If it's 'Not Suitable For Work' - it's not suitable for our trains and stations either

THE train operator, Northern is appealing to customers to extend the strict:- 'not suitable for work' (NSFW) rule regarding the viewing of content to their trains and stations too. Content considered:- 'NSFW' can range in scale from:- inappropriate jokes and bad language to offensive topics and explicit material.

Whilst people are more likely to err on the side of caution at work, the rush to view content once they've left the workplace can mean the train journey home is often the 1st opportunity to take a look.

To help get their message across, Northern is reminding customers that internet in their stations and on board their trains is delivered in partnership with:- 'Friendly WiFi' a Government initiated safe certification standard for public WiFi.

Friendly WiFi aims to reassure users that the service meets minimum filtering standards; particularly in areas where children are present, such as in Northern's stations and on board their trains.

Tricia Williams, Chief Operating Officer, at Northern, said:- "We welcome millions of people into our stations and on-board our trains every year; and access to safe and reliable internet is part and parcel of our customers' expectations. It is important, however, that people remember that some content is not suitable for everyone to see or hear; particularly children. As such, if something is:- 'not suitable for work' it's more than likely not suitable in our stations or onboard our trains either; so please wait until you get home."

Bev Smith, Director Of Friendly WiFi, said:- "We are excited to be working with Northern as a 'Friendly WiFi' certified train operator. They were passionate throughout the process to achieve the standard to ensure a great experience online for all their customers whilst travelling with them."

Northern has been a member of the scheme, which is delivered in partnership with the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), since 2017. Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
 

Cancer survival rates improved by almost 10%

3 in every 4 people survive their cancer the 1st year after being diagnosed with rates of survival for some cancers even higher, according to figures release recently.

NHS England has published a 1 year cancer survival index, which looks at survival rates in 2020 compared to 2005. The index also breaks down the figures by types of cancer and where patients live.

The index shows the overall 1st year survival rate has risen:- 9% to 74.6%. The 1 year breast cancer survival index is now about 97% and for bowel cancer the survival rate is now above 80%.

These statistics focus on year 1 survival, and support statistics released in February which revealed 5 year survival rates have also improved for most types of cancer and child cancer survival rates were up to more than 86%.

Cancer diagnosis and treatment remained a top priority throughout the Pandemic, with more than 7.3 million urgent referrals and over 1.6 million people receiving cancer treatment between:- March 2020 and January 2023.

Since the Pandemic NHS England has continued to prioritise those waiting longer than 62 days for 1st treatment.

NHS England said:- "We making real progress in getting people the care they need more quickly and since July 2021 have opened 94 community diagnostic centres that have delivered 3.3 million checks, tests and scans."

Health Minister Helen Whately said:- "These figures are encouraging; and particularly good to see after data earlier this year showed improved survival rates for almost all types of cancer. This shows the great strides being made by the NHS, scientists and our incredible cancer charities. We are laser focused on fighting cancer on all fronts; prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, backed up with funding and research. We have opened over 94 '1 stop shops' so people can have quicker tests, scans and checks. We are also taking a vaccine taskforce style approach to cancer research to develop new immune based cancer therapies, including cancer vaccines, as well as producing a major conditions strategy. We know there is more to do and early diagnosis is crucial to improving survival rates even further. Our ambition is to diagnose 75% of cancer at an early stage by 2028 which will help save tens of thousands of lives for longer."

NHS England's early diagnosis strategy has 6 core elements including:- raising awareness of cancer symptoms and encouraging people to come forward as well as implementing targeted interventions for particular cancer types which are traditionally difficult to diagnose.

More people are also taking up screening opportunities with 15 million invites in the past year.

Please note that these statistics refer to survival rates from cancer specifically and the source is:- Cancer survival - Index for sub-Integrated Care Boards, 2005 to 2020 - NDRS