ADHD prescriptions in England have risen by 18% each year since pandemic

The number of prescriptions being issued in England for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication has risen by 18% year on year since the pandemic, with the biggest rise being seen in London, according to research.Experts said increased public awareness via social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok could be a factor behind the substantial rise in prescription rates, encouraging “more people to seek assessment, diagnosis and treatment”.They warned it is crucial to approach the information with caution, as the accuracy and reliability of the content can vary significantly.ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms including impulsiveness, disorganisation and difficulty focusing.The study by academics at the University of Huddersfield and Aston University and published in the journal BMJ Mental Health found that the number of ADHD prescriptions in England increased from around 25 per 1,000 people in 2019/20, to 41

‘You are a monster’: victims’ loved ones share their pain as Kyle Clifford given whole-life order

The sentencing of Kyle Clifford for the murders of Carol Hunt and her daughters Louise and Hannah has heard emotionally charged victim statements, paying tribute to the women and describing the ex-soldier as “a monster”.Clifford was given a whole-life order at Cambridge crown court for the murder and rape of his ex-partner, Louise Hunt, and the killings of her mother and sister.Before the sentencing, which Clifford refused to attend, the court was addressed by the BBC broadcaster John Hunt, Carol’s husband and father to the two young women. He was followed by Alex Klein, Hannah’s partner, and Amy Hunt, Louise and Hannah’s sister.“Do I really need to detail the impact of having three-quarters of my family murdered?” asked Hunt, addressing Clifford directly

Myra Garrett obituary

My colleague and mentor Myra Garrett, who has died aged 92, was a pioneering development worker, philanthropist, and advocate for peace and social justice.After leaving the US for the UK in 1970, she became a transformative figure in east London, co-founding organisations such as the Limehouse Project, in 1984; the Tower Hamlets Health Strategy Group, in 1986, which gained charity status in 1994 and was rebranded as Social Action for Health in 2000; and the Bangladeshi Mental Health Forum, in 1999. These initiatives addressed critical issues such as mental health, housing, education and women’s empowerment, profoundly affecting marginalised communities.A trailblazer in public health, Myra introduced innovative programmes such as the health bus, which took essential services to underserved areas, and the continence project (1992), which earned the Commonwealth award for excellence in women’s health in 1997. Her Giving Up Smoking During Ramadan campaign, launched in the late 80s, evolved into the widely adopted Smoke-Free Ramadan initiative, showcasing her ability to turn cultural insights into effective health interventions

Starmer decries ‘worst of all worlds’ benefits system ahead of deep cuts

Britain’s benefits system is the “worst of all worlds”, with the number of people out of work or training “indefensible and unfair”, the prime minister has said as he prepares for deep cuts to disability payments.Addressing a private meeting of Labour MPs on Monday evening, Keir Starmer said he would take tough decisions to cut the bill for working age health and disability benefits, which is expected to hit £70bn by 2030.The government has already vowed to cut £3bn over the next three years and is expected to announce billions more in savings from the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability benefit.The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is preparing to publish a green paper on sickness and disability benefit reform in the next few days ahead of the chancellor’s spring statement at the end of the month.The prime minister’s intervention comes amid deep disquiet in the parliamentary party about the scale of the changes likely to be faced by some of the most vulnerable

UK child sexual abuse survivors take standup comedy courses

Survivors of child sexual abuse are taking courses in standup comedy to help process their trauma, in the first such scheme in the UK.The comedian Angie Belcher, the first person to get standup comedy prescribed on the NHS through her project Comedy on Referral, ran the two-day programme in Bristol last week.“Comedy is often tragedy plus time, and these are people who have already gone through major counselling, are in recovery and are now looking to do something different to keep themselves busy,” said Belcher.“Saying that something is funny doesn’t mean it’s not sad or serious,” she said. Standup comedy can be part of recovery because it gives power back to the victim by laughing at their oppressor

Alarm at plan for less-qualified probation staff to deal with sex offenders in England and Wales

Domestic abusers and sex offenders in England and Wales will be rehabilitated by less-experienced staff with fewer qualifications from June, prompting warnings from a watchdog that the plans must be closely monitored to ensure public safety.Proposals approved by ministers will roll out behaviour programmes for offenders to be delivered by “band 3” staff who are not fully qualified probation officers.The work is currently carried out by highly skilled “band 4” probation officers who have extensive experience dealing with rapists, paedophiles, violent partners and online abusers.There are also plans to cut the number of low- and medium-risk offenders required to sit through the twice-weekly rehabilitation courses. Probation officers will instead be expected to manage these offenders through “toolkits” at weekly meetings rather than completing the specially designed programmes