Health News June 2008
Celebrating 60 years of the NHS
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the National Health Service (NHS).
This momentous event will be celebrated at Hackney’s annual Health In Your Hands festival on 5 July.
Organised by the City and Hackney Primary Care Trust (CHPCT) and partners, the festival features a range of activities and workshops from healthy cooking demonstrations and health MOTs to bike workshops and free dental checks.
It takes place at Daubney School, Daubney Road, E5.
Help on the end of the line
Carers in Hackney can call on support in the form of a new local helpline.
Residents who provide unpaid care for a friend, relative or neighbour can get advice and information thanks to the pilot scheme, launched on 19 June.
Council customer services officers have been trained to sensitively deal with carers who ring the helpline with a range of issues, including questions about what services are available, and how to apply for the Hackney Carers Card and carers’ assessment.
Cllr Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Hackney is committed to improving services for carers, and to valuing their role in our community.”
The Council launched its Carers Strategy last June, which includes a discount card for shops and leisure centres; respite breaks; benefits advice; information packs; and free training and courses.
Last week, the Government announced a new national strategy that will make more money available to councils to support carers over the next decade.
More information
Contact the Carers Helpline on: 020 8356 3000.
Give a guy a break
Employment was the focus of this year’s national Learning Disability Week organised by leading charity Mencap.
Running from 15 to 21June, it highlighted the fact that people with learning disabilities still face huge barriers when trying to break into the job market.
Locally, Hackney Recruitment Partnership (HRP) actively supports people who want to find work that utilises their skills and experience.
It offers job-matching, CV and interview preparation services, as well as ongoing support and guidance.
Jeffrey, 42, is one of its success stories. He contacted HRP in 2006, when despite 15 years experience, he was finding it hard to get work.
After applying for 141 jobs and attending 11 unsuccessful interviews he was left feeling ‘down’ about the situation.
Jeffrey persevered, however, and this February, with HRP’s support, got a three month work trial at Queen Mary College, part of the University of London.
His Training and Development Manager, Suzanne Cantelo, was so impressed by his contribution that she offered him a permanent position and he has been going from strength to strength in his new role since April.
Suzanne said: “It has been wonderful to witness Jeffrey’s development over the past three months. We are delighted that he’s moved into permanent employment.
“Jeffrey has a strong sense of work ethics with a professional attitude and approach and is proving to be a strong team player.
“We have already discussed his professional development and it is hoped that over the next year he will work towards an NVQ qualification.”
Jeffrey’s colleagues even held a champagne reception at the college to celebrate his achievement.
He recently visited HRP to update them on his progress – saying he loves his job, has made new friends and is proud to be able to contribute financially to his household.
There are many more people with learning disabilities living in the borough who would love to have similar opportunities.
More information
If you are an employer who could help someone realise their full potential, then HRP wants to hear from you. If you have a learning disability and would like to discuss how the team can help you, get in touch on: 020 7241 5588; or email: hrp@hackney.gov.uk
Leading the way for UK
Pharmacists in Hackney and the City are leading the fight against diabetes by becoming the first in the country to screen people at risk.
The service, which will also improve care for sufferers, is to be used as a blueprint for involving pharmacies in the care of diabetes patients nationwide.
Under the new scheme, run by the City & Hackney Primary Care Trust (CHPCT), pharmacists will play a key role in diagnosis and treatment by monitoring blood pressure, glucose levels, body weight, and dispensing medication direct to patients.
Estimates suggest there could be as many as 3,000 undiagnosed diabetes sufferers in Hackney and it’s hoped the new service will help to cut this number.
CHPCT Chief Executive, Jacqui Harvey, said: “Once again our pharmacists are stepping into the front line of care, and improving the value of their contact with patients. We’re delighted to offer residents easier access, and hope they will make use of the service.”
Shocking new figures predict that by 2025, there will be 540,000 Londoners with the disease, according to charity Diabetes UK.
This represents a 46 per cent increase, which will be mostly due to rising numbers of overweight or obese people. The condition can lead to complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputation.
More information
For further details please visit: www.diabetes.co.uk.
Bid to tackle addiction
A four-year strategy to tackle drug and alcohol abuse has been launched in Hackney.
The programme, produced by the Council’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), focuses on reaching out to the borough’s diverse communities.
Called ‘Achievement and Challenge: Tackling Drug and Alcohol Misuse’, the strategy builds on work the team are already involved in. It is hoped the plan will make it easier for people from all communities to seek help for addiction problems.
Over the past three years, DAAT has contacted and worked with over 10,000 people.
Waiting times for treatment in the borough are now down to just over one week, compared with a national target of three.
The team also runs a successful black and ethnic minority volunteering programme, and actively works with clients to help shape and improve services.
Zeynep Thirlwell, who was born and educated in Turkey, graduated from the programme in 2006 and is now a bilingual substance misuse worker at treatment agency Addaction.
She said: “There is a big stigma around drugs in the Turkish community. They suffer with language problems in getting access to services. I am a kind of bridge between them and other services which can help them.”
Running - good for London's chests
If you’re getting in shape this year, why not do it for a good cause?
The Barts and the London Charity 10K takes place in Victoria Park on 15 June, starting at 11.30am.
There is also a 3k fun run and a junior mile for runners aged 12 and under.
Both races will raise money for heart research at The London Chest Hospital, E2, and Trauma Unit at the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel.
There will be changing facilities, toilets, showers, refreshments, and supervised bag storage for runners, as well as a barbecue and entertainment for those who still have the energy after.
Although advanced entry is closed, there will be plenty of places available on the day for participants of all ages.
Runners should aim to arrive at least an hour early to leave plenty of time to register and warm up.
Entry fees are £12 for adults and £3 for under-12s. For further details call: 020 8983 2345; or email: pat.gray@bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk.
Consult on health issues
Hackney is looking for an organisation to set up and run the Local Involvement Network (LINk) – a new form of public consultation forum which will encourage local people to have their say over health and social care services in the borough.
The contract starts this September, with a maximum budget of £620,000 over three years. The deadline for applications is 10 July. For more information, visit: www.teamhackney.org/commissioning; or email: jane.woolley@hackney.gov.uk.
Heart of the matter
The search is on for six people to take part in a once in a lifetime trip to Africa.
The East London NHS Foundation Trust is looking for applicants to take part in the Heartsounds Tour of Uganda.
The paid for, two-week expedition in September is part of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues in the country.
Participants will visit some of the organisations working to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness in Uganda.
They will also meet Ugandan mental health staff and the communities they serve, at workshops and events, visits to schools and universities and even a planned appearance on Ugandan radio.
The Trust is keen that mental health service users apply to take part in the trip, alongside staff and representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in mental health work.
Paul, a service user representative, said: “This is the most exciting project I have had the privilege of working on since I became an East London mental health service user.”
Applicants need to demonstrate a commitment to promoting user involvement in mental health services and communities.
The closing date for applications is 20 June.
More information
For an application form, or more details, contact Cerdic Hall on: 020 7655 4025, cerdic.hall@eastlondon.nhs.uk; or jane.clutterbuck@eastlondon.nhs.uk.
Good causes galore
Over 140 people took part in the third annual fun run to raise money for Homerton hospital.
Competitive runners, hospital staff and supporters from across the borough took part, running either 3k or 10k, at Hackney Marshes.
Money raised from the event on 17 May will go towards the hospital’s charitable fund, which complements NHS projects in Hackney.
Sponsorship is still being collected but hopes are high that last year’s £4,000 total will be beaten.
If you feel inspired to put your best foot forward for charity, then join celebrity walkers Danni Minogue, Alan Cummings and 4 Poofs & A Piano for Crusaid’s Walk For Life on Sunday, 1 June.
Now in its 19th year, the 10k walk through the centre of London is the largest HIV and Aids fundraising event in Europe and is attracting support from Hackney residents.
The walk starts at Potters Fields Park next to Tower Bridge and takes in many of the capital’s favourite sights including St Paul’s, the Old Bailey, Covent Garden and the London Eye.
Robin Brady, Crusaid’s Chief Executive welcomed local supporters saying:
“Walk For Life is a great example of the generosity and willingness of Londoners to help people within their own communities, and Hackney residents are leading by example this year round. And of course, it would be great to see even more register and join us on the day.”
To register visit: www.walkforlife.co.uk, or call the Crusaid hotline on: 0845 367 0180.
Results:
3k:
- 1st place male, Tim Earnshaw (13min 34)
- 1st place female, Amy Jung (16min 22)
10k:
- 1st place male, John Loveday (38min 43)
- 1st place female, Louisa Seymour (44min 46)
Nothing to be embarrassed about
It may be an embarrassing subject, but the sexual health of people living in Hackney and the City is among the worst in the country.
Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are increasing, and teenage abortion levels are also high.
But it is not all doom and gloom, our Teenage Pregnancy service has won a London wide award for improving health and reducing inequalities in the borough.
This type of progress is really encouraging, but can only continue if more residents know about and use local sexual health services.
Finding a friendly, confidential service in Hackney is easy so there’s no reason not to seek help if you’re worried about something.
There are a number of community-based services available, including the Ivy Centre at St Leonard’s Hospital, Hoxton, and five local health centres.
All offer tests and treatment for a range of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as contraceptives and general sexual health advice, all in strict confidence.
Where to go for help:
The Ivy Centre, St Leonard’s Hospital
Nuttall Street, N1
Barton House Health Centre
233 Albion Road, N16
Fountayne Road Health Centre
1a Fountayne Road, N16
John Scott Health Centre
Green Lanes, N4
Lower Clapton Health Centre
36 Lower Clapton Road, E5
Wick Health Centre
200 Wick Road, E9
To book an appointment at any of these centres, call: 020 7683 4103.
The Department of Sexual Health at Homerton Hospital offers walk-in clinics, no appointment necessary, Mon to Fri. For opening times call: 020 8510 7988.
If you are under 25 you can also attend the Choices clinics for young people, no appointment necessary:
John Scott Health Centre
Green Lanes, N4. (Thurs, 4-6pm)
Lower Clapton Health Centre
36 Lower Clapton Road, E5.
Mon: 4.30-6.30pm
Wed: 5.30-7pm
Page updated: 7 Jul 2008