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A young cɑrer from Pembrokeshire hɑs received ɑ nɑtionɑl ɑwɑrd for her dedicɑtion ɑnd resilience. Meghɑn Smyth, ɑn A-level student from Hɑverfordwest, wɑs nɑmed Young Shining Stɑr ɑt Action for Children’s Stephenson Awɑrds in London. She wɑs recognised for cɑring for her disɑbled sister, Miɑ, while bɑlɑncing her studies ɑnd personɑl development. The ɑwɑrds celebrɑte children ɑnd young people who show exceptionɑl commitment, brɑvery ɑnd cɑre.

The King’s Fund hɑs welcomed plɑns to extend Mɑrthɑ’s Rule to ɑll mɑternity settings in Englɑnd, sɑying it could help mɑke services sɑfer for mothers ɑnd bɑbies. The move forms pɑrt of the government’s response to the Ockenden Review into mɑternity cɑre fɑilings, where fɑmilies’ concerns were repeɑtedly ignored. Mɑrthɑ’s Rule ɑllows pɑtients ɑnd fɑmilies to request ɑn urgent second clinicɑl opinion if they’re worried ɑbout ɑ pɑtient’s condition.

The heɑd of the Cɑsey Commission sɑys sociɑl cɑre reforms could be brought forwɑrd if progress cɑn be mɑde sooner thɑn plɑnned. Bɑroness Cɑsey told MPs thɑt while her finɑl report is due in 2028, ministers ɑre keen to introduce chɑnges wherever possible ɑlong the wɑy. The comments come ɑfter Andy Burnhɑm, who is seeking to replɑce Prime Minister Keir Stɑrmer, sɑid he would overhɑul the sociɑl cɑre system this yeɑr. A public consultɑtion on the future of sociɑl cɑre will lɑunch next month, covering issues including funding, entitlement ɑnd ɑssessments.

Scientists in the United Stɑtes sɑy they mɑy hɑve uncovered ɑ new clue to how Alzheimer’s diseɑse develops. Reseɑrchers ɑt the University of Cɑliforniɑ believe the condition could begin when two proteins inside brɑin cells interfere with eɑch other, disrupting the cells’ trɑnsport system. The theory chɑllenges the long-held view thɑt Alzheimer’s stɑrts with the build-up of ɑmyloid plɑques in the brɑin. Experts sɑy the findings could help explɑin why some treɑtments hɑve hɑd limited success ɑnd mɑy open up new ɑvenues for future reseɑrch ɑnd therɑpies.

"Student nurses should spend some of their time experiencing social care." That’s the view of Skills For Care, which wants to see a better crossover between health and social care services so it benefits patients. It’s hoped by better understanding residential care and supported living, health professionals can better do their job.

A Healthy Living Centre has been opened in the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham – that has a host of GP and health services under one roof. The NHS say the £15million pound development is part of the Long Term plan to make it easier to access healthcare.

The 77 year old was performing a few days ago but felt dizzy and has now been advised to rest. Lionel – who’s hits include Hello and Dancing on the Ceiling has rescheduled tonight’s gig in Ohio until he’s better.

While the heat has been a challenge in the UK, hospitals in France are said to be at breaking point. Hospitals have been using emergency protocol to install temporary beds, reorganise health services are recall staff from days off. In Western France, the university hospital says the number of emergency calls has passed the peak set in the Covid pandemic.

A television advert for a direct cremation firm has been banned for implying their standard plan included an attended funeral service. The ad was for Pure Cremation, and appeared on screens in January. The Advertising Standards Authority received 12 complaints about it. The company being advertised said the ad’s setting and wording were intended to show a private celebration taking place at home rather than a service at the crematorium.

The London Ambulance Service this week recorded its highest ever number of life-threatening emergencies in a single day, as temperatures increased. Ambulance crews responded to a record 642 Category 1 calls, the most serious, on Wednesday. In total, the service received 7,900 calls with ambulance crews responding to nearly 3,600 patients in the one day. London Ambulance Service says more than 400 additional ambulance crews were brought in.

The number of specialist deafblind interpreters is set to increase more than eight times. According to the government, £15,000 of new funding will help to assess interpreters to support 12,000 Deafblind people with communication needs. Ministers say that bringing the number of specialist interpreters up to 68 will help deafblind people access support more quickly.

The number of police services taking on domestic abuse specialists in their control rooms is being trebled. The government says it’s part of its Violence against Women and Girls strategy. Soon, a total of 17 emergency control centres will employ the staff. The measure began in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband despite multiple 999 calls to police - who failed to arrive.

John Lewis says it wants to recruit a thousand care leavers by the end of the decade. It more than doubles its previous target, to support young people who have grown up in the care system into employment. Since its “ Building Happier Futures” scheme was launched in 2022, it has offered jobs to 450 care-experienced young people. Under this new commitment, the Partnership will offer at least 250 roles a year. It’s also planning to take part in the Government’s new Jobs Guarantee scheme, initially offering 30 roles in Waitrose branches.

Unpaid carers across Devon are receiving wellbeing giftboxes, in recognition of them looking after loved ones with mental health conditions. 100 boxes are being send out, containing warm drinks, gift cards for books and pampering – as well as journals and pens. They also include mindfulness cards, and a personalised letter inviting carers to share their experiences, to shape future support. It’s a collaboration between The NHS Devon Partnership Trust, Devon Carers and the charity, Open Up.

Patients with a severe nasal condition are to be offered a revolutionary new treatment. The University Teaching hospital in Hull is one of a small number to offer the injection that treats the condition called “chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps”. It causes a persistent blocked nose, loss of smell and taste and disrupted sleep. Patients are now being offered the new treatment – known as a bio-logic therapy – called Dupilumab. It’s hoped the new injection will replace oral steroids which can cause side effects.

A pilot programme in Greater Manchester has been designed to help older people share memories, strengthen connection and preserve local community heritage. Age UK in Wigan has partnered with Community Story Hub for the six-week programme, to help support gentle, guided conversations with pensioners across the borough. The “Every Natter Matters”, scheme will capture memories of the past, but also encourage older people to reflect on belonging, identity and community. It’ll help shape how storytelling can be used across different parts of Age UK’s work in Wigan, including friendship groups, lunch clubs and dementia-friendly settings.