Connect with us

Published

on

Free blood pressure monitors are to be given to more than 200,000 people in a bid to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

The NHS will make 220,000 devices available to people who have been diagnosed with uncontrolled high blood pressure to enable them to carry out checks at home.

More than 65,000 people have already received a monitor, which work similarly to those used in GP practices.

Patients wrap the small machine around their upper arm to measure their blood pressure reading.

They can then send the reading to their GP to review by telephone, email, or through a digital remote monitoring platform.

The rollout is part of the NHS Long Term Plan and is estimated to prevent 2,200 heart attacks and almost 3,300 strokes over the next five years.

One of the plan’s ambitions is to prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes, and dementia cases over the next decade.

More on Nhs

One patient, 68-year-old David, from Darlington, was left feeling “very anxious” after having a mini-stoke in January, when his blood pressure was very high.

He recently received a machine from his GP surgery, which he said has given him “a sense of relief”.

He said: “After discussion with the GP, I feel I understand my blood pressure better and feel happy I can monitor it at home and send it to the GP without going across town.”

NHS national director for cardiovascular disease prevention, Dr Shahed Ahmad said the initiative is a “really important step” and will “provide GPs with more data than ever to deliver first-rate care”.

The NHS advises all adults over the age of 40 to have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years, with every NHS pharmacy in England now able to provide the checks.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is given as two figures.

The ideal blood pressure, according to the NHS website, is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

Continue Reading

UK

Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

Published

on

By

Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in Woolwich, southeast London

A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, in southeast London.

Police were called around 2.30pm to reports of a stabbing on a bus on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

A boy who police said had received stab wounds was treated by paramedics, but he died at the scene shortly after they arrived.

Officers have launched an investigation into the incident.

No arrests have been made so far but police are appealing for witnesses of the incident on the 472 bus.

Read more from Sky News:
Several NHS trusts declare critical incidents
Prison officer filmed having sex with inmate jailed
At least 126 killed after earthquake near holy city

A cordon and road closures were in place as of shortly before 5pm.

Continue Reading

UK

Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over ‘exceptionally high’ demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

Published

on

By

Liverpool hospital declares critical incident over 'exceptionally high' demand on A&E amid rising flu cases

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high” demand on A&E and patients being admitted to wards.

The hospital said there had been a spike in people with flu and respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks.

The number of people in England’s hospital with flu quadrupled in the last month, according to NHS data.

A spokesperson for the hospital said it had a “comprehensive plan in place” and was “taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances”.

“We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity,” they added.

The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.

People whose case isn’t an emergency are being asked to see their GP, pharmacy or walk-in centre – or call the 111 service for advice.

More on Liverpool

The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is in the city centre and is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire.

Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.

It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows it to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.

It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.

A critical incident was also declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.

It said it had seen almost four times as many inpatients compared with last year and urged people with flu to avoid going to A&E.

Read more from Sky News:
England cricket chiefs reject call for boycott of Afghanistan game

Plaza says death of filmmaker husband ‘unimaginable tragedy’

There have been warnings this winter of a so-called “quad-demic”– with flu, vomiting bug norovirus, COVID and RSV circulating at the same time.

The NHS provides vaccinations against three of the four; flu, COVID-19 and RSV (a common cause of chest infection in babies).

Continue Reading

UK

Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

Published

on

By

Zendaya and Tom Holland engagement rumours swirl after Golden Globes

Zendaya and Tom Holland are rumoured to be engaged after the 28-year-old actress appeared at the Golden Globes wearing a massive diamond ring on her left ring finger.

They met after working together on 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and confirmed their relationship in 2021.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Zendaya and Holland for comment.

Zendaya and Tom Holland pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ''Spider-Man: No Way Home''.
Pic:Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya and Tom Holland pose for photographers at the photo call for the film ”Spider-Man: No Way Home”. Pic: Invision/AP

Zendaya chatted to journalists on the Globes red carpet, where she was nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in the romantic sports drama Challengers.

Despite being pipped to the prize by Demi Moore, who won for her role in body horror The Substance, there was plenty of buzz around Zendaya’s large diamond ring, which was clearly visible throughout the show.

A Los Angeles Times reporter appeared to ask Zendaya about it, holding up her own engagement ring and pointing to it. Zendaya responded by showing her left-hand ring.

Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes.
Pic: Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes. Pic: Invision/AP

The reporter then asked if the actor was engaged and “she kept showing her ring, smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders mysteriously”.

More on Tom Holland

Holland, who is also 28, wasn’t at Sunday’s Globes.

Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes.
Pic:Invision/AP
Image:
Zendaya arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes. Pic: Invision/AP

Zendaya wore an orange Louis Vuitton ball gown, and diamond jewellery from Bulgari – for which she’s an ambassador – on the Globes red carpet.

But while the Dune star’s other jewellery items were listed in a press release, there was no mention of the ring on her left finger.

Zendaya, who rose to fame after her breakout role in Disney sitcom Shake It Up, became a household star after starring in Euphoria.

Tom Holland, who is the son of British actor/comedian Dominic Holland, won a role in Billy Elliot The Musical as a child, and has gone on to achieve global fame playing Spider-Man in six Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.

Continue Reading

Trending