Opinion

  • Stroke Association apologises for social media posts

    The Stroke Association has deleted a series of social media posts and apologised after criticism from beneficiaries and other users over jokes about a viral video. On Friday, the charity joined other social media accounts in commenting on footage showing two people looking embarrassed after hugging at a Coldplay concert, with posts referencing rumours of [...]

  • St Andrew’s Healthcare’s response to the Ten-Year Health Plan

    St Andrew’s Healthcare, the UK’s largest charity specialising in complex mental health, has welcomed the publication of the Ten-Year Health Plan. However, it cautions that more must be done to close the gap between hospital and community care for individuals with the most severe conditions. Executive Medical Director, Dr Sanjith Kamath, commented: “We strongly welcome [...]

  • US surgeon sues McLaren over snowmobile crash

    A US neurosurgeon is suing McLaren Automotive Events after suffering a “very significant” brain injury during a snowmobile safari organised by the company in Finland. Andrew Cannestra, 54, crashed near Ivalo in northern Finland on 2 February 2020 while taking part in a four-night “Pure McLaren Arctic Experience”, the High Court in London heard on [...]

  • Spinal Injuries Association issues statement in response to Government PIP announcement

    The Spinal Injuries Association has issued a statement in response to the UK Government’s PIP Bill vote. The charity stated: The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) welcomes the Government’s confirmation that Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and PIP Bill will be removed at committee stage next week. Clause 5 would have introduced a damaging and [...]

  • When a migraine is more than a headache: The clinical negligence aspects of a migraine misdiagnosis

    By Alison Johnson, clinical negligence partner, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP Migraines are complex neurological conditions that can cause debilitating symptoms. The cause of migraines isn't fully understood, but there are several key factors known to contribute. The first factor is genetics. Migraines often run in families. If one or both parents suffer migraines, there's a [...]

  • Disabled people must lead assistive tech design process

    Disabled people should be involved from the earliest stages of assistive technology design to ensure it reflects real-life needs, a new report from the Royal Society says. More than half of disabled digital assistive technology (AT) users surveyed said they could not live the way they do without it. Tools cited range from voice assistants [...]

  • Elite rowers face sevenfold increase in AFib risk

    One in five former elite rowers develops atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder that can raise stroke risk, despite having fewer traditional risk factors. A study of 121 retired Australian rowers, including Olympians, found they were nearly seven times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation (AFib) than the general population. The research was led by [...]

  • Grip strength linked to brain changes in psychosis

    Grip strength and patterns of brain connectivity may offer early indicators of psychosis, according to researchers exploring new avenues for detection and treatment. The study found that people in the early stages of psychosis had weaker grip strength and lower well-being scores than healthy individuals, with both measures linked to changes in how brain networks [...]

  • The impact of welfare cuts for those with spinal cord injuries

    By freelance journalist and spinal cord injury survivor, R.F. Hunt There is fear and anxiety amongst the spinal cord injury (SCI) community regarding the government’s proposed plans for tightening the eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) using the ‘daily living’ section of PIP. Many people with SCI, like Julie, Janet and Dan in this article, [...]

  • Pregnancy complications linked to later stroke risk

    Women who experience pregnancy complications face a higher risk of stroke in the decades after giving birth, new research shows. The study, which tracked more than two million women over 40 years, found greater stroke risk among those who had high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy, a preterm birth, or a baby with low [...]