Health News February 2010
Dance yourself fit with Bhangra
Bhangra dancing sessions are now on offer to help keep the borough’s over-50s fit and healthy.
The free classes start on 24 February, at Kings Hall Leisure Centre, and run for 10 weeks. It is hoped they will appeal to older residents from all backgrounds, including those from South Asian communities. Soca dance classes have also begun at Queensbridge, Britannia and Kings Hall leisure centres. They run for 12 weeks from 15 February.
All the dance sessions are part of the ‘Our Best Ability’ programme for older residents, funded by NHS City and Hackney’s Healthy Communities Team and organised by the Council.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:
“The Council is committed to enabling people to keep fit and stay active for as long as possible, exercise can play an important role in this and needn’t be a drudge, it can be exciting and fun.”
Bhangra classes at Kings Hall Leisure Centre, Lower Clapton Road, E5, will run from 12.30-1.30pm on Wednesdays.
Soca sessions at Queensbridge Sports and Community Centre, Holly Street, E8, will run from 11am-12noon on Tuesdays.
At Britannia Leisure Centre, Hyde Road, N1, from 2.30-3.30pm on Wednesdays. And Kings Hall from 9.30-10.30am on Thursdays. Soca classes cost £1.70.
More information
Call: 020 7275 7092
22 February 2010
Oooh, send matron a message
Patients at Homerton hospital now have another way to make their views known, alongside the usual bedside visits.
Available on every ward, new ‘message to matron’ cards and mini pillar boxes will allow patients to post suggestions, views and any potential concerns they may have.
Jennie Negus, Deputy Director of Nursing, explained: “We are constantly looking for new ways to gain feedback from our patients and to get a ‘patient’s eye’ view of our services on the wards and in our departments. Our matrons cover a number of clinical departments, so this is an alternative way for patients to make contact with them, if they miss them when they are on their ward rounds.
“These postcards are another way patients can tell us what we are doing well – and where we might do better.”
The pillar-boxes also supplement the patient experience trackers – multi-language handheld computer questionnaires – introduced at the hospital in 2007.
22 February 2010
Eight-hour dance marathon fundraiser
Comedian Jo Brand will be the star guest at a dance marathon to raise money for a local charity.
Headway East London is staging the eight hours of non-stop dancing at Hoxton Hall to support people dealing with the long-term consequences of a head or brain injury.
The charity is looking for people to sign up for the event and help raise funds to provide neuro-physiotherapy, yoga, and other exercise therapies that enable Headway members to live independently again.
The 9000, La Supercool Discotheque and nine-piece band The Funk Soul Brothers will provide the music on the night.
With a cornucopia of dance styles from swing and salsa to break dancing advertised, Headway stressed no previous dancing skills are required. Prizes will also be awarded throughout the dance marathon.
The event takes place on 27 February, from 3-11pm, at Hoxton Hall, Hoxton Street, N1, with the charity’s patron Jo Brand, making an appearance in the evening.
For more info, call Sandra Ma on: 020 7749 7798; or visit: www.headwayeastlondon.org
22 February 2010
Advice pack for carers
A carers’ information pack is now available across Hackney to help those looking after someone with a mental health issue.
The pack, produced by East London NHS Foundation Trust, contains a list of mental health conditions, services, benefits and allowances, and information for young carers, as well as guidance on the Mental Health Act (1983). There are also emergency contact details if a crisis occurs outside office hours.
A carer is someone who spends a large part of their time providing unpaid practical help or emotional support to a family member or friend. And while 800 carers have registered on Hackney’s main carer database – managed by City and Hackney Carers’ Centre – the actual figure is likely to be higher.
Rita Dove, who cares for someone with a mental health condition, said: “I am very pleased that carers are being recognised for all their effort. It’s hard work and very stressful being a carer, but with the right information and support we can help the professionals in supporting the people we look after.”
For more information, or to order a pack, go to: www.eastlondon.nhs.uk
22 February 2010
Care, night and day
Older residents are set to benefit from a newly launched housing scheme providing 24-hour care.
More than 50 residents and staff gathered on 21 January to celebrate the official opening of the Bells Project in Stoke Newington, enjoying food and live music.
The scheme consists of 28 self-contained flats for residents, aged over 55, who wish to continue to live independently, but need support to do so.
It is managed by Family Mosaic Housing Association, in partnership with the Council, and is part of the borough’s supported housing with care programme.
This scheme sees care staff based on site, so that residents with higher support needs can live in their own flats for longer.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Hackney Council is committed to enabling people to live independent and healthy lives.
“Our supported housing with care programme helps older residents remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible, living in a community so that they are not isolated or lonely"
8 February 2010
Health hub gets the go-ahead
A new health hub or ‘poly-clinic’ has been given the green light for development.
NHS City and Hackney’s plans to develop a new health centre on the site of St Leonard’s Hospital in Hoxton was approved by the Council planning committee last month.
The application followed a public consultation in 2006 that proposed GP surgeries operate from fewer, more modern buildings. It also proposed that four centres be built across Hackney to offer a wider range of services at a local level.
The Grade II listed St Leonard’s Hospital building is currently the headquarters for NHS City and Hackney, and is part of a conservation area.
NHS chiefs vowed to preserve the site’s ‘historically important buildings’.
The new hub – called the South West Primary Care Resource Centre – will offer ‘one-stop’ access to GPs with extended opening hours, a walk-in service, ultrasound and audiology, antenatal clinics, and dentistry.
Community health services, such as physiotherapy, foot health, family planning, sexual health, physiotherapy, and adult community rehabilitation, could also be based there.
Construction is due to start in July 2010, with the official opening scheduled for summer 2012.
8 February 2010
More information
Visit: www.cityandhackney.nhs.uk
Happy teeth on the move
The Happy Teeth mobile dental service will be touring Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill this month.
The scheme has been set up by Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (THPCT). Working closely with children’s centres, schools and parents in the two boroughs, the project helps families to access dental treatment.
Dental screening for children and adults will be available all day at 2 Egerton Road, N16, on 8, 15 and 22 February; at Tolgate Lodge Walk-In Centre, N16, on 9, 16, 21 and 23 February; at Norwood Jewish Community Centre, N16, on 10, 17 and 24 February; and outside Stoke Newington Police Station on 13, 20 and 27 February.
Start and finish times vary. For more details or to book an appointment, call: 020 8121 4327.
8 February 2010
Nominate a health hero
Nominations have opened for residents to highlight the work of an unsung health professional or team.
The NHS City and Hackney Patients’ Choice Award 2010 can be given to any staff working in primary care services including community nurses and health visitors, therapists, GPs, dentists, pharmacists, administrative staff and others whose extra effort and personal care can often go unrecognised.
The deadline for nominations is 31 March, and the winner will be announced in May. Forms can be collected through local health services, or patients can nominate online at: www.cityandhackney.nhs.uk/aceawards
8 February 2010
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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