North East medical innovator PolyPhotonix has secured NHS backing for its specialist sleep mask that is used to prevent and treat the leading cause of blindness in Europe.
The Sedgefield-based firm's Noctura 400 mask - which has been some years in development - has been adopted by Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust, where research has shown its effectiveness in improving and stabilising diabetic eye disease in 96% of patients. And the move has been hailed as great news for patients and the NHS alike.
PolyPhotonix says the device, which earned a $10m investment from US backers PrevailWorks earlier this year, has the potential to save the NHS millions by providing an early stage, non-invasive alternative to current treatments such as eye injections. The medtech developers say it could reduce hospital clinic appointments in a field which costs the NHS and estimated £10bn per year.
Northumberland based North Farm Cottages has been given the green light for a £1m development of holiday cottages complete with hot tubs. Growing demand for staycations in the region has led the owners of the cottages in Embleton to invest the seven-figure sum, adding six new stone cottages to its accommodation with views of the Northumberland coast. Construction is now under way with the first holidaymakers expected to stay in early summer.
Property specialist George F. White advised North Farm Cottages on the venture and led the planning process. With the addition of the six new units, the holiday site will be home to 20 holiday let cottages. The cottages have been designed to complement their rural setting by the coast, using stone brick and exposed beams.
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Each cottage will sleep up to four guests and have a lounge area with a log burner, kitchen, two bedrooms, family bathroom, private garden and outdoor hot tub. Other existing facilities will be available to guests, including an indoor swimming pool. Holidaymakers can also access the nearby beach and village of Newton by the Sea via private walking tracks.
A role play centre for young children has opened its doors in a Northumberland town following a five-figure investment.
Little Morpeth’s play space, based on Grange Road, features a number of themed areas loosely based on locations within the town which are equipped with all the costumes, toys and accessories needed for imaginative play. The business has been set up by qualified teacher Steffanie Parrott, who wanted to offer play facilities to families which fill a gap in the market - having realised there were no similar facilities to her vision anywhere further north in Northumberland.
The £18,000 Small Loan Fund investment, obtained through regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers, has supported the fit-out of the new attraction and will also help with recruitment and marketing activity around the launch. Three new jobs have been created at the new venue, with more expected to follow.
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