In a world-first, Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands is using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to identify different strains of tuberculosis.

This is the first time that WGS has been used as a diagnostic solution for managing a disease on this scale anywhere in the world. This builds on WGS based services for public health investigation of infectious diseases, which offer the opportunities for faster, cheaper and more accurate diagnostics than other testing methods.

The technique, developed in conjunction with the University of Oxford and carried out at PHE’s laboratory in Birmingham, allows faster and more accurate diagnoses, meaning patients can be treated with precisely the right medication more quickly. Where previously it could take up to a month to confirm a diagnosis of TB, confirm the treatment choices and to detect spread between cases; this can now be done in just over a week by at the Birmingham lab. This slows the spread of the disease and boosts the fight against anti-microbial resistance (AMR).

Some strains of TB are called ‘drug resistant’ which means they need treating differently to conventional types. With WGS diagnosis, patients who have a strain of TB which is resistant to specific drugs will receive the right medication from the start of their treatment. This will shorten the time that patients are infectious and so stop the spread and reduce the prevalence of drug-resistant TB and costs to NHS in hospital care.

Dr Grace Smith, PHE Interim Director National Mycobacterial Reference Service, National Infection Service (based at the Birmingham laboratory), said: “The use of whole genome sequencing to diagnose, detect drug resistance and very accurately type TB is a world first for any disease on this scale. By working closely with our partners, we are now able to use cutting edge science to effectively treat these patients with the right medicines quickly. We are immensely proud of the contribution this makes to the prospects of better treatment of TB globally. This approach will also increasingly be used for many other infectious diseases. Our ambition is to achieve this as quickly as possible so many infections can be better diagnosed and treated.”

Dr Martin Dedicoat, TB clinical lead for Birmingham and Solihull (Heart of England Foundation Trust), said: “Whole genome sequencing for TB means quicker more accurate diagnosis for patients. It has helped patients start appropriate treatment within days as opposed to weeks. Also timely identification of TB transmission is helping safe guard the public."

Dr Nic Coetzee, TB lead Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for PHE West Midlands, said: “The number of cases of TB in England has declined by 30% over the last four years; with 5,758 confirmed cases in 2015 compared to 8,280 in 2011 nationally, while the West Midlands saw 708 cases in 2015 compared to 1,004 in 2011. Despite this downward trend, England still has one of the highest rates of TB in Western Europe, and the West Midlands region has the second highest rate of TB in the country at 12.3 cases per 100,000 head of population – with London being highest at a rate of 26.2 cases per 100,000.

“PHE and NHS England are working with local and national partners to continue this decrease by actively implementing the Collaborative TB Strategy for England. This will contribute to the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating TB as a public health problem by 2035. There is significant variation in rates of TB in England, depending on population characteristics, socioeconomic factors and level of local risk. Certain groups are disproportionately affected including some migrant groups, people who misuse alcohol or drugs, people who are homeless and those with prison histories. In the West Midlands we have been working with local prisons and homeless charities to help earlier diagnosis and treatment of people at greater risk.”

PHE is already pioneering the development and early use of WGS to enable the investigation and control of multiple infectious diseases.  In future, the application of WGS in other conditions will allow us to test and treat patients at the bed side, rather than needing to wait days and sometimes weeks for results. The implementation of this technology will contribute to achieving the Government’s ambition of sequencing 100,000 genomes, a project which will ultimately allow us to better understand major diseases and how to treat them.

Primary school pupils across Birmingham are tracking down a mysterious sun bear character as part of a competition by The Big Sleuth’s Educational Sponsor, The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham. Over 100 teachers and their pupils are already on its tail, with more continuing to join the search daily to be in with a chance of winning top prizes including a professionally painted cub sculpture, exclusive tickets to The Big Sleuth auction and personalised artwork.

The competition is part of The Little Bears Detective Club, The Big Sleuth’s creative education initiative for the city’s young people. Educational Sponsor The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham is supporting creative producers Wild in Art and Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity to bring the programme to life, which will see over 100 cub sculptures join the giant sun bears on this summer’s free, family-friendly art trail across Bear-mingham and surrounding areas.

Children have until the beginning of April to piece together the bear’s journey across the city, which is being revealed in a series of photographic clues. They then mark the identified location on a map, unlocking the next part of the challenge – a creative writing task. Stories received by Monday 15 May will be judged and the school that submits the best entry could win the top prize of Inspector Claw-So, a colourful cub sculpture that has been created by artist Jenny Leonard.

The top three schools will receive a bespoke photo-mosaic created from photographs of their pupils with their teddy bears. Plus, they will have the opportunity to come along and watch The Big Sleuth’s auction of giant bears raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham has roots in the city since 1552 when King Edward’s School was founded. John Hoyland attended the school in the early part of the 20^th Century and it’s his remarkable life story, recently uncovered in the school’s archives that gave the organisation even more reasons to get involved with The Big Sleuth.

Denis Ramplin, Director of Marketing & Communications for The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, explains: “We recently discovered that Old Boy John Hoyland, Jack to his friends, helped the people of Birmingham and India by making teddy bears to raise money for good causes. He attended our school from 1901-1907 and went on to be a parent, teacher, sportsman, poet and author. He worked in India and was a strong advocate of Indian Independence, having personally met with Mahatma Gandhi.

“But it was while he was in hospital later on in life that he learnt to make toy bears, first for children at Birmingham Royal Institute for the Blind and then to help UNICEF fundraise. He made and sold more than 4,000 teddy bears and raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes.”

“His story is truly inspirational and so when the opportunity came along to be Educational Sponsor of The Big Sleuth, it was a perfect fit for us and our aims to open our doors to even more bright children and help raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. We hope our competition brings out the detective in all children!”

Annie Laughrin at Wild in Art said: “We’re excited to see the competition take off and provide yet another way for young children and teachers to take part in The Big Sleuth and The Little Bears Detective Club. It combines detective work, literacy and amazing prizes – what’s not to love!”

“The fun challenge for primary schools could inspire activities in the classroom or at home over the next few weeks. What’s more the top prize is a beautifully decorated bear sculpture that has an uncanny resemblance to the mystery character we see snapped in the competition clues!”

Annie Eytle, Acting Events and Regional Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “At our hospital we are passionate about the development of children and young people and The Little Bears Detective Club competition is another great way to bring the excitement of The Big Sleuth into the classroom and beyond.

“The Big Sleuth is a major part of our fundraising plans this year and we hope that as the children get involved with the project, they will consider helping us to raise much-needed funds at the same time.”

It’s not too late for teachers to register for their school to take part. Simply email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive a competition pack with all the instructions. The pack contains classroom posters, answer sheets and story sheets, as well as teddy bear name tags and details on how to submit photos for the personalised large photo-mosaic.

Britain is a nation of mummy’s boys and girls, whose mums are their best friends, according new research. A survey of 2,010 UK adults carried out by One4all, the Post Office gift card, found almost half of Brits (43%) say their mum is one of their BFFs.

1 in 4 (24%) speak to their mum every day, while 29% see them at least once every week.

This could be in part down to the role mums are now playing in the lives of their offspring. Many support with childcare when they become grandparents and Brits now live in the family home for longer before they flee the nest – suggesting Brits spend more time with them.

When quizzed on the relationship they have with their mothers, respondents said she plays a much bigger role in their life than just a parental figure, a quarter said they enjoy socialising with their mum.

Almost 1 in 3 (31%) said they would turn to their mum first with any good news, while 30% would reach out to their mum if they were in trouble, suggesting she’s more than just a shoulder to cry on

Aoife Davey, group marketing manager at One4all Gift Cards commented: “It’s really lovely to see ahead of Mother’s Day just how much of an important role British mums are playing in their children’s  lives, even when they have grown up.

“From the number of respondents who consider their mum one of their best friends, to the amount Britons see and speak to their mums, it’s clear to see that the relationship is in fact more of a friendship, out of choice, rather than a parental one.”

Millennials are leading the trend – 25-34 year olds were the age group who most commonly count their mum as a BFF.

There was some love lost however between British adults and their mums during the teenage years - adolescent Brits spent six years avoiding quality time with their mum as they grow up, before turning 20 and realising that mum is the word.

The biggest mummy’s boys and girls can be found in London, where almost 1 in 3 (31%) speak to their mum every day, followed by Sheffield, where 29% of locals do the same.

The venue for the city’s first annual Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards has been announced amidst a flurry of entries. Molineux Stadium’s WV1 Suite will play host to the event, with Corporate Wolves and Venue Catering Partner the venue sponsors.

Details of how to get tickets for the event on Tuesday, July 18, will be made available soon at www.wirewards.co.uk. The awards will also be supporting charity, Promise Dreams, on the night.

Nominations continue to fly in for the WIRE Awards and more than 50 businesses have made 150 entries across 11 categories. The closing date for entries, which can be made at www.wireawards.co.uk is midnight on Sunday, April 30.

More than 700 public votes have been received for Wolverhampton’s ‘Favourite Retailer of the Year’ and you can nominate via the website or by texting WIRE plus the name of your favourite independent retailer to 60777 (standard network charges may apply). The public vote closes at midnight on Wednesday, June 28.

The awards, commissioned by the Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence, are being led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the city council.

The aim is to celebrate and praise the entrepreneurial spirit, dedication and hard work of those involved in running and managing a successful independent business, as well as to recognise the loyalty and dedication of the staff that work in this sector.

The other categories are Independent Retailer of the Year, Retail Personality of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Best Dressed Shop or Outlet, Employee of the Year, Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, Excellence in Staff Development, Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year, Community Retailer of the Year, Most Improved Business of the Year, and New Business of the Year.

The awards are open to independent retailers from across the city, provided they have a Wolverhampton postcode.

Councillor Lawrence, said: “To receive this amount of interest in the inaugural awards is amazing and shows the appetite to collectively support these independent businesses.

“It is vital that we listen to the voice of businesses and that we support and nurture growth here in the city.

“We very much value the presence of the small businesses in the city and the creative local people behind them.

“These are the businesses that help give Wolverhampton its own identity and character, and it is only right their efforts should be recognised by these awards.”

John Henn, Chair of Wolverhampton BID, added: “We have so many professional, independent retailers uniquely skilled in the city offering fantastic customer service to customers and people visiting our city, it will be a real thrill for all of us to recognise those individuals and companies by celebrating them with these awards.”

Other sponsors include Signal 107, Meercat Associates Ltd, Yarrington, Mander Centre, Express & Star, City of Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Ramada Park Hall Hotel & Spa, NCP, and Black Country Reinvestment Society, and Wolverhampton Partners in Progress.

Improvements to Sheepwash Nature Reserve in Tipton mean visitors of all ages can enjoy and use more of the 'hidden treasures' it has to offer. Sandwell Council and volunteers in the reserve's friends' group are working together on a range of projects.

The new pathway from Tame Road into the reserve links with pathways towards Dudley Port train station.

The council has also opened up old tunnels from the Oldbury end of the reserve and thinned out trees to let more light into the park and show off the lakes and wildlife.

This summer, a 3km charity fun run is planned as well as events with schools to make more people aware of the conservation work.

People can also join Sandwell Stride's popular walk around Sheepwash every Friday at 10am. Meet at Great Bridge Library, Sheepwash Lane, Great Bridge, Tipton.

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure, said: "Sheepwash is a fantastic nature reserve that we want the local community to use and get more involved in.

"I want to thank everyone who's been helping to improve Sheepwash, including volunteers in the friends' group.

"On a recent walk around the reserve, I was struck by how extensive it is. It's full of wildlife and great scenery that is free for people of all ages to enjoy.

"A recent fire at the reserve was a bit of a setback, when some of the rubber pellets we're using for the paths were set on fire, but I am pleased to see improvements continuing and hope more and more people will discover this 'hidden treasure' over the coming months."

Friends' group member, Christine Adams,said: "I've been a member of the Friends' Group for 15 years and have walked the area every day for the last 26 years as well as visiting the area when I was a child.

"It's a very special place, safe to walk a dog and a haven for wildlife.

"We're extremely pleased with the the new pathway, it's amazing and beautiful to walk on and we'd love more people to come and enjoy the reserve."

Christine added that the Friends' group was looking to recruit more volunteers to help maintain and look after the reserve as well as looking to attract more funding for future projects.