Survey reveals stroke care failings - Belfast Telegraph

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Stroke survivors are not making the best possible recovery because of a lack of post-hospital care, according to a new report.

More than a third of survivors (38%) surveyed had not been assessed on their health and care needs to help them with their recovery, found a study by the Stroke Association.

More than half (53%) of people who had suffered a stroke in the last three years had been assessed only once.

A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain. Around 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK every year and more than one million people in the UK are living with the effects of stroke.

Without assessments, patients are missing out on services that are essential to them making the fullest possible recovery, the charity said. The Government's National Stroke Strategy states people should receive an assessment six weeks after leaving hospital, again at six months and then annually.

Just under four out of 10 (38%) of those who had received an assessment had been given a care plan outlining the services and treatments that would be put in place to help them get better, according to the study of more than 2,200 survivors and carers.

Jon Barrick, chief executive at the Stroke Association, said: "More people than ever are surviving a stroke and that's a welcome improvement. But many stroke survivors tell us that after all the effort to save their lives they then feel abandoned when they return home.

"The NHS and local authorities are failing in their responsibilities to provide appropriate and timely support to stroke survivors and their families; and the growing evidence of cuts for people currently getting services is very worrying."

A Department of Health spokesman said there was still more to do to improve the care given to those surviving strokes. He said: "Care of stroke patients in hospital has improved dramatically over recent years with the majority of patients now treated in specialist stroke units, but we know there is still more to do.

"That is why we have established a programme which focuses on driving up standards for stroke patients, by ensuring, among other things, that patients have a joint care plan prepared for them before they leave hospital. Modernisation of the NHS will help to integrate health and social care services."

B&N, Microsoft team up on Nook, college businesses - BusinessWeek

NEW YORK

Barnes & Noble Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are teaming up to create a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary that will house the digital and college businesses of the bookseller and include a Nook application for Windows 8.

The companies said Monday that they are exploring separating those businesses entirely. That could mean a stock offering, sale, or other deal could happen.

The partnership will Microsoft, will see the Redmond, Wash. company make a $300 million investment in the subsidiary for an approximately 17.6 percent stake. Barnes & Noble will own about 82.4 percent of the subsidiary, which has yet to be officially named.

The possibility of a separation of the businesses has been brewing recently. In March private investment firm G Asset Management, a Barnes & Noble shareholder, offered $460 million for a 51 percent stake in the company's college bookstore unit, Banes & Noble College Booksellers LLC.

In 2009, Barnes & Noble Inc. bought the college bookstore unit from Chairman Leonard Riggio in a deal worth $596 million. The deal ended up costing Barnes & Noble $460 million after accounting for the unit's cash on hand at the closing date.

Aside from the college business, Barnes & Noble is looking to maximize the potential of its Nook e-book readers. The bookseller has tried to adjust to a noticeable shift in book reading habits, with e-book readers becoming increasingly popular with consumers over traditional hardcover or paperback books. But Barnes & Noble is dealing with tough competition on that end from the likes of Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle and others.

"The formation of Newco and our relationship with Microsoft are important parts of our strategy to capitalize on the rapid growth of the Nook business, and to solidify our position as a leader in the exploding market for digital content in the consumer and education segments," Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch said in a statement.

The companies say the subsidiary will help to speed the transition to e-reading. Barnes & Noble sells the Nook e-book readers, which face stiff competition from a plethora of competitors, including Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle.

The Nook app will make Barnes & Noble's catalog of e-books, magazines and newspapers available to Windows customers in the U.S. and abroad. The subsiary will also include Barnes & Noble's Nook Study software.

Barnes & Noble, based in New York, runs 691 bookstores in 50 states.

Microsoft's stock shed 12 cents to $31.86 in premarket trading.

Ex-cop held after hairdresser wife stabbed to death - The Sun

Natalie Esack, 33, was found dead by police after workers in nearby shops heard screams from the salon on yesterday morning.

Paramedics fought in vain to save her as staff stood sobbing outside after arriving for work to find the shop cordoned off.

Husband Ivan Esack, 38 was arrested an hour later at his home. Mortgage broker Charles Goodwin, 49, who works three doors down from Natalie's salon, said: "I heard a single loud scream. It's a real shock.

"Natalie had looked happy and smiling when she arrived for work not long before and we waved to each other as usual.

"She was a lovely woman with a really bubbly character. I don't know anyone who's got a bad word to say about her.

"She had a very successful hair salon — and you don't get success in a business like that unless people like you."

Neighbours of Esack yesterday said Natalie had recently moved out after splitting up with him more than a month ago.

One added: "I'm completely shocked, it's absolutely awful. They were such a lovely couple and always seemed really happy together.

"I wasn't aware of them having any problems. I never heard arguing."

Another neighbour said: "I met them both at a Neighbourhood Watch street party last summer.

"She was quiet but he was more outgoing and talkative. They seemed a pleasant couple.

"He told me he was an ex-policeman and wanted to be involved in politics. He said he was working for the Tory MP Damian Green."

Forensics teams took away Ivan's black Vauxhall estate car. They were still examining the salon in Ashford, Kent, last night.

They have found a knife that is believed to be the murder weapon.

Esack, a police officer for about nine years, is now a football agent.

He claims his clients include Lewis Dunk of Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha and Middlesbrough's Curtis Main. But Esack does not appear on a list of official agents.

He says on his website: "I can personally guarantee that I am a person that people can trust and confide in with confidentiality assured."

He and Natalie are co-owners of hairdressers Esack Hair and Beauty.

Its opening in 2008 was attended by celebrity model Nancy Sorrell, wife of comic Vic Reeves.

Kent police confirmed a 38-year-old man known to the victim was in custody on suspicion of murder.

b.flynn@the-sun.co.uk

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Offered by Verizon at $100 Off - Planet Insane

How you can get VERY rich during times of economic turmoil, even if you don't have a lot of money to invest...Watch the Video

As a response to the launching of Sprint, Verizon has reduced the price of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus by $100. Now, the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus has become more affordable for a price of $200 from its original $300 tag.
Verizon has decreased its price for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Even if it has only been in the market for around five months, there is already a reduction in the smartphone's price from $300 to $200 for a two-year contract.
Although Verizon continues to launch high profile 4G LTE handsets around the $300 price, the reduced tag of the Galaxy Nexus is an indication of the growing competition from other carriers such as Sprint and AT&T especially that the two are now finally ready to launch their own 4G LTE network.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

For Verizon, the Droid Razr Maxx is the only handset left in the devices of Verizon with a price tag of at least $300. The high cost though is justifiable by the Droid Razr's impressive battery life.
As for the Galaxy Nexus, its battery life is not as incredible as that of the Droid Razr. Yet, all its other features seems very interesting and never fails to impress that is why the phone constantly gets a high mark. The Galaxy Nexus was designed by both Samsung and Google and it was launched as Android 4.0 or the Ice Cream Sandwich's flagship smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is also already available at Sprint and it may prove to be successful across carriers. Sprint just recently launched the smartphone for only $200. At that price, it already comes with 4G LTE capabilities.
Unfortunately, the actual LTE network of Sprint has not been launched yet. However, when phone contracts are considered, it is better to be early rather than late. Those who do not obtain a phone that is LTE-enabled may have to wait for a couple of years to get an upgrade.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus has been in close competition with the Droid Razr smartphone line as Verizon's most famous Android handset.

To the victor go the spoils - ESPN (blog)

The result at Old Trafford earlier in the season was obviously playing on Ferguson's mind when he selected the team for this match. Despite the fact we have beaten City at both Eastlands and Wembley this season, that 6-1 bayoneting from October is all anyone remembers.

Park Ji-Sung is a great man but he hasn't had much football recently and he looked off the pace in this match. His selection also sent out the message that we were set up to play defensively and happy with the draw. Our caution has cost us and one wonders if fortune may have favoured us had we been braver.

Last years Champions' League final followed a similar script. Not because City are as good as Barcelona, they are not, but because we began full of intent before sitting back and asking our opponents to come forward and attack us. It is pathetically easy to criticise after the event, but I feel the game would have gone our way if we had started with the team that finished the match.

Full credit must go to our contingent of away fans who played their part in a terrific atmosphere. It was also pleasing that, in a season that has featured so much controversy with Liverpool, this derby could pass without any ugly incidents. It was indeed a credit to the city of Manchester.

And this week, the Berties will be cock of the walk about town. A friend of mine who married a City fan has not spoken to her husband all week. Personally, my only regret is being so nice to City fans over the years. We will be made to suffer over the next few days, make no mistake.

Nonetheless, whilst this is very much a case of the battle being lost, the war continues to rage. Manchester City have the momentum now, there can be no denying it, and if they win the last two games of their season they will become worthy champions of this division. The thing is, they might not.

Believe.

Thanks to ESPN's worldwide coverage Mark's blog has been nominated for a People's Choice Award in a far-flung land. Please click here and vote for 'Manchester United Correspondent'. Don't forget to scroll to the end when you are finished to make your vote count.

Follow Mark on twitter.com/markjpayne

British internet firms ordered to block Pirate Bay - Capital FM Kenya

A computer user in session/FILE

LONDON, May 1 – Five internet service providers in Britain will be forced to block top file-sharing website The Pirate Bay under a High Court order issued Monday over copyright infringement.

The High Court ordered the five — Sky, Everything Everywhere, TalkTalk, O2 and Virgin Media — to block the site within weeks after a February court ruling that both operators and users of The Pirate Bay infringe copyright.

A sixth firm, BT, is in discussions with music industry body the BPI, which lodged the court case, and has asked for more time to consider its position.

The Swedish-based Pirate Bay, which calls itself "the galaxy's most resilient BitTorrent site", uses the BitTorrent protocol — in which a "swarm" of computers download and upload parts of files at the same time — to let users share content.

In practice, critics say, it enables mass illegal distribution of copyrighted material including music, movies and games.

"The High Court has confirmed that The Pirate Bay infringes copyright on a massive scale. Its operators line their pockets by commercially exploiting music and other creative works without paying a penny to the people who created them," said BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor.

"This is wrong — musicians, sound engineers and video editors deserve to be paid for their work just like everyone else."

He urged Britons to use legal digital music services instead.

"Sites like The Pirate Bay destroy jobs in the UK and undermine investment in new British artists," Taylor added.

A spokeswoman for Virgin Media said the company would comply with any court order but stressed the need for "compelling legal alternatives" to file-sharing, citing its deal with streaming service Spotify.

In January US authorities shut down MegaUpload.com, another major file-sharing and hosting site, over copyright infringement.

The Pirate Bay says it is campaigning for "freedom of speech" and copyright systems that benefit the public. Fans of the Pirate Bay and similar sites launched the Pirate Party in Sweden in 2006, campaigning for copyright reform.

Author: AFP
AFP has written 1701 posts

Newspaper review: Papers discuss NoW hacking report - BBC News

1 May 2012 Last updated at 01:17 ET

A look at the first editions of the UK papers

With MPs due to give their verdict on the phone- hacking scandal at the News of the World, some papers are confident they know what will be in their report.

The Guardian and the Times both say the former chairman of News International, James Murdoch, will face criticism from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

But, they predict, the MPs won't accuse him of misleading parliament.

The Daily Mail says members of the committee were divided about how much James Murdoch was to blame.

Energy bonuses

The Sun is angry that as fuel bills have soared over the past two years the energy watchdog, Ofgem, has paid its staff more than £1m in bonuses.

The figure's been obtained through a parliamentary question by the shadow energy minister Caroline Flint.

She tells the paper: "Hard-pressed families and pensioners struggling to make ends meet will be astonished."

In its leader column, the Sun accuses Ofgem of being "toothless" and calls the bonuses "stomach-turning".

New claims of torture by the regime in Jordan are reported in the Independent which says they throw the government's attempts to deport the radical preacher Abu Qatada into disarray.

Titanic ambition

The Daily Telegraph claims that government ministers want poor teachers to be paid less than their more talented colleagues.

The idea is said to be an effort to boost standards in schools.

The National Union of Teachers says the idea is "inappropriate and divisive".

The Daily Mirror reports that an Australian billionaire wants to build a near-replica of the Titanic.

Clive Palmer says the new vessel will be as luxurious as the original, but with the latest safety systems.

And a potentially deadly hairy caterpillar is spreading across England according to the Daily Mail.

It says oak processionary moth caterpillars have 63,000 hairs which can blow off in the wind and trigger asthma attacks, skin rashes and fever.