Thermometer recall: Safe and Sound Infrared Ear Thermometer – MHRA urges people to check theirs for recalled lots

Press release

Users of Safe and Sound Infrared Ear Thermometers are being urged by the MHRA to check their product code and lot number due to a voluntary product recall of specific lots initiated by the company due to a fault.

The recall affects Lot 2003014, Model numbers SA8091 or SA8091R of the product.

The fault causes the thermometer to read two degrees Celsius higher than it should, which is a safety concern for patients who are monitoring their temperature, particularly in view of the pandemic. Most of the affected thermometers have been successfully recalled but there are an estimated 1,000 in circulation. The MHRA has also been working with the company to ensure that no further thermometers with this fault are sold to the public.

If patients think they may have bought one of these thermometers, they should check the model numbers and lot numbers, which are listed on the box and on the thermometer. They should return them to the shop where purchased, or contact the manufacturer, who will send them a prepaid envelope for the return. Once returned, the manufacturer will send a replacement.

Customers can check if their products are affected by checking the lot number on the box of their thermometer (or on their thermometer) against the list published by Murray Health in the company’s field safety notice. Pictures of where to find the lot number are in the field safety notice.

Dr Janine Jolly, MHRA Group Manager, Device Safety and Surveillance, comments:

“While the risk is low, the MHRA takes the safety of the medicines and devices we regulate very seriously.

“It is therefore important that as many customers as possible check their thermometer for these lot and model numbers.

“Users with concerns should talk to their GP or healthcare professional. They can also report any adverse effects to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.   This helps make medical devices safer for everyone.”

Notes to Editor

  1. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

  2. MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Published 30 October 2020



63 days to go: Readiness webinars prompt businesses to take action for end of transition period

  • Over 3,000 people have attended sector-specific webinars led by the business department to help them get ready for the end of the transition period
  • 86% of attendees polled said they will take action to prepare their businesses for 1 January as a direct result of the sessions
  • with just 63 days to go until the UK’s new start, the Business Secretary is encouraging firms to sign up for a second phase of webinars focusing on key issues like personal data

Over 3,000 people have attended government webinars to help them get ready for the end of the transition period, with 86% of those polled saying they would take action to prepare their business as a direct result of the sessions.

With just 63 days to go till the UK begins its new start outside of the EU single market and customs union, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma is encouraging businesses across the UK to sign themselves up for a webinar to help them prepare for the changes and opportunities ahead.

This second phase of webinars – which will run throughout November – will cover key issues that could affect businesses in multiple sectors, including personal data, and regulations on manufactured goods.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

Time is running out for businesses to get ready for the end of the transition period on 31 December and prepare for the guaranteed set of changes and opportunities ahead.

I urge as many businesses as possible to sign up to the second phase of our webinars or visit gov.uk to see what actions need to be taken to ensure we’re ready for the UK’s new start as an independent country.

Businesses should visit gov.uk/transition, check, change, go using the transition checker, and make sure they are registered for updates.

When the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, there will be a guaranteed set of changes and opportunities for which businesses need to prepare as the UK leaves the customs union and single market, including changes to the way businesses import and export goods, and the process for hiring people from the EU.

The vast majority of these actions will need to be completed regardless of the outcome of our negotiations with the EU. These include preparing for customs procedures when trading with the EU.

The first phase of webinars, which ran throughout October, focused on specific sectors, such as retail, automotive and consumer goods.

The second phase of webinars include a focus on the following:

  • changes to intellectual property
  • personal data
  • regulations on manufactured goods
  • chemicals regulations for manufacturers
  • webinars are free and, depending on the topic being covered, take between 45-90 minutes
  • to register, or to watch previous sector-specific webinars on demand, visit bit.ly/UKTwebinar


Suffragan Bishop of Repton: Reverend Canon William Malcolm Macnaughton

Press release

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Reverend Canon William Malcolm Macnaughton to the Suffragan See of Repton.

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Reverend Canon William Malcolm Macnaughton MA MTh, Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of York in the diocese of York to the Suffragan See of Repton, in the diocese of Derby, in succession to the Right Reverend Janet Elizabeth McFarlane who resigned on 31st March 2020.

Malcolm was educated at Queens’ College, Cambridge and trained for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He served his title at St Andrew, Haughton Le Skerne, in the diocese of Durham and was ordained Priest in 1982.

In 1985, Malcolm was appointed Priest-in-Charge of All Saints, Newton Hall, in the diocese of Durham. In 1990, he moved to the diocese of London to be Team Vicar (and subsequently Vicar) of St John the Baptist, Hoxton. He also served as Area Dean of Hackney from 1994 to 1999. Malcolm was appointed Rector of Hambleden Valley in the diocese of Oxford in 2002 and became Area Dean of Wycombe in 2005.

In 2007, Malcolm took up his current role as Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of York.

Published 30 October 2020



4,500 new Work Coaches to join the frontline to help Britain build back better

Press release

Thousands of new recruits are now lined up to join Jobcentres across the UK and fuel the nation’s Plan for Jobs.

4,500 new Work Coaches for the Jobcentre frontline will be trained up to use their expertise to help jobseekers across the country get the support they need to find a job, retrain or gain vital practical experience.

The 4,500 new recruits who have already accepted jobs will be joined by thousands more by March next year – meeting the Government’s pledge to double the number of Work Coaches by the end of the financial year.

Boosting these numbers will mean that jobseekers have access to key personal support tailored to them whether they’re starting out, at the peak of their career or looking to leave a struggling sector.

The next round of Work Coach recruitment will kick off in mid-November 2020 with thousands of new vacancies available.

Mims Davies MP, Employment Minister said:

Work Coaches are at the forefront of our national recovery and will be there for jobseekers striving to get back on their feet.

From setting young people up with their first jobs to helping others retrain and find fresh opportunity in new industries, their support will help drive Britain’s recovery.

Recent recruit and new Work Coach Hasni Pazeer said:

I know that I am making a really positive difference in people’s lives and it’s a great feeling to help get people back on their feet.

I meet new people every day from all kinds of backgrounds and it’s so rewarding to see customers flourish through the support we provide them.

Along with helping people improve their CV, interview chances and job search, Work Coaches also help arrange more structured support including:

  • The £2 billion Kickstart scheme which puts young people receiving benefits first in line for new, high quality, six-month roles provided by employers from all sectors. The placements give them a wage for the duration and the chance to build their experience and professional networks.
  • The £238 million JETS programme targeting those out of work for three months with a range of help from expert providers, including specialist advice on how people can move into growing sectors.
  • Increased support for 40,000 jobseekers of all ages through the Sector-based Work Academy Programme, which received a £17 million funding boost this summer and will help people learn new skills through a mixture of work experience and training.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144

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Published 30 October 2020
Last updated 30 October 2020 + show all updates

  1. First published.



Royal Appointment of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons

News story

The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor has announced the Royal Appointment of Charlie Taylor as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Royal Appointment of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons

The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor, Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC, has announced the Royal Appointment of Charlie Taylor as the Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCI Prisons) for a tenure of three years. His appointment will commence on 1 November 2020 and run until 31 October 2023.

Mr Taylor’s appointment follows a report from the Justice Select, Committee into his suitability for the role, published on 17 September, and a public hearing with the committee held on 15 September.

The recruitment of HMCI Prisons is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate. The Chief Inspector reports directly to Ministers but operates independently of Government and the services under its scrutiny. The Chief Inspector has a duty to report on conditions for and treatment of those in prison, young offender institutions, secure training centres, immigration detention facilities, police and court custody suites, customs custody facilities and military detention in England and Wales.

Charlie Taylor Biography

Mr Taylor has over twenty-five years’ experience within education and has a longstanding interest in youth justice.

Mr Taylor is an adviser to the Department for Education (DfE) on the development of new school-based behaviour hubs. Prior to this, Mr Taylor was the Chair of the Youth Justice Board, and in 2019 he conducted an independent review into the use of pain inducing techniques in the Youth Secure Estate. In 2015, Mr Taylor was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice to conduct a review into the Youth Justice System in England and Wales. In 2012, Mr Taylor was the Chief Executive Officer at the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL), and in 2011-12, he acted as an Expert Advisor to the DfE on children’s behaviour.

Published 30 October 2020