Friday 15 December 2023
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Tuesday 12 December 2023
The Burnt Chef Project and Brigad Join Forces to Host a Free Mental Health and Well-Being for Hospitality Workers
The workshop is being held at The Corner London City, Adler Street, on Monday 4th December from 9.30am - 12pm.
It was jointly organised by The Burnt Chef Project and hospitality freelancing platform Brigad to raise awareness of the need for hospitality staff to manage their mental health and well-being.
Registration for the free event is required. Brigad will donate £10 for every booked ticket to support The Burnt Chef Project. Register via this link:
The event started with a networking breakfast, followed by a stress workshop presented by Hall, which will enable attendees to understand how to identify, tackle, and manage workplace stress.
Mental health awareness is a continual issue for the industry, which will be compounded by the additional demands on workers to cope with the demands of the festive period.
The Burnt Chef Project identified that four out of five hospitality workers had experienced mental health issues within their career, while almost half would not feel comfortable talking about their health concerns with their colleagues.
Hall said: “It's no secret the hospitality industry faces increased pressures throughout the festive season, with increased footfall, new menus, personal pressures of family, expense and missed time with loved ones can all add up.
“Hospitality staff will work an average of 28 hours overtime at Christmas, which can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and ultimately mental health issues if not properly managed. It's vital we put structures in place to support our teams during this busy period.
“This workshop gives the skills to cover how to spot stress, how to speak to your teams about mental health and ultimately support them, leading to better productivity and increased retention throughout the festive period and beyond.”
Brigad, which will supply hundreds of freelance hospitality workers to meet demand during the traditional 'party season', is supporting the venture as part of its own campaign to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues in the hospitality industry.
Nicolas Ferrary, Brigad's UK Managing Director, said: “Brigad's mission is to make work attractive and accessible to all. This includes empowering those in the industry to be able to care for their wellbeing and mental health, in order to have sustainable and successful careers. The holiday season is always a tough period for those in hospitality, and we're thrilled to be partnering with The Burnt Chef Project to provide more support.”
The workshop covered subjects such as:
financial and legal implications
identifying some of the signs of workplace stress
methodology for tackling work-related stress
designing and implementing workplace risk assessments
These will form the foundation for bases to reduce burnout risk and work towards psychological safe accreditations, such as globally recognised ISO 45003 standard.
Wednesday 15 November 2023
People with misunderstood autism profile facing mental health crisis say national charity
In a report released today the PDA Society revealed that over 80% of autistic adults with a PDA profile have considered taking their own lives.
The report's findings come from a survey conducted by the PDA Society in May 2023, and suggest that 80% of adults and 40% of children with a PDA profile of autism have considered taking their own lives. The data also shows that more than 80% of PDA people have experienced severe anxiety in the past year.
87% of children & 82% of PDA adults have experienced severe anxiety in the last year.
84% of PDA adults and 40% of PDA children have considered taking their own lives.
PDA (which stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance) is a profile on the autism spectrum. This means that people with PDA are autistic, and may have differences in social interaction, communication and sensory processing, and some restrictive or repetitive behaviours.
In addition, PDA people will have a fear response to demands, and use social strategies to avoid them. It isn’t known how many PDA people there are in the UK. The only study of prevalence, which was small and not definitive suggested that as many as 1 in 5 autistic people could have a PDA profile. If this was the case it would equate to 140,000 people across the UK.
Conventional strategies suggested to support autistic people, such as consistent routine and structure, firm boundaries, or rewards and consequences, are not only ineffective with PDA people, but can make things worse. PDA Society’s report suggests that this is key to understanding the mental health crisis that PDA people are experiencing. They believe it is essential professionals understand what works for people with less common presentations of autism, such as PDA.
PDA Society’s CEO, Elizabeth Archer says “It’s devastating that so many PDA people are considering taking their own lives. We found that 82% of PDA adults felt they needed professional support for their mental health last year, but a quarter couldn’t name a single person or service that had offered them that help. And where people had received support, they overwhelmingly talked about getting that from family and friends not professionals.
PDA people struggling with their mental health deserve access to help from professionals who recognise the challenges they face and ensure that help is accessible to them. Our report outlines four changes in approach that could transform PDA people’s experiences, both of stressors that contribute to this crisis and of seeking help. This situation is not inevitable, with fair access to help and support PDA people can live happy lives”
Evidence from the report suggests that, even with a diagnosis in place, there are very few health professionals who have access to adequate training, resources or specialists to advise on support approaches that are safe for PDA people.
One parent of a PDA child said, “My son had a mental health crisis for over two years - self harming, suicidal ideations and an attempt. No support was given because professionals didn’t know how to engage [with] him and their language and approaches only made things harder. ”
PDA Society are calling for wider recognition of less common presentations of autism, including PDA, and for all healthcare providers to follow a needs-based support approach with autistic adults and children.
PDA Society is the only specialist PDA charity in the UK. You can read the report in full on their website pdasociety.org.uk
CASE STUDY
Agnes (pseudonymised)
Agnes’ son had two very difficult years with his mental health and behaviour. Professionals wouldn’t use PDA approaches with him. Instead he was medicated and restrained. Agnes has now taken him out of school.
“I had to take him out from the school for his safety. He is 10 years old. He acted completely different at home and in the community from at school. At home I use PDA approaches and he’s fine, not an angel but he doesn’t hurt anybody. He's so violent at school. At eight years old, he started really harming others, pulling hair and biting on a daily basis. And in the meetings they would ask me how I dealt with that. And I told them I managed behaviour differently at home and it worked but they just didn’t listen.
"He started to be not himself. The severity of harming others and himself was just unbelievable. And because he had severe speech and language delay a lot of time, people don't understand what he's saying, and of course he gets frustrated and extra anxiety on top of his PDA. Every morning for 6 months he was screaming with distress about going into school. I went to CAMHS. They tried medications on him.
"Meanwhile I felt my son was unsafe at school, he had bruises, really heavy bruises on his back, it turned out that school had started restraining him. I can’t understand how this was an easier choice for them to make than trying the flexible approaches that worked at home. I took him out of school more than six months now, he's at home with me. In that time, I’ve not had one incident with him.
"He’s been released from CAHMS – I said to them so you’ve had my little boy on your list for three years, you’ve tried to medicate him and it turns out all I had to do was take him out of a school who won’t treat him the way he needs to be treated. It’s ridiculous – all his distress, the self-harm – that wasn’t about his PDA. It was about his teachers not being prepared to try a different approach with him.”
What is PDA?
PDA is most commonly described as a profile on the autism spectrum. This means people with PDA are autistic, and may have differences in social interaction, communication and sensory processing, and some restrictive or repetitive behaviours. Also, PDA people will have a fear response to demands and use social strategies to avoid them. The cluster of traits common to autistic people with PDA is known as a PDA profile.
Demand avoidance isn't uncommon in autistic people; however, most demand avoidant autistic people do not fit a PDA profile. Whilst their behaviours might seem similar on the surface, the approaches needed for PDA autistic people and other demand avoidant autistic people can be different.
Conventional strategies, like consistent routine and structure, firm boundaries, or rewards and consequences, are not only ineffective with PDA, but can actually worsen things.
Research on PDA is in its infancy, and there is ongoing debate about how to categorise or label the experiences of PDA people. The focus of the PDA Society is less on the terminology used and more on ensuring individual needs are understood.
It's unknown how many PDA people there are in the UK. There has only been one study of prevalence, which was small and therefore not definitive. However, this study suggests 1 in 5 autistic people could have a PDA profile, which could mean there are as many as 140,000 children and adults across the UK who aren't receiving the support they need to thrive.
The PDA society believes all autistic people should have access to professionals who are focused on meeting their individual needs whether they have a formal diagnosis or not, and that for this an understanding of what works for people with less common presentations of autism such as PDA is key.
The PDA Society is the only specialist PDA charity in the UK.
We care about PDA people and believe that happy autonomous lives are possible – everything we do is about trying to make life better for PDA people and the people who care about them.
They do this by:
Raising awareness of PDA and providing high quality, trustworthy information.
Providing training to parents and professionals to help them understand how to support PDA people, and to build safe, supportive connections.
Offering tailored support to PDA people and their families through our enquiry line service. This is entirely staffed by trained people who ‘get it’, either because they are PDA themselves, or are a parent carer of a PDA person.
Supporting the PDA community to build connections and act collectively to influence positive change for PDA people.
Underpinning all of this is their commitment to research and using evidence to influence better understanding, better support and better outcomes for autistic-PDA people.
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Thursday 9 November 2023
Inaugural Butterfly Breast Cancer Awards Celebrates Resilience and Strength
Sarah Pickles organised the Butterfly Breast Cancer Awards to shine a light on the resilience of those diagnosed with the most common cancer for women and those who support them.
And the first edition was such a resounding success that she plans to do it all over again next year.
“I’m so grateful to everybody who helped make my dream a reality,” she said.
"I have carried the vision for these awards in my heart, and it was a magical moment watching it come to life.
“It was a night where the achievements and dedication of these extraordinary individuals took centre stage, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who attended.”
Sarah, who lives near Middlewich, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2014 at the age of 32.
Her own journey through diagnosis, double mastectomy, and reconstruction allowed her to connect with individuals who had faced similar challenges.
From those conversations she conceived an idea that would become the Butterfly Breast Cancer Awards.
The inaugural ceremony took place at the spectacular Vale Royal Abbey in Whitegate, Northwich, and was hosted by Radio Northwich presenter Kim Smith.
A highlight was the presentation to finalists of a special gift - a butterfly in a box donated by Butterflies for Occasions.
This symbolic gesture represented hope and signified the journey these individuals had embarked on.
The intention is for each butterfly to be released at home as a powerful symbol of transformation and renewal.
Proceeds from the ceremony, which raised £6,000 on the night and will increase by a further £2,500 received for auction prizes, are to be channelled to Simply The Breast, a fundraising initiative Kim started following her own diagnosis with breast cancer and is dedicated to supporting the Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Charity.
Sarah went on to say: “This remarkable gathering was not just about recognition; it was also a fundraiser for a noble cause.
“The ceremony became a testament to the strength and beauty of the countless individuals fluttering like butterflies in the breast cancer community, each making a remarkable impact.”
The 2024 Butterfly Breast Cancer Awards are already in the works and are scheduled to take place on Friday, September 20, again at Vale Royal Abbey.
For more information about the event, ticket sales, and details on how to nominate someone, visit www.sarahepickles.uk
Award Winners and Finalists 2023:
Inspirational Empowerment Award
sponsored by Centre of Excellence
Winner: Julie Grabham
Finalists:
Rebecca Hartley
Estelle Maher
Rebecca Morgan-Brennan
Kristen Hallenga
Innovation Award
sponsored by MGC Aerospace
Winner: Heather Glover (Skarlette)
Finalists:
Hollie McFarlane
Dr Michelle Harvie
Charlotte Wood
Charity Impact Award
sponsored by Aqueous Digital
Winner: Emma Osborne, The Osborne Trust
Finalists:
St Luke’s Hospice
Shine Bright Foundation
CoppaFeel!
Charity Impact Team Award
sponsored by Eaton Homes and Enigma Healthcare
Winner: Prevent Breast Cancer
Finalist: Macmillan Breast Care Team
Transformed Life Award
sponsored by Enigma Healthcare
Winner: Emma Guy
Finalists:
Julie Bright
Marie Cadman
Community Volunteer Award
sponsored by Eaton Homes
Winner: Amanda Johnson
Finalists:
Lily Newman
Sylvia Armstrong
Judges’ Choice
sponsored by Cheshire Life
Winner: Sarah Pickles
Patron Award
sponsored by Sarah E Pickles
Winner: Sue France
Inspirational Community Breast Cancer Champion
sponsored by Layers Treats
Winner: Kim Smith
Other sponsors included: Jacqui O Wedding and Event flowers, Reflect Clinic, Love the Dentist, Get It Off Your Chest: The Funny Side of Breast Cancer podcast, Write Blend, AJ & Friends, Radio Northwich, HIA Design, Qube Luxe, Desired Occasions, Butterflies for Occasions and Universal Live
Tuesday 7 November 2023
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Saturday 4 November 2023
Coping with Migraines: Strategies for Relief and Management
If you're someone who suffers from migraines, you know how excruciating they can be, and you're likely seeking ways to cope with and manage this condition. As a migraine sufferer this is why I have decided to help other migraine sufferers by publishing this blogpost.
In this blog post, we'll explore what migraines are, their common triggers, and effective strategies for coping with and managing this challenging condition.
Many migraine sufferers will tell you that the first time you have a severe migraine you are afraid you are going to die. With subsequent severe migraines you are afraid you are not going to die!
Understanding Migraines
Migraines are severe, throbbing headaches often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. They can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, making it difficult to carry on with your daily activities. The exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, but they are believed to be linked to genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. They can even cause loss of sight and paralysis in some attacks.
Common Triggers
Identifying migraine triggers can be a key step in managing your condition. While triggers can vary from person to person, some common ones include:
Food and drink: Certain foods and beverages, such as cheeses, alcohol, caffeine, and processed foods with additives such as MSG, can trigger migraines in some individuals.
Hormonal changes: Many women experience migraines related to their menstrual cycle or as a result of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause.
Stress: Emotional stress and tension can be significant migraine triggers for many individuals.
Environmental factors: Bright lights, loud noises, strong odours, and even changes in weather can trigger migraines.
Lack of sleep: Irregular sleep patterns or insufficient rest can increase the likelihood of migraine attacks.
Coping Strategies
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing migraines, several strategies can help you cope with the condition:
Medication: Consult your healthcare provider to discuss migraine-specific medications. Triptans, anti-nausea drugs, and preventive medications can help manage migraine attacks effectively. (However, whilst anti-nausea drugs can stop your ability to vomit, they might not stop the desire to vomit so should be treated with caution.)
Lifestyle adjustments: Make changes to your daily routine to reduce the impact of potential triggers. This may include maintaining regular sleep patterns, staying well-hydrated, and managing stress through relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.
Identify triggers: Keep a migraine diary to track your attacks and identify potential triggers. Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to avoid or manage them.
Stay hydrated: Dehydration can trigger migraines, so it's essential to drink enough water throughout the day.
Dietary changes: If specific foods trigger your migraines, consider modifying your diet to exclude these items. A dietitian can help you make healthy substitutions.
Manage stress: Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or biofeedback to reduce tension and anxiety.
Regular exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. However, be cautious not to overexert yourself, as intense exercise can also trigger attacks in some cases.
Seek support: Joining a support group or talking to a therapist can be valuable in coping with the emotional and psychological aspects of migraines.
Prescription devices: Some individuals may benefit from prescription devices that use electrical stimulation to relieve migraine pain. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if this is a viable option for you.
Coping with migraines is an ongoing journey that requires patience, self-awareness, and a combination of strategies. By identifying your triggers, seeking medical advice, and making necessary lifestyle changes, you can improve your quality of life and reduce the impact of migraine attacks. Remember that every individual's experience with migraines is unique, and it may take time to find the right combination of strategies that work for you. With persistence and support, you can better manage and cope with migraines, allowing you to lead a more fulfilling and pain-free life.
(Image courtesy of madartzgraphics from Pixabay)
Say Aphasia says: "Free charity places for the 2024 Brighton Half Marathon - helping support those living with communication disability"
Say Aphasia is once again a charity partner for the Brighton Half Marathon, which takes place on 25 February 2024.
If you're thinking of tackling this mostly flat course with beautiful views, they'd love you to join their friendly team in raising awareness of aphasia and funds for their charity. To grab one of their 50 free places, visit www.sayaphasia.org/bhm2024
Say Aphasia is a Brighton-based charity currently offering drop-in groups across England and Wales and was set up over seven years ago.
It's the only aphasia charity launched and operated by people with aphasia for people with aphasia.
Colin Lyall, founder of Say Aphasia and all of the peer leaders for their drop-in groups are living with aphasia. This really challenged their thinking as an organisation because they had to consider how to adapt all their processes, and all forms of communication used by their peer leaders, and it is constantly evolving.
Every single form of communication which those of us who do not have aphasia do on autopilot, has to be altered to suit the needs of each peer leader individually. For example, feeding back about their group in a meeting. Each peer leader helps people understand the ‘communication ramps’ required to be put in place to support their participation.
They believed from the beginning that it was vital to have peer leaders who have aphasia because they are the people with the lived experience and are in the best position to support their group members learning to live with aphasia, offering encouragement and hope.
They truly understand the aphasia journey. For the peer leaders themselves, it's often their first work role since acquiring aphasia and helps them acquire new skills and develop confidence; potentially opening up opportunities in other areas of their lives.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia occurs as a result of an injury to the brain, like a stroke. It affects access to language, resulting in difficulties following conversations, speaking, reading and writing.
People's language can be affected to different degrees so not everyone's aphasia looks the same. For everyone who has aphasia however, it's lifelong and means the person living with aphasia, their friends and family will need to adjust to a new way of communicating.
Aphasia frequently results in loss of employment and a reduced social network, leading to isolation for the person living with aphasia. Aphasia isn't an uncommon condition, affecting over 350,000 people in the UK, however the majority of the population hasn't even heard of it.
What does Say Aphasia do?
Their 15 drop-in groups provide a safe, relaxed space for people living with aphasia to meet other people who also have aphasia and to try out different ways of communicating with people who understand.
The charity and the groups offer a sense of community for people living with aphasia. Showing that there is hope, while developing people's confidence, reducing isolation and improving well-being.
Given how few people know what aphasia is or how to adapt their communication when talking to someone who has aphasia, another important aspect of the charity’s work is to raise public awareness and understanding. The more people who understand aphasia, will make it easier for those living with it to do the everyday things we take for granted, such as ordering a coffee or buying a bus ticket.
If you would like to run the Brighton Half Marathon for free, and raise money for Say Aphasia, please contact sarah@sayaphasia.org or visit www.sayaphasia.org
"Blocking smokers access to better alternatives like vaping transgress human rights" says health group
Denying adult consumers access to smoke-free products is a violation of human rights, public health advocacy groups said in a letter to the United Nations (UN).
Asa Saligupta, director of ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST), one of the signatories in the open letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk dated October 16, 2023, said the World Health Organization (WHO) is depriving adult smokers of the right to choose less harmful products which violates their human rights.
The WHO, founded in 1948, is the UN agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
"How will history judge the WHO 20 to 30 years from now? The global agency tasked to look after the health of the world causes millions of deaths because it's ignoring the science that supports tobacco harm reduction," Saligupta said in reaction to the open letter.
ECST and other signatories issued the statement as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control prepares to convene the Tenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) on November 20 to 25, 2023.
The WHO FCTC has refused to acknowledge the contribution of innovative smoke-free products in the decline of smoking prevalence in countries like Sweden, Japan, and the UK.
Despite decades of WHO's tobacco control programme, in excess of 1 billion people across the world continue to smoke, according to Saligupta.
Saligupta said all citizens have the "Right to Health" as recognised and enshrined in UN treaties and documents, the WHO constitution, and its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
"Adult smokers should be given assistance and information to quit smoking, such as access to safer alternatives," Saligupta said. "They should be understood and helped, not stigmatised or alienated."
Studies show a switch from smoking to safer alternatives reduces the harm caused by smoking. The open letter says encouraging harm reduction helps people take positive steps to protect their health while respecting their freedoms and rights.
Saligupta said no less than the UN Human Rights Office recognises the harm reduction approach to drug use as an "obligation" under the Right to Health.
Unfortunately, the WHO adopts a different approach to harm reduction in relation to smoking. "By implementing policies that prevent access to safer alternatives to smoking, governments are violating the Right to Health and making global public health less equitable," the groups said in its open letter.
Saligupta said it's vital adult smokers are provided with scientific information that will assist them to decide on their options, including the availability of safer alternative nicotine products compared to combustible cigarettes.
A 2022 Cochrane review on vaping for smoking cessation showed nicotine vaping helps more people quit smoking at six months or longer than nicotine replacement therapy. Cochrane is a global, independent network of researchers, practitioners, patients, caregivers, and health stakeholders who collect high-quality evidence on specific health topics.
Saligupta said harm reduction, or the use of less harmful alternatives like electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco, and other smoke-free products, is aligned with the Right to Health.
"Governments and health authorities should respect the rights of adult smokers to move away from smoking with the help of innovative products that deliver far less harm. Depriving them of this opportunity isn't just a violation of human rights but also a failure to help adult smokers enjoy better lives," said Saligupta.
Saligupta joined the call for the WHO FCTC to recognise harm reduction in relation to smoking as a legitimate and evidence-based strategy.
He said the WHO should review its position on safer alternative nicotine products based on the latest scientific and empirical evidence and not on moralistic or prohibitionist policies that failed to address the smoking problem over the past decades.
Signatories in the open letter said tobacco harm reduction strategies are supported by the weight of scientific evidence showing safer alternative nicotine products are effective tools to help smokers change and move away from smoking.
FACTFILE: Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST) is a consumer advocacy organization that strives to promote tobacco harm reduction in the face of blanket bans, fines and jail time for consumers who wish to use alternative nicotine consumption products, specifically Electronic Liquid Vaporisers.
(Image courtesy R-Region from Pixabay)
Tuesday 24 October 2023
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M&S refreshes its post-surgery bra range in consultation with Breast Cancer Now and people affected by breast cancer
Kaz was diagnosed a second time with a local reoccurrence in 2019, at the age of 33. She has a mastectomy and DIEP flat reconstruction using her tummy fat and skin. Kaz is now in remission and reclaiming her confidence through fashion and storytelling, and supporting others through her charity and platform.
New range includes a first of its kind clip-on pocket which can be adapted to fit any bra
Breast Cancer Now played an integral part in the design process of the new range – enlisting a panel of people affected by breast cancer to test, trial and share feedback on the products
M&S has more than 2,000 expert Bra Fitters who are trained in post-surgery fitting
Coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this October Marks & Spencer is launching a refreshed post-surgery bra range in consultation with its long-term charity partner Breast Cancer Now – the leading breast cancer research & support charity.
M&S first introduced a post-surgery bras more than two decades ago which has grown to a collection of 24 products comprising full-cup shapes, non-wired styles, including camis and – for the first time – Post Surgery Pockets.
The Post Surgery Pockets (£10 for a pack of two) are designed for use with any bra simply by attaching the pocket to the strap using a popper fastening and gives customers the choice to wear with their own prothesis or M&S’ soft breast forms.
M&S has more than 2,000 Bra Fit experts who are trained in post-surgery fitting and understand the wide range of different needs depending on the treatment and recovery stage of the customer.
In collaboration with Breast Cancer Now and M&S colleagues
M&S has worked in partnership with Breast Cancer Now (via its heritage charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer) since 2001, and in that time, has raised £34 million to fund breast cancer research and life changing support.
For the updated post-surgery range, Breast Cancer Now enlisted a panel of people affected by breast cancer and clinical nurse specialists to consult on the design and development of the latest collection which resulted in the identification of new styles, more colour choices, modernised silhouettes, fabric innovations and greater versatility.
As well as working with Breast Cancer Now, M&S gathered feedback from its expert Bra Fitter and Customer Service colleagues, which included inviting 25 colleagues to be part of a ‘voice of the colleague roundtable.’
Earlier this year, M&S and Breast Cancer Now came together to raise vital awareness of signs and symptoms of breast cancer by including guidance in more than 2,000 M&S fitting rooms.
Laura Charles, M&S Lingerie Director, comments; “Since we first introduced post-surgery bras more than twenty years ago, we have been continually evolving and innovating to ensure our range stays relevant to the needs of our post-surgery customers.
“We know that no two post-surgery journeys are the same which is why it was so important for us to work with our long-term partners, Breast Cancer Now – and our experts Bra Fitters - on the design and development of our latest offering. The feedback we received was so helpful in ensuring each product in the range met the needs of all different types of post-surgery customers.
“We know the post-surgery journey is incredibly emotional and highly personal, but we hope knowing that this refreshed range has been created with the help of those closest to this journey provides customers with comfort and reassurance that our post-surgery range is inclusive, thoughtful and designed with them in mind. We can’t wait to hear their feedback as we continue to develop our future ranges.”
Rachael Franklin, Director of Fundraising, Communications, and Engagement, says: “Through our long-standing relationship with M&S we’ve played a part in the development of many of their post-surgery ranges, and we’re excited to be partnering with them once again, contributing the expertise of women affected by breast cancer and our nurses to the development of their most innovative range to date.
“For many women, breast cancer treatment can affect their self-esteem and they may feel unsure and overwhelmed about choosing post-surgery lingerie. By drawing on the direct experiences of women affected by the disease, M&S is helping to ensure people facing a breast cancer diagnosis can find lingerie that feels right for them and will ultimately help them to feel more comfortable after treatment.
“Thank you to all of the women who have shared their story to help develop this range, and to all M&S colleagues and customers for their unwavering support of Breast Cancer Now’s work.”
The refreshed post-surgery range
The new line up incorporates best-selling customer favourites, such as the Cami and Body Soft™ Bra as well as five new styles which were informed by the Breast Cancer Now focus group.
The FlexiFit™ Lace Non-Wired Bra is made with 360-degree stretch lace that moves in every direction for extra comfort and freedom of movement. Like all M&S’ post-surgery bras, is available with an inner discreet and breathable cotton pocket to hold a prosthetic.
The supportive Recovery Bra is designed for use directly following surgery and features easy-front fastening with supersoft Velcro and adjustable straps at the front and back so the individual can tailor to their exact needs.
The Hills are Alive to the sound of charity fund-raising
A total of fourteen dedicated individuals, including five participants from the prominent solicitors, Scott Row, completed the walk, showcasing their commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer in the Axminster and Lyme area by raising £ 2,512.78.
Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support is a local charity dedicated to providing invaluable assistance and support to individuals and families affected by cancer. Their mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients by offering practical help, emotional support, and a strong sense of community.
The Sponsored Walk: A Journey Through Dorset's Beauty
The sponsored walk event took participants on a trulymemorable journey through Dorset's breath-taking countryside, offering stunning views throughout the day and especially on the summits of the three hills: Colmers Hill, Hardown Hill, and Golden Cap. Participants embraced the challenge, with each step they took symbolising their unwavering commitment to supporting those battling or affected by cancer.
Community Spirit and Corporate Support
The event was made even more remarkable by the participation of five individuals from Scott Row, a reputable solicitors firm known for their commitment to community involvement. Their involvement highlights the importance of local businesses coming together to make a positive impact on the community they serve. Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support is their Charity of the Year.
A Message of Gratitude
Mary Kahn, who is the MD of Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support said: “I'd like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who made this event possible. Every step taken during the walk represents a step towards improving the lives of cancer patients and their families”.
Get Involved
If you would like to join the effort to support those affected by any cancer, in the Axminster and Lyme area, consider donating to Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support or volunteering your time to make a difference.
For more information about the charity, to donate and how you can get involved, please visit www.axminsterandlymecancersupport.co.uk.
Monday 23 October 2023
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Saturday 21 October 2023
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The Failures of Virtual Wards: Navigating the Pitfalls of Modern Healthcare
These innovative systems aim to monitor and support patients remotely, providing timely interventions and preventing unnecessary hospitalisations. While the concept of virtual wards holds great potential, they are not without their shortcomings. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the failures and challenges associated with virtual wards.
Limited Access and Connectivity
One of the most significant issues with virtual wards is that they heavily rely on technology. While this reliance on technology can be efficient and cost-effective in many cases, it also poses challenges for those who do not have reliable internet access or the digital literacy needed to use these systems effectively. This digital divide can exclude vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, from receiving the benefits of virtual ward services.
Data Security and Privacy Concerns
The transfer and storage of sensitive patient data in virtual wards are essential for their operation. However, this also brings forth a myriad of privacy and security concerns. Ensuring that patient data remains protected from breaches and unauthorised access is a constant challenge, especially when dealing with numerous data points and interconnected devices. As the healthcare industry faces a growing number of cyberattacks and data breaches, the security of virtual wards is a significant concern.
Lack of Personalised Care
Virtual wards often rely on algorithms and automated systems to monitor patients' vital signs and assess their health status. While this approach is cost-effective and efficient, it can neglect the nuances of individual patient needs. Virtual wards can lack the personal touch that healthcare professionals can provide in traditional hospital settings. This can lead to misdiagnoses or inadequate care, as well as patient dissatisfaction.
There can also be issues with a patient, who previously would have been hospitalised for treatment, remaining at home in the care of elderly and often poorly family members or relying on visiting carers with the potential problems this can bring with it.
Technological Glitches
As with any technology, virtual wards are susceptible to glitches and technical malfunctions. When these issues occur, patients may experience disruptions in their care, and healthcare providers may struggle to respond promptly. Relying on technology in a healthcare setting means that there is a risk of system failures, which can have severe consequences for patient safety.
Staffing and Training Challenges
To ensure the success of virtual wards, healthcare providers must have well-trained staff who can use the technology effectively and provide the necessary support to patients. Staffing virtual wards with skilled professionals and providing ongoing training can be costly and challenging. This could lead to a lack of qualified personnel, undermining the effectiveness of the virtual ward model.
Regulatory and Legal Hurdles
The healthcare industry is highly regulated, and virtual wards are no exception. Navigating the complex web of regulations and compliance requirements can be a significant challenge for healthcare organizations. Additionally, legal questions surrounding issues like liability and informed consent in virtual ward settings have yet to be fully resolved.
Conclusion
While virtual wards hold promise in improving patient care and reducing hospital readmissions, they are not without their failures and challenges. Limited access and connectivity, data security and privacy concerns, the potential for a lack of personalized care, technological glitches, staffing and training challenges, and regulatory and legal hurdles are all significant issues that need to be addressed to make virtual wards a viable and safe healthcare solution.
As virtual ward technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to learn from these failures and work toward solutions that make remote healthcare monitoring more accessible, secure, and patient-centred. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, we can ensure that virtual wards can fulfil their potential and help shape the future of healthcare in a positive way.
Thursday 19 October 2023
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Oticon is First to Embrace the Revolutionary Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™) Diagnostic Test to Take on the Number One Challenge with Hearing Loss
Oticon is pleased to announce it will be the first hearing aid company to incorporate the new Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™) diagnostic test, invented by Interacoustics Research Unit (IRU), into its Oticon Genie 2 fitting software. The move affirms Oticon’s commitment to supporting hearing care professionals to conduct more personalised and effective hearing aid fittings and ensuring better outcomes for hearing aid users.
The problem:
ACT has been developed to address the number one challenge with hearing loss experienced by 1 in 5 of the world’s population: Difficulty hearing speech in background noise. Going beyond the traditional audiogram, the ACT diagnostic test is a significant opportunity for the field of audiology. It will objectively quantify hearing in noise ability for people with or without hearing loss. ACT is a simple, evidence-based method to diagnose hearing in noise difficulties, a well-known challenge for hearing care professionals globally.
The solution:
Thanks to the introduction of ACT, hearing care professionals will have additional diagnostic information to provide a more personalised solution quickly and easily for specific hearing loss and to optimally fit a hearing aid the first time. Through diagnostic integration, the Oticon Genie 2 fitting software will automatically and immediately calculate the optimal amount of help a client needs in noise.
Based on the language-independent ACT test which takes an average of 2 minutes to conduct, the software auto-generates personalised help-in-noise settings, providing the correct dose of ‘contrast’ to better separate speech from noise, based on a person’s ACT value. The prescription enables hearing care professionals to fully deploy the advanced capabilities of Oticon hearing aids (Oticon Real and onwards) in the most effective way. The integration is expected to be available in the next release of the Genie 2 fitting software in 2024.
Thomas Behrens, Vice President of Audiology, Oticon comments: “At Oticon, we have dedicated decades of research into BrainHearing™, and have demonstrated the considerable effort for hearing aid users to understand speech in complex noise environments. Hearing aids should support a user to tackle this important challenge optimally and with an ACT assessment, hearing care professionals can ensure our advanced hearing aids do that to the best of their ability. Embracing the new ACT diagnostic test, we are challenging the conventions to explore a new way of working with hearing care and improve the benefit of hearing aids for our users from the first fit. ACT redefines how we can compensate for hearing loss, and we are proud to be the first company to make the introduction and make strong contributions to making it a new industry standard.”
Oticon is renowned for its research into hearing aid technology that can support hearing aid users to thrive in complex listening environments. For the 7 years that ACT has been under development, Oticon has been supporting this research initiative, as well as taken the lead in developing an evidence-based prescription of Oticon hearing aids using ACT values. For the past 2 years, Oticon has worked alongside the IRU team and the Eriksholm Research Centre, also under the Demant umbrella, to clinically trial ACT, heading up the biggest clinical study Oticon has ever conducted, spanning several countries around the world. For more details on the trial, visit: https://www.oticon.global/act
EDITOR: As someone who suffers with difficulty with hearing speech in background noise, I'm really pleased to be able to share this wonderful news!
18 million Brits could have prediabetes. Improved testing is needed to halt a diabetes tsunami, warns expert
New analysis from London Medical Laboratory has revealed up to 18 million UK adults may well have prediabetes, meaning they're on the edge of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s considerably higher than the 7 million figure that is normally quoted.
Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), who is the Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: ‘Our analysis of the latest research into prediabetes raises some big questions. Why is the potential number of people with prediabetes so high? More vitally, how can we prevent them from developing “full-blown” type 2 diabetes, creating massive pressure on the NHS and altering millions of lives?
"Prediabetes means your blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with diabetes.
"But it does mean you are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes (also known as Impaired Glucose Regulation or non-diabetic Hyperglycaemia) have higher than normal blood glucose levels, suggesting early features of diabetes. Recent research has shown prediabetes may already be causing long-term damage to the body, affecting the heart and circulatory system.
"Concerningly, prediabetics are really unlikely to experience any symptoms, meaning the condition goes unnoticed even at the threshold of type 2 diabetes, when irreversible damage has already occurred. This invisible killer shortens lives by up to ten years. That’s why we launched our “Give the finger to diabetes” campaign to identify undiagnosed cases with a simple fingerprick blood test. In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths in the UK. The earlier people are diagnosed, the better the outcome.
‘The most commonly quoted figure for the number of people who have prediabetes is around 7 million. That figure dates back to 2009 research by Diabetes UK which, two years ago, released updated estimates suggesting 13.6 million people were at risk of developing diabetes.
‘This is still considerably smaller than our calculation, which is based on results from the most comprehensive research into prediabetes ever conducted in the UK. This study, published on the British Medical Journal’s “BMJ Open” website, found 35.3% of randomly selected participants were prediabetic. Growing obesity rates and an increasing population (there are now 53 million adults in the UK) mean that some 18.5 million Brits are now likely to be prediabetic.
‘Increased testing is needed to establish which of us are among this at-risk population. The most accurate test to identify prediabetes is known as the HbA1c test, which can be done at your local medical practice but is also now available as a revolutionary and convenient home-fingerprick test from London Medical Laboratory."
He went to to provide more details: "What will these test results tell you?
• An HbA1c of 41mmol/mol or below is considered normal.
• An HbA1c of 42 - 47 mmol/mol is considered in the prediabetic range.
• An HbA1c of 48mmol/mol or above indicates that you have diabetes.
‘The sooner this problem is detected the better we can manage it. Those who discover they have prediabetes should take it as a warning sign that they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes is not “full” diabetes yet and, with the right support, up to 50% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Remember, type 2 diabetes can come on slowly, usually in people over the age of 40.
"London Medical Laboratory’s fingerprick HbA1c “Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring” test is considered the gold standard in regular testing. It is used to measure the average level of blood glucose over the previous two to three months and both accurately monitor and diagnose diabetes. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 95 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check."
Revolutionising Global Healthcare: TBD Media Group Launches Inspiring Global Health Campaign
This innovative campaign spotlights pioneers shaping the future of healthcare, presenting state-of-the-art technologies, ground-breaking research, and revolutionary strategies. Dive into a world where healthcare intersects economic development, social justice, and global security.
Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group, passionately stated, "We're convinced healthcare evolution is vital for global well-being. Through our Global Health campaign, we illuminate the remarkable endeavours of trailblazers, inspiring action and change worldwide."
Beyond celebrating healthcare leaders, our campaign unveils innovative solutions to urgent issues, from COVID-19 challenges to healthcare accessibility in developing nations and disparities in underserved communities. Witness the transformative influence of technology, collaboration, and community engagement.
TBD Media Group's Global Health campaign is a testament to its commitment to innovation, development, and social responsibility. Through pioneering technology, digital progress, and visionary leadership, TBD Media Group strives to make a positive mark on society and the world.
To find out more about the Global Health campaign, click here: https://www.reuters.com/plus/tbd-media-group/global-campaign
Social Care Future
Commissioned by the #SocialCareFuture movement, the star of Marvel’s Loki 2 and The Witcher warns that ‘without big changes to the way we think about social care, we and the people we care about face losing control of our lives and contact with the people and things that make our lives worthwhile.’
Liz says: “I am thrilled to support this movement – everyone should have the right to live in a place they call home with the people and things that we love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing things that matter to us. I hope everyone can get behind calling for a brighter #SocialCareFuture.”
The campaign calls for greater investment by central government in growing these and other innovative approaches like community micro-enterprises and personal assistance, as well as the adoption of different behaviours and practices by local councils, in partnership with the people and communities they serve.
Anna Severwright, a convener of the Social Care Future movement, who herself draws on social care to live her life says: ”Social care isn’t just under-resourced, it’s also under-imagined. That is getting in the way of growing the care and support we and our families need and deserve. Progress depends on shifting how the public thinks and feels about social care and on building stronger support for investment and reform. The public must see social care as more relevant to themselves and their families, more valuable to the wider community, and feel more optimistic about the potential for change for it to get greater investment.”
Dr Anna Dixon, who chaired the Archbishops Commission on Reimagining Care says: ”Our commission concluded that without a shift in public attitudes both to care and to those who draw on care or support to live our lives, then much needed investment and reform will continue to elude us. I’m pleased to see Social Care Future lead the way in striving to positively shift how the wider public imagines and feels about social care and its importance to everyone in society.”
The film is premiering in Manchester at a gathering to mark the 5th anniversary of the movement and is available to watch at https://bit.ly/SCFLiz
#SocialCareFuture (www.socialcarefuture.org.uk) is an influential group of disabled people, campaigners, providers and organisations that are committed changing public attitudes to social care. hosted by the registered charity In Control Partnerships and convened on a voluntary, unpaid basis by Anna Severwright, Julie Stansfield, Martin Routledge and Neil Crowther.
Monday 16 October 2023
New out-of-hours service to support working people with neuro conditions
Exercise is good for you, as everyone knows, but for people with neurological conditions it can help to manage the complexities of the condition. Physical activity can improve muscle function, aerobic fitness, mobility and quality of life. Studies have even shown that intense work-outs can also help with fatigue and cognition, two widely reported symptoms affecting people with neurological conditions.
A diagnosis of MS or Parkinson’s, or even a stroke can occur when people are still within working age. In fact, for people with MS, diagnosis often occurs when they are still in their thirties and for Parkinson’s patients many people are in their 50s and 60s.
The out-of-hours classes are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of these working people, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
“Our vision at the Centre is to help people with neurological conditions to live life to the full and for many of our members that means staying in work,” said Jody Barber, Head of Integrated Clinical Services at the Chilterns Neuro Centre. “We want to do what we can for all people affected by MS, Parkinson’s and strokes so our new out-of-hours service is another step towards achieving that.”
"Exercise helps maintain independence, strength and function for people with neuro conditions,” said Joe Harman, Exercise Lead and Musculoskeletal Therapist at the Centre. It helps our members to positively manage and cope with the progression of their condition."
Initially the out-of-hours services includes classes that can be accessed live online before or after the working day, although the Centre will keep this under review and could expand further depending on demand.
If you have MS, Parkinson’s or experienced a stroke and feel you would benefit from the services offered by the Centre, or you know someone who would then please get in touch by phoning 01296 696133 or by emailing info@chilternsneurocentre.org.
Saturday 14 October 2023
The Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire: A Herbal Heart Medicine and Dr. William Withering
The story of this herbal remedy, which later became known as Digitalis purpurea or foxglove, holds a significant place in the history of medicine and pharmacology. This report aims to shed light on the key individuals involved, the context of the discovery, and the lasting impact of this encounter on the world of medicine.
1. Introduction:
The Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, remains an enigmatic figure in the history of medicine. Her name may have been lost to time, but her contribution to the field was nothing short of remarkable. The story begins in the late 18th century when the renowned Dr. William Withering lived in the quaint town of Wellington in Shropshire, England, which was his birthplace.
2. The Wise Woman of Wellington:
The identity of the Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, is not definitively known. She was a local herbalist who possessed an extensive knowledge of native plants and their medicinal properties. Her reputation for effective remedies had spread beyond the town, and this reputation reached the ears of Dr. William Withering.
3. Dr. William Withering:
Dr. William Withering was a prominent English physician, botanist, and geologist. He was a respected figure in the medical community and had a keen interest in botanical medicines. In 1785, he made a fateful visit to Wellington, his home town, where he encountered the Wise Woman and her herbal remedy for heart ailments.
4. The Discovery:
During his visit to Wellington, Dr. Withering was introduced to the Wise Woman's herbal medicine for heart conditions. This remedy was made from the purple foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea). Recognising the potential significance of this treatment, Dr. Withering obtained samples of the herbal remedy and started conducting extensive research to understand its properties and effects.
5. Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove):
The purple foxglove, or Digitalis purpurea, is a biennial plant native to Europe. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, including digitoxin and digoxin, which have a profound effect on the heart's contractions. These compounds, when used in appropriate doses, can help regulate heart rhythm and strengthen the heartbeat.
6. Medical Impact:
Dr. William Withering's research on Digitalis purpurea led to the development of an effective treatment for heart conditions, which he named "digitalis." This marked a significant breakthrough in the treatment of heart diseases and laid the foundation for modern cardiology and the use of digitalis-based medications. Digitalis preparations, such as digoxin, continue to be used today to manage various heart conditions.
7. Legacy:
The legacy of the Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, lives on through the invaluable contribution of her herbal remedy and Dr. William Withering's ground-breaking research. The encounter between the Wise Woman and Dr. Withering underscores the importance of traditional knowledge and the synergy between local healers and scientific inquiry.
8. Conclusion:
The story of the Wise Woman of Wellington, Shropshire, and her herbal heart medicine is a fascinating episode in the history of medicine. Her contribution, when combined with the scientific rigor of Dr. William Withering, resulted in a ground-breaking discovery that continues to impact the field of cardiology. This tale serves as a testament to the collaborative potential between traditional wisdom and modern medicine, offering a valuable lesson in the evolution of medical knowledge.
Although there is much speculation about the exact location of the birthplace of Dr William Withering in Wellington, it is speculated that the family home was in Wellington's Market Square or also perhaps on what later became known as Park Street. But researchers have, as yet, been unable to establish the address of his family home, from which his father practiced as an apothecary. Although a drawing of the birthplace does exist.
He is commemorated in the town by the Wetherspoon Pub Company which named their pub in the town the William Withering in his honour. There is a display in the pub (including an animated portrait of the great man) which is well worth a visit.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/shropshire/the-william-withering-wellington
Sunday 8 October 2023
Chair of Manchester children’s hospice retires after 31 years as trustee
Mr Roberts joined the charity as a trustee in 1992, quickly becoming part of the fabric of Francis House. He took over as Chair in 2014 following the retirement of Robin Wood.
Francis House was established in 1990 to benefit the families of children with life-limiting conditions from across the Greater Manchester area. The hospice opened in 1991 and it was only the fifth children’s hospice to be built in the entire UK.
During his nine years as Chairman, Chris has overseen a period of significant growth with the development of two residential properties providing a place of permanent residence for young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
The ground-breaking projects in Didsbury and Heaton Moor, operated by Francis House Families Ltd, offer a comfortable and supportive living environment to a dozen young people.
Chris stood down as Chair at a trustee meeting on October 5 with Jane Kempler taking over the position having been duly voted in as the new Chair.
As a chartered accountant in the early 1990s, Chris was visiting Wardley Hall, the Bishop of Salford’s residence and the finance office for the Diocese of Salford, when Father Thomas Mulheran, told him that the Bishop was looking for an accountant to join the Trustees at Francis House and was requesting volunteers. He felt unable to refuse and Chris has served on the main trustee body and the finance sub committee since its inception.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved at Francis House. The devotion of the staff to the young people and their parents is inspirational to say the least.
“My first impression of Francis House was walking into the reception to see a young girl running with a long tube attached to an oxygen tank, this being carried as fast as he could by a carer.
“This was Kirsty Howard whose spirit and enjoyment in life embodied much of what Francis House is about. Whilst of course there are sad moments at the hospice, it's evident from the reactions of the young people and their families, and the testaments they give that it is a place they look forward to coming to and which provides a service not available elsewhere.
“When I joined the trustees, Sister Aloysius was running the hospice and Robin Wood was Chair, sister was a true force of nature to whom nothing was impossible and let little stand in her way.
“In more recent years the development of Francis Lodge and the residential accommodation has proved to be an outstanding project. Once more this is largely down to the vision and hard work of David Ireland and his team.
“Thank you to David, all the staff, young people and volunteers that have and continue to make Francis House a truly wonderful place. Thanks also to the other trustees who willingly give up their time and expertise in many areas to help make Francis House what it is today. An especial thank you to Martin Lochery who is retiring with me. I am positive that Jane Kempler as the new Chair will be an asset to the hospice, the trustees and the chief executive.”
Jane Kempler joined the board of trustees in 2020 having recently retired from corporate life with experience in operational management of call centres, sales and customer service.
Jane said: “I would like to thank Chris for his many years as a trustee and Chair of the trustees and guiding me into this role. Francis House plays a key part in the community on so many levels, as well as the clinical care there is the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual care that can never be underestimated.
“I am looking forward to working with the Francis House team and my fellow trustees in taking Francis House through the next phase in the history of the hospice, continuing the excellent delivery of care and working through future innovations.”
David Ireland, chief executive of Francis House said: “Francis House has been fortunate to attract so many people who have given time and expertise freely in order to benefit our many families. Chris and Martin have been part of the fabric from the very beginning and Francis House has benefited so much from their guidance and leadership.
“Whatever the situation I have personally relied on their wise advice and unerring support and will miss having them on the end of the telephone particularly in the difficult times, I’m sure that Sister Aloysius felt the same way. We wish them long and healthy retirements and look forward to the next phase of our history as we move forward with Jane as Chair.”
To find out more about the work of Francis House visit www.francishouse.org.uk.
Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics engages DocHQ to introduce a revolutionary menopause testing solution
DocHQ has been appointed to produce their unique women's health blood testing kit under co-branded DocHQ and Bodyline’s M Plan.
The testing kit is designed to offer comprehensive insights into women's hormonal health with a primary emphasis on menopause-related indicators, including Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and other critical female hormones.
DocHQ will provide Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics with access to its user-friendly patient platform for seamless patient registration, sample collection, testing and results service. The blood results provide a benchmark for initial and ongoing clinical menopause treatment and support.
DocHQ’s CEO Madhur Srivastava told us: “At DocHQ, we're excited to work with Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics, marking a significant stride in our commitment to scalable and innovative healthcare. This cooperation symbolises our shared vision to empower and support fast-growing health businesses, providing them with the tools and insights they need to thrive. Together, we’re crafting a future where every woman can access personalised and comprehensive healthcare solutions, facilitating informed decisions for enhanced wellbeing.”
Sally-Ann Turner, Founder and MD of Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics, says: “Our collaboration with DocHQ increases patient accessibility to Bodyline’s M Plan personalised clinical menopause treatment and support plan. We can now treat and support women UK-wide through all stages of the menopause when the M Plan option chosen incorporates blood analysis. DocHQ has worked with Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics’ team to develop an industry-leading blood test to our required specification, which is available exclusively under the M Plan brand.”
The home blood test samples will then undergo analysis at Alderley Lighthouse Labs, a UK registered laboratory. Here, a comprehensive assessment of hormones, vitamins and minerals will be conducted to provide accurate and reliable results.
Bernie Murphy, Head of Clinical Services at Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics, says: “The M Plan delivers life-changing results for women suffering with menopause symptoms and improves their quality of life during what can be daunting stages of ageing, from perimenopause to menopause and through to post-menopause.
“A woman’s menopause treatment and support is typically diagnosed on clinical grounds by understanding her personal symptoms, discussing her medical history, and undertaking hormonal blood tests, which are a means of checking and monitoring the presence and level of menopausal hormones in a woman’s blood. They provide the benchmark that can be beneficial to effectively treat, monitor and modify medical menopause treatments. M Plan hormone blood tests also combine screening of essential minerals and vitamins which, if a woman is deficient, contribute further to menopause symptoms.”
Following analysis, DocHQ will prepare and deliver patient test results through its secure system, allowing expert medical guidance to be offered to patients based on their individual results, ensuring a holistic approach to managing hormonal health. In the event of critical results, DocHQ is committed to promptly notifying Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics to facilitate swift and appropriate patient care.
DocHQ and Bodyline Medical Wellness Clinics share a common commitment to empowering women with valuable insights into their hormonal health, thereby promoting proactive and informed decision-making. The M Plan test kit represents a significant stride toward enhancing women's wellbeing and overall quality of life.
Friday 6 October 2023
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Charity makes use of disused building to raise awareness of childhood arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that is most commonly associated with the elderly, yet around 20 children each week are diagnosed with arthritis in the UK.
Juvenile Arthritis Research is a charity based in Tonbridge, Kent, that supports children, young people and families impacted by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JIA is an autoimmune condition where the body’s natural defences attack the joints causing inflammation, pain and reduced mobility. It can affect children of any age. Once diagnosed, someone with JIA has the condition for life.
The charity was founded 5 years ago by Tonbridge resident Richard Beesley whose wife and daughter both have the condition.
“Before working at Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, I used to work as a researcher an statistician, so I wanted to go back to my roots in science to help find a cure for JIA,” Richard told us.
The charity soon realised as well as wanting a cure for the condition, families also lacked information and support.
“We worked together with parents, young people, the medical profession, and even with teachers and schools to develop information resources to support families when a child is diagnosed with JIA.”
Awareness of childhood arthritis is low and this can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. The condition can cause permanent joint damage if left untreated, as well as complications with eyesight from JIA-related uveitis (inflammation inside the eye).
“Prompt diagnosis really is utterly vital. The delays aren't due to long waiting lists. The delays are happening because of a lack of awareness that children and young people can even get arthritis so we need to increase awareness amongst families, amongst schools, amongst healthcare professionals such as GPs and A&E staff who might be amongst the first medical professionals that a family sees. They need to know that it is ok for them to refer to specialist paediatric rheumatology services if they suspect that it could be JIA.” (EDITOR: As a child, my wife's JIA was dismissed as "growing pains" by her doctors.)
To enable communities and health professionals to learn about the signs and symptoms of JIA, Juvenile Arthritis Research have developed an awareness campaign called “ThinkJIA”, the idea being to just “Just thInk and Ask” if it could be JIA if a child is experiencing any issues with their joints lasting over six weeks.
Juvenile Arthritis Research have just moved into new premises in Tonbridge on the site of the old SCI gym on the industrial estate.
“We’ve been welcomed by all the neighbours in the area who are pleased to see the building back in use again. They are particularly excited to know it's a charity which is making a difference and having a real impact that has moved in here. We’re very happy to be there too as it means we can support even more families in the local area as well as the work we do across the entire UK.”
New window signage has been installed with thought-provoking, yet positive, imagery. It features local children, young people and families from the local area who came along to the building for a recent photoshoot. Local photographer Janet Penny from Hushabye Photography donated her time and skills to enable the window signage awareness-raising project to happen.
The images are bright and colourful and feature some of the core messages families affected by JIA wanted others to know.
Richard went on to tell That's Health: “We try to get a balance in all we do between the serious side of raising awareness and showing that living with JIA can bring it’s challenges whilst also giving hope to those diagnosed so that they know that with the right treatment and support, they can still lead full lives.”
As a very small volunteer-run charity, Juvenile Arthritis Research would love to hear from any businesses or funders who are able to offer their skills, services or funding towards their work.
“We’re thrilled to have such a visual presence in Tonbridge with the new building as we hope that it will enable us to continue to strengthen our links with the local community.”
To learn more please visit them at https://www.jarproject.org
Thursday 5 October 2023
Immedicare celebrates 10-year anniversary with its enhanced virtual support services for care homes
An innovative healthcare partnership is celebrating its tenth anniversary and has increased the services it provides to mark the milestone.
Immedicare, a partnership between Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and Involve Visual Collaboration, provides digital services delivered by an NHS clinical team, enabling care home residents to receive clinical consultations at home, rather than travelling to hospital.
Recently, Immedicare enhanced its services to care homes, to include seven care elements which align with the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH) framework. In addition to the core online consultation service, which has received over 150,000 calls from care homes over a 4-year period, Immedicare can now offer support in the following areas:
Falls
Medicines Optimisation
Tissue Viability
Core Skills Training
Enhanced end-of-life care
Nutrition and Hydration
Care Connect
As one example, falls are the leading cause of attendance at hospital A&E departments for older people. In response to this, Immedicare has developed its falls service to provide remote assessments of residents who have fallen, and the development of a falls risk assessment and prevention plan can also be carried out remotely.
This has resulted in 85.5% of residents being able to remain in their home after a fall, instead of a potentially unnecessary trip to A&E. Immedicare has a Consultant Pharmacist as part of our multi-disciplinary team to support medicines optimisation and offer advice in complex cases.
To provide further value to care homes as part of its service development, Immedicare now offers a series of core skills training programmes that can be accessed by care home staff at all levels with over 1,200 care staff having completed our courses over the past year. The training consists of 15 core skills courses which have been specifically designed to upskill care home staff so they can provide the best possible outcomes for their residents.
As part of the new service package, Immedicare has launched a new brand identity, to highlight its enhanced services that care homes now have access to. The new branding will be seen across all of Immedicare’s digital marketing channels as well as having a presence within the Digital care Hub, based at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.
Marie Buchan, Head of Digital Care Hub at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust commented; “We’re proud of our new branding and how it will be used to raise awareness of the enhanced clinical service offerings, knowing how the new care elements will improve the support Immedicare provides to staff and residents in care homes.”
Mick Roach, who is the Director of Digital Healthcare Alliances, Immedicare said: “We’re so proud to have reached this 10-year milestone and to launch our new brand identity, which reflects the significant development Immedicare has undergone over the past two years to further enhance the services it delivers to its users.
For more information on Immedicare’s services please email: enquiries@immedicare.co.uk or visit our website at www.immedicare.co.uk
Here's why you might have diabetes and not even know it
Potentially thousands of people are mistaking the warning signs of diabetes for harmless skin conditions. Itchy or tingling skin, or cuts that take a while to heal, could well be down to common, everyday skin problems.
But! They are also little-known symptoms of type 2 diabetes and need much greater awareness, warns a blood testing expert.
Everyday skin problems could have a more sinister cause. Itchy skin, tingling hands or a cut that takes a while to heal are usually given a quick scratch or covered with a sticking plaster. However, they are also little-known symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
London Medical Laboratory’s latest analysis reveals one million people in the UK are likely to have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
As a result, it's launched a campaign to fight this invisible killer, which can shorten lives by up to ten years. ‘Give the finger to diabetes’ aims to identify undiagnosed cases with a simple fingerprick blood test. In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths in the UK. The earlier people are diagnosed, the better the outcome for them and their families.
Leading blood testing expert, Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: "The chances are your itchy skin is down to dryness, the tingling feeling is because you sat in an odd position and that cut that refuses to heal is because it has been covered by a plaster for too long. However, that may not always be the case.
‘We know Britain currently has 4.3 million registered diabetics, but it’s likely a million more Brits may have the disease without even knowing it. And what seems like a stubborn skin irritation may be your body warning you. Medical professionals are increasingly aware seemingly harmless skin conditions could be a symptom of type 2 diabetes.
Dry, itchy skin:
‘Poor circulation can cause skin dryness and itchy skin and diabetes could well be the cause. Chronic high blood sugar (glucose) levels affect blood circulation by damaging the lining of your small blood vessels, which impedes circulation.
‘Similarly, this can also be seen in the development of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetic patients. It’s believed 1 in 3 people over age 50 with diabetes may have PAD. Fatty deposits adhere to unhealthy blood vessels in the lower limbs, leading to blood vessel narrowing and circulation issues. This is often a cause of poor-healing wounds, nerve damage and even “limb ischaemia” (a severe blockage of the arteries), leading to a risk of amputation.
"Also, abnormal sensations that can be perceived as itches, or an itch that's hard to locate and doesn’t go away, may be related to nerve damage from chronic diabetes.
Tingling or numbness in hands, legs or feet:
"Nerve damage can cause pain, tingling or numbness. America’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that half of all people with diabetes have nerve damage, known as neuropathy.
"Over time, abnormal blood circulation and changes to how cells get their oxygen and nutrient supply, due to poor blood flow, will lead to nerve fibres becoming damaged, and they may eventually die or stop working altogether.
"As a result, this blocks the brain from sending and receiving signals to and from different parts of the body, causing numbness or a tingling sensation. Such nerve damage may also lead to burning, discomfort or shooting pains. Vascular disease starts in the hands and feet before progressing centrally to the body, so nerve damage and symptoms are most notable in these areas first.
‘Diabetic neuropathy can't be reversed. Once the nerves are damaged, they cannot repair themselves. Treating neuropathy is difficult and management only addresses symptoms, so early diagnosis is vital.
Cuts that won’t heal:
‘Damaged blood vessels also result in slow wound healing and greater risk of infection. If coupled with nerve damage, wound complications may often go unnoticed until they've progressed. According to Diabetes.org, diabetics may experience more bacterial and fungal infections than people without diabetes as a result of their immune system not working as well.
"Most concerning are foot ulcers. Unhealed ulcers are the leading cause of diabetes-related amputations. Diabetes is the most common cause of lower limb amputations in the UK; someone living with the disease is 20 times more likely to have an amputation.
"Diabetic foot ulcers precede more than 80% of amputations. Again, they develop because high glucose levels damage blood vessels, affecting how blood flows to the feet and legs.
"We’ve only looked at three, lesser-known, symptoms of diabetes. There are many more hidden signs. However, one simple, diagnostic blood test, either with your GP or as a fingerprick test taken in your own home, will tell you if you have the condition before any symptoms develop. Moreover, a fingerprick blood test can also identify if you are pre-diabetic, which is an entirely reversible condition.
‘London Medical Laboratory’s fingerprick diabetes test measures “glycated haemoglobin” – commonly known as HbA1c. The “Diabetes - Diagnosis and Monitoring test” can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 95 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/diabetes-check
Imager used courtesy of Gary VandenBergh from Pixabay)
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