Anne Marie Tasker

Peter Byers, a 100-year-old man from Pocklington in East Yorkshire, walks about a mile into town most days and continues to enjoy fishing and time with his family. He credits staying happy, walking and maintaining his independence with his active life. After undergoing surgery at Castle Hill Hospital five years ago for severe aortic stenosis, he says his health and enjoyment of life improved significantly. Cardiologist Manish Ramlall says Byers’s age should not prevent treatment when a patient is otherwise fit and active.

Gail Drake, a registered blind woman from Bridlington, said a Mydentist practice repeatedly told her to book an emergency dental appointment online despite her explaining that her visual impairment made this difficult. She was also directed to submit a complaint by letter or email. After the BBC contacted the company, Mydentist apologised, offered Drake an emergency appointment and said urgent appointments could be booked by telephone. The RNIB said healthcare providers should ensure online systems work with assistive technology while retaining non-digital options, and noted that blind and partially sighted people can request health information in accessible formats.