Health News April to June 2011
Don't ignore the 'small c'
Local NHS services have launched a campaign to alert residents to the warning signs of breast and lung cancer.
The 'small c' campaign hopes to help people recognise cancer indicators early, when treatment has the best chance of success. It also aims to demystify some common misconceptions about the illness.
Only eight per cent of local people recognised lung cancer symptoms like a prolonged cough, compared to 18 per cent nationally, according to NHS research. The study also indicated that residents are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease after it has reached an advanced stage and is more difficult to treat.
Resident George Fitt, 70, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 after his partner persuaded him to go to his GP because of a cough. He said: "I thought I just had a chest infection."
George had surgery at Barts hospital in 2009, followed by a course of chemotherapy. He said: "The doctors said it was lucky the cancer was spotted early. It hadn't spread. I'm enjoying my retirement now, but if I hadn't booked that GP appointment, I would not have had such a positive outcome."
Dr Emma West, a Hackney GP, added: "Tragically too many people in Hackney don't know the warning signs of cancer and the importance of checking symptoms with their GP straight away. Our message to local people is that we want to see you if you have any of the warning signs of lung and breast cancer. It's likely to be something less serious, but even if it is cancer, many patients survive these days, providing it's detected at an early stage when it is more likely to be treated successfully."
More information
For more info contact your GP or visit: www.smallc.org.uk
20 June 2011
Helping out at Homerton
A volunteer programme, Homerton Helpers, has celebrated recruiting 50 volunteers.
Coinciding with National Volunteers' Week from 1 to 7 June, Homerton hospital staff highlighted the volunteers' spirit and their contributions towards making people's experience of hospital as comforting as possible.
The volunteers work in all areas of the hospital, from welcoming and directing visitors, to helping at mealtimes on the wards.
The next milestone is to get 100 volunteers on board, said Jenny Reindorp, Project Leader.
She added: "The new generation of volunteers is like a breath of fresh air, adding their enthusiasm and commitment to hospital life. We know from patient feedback what a difference they're making to people's time with us."
The hospital received more than 700 enquiries and 150 applications for volunteering positions.
Another round of recruitment is set to open in autumn.
More information
Call: 020 8510 5154; or visit: homertonhope@homerton.nhs.uk
20 June 2011
MRI scanner moves in
A new £1.5million state-of-the-art MRI scanner has arrived at Homerton hospital by crane.
The scanner, a GE Sigma 450 1.5T, was lifted over the site before being placed in the hospital's imaging unit.
The MRI machine is the centrepiece of an expanded service that will offer an enhanced diagnosis and treatment service for children.
US corporation GE Healthcare donated the scanner as part of its 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy project.
20 June 2011
X-ray pioneers
A healthcare start-up firm in Hoxton has been snapped up by a US firm in a rumoured multimillion-pound deal.
Dexela Ltd was purchased by health sector technology giant PerkinElmer for an undisclosed sum, but the estimate is as much as £25million.
Founded in 2005, Dexela specialises in low dose X-ray imaging for the early detection of breast cancer and other diseases. Brian Giambattista, PerkinElmer president, called Dexela 'a pioneer' in the development of X-ray detection solutions that had 'achieved award-winning recognition'.
20 June 2011
Caring for the carers
A series of events is set to provide a welcome break for Hackney's unpaid helpers who look after people with a life limiting or serious illness.
St Joseph's Hospice and City and Hackney Carers' Centre are teaming up to offer pampering, useful information, food and entertainment, all for free, during Carers' Week, which runs from 13 to 19 June.
Sarah Burnard, St Joseph's event organiser, said: "We hope these events will provide carers with a brief respite from their caring duties, as well as valuable information and a chance to meet other people in a similar situation."
The Council is supporting the events and will also be organising the borough's annual carers' conference later in the year. There is also still time to have your say on the Council's draft carers' strategy, aimed at providing better support to the borough's estimated 18,000 carers.
The survey runs until 27 June.
Carers' Week 2011: Events
- 13 Jun, 11am-3pm: City & Hackney Carers' Centre, 5 Tyssen St, E8 2LZ; pampering and fun activities
- 14 Jun, 11am-4pm: St Joseph's Hospice, Mare St, E8 4SA; complementary therapy and beauty treatments, with a chance to pet two therapy dogs
- 15 Jun, 1pm-6pm: St Joseph's Hospice, welfare and benefits advice and a Tai Chi class, lunch included
- 17 Jun, 6pm-9.30pm: St Joseph's Hospice; world foods and a concert
Booking is essential for all events. For St Joseph's info, call: 020 8525 6000; for City and Hackney Carers' info, call: 020 7923 8750
More information
To read the draft strategy and complete the survey online, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/carers; to request a paper copy call: 020 8356 5131.
6 June 2011
Independent lives
A series of events is set to provide a welcome break for Hackney's unpaid helpers who look after people with a life limiting or serious illness.
St Joseph's Hospice and City and Hackney Carers' Centre are teaming up to offer pampering, useful information, food and entertainment, all for free, during Carers' Week, which runs from 13 to 19 June.
Sarah Burnard, St Joseph's event organiser, said: "We hope these events will provide carers with a brief respite from their caring duties, as well as valuable information and a chance to meet other people in a similar situation."
The Council is supporting the events and will also be organising the borough's annual carers' conference later in the year. There is also still time to have your say on the Council's draft carers' strategy, aimed at providing better support to the borough's estimated 18,000 carers. The survey runs until 27 June.
More information
Call: 020 8356 3966; or email: paul.knipe@hackney.gov.uk
6 June 2011
Spot the safe option
Residents are being urged to protect their children from measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) after an increase in measles cases in London.
Between January and April, a third of the 334 laboratory confirmed cases of measles nationwide affected Londoners, according to NHS East London and the City.
Dr Jim Lawrie, an East London GP, said: "Measles is a serious infectious disease that is extremely contagious and can cause pneumonia, brain damage, damage to eyesight and sometimes death.
"I urge parents to ensure their children have the MMR immunisation at 13 months, repeated again before going to primary school. Teenagers planning to leave home to go to university should also have the MMR if they missed out on this jab or did not complete the full course of jabs."
If a parent or carer suspects a child has measles, they are advised to keep away from other children and adults, phone a GP and seek advice before going to the surgery. On arrival, inform reception staff this is a suspected measles case. MMR jabs are available from local GPs.
6 June 2011
Keep an eye on yours
A team of researchers is hoping Afro-Caribbean people in Hackney can help with work to reduce preventable sight loss, particularly related to glaucoma.
The Royal National Institute of the Blind, health professionals, and research team Shared Intelligence want to talk to Afro-Caribbeans, aged 40 to 65, who have the eye disorder.
People of African descent, including those from the Caribbean community, are at greater risk of developing glaucoma. There are around 2,000 confirmed cases in the borough, but another 6,000 people are suspected of being at high risk of developing the eye disease.
Charity Social Eyes is supporting the research and hosting a forum for visually impaired people on 7 June, from 11am to 3pm, at The Old Fire Station, Brooke Road, N16.
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently impacting vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated.
If you or someone you know is having difficulties with day-to-day activities due to sight loss, you may be entitled to support from Hackney Sensory Services Team. Call: 020 8356 5670; or 020 8356 5645; to contribute to the research call: 020 7756 7611; or email: dave.trudinger@sharedintelligence.net; for Social Eyes event info call: 020 7193 8719; or email: social-eyes@hotmail.com
6 June 2011
Why run when you can walk with style?
St Joseph's Hospice is asking women to don their fascinators, curl their hair, and hard-starch wartime dresses for a Vintage Midnight Walk.
Proving that fundraising in fancy dress doesn't always involve a sweaty run in a chicken suit, this event is set to be a far more elegant affair -
a 20th century fashion-inspired saunter through East London.
The 10-mile route takes in Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Bethnal Green and several areas in Hackney, including Shoreditch and Dalston, with 1940s-style entertainment on the way.
Organised by the Mare Street-based charity with Richard House Children's Hospice in Newham, it is hoped that at least 500 walkers will take part. Ranall Leckie, Events Fundraiser at St Joseph's, said: "The walk is a great event for women to get together, see some fascinating East London sites by night and help raise money for a good cause."
The Vintage Midnight Walk will take place on 10 September.
To sign up call: 020 8525 6000; or visit: www.stjh.org.uk/
23 May 2011
'Extremely positive'
East London NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed an 'extremely positive' report about its inpatient units.
The trust,which provides local mental health services, met 79 of the 80 essential standards in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment, including a clean environment; qualified staff; personal and medical records are kept safe, accurate and confidential; and complaints dealt with properly.
Last November and December, evaluators met hospital staff, service users, relatives and carers, as well as checking ward records and complaint procedures.
They found service users felt staff were welcoming on arrival to wards; that their rights were explained; and staff involved them in decisions about types of care. The report said patients were treated with respect and their health and welfare needs were met. A number of carers also praised the support they received from staff.
Dr Robert Dolan, Chief Executive, said: "The reports are extremely positive and reflect the sustained efforts of staff to bring about improvements in patient care.
"We have worked hard to improve the safety, care and treatment of people who are admitted to our wards and we will continue to listen to our service users to provide the optimum support to assist with their recovery."
East London NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community health care services to people in Hackney, the City, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
More information
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing mental health difficulties, contact your GP. For info on the Trust call: 020 7655 4000; or visit: www.eastlondon.nhs.uk
23 May 2011
Making Headway on the river
Headway East London organised a sponsored walk across London bridges to mark the end of Action for Brain Injury Week, from 9 to 15 May.
More than 75 supporters and survivors of brain injury walked through the capital on 15 May, starting at Vauxhall Bridge and finishing at Tower Bridge. The walk is expected to generate over £5,000 for Headway groups.
Based in Kingsland Road, Headway East London provides support services for people affected by brain injury and
their carers.
Miriam Lantsbury, Chief Executive of Headway East London, said: "It is really great that people support the work of smaller charities like Headway. Brain injury is a hidden disability and not widely understood, so this week gave us a chance to raise awareness about brain injury and celebrate the work of Headway in London."
For info call: 020 7749 7790; or visit: www.headwayeastlondon.org
23 May 2011
A better end to life
There should be a more open debate about perceptions of dying, according to a local charity.
St Joseph's Hospice is tackling the subject head-on with four events to encourage residents to think about and discuss dying, death and bereavement.
Taking place in London Fields on 16 May, 'Dying For A Cuppa' offers the chance to meet hospice staff and find out about its services. On 17 May, the hospice teams up with Age Concern Hackney to provide a will writing workshop, while charity Down to Earth hands out information on funeral planning. On 20 May, visitors can hear from St Joseph's choir and take part in an arts project at a garden tea party at its Mare Street headquarters. Just outside the borough, an end of life conference on 19 May takes place at the London Muslim Centre on Whitechapel Road, E1.
The events form part of Dying Matters Awareness Week from 16 to 22 May.
Sarah Burnard, an event co-ordinator at St Joseph's, said the week was an opportunity for people to put their natural fears to one side. She added: "Many people still feel uncomfortable talking about end of life issues. "Everyone deserves a good death, and this is more likely to be achieved if we discuss it early on."
There is a discrepancy between preferences about where people would like to die and their actual place of death, said the charity. It pointed to research that showed around 70 per cent of people prefer to die at home but more than 60 per cent die in hospital.
More information
For more info, call St Joseph's on: 020 8525 6000; or visit www.stjh.org.uk; and: www.dyingmatters.org
09 May 2011
Run round the Marshes
Charity Homerton Hope is inviting local people to join hospital staff for a 10km or 3km run around Hackney Marshes.
Holding its sixth annual race, the charity that backs Homerton hospital is hoping to raise money for a new HIV unit. The event is set to take place on 14 May, with the 10k beginning at 10am and the 3k at 11.30am.
For info visit: www.homertonhope.org/funrun
09 May 2011
Your voice on disability
Hackney Homes Disability Forum is looking for new members to join the group.
It gives local disabled people the opportunity to suggest improvements that could be made to services provided by Hackney Homes, the organisation which manages the borough's Council housing.
Neehara Wijeyesekera, Head of Tenancy and Leasehold Services at Hackney Homes, said: "Forums such as this allow us to listen to and act upon what is important to our residents."
Local people are invited to attend its annual general meeting on 11 May, 11am-1.30pm at City Edge, 125-127 Mare Street, E8. For more info on the meeting, transport accessibility, or to get sign up call: 020 8356 6133; or email: getinvolved@hackneyhomes.org.uk
09 May 2011
Help Disability Back Up
Disability Back Up, a user-led forum for disabled people, is currently looking for an organisation to support it following the closure of Hackney Family Back Up.
The Council is working with forum members and hopes to appoint a new partner organisation in the next two months.
If you have any queries, or are an organisation interested in submitting a bid to work with the forum, call: 020 8356 7821; email: frances.winter@hackney.gov.uk; or visit: www.teamhackney.org
09 May 2011
Ivy Street's big three-oh
The Ivy Street Family Centre is planning to celebrate its 30th year as a support service for local parents and children.
During an afternoon party at its Hoxton hub, guests are invited to share memories of their time at the centre over
tea and cakes.
Founded by Ali Harper in 1981, and currently run by Hoxton Vineyard Trust, the centre offers a drop-in respite for parents and carers, while giving under-fives a place to learn and play. Lorraine, a centre volunteer who was one of the first parents to come to Ivy Street, said: "I had five kids and brought them all here. I'd been to hell and back - my son has many disabilities - and only at Ivy Street have we felt fully welcome. No one judges you here. I'd have been lost without them. That's why I now volunteer myself."
Currently, Ivy Street supporters are working to raise £1.2million to redevelop the site in order to provide additional services, including debt management advice and a project targeted at older residents.
The party kicks off at Ivy Street Centre, Ivy Street, N1, on 15 May, 3-5pm. For more info call: 020 7729 2789; or visit: www.ivystreet.co.uk
09 May 2011
Good grub guide
Is a professor of food about to get more Hackney children eating healthily? 
The charity World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) hopes he can, along with other comic book characters in 'The Great Grub Club'.
The charity has developed a Hackney and Tower Hamlets-focused initiative to help youngsters ditch junk food and boost physical activity among four to seven-year-olds. Young members can join the free club and receive four activity magazines a year, as well as a membership pack, poster, badge and stickers.
Andy Wilks, from WCRF, said the boroughs were chosen because - according to a 2008 Department of Health report - they both have low levels of physical activity among children and high levels of early adult deaths from cancer. While the comic book materials do not overtly link healthy living and cancer prevention, they do aim to develop healthy habits that can reduce the risk of developing the disease in later life.
For more info, call: 020 7343 4200; email: foodsmart@wcrf.org; or visit: www.greatgrubclub.com/
18 April 2011
Health trust savings
East London NHS Foundation Trust has announced proposals to save £10.2million by April 2012.
The trust which provides mental health and community health care services for Hackney - as well as the City, Newham and Tower Hamlets - said around £7.6million will come from efficiency savings from a range of clinical services and 'back office functions'. This figure is in line with a four per cent cut in its total annual budget, as required by NHS central office. Another £1.3million is set to come from reductions in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) due to a cut in funding. Other money saving proposals include a reduction in non-pay related expenditure.
Over 90 posts are due to be deleted in CAMHS and community services for adults across the trust area. However it is understood that suitable alternative employment will be made available to the majority of staff at risk. The trust's Chief Executive, Dr Robert Dolan, said: "We are committed to working with our staff to avoid redundancies, and are confident that, for most staff affected by these changes, we will find suitable posts within the organisation. For some CAMHS specialist staff, this will be more difficult as there may not be suitable employment within the organisation."
He added that all NHS bodies are being asked to contribute to a 20 per cent 'productivity improvement'.
A further reduction in services to the value of £3.2million will need to be identified in 2012/13.
East London NHS Foundation Trust is now consulting with its employees on the proposals.
Call: 020 7655 4000; or visit: www.eastlondon.nhs.uk/
18 April 2011
Three become one
The three primary care trusts (PCTs) serving Hackney and the City, Newham and Tower Hamlets have now merged to form NHS East London and the City.
All three management teams are now working together, with Alwen Williams becoming Chief Executive.
NHS East London and the City will commission health services from GPs and pharmacists, support the development of GP commissioning practices, and provide advice on improving health and reducing its inequalities.
Following a Government white paper published last year, all PCTs and strategic health authorities are to be abolished in 2013. Functions such as commissioning health services are set to be transferred from PCTs to GPs.
18 April 2011
Social care survey results
Feedback from local people has influenced an action plan to help the Council provide information and advice about health, wellbeing, and adult social care.
A survey asked what residents thought of the services currently on offer in the borough as part of an information, advice and advocacy consultation earlier this year.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health and Community Services, said: "The response to the consultation was fantastic. The majority of people who returned surveys are older and in receipt of services from the Council, giving us important details about how people who are not as likely to use the internet prefer to get information and advice."
The results show that help, support, and keeping healthy are the most important subjects, with post, face-to-face contact, and newspapers being the most popular channels for information. For those who are not housebound, doctor's surgeries and the Hackney Service Centre are popular places to get information and advice.
To find out more about the action plan and how it will enable people to get information and advice more easily, visit: www.hackneytrasc.wordpress.com
18 April 2011
In nature's care
A group of carers enjoyed a day of 'healing nature' in Lee Valley last month.
They were invited along to the Waterworks Nature Reserve to discover the calming sights and sounds of wildlife. The trip was part of the 'Wild Place Your Space' project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which enables residents to get more from the Lee Valley Regional Park.
The carers were treated to a bird-watching expedition, helped plant wildlife-friendly hanging baskets and enjoyed a walk in the park on 18 March.
The group was also given talks on wildlife and making the most of the area's green spaces.
Research has found that spending time surrounded by nature helps physical and mental well-being.
The Lee Valley is one of the biggest green spaces in Greater London, yet it is under-used by many local people.
4 April 2011
Advice on site at St Joseph's
Advice on chronic and life limiting conditions is now available at St Joseph's Hospice, thanks to support from a national charity.
Macmillan Cancer Support is funding an advisor to inform people about the services on offer at St Joseph's, as well specific conditions and self help groups.
New recruit Rachael Yearwood said: "My aim is to help address the misconceptions people have about hospices and provide as many people as possible with information to help make their journey, or that of a loved one, easier. Hospices can appear intimidating places and it can be very hard to confront these difficult issues. But this is a comfortable place where people can reflect and relax as well as learn things that will be helpful to them, their family or friends."
Rachael will be based in the hospice's Finding Space facility, which opened in 2009, after staff recognised some people needed more information about their condition, care options, and services to help plan for the future. It also serves to provide information for healthy people interested in knowing more about the hospice, death and bereavement.
More information
The service is available 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. Call: 020 8525 6000; or email: r.yearwood@stjh.org.uk
4 April 2011
World TB Day events
Staff and volunteers from Homerton hospital and the Council were out and about on World TB Day, promoting services and helping residents understand that the disease is curable.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a particular threat in areas like Hackney, where there are high-levels of deprivation.
Dr Jose Figueroa, Deputy Director of Public Health at NHS City and Hackney, said TB most commonly affects the lungs. It is spread from person to person via droplets of saliva.
He added: "If you have symptoms - wich include coughing up phlegm or blood, fevers, night sweats, feeling tired and unwell and weight loss - pease contact your GP immediately."
Although TB cases have risen nationally since the 1980s, infections in Hackney fell by nearly 10 per cent between 2005 and 2009.
The awareness raising events took place on 24 March at the Hackney Service Centre, Homerton hospital and Dalston shopping centre. If you are worried about TB, and not registered with a GP, call Find-a-Doc: 020 7683 4645/4610, or email: find-a-doctor@chpct.nhs.uk
4 April 2011
Time to put your hands up
Lifeline, a charity that works with people with drug and alcohol problems, is looking for volunteers.
They will be given the chance to learn more about alcohol and drug misuse, meet new people, gain valuable work experience and improve their CV.
The organisation, which is based in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, would like to hear from those interested in volunteering as art teachers, administrators, fundraisers and substance misuse workers, who are over 18 and prepared to work at least two days a week for six months.
Volunteer Co-ordinator, Kassandra Gordon, said:
"You will be able to work with an established national charity with a wide range of people and be able to give something back to the local community."
Volunteers will receive training, support and reasonable expenses. Closing date for applications is 12noon on 21 April. For more information call Kassandra Gordon on: 020 8985 3757 ext 220; email: kassandra.gordon@lifeline.org.uk; or visit: www.lifelineproject.co.uk
4 April 2011
Page updated: 20 Jun 2011
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