Inquest Reveals Disabled Woman Discharged from Hospital with Unidentified Injuries

Inquest Reveals Disabled Woman Discharged from Hospital with Unidentified Injuries

Lyn Parker’s death followed a fall at a care home, with undiagnosed fractures leading to respiratory failure

An inquest has heard that Lyn Parker, a 64-year-old disabled woman, was discharged from the hospital with undiagnosed fractures, including broken ribs and a fractured arm, just hours before her death. The injuries were sustained in a fall at Tudor Avenue Residential Care Home in Hampton, London, when two care workers attempted to lift her from a wheelchair using a sling on January 15, 2021.

Parker, who was non-verbal, fell at least 1.5 metres and was left on the floor for over three hours before an ambulance arrived. She was then taken to Kingston Hospital, where her condition worsened. She died 10 days later from aspiration pneumonia, a consultant reported in the inquest.

After being discharged in the early hours of January 16, Parker returned to the hospital the same morning after a care home worker noticed that her left arm had become swollen and discoloured. Dr Sumit Dutta, who treated her at the hospital, admitted that a full trauma scan should have been performed when she was initially admitted. He acknowledged that had the scan been done, Parker would have been admitted, and her injuries might have been better addressed.

Dr Khalid Mohammed Ali, who led the internal investigation into Parker’s care, reported a missed diagnosis of fractures to her ribs and left arm. He added, however, that he believed earlier diagnosis would not have changed the outcome because Parker was extremely frail and had several underlying health conditions.

A CT scan on her second visit showed multiple rib fractures and a fracture to her left arm, which had not been detected previously. The initial medical team had failed to order an X-ray for the left arm as Parker could not communicate her pain. Dr Ali confirmed that the decision not to widen the investigation was an oversight, but he argued that it would not have altered the final outcome.

Rebekah Schiff, an independent expert in geriatric medicine, testified that Parker should not have been discharged without proper assessment. She highlighted that Parker’s rib fractures would have made breathing difficult, leading to quicker respiratory failure, which ultimately contributed to her death. Dr Schiff suggested that once Parker fractured her ribs, her death from aspiration pneumonia became inevitable.

The inquest continues, with attention on whether the care Parker received at the hospital and care home was adequate.

Julian Assange’s Wife Slams Prison’s Denial of Press Freedom Visit

Julian Assange’s Wife Slams Prison’s Denial of Press Freedom Visit

Stella Assange condemns decision to block Reporters Without Borders from meeting her husband

The wife of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has condemned the refusal to allow representatives from press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders to meet her husband, describing it as “shameful”.

Two members of the French group were scheduled to visit Assange at HMP Belmarsh in London on Tuesday, but were blocked by prison authorities, despite having received prior approval. Assange’s wife, Stella, who was permitted to visit her husband, criticised the decision, calling it “ludicrous”.

Outside the prison gates, Stella Assange spoke passionately: “Julian’s detention here is a scandal in itself, and this morning’s refusal is yet another example of a troubling pattern.” She went on to highlight that when she and Julian married at the prison a year ago, their choice of witnesses, who were both journalists, had been rejected. “This is political persecution of a publisher who was merely doing his job,” she asserted.

Next week marks the fourth anniversary of Assange’s transfer to HMP Belmarsh from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he had sought asylum for seven years. He is currently being held as he challenges the High Court’s ruling to extradite him to the US over charges related to the leaking of military documents.

Christophe Deloire, Secretary General of Reporters Without Borders, expressed his dismay, stating: “We were granted official authorisation to visit Julian, confirmed on March 31. However, upon our arrival this morning, we were informed that our names had been removed from the visitors’ list.” He explained that the prison governor decided to deny them entry because they were journalists, despite their visit being made in a non-journalistic capacity as representatives of a non-governmental organisation.

Rebecca Vincent, Director of Operations and Campaigns at Reporters Without Borders, added: “The initial response we received claimed that intelligence had indicated we were journalists. However, I have never worked as a journalist or held a press card, and our organisation operates solely as an NGO.”

Julian and Stella Assange were married at HMP Belmarsh in March of the previous year and have since had two children. Their time together remains limited, with just a few visits per week. Stella remarked: “We cherish our moments together. When the children are with us, we try to create as much normalcy as possible.”

A spokesperson for the prison service defended the decision, stating: “The representatives from Reporters Without Borders were denied entry to HMP Belmarsh as they were deemed journalists, in accordance with prison rules. We are open to reconsidering future requests based on further information.”

Environment Secretary Under Fire for Weak Water Pollution Plan

Environment Secretary Under Fire for Weak Water Pollution Plan

Therese Coffey’s new water strategy faces criticism from campaigners and opposition MPs

Therese Coffey, the Environment Secretary, has come under intense scrutiny following the release of her government’s new water plan, with critics accusing her of having little control over her department. Launched at the London Wetlands Centre on the River Thames, Coffey’s “Plan for Water” has been dismissed by many campaigners, who argue it lacks urgency and ambition in tackling the growing issue of water pollution.

During the launch, Coffey acknowledged that sewage pollution cannot be stopped overnight and stated that any claims to the contrary would be “definitively dishonest”. This admission followed newly revealed figures showing over 300,000 sewage spills across the UK in 2022, sparking calls from opposition MPs for her resignation.

The plan outlines several key measures, including accelerating investments in water company infrastructure, tackling pollution from agricultural slurry, restricting the use of harmful chemicals in products, and implementing unlimited penalties for polluting companies. While some have praised the “holistic” approach, others feel it lacks the long-term vision needed to successfully restore and protect natural waterways.

Campaigner Feargal Sharkey criticised the plan as a “desperate” move from a government minister struggling to manage her department, suggesting that it merely represents a disorganised reaction to an industry that is not being held accountable for its actions.

Matt Browne, head of policy at Wildlife and Countryside Link, welcomed individual aspects of the plan, such as tackling plastic waste and improving chemical regulations. However, he expressed concerns about the absence of a long-term strategy for improving the health of the UK’s rivers and seas. Browne stressed that a truly comprehensive plan was needed, one that would address the root causes of pollution, such as the excessive use of chemicals and poor infrastructure.

The plan also includes measures to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals”, but Coffey has not included a statutory limit for their presence in drinking water, despite recommendations from health authorities. This has raised further concerns about the government’s commitment to ensuring safe water quality.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, stated that while a holistic approach was necessary, the success of the plan would ultimately depend on how the various initiatives are implemented and whether it genuinely reduces pollution from both agriculture and the water industry.

Kitty Thompson, from the Conservative Environment Network, acknowledged the plan’s potential to improve water quality, but noted that there is still much to be done, particularly in addressing surface water runoff and reducing nutrient pollution from housing developments.

NASA Reveals Astronauts for Artemis 2 Mission to Circle the Moon

NASA Reveals Astronauts for Artemis 2 Mission to Circle the Moon

Four astronauts named for Artemis 2 flight, marking humanity’s return to the Moon in over five decades

NASA has unveiled the crew for its Artemis 2 mission, the first to take astronauts around the Moon in more than 50 years. The crew will embark on a 10-day journey, designed to test the systems for the upcoming Artemis missions aimed at landing on the lunar surface and eventually reaching Mars.

The four astronauts selected for the mission are: Christina Hammock Koch, who will serve as the mission specialist and is the first woman to be assigned to a lunar mission; Jeremy Hansen, another mission specialist; Victor Glover, who will be the mission pilot and the first person of colour to fly on such a journey; and Reid Wiseman, the mission commander.

Koch, an experienced astronaut, has set records for the longest continuous time spent in space by a woman and participated in the first all-female spacewalk. The crew was announced by NASA’s head of flight operations, Norman D. Knight, alongside NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, at an event on Monday.

Artemis 2 is scheduled for launch as early as 2024, with the primary goal being to test the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems and other essential technology in deep space. The mission will take the astronauts about 6,400 miles beyond the Moon, bringing them farther from Earth than any human has been since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

The spacecraft will be propelled by NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, conducting manual manoeuvres before returning to Earth using the gravitational forces of the Moon and Earth, resulting in a propulsion-free return journey. The mission will culminate in a splashdown in the ocean.

This marks a key milestone in the Artemis programme, which aims to eventually land astronauts on the Moon, including the first woman, and use lunar exploration as a stepping stone for future Mars missions. If Artemis 2 proves successful, the first crewed lunar landing in over 50 years will follow on Artemis 3, with annual crewed missions continuing thereafter.

Artemis distinguishes itself from the Apollo programme by involving commercial space companies, including SpaceX, and international space agencies from Canada, Europe, and Japan. It also signifies a major shift in NASA’s ambitions, focusing on deep space exploration after decades of operations centred around low-Earth orbit.

Jinkx Monsoon Joins Doctor Who Cast as Major Character in New Series

Jinkx Monsoon Joins Doctor Who Cast as Major Character in New Series

RuPaul’s Drag Race Champion to Star Alongside Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson in Iconic Sci-Fi Show

Jinkx Monsoon, the winner of two seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is set to appear in a “major role” in the upcoming series of Doctor Who, the BBC has confirmed.

The drag queen, whose real name is Jerick Hoffer, will join the cast alongside Ncuti Gatwa, who will take on the role of the new Doctor, and Millie Gibson, who will portray his companion, Ruby Sunday.

Monsoon, known for her victory in the All Stars season of Drag Race where she earned the title “Queen of Queens,” brings a unique presence to the long-running sci-fi series. This casting marks the latest addition by Russell T Davies, the writer behind Doctor Who’s successful 2005 revival, who has returned as the show’s showrunner after Chris Chibnall’s departure.

Expressing her excitement, Monsoon shared, “I’m beyond honoured and excited to join the Doctor Who family. Russell T Davies is a genius, and I can’t wait to collaborate with him and the rest of the team. Let’s just hope there’s enough space in the TARDIS for my luggage!”

Russell T Davies responded to Monsoon’s casting, saying, “Amidst a galaxy of stars, Jinkx Monsoon shines the brightest. Her arrival marks a game-changing moment for Doctor Who, and the show will never be the same.”

Monsoon’s role in Doctor Who comes after her sell-out performances as Matron “Mama” Morton in the Broadway production of Chicago, becoming the first drag queen to take on the role. Her career has spanned music, acting, and cabaret, including successful global tours with her musical partner Major Scales.

The drag artist has also appeared in several TV projects, such as CBS’s Blue Bloods and Netflix’s AJ And The Queen.

Her casting has been met with excitement from fellow Drag Race alumni, including Tia Kofi, who tweeted “Such incredible news!!!,” while the official Drag Race account congratulated her.

Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special episodes will air in November 2023, featuring David Tennant as the fourteenth Doctor, followed by Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the fifteenth Doctor during the festive period.

Millie Gibson, at 18 years old, will make history as the youngest companion in Doctor Who’s history.

UK Schools Brace for More Teacher Strikes Following Rejection of Pay Offer

UK Schools Brace for More Teacher Strikes Following Rejection of Pay Offer

National Education Union Members Vote Against Government’s Proposal, Announcing Further Strikes

Schools across England are preparing for additional teacher strikes this spring after the UK’s largest education union, the National Education Union (NEU), announced that its members had overwhelmingly rejected the government’s latest pay offer.

A significant 98% of NEU members, who participated in a consultative ballot, voted against the proposed deal. As a result, the union has confirmed that two further strike days will take place on April 27 and May 2.

The ballot result was made public at the NEU’s annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, early on Monday. The strikes are part of an ongoing dispute with the government over pay, which had already caused partial and full school closures during previous strikes in February and March.

The government had offered teachers a £1,000 one-off payment for the current academic year (2022/23) and an average 4.5% pay increase for the following year (2023/24). However, the NEU, which deemed the offer “insulting,” is determined to secure a more favourable deal.

In response, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan had warned that teachers could miss out on future pay rises if they rejected the offer. However, the NEU’s joint general secretaries, Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, have called for the government to return to the negotiating table with an improved proposal, expressing their discontent with what they called a “lack of judgment” in the original offer.

“Gillian Keegan must now recognise the strength of feeling within the education system,” said Bousted and Courtney. “The situation is dire, and the current offer does not address the pressing needs of teachers.”

Other unions, such as NASUWT, ASCL, and NAHT, are also consulting their members on the government’s proposal. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, has warned that school leaders may be forced to take industrial action if their members reject the deal.