Pioneering new medical treatments should be made available from the NHS

NEW and potentially life saving medical treatments, such as proton beam therapy, bone marrow transplant and stem cell therapy should be made available from the National Health Service, according to a new survey. It found that 92% of those surveyed form the North West of England believed such treatments, which currently can only be accessed privately in the UK or overseas, should be freely available.

Demand for such treatments was also relatively high with 63% from the North West saying they would consider undergoing new medical treatments if they were diagnosed with a life threatening condition. A further 29% were unsure about the new treatment, whilst only 8% said they would not consider it.

In April, proton beam therapy was used for the 1st time in the UK, to treat a prostate cancer patient, in Newport, South Wales. It's expected 6 proton beam centres will be opened in the UK over the next 3 years, 2 within the NHS.

Nationally, although 40% said they would be prepared to pay for the treatment privately, only 10% currently have private medical insurance. London saw the highest number of respondents who had private medical insurance at double the national average (21%), whilst the North West saw 9%. The North East of England had the fewest with 6%.

When asked about funding of the NHS, 84% of the 1,700 UK adults, surveyed by Censuswide, said that they did not believe the NHS was currently sufficiently funded. This was even higher in the North West, with 90% of respondents saying the health service needed more funding.

The survey was conducted on behalf of Security Trust, a private medical insurance provider underwritten at Lloyd's. Their CEO, David Abingdon, said:- "Our survey has revealed a high degree of understanding and demand from the North West for new and potentially life saving medical treatments not yet available from the National Health Service. Funding levels for the NHS and the roll of private medical providers will always be debated. The ongoing financial challenges the health service faces are well known. I firmly believe we are a crucial part of the solution, especially when it comes to providing access to new treatments which either aren't yet widely available or are prohibitively expensive for the public purse."

What do you our readers think?  Please email us your views about private medical insurance and the results of this service. Do you agree with Censuswide's findings?  Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

₤7 million financial boost for care sector in Liverpool

LIVERPOOL City Council is set to increase the rates paid to the care sector in Liverpool to enable it to boost the pay of staff. It follows a consultation with residential, nursing and home care providers whose staff provide help and support for around 11,000 people at home and another 3,500 living in care homes.

A report to the Cabinet, on Friday, 22 June 2018, is proposing an increase which will cost just over ₤7 million, paid for through the Government's Better Care Fund. It will see an increase of 70p in the hourly rate for home care; up from ₤13.62 to ₤14.32.

Residential care for older people will go up from ₤407.16 to ₤426.01 per week and residential care for people with dementia will increase from ₤503.94 to ₤527.87. Nursing care for older people will increase from ₤445.16 to ₤465.95 per week, and nursing care for those with dementia will go up from ₤506.73 to ₤530.75. There will also be rises for companies who provide staff in supported living and day services, and those who are employed by people on direct payments.

Cabinet member for adult social care, Councillor Paul Brant, said:- "Staff in the care sector do a tremendous job keeping some of our most vulnerable residents safe. Despite the financial challenges facing the City Council, we are determined to do what we can to make sure staff get a decent pay rise. In calculating the revised rate we have looked closely at the amount paid by other local authorities in the region as well as taking into account the rising costs in the sector."

If approved, the new rate will be backdated to 1 April 2018.

Football fans in the North West would want ₤130,000 to risk their safety at the World Cup

FOLLOWING the revelation that England players have warned their friends and family against attending the World Cup this summer, new research has revealed thousands of England fans have chosen not to travel to Russia due to concerns around safety and discrimination.

According to a survey of 2,000 people across the country, commissioned by online casino PartyCasino, ¾ (71%) of Brits think the World Cup is a dangerous environment this summer. Indeed, 69% of people are so concerned for their safety that they would need to be paid to go to the World Cup. The average football fan would want ₤103,047.46 to take their chances in Russia, with the threat of violence, homophobia and racism among the most prominent reasons they'll be staying at home.

England fans to stay at home...

Following the well documented fan disturbances at the 2016 European Championships, MPs have warned English fans as to the potential safety threat at the World Cup this summer and advised supporters to stay away. The survey has revealed the advice is being taken on board, with 79% of Brits saying they don't know anyone who is going to be travelling to the World Cup over the next month.

The research has shown that it's the presence of hooligans that has most put off football fans from attending the World Cup this summer, particularly among men who feel they're the most likely targets for attacks. 42% of men wouldn't go to the World Cup due to the threat of violence and 36% will stay at home because they wouldn't feel safe in Russia, compared to 30% of women. A generation of Englishmen look set to miss out on attending a World Cup due to Russia's history of attacks.

Strained diplomatic relations and the uncertain political situation is why 27% of fans haven't considered going to the World Cup this summer. Meanwhile, Russia's history of discrimination means 26% of fans wouldn't go to World Cup due to racism and homophobia. Clearly, England may be short of support this summer due to the risks involved outweighing the potential rewards.

I would rather watch my beloved Chelsea sell Hazard than go to the World Cup…

The chance to support your country at the biggest tournament in the World should be seen as a winning lottery ticket and an opportunity of a lifetime, but that's dream crushed by its location this year. Indeed, 54% of people who know someone who is going to the World Cup have tried to persuade them not to go. 31% would feel worried or anxious (30%) about a family member being in Russia this summer.

The survey has discovered the desire to avoid the World Cup this summer is so prevalent that football fans would be willing to make some mighty sacrifices. 10% of fans would rather not watch football for a year than attend a World Cup game. 12% of England fans would rather give up alcohol for a year than visit Russia this summer, with others saying they would rather support their most bitter club rivals at a game (6%) or have their club sell their best player (5%).

48% of Brits say nothing would convince them to go to Russia this summer, but 70% of 16-24 year olds are open to travelling for the World Cup if they had some outlandish guarantees. 25% would want a VIP experience or their own bodyguard (24%), while 20% would want self defence training.

David Winter, Marketing Manager at PartyCasino, said:- "With England fans potentially facing problems in Russia this summer, it's unfortunate that the players will be short of support this World Cup, but we know the fans will be cheering loudly from the comfort and security of home. As England supporters are looking for either ₤100,000 plus or armed bodyguards to attend the World Cup, let's hope Gareth Southgate and the lads can make these sacrifices worthwhile by bringing football home for the 1st time since 1966!"