Amanda B
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belowzero4.bsky.social
Amanda B
@belowzero4.bsky.social
230 followers 190 following 420 posts
Tea drinker, cat lover, tech specialist, disassembler of things, occasionally puts stuff back together again.
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belowzero4.bsky.social
Photo of a McDonalds box meal (burger, fries, coke) with Netflix Stranger Things theming, and six mini figures.
November 18, 2025 at 4:18 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
A screenshot of the game Atic Atac by Ultimate on the ZX Spectrum.
November 12, 2025 at 12:28 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Showing my age. 😄
Image of a record sleeve. Herbie Hancock's Rockit, with the title altered to read Blockit.
October 19, 2025 at 1:07 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
I think my watch is broken.
Response date 13/10/2025 Dear Ms - I’m sorry it’s taken us longer to reach a finding on your complaint than we led you to expect. We’re currently in discussion with the management of BBC News about the issues raised by your complaint and others on the same subject, and hope to be in a position to finalise our finding soon. In the meantime I can only ask for your patience and apologise for the delay. Kind regards Alison Wilson Executive Complaints Unit Complaint date 23/07/2025 Dear Amanda   The ECU will investigate your complaint and aim to reply within 20 working days of receiving it, though some complaints take longer than others to investigate. A target of 35 working days applies to those complaints that require longer or more complex investigation.
October 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Half-watching a Veritasium video on rubber while trans, and getting whiplash... 😂
Screenshot of "This is the natural disaster to worry about" by Veritasium, time stamp 5m22s. Image shows a molecular chain with the caption "Cis-Attachment".
October 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
It was a different time for sure. 2018 for me and pre-transition. I have photos of me there. I'm not sharing them.
Photo from inside Warner Bros Studio tour (Harry Potter). Shows luggage cart part way through a wall on Platform 9 3/4.
September 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Ah, go on then. 😁
September 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Next cabinet meeting:

"Those damn transes are so stubborn, we've tried everything and they're _still_ there!

Does anyone have Barry Scott's phone number?"
Barry Scott of Cillit Bang fame, holding a bottle of the product.
September 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
They missed a few 🎂
Aperture Laboratories sign showing some of the test chamber hazards.
August 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
It just keeps getting better.
From: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Under the current system, wealthier patients often have more information about the country’s hospitals and access to better care. The improved NHS App will democratise care, so everyone, including those from working class communities, has the information they need about their conditions or procedures they’re due to go through. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the new My Companion tool will give patients direct access to trusted health information, so there are always 2 experts in every consulting room - the clinician and the patient. It will help patients articulate their health needs and preferences confidently - providing information about a health condition if they have one, or a procedure if they need one. It will support patients to ask questions, including any they may have forgotten about or felt too embarrassed to raise at an in-person appointment.
August 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
In your experience, what impact does patient access to EEA registered prescribers have on the quality of care received? Positive How can the quality of patient care received from private providers be strengthened? Why does it require strengthening and not expanding? This is a leading question. Sufficient controls are already in place, subject to any robust evidence of significant harms. Such evidence, should it ever come to light, should be scientifically robust, unlike the Cass review. To what extent do you agree or disagree that patients receive appropriate consultation and clinical advice when prescribed or supplied medicines by private providers? Strongly agree To what extent do you agree or disagree that patients are routinely monitored by an authorised healthcare professional when prescribed or supplied medicines by private providers? Strongly agree If there is anything else you would like to tell us about patient consultation and monitoring when accessing medicines through private providers, please include it here. Shared care agreements provide an excellent patient-focussed way to prescribe and monitor the safety of patients and such agreements should be encouraged. In your experience, what patient medical information is relied upon when prescribing privately? Patient supplied, NHS GP supplied, Core NHS record, Private provider's own records How effectively is patient medical information shared between NHS and private prescribers, and vice versa? In my experience, very effectively. Ultimately the patient has a responsibility to ensure that their healthcare providers are informed of any changes to their circumstances, and I have personally completed numerous questionaires when accessing healthcare which I believe proves that providers go to great lengths to ensuring they capture all relevant information prior to treatment. If there is anything else you would like to tell us about private prescribing data, please include it here. We should encourage a flexible, patient-centric approach to healthcare. Restrictions are in no-one's interests, except maybe for political reasons. Such justifications cannot be countenanced. This governments continuing culture war on LGBT+ and specifically transgender healthcare is abhorrent. Further encroachment on the freedom of choice for patients should be robustly defended against. What impacts does private prescribing have on the wider healthcare system? It helps support a struggling National Health Service. It can only be a good thing for patients. Please share any additional evidence you would like to contribute regarding the impact of private prescribing on quality of patient care. Nothing further to add on this subect that hasn't been said in earier answers. Would you like to upload a contribution of data, research or other reports? No
August 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
In your experience, what is the impact on patient safety of medicines supplied under private PGDs? I don't believe there are any significant concerns under current protocols, as previously stated. I will note that the questions in this survey do see slanted towards finding fault with the current system, and I wonder why that is. To what extent do you agree or disagree that private prescribing improves medicines access for people with protected characteristics within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010? Strongly agree Please describe any benefits or barriers related to inequalities you’ve observed that have been caused by private prescribing. Interesting that, of all the protected characteristics in the EA, only one or two would require routine medical treatment. I guess this explains the focus of this survey? So the benefits are self-evident and I've covered them throughout the earlier questions. I don't see that restrictions on healthcare helps anyone, especially the patient. The only barrier to private healthcare is ability to pay, something the NHS can help with but will never remove the need for such services. To what extent do you agree or disagree that sufficient training and education on private prescribing is available to healthcare professionals? Strongly agree Please share any additional evidence you would like to contribute regarding the impact of private prescribing on patient safety and access to medicines. Please excuse my cynicism, but reading between the lines of the questions in this survey suggests to me that this exercise is another step in the ongoing politicial push to restrict LGBT+ access to healthcare, and cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers specifically. If this is the case then this is truly unconscionable. I am appalled at the way these groups have been treated by this government and would hope that the NHS and DHSS are relatively immune to political pressure and rely on properly sourced and evidenced reporting. That we have the Cass review held as some gold standard suggests to me that this is unfortunately not the case. If I have misread this then I apologise. However, if not then I trust that we will not see further invasion of privacy and restrictions on minority groups in the name of "safety". Do you wish to answer questions regarding placing restrictions on the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones? Yes Restrictions on the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones to under 18s for gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria have been effective in limiting prescribing by UK private prescribers. Strongly agree Restrictions on the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones to under 18s for gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria have been effective in limiting prescribing by EEA registered prescribers. Strongly agree The prescribing of cross-sex hormones to under 18s for gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria is undertaken in accordance with NHS guidelines (offered with extreme caution and with a clear clinical rationale) by UK private prescribers. Strongly agree The prescribing of cross-sex hormones to under 18s for gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria is undertaken in accordance with NHS guidelines (offered with extreme caution and with a clear clinical rationale) by EEA registered prescribers. Strongly agree Government and NHS guidance on the sale and supply of medicines for gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria to under 18s (puberty-suppressing hormones and cross-sex hormones) is sufficiently clear for frontline practitioners. Strongly agree Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the recent restrictions on the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones? Restrictions on the sale and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones to under 18s for gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria is an appalling government overreach based on political rhetoric, poor methodology and selective bias, and should have no place is a democratic society with a functional health service. The Cass review has been heavily criticised internationally in peer-reviewed papers including the notably transphobic United States. The Lemkin Institute has issued a red flag warning for genocide. https://www.lemkininstitute.com/_files/ugd/bb6a09_549b26db7fe641d082d917ab083af871.pdf The outcomes of this ban have been devestating to patients and cause actual and irreversible harm to children. I am ashamed that this has happened and continues to happen in my country. I note that Anne Health has published a full rebuttal of the claims being made that this survey almost certainly relates. I would appreciate you taking these point on board as part of my response - https://www.anne.health/articles/response-to-telegraph-puberty-blockers-august-2025 In your experience, what impact does patient access to UK private prescribers typically have on the quality of care received? Positive In your experience, what impact does patient access to healthcare professionals operating under private PGDs typically have on the quality of care received? Positive
August 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
I've just finished, so you're welcome to mine. I make no claims about how good these are, use at your own risk. 😄
To what extent do you agree or disagree that existing mechanisms enable the effective oversight and regulation (including enforcement) of UK registered private prescribers? Strongly Agree o what extent do you agree or disagree that existing mechanisms enable the effective oversight and regulation (including enforcement) of EEA registered prescribers (with medicines dispensed in the UK)? Strongly agree To what extent do you agree or disagree that existing mechanisms enable the effective oversight and regulation (including enforcement) of medicines supplied under private PGDs? Strongly agree What are the strengths of the current regulatory regime for medicines accessed through private providers? Provide flexibility and convenience to the patient where the NHS struggles to provide adequate services in a timely manner. I appreciate this is usually due to budgetary and resource contstraints, but it remains a fact that private providers are a necessary part of healthcare in the UK What are the limitations of the current regulatory regime for medicines accessed through private providers? Cost can be prohibitive for many, leading two two-tier health service based on ability to pay. This is the antithesis of the goal of the NHS and the NHS should be supported to meet the needs of all. How could the current regulatory regime for medicines accessed through private providers be strengthened? Why? I see no need to do this. If you are aware of any data captured on medicines accessed through private providers, please provide details on the source of the data and how it is currently used. What an odd question. Shouldn't you know this as part of the consultation? To what extent do you agree or disagree that this data is sufficient to appropriately monitor this activity? N/A To what extent do you agree or disagree that medicines advertising in the UK is effectively regulated? Strongly agree Please share any additional evidence you would like to contribute regarding the effectiveness of existing mechanisms to oversee and regulate private prescribing. I've been to the USA - their medical advertising is out of control and counter-productive. We only have to look at the HHS and MAHA to see where that leads. The UK have historically been excellent at avoiding this trap, and I don't see the need to change. Please continue as is. What do you understand to be the main reasons for patients to access medicines from private providers? Convenience, speed, personal service, specialism. Things that the NHS will always struggle to provide to everyone. What do you understand to be the main reasons for patients to access medicines from healthcare professionals under private PGDs? PGDs offer safe and rapid access to medicines for patients in situations where their treatment follows a predictable pattern, such as for vaccinations or family planning. They are an essential part of a broad healthcare service. To what extent do you agree or disagree that patients can safely access medicines from UK private providers? Strongly agree To what extent do you agree or disagree that patients can safely access medicines from EEA providers? Strongly agree What are the risks of patients accessing medicines through private providers? As long as the provider communicates effectively with the patient and / or their GP I see no significant risk of a qualified health professional providing healthcare to a patient. What are the benefits of patients accessing medicines through private providers? As previously stated, convenience, speed / responsiveness, personal service, specialisms. Private providers can generally react more quickly to requests, can spend more time with patients as they are under fewer time pressures, and can afford to specialise in otherwise niche areas of healthcare. This can only lead to better outcomes for patients. How can the risks to patients from accessing medicines through private providers be mitigated? I am not aware of any significant risks today. Are we seeing large numbers of adverse outcomes? Or is this about something else? I would suggest talking to patients directly and reviewing the evidence before reviewing current safety protocols. To what extent do you agree or disagree that sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent harm caused by medicines accessed through private providers? Strongly agree To what extent do you agree or disagree that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect patients against counterfeit (fake) medicines? Strongly agree How easy or difficult is it for dispensers (pharmacists) and other healthcare professionals to verify the authenticity of prescriptions from UK private prescribers? Very easy How easy or difficult is it for dispensers (pharmacists) and other healthcare professionals to verify the authenticity of prescriptions from EEA prescribers? Very easy What are the risks associated with prescriptions received electronically from private providers, compared to on paper? I don't see the difference - a prescription from a recognised provider should be equally valid, regardless of the method of issuance. Again, seems like an odd question, unless there's an underlying concern that isn't stated? In your experience, what medicines are patients seeking to access through alternative legal routes (non-NHS), and why? That's up to the patient. I don't see an issue with accessing healthcare for any medicine or other treatment on or off-label if it is a recognised treatment for the patient's condition issued by a qualified and regulated health professional in their country of operation. Patient informed consent is key here.
August 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Archive link for those outside the US - web.archive.org/web/20250821...

And as the "before" pic was suspiciously different, I checked Google Maps - seems like it is the same location. That's depressing.
Rainbow pedestrian crossing at Pulse nightclub, Orlando. May 2022. Google Street View
August 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
This is so heartwarming. I fell in love with his books as a teenager, and still go back and read them now.
A dark oak bookshelf filled with Discworld series books, and figures including Hodgesaargh, Angua (as wolf), the luggage, Great A'Tuin, Captain Carrot and a dragon.
August 20, 2025 at 11:55 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Councillor Paul Peacock ‪@paulspeacock.bsky.social‬ I keep hearing about Starmer attacking the rights of Trans people. I really don’t have much understanding of this but what rights has Starmer taken from trans people. Genuinely interested
August 19, 2025 at 7:57 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
I don't think I come out of this too badly.
The Stanley Parable Don't Starve Half-Life Complete Bioshock Triple Pack Telltale Complete Pack - Summer Sale 2011
August 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
belowzero4.bsky.social
@healthwatchengland.bsky.social Thanks for responding to my email.

Claims that "your report reflects the wide range of views [...] from the trans and non-binary community and [your] consultation with LGBT+ and trans organisations" would seem to be refuted by the responses to your post. 1/3
Dear Amanda, Thank you for taking the time to send feedback about our report, 'What trans and non-binary people told us about GP care'. Although some disagreed with some of the recommendations in the report, we want to assure you that the report reflects the wide range of views we received from the trans and non-binary community and our consultation with LGBT+ and trans organisations throughout the project. As you may know, the Government has asked NHS England's national adviser on LGBT to lead a six-month review aimed at tackling LGBT+ health inequalities. You can find further information here. Our recommendations are not official NHS guidance but aim to inform this review and the broader debate among policy makers, professionals, and the public. However, we will share with NHS England an anonymised summary of feedback we have received since our report was published so they are aware of the concerns that some individuals have shared with us. Once again, thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback. We remain committed to highlighting health inequalities experienced by people with protected characteristics. Best wishes Healthwatch England
August 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Dangit, alt text prompts have disabled themselves - sorry for the omission there.
Email content - M&S Est 1884 Dear Amanda, We hope that you are keeping well. It has been 6 months since we last saw you for your bra fit, did you know that it is recommended to have a bra fit every 6-12 months? Women’s breast sizes can change regularly throughout the year, and we would love to invite you back into store to check that your bra is still right for you. We can also show you some of our amazing new collection. Please click the link below and book your appointment now:
August 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Feeling conflicted.
August 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
I was curious about who they preferred as leader and... well, their endorsement is not going to help dispel concerns over Ellie and Adrian's position.
What does GWD think? ­­GWD supports Ellie and Adrian. Let's be honest, they are not perfect. They know what a woman is but don't like to say so. They look worried when challenged but do nothing - but looking worried and turning away won't help women or the planet. If they are elected we will be looking for more honesty - honesty about the scale of the climate emergency, honesty about the lack of internal democracy in GPEW and honesty about the damage being done to loyal Green Party activists. GWD believes that Ellie and Adrian are people of principle and have the skills and experience to be GPEW Leaders. We are putting our trust in them.
July 31, 2025 at 3:37 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
I think they have noticed 😁
Post from Proton VPN showina a graph with a large spike on 25th July 2025. Text reads: Just a few minutes after the Online Safety Act went into eddect last night, Proton VPN sighnups originating in the UK surged by more than 1400%. Unlike previous surges, this one is sustained, and is significantly higher than when France lost access to adult content.
July 28, 2025 at 9:17 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
Jumping on the #Caturday bandwagon.
Head shot of Minnie, a British blue sitting on my lap, against an orange background. She is looking to the side and her ears are up.
July 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
That ratio. Also, I don't think I've ever seen a post with this quantity of moderation in the replies.

Quite the achievement, if your aim was to alienate as many people as possible.
screenshot of consecutive BSky replies, 2 flagged as Intolerance, 5 tagged as Rude
July 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
belowzero4.bsky.social
You're right, it's not even close! Trump net-12%, Starmer net -54%.
From www.economist.com/interactive/...
Graph of Trump's 2nd term approval ratings overlaid on Obama 2009, Trump 2017, and Biden 2021. All lines descend, but Trump's graphs are consistently negative where Obama and Biden are always above zero.
July 8, 2025 at 8:50 PM