Health News January to March 2011
Swim when you're quitting
The social enterprise that manages leisure services in Hackney on behalf of the Council is offering free four-week memberships to residents who sign up for an NHS Stop Smoking service. 
GLL has teamed up with NHS City & Hackney to help would-be quitters living in the borough to improve their health through a range of activities. Residents can claim the free membership on the day they give up smoking. The offer includes: a free fitness induction; access to gym, pool and group exercise classes; a two hour crèche play and learn session per week; and up to 30 per cent off non-member activities at all GLL leisure centres in the area.To take advantage of the free membership offer call: 0800 169 1943; or email: smokers-clinic@qmul.ac.uk
21 March 2011
Your say on health
Residents who use social care or wellbeing services still have time to give their views on the support they receive.
The consultation, which runs until 31 March, is part of a review through the Council's Transformation of Adult Social Care programme. It offers local people a chance to shape the kinds of services that will be commissioned in the future. The review will cover services provided by the Council and local health organisations, including those that offer advocacy, counselling and advice on healthy living.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "Adult social care is changing to give people more choice and control over the support they receive.
"This consultation allows local people to tell us what services they like and will help make sure there is a range of excellent support that local people can benefit from."
More information
To take part, call: 020 8356 3966; email: trasc@hackney.gov.uk; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/trasc-info-and-advice
21 March 2011
£25k for hospice heart patients
Support for patients with heart failure has received a £25,000 grant boost.
St Joseph's Hospice, in Mare Street, said the cash will help its work with chronic heart disease patients, as well as forging new links with key community groups and professionals.
It is hoped this will improve the awareness of what St Joseph's can offer patients and broaden access to the hospice's end-of-life care services.
Thanks to the grant, heart failure patients can now join a heart failure wellbeing clinic at St Joseph's, where they can meet other people in a similar situation; take part in supportive discussions with professionals; and learn new skills to help improve their quality of life.
Heart failure is a long-term condition that affects the heart's ability to pump sufficient blood and oxygen round the body, often leaving the person feeling breathless and lethargic. People may also suffer from swollen legs due to fluid retention.
The grant was made by charity, the Burdett Trust, and is managed by Help the Hospices.
For more info about the clinic, call: 020 8525 6060; for info on St Joseph's hospice visit: www.stjh.org.uk
21 March 2011
Mind your music
Local charity City and Hackney Mind is holding a fund-raising concert for carers and the people they support.
The event aims to give carers a respite from the day-to-day demands of looking after someone, while providing further funds to help the E8 charity continue its work promoting good mental health in the borough.
Covers band Cheesefest, singer Randolf Matthews, and jazz pianist Tom Bentall are set to perform.
The concert takes place on 23 March, 6-8.30pm, at City & Hackney Carers Centre, 96-102 Springfield House, E8 2LZ. Tickets are £10, or £5 for carers and those they look after. For more info, call: 020 8525 2316; or email:
cyrillia.francis@cityandhackneymind.org.uk
21 March 2011
A good day to quit
Smokers can take advantage of a range of support services to help quit, up to and beyond, national No Smoking Day on 9 March 2011.
On the day itself there will be a stall in Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, E8, where the council will offer carbon monoxide and lung age testing and provide advice about quitting smoking.
Over at Tesco in Morning Lane, smoking cessation community champions hope to liaise with faith, elder, black and ethnic minority groups, as well as vulnerable adults, young families and new entrants to the UK, to help them kick the habit. Lung tests and advice will be available.
In addition, 'Stop While You Shop' returns. The initiative, will run at Kingsland Shopping Centre every Monday and Thursday, 3pm to 7pm, until 28 April.
Frances Schmocker, from NHS City and Hackney, said: "Our first Stop While You Shop event last year was a real success, helping more than 100 Hackney smokers to quit. People really liked it because they got quit smoking support at a time and place that suited them."
The annual cost of treating smoking-related illnesses in the UK is around £5billion. According to NHS City and Hackney, out of 152 primary care trusts in England, the trust ranks 13th for the number of quitters per 100,000 population.
For more info on quitting support in the borough, visit www.smokefreecityandhackney.nhs.uk.
8 March 2011
Snappy customers
Residents were recently able to attend two roadshows to promote free NHS dental services in the borough.
NHS City and Hackney organised the events at Gillett Square and the Alevi Centre in Dalston to highlight the availability of NHS dentists in the area, promote the range of treatments available, and explain NHS charges and exemptions. Children under 16 receive free dental treatment, as do many adults including those under 19 in full time education, pregnant women, or people receiving state benefits.
Alice Benton, the NHS trust's deputy director for primary care commissioning, called it a 'great opportunity to learn more about the NHS dental services in Hackney and the City'. Adding: "We have good access to NHS dental services in Hackney and the City, but in the past some patients have found it difficult to find a dentist, get an appointment or get treated. This campaign helps address those concerns, plus other popular misconceptions about charges and exemptions."
For a list of NHS dentists, you can
- call 020 7683 4645 or 020 7683 4610
- visit www.cityandhackney.nhs.uk.
For general info about NHS dental services, visit www.nhs.uk or text 'dentist' to 64746.
8 March 2011
Teenage pregnancy rates fall in Hackney
Teenage pregnancy rates in Hackney have fallen by 37 per cent over 10 years, according the Office of National Statistics.
The reduction is much higher than that seen across the rest of England (18 per cent), and London (20 per cent) between 1998 and 2009. On average, nearly 49 local girls in every 1,000 became pregnant in 2009, compared to over 77 in 1998. NHS City and Hackney said the reduction was due to a combination of factors that led to teenagers making better informed choices.
Education played a key role, with 1,000 teachers being trained to deliver sex and relationships education; a sexual health bus that tours the community; and the development of the SHO-me sexual health website, which attracts more than 7,000 visitors a month.
A range of sexual health and contraception services are widely available for young people in the area, including a condom distribution scheme, and a dedicated holistic health service for teens, CHYPS Plus, in Lower Clapton.
Local NHS Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Jose Figueroa, said: "These figures show more and more young people in Hackney are seeking out contraception information. However, we cannot be complacent as we still have much more to do. We encourage young people to take a proactive approach to sexual health - to talk about it with parents, partners and professionals."
For more information about Sho-me, visit www.sho-me.nhs.uk; for CHYPS Plus, call 020 8919 5040 or visit www.chypsplus.nhs.uk.
8 March 2011
Free patches and gum
Smokers eager to kick the habit can pick up free nicotine patches and gum across Hackney pharmacies until the end of February.
By signing up to the free NHS stop smoking service would-be quitters will be given the free medication for
up to 12 weeks as well as access to a support counselling service.
Research by NHS City and Hackney found the price of quitting medication was a barrier for some smokers.
Last year, around 500 residents quit following a similar promotion by the health trust. The 41 pharmacies that offer Stop Smoking services in Hackney can be easily identified by a distinctive 'QUIT HERE' green dot.
For the list of local pharmacies and more info visit: www.smokefreecityandhackney.nhs.uk
21 February 2011
Dance 'til you drop
Local charity Headway East London is hoping to set a new record for the number of people taking part in its third annual dance marathon.
This year's event at Rich Mix on Bethnal Green Road will raise money to support people affected by brain injury.
The epic annual dance-off aims to attract people across the community to learn new dance styles and hear live music. Bollywood Dance London, Swing Patrol, The Funk Soul Brothers, The Craven Braves, and a hoedown dance group are all penned to perform at the 26 February event.
Dancers of all abilities are welcome to attend the eight hour event, the Kingsland Road charity emphasised. Organiser Sandra Ma said: "This year we hope to set a new record in the number of participants and funds raised. There will be a raffle, auction prizes, cake sale - a true community event.
"We really need support from everyone in the community - whether they have been affected by brain injury or just love dancing. All money raised will go towards Headway House - the only brain injury-specific centre in inner London supporting all people affected by brain injury."
The previous two endurance dance challenges raised £25,000 for Headway East London.
More information
To register or for info call: 020 7749 7790; email supportus@headwayeastlondon.org; or visit: www.headwayeastlondon.org
21 February 2011
The best thing for pregnant women
NHS City and Hackney is encouraging women who think they might be pregnant to get early advice from a healthcare professional.
The Department of Health recommends contacting a health professional within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy; yet, around 25 per cent of women in the borough don't do this.
Reasons cited include a lack of knowledge about options; not wanting anyone to know about the pregnancy; or an assumption of already knowing what to do, having had a baby before.
Through early bookings with GPs or midwives, women can receive confidential advice, antenatal care, stop smoking and drinking support and information.
More information
Call the Hackney Maternity Helpline on: 020 8510 5955; or Community Sexual Health Services on: 020 7683 4103.
21 February 2011
Cancer patients' survey
The results of a national survey of cancer patients' experiences, including those at Homerton hospital, have been published by the Department of Health.
Homerton was among the top 20 per cent of trusts across England for giving patients their first appointment within four weeks of referral.
The hospital was also in the top 20 per cent of trusts for explaining test results, allowing patients to bring a friend to the hospital, and for showing sensitivity when communicating news of the disease.
However, the survey also pointed to areas where patients were not satisfied including pain control, time spent with a doctor, and the written information received.
Homerton said it has already begun to review the findings and is looking at how improvements can be made.
Around 39 per cent of Homerton cancer patients chose to respond to questions about their experience.
This national report provides insights into the care experienced by cancer patients across the country who were treated as day cases or inpatients during the first three months of 2010.
To read the full results visit: www.quality-health.co.uk/cancer-reports
21 February 2011
East End time machine
East End photographer Paul Trevor takes a simple approach to his work - keep a camera with you at all times.
An exhibition at Homerton hospital will display just a slice of the 120,000 pictures he took using this method as he recorded East London life between the 1970s and 1990s. 'Childhood: From Paul Trevor's Eastender Archive' will be on display in the hospital's education centre for one day only on 23 February.
Documenting social history and offering an in-depth portrait of the social, economic, cultural and multi-ethnic make-up of the area, the show reflects Paul's life-long interest. Currently, he is editing his multitude of negatives to feature in a series of books.
Paul has always believed photography can capture the past - and tell a story visually. Referring to when he first picked up a camera as a child, he said: "Here is a time machine, I said to myself, capable of capturing not just the fleeting moment, but also much larger chunks of human and social time. Why not try to do both?"
To ask to attend call Shaun Caton on: 020 8510 5028.
7 February 2011
Don't miss HPV jabs
Hackney's young women have been told it's not too late to protect themselves against cervical cancer by having all three doses of a life-saving vaccine.
The appeal follows a Health Protection Agency report that shows the NHS City and Hackney area was 13 percentage points behind the national average for eligible 12 and 13-year-old girls completing the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine programme during the 2009/10 academic year.
In England, around 76 per cent of females aged between 12 and 13 completed the HPV course, whereas only 64 per cent received all three injections in the local NHS area.
The vaccination programme is available in schools for Year Eight girls and from GPs.
Combined with cervical screening the jabs are an important step towards preventing cervical cancer.
It is estimated that the jabs could save 400 lives every year.
Dr Jose Figueroa, Deputy Director of Public Health at NHS City & Hackney, said: "We urge all girls aged between 12 and 18 to protect themselves by having the HPV vaccine.
"For the best protection, girls need all three doses. If you or your daughter is aged between 12 and 18 and has missed the vaccine, or needs to complete all three doses, call your school nurse or GP."
7 February 2011
Help shape adult social care
IF you use adult social care services, or if you care for someone who does, your views and experiences could help shape future services in Hackney.
Hackney Council, NHS City & Hackney, and other partners are reviewing the services that are currently on offer.
They would like input from residents to help understand what works and what could be improved. The aim is to have a range of services that meet local needs.
Adult social care is changing to give people more choice and control over the support they receive and who provides it. This includes the option of buying services using a personal budget from the Council, giving residents much greater choice. The review will cover services from the Council and local organisations, including advocacy, counselling, information and advice, and healthy living.
The review has been grouped into five areas: mental health, older people, physical disabilities, carers and learning disabilities. The consultation runs until 31 March. Results will be posted online and the Council will continue to work with local people as the plans are put together.
To take part, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/trasc-info-and-advice; for info or to request a paper questionnaire call:
020 8356 3966; or email: trasc@hackney.gov.uk
7 February 2011
Mental health teams move
Teams that work with older people with mental health difficulties in Hackney have moved to 30 Felstead Street, E9.
Mental Health Care for Older People (MHCOP)'s new Hackney Wick base boasts more space for consultations with older people and their families, increased room for therapies, better clinical facilities, a diagnostic memory clinic and teams to deal with dementia as well as common mental health problems such as depression, according to East London NHS Foundation Trust.
A range of specialist professionals will also be available, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and support workers.
An added benefit is that the accommodation is shared with the local Alzheimer's Society branch which means service users and their families will get a more connected service, according to the Trust, which provides mental health care services to the borough.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health difficulties, contact your GP in the first instance to discuss referral to a service which can help. For more info visit: www.eastlondon.nhs.uk/
7 February 2011
Talk about change
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Over 100 older people took part in a question and answer session about changes to adult social care with a panel of experts in the Council Chamber on 18 January.
The event, organised by Hackney Age Concern and the Council, started with presentations about the changes, outlining the new system which enables people to choose their own care packages with a personal budget from the Council.
The panel, including Professor Jill Manthorpe, Director of the Social Care Workforce Research Unit at King's College, and Tim Miller, Principal Project Manager for the Transformation of Adult Social Care in Hackney, were grilled on issues covering safeguarding, personal budgets, wellbeing services and employment.
Dr Cynthia White, Chair of the Older People's Reference Group, said: "The event was excellent. People came prepared and asked some good questions which shows that people have real concerns regarding the personalisation process."
More information
If you have concerns or questions about changes to adult social care call: 020 8356 6262; email: trasc@hackney.gov.uk; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/trasc
24 January 2011
Back in shape with fitness project
A stroke victim who used to struggle to climb stairs has exercised her way back to fitness with help from a Council project.
Victoria Alaku suffered a minor stroke in 2009, but was determined to regain her health. On hearing about the 10-week Fit 4 Health project, which helps stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack sufferers who are ready to start a fitness programme, she said: "I jumped at the chance to do something to control my weight."
Prior to joining she had never used a gym before, however, with the closely monitored regime, she can now confidently use equipment such as rowing machines and treadmills.
Referring to the benefits, she added: "Weight loss - dropping from a trouser size 14-16 to 12 - and that I now can walk a lot faster. My friends are rushing to keep up with me. And my GP is pleased with my weight loss and control."
Other benefits cited by users include blood pressure and blood sugar control and improved stamina, strength, flexibility and balance.
The programme is run by the Council in partnership with NHS City and Hackney.
More information
Call: 020 8356 4897 or email: darren.english@hackney.gov.uk
24 January 2011
Young women: get fit for free
Young women in Hackney will be able to exercise for free thanks to a new Council project funded by the Sport England Active Women scheme.
The two year project hopes to boost sport take-up among 16 to 25-year-olds, especially those with children, by offering free swimming, netball, football, volleyball, dance and fitness sessions at local leisure centres.
A series of 12-week programmes in a range of sports will start in the spring and the Council will be working closely with sports clubs to find opportunities for enthusiastic participants to continue each activity.
Women who care for children or live in disadvantaged communities face some of the biggest barriers to participation, such as cost, low body image confidence, and difficulties in finding childcare cover, according to research by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation. The charity added that only one-in-10 women living in disadvantaged areas regularly play sport. Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Community Services said: "Anything that encourages more young women into sport can only be a good thing."
To register an interest in the scheme call: 020 8356 7563; or email: sarah.davies@hackney.gov.uk
24 January 2011
Up to £2k or heart projects
Grants worth up to £2,000 are being offered to support local projects to improve heart patients and their carers' quality of life.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) opened applications for its 'Help A Heart Grant' programme, which gives awards to voluntary and community groups to run health schemes in their area.
Lisa Purcell, Heart Health Project Manager at the BHF, said: "Help A Heart grants aim to support small community groups that can make a real difference to people in their local area. If you're a community group with an idea to get people fit and healthy in your region, or improve the lives of local people affected by heart disease, then we want to hear from you."
For info and application packs call: 0870 600 6566; or visit: www.bhf.org.uk/Helpaheartgrant
10 January 2011
NHS shake-up
Three east London Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are merging as part of a Government reorganisation of the National Health Service.
From April, NHS City and Hackney's management team will partner those from Newham and Tower Hamlets.
The PCTs will share directors and a single chief executive, Alwen Williams, bringing many functions together to reduce costs.
According to NHS City and Hackney, around £14million is expected to be saved across the three areas, however, there will also be up to 180 job losses.
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 will be transferred from PCTs to GP practices.
Alwen said: "The three PCTs have a fantastic record in reducing health inequalities and improving the health of local people. This work will continue to be at the centre of everything we do. We are developing new arrangements to support GPs as they prepare to take on greater leadership and decision-making roles in the commissioning of health services."
Jane Winder, Chair of NHS City and Hackney, added: "It is our aim to ensure we work with all of our partners so that the experience and outcomes for local people using health services is further improved."
Health and social care watchdog, Hackney LINk, is opposing the abolition of PCTs, and aims to form an alliance against the Government's plans with politicians, community organisations, health service staff and the public.
Chairman Malcolm Alexander said: We believe that the proposals in the NHS White Paper are not grounded in evidence, or in any clear mandate from the electorate, and will cause massive damage to NHS services."
He added that it was 'wholly unreasonable to expect the NHS to be able to undertake the biggest reorganisation in its history while at the same time making huge cuts to services and staff'.
10 January 2011
Gong for lung care team
A Homerton hospital lung disease service has scooped two awards in a national competition.
The hospital's Acute Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Early Response Service (ACERS) won both the respiratory care and team of the year titles at the Nursing in Practice Magazine awards.
Homerton Nurse Consultant, Matthew Hodson, said: "It's great to get these awards as recognition for the team. "ACERS is innovative - we are a responsive, community focused service, and we are helping many people to a better quality of life through self-management of chronic conditions.
"Awareness is the key message. In cold weather we urge anyone with COPD symptoms, such as chest infections or a chronic cough, to get in touch with a GP for a breathing test. You should have a test if you are breathless on minimal exertion; if you've smoked in the past; or if you are a current smoker aged 35 years or more."
GPs or practice nurses can carry out a breathing test to check lung health. For more info call ACERS on: 020 8510 5107; or visit: www.lunguk.org
10 January 2011
Emergency care changes
Plans that aim to improve hospital services in North East London were approved at a public meeting in December.
Feedback from a consultation of residents, GPs and councils was reviewed before the Joint Committee for Primary Care Trusts approved the proposals - part of the Health for North East London programme, which aims to improve services for local people. It is led by clinicians, seven primary care trusts, and five hospital trusts.
Plans include providing emergency services at five, rather than six hospitals - The Royal London, Queen's, Whipps Cross, Homerton and Newham.
King George Hospital in Ilford will no longer have an A&E department, but will continue to offer urgent care. There are plans to develop it into a centre of excellence for planned care, such as knee and hip surgery. Doctor-led birthing facilities will be offered at five hospitals.
Dr Mike Gill, Joint Clinical Director, Health for North East London, said: "By providing emergency services at five hospitals we can move towards ensuring we have 24/7 consultant cover for those patients who need this type of critical care.
It is important everyone understands these changes will be phased in over the next five years and we are not planning a major upheaval."
For info visit: www.healthfornel.nhs.uk
10 January 2011
Page updated: 4 Apr 2011
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