Lisa Davies

This October half term, families are invited to step into a world of seasonal wonder at two of Sussex’s most enchanting National Trust places – Nymans and Standen. With crisp autumn leaves underfoot and plenty of playful activities to enjoy, it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and make magical memories together.

An animatronic bird built by Canterbury students aims to lure the elusive kokako, once thought extinct, as a trust ramps up search efforts.

Peter Winter is still a very active member of the Mt Somers Walkway Society – founded a mere 40 years ago.

Eleven-year-old Mike Zhao-Beckenridge disappeared with his stepfather in 2015.

Background Weight stigma (WS) negatively impacts health outcomes and experiences for people living with obesity (PLwO), in healthcare settings. This study aimed to refine a WS environment and equipment checklist developed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHCT), enhancing its applicability across NHS hospital environments.Methods Using a converging coding matrix, 4 existing checklists were integrated with the NHCT checklist, structured around key domains: reading materials, furniture, equipment, access and infrastructure. A mixed-methods online survey and a qualitative study were conducted to gathered feedback and further refine/finalise the checklist. Results from the survey and interviews were used to make revisions and finalise the integrated checklist.Results 69 people completed the online survey (51 Health Care Professionals (HCPs), 8 researchers, PLwO, and 4 Carer/Family member (C/FM)); 18 survey respondents were interviewed (8 PLwO, 8 HCPs, 2 HCPs+PLwO). Participants viewed the checklist as comprehensive, with no amends. Implementation challenges were noted such as furniture, equipment and access, largely due to financial constraints, limited space, outdated infrastructure, and availability of equipment. Training, education, and accreditation were identified as key facilitators, while weight bias and discriminatory attitudes among HCPs were major barriers. PLwO and C/FM felt equipment improvements would most enhance their experiences, whereas reading materials and access factors were less influential. 5 qualitative themes were developed: practical content, clear and inclusive wording, influence of environment and staff attitudes on dignity and outcomes, role of inclusivity in patient and family experiences, barriers and enablers to implementation, including funding, leadership support, and policy endorsement.Conclusion This study supports the WS checklist as a practical resource to guide NHS trusts in creating more obesity-inclusive environments. Findings suggest a clear, practical, inclusive checklist could help hospitals reduce weight stigma and improve care experiences for PLwO. Respondents valued the checklist but noted that implementation requires funding, structural changes, and staff training.

The seaside community of Hapuku is still struggling after the Kaikoura wildfires, that destroyed 33 buildings, and over 200 hectares of land over six-months ago.

The tiny town of Reefton, on the South Island's West Coast, has decided to take matters into its own hands after losing a critical residential healthcare unit in 2022.

It comes as the council has struggled to maintain the critical piece of infrastructure in the West Coast town.

Former All Blacks logistics manager Kevin “Chalky” Carr swung behind the effort with his own trust to help others.

Seventy-three-year-old Michael Turner, who has cerebral palsy, is giving back to Burwood Hospital after staff helped him recover from a serious fall.