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GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH HEALTH and SOCIAL CARE NEWSFor more information go to the following link:- http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/health
Pub health checks just the tonic as death rates fall in region
Kenny Loraine, left, a volunteer from the Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative group, does a blood pressure check on pub supervisor Tommy Stewart at The Grosvenor pub in Cleethorpes.
A pub might not be the typical venue for a check-up, but for locals it has proved the perfect tonic for good health. Health groups who have moved out of the surgery and into the community have been credited with helping drive down mortality rates in North East Lincolnshire, according to the latest statistics. Data released today from the Care Quality Commission shows mortality rates for men in North East Lincolnshire fell from 920 per 100,000 in 2002-03 to 752 in 2009-10, a fall of 18 per cent. For women it fell from 564 to 522 (7 per cent) over the same period.  Health bosses in Grimsby say two volunteer groups who carry out health tests in pubs, clubs and other social settings have had a direct impact on tackling North East Lincolnshire's biggest killers – cancer and coronary heart disease – by picking up symptoms quicker. But since Care Trust Plus volunteer health groups, the Cancer Collaborative and the Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative formed three years ago, the number of survivors has soared.
LEADING THE WAY: The volunteers from Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative group. From left, project manager Julie Grimmer, Kenny Loraine, John Lawson and Mike Inkson Last year, the number of men and women under the age of 75 who died locally from cancer fell from 133 to 115 per 100,000 while death rates in cardiovascular disease for men and women decreased from 86.5 to 80 per 100,000 – the lowest rate ever recorded in North East Lincolnshire. However, although the figures are promising, they are still higher than the national average. And East Marsh, West Marsh and South Ward are amongst the poorest for health, with 50 per cent of people on the West Marsh being smokers. Read more about the health of North East Lincolnshire, the screening available and how one cancer sufferer is warning of the dangers of ignoring symptoms in today's Grimsby Telegraph. 
Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 09:00
Dedicated staff ready to help at pregnancy advice clinic
Staff nurse Lorraine Cadey, left, and Sister Janet Piper, from B1 ward at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.
The dedicated staff are specially trained to offer advise, counsel and information – the value of which 29-year-old Lydia, who found she was pregnant just four months after giving birth to twins, knows only too well. Lydia said: "When I found out I was pregnant again, and by total accident, I had no idea what to do. "It was the worst news possible for me personally – I'd only just had twins four months before and was still getting used to being a mum, full-stop. "The thought of having another child so soon filled me with dread. I turned to the Pregnancy Advisory Service and they helped my husband and I decide to have a termination. "Psychologically, it was very hard to do – we are a caring couple and love children – but we simply couldn't deal with the idea of having another so soon, and we really couldn't afford it either. "I'm sure there are people reading this who will judge us for what we decided to do, but only when you are in that situation do you know how you feel and how you deal with it. "I just hope – no matter what they may think of us – that they can have some empathy at least." Sister Janet Piper and staff nurse Lorraine Cadey helped Lydia and her husband make the heartbreaking decision. They said women could access the service via their GP, through Choices and Contraception, Advice and Sexual Health Service (Cash) clinics, or by self-referral. Once an appointment is made, women are seen within five days at either Grimsby or Scunthorpe Hospital and given a scan to assess the gestational age of the pregnancy before treatment options can be offered. A medical history is then taken and the patient is offered sexual health screening along with contraceptive advice, before being talked through the options available. The legal limit for an elective termination of pregnancy is 24 weeks gestation. Before this there are two options available, which can either be done on the same day, or a week later.: Medical treatment – This requires taking oral and vaginal tablets over a period of 48 hours and can be offered for pregnancies from six weeks gestation onwards. Surgical treatment – This requires having a general anaesthetic and going to the operating theatre to have the pregnancy surgically terminated. This procedure is performed between 7-12 weeks gestation. Two weeks after the termination women are given a check-up appointment to ensure they are medically fit and coping psychologically. Contact Choices on 01472 875237 or Cash on 0300 3301122.
A&E offers alcohol helpThe aim of the scheme – which has already been launched in North East Lincolnshire and will soon go live in North Lincolnshire – is to offer help and advice to those with drinking problems. Regional director for public health at NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, Paul Johnstone, said: "People who turn up to A&E drunk take up a large portion of the time staff have to deal with patients. "By using alcohol clinical nurse specialists we will be able to make A&E better for everyone." As reported, our region has one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the country. The recommended daily alcohol limits are two to three units a day for women and three to four units a day for men. A large glass of wine contains three units an
North East Lincolnshire Council's Youth Bus is touring venues this summer
Youth worker Tariq Jawaid, left, with staff and youngsters on the Youth Bus.
 Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 09:00
New chairman of NHS Trust ready for the challenges ahead
DIFFICULT TASK AHEAD: The new chairman of North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust, Jim Whittingham.
Jim Whittingham was appointed as chairman of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust last month. The Trust is currently fine-tuning its practices and finances to prepare for the future. "We're trying to take out costs of about £15-million from a budget of £300-million," said Mr Whittingham. "Spending will remain level, but we have to deal with rising costs. "That's to do with the effects of NHS inflation – salaries increasing and cost of technology. "As you get better at fixing people, the cost of technology gets higher." Although a voluntary redundancy process is underway, he stressed nurses and clinicians continue to be appointed. "We're maintaining patient care," said Mr Whittingham. "We're not immune from the cuts and the overall financial position. "We've had voluntary redundancies and 70 per cent of costs are in salaries. "I appreciate how difficult this is, and we're still making appointments of clinicians and nurses. "It's about rebalancing, but it's very difficult for those involved." Mr Whittingham has taken over at the Trust, which currently employs 600 staff, at a time when the organisation is between chief executives and is preparing for a huge structural shake-up following a government health White Paper. Mr Whittingham said: "It's a challenge as there's a lot to be done, but we have solid foundations. "We've recruited two new non-executives who will strengthen the board and we're making progress on the appointment of a new chief executive. We've long-listed some very good candidates. We're hoping to make the appointment in September – I'm confident we will be in a position to do so." Andrew North stepped down as chief executive after nine years in the top role last month. Karen Jackson, Trust director of finance and performance, has assumed the role in an acting position until a permanent appointment is made. "It's business as usual but we need the best we can lay our hands on to take us forward," said Mr Whittingham. "That really is my top short-term priority." And though it may be a challenging time for the NHS, the Trust's chairman is confident the high quality of care will continue. "The Trust has a good record and the new chief executive will inherit that," said Mr Whittingham. "The Trust board believes we should not and cannot compromise our standards."
Monday, August 16, 2010, 09:00
'Amazing' service helps to improve patients' quality of life
Service user Betty Huckle, 85, of Waltham, receives advice on one of the exercise machines from Tanya Smith, one of the physiotherapist technical instructors at the clinic.
For the last three years, the Hope Specialist Service in Grimsby's East Marsh has given Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) sufferers from across the region chance to improve their quality of life. Great grandmother Betty Huckle, aged 84, from Waltham, who has suffered from asthma since she was a child, was referred to the centre after being diagnosed with emphysema about three years ago. She said: "When I first came I struggled to do any activity. Then I completed an eight week course where they taught me how to breath properly and how to use the exercise machines. "Now I can use the rowing and cycling machines and I notice a real difference in my day to day life." To find out more about the award winning service, see today's Grimsby Telegraph.
All 1,600 workers at health trust offered voluntary redundancy
All 1,600 workers at North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus have been offered voluntary redundancy
As reported, the Government is axing all 152 primary care trusts in the UK, putting their responsibilities on to GPs and borough councils. In the meantime, the North East Lincolnshire trust has been told to slash its spending by £3.8 million by the handover in 2013. Although a spokeswoman for the CTP was keen to point out that no staff are currently facing compulsory redundancy, she confirmed every employee had been invited to "register an interest" in stepping down voluntarily. The option will also be open to those entitled to take early retirement, and will run alongside a general cost cutting drive across the trust. Other cost cutting measures being put in place include cutting back on administration costs, by increasing the use of "paperless" agendas and other notices – as well as reducing the number of people being referred to the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital. However, the spokeswoman said the impact on patient care would be "minimal". For more local reaction to the plans, see today's Grimsby Telegraph.
Friday, August 06, 2010, 09:00
Work on B6 ward now completeThe work, which has taken the past 20 weeks to complete, has seen the number of private cubicles on the ward increase from three to six. All of the bays now contain four beds, each with their own en suite facilities. Two of the six new cubicles are full isolation cubicles – meeting the national standards for infection control. Work will now start on Ward B4 to carry out similar work. Patients will be treated on wards B2 and B3 while the refurbishment takes the next 20 weeks to complete. Head and neck patients will be treated on Ward B3 and urology patients on B2. An admissions waiting area will be created for these patients on the B1-B2 corridor. Simon Rigg, spokesman for the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The trust apologises for any inconvenience caused during this building work."
Thursday, August 05, 2010, 09:00
6,000 patients from two GP practices could all be treated in one new centre
VICTIM OF THE RECESSION: A new primary care centre could be built on the site of the empty Lynton pub in Cleethorpes.
North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (CTP) has confirmed that plans for the development, in Taylors Avenue, are being drawn up to provide a centre for two GP practices, treating about 6,000 patients. As reported, the future of the site has been a matter of speculation for months after the pub became another victim of the recession and closed in March. Now, residents are invited to attend an open day about the new centre, which would see Dr Sharma's surgery move from its current base off North Sea Lane, Humberston, and Dr Zaro's practice move from Aspen Court. Find out more about the facilities the centre will offer in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
Monday, June 21, 2010, 09:00
Work starts on new £2m medical centre capable of serving 5,000 patients
Work begins on the Raj Medical Centre in Laceby Road, Grimsby.
Construction workers have begun the foundation work for the Raj Medical Centre, on Laceby Road. It is due to open early next year to provide modern facilities for up to 5,000 patients. Leeds-based One Medical were granted permission in November by North East Lincolnshire Council planners to build the new two-storey centre, as reported. The new surgery will provide minor surgery facilities, mother and baby groups, breast feeding clinics, sexual health services and counselling, as well as obesity and smoking cessation clinics. There will be a 17-space car park for patients to share with visitors to St Mark's Church of England church next door. Currently, Dr Rakesh Pathak and his parents care for their patients at a semi-detached house on Laceby Road, where people park in the street and on grass verges. Read more in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 09:00
Giant inflatable bowel used in bid to help raise cancer awareness
From left, Joe Ladd and Marie Hynes take a look inside the giant inflatable colon which displays problems of the bowel.
North East Lincolnshire Cancer Collaborative enlisted the help of a giant inflatable colon to get the point across about the risks to people's health. It's the latest in a number of initiatives focusing on different cancers and how to look out for them, which saw them at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital for one day, and the Duke Of York Gardens the next at a community fun day. Previously the group have explored the symptoms of breast cancer and prostate cancer. Julie Grimmer from North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus said: "We have been loaned the inflatable colon thanks to the Beating Bowel Cancer campaign. "It's a very useful way for talking to people about the various conditions affecting the bowel. It has examples of things like piles and abnormal growths like polyps and cancers." She said there were certain things people should be looking out for when checking for bowel cancer. "The main thing is if there had been any changes in habits for longer than four to six weeks; for instance more frequent and looser passing of bowel motions. "Another thing might be a pain in the tummy or back, or a lump in the tummy you can feel. Another symptom is bleeding from the bottom area." What did people make of the unusual exhibit? See today's Grimsby Telegraph.
Thursday, May 20, 2010, 09:00
North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus's apprenticeship scheme praised
Mum Kirstie Appleyard is full of praise for the North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus Apprenticeships Scheme.
North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (NELCTP) has put 307 people into work through its apprenticeship scheme – and tonight could gain national recognition at an awards ceremony in Leeds. Since September 2008, when the scheme was launched, the Trust has worked in partnership with the Job Centre Plus, training providers and local colleges to see local people put into a range of different jobs. And tonight, the organisation is a finalist in the Yorkshire and Humber apprenticeship awards. If successful, it will then go through to the national awards in July and local health bosses are hoping to do well as they achieved top billing out of all 440 trusts in the UK for apprenticeships sourced. One person who has benefited from the scheme is Kirstie Appleyard, 24, of Weelsby Street. Kirstie started the apprenticeship at the end of February, combining it with a work placement doing administrative work at St Hugh's Avenue Medical Centre, Cleethorpes. Miss Appleyard juggles her studies with 37 and a half hours of work a week, as well as looking after her two children, Hayden, 3, and Eva-Faith, 18 months. Read her story in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
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