Children join fight against problem parking. http://bit.ly/J6SSYP

Fund supporting development of UK medical devices

Experimental technology, including the use of video games, pioneering gene therapies and new medical devices, is being developed with the aim of transforming NHS treatment.

The Department of Health and leading medical research charity, the Wellcome Trust, are supporting the Health Innovation Challenge Fund, which was set up in 2009. Its aim was to foster medical innovation with potential clinical application in the NHS within a five-year time frame.

One of the developers whose research has gained critical funding from the initiative is Professor Janet Eyre, at Newcastle University, who has been able to develop a system for therapists to monitor patients’ arm rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke using video games that can be played at home.

She explained that the continuous tracking of patients’ progress by their therapist will allow for recovery programmes to be even more specifically tailored and enable them to speed up.

“We hope that enabling therapists to monitor their patients’ progress remotely will improve compliance with home based therapy programmes, speed up recoveries and free up valuable clinic time,” she said. Ultimately, therapists will be able to supervise more patients and patients should regain greater independence.”

The technology is expected to be released for consumer and NHS use within two years.

http://www.kirkhamyoung.co.uk/news/article/fund-supporting-development-of-uk-medical-devices-183735.html

Fund supporting development of UK medical devices. http://bit.ly/L58Dir

Singapore Airline lengthens cabin crew job service period

The international aviation industry is keeping a close eye on the move by Singapore Airlines (SIA) to increase the maximum length of service of people working in their cabin crew jobs, which is likely to allow many air stewardesses to fly well into their 50s.

http://www.aviationmatch.com/news/article/singapore-airline-lengthens-cabin-crew-job-service-period-183731.html

Singapore Airline lengthens cabin crew job service period. http://bit.ly/Kz3FyV

Expats uncertain about tax situation

Working overseas can complicate matters when it comes to tax issues and it appears that expatriates would appreciate a little bit more advice in this area.A recent survey of international assignees conducted by Lloyds TSB International Global Mobility Banking revealed that 61per cent of employees on overseas work are happier than they were in the UK. But 53 per cent would have found more advice on tax issues useful.With the 50 per cent tax rate still in place, those working overseas might find that they have more options to cut valuable rates off their tax bill.Fortunately, the majority of reports suggested that working abroad was a positive experience. Around half of those abroad received a moving allowance from their employee, while 42 per cent received flights back to the UK and 41 per cent had help with their housing costs.Nicholas Boys Smith, director at Lloyds TSB International, commented: “Many companies are currently under pressure to reduce costs and we’re well aware how expensive overseas assignments can be for employers. But we’re also aware that most employees really value any help their companies can give to guide them through the logistics of moving overseas.”

http://www.50percenttax.co.uk/index/2012/5/18/expats-uncertain-about-tax-situation.html

Expats uncertain about tax situation. http://www.50percenttax.co.uk/index/2012/5/18/expats-uncertain-about-tax-situation.html