Nottingham Local News » Health

A PATIENT PERSPECTIVE AT TRENT BRIDGE

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:41:51 +0000

Patients all over the country are becoming more involved in how the National Health Service operates. At the level of local primary care, most GP practices have Patient Participation Groups (PPGs). At the Trent Bridge Practice on Bridgford Road in West Bridgford,
a group of 10 patients from the practice meets every month. The group is there to ensure that a patient perspective is included in decisions about how the Trent Bridge practice is run and how services are delivered.
The group is a very active one and has had a busy year in 2011. Early in the year they conducted a survey of patients’ views, which involved nearly 300 patients from the practice. Their views have made a difference to how the practice is organised. For instance, their effort has made it easier to arrange appointments and has improved the information that patients receive on the services available to them at that practice.
There are plans afoot for four practices in the area to merge (Trent Bridge, Ludlow Hill, South View and Compton Acres) and for those practices, together with the Musters Road Practice, to develop new purpose-built premises. The Patient Groups from all the practices involved have been consulted about these plans, and are now involved in a wider consultation process organised by the Primary Care Trust.
At Trent Bridge, the patient group has welcomed the chance to have greatly improved premises and better access to a wider range of services, but is concerned about moving away from its present location in the centre of West Bridgford. The site proposed for the new premises is on Wilford Lane and, if the plans do go ahead, the group wants to ensure that there are good public transport links from all parts of West Bridgford.
In January and February, Trent Bridge Practice is aiming to recruit new members to join their patient group from April 2012. Any patient registered with the practice can put their name forward. The aim is to make the new group more representative of the patients attending the practice. Applications would be most welcome from younger people and those from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Patients who are registered with other practices in the area should enquire at their own surgery if they are interested in being involved in a patient group. New members are nearly always required.

BURNING OFF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:40:35 +0000

Over 25 members took part in Bingham Leisure Centre’s annual Christmas special fitness class. They then joined their instructors for a social drink afterwards to celebrate Christmas and a great year of exercise, which has seen popularity in the classes at the Leisure Centre soar.
Sarah Wake, a fitness instructor, said:
“It was great to see people and, after a few days rest, everyone was raring to go. They soon managed to burn off their Christmas pudding.”
The Christmas special consisted of a mix of the popular BodyPump and BodyAttack classes with a few extra special circuits to celebrate.
Members also got a tantalising taste of the new routines to be launched this month. The classes are designed for maximum fat burning, toning and weight loss, and are suitable for all fitness levels.
The new releases consist of new moves and new music to accompany the workouts, keeping members energised and motivated with every visit. There have been some minor changes to the timetable and the Tuesday Body Pump class will now run from 7.10-8.10pm.
Classes cater for all abilities and are a great social atmosphere in which to train, helping you to get fit for the year ahead. You can take advantage of the centre’s special offer – join before the 1st February and pay no joining fee, receive a free fitness starter kit and a free extra month membership. Call Bingham Leisure Centre on 01949 838 628.

LEGACY CONTINUES FOLLOWING LOCAL RE-LAUNCH

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:24:58 +0000

Two businesses run by local therapist and yoga teacher, Andy Thomas, have been re-launched following his death earlier this year. Colleagues, associates and family have joined forces to ensure that the unique therapy devised by Andy to treat muscle and joint pains, immobility and malfunction will continue.
The Full Movement Training School provides teaching in the full movement method – the unique therapy devised by Andy, who had treated hundreds of patients over many years, including sportsmen and women, actors and road accident victims.
He also ran Shanti Yoga School, which has trained dozens of yoga teachers in Hatha Yoga. The school has recently gained accreditation from Yoga Alliance UK, which sets standards for yoga, yoga teacher training, yoga teachers and yoga training providers. It is re-opening in a new home at the eco-centre at Shackerdale Farm, Car Colston, near Bingham.
Andy’s wife, Liz Thomas from West Bridgford, remains a director of both businesses. Andy’s eldest son, Jim Thomas, has been appointed a director of the Full Movement Training School. Jim’s wife, Elan Thomas, has been appointed a director of Shanti Yoga School.
Liz Thomas said: “Andy was an inspirational teacher, both of yoga teachers and of his unique therapy FMM, as well as a dedicated practitioner who treated hundreds of people in Nottingham, the East Midlands and beyond.”
Andy, 65, from Melton Road in West Bridgford, died in March 2011 after suffering from lung cancer. For more information visit shantiyogaschool.co.uk and fullmovementmethod.co.uk.

SUPPORT GROUP IS ON HAND

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:57:11 +0000

The local depression support group is holding a meeting on Thursday 17th November at the Bay Therapy Centre in West Bridgford from 7.30-9.30pm.
There’s a small charge of £2 per person and all interested in attending are most welcome. For more details please send an email to karen@innercommunications.com. The Nottingham NLP Practice Group meet on Thursday 24th November at the same venue, also running 7.30-9.30pm. For more details email karen@innercommunications.com.

KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DAY IN CLIFTON

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:11:06 +0000

Trent Bridge Rotary Club held a special event in Clifton last month to give local residents a free blood pressure test. The event took place at Morrisons Supermarket on Green Lane.
Spokesperson for the group, Philip Hopewell, told The Local News: “We decided to change the venue in order to increase the uptake from previous years of the offer to the public of a free blood pressure test.
“The decision was made to approach Morrisons Supermarket in Clifton and we were extremely pleased that they very quickly said yes.
“Consequently, we were allowed to position ourselves very favourably in the foyer, allowing us the capability to offer people a test whether they were about to start or finish their shopping trip.
“The event could not have taken place without the help and expertise of our three volunteer nurses; Sara Fox-Male, Jane Guion and Sara Newton, so many thanks to them and naturally there were plenty of supporters from the Trent Bridge Rotary Club.
”The event was planned to last from 10am until 2.30pm and during that time we managed to carry out 103 blood pressure tests.
“There were thankfully only two people who were in urgent need of seeing their GP and these situations were managed sensitively and effectively by Sarah and Jane.
“In summary, the event was very successful, with a good location, plenty of volunteers and a good number of tests. For that reason we are looking forward to repeating this really worthwhile event next year.”

SPRING MUMS SEEK HELP FROM HOMEOPATHY

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:16:06 +0000

As spring breathes new life into the natural world, many West Bridgford new mums are turning to homeopathy to help their babies through common illnesses. As the immune systems of babies and young children aren’t fully developed, they are prone to picking up bugs, and many struggle with common ailments such as teething and colic. Homeopathic medicines (known as remedies) have always been popular with families. They are non-toxic and safe to use, even in the very young and in pregnancy.
West Bridgford homeopath, Shirley Thompson, said: “As an increasing number of conventional medicines for minor illnesses are becoming off limits for young children, parents are looking for alternatives. Homeopathic remedies are mildly sweet and are easy to take.”
One family sought treatment when their new-born baby boy was suffering with colic. At five days old, his mother reported that he would “scream in agony” after breastfeeding. This came in waves and he would also wake from sleep crying with pain.
She described how he would bring his shoulders forward and knees up and was not helped by gentle pressure or attempts to wind him. There are several useful homeopathic remedies for colic but the specific symptoms are important in choosing the best one. Soon after giving the homeopathic remedy, the mum reported that after one day the colic had eased considerably and she had been able to stop treatment after three days. Over the next few weeks, occasional bouts of colic were helped with another dose of the remedy.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with highly-diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their specific symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to each patient.
If you would like to know more about homeopathy for all ages and complaints, Shirley can be contacted at shirley10m@hotmail.com, call 0115 923 2899 or visit shirleythompson.co.uk.

KEYWORTH ADVICE CENTRE

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:21:10 +0000

A recent meeting of local advisers and representatives has taken place to decide the way forward for Keyworth Advice Centre. This centre has been staffed by volunteers and members of the public have been able to attend to explain personal problems and to receive free advice. The centre has recently been suffering from lack of business and a proposal was made to close it completely.
Keyworth councillor, Sam Boote, said on his website: “After a productive and frank open discussion it was agreed to put the centre into temporary abeyance, but not to wind it up completely. This would give an opportunity to see if demand for advice was picking up and to put a development plan into place. An announcement will be made locally if and when the centre is ready to open again. It’s possible that it might reopen as a “virtual” centre, with contacts being made by phone or e-mail and individual meetings taking place in clients’ homes.

COPD TESTING IN CLIFTON

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:32:37 +0000

Staff from the COPD team based at Clifton Cornerstone provided a range of lung tests to people visiting the health centre recently. COPD is the fifth-biggest killer in the UK and is on the increase. It is known to cause more deaths than breast cancer in women.
COPD nurse specialist, Brian Rorison, told The Local News: “Lung disease is a particular problem in Clifton, partly due to the traditionally high levels of smoking amongst adults.
“On the day of our testing we checked 29 people and seven were found to have an abnormal reading and were invited to see their GP.”
Brian is a COPD nurse specialist based at Clifton Cornerstone.

PUBLIC QUIZZED ABOUT THE REAL COST OF THE NHS

admin — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:27:15 +0000

An innovative West Bridgford company is using a classic TV card game to help inform local NHS decision-making. Local residents are being encouraged to consider the costs of providing healthcare as part of NHS Nottinghamshire County’s new Play Your NHS Right online quiz.
The quiz has been devised by the local NHS in association with Bridgford-based Volute, a website design and development company which provides interactive sites for public, private and voluntary sector organisations.
Play Your NHS Right is available at bighealthydebate.nhs.uk as part of a major programme of engagement with the public about the big changes facing the local NHS.
The quiz aims to raise awareness of how the NHS needs to do things differently, to become more efficient and free up millions of pounds to be re-invested at the front line.
It questions people about the cost of services such as visiting the GP or hospital emergency department, encouraging ideas as the best ways to spend taxpayers’ money on local services.
Tim Ryan, Volute director, said: “We all remember Bruce Forsyth on TV urging contestants to go ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ on card numbers. Play Your NHS Right adapts that fun concept to get people thinking seriously about how much these NHS services cost to run.
The website is attracting hundreds of hits and is helping engage people in this vital NHS debate, who might otherwise miss the opportunity to get involved in the process and have their voice heard.”
Andrew Fairey, web communications manager at NHS Nottinghamshire County, said: “We are very happy with the final product – it is exactly what we were after. Volute understood our vision to interact, educate and engage public and patients in what is one of the most challenging periods the local NHS faces.
“Their expertise made it possible to make a unique website that for the first time details to service users how much NHS services cost, but more importantly how public and patients can use the NHS more efficiently. The system developed by Volute allows us to administer and manage the content which will prove invaluable as we continue to develop the Big Healthy Debate by Playing Your NHS Right.”
Volute Ltd is a website design and development company based in West Bridgford, which launched in 1999 and now numbers 60 client organisations in its portfolio. Clients span the public, private and voluntary sectors. Services include web design and development, web copywriting, search engine optimisation, web hosting and management, web evaluation, social media and marketing communications.
NHS Nottinghamshire County is a primary care trust (PCT) responsible for planning for and buying the NHS services that local people need, making sure they are high quality and value for money.

DIABETES GROUP MEETING SUCCESS

admin — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:18:23 +0000

The inaugural meeting of the Nottingham Type 1 Diabetes Group took place last month and looks set to become a huge success. Type 1 Diabetes is often overlooked by the media as it affects only 10% of the approximately 2.6 million people with Diabetes in the UK, often leading to misunderstanding of the condition amongst friends, co-workers and even family. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 is an autoimmune condition often diagnosed in early childhood and is not caused by lifestyle choices. Although similar to the more common Type 2 Diabetes, those with Type 1 encounter different sets of problems and, due to the relative rarity of the condition, growing up as a Type 1 Diabetic can often be a lonely experience.
With the help of Diabetes UK’s Nottingham office, Jeremy Walker and Alex Wild founded the Nottingham Type 1 Diabetes Group to offer support to those with the condition as well as their friends, family and carers. As well as providing information and support, Alex and Jeremy also want a good mix of social activities to be part of the Group’s agenda. After all, as Diabetes is a lifelong chronic condition it’s sometimes good to let your hair down for a bit and just enjoy being with like minded people.
If you would like more information about the group, or would like to offer your help with fundraising, please email nottst1support@hotmail.co.uk or call 07922 564 175.
You can also visit their dedicated website online at
nottingham-type-1.diabetesukgroup.org, find them on Facebook by searching for ‘Nottingham Diabetes Type 1 Group‘ or on Twitter @NottsType1.