found eligible to receive compensation as per provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). How much is required Of these 793 persons, 209 were found eligible for compensation during 2023-24 and 584 during 2024-25. As per the data, a total of around ₹8 crore is required to pay for 209 victims and ₹22 crore is needed to pay 584 persons, based on the assessment of compensation to which the victims or their family members are entitled to. As per the data, around 400 persons are likely to be added to the list of eligible victims for compensation in 2025-26, as there are about 890 cases before district legal services authorities that attract compensation when the cases are disposed of. The total amount required is around ₹40 to 45 crore, including around ₹30 crore required to clear those waiting for compensation since 2023. Duty of govt. The provisions of the CrPC and the BNSS vest a statutory duty on the State governments to release sufficient funds under the victims' compensation scheme (VCS), and the High Court of Karnataka, in a PIL petition filed in 2017 by People's Movement Against Sexual Assault, had given directions to the government to release funds to the KSLSA under VCS.
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Northway Biotech Launches Full-Service Viral Clearance Studies, Delivering Results Faster Than Industry Standards
With six newly established, identical BSL-2 laboratories now operational, biologics CDMO Northway Biotech can conduct VCS programs for up to six clients simultaneously, significantly alleviating current market bottlenecks VILNIUS, LT / ACCESS Newswire / May 5, 2025 / Northway Biotech, a biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced the expansion of its protein-based and gene therapy service offerings with the addition of Viral Clearance Studies (VCS) capabilities. This strategic growth follows the opening of Northway Biotech's new Gene Therapy Center with dedicated cGMP facilities for virus-related projects. With six newly established, identical BSL-2 laboratories now operational, Northway Biotech can conduct VCS programs for up to six clients simultaneously, significantly alleviating current market bottlenecks. Additionally, the company has expanded its capabilities to perform GMP-compliant manufacturing and testing under BSL-3 conditions, further strengthening its service offering across gene therapy and broader biologics development. Viral Clearance Studies are now offered both as part of Northway Biotech's integrated CDMO programs and as a standalone service. This flexibility allows external clients to access VCS expertise independently, without requiring a manufacturing agreement. Accelerated Delivery Timelines - Over One Month Faster Than Industry Leveraging expanded infrastructure and integrated analytical capabilities, Northway Biotech is positioned to deliver Viral Clearance Studies substantially faster than the current industry standard. Comprehensive studies, assessing viral removal and inactivation, can now be completed with final regulatory-compliant reporting in under 10 weeks from initiation of project design when two model viruses are employed, and within 12 weeks when four model viruses are used. "Our expansion into Viral Clearance Studies is a natural extension of our CDMO services, enabling us to manage these critical studies in-house and significantly reduce project timelines for our clients," said Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, CEO of Northway Biotech. "By investing in state-of-the-art BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities, expanding technical capabilities, and further strengthening our scientific teams, we are uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality VCS data faster - a key advantage for clients advancing through clinical development and regulatory approval." For more information on Northway Biotech's Viral Clearance Study processes, service offerings, and delivery timelines, please complete the contact form to connect with the Northway Biotech team. About Northway Biotech - Northway Biotech is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) supporting customers worldwide. Its highly experienced and professional team executes projects at every stage, from cell line construction and process development to cGMP manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products. The company's extensive expertise and vertically integrated service offering enables rapid execution of multiple projects from its state-of-the-art GMP facilities while ensuring full process and product compliance at all stages of research, development, and commercial manufacturing. Northway Biotech is a privately owned company founded in 2004 and operates locations in Vilnius, Lithuania; London, United Kingdom; and Waltham, MA, USA. Media & Business Contact: bd@ Prof. Vladas Algirdas BumelisCEO and Chairman of the BoardNorthway SOURCE: Northway Biotech press release
Business Wire
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Alcon Elevates Vitreoretinal and Cataract Surgery for Superior Efficiency* with UNITY VCS and UNITY CS
GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced the launch of the UNITY ® Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS) and UNITY ® Cataract System (CS). The new, versatile platform offers two configurations, a combined console (VCS) as well as a standalone cataract system (CS). This platform is designed to deliver superior efficiency for vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, while enabling exceptional outcomes for patients. 2,4-6,* The systems feature many first-to-market technologies designed to deliver transformative surgical innovation for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, including UNITY 4D Phaco, HYPERVIT ® 30K and the advanced UNITY Intelligent Fluidics system. 1,4-7 With UNITY VCS/CS, surgeons can operate at more physiologic conditions without compromising efficiency. 1 Surgeons will have the opportunity for hands on experience with UNITY VCS/CS during the 2025 American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting (ASCRS, Los Angeles, April 25-28) at the Alcon Booth (#1815). 'Alcon has a long legacy of advancing phaco and vitreoretinal technology for surgical ophthalmology. With UNITY VCS/CS, we are introducing more than a dozen innovations designed to transform surgical outcomes while delivering significant efficiencies for surgery centers across the globe,' said David Endicott, CEO of Alcon. 'This tremendous accomplishment could not have been achieved without those who participated in the development process, including the surgeons who have been evaluating the machines in their practices over the last year. We are excited to start shipping inventory next month so more practices can experience this extraordinary innovation.' The combination vitreoretinal and cataract system intelligently transforms vitreoretinal and cataract surgery with significant innovation. With the introduction of UNITY Intelligent Fluidics, a unique pressure and flow control technology with real-time sensing, surgeons can expect surgical stability and efficiency at each step of the procedure. 1 Significant advancements in instrumentation for vitreoretinal surgery include: UNITY 27 Gauge Portfolio: Instrumentation that through breakthrough design and the inclusion of the Dynamic Stiffener technology, surpasses the limitations of traditional 27-gauge tools, delivering the stiffness of a 25-gauge system or better, in a smaller gauge. 6 UNITY TetraSpot: A multi-spot illuminated laser probe that reduces laser application time by up to three times, enabling surgeons to deliver one, two, or four simultaneous laser spots for greater procedural versatility. 5,‡ UNITY Illumination: Reduces blue light exposure to the eye and includes customizable light profiles for excellent tissue visualization, while providing up to 10,000 hours of reliability. 1,8 'UNITY VCS has truly revolutionized the way I can perform during vitreoretinal surgeries,' said Maria H. Berrocal, MD, CEO, Drs. Berrocal & Associates. 'During my approximately 130 cases with this new technology, I saw efficiencies across surgery types. The unique fluidics control together with the faster cutting speeds have certainly been a game-changer, as well as the 27 gauge portfolio—taking the instrumentation to the next level with stiffness and performance similar to 25 gauge—all delivering stability and efficiency throughout the procedure.' The UNITY VCS/CS system is designed to allow cataract surgeons to operate with increased stability and efficiency at more physiologic conditions through its Intelligent Fluidics functionality. 1 This new technology maintains a consistent level of intraocular pressure (IOP) ∞ to help support patient comfort during surgery, while allowing for higher average vacuum during lens removal. 1 Other surgical performance enhancements include: UNITY Intelligent Sentry: Maintains anterior chamber stability while improving upon CENTURION ® Vision System with ACTIVE SENTRY ®, reducing post-occlusion surge volumes by 44%. 9,* UNITY Thermal Sentry: The first phacoemulsification handpiece that features a thermal sensor that works with a proprietary algorithm to estimate incision temperature in real-time and regulate ultrasound power. 1 'I perform thousands of cataract surgeries each year and UNITY VCS/CS has streamlined my surgical procedures while enabling us to consistently deliver exceptional patient outcomes,' said John Berdahl, MD. 'The UNITY 4D phaco technology in particular has been impressive—breaking up even large, dense cataracts efficiently, while maintaining more physiologic IOP throughout the surgery. Beyond the device performance, it expedites our surgical workflow and introduces significant usability improvements—which the entire team greatly appreciates.' UNITY VCS/CS is the first product to become available from Alcon's UNITY portfolio of next-generation surgical equipment solutions. UNITY VCS/CS users can benefit from Intelligent Services Solutions, including select remote service offerings and predictive service capabilities to minimize downtime. UNITY VCS has received CE Mark, and regulatory approvals in Australia, Japan and the U.S. Inventory will begin shipping to Australia, Europe, Japan and the U.S. from May onwards; and to other markets in third quarter of 2025 pending regulatory approvals. Surgeons attending the ASCRS annual meeting can demo the UNITY VCS/CS platform at Alcon Booth #1815. For more information, please visit or speak to your Alcon Sales Representative. About Alcon Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people's lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at About UNITY ® VCS/CS Indications / Intended Use: The UNITY ® VCS (Vitreoretinal Cataract System) console, when used with compatible devices, is indicated for use during anterior segment (i.e. phacoemulsification and removal of cataracts) and posterior segment (i.e. vitreoretinal) ophthalmic surgery. In addition, with the optional laser this system is indicated for photocoagulation (i.e. vitreoretinal and macular pathologies), iridotomy and trabeculoplasty procedures. The UNITY ® CS (Cataract System) console, when used with compatible devices, is indicated for use during anterior segment (i.e. phacoemulsification and removal of cataracts) ophthalmic surgery. Refer to the Directions for Use for the accessories/consumables and User Manual for a complete listing of indications, warnings, cautions and notes. * Based on bench data; reduction in surge is correlated to less change in anterior chamber depth. † Based on N=10 handpieces, Artificial cataract lens IOP 55mmhg vacuum of 450 mmHg. ‡ Multiple-spot laser probe (4) is 3 times faster than single-spot laser probe. ∞ Mean fluctuation at flow vs. setpoint of 2.36 ± 2.13, 4.19 ± 1.97, 1.84 ± 2.82, and 2.13 ± 2.86 mmHg during phacoemulsification, irrigation/aspiration (IA), vitrectomy, and extrusion/fragmentation, respectively. References UNITY™ VCS and CS User Manual. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24644] Irannejad A, Tambat S, Abulon DJK. Retropulsion and Mass flow of 27-gauge Vitrectomy Probes: Comparison of Dual-blade/flat-tipped probes and single-blade/beveled probes. 2021. Poster presentation. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24379] Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24615] Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24576] Unity Phaco Handpiece Directions for Use. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24760] Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-25562] Connect with us on Facebook LinkedIn
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SCS Verifies First Agriculture Land Management Carbon Offset Project in Africa Under Verra's Improved Agricultural Land Management (VM0042) Methodology
EMERYVILLE, Calif., March 20, 2025 /3BL/ - SCS Global Services (SCS), an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, is excited to announce that Verra has approved validation and verification for a project in Africa using Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Methodology VM0042 Improved Agricultural Land Management. This project, a pioneering carbon farming initiative, is the first of its kind to achieve Verra certification under this new methodology in South Africa and demonstrates Africa's increasing commitment to regenerative agriculture to fight climate change through carbon credits. Conducted by SCS' Greenhouse Gas Carbon Offset Verification Team, this is only the second project to have received verification approval resulting in credits since the methodology's release in October 2020. Achieving approval under this standard is rare due to the complexity of this type of assessment. Verra's VM0042 methodology focuses on the quantification of greenhouse gas emission reductions and removals through the implementation of improved agricultural land management (IALM) practices. Such practices may include improved fertilizer application, improved water management, reduced tillage, cover crop planting, and improved grazing management. Quantification approaches may be based on a combination of soil sampling and biogeochemical modelling. The CNG AgriCarbon Rewards Programme Project (Verra Project 2554) was developed by Anthesis Group (formerly Climate Neutral Group) and has generated 39,207 Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) which were verified by SCS and registered under Verra's VCS Program earlier this week. The CNG Agricarbon Rewards Programme supports the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices on 17,581.74 hectares in South Africa. Practice changes implemented by participating farmers include improved application of organic and synthetic fertilizer, reduced tillage and/or improved residue management, and improved crop planting and harvesting across the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape provinces. 'The SCS Greenhouse Gas Carbon Offset Verification Team is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking project,' said Christie Pollet-Young, Vice President of SCS Global Services' Climate Division. 'Our involvement in this critically important initiative is exactly why we do what we do—help organizations to demonstrate their commitment to innovative practices that promote conservation efforts beneficial to their ecosystem and communities.' Franz Rentel, Managing Director of Anthesis South Africa, says, 'We are incredibly grateful to SCS Global Services for their support in verifying the AgriCarbon programme. Achieving validation and verification under Verra's VM0042 methodology is a significant milestone, and the expertise and dedication of the SCS team were instrumental in achieving this. Their rigorous assessments and commitment to high standards have helped ensure the credibility and impact of this pioneering initiative. This achievement reinforces the potential of regenerative agriculture to drive meaningful climate action, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in scaling sustainable farming solutions across Africa.'' SCS' team of scientists and auditors have extensive expertise with the Verified Carbon Standard as well as soil science and agronomy. Leveraging this expertise, SCS is currently conducting validation and verification assessments for several additional VM0042 projects across three continents – Europe, North America, and Africa. About Anthesis: With world-class expertise in science-based advisory, market-leading digital solutions, the development of high-quality carbon removal projects and purpose consulting, strategy, and communications, Anthesis is uniquely positioned to manage risk and find value for our clients on their transformation journeys. Anthesis supports over 4,000 clients across all industry sectors, including multinationals such as Reckitt, Cisco. Tesco, Nestlé, and Target. The company brings together 1,400 experts guiding clients in 80 countries around the world, with offices in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US. For more information, visit About SCS Global Services: SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit
