Thursday 16 June 2005

By Mithran Samuel, Amy Taylor and Derren Hayes

Doctor turned children into zombies

The NHS is to compensate 12 families whose children were
“turned into zombies” after they were inappropriately
given epilepsy drugs by a doctor, in the first stage of a possible
£10million payout.

Of almost 2,000 children treated by Dr Andrew Holton at Leicester
Royal Infirmary over an 11-year period, over half were either
misdiagnosed with epilepsy or put on inappropriately high doses of
drugs.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 16 June page 1 and 4

Sponsored city schools are to spread despite a poor
report

Admissions arrangements for children with special educational needs
at city academies lack clarity, a government-commissioned report
has found.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers study also finds that bullying is a
“significant problem” in the government’s
flagship schools.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 16 June page 10

The great pay divide

Public sector pay is rising faster than private sector wages, a
National Statistics study has revealed.

It says public sector pay rises averaged 4.7 per cent in the first
quarter of this year compared to 3.9 per cent in the private
sector.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 16 June page 17

Today, this woman appeals against her conviction for
shaking her baby to death.

A woman begins her fight to clear her name for the killing of her
first son by challenging the theory that babies’ internal
injuries can only be caused by shaking them.

Lorraine Harris, whose second son was taken into care, joins three
other convicted child killers in challenging the so-called Shaken
Baby Syndrome theory.

Source:- Daily Mail Thursday 16 June page 30-31

Clark wins backing for international paedophile
database

An international database of paedophiles is due to get backing from
the leaders of the G8 nations today.

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, introduced the idea to the
leaders. The initiative has been prompted by concerns that
paedophiles are going abroad to have to have sex with children and
it is difficult for national police forces keep track of
them.

Source:- The Independent Thursday 16 June

We want more time with our children, say 80 per cent of
fathers

Most new fathers want to avoid being distant dads and spend more
time caring for their baby, according to new research.

The study by the Equal Opportunities Commission contrasts with a
similar survey by the commission carried out 20 years ago which
found that more than half of fathers questioned saw their role as
simply to go out and earn the money.

Source:- The Independent Thursday 16 June

Babies given electronic tags to beat
abductors

New-born babies are having electronic tags fixed to their ankles
straight after being been born to stop them from being
snatched.

Medway NHS trust became the first to use the system last week. The
tags allow each baby’s position in the ward to be
monitored.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 16 June

Scottish news

Report warns on tagging for young offenders

Fast-tracking through the courts of persistent young offenders is
to be extended for a further year, Cathy Jamieson, the justice
minister, has announced.

It follows publication of an independent report found that there
were serious concerns about the suitability of tagging for young
people.

The study found more than half of the 16 and 17-year-olds
electronically monitored, failed to complete their order.

Source:- The Herald Thursday 16 June

Changes to supervision of sex offenders expected after
murder

Ministers are to consider measures to bring in tougher supervision
of sex offenders after the justice minister, Cathy Jamieson, raised
concerns over the handling of Colyn Evans, the high-risk sex
offender who murdered a Fife teenager.

Karen Dewar, a childcare student, was killed by Evans, who had been
re-housed in a “scatter flat” just yards from her home.

A report into the case found Evans had been known to the
authorities for years and was accused of 14 offences between the
ages of 10 and 16.

Source:- The Scotsman Thursday 16 June

Technology’s gentle touch helps ease dementia

Clips from classic films and snatches of songs from the past are
helping dementia sufferers by rekindling lost memories with the aid
of touch-screen technology.

A “memory jukebox” has been developed by psychologists at St
Andrews University and computer experts at Dundee University,
together with researchers at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of
Art in Dundee.

The system, known as the Computer Interactive Reminiscence and
Conversation Aid (CIRCA), contains packages of film clips,
once-popular songs, old radio programmes and photographs, which can
be accessed via a touch screen to help spur people with dementia to
begin reminiscing about their past.

Source:- The Scotsman Thursday 16 June

Welsh news

Autistic child’s parents loose treatment case

The parents of a 14-year-old Irish autistic boy have failed in
their attempt to get him treated in Wales.

The High Court in Dublin ruled that the state had fulfilled its
obligations to Lewis O’Carolan by offering him treatment in
Dublin.

Annette and Colm O’Carolan wanted Lewis to go to the Bangor
Centre for Disabilities in Wales which provides specialist autism
care.

Source:- icWales Thursday 16 June

Man charged with murdering 14-week baby

The man, who has not been named by police, has been charged with
the murder of a 14-week-old baby after a body was found at a house
in Wrexham, North Wales.

The baby boy died in February of last year.

Source:-icWales Thursday 16 June

AMs shocked to test positive for drugs

Many Assembly Members who volunteered themselves to try out a new
machine drugs detection machine were shocked to test positive
yesterday.

Readings of drugs like heroin and cocaine were found on the AMs
hands who had queued up to try out the machine out of
curiosity.

The machine is able to detect minute traces of Class A drugs which
could have been picked up from bank notes, taps and door handles in
clubs and bars.

Source:- Western Mail Thursday 16 June