England

Woman struggles to get GP appointment for husband in crisis

An individual is experiencing difficulty in securing an in-person meeting with a general practitioner amid a continuing mental health issue.

A woman claims that her husband has been struggling to secure a face-to-face appointment with a GP for over two months, despite experiencing a severe mental health crisis that requires immediate attention.

A woman with grey hair, glasses and a dark blue blouse with flowers is looking into the camera. She is standing in her kitchen. — Anita says her husband has been "left by the wayside" after two months of trying to get a GP appointment

The couple, who wish to keep their surname private, first attempted to book an appointment at their local Devon surgery in December, but so far, they have been unsuccessful in getting the help they need.

According to the couple, the GP surgery has done its best to provide care, but they acknowledge that primary care services are under significant pressure, which has likely contributed to the delays in securing an appointment.

The government has stated that all GP practices are required to offer face-to-face appointments, particularly in cases where patients are experiencing a crisis, and has pledged to invest in primary care and reform mental health services to address these issues.

As part of its efforts to improve primary care, the government has announced plans to recruit thousands of additional GPs, provide a funding boost of £1.1 billion, and hire over 7,000 mental health workers to support patients in need, as well as expand access to NHS talking therapies and pilot new walk-in health centers.

Anita, Geoff's wife, began to notice that something was amiss in the autumn of last year, and her concerns were realized when Geoff's mental health began to deteriorate during a holiday abroad.

After several sleepless nights, Geoff reached a crisis point, prompting Anita to take action to ensure his safety and well-being.

Recalling the experience, Anita expressed her deep concern for her husband's welfare, stating that she was frightened by the prospect of losing him.

In an effort to prevent Geoff from harming himself, Anita took steps to keep him safe at home, as he had previously attempted to walk to a bridge, and she was unsure of what might happen if he were to do so again.

Upon their return from holiday, Anita contacted their local GP surgery to request an appointment for Geoff, as he was reluctant to visit the emergency room.

However, due to Geoff's fear of hospitals, Anita also chose not to call the NHS 111 phone number, which she later learned could have provided them with immediate support and guidance.

Despite Anita's efforts to convey the urgency of the situation to the receptionists and completing an online consultation form, Geoff was not seen by a GP, leaving them without the help they desperately needed.

Two months have passed, and while Geoff has had some contact with a paramedic practitioner and a mental health nurse, he has yet to have a face-to-face consultation with a doctor, which Anita believes is essential for his recovery.

Anita expressed her feelings of frustration and abandonment, stating that she feels they have been left to cope with the situation on their own.

She emphasized the importance of having access to a listening ear, particularly in situations where suicidal thoughts may be present, and the devastating impact that a lack of support can have on both the individual and their loved ones.

Anita's concerns highlight the need for timely and compassionate care, particularly in cases where mental health is at risk, and the importance of providing support to those who are struggling.

Beccy Baird, a policy fellow at the charity The King's Fund, notes that GPs have reported a significant increase in demand for their services in recent years, driven by factors such as an aging population and a rise in complex health conditions.

According to Baird, the growing demand for primary care is attributed to various factors, including the increasing prevalence of treatable conditions, such as diabetes, and the rising expectations for faster access to care.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in patients seeking help for mental health issues, placing additional pressure on already strained primary care services.

The combination of these factors has resulted in a perfect storm, with GPs facing unprecedented demands on their time and resources, making it challenging to provide the level of care that patients need.

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity that works to prevent suicide, urges individuals struggling with their mental health to reach out for help and support.

A woman with black hair and pearl earrings is looking into the camera. She is wearing a black blouse with white dots. — Wendy Richardson, from the suicide prevention charity the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), says mental health support is available

Wendy Richardson, service director at CALM, emphasizes the importance of being there for loved ones who may be struggling and encouraging them to seek help when needed.

Richardson advises those struggling with mental health issues to explore the various resources available, including charities, online support groups, and NHS services, and to persevere in their search for help.

By taking these steps, individuals can access the care and support they need, and loved ones can play a vital role in helping them navigate the complexities of the mental health system.

Although Geoff is currently receiving support from his family and has been prescribed medication, Anita recognizes that his journey to recovery is far from over and that ongoing care and support will be essential.

Anita's concerns extend beyond her husband's individual situation, as she worries about the potential consequences for others who may not have the same level of support or advocacy.

She fears that the current system may be failing vulnerable individuals, leaving them without the necessary care and support to cope with their mental health challenges.

The thought of others facing similar struggles is deeply troubling to Anita, who believes that more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that are preventing people from accessing the help they need.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care has stated that all GP practices have a duty to provide face-to-face appointments, particularly in cases where patients are experiencing a crisis.

The spokesperson acknowledged that the current primary care system is flawed and that the government has inherited a decade of neglect, which has contributed to the current challenges.

To address these issues, the government has announced plans to introduce online consultation requests at all GP surgeries, recruit thousands of additional GPs, and provide a funding boost of £1.1 billion to support primary care services.

The government has also pledged to transform mental health services, including the recruitment of over 7,000 mental health workers, the expansion of NHS talking therapies, and the piloting of new walk-in health centers to provide 24/7 access to care.

The NHS advises individuals in Geoff's situation to contact NHS 111, which can provide immediate support and guidance, as well as access to specialist local treatment.

For Geoff and Anita, the experience has been a difficult one, but they remain hopeful that he will eventually receive the face-to-face care he needs to support his recovery.

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Therapy dog Dan brings joy to care home residents

At the age of 84, John Weller found it challenging to settle into his new surroundings at a care home, but his situation improved upon meeting Dan, a golden retriever.

At the age of 84, John Weller faced difficulties adjusting to his new life in a residential home, but his outlook changed with the introduction of Dan, a friendly canine companion.

A golden retriever is standing in front of a man sitting in a chair in a room at a care home. The man is looking down at the dog. A woman is standing next to the man and looking down at the dog and smiling. — John Weller was struggling to adjust to life in a care home and missed canine company until he met Dan the golden retriever

Having recently relocated to a care home in Chorley, Lancashire, Weller deeply missed his beloved pets, Rocky the miniature schnauzer and Jovi the whippet, which he had left behind.

It was observed by the care home staff that regular interactions with Dan, a golden retriever, had a profoundly positive impact on Weller's mood.

According to Weller, spending time with Dan brings him joy, and he appreciates the opportunity to stroke and feed Dan, which reminds him of his own dogs.

Weller keeps photographs of his former pets in his bedroom and often looks at them, but he also eagerly anticipates Dan's visits.

Upon his arrival at Gillibrand Hall Care Home, staff noted that Weller was experiencing a period of low mood, having had to leave behind his familiar routines and previous home.

However, as Weller formed a close bond with Dan, his confidence began to grow, and the care home staff observed that these interactions also brought back fond memories of his time with his own pets.

Dan's owner, Fiona Hill, described the dog as gentle, although occasionally lively, and noted that Dan seems to have an innate ability to respond to the needs of each resident.

The presence of Dan often evokes strong emotional responses from the residents, with some becoming tearful with joy upon his arrival, and he facilitates the sharing of stories about their own pets, which can initially be emotional but often lead to happy conversations and laughter.

As Dan's owner, Hill expressed pride in the comfort and companionship the dog provides, helping residents to open up and form connections.

The care home manager, Kathy Spencer, revealed that Dan had recently been recognized as employee of the month due to the significant positive impact he has had on residents, including Weller.

A golden retriever is sitting on a grassed area carpeted in snowdrop flowers. A woman's hand can just be seen holding his lead. — John Weller says he looks forward to Dan's visits

Spencer noted that Weller's mood and confidence have shown significant improvement since meeting Dan.

For Weller, the experience of pet therapy with Dan extends beyond anxiety reduction, as it allows him to reconnect with his passion for dogs and reminisce about happy memories.

The strong bond between Weller and Dan provides comfort and calm, highlighting the benefits of pet therapy in care home settings.

England

Woman sentenced to prison for murdering and dismembering partner

Anna Podedworna has received a life sentence following her conviction for the murder of Izabela Zablocka.

A woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering her partner and dismembering her body, which was then buried in a garden over 15 years ago.

A mugshot of Anna Podedworna — Anna Podedworna was convicted of murder by a jury on Tuesday

It was in 2025 that Anna Podedworna contacted Derbyshire Police, providing them with information that led to the discovery of Izabela Zablocka's remains in a house on Princes Street, Derby.

Podedworna, a 40-year-old resident of Boyer Street in Derby, had a background as a skilled butcher, but her profession did not prepare her for the severity of the crime she committed; she was found guilty of murder by a jury.

On Wednesday, at Derby Crown Court, Podedworna received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for her role in Izabela Zablocka's murder.

During sentencing, Mrs Justice Williams KC noted that the evidence presented in the trial highlighted the strong family bonds Izabela shared, particularly with her mother, grandmother, and daughter Kasia.

Izabela maintained regular contact with her family in Poland, but her disappearance was marked by an uncharacteristic silence, particularly when she failed to call her daughter on her 10th birthday, 4 September 2010.

The judge emphasized that Podedworna's actions had a profound impact on Kasia, who was left without a mother and struggled to understand her sudden disappearance.

The judge acknowledged the perseverance of Izabela's family, who never gave up hope of uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, and noted that without their efforts, Podedworna's crimes may have gone undetected.

Podedworna showed no remorse for her actions, and the judge rejected the idea that she deserved credit for eventually contacting the police in 2025, as this was seen as an attempt to manipulate the investigation.

Readers are warned that this article contains distressing details.

A woman sat on a sofa in a denim-like jacket. — Izabela Zablocka was described in court as a loving mother who was "extremely close" to her family back in Poland

The two women had moved to the UK from Poland in search of work and lived together in the Normanton area of Derby.

The last known contact with Izabela was a phone call to her mother in Poland on 28 August 2010, after which she was never heard from again.

According to prosecutor Gordon Aspden KC, shortly after this call, Podedworna murdered Izabela, dismembering her body with a large knife.

Investigators discovered that Podedworna had previously worked as a skilled butcher, a job that involved using large knives to debone and portion turkey carcasses.

The body was then buried in the garden, and a layer of concrete was laid over the grave.

In 2025, Kasia, now an adult, approached Polish TV journalist Rafal Zalewski and asked for his help in investigating her mother's disappearance.

A crime scene in place in Princes Street where two tents have been erected — Zablocka's body was buried in the garden of a house in Princes Street

Zalewski confronted Podedworna at her home in Boyer Street, Derby, but she initially denied any knowledge of Izabela's whereabouts.

However, under mounting pressure, Podedworna eventually contacted Derbyshire Police and provided them with the location of the body.

A thorough search of the Princes Street property led to the discovery of Izabela's remains.

In a statement read out in court, Kasia described the traumatic impact of her mother's disappearance on her life.

Izabela looks at her daughter, Kasia. — Izabela's daughter Kasia, now an adult, told the court through a victim impact statement she had been haunted throughout her childhood wondering where her mother was

Kasia recalled being extremely close to her mother and feeling devastated by her sudden and unexplained disappearance.

The experience left a deep emotional scar, and Kasia struggled to cope with the uncertainty surrounding her mother's disappearance.

For years, she wondered why her mother had stopped contacting her, feeling abandoned and unsure of what had happened.

Instead of enjoying her childhood, Kasia was preoccupied with thoughts of her mother and the reasons behind her disappearance.

Despite the uncertainty, Kasia always believed that her mother would not have left her without a reason.

Podedworna claimed to have acted in self-defence, but this was rejected by both the jury and the judge.

Clive Stockwell KC, representing Podedworna, suggested that some unknown event must have triggered her actions, given her previously good character.

Stockwell also highlighted the impact of the sentence on Podedworna's children, who would have to spend a significant part of their lives without their mother.

However, Mrs Justice Williams emphasized that Podedworna's brutal treatment of Izabela's body was consistent with a killing motivated by anger and a deep-seated dislike for her partner.

The judge noted that Podedworna had continued to deceive those around her, including Izabela's mother, her own mother, and the police, about the circumstances of Izabela's disappearance.

This pattern of deception continued over the years, with Podedworna showing no remorse for her actions.

England

Reform leader resigns amid council investigation into racism allegations

Councillor Chris Large has stepped down from his position as leader of the Staffordshire Reform group, a move that comes shortly after his initial appointment.

An investigation is underway into allegations of racism against a former Reform councillor in Staffordshire, who recently resigned from their position as group leader just days after being appointed.

Chris Large is standing in front of the county council building, he is wearing a suit and tie and smiling at the camera. — Councillor Chris Large stepped down from his leadership and cabinet responsibilities last week, saying it was due to a family bereavement

Documents obtained by the BBC reveal that the council has referred a complaint regarding councillor Chris Large, a former cabinet member, who allegedly made or endorsed racist comments on his TikTok account, as evidenced by confidential emails.

Due to the complexity and severity of the allegations, the council has assigned an Independent Investigating Officer to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Councillor Large has denied any involvement in the comments, attributing them to a hacked account, and stated that there were unauthorized logins, resulting in the account's deletion.

Large's resignation as leader and cabinet member for finance was announced last week, citing a family bereavement as the reason for his decision to step down.

This resignation occurred shortly after he oversaw the approval of Staffordshire County Council's £840.8m budget for 2026-27.

Large was slated to succeed councillor Ian Cooper, who had previously resigned amidst allegations of racism, which Cooper has not publicly denied.

At the time of Large's appointment, his party highlighted his extensive experience as a chief executive in the finance and banking industry, spanning over 30 years, as well as his 35-year residency in the county.

According to records from Companies House, Large has been listed as the director of 12 companies over the past 20 years, all of which are currently dissolved.

These companies also list France as Large's country of residence.

Large explained to the BBC that his involvement with the dissolved companies was related to his role in transforming and turning around businesses.

He stated that the closure of some businesses led to the creation of new ones, highlighting the positive outcomes of his work.

In response to Large's resignation, Philip White, the Conservative leader of the opposition, expressed sympathy for Large's family situation while also criticizing his appointment as leader.

White stated that Large's involvement in the racism scandal that led to Ian Cooper's resignation made him an unsuitable candidate for the leadership position.

White emphasized the need for stability in Staffordshire, given the recent turnover of leaders, and hoped that the Reform party could find a suitable replacement from their ranks.

Martin Murray, the acting leader of the county council, had previously thanked Large for his contributions and expressed support for his decision to resign, citing the importance of prioritizing family.

Murray's statement reflected the council's understanding of the personal circumstances that led to Large's resignation.

The Reform UK party has stated that it will not be taking any action against Large regarding the complaints about his social media activity.

The positions of cabinet member for finance and elected leader of the Reform group remain vacant, awaiting new appointments.

A council spokesperson explained that the authority takes all concerns about the conduct of elected members seriously and will address them in accordance with the council's Standards Complaints process and Code of Conduct.

Meanwhile, council members are scheduled to meet and vote on the proposed budget, which includes a 3.99% council tax increase, on February 12.