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300 people with
cataracts or wet AMD needed for two RNIB research reports
ARBITRARY restrictions to
cataract surgery and poor care of those with wet Age-related Macular
Degeneration (wet AMD) are forcing thousands of people to live with
serious and unnecessary sight loss.
This is why Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is
looking for patients and carers to take part in 2 research projects
that will identify what needs to be done to improve access to
sight-saving treatments. Cataracts and wet AMD are two of the
leading causes of avoidable sight loss in the UK and are set to
increase.
Clara Eaglen, RNIB Eye Health Policy and Campaigns Manager, said:-
"The aim of the research is to examine the impact of
restrictions on access to treatments and talk to eye health
specialists about how services are delivered. But most
importantly, the research will ask patients about the impact that
these conditions - and waiting for their treatment - has on their
quality of life. We want to hear from people who have had good or
bad experiences of NHS treatment and care." RNIB is looking for 100 people with wet Age-related Macular
Degeneration and 100 carers of people with wet AMD for the first
study. The charity needs an additional 100 people with cataracts for
the second study.
Men and women interested in taking part in the research must have
been diagnosed and treated for either condition within the last 3
years. This can include people who are still undergoing treatment or
have completed it.
The researchers will interview participants over the phone and
interviews will be confidential.
The reports will be published in Spring 2013 and will be essential
information to allow RNIB to campaign for PCTs to change their
polices and improve access to effective treatments.
Clara Eaglen continued:- "As part of RNIB's Save our Sight
(SOS) campaign, we are fighting for the rights of people with sight
loss and for better access to sight saving treatments on the NHS.
The research will help us increase the public profile of the issues
in the treatment of these conditions, increase political pressure on
PCTs to remove cataract restrictions and improve the treatment
outcomes and service delivery for wAMD patients."
If you fit the criteria and would like to get involved in this
important research you can contact RNIB's campaigns team on:- 020 7391
2123 or at:-
campaign@rnib.org.uk, by Friday
14 December 2012. |
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Buses, trains
and tubes head list of bacteria worries ahead of flu season
AS flu season gets
underway, public transport such as buses, trains and tubes head the
list of places where people most worry about catching viruses and
infections, according to new research by Microban.
49% of 1,000 people surveyed* were
"concerned" or "very concerned" about levels of bacteria on buses, 46% on trains, 45%
on tube trains, 43% on planes , 42% on coaches and 40% in taxis.
Flu season in the UK normally gets underway as temperatures start to
drop in late November and December and carries through until March,
points out antibacterial technology specialist Microban, which
commissioned the research.
Alison Southcombe, director of marketing of the company, which is
based in Staffordshire, said:- "Everyone knows that sinking
feeling when you get on a bus or a train during rush hour and the
person you are jammed against starts sneezing and coughing. You
think, 'Me next.' There is a quite a lot of evidence to suggest that
public transport is a hot spot for bacterial cross-contamination
with one study even suggesting that you are six times as likely to
get certain respiratory illnesses if you have recently used a bus.
Our new research shows that passengers are worried and this could
well be justified."
Alison added that there was little that could be done to avoid
airborne bacteria on public transport; but that it could pay
dividends not to handle any surfaces if possible and, if you do, to
avoid touching your face until after you have thoroughly washed your
hands.
Alison said:- "Even if the bus or train company is very
thorough in their cleaning, there is a considerable likelihood of
cold and flu bacteria on surfaces such as grab handles and seats,
especially during flu season."
Southcombe said:- "We believe that there is considerable
potential for the use of antibacterial technology in the public
transport sector and that it could be effective in both reducing
infection rates and passenger concerns."
* Carried out by Toluna for Microban |
