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General News
ScotGov: The outline business case for the new National Centre for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) has been approved by the Scottish Government. By centralising processing & testing of blood and tissue donations, the new centre will help to ensure the future supply of blood, tissues & cells for all patients across Scotland. The £36.4m purpose-built facility will be located at Heriot-Watt Research Park near Edinburgh.
HEFCE: The third round of Higher Education Funding Council England’s Revolving Green Fund (RGF) was announced recently, with £20m available from 2013. The RGF helps universities and colleges to reduce their energy costs & carbon emissions.
The third round of RGF is very similar to RGF2 and will provide recoverable grants for both small scale & exemplary retrofit projects starting after 1 May 2013. The deadline for applications is 22 February 2013.
The third round of RGF is very similar to RGF2 and will provide recoverable grants for both small scale & exemplary retrofit projects starting after 1 May 2013. The deadline for applications is 22 February 2013.
TfL: A new campaign outlining the 'rules' around the use of the wheelchair space on buses has been launched by Transport for London (TfL). The priority wheelchair space, usually located in the middle of the bus, is the only place in which a wheelchair user can safely travel.
Buggy users and other passengers may use the wheelchair space, however if a wheelchair user wants to board the bus, other passengers & buggy users will be asked to vacate the space or fold their buggies.
Buggy users and other passengers may use the wheelchair space, however if a wheelchair user wants to board the bus, other passengers & buggy users will be asked to vacate the space or fold their buggies.
HPA: To mark Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, the Health Protection Agency advised people to have their fossil fuel & wood burning appliances – such as boilers, heaters and cookers – checked by an appropriately registered engineer before the winter sets in. The latest figures show that there are around 40 accidental deaths a year from carbon monoxide poisoning in England & Wales.
The HPA also recommends that people should fit an audible CO alarm which meets European Standards EN 50291, in their homes. The installation of an alarm, which can be bought from most DIY retailers, should not, however, replace regular inspections by a registered engineer.
OCUK: This week sees the launch of Universal Jobmatch, a new online service available via GOV.UK that promises to make matching the right person to the right job easier than ever before. T
he site, which replaces the Jobcentre Plus job search tool, allows both jobseekers & employers to add their details meaning jobseekers can find the perfect opportunity for them & employers can find the perfect candidate.
he site, which replaces the Jobcentre Plus job search tool, allows both jobseekers & employers to add their details meaning jobseekers can find the perfect opportunity for them & employers can find the perfect candidate.
FSA: Raynor Foods Ltd is recalling some batches of Wensleydale Carrot Chutney Sandwich, because egg is not declared on the full ingredients list. If you are allergic to egg, do not eat this product. The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert..
HO: A national campaign launched last week by Action Fraud warns UK investors they risk losing thousands of pounds if they fail to take simple steps to check who they're investing with. It is estimated that £1.2bn is lost nationally to investment fraud every year. The campaign, The Devil's in Their Details, advises investors of the steps they can take to identify & avoid these scams.
TfL: As the festive party season kicks off, Transport for London (TfL) reminds people of the dangers of taking illegal minicabs. Posters, cinema adverts and online ads running over the next few weeks will reinforce the message that unbooked minicabs are illegal and potentially dangerous.
BIS: Young people are set to benefit from a new competition launched by the Intellectual Property Office in partnership with UK Music. The competition, MusicBiz, is aimed at 14 to 18 years olds to raise their awareness of music downloading, filesharing and the value of creative copyright. The competition will close on 19 April 2013.
DH: A new prototype cancer test that could help thousands of cancer patients is 1 of the 5 projects that has been awarded funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The test – a simple blood test – will allow doctors to see how a patient is responding to cancer treatment in real-time. It could mean shorter treatments & increased survival rates through better tailored treatments for patients, and better long term survival by early detection of recurring cancers.
