Cutting plan

NHS England will trial drone deliveries of cancer drugs in a bid to slash waiting times for the vital medication. Chemotherapy drugs will be flown from Portsmouth to a hospital on the Isle of Wight in 30 minutes, down from the four hours it normally takes by conventional transport. Patients on the island will then be able to pick them up from their local hospital or pharmacy, rather than having to travel to the mainland for prescriptions. It is hoped that drone technology will one day enable doctors to make 'same-day delivery' orders for drugs and medical equipment in other parts of the country. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, announced the pilot as the health service marked its 74th birthday on July 5. She said moving to drone technology would also be good for the environment, by cutting carbon emissions from cars, ferries and planes. Health officials said they chose chemotherapy because the drugs have a short shelf life and are difficult to transport. … [Read more...] about NHS will courier chemotherapy drugs by DRONES to cancer patients as part of new trial to cut waiting times

British Airways (BA) has announced it will cut a further 10,300 short-haul flights until the end of October. The airline , among the worst hit by post-pandemic staff shortages that have resulted in widespread disruption for passengers this year, made the announcement just a day after another wave of cancellations was revealed in a bid to make schedules more robust. BA told Sky News that the cancellations it was announcing to passengers on Wednesday, covering August to October, were part of a focus on protecting popular holiday flights. It suggested that destinations with weak bookings would be most likely to have flight frequency consolidated. However, there could be worse problems ahead for BA customers using Heathrow. Advertisement BA revealed the latest cuts less than 24 hours before unions representing 700 of its check-in and ground-handling staff at the airport - almost half its customer-facing team there - were due to reveal strike dates … [Read more...] about British Airways to cut a further 10,300 flights until end of October

This story was originally published in Newsroom.co.nz and is republished with permission. Poison drops over a million hectares are planned to counter a 'mega mast' predicted to spark a plague of predators in native forests. David Williams reports. When I last visited a forest frequented by orange-fronted parakeet/kākāriki karaka, there was quiet optimism. In 2009, I accompanied Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger Sandy Yong to Canterbury's Hawdon Valley, near Arthur's Pass, while she checked rat tracking tunnels and traps. READ MORE: P redator control project lasting legacy of conservation pioneers The weapon to wipe out wasps: The story of Vespex | Wasp Wipeout Back then, kākāriki numbers were estimated to be between 200 and 400 birds in three valleys - the Hawdon and Poulter in Arthur's Pass National Park, and the south branch of the Hurunui River. Yong thought the bird numbers were slowly growing. But she was concerned about a predator population … [Read more...] about $30.5 million hit planned for ‘mega mast’

British Airways has announced it is going to cut 10,300 short-haul flights until the end of October, with long-haul travel unaffected. The move, which will see flights cut from the start of August, takes the percentage of cancellations across the airline to a total of 13% this summer. BA has been one of the worst affected carriers in terms of schedule disruption in recent months as the aviation industry battles increased demand and staff shortages. In a statement the airline said it was ‘not where we wanted to be’ but believed the cuts were ‘the right thing to do for our customers and colleagues’. The company said: ‘The whole aviation industry continues to face into significant challenges and we’re completely focussed on building resilience into our operation to give customers the certainty they deserve. ‘The Government recently decided to give the whole industry slot alleviation to minimise potential disruption this summer. ‘While taking further action is not … [Read more...] about British Airways to cut 10,300 short-haul flights until October

There have been plenty of parallels drawn between Steps and ABBA over the years. But unlike the Swedish superstars, Steps have vowed to continue performing until they are singing Tragedy in mirrorballed mobility scooters – as holograms are a bit too expensive. The group are celebrating their 25th anniversary together, and will spend the summer performing at festivals. And they reckon they still have a long time to go. “We joke about a zimmer-frame tour,” laughs Lee Latchford Evans, 47, but Claire Richards, 44, has already gone one better, having located “mobility scooters completely encrusted with crystals and stuff” at a posh pharmacist in West London. “They would be perfect for us,” she says, adding that a veteran tour might prove tricky with their routines. “Our core show is based in dance. I would love to be still that fit and that active in my 70s.” Steps will be performing together for a while ( Image: Redferns via Getty Images) ABBA – who are in their 70s – … [Read more...] about Steps jokes that they plan on performing together until they’re using ‘mobility scooters’

Johnson returns to No 10 following Sunak and Javid resignations Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info But he insisted to allies the failed bid to force him out of Downing Street marked a “moment of liberation” that will allow his Government to pursue a true-blue Tory agenda to win the next general election. Mr Johnson was said to be in a “resolute and determined” mood and carrying on with “business as usual” following the extraordinary acts of disloyalty by the two senior ministers. Related articles Queen could be forced to jet back to London as Boris's Cabinet spirals Zahawi forces beleaguered Johnson to name him as Chancellor He … [Read more...] about PM’S BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL: Defiant Boris vows to FIGHT ON and SLASH taxes for millions

Published 7 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Following the shock resignation of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, his replacement Nadhim Zahawi has said he and Prime Minister Boris Johnson want to "rebuild the economy" and get soaring inflation under control. Mr Zahawi said "nothing is off the table" in terms of cutting taxes. What are some of the options open to the new Chancellor to make good on those plans? 1. Cut VAT Mr Zahawi has said he wants to do two things: cut taxes and "bear down" on inflation. Those are not usually happy bedfellows. Cutting taxes puts more money into the economy, which drives prices up - so how can he walk this line? A temporary cut in VAT - the tax paid when buying goods and services - from 20% to 17.5%, say, would lower the price of goods and services in the basket used to calculate inflation - taxes would get cut, and … [Read more...] about Four ways Nadhim Zahawi may try to boost the economy

By Tom Espiner Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The pound has fallen to a two-year low against the dollar reflecting traders' increasing concerns about recession around the world as energy prices continue to soar. But sterling is also weak because markets are worried about future UK economic growth, analysts said. Sterling could fall even further after predictions of economic stagnation and as inflation rises, they added. London shares regained some ground on Wednesday following Tuesday's falls. The resignation of two senior government ministers on Tuesday evening, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was not a significant factor in the pound's fall, Rabobank head currency strategist Jane Foley told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year Sunak … [Read more...] about Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar

By Hazel Shearing Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Former higher and further education minister Michelle Donelan has been made the new education secretary. It follows Nadhim Zahawi's departure from the post as he becomes chancellor. Ms Donelan, 38, has spent the past two years occupied with universities and colleges. Now she has the whole of England's education system to contend with - and she is facing a pretty packed schedule. Catch-up after Covid Perhaps the biggest issue Ms Donelan will have to contend with is the impact of two years of disruption on schoolchildren. By 2030, ministers want 90% of children leaving primary school to reach the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. There's a long way to go, and unions aren't convinced it's doable with current levels of funding. This week, Sats results … [Read more...] about Who is Michelle Donelan and what is the new education secretary facing?

Alistair Campbell shocked by Kay Burley's comment on Johnson Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info While Sky News ' Kay Burley asked Alastair Campbell about the resignation of top cabinet minister, she unexpectedly told Alastair Campbell: "He's one the most successful Prime Ministers of this century." A baffled Mr Campbell exclaimed: "Sorry, did you just say that Boris Johnson is one the most successful Prime Ministers of this century? Mr Burkley hit back: "I did." Mr Campbell: "Based upon what?" Mr Burley cut him off saying: "He's achieved a majority." Related articles 'How can it be lawful?' Kay Burley skewers Sturgeon 'breaking the law' … [Read more...] about Alastair Campbell erupts as Kay Burley brands Johnson ‘one of the most successful leaders’