Some of the most vulnerable refugees to have fled the conflict in Ukraine are now receiving lifesaving cancer care at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH).
It comes after 21 Ukrainian children were evacuated to England at the weekend.
Following their arrival in the country on Sunday night, each of the children have now all received health assessments by NHS staff and have been triaged to seven hospitals throughout the UK to get the clinical support to meet their specific needs – and one of those hospitals is the specialist children’s site on Oxford Road.
Following an urgent plea from Polish officials, a team of NHS doctors, nurses, and technicians travelled to Poland at the weekend to provide medical support to the children on their journey out of the war-torn region.
“We feel privileged to be able to care for these children and offer support to their families at such a difficult time,” said Dr Rachael Barber, medical director of the RMCH.
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“There has been a determination among our staff to try to help in any way we can.
21 Ukrainian children will receive lifesaving cancer treatment through the NHS in England.
This is part of the government’s wider humanitarian response to the Ukraine conflict with more than 650,000 medical items already delivered. #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 13, 2022
“We have supported the UK’s national equipment and medical supplies assistance to Ukraine, and we will now be using our clinical expertise to ensure that these children get the care they need.”
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NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard added: “Today is a lifeline for children in the most vulnerable circumstances imaginable.
“Anyone who has experienced cancer knows it is an ordeal for friends and relatives too, so I’m proud that not only have NHS staff been able to put their world-class skill to work to save the lives of these young people, but that in doing so, my colleagues in the health service are providing hope to our new patients’ families.”
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21 Ukrainian children were evacuated to England at the weekend for lifesaving cancer care / Credit: DEC (via Twitter)
“These brave children have overcome unimaginable adversity to make it to England after being forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion,” added Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
“I thank the doctors, nurses and technicians who travelled to Poland to evacuate them, and the Polish government for their support as these children are now in the safest of hands with NHS staff providing world-class cancer treatment, doing everything they can to support them over the coming days and weeks.”
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will remain at the forefront of the humanitarian response,” he concluded.
Featured Image – RMCH
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2022 
