In brief: £1m investment at Spire; Hull leads the way in community enterprise

FOLLOWING a £1m investment Spire Leeds Hospital has become one of only three hospitals in northern England able to provide a diagnostic test called electrophysiology.

Electrophysiology provides the consultant with information about the heart’s electrical system to help diagnose the precise cause of an arrhythmia, otherwise known as an irregular heart-beat.

If appropriate, the patient can then have a radio frequency ablation which involves radiofrequency (heat) energy being applied directly to the area of the heart responsible for the arrhythmia.

This then re-sets the correct heart rhythm.

Dr Chris Pepper, Consultant Cardiologist at Spire Leeds Hospital, said: “Atrial fibrillation (AF), or an irregular beat in the upper chambers of the heart, is the most common form of arrhythmia and potentially affects up to 10 per cent of the population. The number of patients who could genuinely benefit from this procedure is huge, and it can make a major difference to quality of life.”

The new service at Spire Leeds Hospital is available to private and insured patients.

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CHARLES Cracknell from Hull City Council has joined pioneers of community enterprise from across the country to launch the UK’s first ever network of enterprising places.

The Make Your Mark Enterprising Places Network (EPN) will bring together those who have transformed their local areas through encouraging enterprise and share their knowledge and expertise.

It will work to create, maintain and encourage entrepreneurship during the economic downturn, and in time will become a valuable resource for other areas wishing to replicate some of these successful schemes.

Hull was one of the first places in the country to be invited to join the EPN which is being launched by Make Your Mark, the campaign to give people in the UK the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising, as part of its commitment to encouraging the development of enterprising places and strengthening enterprise culture in communities across the UK.

Hull has been recognised for its success in the field which includes implementing initiatives such as the Employment and Youth Enterprise Project which is promoting enterprise to local young people.

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NEW research has revealed that reaching the half-century milestone of 50 is a catalyst to a new zest for life.

Research from Skandia, the long-term investment provider, reveals that people in their 50s intend to enjoy their newfound financial freedom before retirement with life-changing experiences.

Having spent the best part of the previous three decades bearing the financial shackles of parenthood and home ownership, more than one in four (27%) over 50s intend to make a big ticket purchase, such as a holiday home or sports car, or make a life-changing decision before they reach retirement age.

Michelle Cracknell, Strategy Director for Skandia, commented: “As our research has shown, many 50 to 64 year olds are realising that the years before their retirement are an ideal time to enjoy their financial freedom. Now they are free, for the most part, from the financial shackles of their 40s, for many, disposable income is higher than it has ever been and the financial ties of a mortgage or young family have been surpassed.”