Health News July 2008
Success to speak of
A ground-breaking scheme where health and education professionals work together to improve children’s speech and language skills has been praised by the Government.
The project in Hackney is unique and was held up as an example of good practice in a recent review. The borough was applauded for its range of innovations and for making services more responsive and accessible to children and families. Every child in Hackney can benefit from the service. All primary schools are linked to a speech and language therapist (SLT) who helps children develop their skills.
Innovative services in secondary schools include cookery classes that also serve to monitor pupil’s understanding of language.
Families with pre-school age children can access support through six children’s centres across the borough. There is also a monthly drop-in service for parents who want advice on how to help their child.
The service is a joint project between the City & Hackney Primary Care Trust and The Learning Trust.
Sally Shaw, Speech and Language Therapy team leader, said: “By working together to develop children’s communication skills, including learning to read and write, we can help them gain confidence, make friends and thrive in their school environment.”
Sally added: “Our therapists offer training for parents, teachers, dinner ladies and playground supervisors. In particular, we want parents to know how they can support their child at home.”
SLT services in the borough have almost doubled in the past five years and specialist support is now available for children with more complex problems.
Penny Dixie, from the Learning Trust, added: “We know that we are making a difference especially when schools, children’s centres, teachers and parents tell us how pleased they are with the new service.”
More information
The service accepts referrals from parents. Call: 020 7683 4587.
It's a bug's life
Leading writer, academic and critic Germaine Greer opened an unusual photo exhibition at Homerton hospital as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS.
Close Encounters showcases the work of retired cardiologist and physician Dr Dan Tunstall Pedoe (pictured above with Germaine) and includes over 100 colour images – mostly close-ups of insects.
Professor Greer, who is also president of invertebrate charity Buglife, said: “It is an honour to launch this splendid exhibition. Dr Tunstall Pedoe’s work is, I believe, a pointer to the future as it shows us all a new way of collecting these wonderful creatures. Any child can pick up a decent digital camera and put together a butterfly collection without harming or killing a single insect.”
The exhibition runs until 7 November. To view by appointment email: shaun.caton@homerton.nhs.uk. For more info about insects visit: www.buglife.org.uk.
Path back to work
A new nationwide scheme designed to help people on incapacity benefit go back to work has been launched in East London.
Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, officially opened the Pathways to Work programme during a visit to Hackney on 4 July.
The scheme is expected to support 13,700 local people on incapacity benefit to secure suitable, lasting employment over the next three years.
Mr Timms, said: “I am delighted to be here in Hackney to celebrate the official launch of Pathways to Work.
“This ground-breaking scheme helps people with health problems and disabilities make the transition from a life of dependency on benefits to a life of greater independence through work.”
The programme is delivered by health professionals and employment advisors, who work together to ensure each client receives the support they need to address their particular health issues and find work.
Seth Opuni, Chief Executive Officer of Work Directions UK which runs the programme, added: “We are incredibly proud of the work we have done in City and East London to date. In partnership with Jobcentre Plus, local community groups, health care providers, and employers, we have already assisted more than 100 local people to move from Incapacity Benefits into sustainable jobs.”
More information
For more info visit: www.workdirections.co.uk.
Health workers score with awards
The borough’s health professionals have gained national recognition, with two wins at the Health and Social Care Awards on 1 July.
Hackney and the City’s Teenage Pregnancy Partnership was honoured for achieving a dramatic fall in teenage conception rates of 28 per cent since 1998 – more than double the national average.
A second award went to Janette Hynes, a Hackney based senior occupational therapist who set up a pioneering football league for people with mental illness and has just received an MBE. A former professional footballer and coach, Janette won the Leadership for Improvement Award.
Baroness Molly Meacher, Chair of East London NHS Foundation Trust, was at the event to see Janette receive her award. She said: “Janette is a truly remarkable person. She has transformed the lives of hundreds of service users.”
Hackney and the City’s Teenage Pregnancy Partnership works with local service providers – such as the Homerton Hospital, the City and Hackney Primary Care Trust, the Council and the Learning Trust – as well as the community and voluntary sector and young people themselves, to provide measures aimed at reducing teen conception.
Cllr Rita Krishna, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“Tackling teen pregnancy is an important part of Hackney’s drive to reduce inequalities and to extend opportunity to all young people in the borough. I’m pleased that the partnership’s achievements have been recognised with this award.”
The awards, which took place at Wembley Stadium, are run by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, and the Department of Health. They aim to showcase best practice from the frontline, and this year received 2,500 applications.
More information
CHYPS Plus can help teens who think they might be pregnant. Call: 020 8919 5040.
Making childcare fun
An event to celebrate childminding in Hackney saw parents, children and childminders come together for a day of fun at Clapton Girls Technology College.
It also gave parents the opportunity to find out more about the Hackney Network of approved childminders, which recognises quality of provision and offers peace of mind to parents in the borough looking for a carer for their child.
Registered childminders looking to join a network also had the chance to find out about the opportunities available.
A range of workshops and activities highlighted important areas of child development such as learning, outdoor play, partnership between parents and childminders and road safety.
Youngsters at the event were kept entertained with face painting, puppets, music and arts and crafts.
More information
To find out about quality assured childminders; or how to join a network visit: www.learningtrust.co.uk/childcare.
Battling bottle with positive action
A specialist alcohol service to help adults in the borough who are severely dependent on drink has opened its doors.
Research suggests that 3.6 per cent of adults of working age in England are severely dependent on alcohol. If this applied to Hackney it would mean there could be over 5,500 people who need help to quit.
The new service, which opened on 1 July, will provide care to residents who have severe alcohol dependence or other complex alcohol-related problems and will be run from locations across the borough.
It will offer specialist in depth assessment, access to medication and the option to refer people who are struggling to residential detox and rehabilitation programmes.
Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Vanessa Crawford, clinical lead for the service said:
“Alcohol misuse has a huge impact on the individual, their families and the wider community.
“People can unwittingly become heavy users and not feel able to break the cycle.
“Alcohol impacts on a wide range of physical health and social problems, such as homelessness, child neglect, domestic abuse and mental distress.
“This service will help people to make changes that they need to turn their lives around.”
More information
People can be referred to the service by their GP or other healthcare professional.
Smokefree Hackney - one year on
A year since the smoking ban came into force in England and Wales, Hackney businesses and residents seem to be embracing the legislation.
Visits arranged by the Environmental Health Smokefree Team have found that 99 per cent of enclosed and substantially enclosed workplaces and public areas in Hackney are now smoke-free.
Recent Government research suggests that the smoking ban has resulted in an increase in people breaking the habit, which has long term benefits for the health of smokers, and those who are no longer exposed to fumes.
From 1 July, mental health units across England also went smokefree. Hackney Council, City and Hackney Primary Care Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust worked together to ensure all of its mental health units were ready when the ban began.
Support to quit smoking is available via your local GP or community pharmacist. Call: 0800 169 1943 for comprehensive stop smoking support. To read the One Year On report in full visit: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.
Page updated: 5 Aug 2008