Disappointment yet again as political games block crucial Animal Welfare Bill and dogs continue to suffer

DESPITE hopes being high that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill would finally start to progress through Parliament, when MPs faced a binding vote brought by Labour, it has been blocked once again with dogs and other animals the victims of political game-playing.

This morning, Dogs Trust joined other animal welfare charities in a joint statement urging the Government to ensure the Bill could be progressed through Parliament at a critical vote this afternoon, brought by Labour using its Opposition Day debate. A positive vote could have allowed the Bill to pass as early as 12 July 2023.

However, as there was not universal support in the House of Commons, the Bill has failed for a second time. The Bill was intended to stop crimes such as puppies and pregnant mums being smuggled into Great Britain in horrific conditions, and dogs with mutilations such as cropped ears being brought into GB for sale.

Dogs Trust has campaigned for over10 years to stop the abhorrent puppy smuggling trade and has been urging the Government to make good on its manifesto promise to crack down on the issue.

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Paula Boyden, says:- "I can't convey how sad we are that, despite clear backing from the public, 65,000 of whom have emailed the Prime Minister pleading with him to pass this Bill to protect animals, it's been blocked yet again from passing through Parliament. While Westminster continues to play political games, dogs are suffering horrific journeys to Great Britain, often without food and with little water, to be sold to unsuspecting buyers. Dogs are having their ears brutally mutilated, sometimes without anaesthesia, which can have a detrimental effect on their health, behaviour and welfare. The practice can leave them unable to communicate properly, as dogs use their ears to express their emotions. There are all manner of crimes against animals that the Bill would be able to tackle. When is the Government going to put the needs of animals before political point-scoring?"

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Merseyside winners at health research and innovation awards

THE winners have been announced at an event recognising the best innovators and researchers in health and care in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The North West Coast Research and Innovation Awards is the only health awards event for the Region, run by 3 NHS bodies focussed on research and innovation.

Hosted by the Innovation Agency; Clinical Research Network North West Coast (CRN NWC); and Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC) the event attracted around 180 entries. 9 of the 12 winners were from Merseyside organisations.

Special guest Professor Sir Stephen Powis, Medical Director of the NHS, said:- "Every challenge we face is an opportunity to learn, collaborate and embrace new approaches to deliver improvements in the services we provide, for the benefit of patients, staff and the wider NHS. As the NHS looks forward to its 75th birthday on 5 July 2023, it is a good time to reflect on its journey and on the incredible research and innovation milestones that have transformed patient outcomes and that will help to build an NHS that is fit for the future."

A special category created to mark the 75th Anniversary of the creation of the NHS; the Unsung Hero Award, was presented by Professor Powis to Sue Smith of 1 Wirral CIC. Runners up were:- Dr Prathap Kanagala of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; and Graham Copeland of C2-Ai.

The event took place at The Royal College of Physicians, The Spine in Liverpool, hosted by BBC TV North West and Breakfast presenter Roger Johnson.

Results...

Culture for Innovation Award:- Marie Cure Hospice Liverpool.
Innovation in Workforce Development Award:- Health Education England NW; Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust; University of Central Lancashire.
Patient Safety and Care Improvement Award:- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Innovation Agency.
Research Student of the Year Award:- Piotr Teodorowski, University of Liverpool.
Ruth Young Award for Research Implementation:- Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Outstanding Contribution to Patient and Public Involvement Award:- Lancaster University.
Research Delivery Team of the Year Award:- Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Research Collaboration of the Year Award:- Marine Lake Medical Practice and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Primary Care and/or Community Research Team of the Year Award:- Lancaster Medical Practice.
Unsung Hero: NHS 75th Anniversary Award:- Sue Smith of 1 Wirral CIC.
Tackling Health Inequalities Award:- Liverpool John Moores University; University of Liverpool; Edge Hill University.
Sustainability Award:- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Broadgreen University Hospital.