Category Archives: Health

Act FAST campaign re-launched

Public Health England (PHE) has re-launched the Act FAST stroke campaign, which urges the public to call 999 if they notice any signs of a stroke. While the majority of stokes occur in older people, recent figures from PHE show more first time strokes are now occurring at an earlier age. The average age for males having a stroke fell from 71 to 68 years and for females, 75 to 73 years between 2007 and 2016. Awareness is crucial, so the campaign reaches out to people of all ages.

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Are you aware of the proposed changes in NHS repeat prescriptions?

Pharmacy signThe local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is proposing changes to the way in which repeat prescriptions for medicines are being handled. As you can imagine, many patients are expressing concern about this. In order to clarify the situation, the Forum has invited a respresentative from the CCG to attend our next Forum meeting to explain what is proposed. For further information, please visit our ‘Forum Events‘ page or follow us on Twitter.

 

Have your say on health services in the district

Health in sand

 

There are currently several consultations on the provision of local health services. Have you had your say? This is our opportunity to help shape parts of the health service for the future.

Consultations include:

  • Pharmacy service provision
  • Helping people stay well and independent in the local community
  • Improving patient safety and learning from errors
  • Changes in GP services

Details of all of these consultations are on our ‘Have Your Say’ webpage. Make sure you express your views on these important matters.

 

Caring for someone with cancer at Christmas?

Marie CurieMarie Curie provides a support line for people living with or caring for someone with a terminal illness 

The Marie Curie Support Line is a free and confidential service for people living with or caring for someone with terminal illness. The service provides practical information and emotional support to anyone that is affected by terminal illness. The service will be available throughout the festive period, including the bank holidays. You can find out more about the support line, including full opening hours, and other support services on the Marie Curie website.

How one NHS Trust has improved end-of-life care

End-of-lfe careOne NHS Trust demonstrates how patient feedback led to improved End of Life Care …..

‘Patient feedback is a vital part of improving NHS Services. Listening to feedback from patients and their families on End of Life Care has helped deliver a more dignified, compassionate and professional experience at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust. Staff in the trust, which provides acute healthcare in outer North East London, have redesigned their processes to make sure that the needs of dying patients and their bereaved relatives are at the heart things. This videoshows how patient feedback was used to create a positive change in services’.  (Source: NHS England Issue 60).

The sun is shining – so kick up your heels!

Dancing 2It’s time to join the Over 50s Forum and enhance your wellbeing with a little dancing. Come and ‘skip the light fandango’ – as the saying goes. Suitable for all shapes, sizes and abilities.

Jackie Terry-Schuhmann is a director of Dancing for Well-Being, a non-profit organisation, with currently 5 groups in Harrogate District. Jackie led one of our Forum meetings about 15 months ago and her routines were very popular. Many people have asked for her return – so here she is. Jackie will use a mixture of music from all over the world and more familiar music that everyone can sing-a-long to while we dance. Some dances include props such as scarves, velvet elastic, hats and cheerleader pompoms which all add greatly to the fun. You can really let your
hair down and be spontaneous; there are no right or wrong moves, only variations!

See our ‘Forum Events’ page for further details.