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NHS Diabetes
responds to national report on mortality and complications of
diabetes
NHS Diabetes Director Anna
Morton has restated the importance of diabetes being a top national
health priority; following the release of a report exposing heart
failure risks linked to diabetes.
People with diabetes are 65% more likely to have heart failure than
the general population in England and Wales; results from the one of
the world's largest audits has shown.
The National Diabetes Audit has found that people with diabetes have
330% greater risk of some complications than the general population.
The survey, which analysed the care of nearly 2 million people with
diabetes in 2010/11, has also revealed that the death rate among
people with type 1 diabetes is 135% higher than the national rate.
Anna Morton, who leads national improvement team NHS Diabetes,
said:- "These findings show just how central effective
diabetes management is in preventing heart attacks, strokes, kidney
disease and amputations. There needs to be a continued focus on the
effective prevention and management of diabetes by healthcare
professionals and managers. People with diabetes need to be aware
that these risks are real and they should ask their GP if they have
had all nine annual care checks to monitor their overall health. By
having these checks each year and acting on the findings, many of
the serious complications of diabetes can be prevented."
Eurosceptics put
North West's creativity and growth at risk
EURO MPs have voted through a historic package
of measures to establish an EU-wide patent system despite opposition
from UKIP. The package will enable individuals and companies to
apply for a single patent valid throughout the European Union.
Local Euro MP and Legal Affairs Spokesperson, Arlene McCarthy said:-
"Despite the obvious need and benefits of an EU wide patent
system Eurosceptics have allowed once again their anti-European
ideology to get in the way of important EU wide protections for our
universities, businesses and inventors." She
continued:- "Currently if a business wants EU-wide protection
they would have to get their national patent translated and
validated in each of the 27 EU countries, which costs about €32,000
- 15 times the cost of a US patent. The current system is too
expensive and bureaucratic for Universities and inventors and
therefore undermining economic growth."
Following the vote, from January 2014 applications could be
submitted in any EU language and the unitary patent would be
automatically valid throughout the EU member states participating in
the scheme.
Arlene added:- "If we are serious about driving forward jobs
and growth in the UK and our regions then we have to support our
innovators. This deal finally gives inventors the protections they
need to develop their products and build their businesses across the
EU.
Scientists at Manchester University won the nobel Prize in 2010 for
the discovery of graphene. The graphene industry could be worth 300
bn GBP by 2022 yet the UK holds only 21 of the 2, 224 graphene
patents filed to date. Most of these patents are held by the US,
China, Japan or South Korea. This is the patent paradox.
We are good at producing the cutting edge scientific research but
big global companies and global competitors cash-in on our patents
for marketable products from our research. Small capital companies
and university spin-offs with graphene related products will now be
able to get affordable and accessible patents protected across the
EU thanks to this package.
For regional business incubators such as Liverpool Science Park,
Lancaster Universities InfoLab21, Daresbury Innovation Centre,
Manchester's Innospace, and Cumbria's West Lakes Science and Techonology Park, to name just a few this is great news.
We have simplified patent procedures and reduced costs for SMEs',
Universities, individuals and not for profit organisations, which
should foster much needed EU competitiveness during a time of
economic uncertainty." |
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GIVE THE
CHRISTMAS GIFT CHILDREN REALLY WANT MONEY
LATEST research from PKTMNY,
pocket money for the digital age, has found that 8 to 16 year olds
are twice as likely as parents to prefer money rather than a gift
item this Christmas. 64% of children said they wanted money this
Christmas in contrast to 38% of parents. This rises to 85% in 14-16
year olds who would prefer to receive money this Christmas.
While some may feel guilty for giving their loved one money, not
only do children prefer it but 60% of 8 to 16 year olds think it is
positive they increasingly receive gifts as either a voucher,
e-transfer, cheque or cash.
The preference for money as a gift is in part because children want
to be able to get what they want, rather than be surprised. 42% of 8
to 16 year olds want their families to only buy from a wish list as
compared to 17% of parents.
To help families this Christmas there is PKTMNY, pocket money for a
digital age, which helps children manage their own money, saving and
spending in an online environment controlled by their parents. This
includes being able to set up a wish list, which relatives can be
invited to gift towards by making a bank transfer. Any gift is sent
with a personal message so that the child knows who it is from and
they can reply to say thank you. Giving in this way is not only
easier, but also helps the child learn basic financial skills,
including saving before spending.
Mark Timbrell, CEO and Founder of PKTMNY said:- "Christmas is
one of the happiest but conversely most pressured times of the year
for families as we do all we can to buy the right gifts for a loved
one. Increasingly, we give money but often with a sense that a gift
would have more value. In fact, as our research shows, children
prefer being able to write a wish list and then put any gifts they
receive towards achieving their goal. Giving this way then ensures
your loved ones receive what they want while most importantly
becomes a powerful way of helping a child learn to save before
spending."
Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, Clinical Child Psychologist commented:-
"We all know how fraught Christmas can be because of the stress
associated with gifting. Children, parents and relatives alike want
to get the right gift yet aren't seen to be opting out of spending
time choosing it. The PKTMNY research shows that children are
entirely pragmatic about gifting and enjoy the anticipation of
preparing a wish list then being able to combine what they receive
to buy what they've hoped for. This not only ensures that they are
getting what they really want, but they have been able to take
control over their own money and learnt a valuable lesson in money
saving and spending."
Launched this November, PKTMNY has been designed for children to
take their first steps into managing their own money in a safe and
secure environment that parents can control and personalise. It has
been created by parents for parents and their children to make
money, saving and spending visible and engaging for families, and in
doing so, improve financial understanding and awareness around the
value of money.
PKTMNY provides children with a contactless prepaid Visa debit card
which parents can personalise for their child by setting controls on
where and how much they can spend. It is the first card of its kind
to have this functionality and is linked to an online platform,
featuring interactive age appropriate tools that make managing,
saving and spending money fun and engaging for children.
Integrated within the PKTMNY platform is the PKTMNY Shop which
offers families access to carefully selected age appropriate
retailers including The Entertainer, Superdry, Hamley's, New Look,
Zaavi and more. Over time, this will develop to give families access
to special offers and discounts designed to help family money go
further.
Android and iOS apps will be coming soon to enable parents to
directly top up money into their children's account and allow
children to view their balance on the go. For more information or to
register:-
pktmny.com.
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