Health News
New training facility open
A new state-of-the-art training facility that can 'recreate almost any healthcare situation' has opened at Homerton University Hospital.
The £100,000 simulation centre provides training for health professionals to practise procedures such as non-invasive surgery or trauma injury treatment. Through computerised mannequins and digital recordings, participants are able to track their performance. Non-clinical skills, such as team-working and leadership, will also
be promoted.
Simulation and Clinical Skills Facilitator, Val Dimmock, said: "We believe this new facility will play a vital role in improving patient safety, as well as increasing staff skills and confidence.
"By allowing staff to practise their skills in a protected environment and giving them the opportunity to reflect on their performance, we believe we can accelerate the acquisition of skills that are often hard to learn in the workplace."
The work was funded by Homerton trust, while the equipment was awarded by the medical training commissioner, London Deanery. For more info, visit: www.homerton.nhs.uk
9 January 2012
Artful funding for brain charity
An auction of artwork created by people with brain injuries has raised more than £4,300.
Charity Headway East London (HEL) amassed the funds with a showcase evening of work by
its members.
More than 40 pieces were up for sale, including mosaic sculptures and mirror and finger paintings.
The money raised will help fund HEL's neurological rehabilitation support work, as well as services for families and carers. The event was organised by Bolt Burdon Kemp solicitors which specialises in cases involving brain injury. The firm has formed a year-long fund-raising partnership with the charity that has produced more than £16,000 so far.
Solicitor Marilene Antoni said: "Members from Headway East London created a wonderful array and I am absolutely delighted that £4,335 was raised for such a deserving charity."
The Kingsland Road charity also saw around 50 members and volunteers attend its Christmas party on 20 December.
Along with a quiz, carols and a party, former super-middleweight UK boxer Michael Watson, who suffered a life-threatening brain injury in 1991, made a guest appearance. See page 11 for interview. For more info, call: 020 7749 7790; or visit: www.headwayeastlondon.org
9 January 2012
NHS website offers information about local health services
The NHS has launched a new website providing hyper-local information about health services across
the borough.
Myhealth-London aims to offer a wealth of facts and figures - from general information to statistics on how many residents have had flu vaccinations, or been supported to stop smoking.
Each GP practice will have its own page to keep patients up-to-date with the latest information about opening times and services. Patients will be able to feedback in a number of ways, including taking part in discussion groups and surveys, as well as commenting on services.
It is hoped the project will help drive continued improvements in care across the capital.
Alwen Williams, Chief Executive of NHS East London and the City, said: "By making information available in an easy to access way, we hope local people will be able to get information that is both important and relevant to them. This means they will be able to tell their GP their satisfaction with services and how they might be improved."
For more info, visit: www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk
9 January 2012
Page updated: 18 Jan 2012
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