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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Our ‘fit' dad died weeks after we got his diagnosis – his Apple Watch alerted us & a simple question could've saved him
His daughter Lucy says 'medics never connected the dots' and when Alan's diagnosis finally came, it was too late... OUR AGONY Our 'fit' dad died weeks after we got his diagnosis – his Apple Watch alerted us & a simple question could've saved him WHEN Alan Orchard nearly collapsed on a bike ride through the Lancashire hills in 2023, no one imagined he'd be dead just over a year later. But for Alan's children, David and Lucy, yet more heartbreak lies in the belief their dad could have had longer with them, or even still be here now, if just one simple question had been brought up earlier. Advertisement 9 Lucy with her dad Alan, who could've had longer with them if one simple question was asked by medics, the family believes Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 9 'Fit and healthy' Alan died four weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 9 Alan's children David and Lucy believe their dad could have been saved Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 'If the doctors had asked about dad's family history, they'd have found out his sister Judy died of pancreatic cancer 12 years before when she was 60,' David, 35, from Preston, Lancashire, tells Sun Health. 'It could have changed everything.' Advertisement Instead, it took 13 months for the retired council project manager to get a cancer diagnosis from the onset of his first symptoms. And when it finally came, it was too late - Alan died just four weeks later, aged 68. Lucy, 33, says: 'The medics never connected the dots despite the fact it felt strange because he was such a healthy person suddenly having issues. 'I find those 'what ifs' really hard to deal with now. 'Had the doctors known about his sister when investigating these sudden health issues in 2023, things may have been so different. Advertisement 'That knowledge, combined with the pre-diabetes and heart issues, should have been three massive red flags. 'We might have had a chance to explore chemo or an operation, or to go private to speed things up. 'Instead, when it did finally get diagnosed, dad's rate of decline was like going from 0 to 100 in no time at all.' I'm a doctor, NEVER ignore these pancreatic cancer symptoms Alan had lived his life by the book, alongside his loving wife Julie, 69, a retired school bursar. 'He was so fit, so healthy,' David says. 'He was cycling 20 to 30 miles four or five days a week. Advertisement 'He'd never had a day off work in his life.' In May 2023, during a regular cycle with his club, Alan felt faint. His Apple Watch showed an erratic heartbeat and Julie rushed him to A&E. Doctors discovered Alan was dehydrated and suffering from atrial fibrillation - an irregular heart rhythm. By August, blood tests flagged pre-diabetes. He was told to start taking up to 10 tablets a day. Advertisement Beauty business owner Lucy, also from Preston, says: 'He was absolutely mortified. 'He was a really proud man who, like mum, took good care of himself but he actually got quite tearful because the doctor suggested he may be eating the wrong things.' 9 Alan's Apple Watch showed an erratic heartbeat and wife Julie rushed him to A&E Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 9 If the doctors had asked about Dad's family history, they'd have found out his sister Judy died of pancreatic cancer 12 years before, David tells Sun Health Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK Alan carried on taking holidays in his beloved motor home with Julie and trying to stay active. Advertisement He became increasingly conscious of what he was eating. On May, 26, 2024, Alan saw a cardiologist for the irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillations, that were still bothering him. His heart issues remained, and he was told he'd likely need cardioversion to shock his heart back into rhythm. But the very next day, on the May Bank Holiday, he took a turn for the worse. TURN FOR THE WORSE Lucy says: 'I looked at dad that day and I just cried. He looked grey. He'd lost weight. Advertisement 'We had walked into the village that day to watch my nephew [David's son] in a parade, and I ended up having to link arms with dad and he was propping himself up on a wall as he was tired and had a pain in his upper stomach. 'I was such a daddy's girl, I became obsessive from that day on. 'I think because we were so close, I just knew he had cancer and I was terrified.' Alan returned to the GP on May 31, following the sudden decline in his health. That week, he had numerous doctor's appointments. Advertisement He was told he now had type 1 diabetes and started having to inject insulin. But alarm bells rang when blood tests showed abnormalities in his liver and pancreas. 9 Alan with his grandson George Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 9 Alan's wife Julie Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 'The GP said he suspected pancreatic cancer and was referring Dad on the two-week cancer pathway,' says David. Advertisement 'I had taken that day off and, when I heard, I Googled it on the beach while my son played. It was terrifying. 'It said he could have months - maybe a year at best so from that day on, until after he died, I chose not to look again because I wanted to remain positive and hopeful for Dad.' A day later, Alan began to notice his vision worsening. He was rushed to Lancaster Hospital by ambulance. His insulin was increased which helped with his sudden diabetes diagnosis, but over the next week, he found it increasingly hard to eat without experiencing huge discomfort. Advertisement Lucy, who had moved back into the family home, admits: 'I was obsessive, thinking I could heal him with juices. 'One of my friends made some for us and I bought a juicer. 'I'd buy all organic vegetables and fruit and leave several options for him next to a little note that said 'I love you'.' The gastro consultant confirmed pancreatic cancer and that it had spread to his liver but it was all very fast. David Alan's weight loss, pain and weakness continued. On June 10, a full-body CT scan was carried out. Advertisement A week later, a doctor called Alan to say he had looked at the scan results and found blood clots on Alan's lungs and he needed to make his way to the hospital urgently. What you need to know about pancreatic cancer AS with most cancers, the earlier you detect pancreatic cancer the better a patient's chance of survival. That's why it's so important to know the signs and symptoms, and to act and seek your GP if you're worried. Here, Nicci Murphy, a specialist nurse who staffs Pancreatic Cancer UK's Support Line, reveals what you need to know. How common is pancreatic cancer? Around 10,700 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the UK. Are there different types? There are different types of pancreatic cancer, the most common being pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which accounts for around 95 per cent of cases. However, there are other, less common types of pancreatic cancer, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs). What are the early warning signs and symptoms you should look out for? Pancreatic cancer often doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages which makes it incredibly difficult to detect. As the cancer grows, it may start to cause symptoms, but they are often vague and associated with common, less serious conditions. Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include: tummy (abdominal) and/or back pain unexplained weight loss and indigestion. Other symptoms include: loss of appetite changes to bowel habits – including steatorrhoea (pale, smelly poo that may float), diarrhoea (loose watery poo) or constipation (problems emptying your bowels) jaundice (yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, pale-coloured stools and itchy skin) recently diagnosed diabetes or sudden, uncontrolled blood sugars in diabetics problems digesting food – such as feeling full quickly when eating, bloating, burping or lots of wind feeling and being sick (nausea and vomiting) and difficulty swallowing. If a person has any of these symptoms and they don't know why they have them, they should contact their GP or call NHS 111. If they have jaundice, they need to go to their GP or A&E straight away. What's the treatment and survival rate? Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer: more than half of people die within three months of diagnosis. Research into the disease has been underfunded for decades, resulting in survival rates that have barely improved in the last 50 years – in stark contrast to other cancers. Due to the vague symptoms associated with the disease and a lack of early detection test, 80 per cent of people aren't diagnosed until after the cancer has spread, meaning they are unable to have lifesaving treatment. Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic cancer yet just 10 per cent of people are eligible for it. It was that day, on June 17, 2024 that he finally got a diagnosis. 'The gastro consultant confirmed pancreatic cancer and that it had spread to his liver but it was all very fast,' David says. 'They booked a biopsy for June 27, but Dad was already deteriorating rapidly.' Lucy, who was waiting with David in her car outside the hospital, recalls: 'I was beside myself when I saw them both. Advertisement 'They were walking slowly towards the car clearly distressed and Mum said, 'it's not good.' 'They could barely speak because of the emotion of it all and then dad just gave me a massive hug and we were all just crying. It's something I'll never, ever get over.' Alan grew sicker by the day. He suffered violent hiccups, caused by the tumour blocking his duodenum - part of the small intestine. His first oncology appointment was set for July 9. 'It felt like everything was too slow,' David says. Advertisement 'Every day matters with this type of cancer. It's one of the most aggressive out there. We kept being told there were processes to follow. But it felt like no one was in a rush.' Alan suddenly took a serious turn. 9 Alan suffered violent hiccups, caused by the tumour blocking his duodenum - part of the small intestine Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK 9 You can't turn a blind eye to any symptoms, says Lucy Credit: Joel Goodman/Pancreatic Cancer UK Because he was so dehydrated, medics gave him an IV drip, not realising at this point his tumour had caused a blockage. Advertisement When Alan returned home, he started being violently sick because of all the fluids he'd been given, and his hiccups were so severe, Lucy says, 'it was like he was fitting'. After returning to hospital, on July 15, in agonising pain doctors fitted a stent to unblock his duodenum, in the hope that if it was successful he could begin chemotherapy. The next day, it was the Euro Cup final which will forever remain a bittersweet memory for David. David says: 'England were playing Spain, and I watched it with Dad in hospital but it was a very surreal experience for me because I was driving through my town watching people going to the pub to watch it but I was going to hospital to watch it with my dad, who was dying.' The stent operation appeared to go well. Advertisement 'He came out of theatre with a smile and a thumbs up and said, 'I'm ready for the chemo now,'' David remembers. But just like his sister Judy, Alan deteriorated within days. Lucy says: 'The last few hours, when dad was in hospital, were just awful because he was in so much pain he couldn't even speak. 'I was just holding his hand and saying 'Dad, just picture yourself on your bike, and you're going to get a massive 99 ice-cream' because that's what he loved.' FINAL HOURS Finally, after the help from his sister-in-law, Alan was taken to the hospice to see out his final hours in peace with Julie, David and Lucy by his side. Advertisement He died in the early hours of July 18, just nine hours after arriving at the hospice. 'It was peaceful. The hospice staff were incredible,' David says. 'Absolutely nothing can prepare you for the loss of a parent,' Lucy says. 'Every day you wake up and it hits you, like, 'oh my gosh, did that actually happen?'.' David, who runs a cheese export business, says doctors need better training to ask about simple risk factors. Advertisement 'A year earlier, if they'd looked at Dad's family history, if they'd joined the dots - it could've been a totally different outcome,' he says. The siblings are now backing calls for more investment in early detection, including a breath test in development, that could flag pancreatic cancer in its early, silent stages. Absolutely nothing can prepare you for the loss of a parent. Lucy 'If you catch it early, there are more options - like being able to operate, chemotherapy, and survival rates change dramatically,' David says. 'But once it's late, it's too aggressive. Dad never stood a chance. 'We were told things had changed since Auntie Judy died. But with pancreatic cancer, nothing has changed.' Advertisement 'You can't turn a blind eye to any symptoms,' Lucy adds. 'Detecting pancreatic cancer is so difficult and there's just not enough awareness about it. 'We're coming up to the first of everything. I know the first anniversary will be difficult. 'But I will always remember dad as the most incredible, caring person who was so much fun. 'We were so lucky to have him.'
Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I thought my bum pain was from rollerblading - diagnosis was a shock'
A runner has humorously expressed his desire for a Kim Kardashian-like derrière after his cancer diagnosis led to pioneering reconstructive surgery on his backside. Carpenter Andy Spary, 39, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, initially brushed off severe pain in his rear as a common ailment before the devastating revelation of stage three bowel cancer meant he had to have "a big chunk of his bum" surgically removed. Yet, even with the prospect of a significant operation ahead, Andy and his wife Amy, 35, are able to find some humour in the situation, anticipating an improved contour post-op thanks to surgeons' clever use of surrounding tissue to rebuild his buttock. Not one to rest, former rollerblader Andy is already making grand plans to conquer the London Marathon next year, seeing it as a pivotal part of his rehabilitation and a way to raise funds for Trekstok, a charity that supports young individuals battling cancer. "The diagnosis was a shock and it took a few weeks to really sink in," Andy shared. "I had a feeling something wasn't right but you never expect to hear news like that.", reports the Mirror. Andy quipped: "My wife has been joking that we should get a catalogue to choose from. I joked that it should be a voluptuous number which might be good for bouncing off when I fall on my skates – Kim Kardashian's name got thrown around a lot." Andy's battle with health complications began back in March 2024 when he found himself dashing to A&E at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, stricken with an agonising burn in his left buttock – initially shrugged off as a result of his skating endeavours. Following an MRI and biopsy procedures, it was discovered that Andy had developed a tumour branching out from his colon – landing him with a stage three bowel cancer diagnosis on June 14, 2024. His pre-existing condition of Crohn's disease, notorious for ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract and spurring on abnormal cell growth, was linked to this new ailment. "They class it as colon cancer but the tumour has branched off of my colon in my buttocks area and is spreading," Andy detailed. "We're focusing on the positives, which helps, taking it that it's treatable and I can beat it." Come July 8, Andy faced surgery to fit a stoma, side-lining the malign portion in readiness for chemo and radiotherapy sessions beginning two months afterward. The cancer, however, proved stubborn, not subsiding as much as hoped and leading to a secondary surgical attempt on May 21 to eradicate the cancer while preserving the stoma. "In an ideal world, if the treatment completely destroyed the tumour then the stoma could be reversed," he observed. "But realistically I think this is rare and if they could've shrunk the tumour down as much as possible it meant they wouldn't have to take out as big of a chunk of my bum. The plan was always to have surgery and end up with a stoma bag for life." On May 21, the medical team successfully removed the remaining part of Andy's colon, which included the residual tumour. This was followed by a plastic surgeon performing laparoscopic elape surgery to repair his pelvic floor and reconstruct his posterior with tissue from nearby areas. Andy remarked: "One surgeon removes the tumour and then the plastic surgeon patches everything up. New bum, new me, all good." The operation also offers the potential advantage of reducing his Crohn's disease symptoms, as it entails excising much of the impacted region. As an avid rollerblader, Andy is no stranger to hospital stays due to frequent admissions, and he acknowledges his familiarity with surgical procedures. He attributes his resilience in both physical and mental health to running, sharing that he would fit in runs around his biweekly chemotherapy treatments when he felt strong enough. His resolve has spurred him on to aim for the 2026 London Marathon, running for Trekstok, a charity that supports young adults living with cancer. His GoFundMe campaign has already collected over €4,000. "During my process battling this, I feel I've been incredibly fortunate to have had my wife and my parents to support me," Andy expressed. He understands that not everyone has such backing, underscoring the importance of Trekstok in helping young individuals who are suddenly faced with illness and lack a support network. Andy is utterly gobsmacked by the incredible support shown through GoFundMe, as donations have soared to €3,000 in under a week and continue to rise. Andy said: "I've been blown away by the GoFundMe support, making £2,500 in under a week and it's still going. If I could make £10,000, that would be unbelievable." Currently recuperating in hospital after his operation, Andy is keen to be discharged by May's end. He faces a tough journey to regain his ability to walk via physiotherapy, with aspirations to get back into marathon training before the year is out. He's managed to sit up and take tentative steps following surgery. Andy shared that although doctors are hopeful about the outcome, a scan after a month is needed to confirm whether he's truly cancer-free. "Keeping fit and healthy has been my best weapon," Andy revealed. "Having the goal of running my first marathon next year – stoma bag and all – is my motivation to stay positive and keep going. After this process, I'll be back on my feet, stronger and fitter with no more Crohn's and no more cancer, sorted."
The Independent
10 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
A father-of-two assumed tingling in his hands was pins and needles. One week later, he was paralysed
A father-of-two who assumed a tingling sensation in his hands was just pins and needles woke up paralysed a few days later – and couldn't even close his eyes for weeks. Luke Pickering, a mechanic from Nottingham, went to work as normal when he first noticed the strange sensation in his hands. The next day it had progressed to his toes and despite trying to carry on as normal, he soon took a turn for the worse. 'I was carrying my eldest down the stairs and I just felt weak, and I thought I was going to drop him,' Mr Pickering told the Independent. He insisted that he was still able to go to work but his partner Alix, 31, realised he wasn't well and took him to A&E where he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) – a rare condition where the immune system begins to attack the nervous system. From that moment in November 2023, Mr Pickering did not return home for another 94 days. 'I thought I'd be coming back out soon, but as the week progressed, I just got weaker and weaker. I went from using crutches to being put into a full hoist. I couldn't do anything for myself,' he said. 'I was paralysed from the head down. Even my face was paralysed so I had to sleep with my eyes open for three weeks.' Normally triggered by a virus infection, the condition usually causes tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in the arms and legs first before the symptoms spread to other parts of the body, causing muscle weakness. However, Mr Pickering did not recall having any colds, fevers or stomach bugs before his symptoms hit. The condition, which affects around 1,300 people in the UK a year, is treated through immunotherapy including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange. Mr Pickering had IVIG, but his condition continued to deteriorate so doctors decided to transfer him to the Intensive Care Unit at NUH's City Hospital. 'I could feel myself getting worse. I prepared myself to say my goodbyes to my family, but I wasn't willing to say it. I just said 'see you later,'' he added. Mr Pickering was visited by his partner, their two-year-old son and their newborn baby every day and was determined to get better for them. He said: 'I was really hard on myself at the time, but the only way I was going to be happy was by getting home. I was determined to get out and walk again.' The third round of IVIG and a blood plasma transfusion worked allowing Mr Pickering to start recovery at the Linden Lodge rehabilitation unit in Nottingham just before Christmas. There he had speech and language therapy and learnt how to walk again. Recalling feeling 'terrified' to stand and walk again, he said: 'I knew my body wasn't ready for it, but you just have to keep doing it.' Eventually in February 2024, Mr Pickering learnt to walk again and now a year after coming home, he is living an almost normal life again, including being back fixing cars and tractors in his job as a mechanic. Although he still can't feel his toes, Mr Pickering said he is grateful for the treatment he received. However, the small risk of his condition relapsing still hangs over him. 'If I wake up in the middle of the night with pins and needles, that's it. I'm awake all night because I think it's happening again,' he explained. Following his recovery Mr Pickering has also become a patient ambassador for the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), a brand new 70-bed rehab facility. In his voluntary ambassador role, Mr Pickering will support other patients going through similar rehabilitation. Talking about his role at the centre, he said: 'I just wanted to give back. When I was going through it, I wanted someone with a positive outcome to just talk to.'
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
'Doctors said my daughter had anxiety - but what she had was my worst nightmare'
Skye was later diagnosed with cancer. A mum has told how she suffered every parent's worst nightmare - as the pain in her daughter's side turned out to be cancer. Christina Harris took Skye to their GP when she complained of the sharp pain, which was accompanied by a fever and breathlessness that came out of nowhere. And the 46-year-old said that medics told her initially that her 10-year-old was actually suffering from anxiety. But Christina knew that it was unlike her 'bubbly and active' daughter and that there was more to it. But she was not prepared for what was about to come after acting on her mother's instinct and taking her to A&E a few days later. Christina, of Essex, told The Mirror: "Sometimes you just have to go with your instincts when you know something is wrong". Determined to know what was causing her daughter to be in pain, doctors then did several scans, including an X-ray and noticed shadowing on Skye's ribcage. "They initially thought it may be an infection or something and gave her some antibiotics to clear it up," Christina recalled. "I hoped this was the case, and we went home with antibiotics." But after a few days, and still unsure, Christina rushed her daughter back to A&E after Skye had another temperature in the middle of the night. She knew deep down her daughter wasn't getting any better. "You just go into a pilot mode, I was blocking out any type of negative thoughts I was having, and just wanted what was best for my daughter." During this visit, doctors then found Skye's lungs full of mucus. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, which was the reason for her excruciating pain. And after further investigation and more blood tests, it turned out to be something much worse. On December 7, 2021, the keen dancer was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a rare type of blood cancer and was blue-lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital to begin her chemotherapy treatment. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. She said: "I knew something wasn't right, she kept complaining of this pain, even in her sleep, it wasn't normal". But after a few days, and still unsure, Christina rushed her daughter back to A&E after Skye had another temperature in the middle of the night, and she knew deep down her daughter wasn't getting any better. The Mirror reports she said: "It was scary when they told me she had pneumonia. Obviously I did not anticipate what was to come. It's every parent's worst nightmare." Christina, a mother of two, sadly lost her job as an estate agent because she needed to support her daughter and became a full-time carer. Her son Marley, 13 at the time, was able to spend time at his dad's house more frequently as Christina cared for Skye. She said: "You just know deep down when something isn't right, but I never thought it would be that Skye had leukaemia, you just have to go with your instincts in these moments and I am so glad I did. "When we got the news, I just went into flight mode and I couldn't think of anything other than the fact my daughter had cancer. I cried so much when we got to Great Ormond Street, but in a strange way, I finally felt safe. I was just so pleased that they had found out what was wrong." Skye then spent 11 days in Great Ormond Street, where she began her chemotherapy treatment. "We were at Great Ormond Street multiple times a week, as well as appointments at our local hospital too. She was having such aggressive chemotherapy which went on for six months. I had to also make sure I was keeping an eye on her temperature, as if it went to 38 degrees I'd need to rush her to hospital. I knew when she wasn't right." Skye was put on strong antibiotics every time she had a high fever due to her weakened immune system and was having chemotherapy given in multiple ways, including into her thigh, as well as into her spine. She added: "This type of leukaemia is one of the longest cancer treatments for children and it made Skye really poorly." Skye finished her treatment after a year, and then moved on to maintenance chemotherapy, designed to help keep cancer from coming back after it has disappeared following the initial therapy. While she felt extremely unwell during her treatment, Skye said she enjoyed going to Great Ormond Street as she had become friends with all of the doctors and nurses. She was also treated to takeaways and feasted on food when she felt up to it. Skye said: "I wasn't at school and I wasn't making any friends so it was hard, but I got to know all of the nurses and they were really nice to me. It wasn't a nice experience but I managed to find some joys in between. "My mum let me have any kind of food I wanted so we would always get a Nando's or a Pizza Express. This type of leukaemia is one of the longest cancer treatments for children and it made Skye really poorly." Skye finished her treatment after a year, and then moved on to maintenance chemotherapy, designed to help keep cancer from coming back after it has disappeared initially. Recalling the time spent in hospital, Chrisina said it was "horrendous" and detailed: "It was really hard. You never want this for anyone, let alone your own children and it was really difficult. I think you just sort of switch off from everything else and just go into this type of pilot mode. "You have to give her everything she needs and I got to a point where I had this diary where I'd tick off hour by hour which medication I was giving her. She needed certain medications at exact times so it was a lot to do - I was basically a nurse looking after her. I was trying to just block out any negative thoughts and just focus on giving her what she needed. "The first nine months, when she was having the most intensive part of the treatment, we couldn't leave the house and the only people that could come in were the nurses. My parents live in Denmark so I was doing it all alone, and my son Marley had to get dropped at his dad's a lot of the time, especially when Skye needed to be rushed into hospital quickly." Skye was finally able to ring the bell on March 30 last year and has been in remission since. She also celebrated with an end of treatment party, something she had been looking forward to for the past three years." Now 13, Skye is doing really well and says she wants to be a nutritionist at GOSH. She said: "I really want to be a nutritionist, my time in treatment has really inspired me to help others like the way the doctors and nurses have helped me. GOSH Charity is currently raising £300m to build a new Children's Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street, which will help thousands of children like Skye. Skye and her mum Christina say the new centre will be "amazing" for patients like her.
Dublin Live
a day ago
- General
- Dublin Live
Night-time welfare zone to be launched in Dublin city centre
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A permanent welfare zone designed to help people on nights out in Dublin city is expected to launch in the coming weeks. The scheme was piloted over the Christmas period to help those who required assistance while out socialising in the city. The new "Help Zone" hub is expected to launch at the end of next month. A mobile help vehicle will be stationed around various busy locations in the city centre, offering medical care, welfare services, and general support to those in need during high-risk hours. The service operates with a dedicated team including medics, security officers, welfare officers, and a site operator. Speaking on Newstalk, Dublin's night-time economy advisor, Ray O'Donoghue, said: "Hopefully that will be up and running again in the next couple of weeks." "It should hopefully deter anti-social behaviour and just give people somewhere to go as opposed to A&E or the Garda station and so on," he added. The initiative was piloted by Dublin City Council and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
