Thousands Of Hospital Kidney Deaths 'Avoidable'

At least 1,000 hospital patient deaths in England each month from a "silent killer" kidney condition are "avoidable", it is claimed.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) can go unnoticed by medical staff but "good basic care" would save those lives, according to a study commissioned by the NHS.

Researchers found AKI leads to more than 30 excess deaths a day, or between 15,000 and 40,000 a year, and is five times more prevalent in English hospitals than previously thought.

Medical staff need to make sure patients are hydrated and those having surgery should not go without water for longer than two hours, say experts.

Severe dehydration is one of the main causes of the condition, which involves a loss of kidney function and can cause the heart, lungs and brain to stop working properly.

It can lead to rapid deterioration. Many patients die and those who do recover are at increased risk of long-term kidney disease.

AKI can affect people with no history of kidney disease and can occur in people who are already ill with conditions such as heart failure or diabetes, and those admitted to hospital with infections.

AKI can also develop after major surgery, such as some kinds of heart surgery, because the kidneys can be deprived of normal blood flow during the procedure.

It costs the health service over £1bn every year and is responsible for nearly eight times as many deaths as superbug MRSA at its peak, the study found.

Maura Murray had serious problems with her kidneys

Report co-author Professor Donal O'Donoghue, consultant renal physician at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, said: "These deaths are avoidable.

"This is completely unacceptable and we can't allow it to continue. Good basic care would save these lives and save millions of pounds for the NHS.

"Doctors and nurses need to make elementary checks to prevent AKI. In general, people who are having surgery shouldn't be asked to go without water for longer than two hours.

"Sometimes that is unavoidable but then medical staff need to check their patients are not becoming dehydrated."

Two years ago, Maura Murray's kidneys all but failed. She fell ill at home having had surgery on a broken leg. The sickness led to severe dehydration and renal failure, or AKI.

Ms Murray says six GPs failed to see the signs and in the end it was her husband who called an ambulance.

She told Sky News: "Why didn't somebody listen to me in the first place? Why did I suffer from dehydration? I'm sure some of the doctors should have known what was wrong."

More mistakes were then made in hospital. A lack of trained staff meant a routine replacement of her drip was delayed by two days.

Ms Murray added: "So I was left without fluids or antibiotics until the Monday morning until another nurse could put a cannula in my arm. So even though they knew I was dehydrated I was very ill and I was without fluids."

A spokesman for NHS England said: "We have taken steps to ensure the NHS puts in place coherent long-term plans to reduce avoidable deaths in our hospitals, and to improve the way data is used in decision making.

"Health research based on real life evidence like this is vitally important for NHS commissioners in choosing where to target their resources, and we thank Insight Health Economics and NHS Improving Quality for carrying it out."

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David Moyes Sacked As Manchester United Boss

David Moyes has been sacked as Manchester United manager, with Ryan Giggs taking over until the end of the season.

A statement on the club's website said: "Manchester United has announced that David Moyes has left the club.

Manchester United veteran Giggs will take the reins for the remaining games

"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

Shortly after, it released another statement, saying: "Ryan Giggs, the club's most decorated player, will assume responsibility for the first team until a permanent appointment can be made."

Moyes was informed of the decision to let him go this morning at the club's Carrington training ground, said Sky's Paul Kelso.

Chief executive Ed Woodward is said to have told Moyes the news face to face.

Manchester United shares rose 5% on the New York Stock Exchange during the first few hours of trading today.

Speculation over the sacking started yesterday, after United's 2-0 weekend defeat to Moyes' former club Everton.

Van Gaal (L) and Jurgen Klopp are among favourites to take over

The result left the champions in seventh place and made it impossible for them to qualify for next season's Champions League for the first time since 1995.

The team has lost 11 times this season, six at home, and also endured defeats to bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

There has reportedly been discontent among some of the club's top players during Moyes' time at Old Trafford.

Moyes' tenure fell well short of fans' early expectations

Moyes was handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson after 11 years at Everton where he guided the team to five top-six finishes.

The 50-year-old signed a six-year contract but is now set for a pay-off of around £4m - a year's salary - after less than a year in charge.

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville - whose brother Phil was part of Moyes' backroom staff - told Sky he thought the manager should have been given more time, but admitted the club's form had taken a nose dive.

"The results have been poor," said Neville.

"As a fan, I haven't enjoyed watching it.

Nail in the coffin? Moyes' team lost 2-0 at Everton on Sunday

"The performances have got worse and worse. There was a little bit of a pick-me-up at Christmas where you thought there might be a little bit of a run.

"But in the last month or two the performances have deteriorated - Olympiakos, Liverpool and the Everton one were particular low points."

Dwight Yorke, part of United's 1999 treble winning side, also told Sky Sports that Moyes had been a "huge disappointment".

Ex-England striker Gary Lineker posted on Twitter: "Wish David Moyes all the very best. He's a good man and a good manager, just not the right fit for Manchester United."

Favourites to replace the Scot include Louis van Gaal, manager of the Dutch national side, and Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp.

Diego Simeone is also in the frame after a successful season at Athletico Madrid.

But it is Old Trafford legend Giggs who will look to steady the ship for the remaining four games of the season.

The club's American owners, the Glazer family, are thought to be ready to bankroll a summer spending spree of £150m or more as the club pushes for a swift return to the top of the game.

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Nigel Farage: UKIP Policies Not Racist

Nigel Farage has rejected claims that UKIP's policies heading into the European elections are racist.

The UKIP leader launched his party's election drive in Sheffield on Tuesday afternoon, amid controversy over their campaign posters.

Labour MP Mike Gapes said one of the posters - which implied 26 million Europeans were after British jobs - was "racist".

But asked whether giving British workers preferential treatment was indeed racist, Mr Farage told Sky News: "I think it's the job of the Government to make sure it puts British people and their interests first, yes. Of that there is no question.

"I don't think it can be deemed racist in any way.

"We've never in our history had a complete open door, and now we have one to 485 million people.

One of the controversial UKIP posters

"I don't think we should have a complete open door to the labour market in this country from the European Union."

Speaking earlier to launch the campaign, Mr Farage predicted an "earthquake in British politics" when voters take to the polls in the European elections on May 22.

The Eurosceptic leader declared: "I think we will win."

"These are the most important European elections that have ever been fought in this country," he told the gathered crowd.

"We've got a chance four and a half weeks from now to cause such a shock in the British political system that it will be nothing short of an earthquake.

"If UKIP wins these elections, a referendum and a chance to get back control of our country will be one massive, massive step closer."

Mr Farage stood on an election van - which carried one of the controversial posters - and told reporters UKIP were mounting their "biggest and most professional campaign" ever.

Nigel Farage launches his party's campaign in Sheffield

UKIP donor Paul Sykes - who used to help finance the Tories - also attended the launch.

He had a heated exchange with a journalist who asked how much money he'd spent on the campaign.

"I haven't stopped spending yet," he said, before turning questioner himself. "How much do you think self-governance of this country is worth?"

Pressed again, Mr Sykes offered an approximate figure of £1.2m or £1.4m.

Labour Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Jim Murphy, believes the media are placing too much emphasis on UKIP's advertising campaign.

He told Sky News: "Unfortunately, and understandably perhaps, the media's attention will be on posters rather than UKIP's manifesto, because while these posters are certainly controversial and play upon people's worst fears, the real worry about UKIP is the detail of their policies."

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Man Charged With Two-Year-Old's Murder

A man has been charged with murder over the death of a two-year-old girl in Fife.

Officers were called to a property in Croftangry Road in Kelty around 6.30pm on Sunday after a "report of concern" for the child.

Madison Horne was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy but was later pronounced dead.

Tributes to Madison have been left at the house in Kelty

A 26-year-old man will appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court later after he was charged with the girl's murder.

Teddy bears and flowers have been pinned to the fence of the Croftangry Road house.

One message reads: "Rest in peace little Madison, now you're in the arms of the angels."

A doll left at the scene has the message: "Heaven has gained another angel. Rest in peace little one."

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Tulisa Appears In Court Over Cocaine Charge

Tulisa Contostavlos has been granted bail after appearing in court accused of being concerned in brokering a drug deal.

The former X Factor judge is charged with helping an undercover reporter obtain 0.5oz (13.9g) of cocaine for £860 in May last year.

The singer wore all black for her appearance

The 25-year-old singer is said to have told The Sun on Sunday's undercover reporter, Mazher Mahmood, dubbed the "fake sheikh", that she could arrange for him to buy the Class A drug.

Contostavlos denies the charge but has not entered a formal plea at court.

She appeared at Southwark Crown Court alongside rapper Mike GLC, also known as Michael Coombs, 35, of Enfield, north London, for a plea and case management hearing.

Coombs also denies the charge.

The pair, who both spoke only to confirm their names, are due to stand trial on July 14.

They were bailed to return to Southwark Crown Court on June 25 when a three-day legal argument hearing will take place.

Judge Alistair McCreath told them: "You are both free to go. If you want to come on any further application you may do so.

"You must come on 25 June when I'll deal with pre-trial matters.

"You may both go on unconditional bail."

A statement read by Contostavlos' lawyer outside court said: "She is the victim of a sophisticated set-up engineered by Mazher Mahmood. 

"We now have a date in early summer when we hope this long-running ordeal will be brought to an end."

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Aberdeen Boy Burned In 'Petrol Game' Dies

A seven-year-old boy who was badly burned in an Aberdeen street last week has died in hospital.

Preston Flores is believed to have suffered 80% burns after he was set on fire while playing a game with friends in Bedford Avenue around 2pm on Good Friday.

In a statement released through police, his mother, Luisza, said: "Preston's family want to inform the public that their precious little boy has passed away and is at rest.

"He meant the world to his family and will always be deeply missed and loved.

"Preston was a special little boy and his loss has ripped our family apart."

The statement added: "On behalf of our family I would like to thank everyone for their support but would ask that we are now allowed to grieve in peace for Preston."

Preston and other children are believed to have taken a petrol can from the back of a van shortly before the fire started, according to local newspaper The Press and Journal.

One relative told the Daily Record that Preston had been "mucking about" with mates before his clothes caught fire.

A police spokesman confirmed petrol was involved but said there was no evidence to suggest the "tragic incident" was a deliberate act.

Preston and his friends were playing on Bedford Avenue

Witnesses described hearing screams and said the youngster's clothes stuck to his body as neighbours tried to douse the flames.

Preston was initially taken to the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital but was moved to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, where he died.

Preston attended Sunnybank School. Its acting headteacher Michelle McKay said: "Preston was a lively and competitive little boy who loved football, PE and all sorts of outdoor activities, as well as board games, baking and building with Lego.

"He was a fun-loving boy with a great sense of humour and lots of friends.

"He loved his family too, and was always sharing with us the latest news about his new baby brother.

"This is a tragic time for his family, for the school and for everyone connected to it. We are all so saddened by what has happened.

"This is a strong and close-knit community, however, and so we are all supporting each other and I am sure that, together, we will find ways of coming to terms with our loss."

Detective Inspector Lorna Ferguson, of Police Scotland, said: "Our thoughts are with Preston's family, friends and the Bedford community at this sad time."

A report into the tragedy will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal in due course as is usual procedure.

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Family Court 'Revolution' To Help Children

A new Family Court to deal with divorce and child custody proceedings is due to be introduced in England and Wales.

The court will replace the previous three-tier system as part of a "revolution" in family justice.

Another significant change is a 26-week time limit on care proceedings aimed at protecting children.

It follows the Family Justice Review in 2011, which found vulnerable and damaged children were having their "futures undermined".

Care and supervision cases have taken an average of 56 weeks.

Conservative Edward Timpson, children and families minister, said: "Every child deserves a safe and stable home - no matter what their background or starting point in life.

"The new 26-week time limit will reduce unnecessary delays by ensuring that judges focus on the facts without getting caught up in unnecessary evidence or bureaucracy.

"These reforms will mean a swifter system where children's best interests are placed - where they rightly should be - at the heart of decision making."

There will be a 26-week limit on court proceedings involving children

Expert evidence will now be allowed only when necessary in family proceedings concerning children.

Compulsory family mediation meetings for separating couples are also being introduced.

Liberal Democrat family justice minister Simon Hughes said: "For too long children have suffered from excessive delays and confrontational court battles.

"Our reforms will keep families away from negative effects of battles or delays in court and make sure that when cases do go to court they happen in the least damaging way."

Sir James Munby, president of the Family Division of the High Court, said the scale of the changes could not be overstated.

"Today marks the largest reform of the family justice system any of us have seen or will see in our professional lifetimes," he said.

"Taken as a whole, these reforms amount to a revolution. There has been, indeed there had to be, a fundamental change in the cultures of the family courts. This is truly a cultural revolution."

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Man United Sack David Moyes: As It Happened

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3:21pm UK, Tuesday 22 April 2014

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Holland Boss Favourite To Fill United Hot Seat

Holland boss Louis van Gaal is runaway favourite to replace David Moyes as Manchester United manager.

Sky Bet ranks the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager as 5/4 to become the next permanent manager of the troubled champions.

He is followed by Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp at 9/1, Old Trafford legend Ryan Giggs at 10/1, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone 16/1.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired at the end of last season, is joint fifth-favourite at 22/1.

Any move for Van Gaal would be complicated by his commitment to the Netherlands for the World Cup in Brazil - which could keep him tied up until after July 13 if they make it to the final.

Meanwhile Klopp, 46, has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to Dortmund and recently signed a contract extension - but he has had to deal with the frustration of seeing his best talent poached by rivals Bayern Munich.

Giggs has taken over until the end of the season, but it would be a gamble to give such a high profile job to a player with no managerial experience.

Carlos Quieroz, Sir Alex's former assistant at Old Trafford, was once seen as a possible heir to the United hot seat.

He is currently in charge of the Iranian national side, and is also 22/1 to replace Moyes.

Pep Guardiola is currently at fairly long odds of 25/1 – partly due to a successful first season at Bayern Munich's helm.

Speculation in Italy suggests United have already made initial contact with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, through his agent, Jorge Mendes.

He was widely thought to have been keen to take over from Sir Alex last summer, but returned to Chelsea after Moyes was appointed.

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Coulson Denies Hearing Sienna Message To Craig

Former News of the World editor Andy Coulson has told the hacking trial he was never played a voicemail left on Daniel Craig's phone by Sienna Miller, which exposed the actors were having an affair.

Coulson, also a former Number 10 spin doctor, denied the allegations made by former NOTW journalist Dan Evans that he was present when a tape of the message left on the James Bond star's phone was played.

Giving evidence in his defence for a fourth day in the Old Bailey trial, Coulson said he was not even in the office on the day Evans claimed he played the tape, referring to his diary on the September 27, 2005, that showed he was instead at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

James Bond star Daniel Craig

Coulson also said he believed information on the Miller-Craig affair may have come from Miller's mother.

He added: "People in and around celebrities - their relatives, their agents, their PRs - will talk to newspapers."

He said he had asked staff working on the story not to refer to Miller's then-boyfriend Jude Law as either a "sex addict" or a "love rat" in copy due to the paper's relationship with sources in his camp.

Coulson said he also believed Law was aware that some of those close to him were talking to the media.

Sienna Miller had left a voicemail on the star's phone

Their identities were not disclosed in court, but it has already been reported that a relative of Law had been supplying information about him.

Evans has already admitted hacking phones while working at the News of World, claiming it was the main reason he was recruited in January 2005.

Evans, 38, has also claimed that Coulson knew about his activities and told him a voicemail he taped from Miller to Craig exposing their alleged affair was "brilliant".

Coulson said he could not remember having any specific dealings with Evans after his recruitment but said they may have spoken.

Miller and her then-boyfriend Law in 2003

He told the court: "I am sure we would have spoken to each other.

"If a new member of staff arrives I would normally make the point of saying hello and having a chat with them.

"I am sure that happened, but none (conversations) stick in my memory."

Coulson, 46, of Charing, Kent, is charged with conspiring to hack phones with Rebekah Brooks and former managing editor Stuart Kuttner, and conspiring with former Royal editor Clive Goodman to commit misconduct in a public office.

All seven defendants deny all charges against them.

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