Longer wait times on the horizon for Victorian patients

Victorian doctors are warning patients with life-threatening injuries that longer wait times are soon to come.
The state's new $600 million cardiac hospital has axed an operating theatre and six recovery beds to become more fiscally sustainable.
The reduction could lead to prolonged surgery waiting lists and ambulance wait times.

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Leader Live

3 hours ago

• Leader Live

Is Himalayan balsam illegal in the UK? What a fine could be

Himalayan balsam, similar to Japanese Knotweed, sits among other plants that can 'rapidly spread' in your garden. It may look pretty with bright pink flowers, which at first look wouldn't ring any alarm bells, however, it can lead to costly repairs if it takes over. It's not an offence to have Himalayan balsam already growing in your garden, but it is an offence to plant it or to cause it to grow in the wild, BBC Gardeners World advises. It is also banned from sale in the UK. Each plant has around 800 seeds that are easily transported by wind, animals, or water, and will grow again. The plant has spikes of showy pink or purple flowers, and fines can go up to £2,500. Property expert Robert Quinton at Construction Megastore Building Materials says that the species can damage any local biodiversity. He explained: 'If left unmanaged, it spreads rapidly and can overwhelm gardens and surrounding areas. 'Allowing it to encroach on your neighbour's garden could even result in legal consequences and fines, so it's important to control its growth.' In some cases, if the plant has taken over an area, then it could affect how much your property could fetch if put on the market. Some mortgage lenders may even be reluctant to lend. Himalayan balsam needs to be pulled out by hand or cut as low as possible before it seeds. Mr Quinton continued: 'The most effective way to tackle Himalayan balsam is by hand-pulling or cutting it back, ideally before it starts to flower. 'When pulling it up, make sure to remove the whole plant, roots and all, to stop it from growing back. Recommended reading: What to do if you see Himalayan balsam? Advice for gardeners When does Japanese Knotweed flower in the UK and what to do if you find some These are the 9 illegal plants that could land you with a £30,000 fine "In thicker patches, cutting the stems below the lowest node can also work well to keep it under control.' The plant, which can grow to about 6ft 5in (2m) tall, blooms with pink or purple scented flowers from June to November. Himalayan balsam was first introduced to the UK by Victorian botanists in 1839.

Vancouver Sun

3 hours ago

• Vancouver Sun

Does rice contain arsenic? Yes, here's how you can reduce the risk

Arsenic in rice isn't a new concern, but a recent report published by Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) brought the issue back into the spotlight. The study found arsenic in all 145 rice samples bought at stores across the United States. More than a quarter surpassed 100 parts per billion (ppb) of inorganic arsenic, the Canadian and American federal limits for infant rice cereal. Health Canada says rice and fruit juice are the most common dietary sources of inorganic arsenic, a toxic chemical. So, how worried should you be? Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'With all things to do with food safety, it comes down to reducing the risk of exposure,' says Lawrence Goodridge, a professor at the University of Guelph's Department of Food Science and director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety , who wasn't involved in the HBBF report. 'People can reduce their risk by consuming less of those foods.' Arsenic was 'the poison of choice in Victorian times,' says Keith Warriner, a professor at the University of Guelph's Department of Food Science, who wasn't involved in the HBBF report. It's also ubiquitous. 'The reality is, arsenic is everywhere. So it's not a case where you can avoid it.' Warriner underscores that people shouldn't stop eating rice altogether because of arsenic. After all, it's a staple of many cuisines with cultural significance and health benefits. 'It's a concern to have, but it's not 'I'm going to give up rice' because there are things we can do to minimize.' Here are ways to reduce the risk, from the rice you buy and how you cook it to diversifying your diet with grains lower in heavy metals such as arsenic. The more toxic of its chemical forms, inorganic arsenic is considered a carcinogen and is naturally present in soil and groundwater. Long-term exposure has been associated with an increased risk of health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and skin lesions . When exposure happens in utero or during childhood, it 'may affect development and increase the risk of cancer in adulthood,' according to Health Canada. Babies and young children are 'the real concern,' says Goodridge. The toxicity accumulates more easily because they're smaller and their body weight is lower. 'Infant rice products can be a source of significant exposure,' he adds. 'It doesn't mean you can't give it to your kids, but limit it. It shouldn't be the primary grain cereal that they're fed. It shouldn't be the primary milk that they're given.' Goodridge advises rotating rice-based foods such as cereals with other grains. The same goes for rice milk and fruit juice, which Health Canada recommends limiting for children under two. The recommendations also apply during pregnancy because arsenic exposure can affect the developing fetus. 'Like most risks we have in life, it all depends on exposure and the amounts we get. If we go on the (Ontario Highway) 401 every day, our probability of crashing will be higher than someone who travels there once a year,' says Warriner. 'The more frequently you consume (rice), the more likely you are to accumulate it because arsenic accumulates. That's one of the bad things about it.' With rice, studies suggest all is not equal. Inorganic arsenic levels can vary by type and growing region. The HBBF report found that brown rice, Italian Arborio rice (used to make risotto) and white rice grown in the southeastern United States had higher amounts of heavy metals. On average, California rice (Calrose, sushi, jasmine, white), Thai jasmine rice and Indian basmati rice had 32 per cent less heavy metals than other types. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element but can also be introduced through human activities, such as mining and pesticide use. Rice grown in southeastern U.S. states such as Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas tends to have higher arsenic levels because, according to Goodridge, cotton farmers used arsenic-based pesticides to treat their crops in the past, contaminating fields now used to grow rice. Brown rice is prone to higher levels than white because it retains arsenic in the bran layer. 'One thing that people can do is moderate their intake of certain types of rice,' says Goodridge. 'The key is, if you like brown rice, limit the frequency.' Many choose brown rice because it contains more fibre and nutrients than white. As a whole grain, the bran, endosperm and germ are intact. The rub is that the arsenic happens to accumulate where the nutrients are. 'That's one of the problems. Getting rid of arsenic also can get rid of nutrients (such as iron),' says Warriner. 'So it's all a place of balancing things.' Rice tends to have higher levels of arsenic than other grains, so Goodridge advises people to diversify their diets. The HBBF report found that alternative grains, including barley , couscous , farro , oats and quinoa , have 69 per cent less heavy metal contamination than rice. Rice is more susceptible to arsenic due to a combination of factors, including plant physiology. 'Different plants have different capacities to accumulate,' says Warriner. 'They transport this arsenic in. And some, it's actually a nutrient. There are microbes out there that need this sort of arsenic.' The cultivation method in paddy fields is another reason. 'If the arsenic is in the water, which it is, and you flood it, and you're exposing the poor plant to all this stuff, it would accumulate more,' adds Warriner. 'If it's in the environment, it gets sponged up into the rice itself.' As with rice, certain fruits can be susceptible to arsenic because it's present in water used for irrigation or juice dilution, Goodridge highlights. Compounding the issue, some fruit orchards (especially apple) were historically treated with arsenic-based pesticides. The arsenic lingers in the soil and can enter the tree and fruit. Health Canada has set maximum levels for inorganic arsenic in fruit juice and nectar, brown and white rice, and rice-based foods for infants and young children. Goodridge thinks Canadians should be confident in the limits but cautions that regulations aren't perfect. The government sets rules to ensure the food we buy is free from harmful bacteria, yet people still get sick, and outbreaks continue to occur. 'Consumers have to take their own responsibility for ensuring the practices that they do reduce the risk, reduce the chances of getting sick. Health Canada sets these limits. That's great. That means that what's in the grocery store should have lower limits. So now, if on top of that, consumers take additional steps, they further reduce the risk.' If you're concerned about arsenic and open to changing your rice preparation and cooking methods, you can perform an extraction in the kitchen. 'It's all to do with volumes of water,' says Warriner, a former chef as well as a food scientist. 'Can you extract that arsenic out of it and throw it away in the sink?' One option is parboiling. After rinsing and soaking your rice, add it to a pot of boiling water — 'the higher the volume of water, the better' — and cook for five minutes. Drain the rice (discard the cooking water) and return it to the pot with fresh water. Using a two-to-one ratio of water to rice, cover and cook over low-to-medium heat for an additional eight minutes to make 'the magic 13 minutes for cooking rice,' adds Warriner. A 2020 University of Sheffield study suggests that parboiling rice using a four-to-one ratio and then cooking it until all the water is absorbed (called the absorption method) using a two-to-one ratio removes 54 per cent of the inorganic arsenic in brown rice and 74 per cent in white rice. Adding to its benefits, the study shows 'no loss of micronutrients.' In practice, Warriner prefers the 'nice, loose' texture of the absorption method. While it doesn't yield any arsenic extraction, he eats rice once a week at most. 'I don't usually have it more than that, so your exposure is going to be much less.' Another option is cooking rice like pasta, which Health Canada recommends. Goodridge highlights that you should always rinse your rice and, if you have time, soak it, even for just 10 minutes, before adding six to 10 parts water to one part rice. Once the rice is cooked, drain the excess water. Compared to the absorption method on a stovetop or in a rice cooker, this technique 'will significantly reduce inorganic arsenic by up to 50 to 60 per cent,' says Goodridge. Parboiling and cooking rice like pasta 'are the two main cooking methods that would significantly reduce arsenic. And if you're eating white rice versus brown rice, then that rice has much less arsenic than the brown rice.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here .

Scottish Sun

4 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

I worked at Broadmoor for 20yrs & hosted Ronnie Kray's wedding…one killer with eyes ‘black like death' still haunts me

HOUSE OF THE DAMNED I worked at Broadmoor for 20yrs & hosted Ronnie Kray's wedding…one killer with eyes 'black like death' still haunts me Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE imposing Victorian walls have held some of Britain's worst murderers, rapists, and criminals - including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and Ronnie Kray. But tales about what life is really like inside Broadmoor are almost as rare as successful escapes. 15 The Kray brothers were reunited in Broadmoor for Ronnie's wedding in 1989 Credit: Getty 15 Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe held dinner parties in his ward Credit: Rex 15 The notorious institution is home to some of Britain's most dangerous criminals Credit: Rex But now, one man who worked inside the heart of the hospital for over two decades has revealed to The Sun just what it was like to come face to face with those who committed unspeakable crimes, day in, day out. Neil Wheatcroft, now aged 73, worked at Broadmoor between 1987 and 2009, first as the hospital's head chef, and then as a nursing assistant. 'You became cold to the things that happen. Gratuitous violence was nothing,' told Neil. 'The things we've seen and witnessed, the patients that arrive, you read their notes and about what they've done. 'You had, for example, a patient that cut off a policeman's arm, took his head off, put it in a Tesco's bag, and cooked the arm just to see what it would taste like. 'One minute you read about it - the next minute you're standing opposite them.' First opened in 1863 as Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, to this day it remains the most well-known high security psychiatric hospital in England. Other notable patients include serial killer Robert Maudsley, nicknamed 'Hannibal the Cannibal', Charles Bronson, dubbed Britain's 'most violent prisoner', and Kenneth Erskine - a.k.a. the Stockwell Strangler. Paedophile entertainer Jimmy Savile was a regular visitor, and bosses even gave him his own set of keys - yet we now know he abused dozens of patients. But to Neil, crossing paths with evil was just another day on the job. A series of phone conversations with Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe made during his time in prison 'My family could never understand how I could work there and come home like nothing had happened,' he said. 'There was another one - I can't remember his name - who ate somebody. They used to call him Peckish. He would have eaten anybody. 'Others would have slit their throats with anything they could find.' Ripper's 'dinner parties' The Yorkshire Ripper brutally murdered at least 13 women between 1975 and 1980 and was sent to Broadmoor in 1985, after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. But, as Neil recounts, his life in Broadmoor wasn't as stark as many might imagine - despite face the occasional attack from other inmates. Sutcliffe would often hold 'after hours' evening dinner specials on his ward, along with others in his crew. It made a welcome change from the usual food they were given, with treats like barbecued smoked chicken, steak ribs, and chips on offer - paid for out of their own pocket. 15 Yorkshire ripper Peter Sutcliffe held 'dinner parties' in his cell Credit: Rex 15 Jimmy Savile frequently abused patients at Broadmoor Credit: Rex Features 15 Neil Wheatcroft worked in Broadmoor from 1987 and 2009 Credit: Oliver Dixon Even here, at the dinner table, he was able to strike fear into the heart of seasoned staff at Broadmoor. 'From the very first meal I did with my colleague, you would look across the room and see him sitting round the dinner table - and he's looking back at you,' recounted Neil. 'There's absolutely nothing behind his eyes. They were black like death, and not one bit of emotion. 'There are a lot of prisoners in there who have done bad things - but he stood out. 'The others at that table were more affable and appreciative." Bizarrely, despite his horrendous crimes, the serial killer had a legion of female fans who would regularly write him letters. And sometimes, they'd even come to Broadmoor to meet him in the flesh. We always used to liken it to the scene in the Italian Job, when Mr Bridger comes down the stairs - that was the aura he had Neal Wheatcroft 'He had visits, and used to get women truck drivers coming onto the ward,' recalled Neil. 'He just sat and talked. It was strange - why would an ordinary woman want to go out with a murderer?" Wedding feast Sutcliffe is far from the only long term resident of Broadmoor to have entertained romance while living behind bars. Ronnie Kray, the notorious East End gangster, was convicted along with his twin Reggie for the murders of George Cornell and Jack 'The Hat' McVitie in 1969, and sentenced to life with a minimum of 30 years. A decade later, Ronnie was diagnosed with schizophrenia and transferred to Broadmoor where he lived until his death in 1995 from a heart attack, aged 61. Being who he was, he had quite the reputation among both patients and staff - and never let standards slack, recalled Neil. 'We always used to liken it to the scene in the Italian Job, when Mr Bridger comes down the stairs,' Neil said. 'That was the aura he had. 'The others would slob about in tracksuit bottoms, but he was always dressed in pristine suits and really smart.' 15 London gangster Ronnie Kray was sent to Broadmoor after being diagnosed with schizophrenia Credit: Getty 15 Ronnie Kray's 'aura' was compared to that of Mr Bridger in the classic film, The Italian Job Credit: Rex Features 15 The former head chef and nursing assistant has opened up about his time working in the institution Credit: Oliver Dixon But Ronnie's mind wasn't always as put together as his outfits. 'He would be lucid one day, and then black in the next. 'He had a very, very quick fuse, but it would be equally quick going.' Despite these outbursts, Ronnie ended up marrying twice while locked up. His first, in 1985, was to Elaine Mildener, though the couple divorced in 1989. The second was to Kate Howard, who was 23 years his junior. He sent me a list - on it was quail's eggs, dressed ham, and jellied eels They wed the same year as his divorce from his first wife, tying the knot in a romantic ceremony in the hospital's chapel. But it was down to Neil to look after the celebrations that followed. 'He said, what can you give me? And I just said, well, it's your day - what do you want?,' said Neil as he recalled organising his wedding feat. 'He sent me a list - on it was quails' eggs, dressed ham and jellied eels. We also did a whole salmon dressed on a blue aspic base.' Broadmoor boyfriends He added: 'There were about 14 or 15 people there, and a lot of staff. His brothers came in from various establishments. 'They came under escort, would be escorted onto the chapel, and then the reception was up in one of the rooms. 'The wedding was paid upfront - he wasn't short of money.' 15 Kate and Ronnie were married in the presence of the other family members, including the twin's older brother Charlie, pictured here with her Credit: Shutterstock 15 East End staple jellied eels were ordered for the wedding feast Credit: Alamy 15 The typical Broadmoor room is stark and functional Credit: Rex Broadmoor staff even discovered a business card in 1985 which revealed that the twins, from separate institutions, were operating a 'bodyguard and protection' business for Hollywood stars while locked up. Ronnie's second marriage also ended in divorce five years later, and he passed away in 1995. Being such a character and having lived in Broadmoor for so long, his death hit hard for a lot of the other patients. They were losing a friend - and in some cases, a boyfriend, remembered Neil. Ronnie Kray, who was bisexual, enjoyed same-sex relationships with others in Broadmoor even while married, though all visits were supervised by staff. 'There was only one that was sort of special, though,' said Neil. 'And I'm almost sure his bride knew as well.' Daring escape While Ronnie became accustomed to life on the inside, others had their mind focussed on escape. Broadmoor, famously, was surrounded by air-raid sirens that were installed to warn locals if someone had made it out Their frightening howl became a weekly staple for residents living in towns nearby, as the klaxons would be tested every Monday morning. He was actually planning his escape - right down to the finest details Neil Wheatcroft But when the sirens sounded one day in 1991, it wasn't a routine test - a child rapist was on the loose. James Saunders was sentenced to life in 1985 after being convicted for the rape of two girls aged 11 and 15. But he was clever - and devised a complicated plan to ensure others were distracted while he made his way to the outside. 'The one that went over the wall wanted to organise a pizza making event in the central hall, on Saturday night,' said Neil. 15 James Saunders was sent to Broadmoor in 1985 Credit: Alamy 15 The child rapist created a distraction to launch his daring escape - before he was found by police in Dorset and escorted back to Broadmoor Credit: Alamy 15 The 'Wolfman' managed to get over two 20ft walls to get to the outside Credit: Alamy 'All the time this was happening, he was actually planning his escape - right down to the finest details. 'So, on the Saturday night when we'd put staff members in the hall to dish out the dough so they could have this competition, he was on his way getting ready to go over the wall. 'He'd arranged it purely for the fact that it would mean most people were in the central hall.' Saunders - who was given the nickname 'Wolfman' after living in the wild for three weeks after his escape - then managed to run across the courtyard and over two 20ft high walls to make his getaway. 'When the alarms go off at four o'clock in the morning, and then you realise it's not Monday morning, you just think - oh bugger,' said Neil. 'Everybody had to go up to Broadmoor to sign in and be told where you had to go. 'I was on shift from half past four until half past two the next morning.' Notorious inmates past and present BROADMOOR is has housed hundreds of dangerous criminals over the years. Here are some of the other notorious inmates who've spent time inside its walls. Ian Ball tried to kidnap Princess Anne in 1974 while her car was on route to Buckingham Palace. He wanted to hold her for ransom and planned to donate the £3million to the NHS, apparently, he felt mental health services were not good enough. Robert Napper was convicted of murdering young mum Rachel Nickel on Wimbledon Common in July 1992 in front of her young son Alex. He was also previously convicted of the double murder of Samantha Bisset and her daughter Jazmine in 1993. Napper is thought to be the Green Chain Rapist who carried out at least 70 attacks over a four year period. Charles Bronson, also known as Charles Salvador, is often dubbed as Britain's "most violent prisoner". Infamously, while at Broadmoor he staged a three day protest on the roof, causing £250,000 worth of damage. Neo-nazi David Copeland, known as the "London nail bomber", killed three and injured 79 in a series of attacks with homemade nail bombs in the capital across three successive weekends in April 1999. On his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, he was committed to Broadmoor, although his plea of manslaughter by diminished responsibility was not accepted by the jury. Daniel Gonzalez, then 25, murdered four people and injured two across two days in London and Sussex in September 2004. While at Broadmoor awaiting trial, he tried to bite himself to death and was so violent that he was accompanied by officers in riot gear everywhere. He was jailed for life in 2006 and then killed himself in Broadmoor Hospital the year after. Peter Bryan from London killed three people while on release from various mental hospitals. Once detained at Broadmoor, Bryan killed fellow patient Richard Loudwell, 59, and planned to eat him. Bryan is still at Broadmoor and is unlikely to ever be released. Hundreds of cops descended on the area, with some even coming from as far as Aylesbury. But as it turned out, Saunders had in fact made it all the way to Dorset. He was eventually spotted by a policeman walking along a road, with a fishing rod and blanket in hand. Held in Broadmoor ever since, in 2010 a nurse was alleged to have had sexual relations with him in the laundry room.