Latest news with #NETS
Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rare but ‘catastrophic' bacterial infection behind NSW children's deaths
A rare but highly aggressive infection that surged after the lifting of COVID restrictions probably contributed to the death of two-year-old Pippa White, as well as resulting in the deaths of at least four more children in NSW, an inquest has heard. Associate Professor Kathryn Browning Carmo, acting director of the NSW Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), told an inquest into Pippa's death on Tuesday that hers was one of the first 'in a series of cases' of Group A streptococcus (iGAS) the emergency service dealt with over a two-year period. Carmo said NSW was largely 'immune naive' to what appeared to be a more aggressive form of the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes when doctors at Orange Base Hospital called for NETS assistance around 6am on June 13, 2022, hours before Pippa's death. The infection was rare but could lead to 'devastating, crashing and catastrophic' cases of sepsis in children, Carmo said, noting that some children could go from having very little water in the lungs to 'complete whiteout' on scans 'within hours'. 'It was that aggressive … it was an absolutely devastating illness,' she said. An academic paper co-authored by Carmo and read in court showed the NETS team were referred to 77 cases of children with iGAS between November 2022 and February 2024. Four died from the infection. In the previous five years, they had responded to just nine cases.
The Age
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
Rare but ‘catastrophic' bacterial infection behind NSW children's deaths
A rare but highly aggressive infection that surged after the lifting of COVID restrictions probably contributed to the death of two-year-old Pippa White, as well as resulting in the deaths of at least four more children in NSW, an inquest has heard. Associate Professor Kathryn Browning Carmo, acting director of the NSW Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), told an inquest into Pippa's death on Tuesday that hers was one of the first 'in a series of cases' of Group A streptococcus (iGAS) the emergency service dealt with over a two-year period. Carmo said NSW was largely 'immune naive' to what appeared to be a more aggressive form of the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes when doctors at Orange Base Hospital called for NETS assistance around 6am on June 13, 2022, hours before Pippa's death. The infection was rare but could lead to 'devastating, crashing and catastrophic' cases of sepsis in children, Carmo said, noting that some children could go from having very little water in the lungs to 'complete whiteout' on scans 'within hours'. 'It was that aggressive … it was an absolutely devastating illness,' she said. An academic paper co-authored by Carmo and read in court showed the NETS team were referred to 77 cases of children with iGAS between November 2022 and February 2024. Four died from the infection. In the previous five years, they had responded to just nine cases.
Edinburgh Reporter
14-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
New biodiversity plan means fewer cuts and more wildflowers
Grass cutting in West Lothian's open spaces is to be carried out less frequently as part of a new plan to help make the county greener. Councillors on West Lothian's Executive agreed to the new five-year biodiversity project which means a later start to the cutting season and fewer grass cuts to react to changing weather patterns. Councillor Sally Pattle, who first raised the concept of 'No mow May' a year ago, described the move as 'fantastic.' It's a step back from the controversial re-wilding schemes of a few years ago where roadside verges and large tracts of parkland and public open space went uncut for the the season. In a report to the council's Executive Callum McLaren, Ecology & Biodiversity Officer, highlighted the changes planned. They include increased cutting, two rather than one a season, on roadside verges and roundabouts; a reduction in herbicide spraying and the changing management of grassland areas, where cuts are reduced to one a season to encourage greater biodiversity. A lengthy report on the changes stressed that: 'Areas will be carefully selected to ensure they are appropriate and there remains a good balance of land receiving the service standard cut regime and the NATURE management regime as to not affect the usability of the space.' The need to encourage biodiversity in the county has coupled with the need to respond to changing weather patterns to prompt the development of the new plan. Cemetery maintenance will be brought into the plan to align with parks management. Answering a question Mr Mclaren stressed there would be no change to the cutting regime in place for cemeteries where regularly mown grounds would continue to be maintained. Biodiversity would be enhanced in burial grounds by using different grass seed mixes. Councillor Danny Logue asked about how areas of grassland in housing estates would be managed. 'Would that be cut or would that be left.' he asked. NETS manager Andy Johnston said the intention is to have a working group with partners in departments such as housing. 'It would not be one size fits all. It would involve consultation with residents.' added Mr Johnston. Councillor Pauline Orr suggested that the two cuts per season for verges could be more flexible- starting later in the season given the growth spurts in early summer. Mr Johnston said that flexibility was built into the plan Linlithgow's Lib Dem councillor Sally Pattle had last year encouraged NETS land and countryside staff to consider adopting the No Mow May policy. This is a campaign encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May to boost wildflower growth and support pollinators like bees and butterflies. She told the meeting: 'I think it's fantastic to see biodiversity is at the heart of the maintenance schedule. I know that I mentioned No Mow May about a year ago. I do hope it will be a formal policy. I think it's great, especially for laissez faire gardeners like myself.' Councillor Pauline Stafford depute SNP group leader, welcomed the report and said: 'I think that attitudes are beginning to change and the importance of biodiversity and supporting wherever can as a council. 'I think more we can do in education and communication with the public so they understand what's behind the decisions is really really key because there are lots of benefits that can come from lower maintenance. I know that on a domestic level No Mow May is quite a big thing now. 'It's good to hear there's flexibility in service levels here. We know the changing weather patterns are only going to increase.' By Stuart Sommerville Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Fewer cuts for West Lothian grassland as council opts for low maintenance plan
Councillors on West Lothian's Executive agreed to the new five year biodiversity project which means a later start to the cutting season and fewer grass cuts to react to changing weather patterns. Grass cutting in West Lothian's open spaces is to be carried out less frequently as part of a new plan to help make the county greener. Councillors on West Lothian's Executive agreed to the new five year biodiversity project which means a later start to the cutting season and fewer grass cuts to react to changing weather patterns. Councillor Sally Pattle, who first raised the concept of 'No mow May' a year ago, described the move as 'fantastic.' It's a step back from the controversial re-wilding schemes of a few years ago where roadside verges and large tracts of parkland and public open space went uncut for the the season. In a report to the council's Executive Callum McLaren, Ecology & Biodiversity Officer, highlighted the changes planned. They include increased cutting, two rather than one a season, on roadside verges and roundabouts; a reduction in herbicide spraying and the changing management of grassland areas, where cuts are reduced to one a season to encourage greater biodiversity. A lengthy report on the changes stressed that: 'Areas will be carefully selected to ensure they are appropriate and there remains a good balance of land receiving the service standard cut regime and the NATURE management regime as to not affect the usability of the space.' The need to encourage biodiversity in the county has coupled with the need to respond to changing weather patterns to prompt the development of the new plan. Cemetery maintenance will be brought into the plan to align with parks management. Answering a question Mr Mclaren stressed there would be no change to the cutting regime in place for cemeteries where regularly mown grounds would continue to be maintained. Biodiversity would be enhanced in burial grounds by using different grass seed mixes. Councillor Danny Logue asked about how areas of grassland in housing estates would be managed. 'Would that be cut or would that be left.' he asked. NETS manager Andy Johnston said the intention is to have a working group with partners in departments such as housing. 'It would not be one size fits all. It would involve consultation with residents.' added Mr Johnston. Councillor Pauline Orr suggested that the two cuts per season for verges could be more flexible- starting later in the season given the growth spurts in early summer. Mr Johnston said that flexibility was built into the plan. Linlithgow's Lib Dem councillor Sally Pattle had last year encouraged NETS land and countryside staff to consider adopting the No Mow May policy. This is a campaign encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May to boost wildflower growth and support pollinators like bees and butterflies. She told the meeting: 'I think it's fantastic to see biodiversity is at the heart of the maintenance schedule. I know that I mentioned No Mow May about a year ago. I do hope it will be a formal policy. I think it's great, especially for laissez faire gardeners like myself.' Councillor Pauline Stafford depute SNP group leader, welcomed the report and said: 'I think that attitudes are beginning to change and the importance of biodiversity and supporting wherever can as a council. 'I think more we can do in education and communication with the public so they understand what's behind the decisions is really really key because there are lots of benefits that can come from lower maintenance. I know that on a domestic level No Mow May is quite a big thing now. 'It's good to hear there's flexibility in service levels here. We know the changing weather patterns are only going to increase.'
Edinburgh Live
14-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Fewer cuts for West Lothian grassland as council opts for low maintenance plan
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Grass cutting in West Lothian's open spaces is to be carried out less frequently as part of a new plan to help make the county greener. Councillors on West Lothian's Executive agreed to the new five year biodiversity project which means a later start to the cutting season and fewer grass cuts to react to changing weather patterns. Councillor Sally Pattle, who first raised the concept of 'No mow May' a year ago, described the move as 'fantastic.' It's a step back from the controversial re-wilding schemes of a few years ago where roadside verges and large tracts of parkland and public open space went uncut for the the season. In a report to the council's Executive Callum McLaren, Ecology & Biodiversity Officer, highlighted the changes planned. They include increased cutting, two rather than one a season, on roadside verges and roundabouts; a reduction in herbicide spraying and the changing management of grassland areas, where cuts are reduced to one a season to encourage greater biodiversity. A lengthy report on the changes stressed that: 'Areas will be carefully selected to ensure they are appropriate and there remains a good balance of land receiving the service standard cut regime and the NATURE management regime as to not affect the usability of the space.' The need to encourage biodiversity in the county has coupled with the need to respond to changing weather patterns to prompt the development of the new plan. Cemetery maintenance will be brought into the plan to align with parks management. Answering a question Mr Mclaren stressed there would be no change to the cutting regime in place for cemeteries where regularly mown grounds would continue to be maintained. Biodiversity would be enhanced in burial grounds by using different grass seed mixes. Councillor Danny Logue asked about how areas of grassland in housing estates would be managed. 'Would that be cut or would that be left.' he asked. NETS manager Andy Johnston said the intention is to have a working group with partners in departments such as housing. 'It would not be one size fits all. It would involve consultation with residents.' added Mr Johnston. Councillor Pauline Orr suggested that the two cuts per season for verges could be more flexible- starting later in the season given the growth spurts in early summer. Mr Johnston said that flexibility was built into the plan Linlithgow's Lib Dem councillor Sally Pattle had last year encouraged NETS land and countryside staff to consider adopting the No Mow May policy. This is a campaign encouraging people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May to boost wildflower growth and support pollinators like bees and butterflies. She told the meeting: 'I think it's fantastic to see biodiversity is at the heart of the maintenance schedule. I know that I mentioned No Mow May about a year ago. I do hope it will be a formal policy. I think it's great, especially for laissez faire gardeners like myself.' Councillor Pauline Stafford depute SNP group leader, welcomed the report and said: 'I think that attitudes are beginning to change and the importance of biodiversity and supporting wherever can as a council. 'I think more we can do in education and communication with the public so they understand what's behind the decisions is really really key because there are lots of benefits that can come from lower maintenance. I know that on a domestic level No Mow May is quite a big thing now. 'It's good to hear there's flexibility in service levels here. We know the changing weather patterns are only going to increase.'
