Tragedy that inspires teenage NHS hero
DAVID BECKHAM visited Captain Sir Tom Moore as he became the first member of the Lionhearts squad of coronavirus heroes.
The former England skipper handed the centenarian a framed football shirt after he was elected honorary captain of the FA initiative to recognise 23 inspirational individuals during lockdown.
Speaking to the Second World War veteran at his home, David, 45, said: “The highlight of my career was being made England the moment we have avoidable death and suffering that needs to be addressed.”
Professor Karol Sikora, leading cancer specialist and former adviser to the World Health Organisation, said: “We have a looming cancer crisis. If we don’t get cancer diagnosis and treatment moving immediately tens of thousands of people will lose their lives, potentially up to 50,000.
“We were slow to react to the virus and I fear we are being too slow to react to this next crisis.”
Sara Bainbridge, head of policy and influence at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “In May a colossal 94,000 fewer people saw a specialist for suspected cancer following an urgent GP referral than during the same period last year.
“As thousands of these invisible patients are diagnosed with cancer and begin their treatment, our cancer captain. I never felt that it was something that came naturally to me, but I think I fitted into the role and I had help along the way of great players and captains I played under.
“To have Sir Tom as our captain – it doesn’t get any better than that.
“He really is a national hero and I can’t think of anyone more deserving to captain the Lionhearts squad.”
Sir Tom inspired the nation by raising more than
£33million for NHS Charities Together during lockdown by walking laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Beds, in the run-up to his
100th birthday in April.
Asked by David about what makes a good leader, Sir Tom said: “I think you have to rather like people and realise there is good in everyone, and as a leader you can bring it out of them.”
Nominations for Lionhearts close today. services face being under more pressure than ever before.”
An NHS England spokesman said: “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff who have continued to provide treatment for cancer, the scenario set out by this study thankfully didn’t happen. Referrals for cancer checks are increasing, with more than 65,000 people safely treated over the last three months.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “Throughout this unprecedented pandemic the NHS has continued to treat cancer patients as a priority, with urgent and essential tests and treatments going ahead in a safe way for thousands of patients.
“We are already providing the NHS with a record cash funding boost of £33billion extra by 2023/24.”
The study is published in the journal Lancet Oncology.
LAWYERS are bracing themselves for disputes over wills made in lockdown because they were witnessed over video conferencing apps.
The pandemic saw a rush of people trying to get their affairs in order but many people were shielding or in care homes or wards where visitors were not allowed.
Under the 1837 law wills have to be signed in the presence of two or more witnesses.
The Law Society of England and Wales, unlike that of Scotland and New Zealand, warned in April wills must not be witnessed via video link, as physical presence is required by the act. But
ATEENAGER whose aunt died of coronavirus joined the NHS 111 call service so he could play his part in the fight against the pandemic.
A new Channel 4 documentary shows how much pressure paramedics and frontline workers were under at the peak of the crisis. At one point a 111 centre is taking four times its usual number of calls.
In addition, Paramedics: Britain’s Lifesavers found nearly half of patients seen were too scared to go to hospital. It estimates more than 8,000 could have died because they missed out on hospital treatment through fear.
West Midlands 111 call assessor Ollie Farquharson, 18, features on the programme. He had just finished his
A-levels when personal tragedy struck. He said: “My Auntie solicitors fear the advice came too late for those who rushed to draw up a will and got it witnessed remotely over the internet, opening up the possibility it could be contested.
Barrister Charlotte John, of Hardwicke Chambers in London, said: “It seems likely, given the huge reported increase in people using will-writing services, that there has also been an increase in homemade wills.
“Many people may have had members of their own household act as witnesses and may not be aware that a person cannot benefit under the will if they or their spouse acted as a witness.”
Kay had a cold about a week before lockdown. She was isolating at home then got worse and worse.we used the 111 service and a decision was made that she needed to go into hospital. “She deteriorated and then just slowly passed away in early April. It hit hard because my mum wasn’t allowed to say goodbye.”
Ollie joined the 111 service because he wanted to give something back. Speaking to the Sunday Express, he said even now many callers don’t realise they must isolate if they have Covid symptoms. “People should be a 100 per cent aware of this but they are taken aback.” He said many are reluctant to agree to a visit by a paramedic in case they are then sent to hospital.
● Paramedics: Britain’s Lifesavers, tomorrow, 9pm, Channel 4